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A 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND, 



CONTAINING 



HISTORICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE SKETCHES 



COUNTIES, CITIES AND PRINCIPAL TOWNS 



SIX NEW ENGLAND STATES, 

INCLUDING, IN ITS LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS, MORE THAN SIXTY LITERARY MEN AND WOMEN, 
REPRESENTING EVERY COUNTY IN NEW ENGLAND. 



EDITED BY 

REV, R, H. HOWARD, A. M., AND Prof. HENRY E. CROCKER. 



ILLUSTRATED WITH FINE STEEL AND WOOD ENGRAVINGS, 

EMBRACING VIEWS OF CITIES, NATURAL SCENERY, PUBLIC BUILDINGS, AND PROMINENT LANDMARKS 
OF SPECIAL HISTORIC INTEREST. 



Land of the forest and the rock, 

Of dark blue lake and mighty river, 
Of mountains reared aloft to mock 
The storm's career, the lightning's shock. 
My own green land forever! " 

WlIITTIER 




BOSTON : 

CROCKER & CO., PUBLISHER 

1879. 




Copcriglit. 

By CROCKER & CO. 

1879. 



Y V 



Boston: 

WRIGHT * roTTEU rUlNTISQ COMPANY, 
No. 73 Milk STREtT (cok. Federal). 



PREFACE. 



The history of Now England is invested with a peculiar interest. Its honored antecedents, the 
extraordinary circumstances of its early settlement, and the numerous vicissitudes attending its later 
development; the rare intelligence, sturdj' virtue and indomitable energy of its primitive population; 
the fact, moreover, that the sons of this motherland have, for generations, been carrying her ideas and 
institutions, as well as her spirit of enterprise, into the new and opening regions of the great West, 
serve to attach to this section of our common country an exceptional importance, and to invest its 
annals with a corresponding signilicancc and cliarm. 

For not the native New Englander alone, or even the native American, l)ut for all true lovers of 
libertj', and of free institutions cveryM'here, the history of this "nursing spot of freedom," as also the 
annals of the people who contri))uted, in so eminent a degree, to the success of this notable experiment 
in local self-government, cannot, we feel confident, but prove a theme of deep and enduring interest. 

This work, as will be readily perceived, is intended to embi'ace, in a comprehensive form, what- 
ever may be regarded as of special interest comiected with the history of the States, counties and 
towns of New England. Such a work obviously possesses a peculiar merit. In this characteristically 
" fast and progressive ago," when there is so much to be read in a necessarily limited period of time, the 
public generall}- want results and not processes ; generalizations and bird's-eye views, and not extended 
disquisition. jMeantime, neither labor nor expense has been spared, in tlie j^reparation of this work, 
I to make it, as far as possi))le, accurate and relialjle ; while both the quality and variety of the talent 
j employed are such as to warrant, not only the authenticity of its statements, but also the varied and 
popular treatment', as well as the literar}- ability and skill that should characterize a work of this kind. 

Special attention, it will be observed, has been paid to the earlier history of each section, and not 
only in the letter-press, but in the illustrations. Indeed, in the latter department, the book will be 
found happily to embrace the two extremes of our civilization — what it was at its first and feeble 
beginnings, and what it is at its present advanced stage of progress. 

It will be noticed that the same topics have been treated to some extent b}^ different writers. The 
history of the torritorj- being Avritten b}' small sections, and by a variety of hands ; the ground, more- 
over, being traversed first in a general way by the State writers, and subsequently more in detail by 
the County writers ; and the fact withal that the topics of the diflerent authors naturally overlap each 



PREFACE. 



other, sufficiently explain this feature. This latter peculiarity, however, is not without its value. One 
writer generalizes, another furnishes us with a detailed account ; one discusses an important epoch 
from one standpoint, another approaches and examines it in the light of another ; and so, through this ) 
diversified as well as thoughtful testimony, every important theme gets the benetit of a variety of side- 
lights — all contributing either to contirm and strongtlu'u, or otherwise to enlighten and liberalize our 
historical opinions. 

We take occasion here to tender our acknowledgments to our contributors, and to express our 
hearty and unalloyed gratification that they have so generally entered into our plans, and so warmly 
sympathized with our undertaking, and have, with such signal abilitj', and exemplary patience and 
foithfulness prepared the articles that constitute the body of this work. 

Our acknowledgments are especially due to William E. Graves, Esq., a well-known Boston jour- 
nalist, of large experience and extensive acquaintance throughout the Xew England States ; to Judge 
McUen Chamberlain, and Arthur Mason Knapp, of the Boston Public Library; to Rev. Frederick 
A. Whitney of Brighton, Mass. : to the librarian of the Massachusetts Historical Society ; to John i 
Ward Dean, A. ]M., of the Xew England Historic and Genealogical Society: and to the librarian of 
the ^Massachusetts State Library, for A-aluable assistance rendered. 

Among numerous authorities consulted in the preparation of this work have Ijcen Prof. Zadock 
Thompson's "History of Vermont," Miss Hemenway's "Vermont Gazetteer," Coolidge and Mansfield's 
"History and Description of New England," Palfrey'^s "History of New England," Barry's "History of 
Massachusetts," Williamson's and Abbott's histories of Maine, Freeman's " History of Cape Cod," 
Drake's, Shurtleflfs and Snow's histories of Boston; Nason's "Massachusetts Gazetteer," &c., &c. 

And now, to all New Englanders, and to all lovers of New England, this work, prepared at a great 
outlay of labor and means, is commended in the earnest hope that its readers may derive pleasure and 
instruction from the perusal of these memorials of their ancestors. 

Boston, December 10, ISTO. 



1 

TABLE OF CONTENTS, 


i 
! 

EARLY EXPLORATIONS, 






By Heiny E. Crocker, 








1 

PAGE 


MASSACHUSETTS, 






By Rov. R. H. Howard, 








18 


Barnstable County, 






Henry E. Crocker, Boston, 








72 


Beeksiiiee County, . 






J. E. A. Smith, Pittsfleld, 








87 


Bristol County, 






F. E. Galligan, M. D., Taunton, .... 








108 


Dukes County, 






Hon. Hebron Vincent, Edgartown, .... 








124 


Essex County, 






Cyrus M. Tracy, Lynn, 








131 


Fkankxin County, . 






William E. Graves, Boston 








147 


Hampden County, . 






Robert O. Morris, Esq., Springfield, .... 








160 


Hampshiee County, 






Mrs. S. F. Wliite, South Wortliington, 








175 j 


Middlesex County, 






Prof. L.F. Griffin, Lalje Forest, III, .... 








187 


Nantucket County, 






Dr. Arthur E. Jenks, Nantucket, .... 








200 1 


Norfolk County, . 






Henry 0. Hildreth, Esq., Dedliam, .... 








216 j 


Plymouth County, . 






Rev. Charles W. Wood, Scotland, Mass., . 








231 


Suffolk County, 






Rev. Z. A. Mudge, Dedham 








"41 


Worcester County, 






Rev. Elias Nason, North Billerica, .... 








274 


CONNECTICUT, . 






By Capt. Henry P. Goddard, Hartford, .... 








291 


Fairfield County, . 






William Knapp, Esq., New Milford 








299 


Hartford County, . 






William L Fletcher, Hartford, 








311 


Litchfield County, 






William Knapp, Esq., New Milford, .... 








330 


Middlesex County, 






Prof. Thomas Emmette, Middletown, 








342 


New Haven County, 






S. R. Dennen, D. D., and Carrie R. Dennen, New ILaven 








354 


New London County, 






Ashbel Woodward, M. D., Franklin 








365 


Tolland County, . 






Mrs. Eunice F. Anderson, Mansfield, 








376 


WiNDUAM County, . 






Miss Ellen D. Laraed, Thompson, .... 








387 


RHODE ISLAND, . 






By Hon. Francis Brinley, Newport, .... 








399 


Bristol County, 






Rev. James P. Lane, Bristol, 








403 


Kent County, . 






Joseph W. Congdon, Esq., East Greenwich, . 








417 


Newport County, . 






George E. Mason, Esq., Newport, .... 








422 


Providence County, 






Rev. Edwin M. Stone, Providence, .... 








433 


Washington County, 






Esther B. Carpenter and Rev. James H. Carpenter, Wakefield 






445 



' 6 CONTENTS. 


PAGE 


MAINE, By Rev. Mark Trafton, D. D., Wollaston, Mass., . 




. 455 


Androscoggin County, 






Rev. J. S. Cogswell, West Auburn, Me., . 








. 464 ! 


I Aroostook County, 






R. R. McLeod, Esq., Houlton, . 










. 470 


1 Cumberland County, 






Rev. E. P. Thwing, Brooklyn, N. Y., 










. 473 


Franklin County, . 






Rev. J. S. Swift, Farmington Falls, . 










. 490 


Hancock Col-nty, . 






Hon. Parker Tuck, and Miss C. B. Homer 


Buckspoi 


t, 






. 499 ' 


Kennebec County, . 






Hon. William B. Lapham, M. D., Augusta, 










. 511 


Knox County, . 






L. F. Starrett, Esq., Rockland, . 










. 521 


Lincoln County, 






R. K. Sewall, Esq., Wiseasset, . 










. 52S 


Oxford County, 






AVilliam B. Lapham, M. D., Augusta, 










. 536 


Penobscot County, . 






E. F. Duren, Esq., Bangor, 










. 543 


Piscataquis County, 






Rev. Amasa Loring, Foxcroft, . 










. 551 


Sagadahoc County, 






Rev. Heniy O. Thayer, AVoolwit-h, . 










. 555 


Somerset County, . 






E. P. Mayo, Skowhegan, . 










. 562 


Waldo County, 






Albert C. AViggin, Belfast, . 










. 568 


WASnmGTON COUNTV, 






George W. Drisko, Machias, . 










. 576 


York County, . 






Rev. George B. Ilsloy, Yarmouth, . 










. 683 


NEW HAMPSHIRE, 






By Daniel F. Secomb, Concord, 










. 693 


Belknap County, . 






the late Rev. Lcander S. Co.an, Alton, 










. 601 


Carroll County, 






Hon. Larkin I). Mason, South Tamworth, 










. .604 


Cheshire County, . 






William E. Graves, Boston, 










. '608 


Coos County, . 






Prof. J. H. Huntington, Boston, 










. 616 ' 


Grafton County, . 






Prof. John K. Lord, Hanover, . 










. 624 


Hillsborough County, 






Daniel Goodwin, Esq., Mason, . 










. 631 [ 


Merrimack County, 






Asa McFarland, Esq., Concord, . 










. 642 


Rockingham County, 






Prof. L. F. Griffin, Lake Forest, 111., . 










. 650 ! 


Strafford County, 






William E. Graves, Boston, 










. 657 


Sullivan County, . 






William' E. Graves, Boston, 










. 671 


VERMONT, . . . 






By Rev. R. H. Howard, .... 










. 677 


Addison County, 






Prof. William F. Bascom, Middlebury, 










. 693 


Bennington County, 






D. K. Simonds, Esq., Manchester, 










. 702 


Caledonia County, . 






Hon. Henry Clark, Rutland, 










. 711 


Chittenden County, 






Rev. R. H. Howard, .... 










. 722 


Essex County, . 






Dr. Hiram A. Cutting, Ph. D., Lunenburg 


1, . 








. 729 


Franklin County, . 






Hon. Henry Clark, Rutland, 










. 739 


Grand Isle County, 






William E. Graves, Boston, 










. 748 


Lamoille County, . 






William E. Graves, Boston, 










. 751 


Orange County, 






Dr. J. T. Child, West Fairlee, . 










. 756 


Orleans County, . 






William E. Graves, Boston, 










. 764 


Rutland County, . 






Hon. Henry Clark, Rutland, 










. 770 


Washington County, 






Rev. John H. Hinoks, Montpelier, . 










. 777 > 


Windham County, . 






Joseph J. Green, Fayetteville, . 










. . 784| 


Windsor County, . 






William E. Graves, Boston, 










. 791 



ILLUSTRATIONS 



Frontispiece. 
A Northman's Vessel, 

James Cartier, 

Sir Humphrey Gilbert, 

De Monts, 

Samuel Champlain, .... 
rij-moutli Rocli, .... 
Colonists going to Churcli — Ancient " Meeting 
Monument at Plymouth, . . ' . 
Governor Winthrop, .... 

The Spinning-wheel — An Old-time Fireside, 
Old Wayside Inn, . . ^. . . 

View of Sandwich, 

Provincetown, 

Highland Light, Truro, .... 

Autograph of John Brown, 

The Court House, Pittstiold, . 

The Berkshire Athenreum, 

The Park— Railroad Depot, Pittsfield, . 

Memorial Hall, Lee, .... 

Edwards Monument, .... 

City Hall— St. James' Church, New Bedford, 

Unitarian Church, Taunton, 

Leonard House, Raynham, 

Oldest House in Edgartown, 

Union Chapel, Oak Bluffs, 

Old Tunnel Church, Lynn, 

Old City Hall— New City Hall, Lynn, . 

Public Library, Newljuryport, 

Old North Church, Marbleheail, 

Birth-place of Israel Putnam, . 

Phillips Academy, 

Public Library, Springfield, 

Home of Phoebe Hinsdale Brown, Monson, 

Wesleyan Academy, Wilbraham, . 

Mount Tom and the Connecticut River, facino 

Agricultural College, Amherst, 

Mt. Holyoke Seminary, South Hadley, . 

The Battle of Lexington, 

The Battle of Bunker Hill, facing . 

The County Jail — the Court House, Lowell, 

Ladd and Whitney Monument, Lowell, . 

St. Anne's Church, Lowell, 

Residence of the Poet Longfellow, Cambridge, 

Memorial Hall, Harvard University, 



House," 



ard, . 



Public Library, Woburn, facing 
Public Library, Concord, facing 
Henry Wilson's Home, Natick, 
State Normal School, Framingham, 
Lawrence Academy, Groton, . 
Residence of Edwin S. Barrett, Concord, 
Old North Bridge, Concord, . 

Old Manse, Concord 

Massachusetts House, Lexington, facing 

Map of Cape Cod, Nantucket, and Martha's Viney; 

Aljram Quady, 

The Old Windmill, Nantucket, 

Tlie Coffin School, Nantucket, 

Studio of Eastman Johnson, Nantucket, 

The Old Fairbanks House, Dedham, 

Home of John Quincy Adams, Quincy, . 

The Hai'vard Church, Brookline, 

Wellesley College, Needham, . 

i\Iinot's Ledge Lighthouse, Cohasset, 

Winthrop Churcli, Holbrook, . 

First Normal School Building, Bridgewater, 

State Normal School, Bridgewater, 

Railroad Depot, Brockton, 

Leyden Street— Burial Hill, Plymouth, . 

Old Meeting-House, Ilingham, 

Iron-Works, Bridgewater, 

The Standish Monument, Duxbury, 

The " Old Oaken Bucket," Scituate, 

Standish House, Duxbury, 

Brattle Street Chui'cli — Christ Church, Boston, 

Old South Church, Boston, . . ' . 

Faneuil Hall, Boston, .... 

Scene of the Great Fii'c, Boston, 

Boston and Providence Railroad Station, Boston, 

Drive on tlie Margin of the Small Reservoir, 

The Old Hancock House— King's Chapel, Boston, 

Franklin's' Birth-place, 

View at the head of State Street, . 

Old Elm, Boston Common — State House, Boston, 

Now Post-Office— Custom-House— City Hall, 

View on Boston Common, ...... 

Statue of Gen. Glover, 

Trinity Church — Cathedral of the Holy Cross— New 

Old South Church, Boston, 

Bunker Hill, Monument, 



ILLUSTRATIONS. 



cester, 
unty, Cl. 



Meeting-house Hill, Dorchester, 

First Church, Roxbury 

Institution for the Blind, South Boston, . 

Marine Hosj)it:il, Chelsea, 

Institute of luilustrial Science, Worcester, 

Public High School, Worcester, 

The Oreiul Institute— St. PiUil's Church, AVoi 

Building of First Daily Paper in Fairfield Coi 

People's Bank— Wheeler's Block, Bridgeport, 

New State Capitol, Hartford, facing 

Trinity College— High School, Hartford, 

The Charter Oak, Hartford, . 

Residence of Mark Twain, Hartford, 

Rapids near Weramaug's Palace, . 

First Foreign Jlission School in the United States, 

Town Hall, New Milford, 

High Street— Wesleyan University, Middletown, 

Excavation in Middlesex Quarry, Portland, 

Brainard & Co 's Quarry, Portland, 

Shaler & Hall Quarry, Portland, . 

New Chapel— Peabody Museum, Yale Colk 

Farnam Hall, Yale College. . 

Old Stone House, Guilford, 

City Hall, Norwich, 

The Academy, Norwich, .... 

St. Patrick's Church, Norwich, 

Old Bridge at Norwich, facing 

Park Church, Norwich, .... 

Putnam summoned to war. 

Academy, East Greenwich, R. I., . 

Old Coddingtcn House, Newport, . 

"Old Stone Mill," Newport, . 

State House, Newport, .... 

Trinity Church, Newport, 

Roger Williams Monument, Providence, 

Library Building, Brown University, 

Messer Street Primary School, Providence, 

First Baptist Church, Providence, . 

Old Town House, Providence, . 

City Hall, Providence, .... 

Hazard's Castle, NaiTaganset Pier, . 

Birthplace of Gilbert Stuart, . 

Lisbon Falls, Me., 

Livermore Falls, 

Mineral Spring, South Poland, 
Old Mansion House, South Poland, 

View of Portland 

Iilaine General Hospital, .... 
The Observatory, Portland, 

City Hall, Portland, 

Post-Office, Portland, .... 
Custom-House, Portland, 
Westbrook Seminary, .... 
Mansion, Abljott Family School, Farmington, 
Scenery at Abbott Family School, Farmington 
Western Normal School, Farmington, . 



PAGE 

266 
267 
i'70 
272 
278 
278 
279 
305 
.307 
318 
319 
321 
323 
331 
33i 

349 
351 
352 
353 
360 
361 
363 
3G6 
367 
368 
368 
369 
394 
421 
423 
427 
42H 
429 
433 
436 
440 
441 



Upper Dam at Ellsworth, 

Midnight Review, Castine, 

Desert-Rock Lighthouse, facing. 

State House, Augusta, 

High School, Augusta, 

Cobbossce Contee Falls, Gardine 

Cascade at West Waterville, . 

Last Block-house at Fort Halifax 

Maine Wesleyan Seminary, Kent's Hill, 

Upper Falls, Rumford, . 

Lower Falls, Rumford, 

Norombega, . . . • 

Town Hall, Orono, . 

Residences of the Websters, Orono, 

Monument of Rasle, Norridgewock, 

North Channel Dam, Skowhegan, . 

Madison Bridge Falls, 

Uame Central Institute, Pittsfield, . 

Fort Knox, Prospect, 

Lower Falls, East Machias, 

Garrison House, Y'ork, . 

Railroad Bridge, Saco, 

Old Orchard Beach, 

Old Pepperell House, Kittery, . 

Sergeant LaiTabee's Garrison, Keunebunk 

Tlie Cliffs, Cape Arundel, 

Pulpit Rock, facing . 

Rattlesnake Island, Lake Winnipiseogee 

Alton Bay, .... 

Centre Harbor, 

Wolfborough, .... 

The Pavilion, Wolfljorough, . 

Crawford House, 

Lancaster, .... 

The Willey House, facing 

Mount Washington Railway, . 

Culver Hall, Agricultural College, Hanover, 

High School Building, Nashua, 

Mount Pleasant School House, Nashua, 

The Bradley Monument, Concord, . 

Home of Franklin Pierce, Concord, 

State House, Concord, 

Birthplace of Horace Greeley, facing 

Birthplace of Daniel Webster, facing 

The Wentworth House, Little Harbor, 

Old Langdon House, Portsmouth, . 

Robinson Female Seminary, Exeter, 

Old Catamount Tavern, Bennington, Vt. 

First Church in Vermont, 

Burr and Burton Seminary, Manchester, 

St. Johnsbury Academy, . 

Diagrams, facing .... 

Old Court House, Rutland, 

First State House— Second State House 

Montpelier, .... 
Bethany Church, Montpelier, . 



State Capitol, 



EARLY EXPLORATIONS. 



BY HENRY E. CROCKER. 



I. NOKSE DISCOVERIES. 

The earliest exploration of the region now known as 
New England, is generallj' attributed to the navigators 
of England and Southern Europe, who, in the sixteenth 
and seventeenth centuries, examined its coast. As a 
matter of fact, however, the earliest European discover- 
ies in New England, are connected with a period almost 
as near the beginning of the Christian era as to the pres- 
ent, and the mind, to contemplate them, must bridge the 
gulf of nearlj- nine hundred j'ears. It seems especiallj- 
fitting that New England, the birthplace of hard.y marin- 
ers, whose vessels for more than a centurj- have ploughed 
the most distant seas, should have been primaril_y dis- 
covered bj^ a race of sea-kings, the Norsemen of Scan- 
dinavia, renowned in all Europe for their feats of navi- 
gation. Manj- still regard the tales of the Icelandic 
sagas as fables, or at the best as traditions, the remote- 
ness of whose origin renders them unworthj' of credence ; 
luit, to those who have made a careful study of Norse 
literature, the discovery of New England by the North- 
men is a fact as well established and unquestionable, as 
that Columbus discovered Guanahani, or that the Cabots, 
in the time of Henry VII. of England, sighted tlie 
shores of Labrador. The facts upon which this belief 
rests are obtained from the " Icelandic Annals " — old 
records of Iceland — which have, of late j'ears, been ex- 
amined verj' critically by careful investigators of history. 

Sir John Richardson, a learned English writer, says 
of them, in his work entitled "The Polar Regions," 
published in Edinburgh in 1861 : " The authenticity of 
the Icelandic manuscript seems to be fully established," 
and a recent American writer saj's : "These narratives 
are plain, straightforward, business-like accounts of 
actual voyages made bj' the Northmen, in the tenth and 
eleventh centuries, to Greenland, Newfoundland, Nova 
Scotia, and the coast of Massachusetts and Rhode 
Island. Within the whole range of literature of discovery 
and adventure, no volumes can be found which have 
more abundant internal evidence of authenticity." * In 
considering, then, the historj' of early explorations in 

• " Ancient America." By John D. Baldwin. New York, Harper 
& Bros. 1872. 



New England, we shall devote a few paragi'aphs to dis- 
coveries nearlj' five hundred j-ears prior to the time when 
Columbus approached the shores of the Western World. 
One of the boldest of the Northmen was Naddod, who, 
on account of his spirit of adventure and success in 
commercial enterprise, was called the sea-king. Ten 
centuries since, this adventurer, while on one of his dar- 
ing voyages, was driven bj- storms far to the westward, 
and discovered Iceland. Nearly a score of years passed 
away, and the island had been peopled meanwhile bj- a 
colonj- of Danes. Another vessel was borne hy a storm 
four hundred miles to the west of Iceland, and in this 
accidental way Greenland was reached, and the waj' 
opened for colonization. A few years after this, another 
Northman named Bjarne, while attempting a voyage to 
Greenland, was carried by a north wind far to the south 
of his intended course. The gale continued with terrible 
force for many days, and when the storm subsided and 
the sun appeared, a long line of sandy shore was seen in 
the distant horizon. It is believed that this was either 
the island of Nantucket, or the eastern shore of Cape 
Cod. From this point Bjarne sailed backward along the 
coast until at last he arrived at Greenland. Again, some 
four years after, probably in the year 1000, Lief Erikson, 
or Lief, son of Erik the Red, sailed in Bjarne's ship, on 
an exploring expedition. Touching at Hellerland (now 
Newfoundland) and Markland (Nova Scotia), he steered 
to the south-west for the purpose of exploring the land 
that had been seen by Bjarne. The shores of Cape Cod 
were first descried, and after cruising along its eastern 
coast and passing several leagues to the west, they en- 
tered a large bay and cast anchor near its pleasant shores. 
The surrounding country' was so delightful, the fruit so 
abundant, and the climate so mild, that it was decided to 
spend the winter there. In the valleys near the shore 
were the sassafras and other fragrant trees, about many 
of which luxuriant grapevines twined, loaded with 
clusters of delicious fruit. They gave the region the 
appropriate name of Vinland, and began immediate 
preparations to spend the winter in that localitj-. Tents 
were erected, and a rude house constructed not far prob- 
ably from the present site of Fall River. They returned 
to Greenland in the spring, where the news of their dls- 



HISTORY OF XEW EXCxLAND. 



covcr3^ creati'd a profound sensation. Again the ship, 
which had twice visited the shores of the "Western Conti- 
nent, sailed out of the harbor of the little settlement in 
Greenland, and this time Thorwald, a brother of Lief 
Erikson, was in command. The vessel's prow was turned 
to the south-west, toward the newly discovered and de- 
lightful reahns. Entering, in the summer of 1002, the 
hay where Lief had anchored two years before, they 
found the spot where he had encamped, and occupied the 
huts of their brethren, that the natives had allowed to 
remain. To the place where they had encamped they 
gave the name of Lief 's-buder, or Liefs house, and three 
winters were spent in 
that locality. In the 
spring of the second 
jear of their staj', thej _ 
made a voyage around ^^ 
Cape Cod, intending &* 
then to return to Green 
laud. Rounding the €\- ^ 
tremity of the Cape : 
sailing north-west acn 
the baj-, thej' entered 
last a sheltered souim 
studded with islands 
This sound was enclose d 
by hills with rounded 
summits, and at the heid 
was a wooded elevation 
of great beauty. To tlie 
north and west, as far i^ 
the eye could reach, the 
most delightful scene 13 
met the enchanted vi- 
sion of the voyagers, so * nokihm 
that Thorwald exclaims in rapture, " Here it is beautiful ; 
here I should like to spend my days ! " Yet, in this 
lovely harbor occm-red the first battle between Europeans 
and the aborigines of the New World, of which we have 
any record. And in this, as in many subsequent in- 
stances, the white men were the aggressors. They attacked 
some natives, who, unsuspicious of danger, put off a 
little distance from the shore in canoes. The whole tribe 
rushed to arms, and soon the bay was alive with the 
canoes of the savage warriors. Thorwald's men were 
sheltered behind the oaken planks of their vessel and 
suffered no injurj' ; but Thorwald, rashly exposing him- 
self, was struck by an arrow, and a mortal wound 
inflicted. When the Indians retired, the bodj- of the 
chief was carried on shore, and the spot where he had 
hoped to live for many years, became his burial-place. 




^^ceording to his dying request, two crosses were placed 
at his grave, and his men called the place Krossanaes, or 
the promontor}- of the crosses. The placid sound entered 
by Thorwald is believed to have been what is now known 
as Boston Harbor, * although manj- have located the scene 
of the encounter on the shore of Xarragansett Bay, and 
have conjectured that the skeleton in armor, exhumed 
near Fall River, in 1831, and the subject of Longfellow's 
poem, was that of Thorwald. 

The Xorthmen. after the burial of their leader, returned 
to their settlement in Vinland, and, in the spring, set 
sail for their arctic home. On their arrival Thorstcin, 
the younger brother of 
Thorwald, took com- 
m md of the ship, and 
boon after sailed for 
\ inland, that he might 
find the remains of his 
UMloitunate kinsman. 
Ml 1 convey them to 
burial-place of his 
I uhers. He was ac- 
duipanied by his wife 
( 11 Irida, whom the 
i_i-5 described as re- 
in iikal)le for her beauty, 
dignity, prudence, and 
good d iscourse. The ex- 
pedition proved to be an 
ill-staifed one. Ten-i- 
ble storms wore encoun- 
^^i tcud, and, after many 
=„ ( h mges of fortune, 
th(.\ finaUj- succeeded 
, t, \t!,sLL j„ n^aching one of the 

cheerless settlements on the western coast of Greenland. 
Here Thorstein and many of the crew, worn out bj' long 
struggling with the elements, died, and soon after the 
widowed Gudiida returned to her friends. As is often 
the case in modem times, the grief of the widow was of 
brief continuance. A j'ear rolled bj', and she was united 
in marriage to Thorfinn, a wealth}' gentleman of Iceland, 
of distinguished birth, and noted for liis many vii'tues. 



• A Norseman statue and fountain is to be erected in Post-Office 
Square, Boston, to commemorate the supposed visit of tlie Norsemen 
to New England. Tlie statue, of bronze, -nill represent Lief Erilison 
and will wear the ancient armor of the Norsemen, — a shirt of mail, a 
two-edged sword, and the pointed helmet of that people. The pedestal 
will be of rough granite, richly encrusted in bronze, with grapevines, 
leaves, and clusters. Water will fall from the twisted vine-stems at the 
four comers into a simple lipped oval basin of polished granite.— A7h</'s 
Hand-book of Boston. 



EARLY EXPLORATIONS. 



To him Gudrida pictured tlie sunnj' Vinland in the fol- 
lo^ing glowing terms : '' Greenland is, at the best, but 
a barren spot, most wofuU}' misnamed, but Vinland is a 
region of thick and leafy woods, like those of old Norwa}-, 

j of fields of waving grass and rye, of sunny skies and 

i genial clime." 

Thorflnn yielded to the persuasions of the handsome 
Gudrida, and sailed from Greenland in the summer of 
1008, with three ships, and one hundred and sixty men. 

' Thej^ reached Vinland in earfy autumn, and Thorfinn was 

I enraptured with the marvellous beautj^ of the scene. 
The woods were assuming the varied autumnal tints, and 
were fragrant with the odor of the sassafras and grape. 
Wheat was growing wild in the fields, and the climate 
was most grateful, in contrast with the regions of the 
north from which the voyagers came. No snow fell dur- 
ing the winter, and the cattle they had brought with 
them fed in the fields. In this pleasant land Thorfinn and 
his companions dwelt for three years. The year after 
their arrival a child was born to Thorfinn and Gudrida, 
who was named Snorre Thorfinnson. He was born in 
1008, and probably within the limits of the present State 
of Massachusetts. * 

The little hamlet of Vinland was called Thorfinn's 
Buder, or Thorfinn's Building. The inhabitants in the 
surrounding country were friendfy at first, and often 
came to the settlement with rich furs, which they ex- 
changed for knives, beads, and pieces of red cloth. At 
last, dissension arose between the latter and the North- 
men, whose position, under the circumstances, became 
one of extreme peril. Their number had been diminished 
by the departure of a party on an exploring expedition 
to the north and east, and from them no tidings had 
been received. Thorfinn decided to break up the set- 
tlement, and go in search of the missing men. Leaving 
a portion of his company on the shore of Buzzard's Bay, 
he sailed in one of the ships and explored the coast 
northward, probably as far as Maine ; but returned, after 
a fruitless search, to the party at Buzzard's Bay. Here 
the winter was passed, and in the spring of 1011, most, 
if not all of the colonists returned to Greenland. The 
eloquent descriptions of Vinland, its climate and produc- 
tions, that Thorfinn and Gudrida gave to their kindred 
and friends, together with the rich furs and specimens of 
rare varieties of wood they exhibited, created a general 
desire to visit the attractive region. It is probable, from 
the incidental allusions in the annals of those days, that 
many subsequent expeditions were made to Vinland for 

• It is asserted that Bertcl Thorwaldsen, the great Danish sculptor, 
descended from this, the first recorded European born on the American 
continent. 



traffic with the natives. In 1121, a bishop bj' the name 
of Erik visited Vinland as a missionary, and this visit 
would seem to im])ly the existence of settlements, requir- 
ing pastoral oversight and care. The venerable tower in 
Newport, R. I., if erected bj' the Northmen as a citadel 
of defence, or for industrial or religious purposes, * would 
also indicate a long-continued settlement in that vicin- 
ity, t 

II. LATER DISCOVERIES. 

Toward the close of the fifteenth centuiy, Columbus, 
sailing westward, discovered San Salvador, and the 
larger islands between North and South America. New 
expeditions to the gold-bearing regions beyond the At- 
lantic were constantfy projected. Monarchs and wealth}' 
subjects vied with each other in sending explorers across 
the seas. While Spain and Portugal, by means of a 
Papal edict, endeavored to obtain the sole right to navi- 
gate the ocean, English mariners were the cotemporaries 
of Columbus in the work of exploration. In 1496, Henry 
VII. of England, commissioned John Cabot, a wealthy 
Venetian merchant residing in Bristol, Eng., and his 

* R. G. Hatfield, in an able article in " Scribner's Magazine," for 
March, 1879, says : " We conclude that the people of Vinland were 
Christian ; and, if Christian, then the building at Newport erected by 
them may have been for some sacred use of the Christian religion. 
Professor Rafn suggests that the' Old Mill' was, in fact, a Christian 
Baptistery. The northern antiquaries are backed by the opinion of 
such authorities in matters of art and archteology as Boisserce, Klenze, 
Thiersch, and Kallenbach, who, judging from drawings of the old 
stone mill sent from America, have all declared in favor of the ruin 
being the remains of a baptismal chapel in the early style of the Middle 
Ages. The building should, accordingly, henceforth be designated by 
its proper name, and be knoivn only as the Vinland Baptistery." 

t The question as to why the Norsemen, after the discovery and par- 
tial settlement of Vinlsmd, of which their annals always speak in terms 
of warmest praise, should leave that fruitful land and permanently re- 
turn to their ancestral home, must likely always remain unanswered. 
One reason for this withdrawal may have been the prevalence of a terri- 
ble distemper in Europe from 1347 to 1351. This was known as the 
Black Plague, and it swept over the continent with fearful malignity, 
and even extended to Iceland, Greenland, and the more remote Vinland. 
The population of Norway alone was reduced from two millions to three 
hundred thousand, and other p.arts of Scandinavia suffered to a hardly 
less extent. This rapid depopulation of the mother country may have 
necessitated the withdrawal of the Norse settlements, in order that the 
home industries might still be carried on. But, whatever the cause of 
this abandonment, the fact remains, that while Iceland rose to the dig- 
nity of a republic, and the colonics in Greenland had a rapid and pros- 
perous growth, Vinland was, for hundreds of years, in the exclusive 
possession of the native inhiibitants. Century followed century in the 
swift flight of time, and Vinland was forgotten, or remembered only in 
the legendary tales of the old " sea-kings " of the North. The colonies 
in Greenland had an existence only in the memory of a few, who re- 
called some dim tradition of the "heroic age." Even Iceland was 
hardly known to exist by the nations of Southern Europe, and the 
adventurous spirit of the fathers seemed to slumber beyond hope of 
awaking. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



sons, to sail at their own expense, but under the English 
flag and roj'al protection, and " search for islands in re- 
gions inhabited by infidels, and hitherto unknown to 
Christendom." Having found such regions, they were 
to take possession of them in the name of their king. 
John Cabot was to reign over them as the king's vassal, 
and enjo}- the sole right of trading thither, paying to the 
king one-fifth of all the net profits, and sharing in the 
same proportion the product of the mines. * 

Sailing from Bristol, Eng., with a fleet of five ships, 
in the spring of 1497, accompanied by his three sons, 
Lewis, Sebastian, and Saucius, and steering north-westerly 
until he encountered immense fields of ice in the vicinity 
of Cape Farewell, Greenland, he finally turned his vessel's 
prow to the south-west, and on the 24th of June, 1497, 
caught the first view of the North American continent, 
off the coast of Labrador. This land he called Prima 
Yista, or land first seen. After coasting southward as 
far as the present limits of Maine, he sailed for England. 
The port of Bristol was entered in August, and the voy- 
agers were received with demonstrations of joj-, it being 
supposed that the land they had discovered was a part of 
the Empire of China, t 

In May, 1498, Sebastian Cabot sailed from Bristol in 
two ships, provided by his family and some Bristol mer- 
chants, for the dual purpose of trade, and of discovering 
a north-west passage to India. Ha\ing reached the coast 
of Labrador, he turned to the north in search of the 
strait that would lead to the distant Cathaj-. But, meet- 
ing ^ast fields of ice that presented an impassable bar- 
rier to further exploration in that direction, he changed 
his course to the south, and examined, with intense 
eagerness, the inlets and harbors of the then solitary 
coast. It is supposed that he continued his voj'age along 
the entire shore of the present New England. Doubtless 
he entered Cape Cod Ba3' and rounded the extremity' of 
the peninsula that forms its eastern boundary. He maj- 
have entered the harbor of New York, but of this there 
is no reliable evidence. His disappointment must have 
been great as he found the shore beyond Long Island 
trending to the south. But he continued his fruitless 
search until he reached the Carolinas, when, being short 
of provisions, he turned his course toward England. 
The result of this voyage must have been disheartening 

• It is not certainly known that John Cabot personally commanded 
the expedition, or that he came to the American continent. This sub- 
ject has been much discussed by antiquarians, and many contend, 
though, we think, without sufficient authority, that, as John Cabot was 
a merchant, and not a sailor, it is extremely improbable that he left 
England for so extended a voyage. 

t No further mention is made of John Cabot, and it is probable that 
he died soon after his return. 



to the bold navigator. Instead of the rich and populous 
empire he had hoped to reach, in this new path across 
the western seas, the conviction that the New World was 
a solid barrier between Western Europe and Eastern ! 
Asia forced itself upon his mind. Yet his zeal as an : 
explorer was unabated, and he made many other voyages, 
and received high honor for his valuable discoveries. 

The next expedition to explore the coast of North 
America appears to have been made under authority' of 
King John of Portugal. In the year 1500, Gaspar Cor- 
tercal sailed from Lisbon, in two ships, for the ostensible 
purpose of finding the north-west passage to the Indies. 
Touching at Labrador, and other points in the northern 
regions, he directed his course southward, and probablj' | 
visited the coast of Maine. He speaks of a country of 
forests, well adapted for shipbuilding, and large rivers I 
well stocked with fish. On his return, Cortereal carried 
with him fifty of the natives, whom he had basely enticed 
on board his ships, and these were sold as slaves in the 
markets of Portugal. This adventure being remunera- 
tive, he sailed to procure another cargo ; but somewhere 
upon the broad ocean, his vessel foundered, and no 
tidings of his fate ever reached his native land. 

Soon after the discoveries of the Cabots, the great 
value of the cod-fisheries of Newfoundland attracted 
thither the fishermen of Normandy, Brittany, and Eng- 
land. While this commercial enterprise prospered, the 
interest in exploration necessarily- flagged. But, in 1523, 
the French king, Francis I., fitted out an expedition of 
four ships for a voyage of exploration. The command 
was given to John Verrazani, an eminent Florentine 
navigator. The fleet sailed from France in December, 
1523, but, a storm having disabled three of his ships, 
Verrazani was obliged to continue his voyage with only 
one ; coming in sight of land, near the mouth of the Cape 
Fear River, North Carolina, March 10, 1524. Subse- 
quently sailing northward, after having entered the pres- 
ent harbor of New York, he finally reached Narragansett 
Bay and the harbor of Newport. A little later, he 
coasted along the shore, passing near Cape Cod, proba- 
bly entering Boston Harbor, and making an extended 
examination of the coast of Maine. 

Verrazani, after passing as far north as Newfound- 
land, and having explored the American coast for about 
two thousand miles, returned to France. To the extended 
region he had examined, he gave the name of New 
France, a name which was afterwards restricted to the 
countr}' now called Canada. 

In 1525, Estevan Gomez was sent by Charles \. of 
Spain to find the long-sought passage to the East Indies. 
He entered many of the bays and harbors of New Eng- 



EARLY EXPLORATIONS. 



land, and gave the name of the "Country of Gomez" to 
the region he explored. 

For three-quarters of a centuiy afterwards, no expedi- 
tion of importance was made to New England. But 
other portions of the country were visited, and valuable 
discoveries made, and to some of these we wiU brieflj' 
refer. In 1534, and the year following, James Cartier, 
a mariner of St. Malo, France, made two voyages to the 
\icinity of Newfoundland, and, discovering the St. Law- 
rence gulf and river, took possession of the surrounding 
region in the name of his king. 
In 1539, the brave De Soto 
landed at Tampa Bay in Florida, 
and, two years later, made thr 
discoverj'^ of the mighty Mis- 
sissippi, in whose waters his 
toil-worn body was laid to rcsi . 
The Huguenots, aided by tin 
noble Coligny, made two settl 
ments, one in 1562 at Pit 
Royal Entrance, Carolina, aiiu 
the other in 1564 on the banks 
of the St. John's River, Florida. 
Martin Frobisher, in 1576-7, 
entered Baffin's Baj% and made i _ 
two unsuccessful attempts to 
found a colony in Labrador. Sir \^ 
Humphrey Gilbert, the step- ig 
brother of Sir Walter Raleigh 
endeavored, in 1583, to colonize | 
Newfoundland, and found a 
watery grave near the land where 
he had hoped to establish a 
permanent English colom\ Ra- 
leigh, then the favorite of Queen 
Elizabeth, and whose knightly 
soul was inspired with dreams of wealth and power, 
soon after endeavored to found colonies under Amidas 
and Barlow, Lane and White, in the Carolinas, then 
known as Virginia. New England, however, until the 
beginning of the seventeenth century, was almost wholly 
neglected by the brave adventurers of England's golden 



* It is related, howeTcr, that in 1567, the coast of Maine was visited 
Ijy John Kut, in the ship " Mary of Guilford," and he made some ex- 
plorations of the interior of that region. Eleven years previous, a 
French writer of considerable reputation, named Andre Thevet, visited 
a portion of Maine, which was then included in the territory the French 
had called Norumbega. He speaks of the Penobscot as one of the finest 
rivers in the world, called on the charts the Gnand River, and, in native 
language, Agoncy. At its mouth, tlie French had built a small fortifi- 
cation, called the fort of Norumbega. 



JAMES CARTIEK. 



The eventful sixteenth century came to a close, and, 
notwithstanding many colonies had been attempted upon 
the American shores, none had been permanently estab- 
hshed. 

Spain had given up her hold upon Florida, and France 
upon Acadia, and the red men were still masters of the 
vast domain, now the abode of another race. But the 
next century changed the aspect of affairs, and its first 
dermic was marked by several important events. In 
1G02, r.arilHjloiiicw (iosuold, an Enghsh navigator, and 
3 the friend of Raleigh, crossed 
tlio Atlantic, and discovered 
the continent at the present 
)iomontor3' of Naliant. Sail- 
nig southward, he landed, in 
the month of May, upon a 
b uidy peninsula, which he 
nimed Cape Cod, because of 
the great number of cod he 
caught in that vicinity. Round- 
ing this point, and heading to 
the south, and then to the 
w . st, he discovered Nantucket, 
M irtha's Vinej'ard, and a group 
of islands which he named 
Elizabeth Islands, in honor of 
lus queen. Upon one of these 
built a fort and storehouse, 
the cellar of the latter being 
(lisoovered in 1797 by Dr. 
I limy Belknap, the historian 
of New Hampshire. Gosnold 
was obliged to relinquish his 
J pLin of making a settlement, 
on account of the scarcity of 
provisions and the threatened 
hostility of the Indians. After loading his vessel with 
the sassafras wood, then of considerable value, he re- 
turned to England. 

Gosnold gave a most favorable account of the region 
he had visited, so that the enter^jrise of some Bristol 
merchants was enlisted in fitting out a second exi^edition 
to the same locality, for the purpose of traffic with tlie 
natives. Captain Martin Piing was placed in command. 
On the 7th of June, he entered Penobscot Bay. Sailing 
westward, other bays and rivers were entered, some of 
which were partially explored. Lea\-ing the coast of 
Blaine, Captain Pring steered to the south, and, after 
visiting Martha's Vineyard, returned to England. The 
next year he went to the same region, and made a more 
accurate survey of the coast, and the larger rivers of Maine. 




HISTOEY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



In 1605, Captain George Wej-mouth, who had pre- 
viously explored the coast of Labrador in search of the 
" North-west Passage," visited the coast of Maine in the 
ship " Archangel." Upon an island near the shore, prob- 
abl}^ the present Monhegan, he erected a cross, and took 
possession of the country in tlie name of his sovereign, 
James I. of England. This island he named St. George, 
in honor of England's patron saint. Sailing westward 
along the picturesque shores of Maine, he touched at 
several points, trading with the natives, who were at first 
suspicious, but afterwards very friendly. At last, Wey- 
mouth seized five of the unsuspecting natives, and set 
sail for another part of the coast, and soon after for Eng- 
land. For this atrocious act, other Englishmen, not 
responsible for this, suffered. The memory of the deed 
was cherished b3- the red men for a 
hundred years, and the very thought 
of an Englishman was sufficient to 
arouse the desire for vengeance in 
the savage breast. 

The French, as well as the Eng- 
lish, now turned their attention to 
America as a field for colonization. 
In 1603, Henry IV. of France issued 
a patent to De Monts, a wealthy 
Huguenot, and he was made viceroy 
over all the region from the latitude 
of Cape Maj- to that of the pres- 
ent city of Quebec. To the 
northern part of this extensive tei- 
ritory, he gave afterwards the 
name of Acadia. De Monts was 
authorized to trade with the Indians throughout this vast 
reahn, to found colonies, and rule according to his own 
discretion. In May, 1604, he arrived at Nova Scotia, 
and the summer was spent in traffic with the natives. 
In the spring of the following year, he organized the 
first permanent French colony on the American continent, 
giving to it the name of Port Royal. 

In May, 1605, sailing to the westward, he reached 
Penobscot Bay. At a later period, he explored the 
mouth of the Kennebec, erecting a cross in the vicinity, 
and taking formal possession of the country in the name 
of his sovereign. An examination of Casco Bay was 
made, to find an inviting spot for a settlement. The 
hostihty of the natives defeating his purpose in this 
respect, he sailed on as far as the sandy shores of Cape 
Cod. Finding no eligible site for a settlement there, he 
returned to Port Eojal. 

Samuel Champlain, who had gained much honor in the 
voyage of De Monts to New England, was given com- 




mand of another expedition to America. In June, 1 608, 
he ascended the St. LawTence, and, near the spot where 
Cartior had built a fort some seventy years before, he 
laid the foundations of the city of Quebec. The next 
year he ascended the Richelieu River with a party of 
Indians, and discovered the beautiful expanse of water 
that now bears his name. 

In 1609, Henry Hudson, who had made two unsuc- 
cessful voyages to the northern seas in search for a sup- 
posed north-eastern passage to India, was sent by the 
Dutch East India Company on the same mission. He 
sailed from Amsterdam in the " Half-Moon," a vessel of 
about eighty tons, and first touched the continent on the 
shores of Penobscot Bay. Proceeding southward, he 
came in sight of the capes of Virginia in August, 1609. 
From that point he coasted north- 
ward, entering the mouths of several 
rivers, until, at last, he passed the 
Narrows and anchored in New York 
Bay. He then proceeded up the 
river, since called by his name, in 
the vain hope that he had found at 
last a path through the continent to 
India. After reaching a point in 
the river near where Albany now 
stands, and going in a boat sev- 
eral miles farther up the stream, 
he returned to the mouth of the 
river and, soon after, to Holland. 

While the French and the Dutch 
were endeavoring to secure a foothold 
in the New World, and the former 
had achieved at least a partial success, the English were no 
less enterprising in their endeavors to locate permanent 
colonies in America. Upon the accession of James I. to 
the English throne, they claimed dominion over a vast 
extent of territory, having its northern limit in Nova 
Scotia, and, for its southern, the Caroliuas, and extend- 
ing westward indefinitely. In 1606, the king divided 
this tract into two districts. The northern portion, 
called North Virginia, was granted to a company of 
"knights, gentlemen and merchants," in the west of 
England, called the Plymouth Company. The other 
district, or South Virginia, was granted to a com- 
pany of " noblemen, gentlemen and merchants," chiefly 
residents of London, called the London Company. 
Between these two districts was a strip of territory two 
hundred miles wide, so that disputes about boundaries 
should not occur, neither company being allowed to make 
settleinents more than fifty miles beyond its own borders. 
To the settlement of these two districts the rival com- 



REY GILBERT. 



EAELY EXPLORATIONS. 



panies now applied themselves with an unequal measure 
of success. 

Soon after receiving their charter, the Plymouth Com- 
panj' sent a large ship, with a crew of thirtj--one men, of 
whom Henry Chalons was commander, to explore the 
coast of North Virginia, and make a settlement at the 
mouth of the Sagadahock (Kennebec) River. This ves- 
sel was captured hy a Spanish cruiser, and carried, with 
her crew, as a prize to Spain. 

The same year another vessel, commanded by Martin 
Pring, reached the coast of 
Maine. Pring made quite an 
accurate survey of the coast-line 
and large rivers, but no settle- 
ment was effected. On his re- 
tiu-n to England, he gave a very 
encouraging account of the coun- 
try, enlarging upon the beauty 
of the landscape, the fertility of 
the soil, and the luxuriant vege- 
tation. 

The most prominent member 
of the Plymouth Company was 
the Chief Justice of England, 
Lord John Popliam, a man of 
large means and commanding 
miluence. In May, 1607, two 
vessels, with more than one 
hundi-ed emigrants, sailed from 
Plymouth, England, for the 
northern regions of Virginia. 
This enterprise was largely 
aided by Lord Popham, and his 
his brother, George Popham, 
commanded one of the ships, 
the " Gift of God." The other, 
the "ISIary and John," was com- 
manded by Raleigh Gilbert, a 

nephew of Lord Popham. After '"^ ' 

delaying for awhile to fish on the Banks of Newfoundland 
they continued their voyage, and soon came in sight of the 
bold headlands of Maine. A fter many perils, they lauded, 
August ISth, at the mouth of the Sagadahock, and 
immediately began preparations for a permanent set- 
tlement. The colon}' was inaugurated with solemn 
religious services, and a government established in 
harmony with the monarchical ideas of its founders. 
The scheme of government was very elaborate in its 
details, and the plan safTiciently comprehensive for a 
vast commonwealth. Capt. Popham was appointed gov- 
ernor, ^nd seven men were to act as his assistants. 



The colonists were immediately set to work, and a 
small stockade, a store-house and several log-huts were 
erected. A small vessel was also built, to be used in the 
exploration of the coast. The fort was named St. George, 
and the settlement was called the Sagadahock Colonj-. 

A strange lack of discretion, however, seems to have 
characterized tlie movements of the settlers. The entire 
autumn, after the building of the fort, and the surround- 
ing dweUings, was spent in exploring the adjacent coun- 
trj' ; but no provision was made for the hardships of the 
rigorous winter that was so near 
at hand. In October the fort 
was completed, and twelve can- 
non moimted upon its walls. 
Some fifty log-cabins had also 
been reared, and the store- 
house finished. But a foe more 
deadly than that against which 
military precautions had been 
taken was close upon them, — 
the long and tenible winter, 
with its storms of sleet and 
snow. 

The winter came on in No- 
vember, and was unusuallj- se- 
vere. Discontents and quarrels 
arose among the settlers, and 
their imgenerous treatment of 
the Indians, who wished to be 
friendly, prevented the obtain- 
ing of supplies from that source. 
AU but forty-five of the emi- 
grants had returned to England, 
and tliose who remained were, 
at one time, threatened with 
famine. At last Governor Pop- 
ham died, and with his death 
gloom, amounting almost to de- 
spair, settled down upon the ill- 
Manj' of the colonists were mere 
adventui-ers, and their intercourse with the Indians ex- 
hibited a recklessness and inhumanity worthy only of 
the most savage nature. Finally, the indignation of the 
much-abused and long-suffering red men culminated in 
a fierce and universal desire for vengeance. Remember- 
ing the treachery of Weymouth, and the recent cruelties 
of the settlers at St. George, they resolved to exterminate 
the colonists. * A desperate and successful attack was 

* The historian Abbott thus describes the event in his " History of 
Maine " : " They drove the ganison, which was greatly diminished by 
sickness and death, out of the fort. One man was killed ; the others 




fated little band. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



made upon the little settlement, and the last hope of 
permanency for the Sagadahock Colony vanished. 

The situation of tlie colonists was now perilous in the 
extreme. A state of comparative anarchy prevailed, 
and the destruction of the storehouse and fort, and a 
portion of their suppl}- of provisions, seemed to indicate 
that tlie days of the settlement -were numbered. But, 
earl}- in the spring, relief came to the imperilled col- 
onists in the shape of a vessel sent out by the Plymouth 
Company, and, soon after its arrival, the cheerless and 
impoverished settlement of St. George was forever abnn- 
doned. 

For several j-ears subsequent 
to the Kennebec settlement, the 
work of colonization in North 
Virginia flagged. Voj-ages for 
fishing and traflio were however 
made to Maine. In 1611, Sam- 
uel Argall, while on a voyage 
to South Virginia, was driven 
by a succession of gales to the 
north, and made a visit to the 
then famous fishing-grounds of 
Monhegan. Three years later, 
he visited the same region, but 
this time for another purpose. 
Some Frenchmen from Port 
Roj-al had recently' built a fort 
and established a settlement on 
Mt. Desert Island, and had given 
to the colon}' the name of St. 
Savior. Argall, with a fleet of 
eleven vessels, appeared before 
the fort, and, capturing it, tore 
down the French cross, and 
erected another cross, with the arms 
thereon. 

About the time of ArgaU's Gist voyage, Captain Ed- 
ward Harlow was sent on an exploring expedition to the 
vicinity of Cape Cod. He at fii-st stopped at IVIonhegan, 
and there, while endeavoring to capture three of the 
natives, became involved in a desperate encounter, but 

took refuge in a sort of citadel at some distance from the magazine. 
As the ignorant Indians were rioting through the captured fort, they 
knocked open some barrels containing some kind of grain of sm-all, dark 
kernels, such as they had never seen before. It was not com ; it was 
not wild wheat nor rye. It was powder. The grains were scattered 
over the floor. Accidentally they were ignited. A terrific explosion of 
the whole magazine ensued. It was a phenomenon of thunder roar and 
volcanic min, which would have appalled any community. Timbers, 
cannon, merchandise, and the mangled bodies of the Indians were 
blo^vn high into the au-, but to fall back into a crater of devouring 
flame." 




AMLLL CHAMPLAIN 



■ England inscribed 



succeeded in getting away with two captives. At other 
points on the coa.st, the crime was repeated. 

Notwithstanding the region now called New England 
had been visited by many explorers, their examinations 
had been confined principally to the coast, and the banks 
of a few of the larger streams, for a short distance from 
the sea. It remained for Captain John Smith, the sav- 
ior of the Jamestown colony, to penetrate still farther 
into the interior, bj- means of the numerous rivers, to 
prepare a map of the region he thus opened up to trade, 
and to give to the coimtry the name it will ever proudly 
boar — New England. On the 3d of March, 16U, 
Captain Smith sailed from Eng- 
land, in two vessels, with forty- 
five men, for the piu-pose of 
exploration, the whale fishery, 
and trade with the Indians. In 
the latter part of April, he 
reached the island of Monhe- 
gan, and from thence proceeded 
to the mouth of the Kennebec, 
where he carried on quite an 
extensive traffic with the natives. 
At Penobscot Bay, some of his 
crew, while in a small boat, 
fougiit a battle with the Indians, 
and several were killed on both 
sides. Captain Smith gives in 
his journal a most interesting 
account of this i-emarkable voy- 
age. It proved quite profitable 
to the proprietors, the net profits 
amounting to more than seven 
thousand dollars. Many tribes 
along the coast were visited, and 
Captain Smith states that he paid a visit to fortj' Indian 
A-illages, some of them as far south as Cape Cod. He re- 
turned to England with one of tlie ships in Jul}-, and the 
other was left at tlie mouth of the Kennebec, in charge of 
Captain Thomas Hunt, who had instructions to load with 
fish and furs, to be sold in the markets of Spain. * 

* Instead of carrying out these instructions, Hunt kidnapped, at 
various points on the coast, twenty-seven of the Indians, with the chief, 
Squanto, and carried them to Malaga, where they were publicly sold. 
Captain Smith, who was a just and humane man, refers to the conduct 
of Hunt in the following language : — 

" One Thomas Hunt, the master of this ship, when I was gone, think- 
ing to prevent the intent I had to make a plantation there, and thereby 
to keep this abounding country still in obscurity, that only he and some 
few merchants might enjoy wholly the benefits of the trade and profits 
of this country, betrayed four and twenty of those poor savages aboard 
his ship, and most dishonestly and inhumanly, for their kind treatment 
of me and all our men, carried them with him to Malaga, and sold them." 



EARLY EXPLORATIONS. 



After his return to England, Captain Smitii made re- 
newed and si)ecial efforts to interest the Plj-raouth Com- 
pan}- in the colonization of New England. As the 
result, the most comprehensive plans were adopted for 
the foundation of a mighty empire in the New World. 

The old charter not giving the companj* all the advan- 
t ages thej- sought, a new charter was applied for. Vex- 
atious del,a3s followed, but finallj-, November 3, 1620, 
the king, James L, granted to the Council of Plj'mouth, 
composed of fort3- wealthy and influential men, — super- 
seding the old Plymouth Company, — the long-desired 
charter. By its provisions thej' were made the proprie- 
tors of a tract extending from " sea to sea," the entire 
breadth of the continent, and having for its southern 



boundary, the fortieth parallel north latitude, and its 
northern, the forty-eighth. 

But, while the signature and seal of the king were 
placed upon the charter that gave to English capitalists 
the sole ownership of this might3' realm, the •' Maj-flower," 
with the little band of Pilgrims, was nearing the shores 
of New England. The foundations of the future repub- 
lic were destined, under God, to be laid, not bj' a pre- 
tentious commercial organization, with its primal object 
gold and gain, but by a little company of exiles, seeking 
refuge from the storms of persecution that swept the Old 
World, their inspiration the hope of securing liberty of 
conscience and freedom of worship for themselves and 
their descendants. 




HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAJST). 



MASSACTIITSETTS. 



r.Y REV. n. 11. IIOWAKD, A. M. 



" "WTiat eonstitntcs a state ? 
Not high-raised battlement or labored mound, 

Thiek wall or moated gate ; 
Not cities proud with spires and turrets crowned ; 

Not bays and broad-armed ports, 
Where, laughing at the storm, rich navies ride ; 

Not starred and spangled courts. 
Where low-browed baseness wafts perfume to pride. 

No : — MEN, high-minded men^ — 

Men who their duties know, 
But hioio their rights, and, knowing, dare maintain." 

—Sir Wm. Jones. 

Massachusetts, * though not the largest territorially, 
is 3"et, doubtless, historically, geographically, politically, 
numerically, and commerciallj-, the most important of 
the six Eastern States. 

Early the abode onl}' of savage hordes, and the scene 
only of savage exploits, tliis territory, within a compara- 
tively brief period, has become the theatre of one of the 
most prosperous and powerful commonwealths. 

A little more than two hundred j-ears ago, a region, as. 
just stated, of unmitigated barbarism and unbroken 
desolation, clothed throughout with gloom}- forests, and 
filled with warlike savages, already, in spite of its natu- 
rally sterile soil, and not specially friendly climate, not 
only does it maintain upon its bosom a population of 
over 1, GOO, 000 souls, but in all material interests and 
industries, in political influence, and in educational antl 
religious enterprise, it may be said to lead, not only 
every other State in the Union, but quite every other 
land, — its peculiar providential mission seeming to be 
to propagate certain great cardinal principles, or ideas, 
and to diffuse the same, with more or less industrj', over 
the whole continent, if not throughout the world. 

But that which especiallj' invests the history of this 
State with interest is the fact that it is the record of the 
rise and establishment of free institutions on this con- 
tinent- — an "epic of freedom," as some one has ver}' 
well said. It is the record of two communities yearning 
for freedom — struggling through long years of hardship 
and patriotic self-denial to secm-e it ; outgrowing at 

•The name (originally spelled Masathnsets) of an Indian tribe that 
once lived in the vicinity of JIassachusetts Bay, and which, according 
to Roger Williams, signifies, in the Indian tongue, Blue Hills. 



length, and most amply atoning for, the bigotry and in- 
tolerance of youth by the noble tolerance, and the pro- 
gressive and liberal ideas and tendencies of their man- 
hood, and showing at last what can be accomplished in 
the way of civilization under the influence solely of 
religion, intelligence, patriotism, and zeal. 

The first civilized occupants of the soil of Massachu- 
setts were tlie Pilgruns. True, from quite a remote 
period, drawn tliither either l)y purposes of traffic, or a 
spuit of maritime adventure, our coasts had been visited, 
from time to time, bj- manj' a bold navigator, or daring 
buccaneer. The vast destinies of this great Republic of 
the West, however, were awaiting the advent and settle- 
ment of a company of men and women, who, in obedience 
to motives holier and stronger than those of mere gain, 
or of territorial conquest, came to these sliores. not only 
eminently fitted to laj' the foundations of a new empire, 
but for the avowed purpose of becoming permanent set- 
tlers, — of becoming the pioneers of a new civilization, 
and the permanent and lawful proprietors of the soil. 

i 
I. THE COLONIAL PERIOD. 

New England* was bom in Old England. On the one 
hand, of lowly origin, it was jot, on tlie other, of noble, 
and even aristocratic extraction. Rocked in the crarlle 
of the civil and religious conflicts that gave birth to Eng- 
lish Puritanism, and English dissent, this Commonwealth 
— the mother of Commonwealths — came into being, and 
was earlj' nurtured, under conditions manifestly emi- 
nentlj- favorable for vigorous and stalwart growth. 

PL-raODTH COLONTT. 

The tap-root of what is most essential to, and has ever 
been most characteristic of, New England hfe proper, 
maj- be traced to Scroobj', Nottinghamshire, England. ; 
Here a company of Dissenters, — Separatists, or In- 
dependents, thej- were called — holj'mcn " whose hearts i 

•The title, North Virginia, first given to New England, by the Plym- ! 
outh Company, was, at the Instance of Captain Smith, changed | 
by Trince Charles, afterwards Charles I. of England, to that of New [ 
England. 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



had been touched with heavenly zeal for God's truth," 
j-et victims of 

" A tyrant's and a bigot's bloody laws," 
had solemnlj- resolved to seek, in some foreign land, what 
was utterl}- denied them at homo — the precious boon of 
rchgious libert}'. "Unable to ( onceal themselves from 
the inquisitor, beset in their houses, driven from their 
homes, and incarcerated in prisons," and flnallj- despair- 
ing of an J- abatement of tlie fury of the storm, thej- 
resolved on the "sad experiment of expatriation" — 
determined, with God's help, to escape from this hated 
tjrannj-, and flee to a land where toleration, at least, if 
not perfect freedom, was accorded to all. 

Holland, whither several of the Separatist ministers, 
with their respective congregations, had already repaired, 
and where the success of the popular insurrection against 
Spain had pro^adcd a temporary asj-lum for Protestants, 
was selected as the place of their contemplated retreat. 
After divers ineffectual attempts to get away, these exiled 
Pilgrims at length reached the Netherlands in 1608. 
Settling first at Amsterdam, they afterward removed to 
Le3"den, where, for several j-ears, thej' maintained them- 
selves by their respective handicrafts, and abode in com- 
parative peace. 

Eight 3-ears' residence, however, in a land of strang- 
ers, subjected to its various and peculiar trials, seems to 
to have satisfied this little band that Holland could 
hardlj-^ be for them a permanent home. Another re- 
moval, therefore, was finally reluctantly agreed upon. 
But whither now should they go ? While an impending 
war with Spain seemed to render it especiallj' dangerous 
to remain where they were, thej' could not yet, either, 
manifestly, hope to return in peace to England. "Whither, 
then, should they, indeed, now turn their steps — where 
rear for themselves and for their children, an asjlum 
fiom the vicissitudes and storms of political and religious 
persecution? Some were "earnest for Guiana." Oth- 
ers were in favor of Virginia, whore " an entrance and 
a beginning by the English had lately been made." The 
latter choice finall}' prevailed. Accordingly, having 
tfeated with the Virginia Companj' for a tract of land, 
and having obtained from the king his qualified consent 
for liberty of conscience, and having, allieit on hard 
terms, procured from a London compan}- of merchants 
needed pecuniary aid, these "outcasts," of wliom jet 
" the world was not worthy," after receiving tlie parting 
coimsels and benedictions of their noble and beloved 
pastoi', John Robinson,* cmltarkod at Delfthaven July 

• A clergyman from Norfolk, England, and pastor of the Pilgrim com- 
pany. It was, wc arc told, to tliis singularly grand and noble man that 
the Pilgrims were indebted for tlicir idea of emigrating to America. 



22, 1620 ; and about a fortnight later, set sail finally from 
Plymouth, England, in the " Mayflower," on their really 
adventurous voyage across the Atlantic. One can 
scarcely conceive, truly, of anj-thing more forlorn, and 
yet morally more impressive, than this one solitary 
vessel, "freighted thus with the destinies of a conti- 
nent," wending its waj' wearily across an unknown and 
inhospitable sea, and bound for a hardly less unknown 
or inhospitable shore. 

" How slow yon tiny vessel ploughs the waves. 
Amid the heavy billows now she seems 
A toiling atom ; then, from wave to wave, 
Leaps madly, by the tempest lashed, or reels 
Half wrecked through gulfs profound. 

Moons wax and wane 
But still that lonely traveller treads the deep 
Seeking an ice-bound coast beyond the main."t 

After the lapse of two months, and an experience of 
much heavy weather, the cry of "Land ho ! " was heard, 
and the sandy cliffs of Cape Cod greeted the eyes of the 
expectant, storm-tossed exiles. Shortly after they wore 
riding at anchor, not indeed, as they had anticipated, at 
Ihe mouth of the Hudson, but in the roadstead of the 
present sea-girt Provincetown.J 

Sensible that, as they were not within the limits of 
their patent, and were not, hence, under the jurisdiction 
of the Virginia, or of any other company, they wisely 
concluded it necessarj- to establish a separate independ- 
ent government for themselves. § Accordingly, before 

The advice he administered unto them touching this matter, meantime, 
seems to have been received by them as a message from God. Thus 
counselled, without dcKiy, and rich in faith, they resolved to go forth 
and plant their home and their church somewhere in the mlderness of 
the New World. And with what sublime earnestness and fortitude and 
success they moved forward in the execution of their lofty purpose the 
world knows full well. 

t " Wc behold it," says Everett, " pursuing with a thousand misgiv- 
ings, the uncertain, the tedious voyage. Suns rise and set ; and winter 
siirprises them on the deep, but brings them not the sight of the wished 
for shore. The awful voice of the storm howls through the rigging. 
The laboring masts seem straining from their base ; the dismal sound 
of the pumps is heard ; the ship leaps, as it were, madly from billow to 
billow; the ocean breaks and settles with enguISng floods, over the 
floating deck, and beats with deadening, shivering weight against the 
staggering vessel." 

t It was about this time that Peregrine White (so called in commem- 
oration of the Perirrrinations of the Pilgrims), the son of William and 
Susanna White was born (Dec. 23, 1020), being the first child of Euro- 
pean parents born in New England. On account of his birth he 
received from the General Court 200 acres of land. After h.aving filled 
various civil and military offices,— " vigorous and of comely aspect 
to the last,"— he died at Jlarshficld, July, 20, 1704. 

§ We look about everywhere to see where on earth this right of suf- 
frage, this doctrine of self-government, this sacredness of individual 
rights, all came from ; and we turn to that weary little band who, be- 
cause they had no royal prerogative, because they htid no government 
appointed by the crown, because they had no rights except those 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



landing, having devoutly given thanks to the Almighty- 
for their safe arrival, and having sought the Divine bless- 
ing upon tlieir endeavors, the}- firmed themselves into 
a body politic by a solemn compact,* which they all 
signed, and by which they consented thus mutually for 
the time being, to be governed, Mr. John Carver being 
unanimously chosen governor. According to the terms 
of this compact, not only was each man to have an equal 
share in the government, but, clearl}-, the will of the 
majority was to rule. This instrument, so brief, com- 
prehensive, simple, germinal, was memorable, not onh- 
on account of its having served the infant colony as their 
only charter or constitution for manj- eventful years, but 
as having established that principle of local self-govern- 
ment which constitutes the germ, the very crown-jewel of 
our liberties ; as being the very earliest monument in 
that dark age of despotism, of those democratic institu- 
tions subsequently- to constitute the characteristic glory 
of New England. Meantime, what more morallj- sub- 
lime than the spectacle of these earnest, God-fearing, 
self-denj-ing men, before suffering their feet to press the 
sweet soil of their long-sought promised land, pausing 
here, in tiie cabin of the " Mayflower," to lay the foun- 
dations of new commonwealths ! But w hat was espe- 
cially surprising in this connection is, that after iho 
ignoble failure of so many far more pretentious schemes 

which they asserted for themselves, drew up within tlic arm of Cape 
Cod, sliclterjn;; them from the winter's storms of the Atlantic, ami 
signed the first compact nniim on earth which confers freedom to all m< n 
under the government under whicli they live. That was their neces- 
sity. When the Pilgrims at Plymouth laid down the law of self-gov- 
ernment, and agreed that every man should have his rights in the 
Colony, and that the governor should be chosen by the people, and not 
appointed by the crown, and chose John Carver governor, l)ecause he 
had the respect of the people, and because they knew that he w-as 
honest, and because they linew he was a religious man and a good 
Christian, and because he set a good example to the boys and the old 
men, it was they who set the example which all America has fol- 
lowed; it was they who inspired that great vital force whicli lies at 
the foundation of our Republic And so I say to you all here to- 
day, that this doctrine which went out from New England, and has 
gone everywhere wherever New England blood has gone— and tell 
me, if you can, where there is no such spot— it is that doctrine which 
gives our countrj- its immortal power and will give it ultimately its 
perpetuity.— //on. Geo. B. Loring's Woodstock (Ct.) Speech on " New 
England " July i, 1S79. 

• " In the name of God, Amen :— 

" Wc whose names are underwritten, the loyal subjects of King 
James, having nndeitakcn, for the glory of God, and the advancement 
of the Christian faith, and honor of our King and country, a voyage to 
plant the first colony in the northern parts of Virginia, do, by these pres- 
ents, solemnly, and mntually, in the presence of God and one another, 
covenant, and coml>ine ourselves together into a civil body politic for 
our lictter enduring and preservation, and furtherance of the ends afore- 
said: and by virtue hereof, to enact, constitute, and frame, such just 
and equal laws and measures, acts, constitutions, and offices, from time 
to time, as shall be tOought most convenient for the general good of tlic 
colony. Unto which we all promise due obedience." 



for colonizing New England, — to this band of Leydcn 
Pilgrims, to this small, unknown company of wander- 
ing outcasts, should, under God, have been committed 
this important service. That, under all the circum- 
stances, on the bleak shores of a remote and barren 
wilderness, in the midst of desolation, with the blast of 
a rigorous New England winter howling aliout them, and 
surrounded by dangers in their most awful and appalling 
forms, they succeeded as well as they did, having, truly 
humble as were their circumstances, been tlie instruments 
of laying, as already intimated, tlie foundations of j 
American liberty, must, we think, be attributed to the 
overruling purpose of One who wisely kept shut the 
gates of this part of the New World until there should 
appear that race of iron men, duty-loving men, wlio 
should undertake its settlement and i ivilizat on in the 
name of God, and in the interest of truth and of 
humanity. 

After several expeditions, now inland, for the sake ol' 
obtaining fresh supplies, now up and down the coast for 
the sake of ascertaining the most elig-'ble and inviting 
place of settlement, at length, on Monday, Dec. 11,0. 
S., the final and decisive landing was effected on what is 
know-n and has since become immortal as Forefathers' 
Rock, Plymouth.* 

" The Plymouth Rock that had licen to their feet as a door-step 
Into the world unknown — the comer-stone of a nation." I 

I 
1 

And so, having providentially- escaped the many per- 
ils, and survived the manj- discomforts and privations of 
an ocean voyage, sadly worn with suffering, and weak 
and wearj- from their many fatigues, these min anl 
women that, for the sake of a good conscience, for the 
sake alone of "freedom to worsliip God," had thus 
braved the dangers of the sea, the hostilities of savage 



• This rock, still preserved as an object of veneration, " was proba- 
bly," says another, " the only stone large enough for the purpose of 
landing in all that lile;ik and sandy coast." The very first to have 
stepped on this rock is said have been a young girl by the name of 
Mary Chilton. 

The site of this stone was preserved by tradition, and a venerable co- 
temporary of several of the Pilgrims, whose head was silvered with tBe 
frosts of ninety-five winters, Elder Faunce, .settled the que^tion of the 
identity of this hi.',torie rock, as, in 1721, borne in his arm-chair by a 
grateful populace, he took his last look of it, — so endeared to his mem- i 
ory,— and, bedewing it with tears, bade it farewell. In 1774, this [ 
l)recious bowlder was raised from its bed and consecrated to Liberty, j 
In the act of its elevation it fell in twain, an occurrence regarded by manj' 
as ominous of the separation of the Colonics from England. The lower | 
part was left in its original bed, while the upper part, weighing several 
tons, was conveyed, amid the heartiest rejoicings, to Liberty-pole j 
Square, and adonicd with a flag bearing the significant motto and war- j 
cry, " LiBiuTY on Dr.Aiu." On the 4th of July, 1834, the natal day of ' 
the Colonics, this part was removed to its present site in front of Pil- j 
grim Hall. 



IMASSACHUSETTS. 



tribes, and the possible hardsliips of nakedness and 
want in a new countrj-, now at last land on the ice-clad 
rocks of Plymouth,* and, in the name of the Lord, set up 
their banners, and strike their first blow as members of 
the Plj-mouth Colonj-. 

" Forth they come 
From their long prison, hai-dy forms that brave 
The world's nnkindncss, men of hoary hair, 
And virgins firm of heart, and matrons grave. 
Bleak Nature's desolation wraps them round, 
Eternal forests and unyielding earth, 
And savage men who through the thickets peer 
With vengeful arrow. 

"What could lure their steps 
To this drear desert ? Ask him who left 
Tlis father's home to roam thro' Haran's wilds. 
Nor doubting, tho' a sti-anger, that his seed 
Should be as ocean's sands." 

In the present rapid and comprehensive survey of the 
events connected with the dawn and development of 
self-rule in New England, the writer will naturally be 
chiefly occupied with such affairs embraced in the history 
of these Pilgrim t adventurers, as are best calculated to 
illustrate their character, and the growth of the govern- 
ment they initiated, — of the rise and progress of those 
free institutions, the dazzling promise even of whose 
infancy caused Burke, in 1775, to exclaim in the British 
House of Commons : " What in the world was ever 
equal to it ! " 

The settlement at Plj-mouth was commenced on 
■Wednesday, the 20th — twenty persons remaining ashore 
for the night. On the following Saturday, the first timber 
was felled. On Mondaj', their storehouse was com- 
menced. On Thursdaj', preparations were made for the 
erection of a fort, and allotments of land were made to 
the families ; and on the following Sunday, worship was 
performed for the first time on land. J 

Busy hands now speedily cleared land for their village, 
and, before man^- days, a hamlet of log dwellings, suffi- 
cient for the temporary accommodation of the Colony, had 
been constructed. § 

• The harbor had been named Plymouth by the explorer Captain 
John Smith, from old Plymouth, England. 

t The Pilgrims were so called on account of their wanderings from 
place to place, on the road " to heaven, their dearest country," as they 
said. They had acquired this title even before coming to New Eng- 
land. 

X For some time the Pilgrims, save as they were served by Elder 
Brewster, seem to have been without the stated ministrations of tho 
Gospel. The first sermon preached in these Colonics was delivered by 
Rev. Robert Cushman, at Plymouth, in December, 1G21 ; memorable as 
the first printed production of any writer iu New England. 

5 The houses of most of the first settlers were, of necessity, very rude 
and simple structures — a log cabin, often of a single room, with an 
immense chimney built externally at one end. Tlie chinks between the 
logs were "daubed" with a moitar of clay and straw. Tall grass, 



Meantime, unfortunately, in consequence of exposures 
incurred, both while on ship-board and also during their 
wanderings in quest of a home, a great and distressing 
mortahty prevailed during this first winter, cutting off 
nearly one-half their numlier. A sufficiently affecting 
proof of the miserable and melancholy condition of 
these sufferers at this time is afforded in the fact, that not 
only had these their loved ones, and neighbors withal, to 
whom, by attachments consecrated by mutual toils and 
privations, at once in their native land, in exile, and on 
the deep, they had become tenderly united and endeared 
— been removed out of their sight by death, and their 
cherished forms, so early committed to the soil of New 
England, but, through fear of their losses being dis- 
covered by the warlike savages that surrounded them, 
and of the lattor's taking advantage of their own weak- 
ness and helplessness to attack and exterminate them, 
the sad mounds formed by the rude coffins of their friends 
were carefully levelled, and left utterly uuhonored and 
unmarked. 

Early the ensuing spring, the "Mayflower" took her 
final departure from the new settlement. The reader 
will, without difficulty, in fancy, reproduce the parting 
scene. The lone Pilgrims crowd the strand, and, through 
tear-dimmcd ej-cs, watch the vessel as she weighs anchor, 
hoists her sails, and bears awa3- — watching, with strained 
-^-ision, the gradually lessening speck, until at last it fades 
utterly and forever from view. 

In well-chosen and glowing words, the late Mrs. 
Sigoumey has sketched this picture : — 

" But yon lone hark 
Hath spread her parting sail. They crowd the strand. 
Those few lone Pilgrims. Can ye scan the \\oe 
That wrings their bosoms, as the last frail link 
Binding to man, and habitable earth. 
Is severed ? Can ye tell what pangs were there, 
"What keen regrets, what sickness of the heart, 
Wh;it yearnings o'er their forfeit land of birth, 
Thch- distant dear ones ? 

Long with straining eyes 
They watch the lessening speck. Hear ye no shriek 
Of .anguish, when that bitter loneliness 
Sank down into theu- bosoms. No ! they turn 

gathered along the beaches, was largely used for the thatching of roofs. 
After some thirty years, a better class of dwellings began to be more 
common. They were usually made of heavy oak frames, put together 
in the most solid manner, and made secure at ni,,'ht against the incur- 
sions of Indians and wild beasts by massive wood;;n bars. One of those 
buildings, erected originally by Townsend Bishop in 1G3.5, afterwards 
owned by Governor Endicott, and occupied by his son John, is still 
standing, and occupied, in Danvcrs. It is known as the Nourse, or 
" Witch House," on account of its having been the residence of Mrs- 
Rebecca Nourse, when hung as a witch in 1692. Though, according to 
Mr. TJpham, the oldest house in America, its timbers are still sound; 
n.iy, have liecome so hard that it is almost impossible to drive a nail 
into them. 



HISTORY OF XEW ENGLAND. 



Back to their dreary, famished huts, and pray ! 
And lo ! the ills that haunt this transient life 
Fade Into air. Up in eaeh gurdcd breast 

There sprang 

A loftiness to face a world in arms, 

To strip the pomp from sceptre, and to lay 

Upon the sacred altar the warm blood 

Of slain affections, when they rise between 

The soul and God." 

Though thus doubly bereaved, — left, amid the soli- 
tudes of nature, and tribes of treacherous, blood-thirstj- 
barbarians, to encounter the perils of the future, shorn 
of half their strength — to their immortal honor, j-et be 
it said, not one of these pioneers " fainted for weak- 
ness, or turned back laltering to the home of his child- 
hood ; but, with a loftiness of purpose which was ever 
theirs, and consecrating themselves anew to the work in 
•vrhich the3- had engaged, all resolutely remained, deter- 
mined to abide the direction of God, and calmly to follow 
the leadings of his hand until sunmioned from earth to 
their heavenly h-jme." 

Upon the organization of their pro'N'isional government, 
as already stated, John Carv-cr had lieen chosen gov- 
ernor. The ver}' day following the departure of the 
" Mayflower," he suddenlj- died, and "William Bradford 
was chosen his successor. 

One of the first acts of the new colonial government 
was to establish a military organization. Thrown, as 
they were, defenceless upon these inhospitable shores, 
and surrounded bj- more or less hostile tribes of Indians, 
the settlers were at once impressed with the necessity of 
some such means of protection. 

Miles Standish, who had already sensed in the armies 
both of Elizabeth and James, was chosen captain, * and 
was entrusted with " authority iu command of affairs." 
Meantime, while these earliest militarj' arrangements 
were yet in progress, through overtures from the natives 
themselves the settlers had commu-iication with the 
Indians, and concluded a treaty of amity with Massa- 

• Miles Standish was not a member of the Leyden Church, nor sub- 
sequently that of Plymonlh, but appears to have been induced to join 
the emigrants by personal good -will, or by love of adventure, while to 
them his military knowledge and habits rendered his companionship of 
great value 

He was no religious enthusiast. He never professed to care for, or no 
much as to understand, the s3-stem of doctrine of his friends, though he 
paid it all respect as being theirs. Their honest, self-renouncing piety 
fascinated him wholly. He nursed the sick like a mother, at the same 
time that he was building batteries and drilling platoons against Indian 
hostility. He was the strong right arm of the infant Colony — his only 
ambition being faithfully to discharge whatever trust had been com- 
mitted to his hands, whether it was to frighten the Narr.agansett or 
Massachusetts natives, to forage for provisions, to hold a rod over dis- 
oi-derly English neighbors, or to treat with merchants on the London 
Exchange. He died greatly lamented, October 3, 1G.3C.— Pa/fz-cy. 



soit, f sachem, or chief, of one of the most important 
of the neighboring tribes — the "Wampanoags ; a treaty 
afterwards preserved inviolate for upwards of fifty years. 
Over several other chiefs and tribes, also, though for a 
season occasional disputes and skirmishes occurred, A'ct 
at length, and mainl3' through the decided, j-ct judicious 
management of Miles Standish, they acquired such an 
influence and control as, for a long period, quite secured 
them from se;ious molestation. One can hardly resist 
the conviction that, in this earlj^ turning of the hearts of 
the Indians to peace, and in this protracted friendship of 
these undisciplined children of the forest towards this 
feeble and comparatively' defenceless band, we have a 
striking and impressive manifestation of a kindly inter- 
vening Providence. 

Satisfied with the abimdance of their first hanest, our 
Pilgiim fathers, with grateful hearts, made haste to re- 
joice, partaking, together with Massasoit and ninety of 
his men, of venison, wild turkej's, waterfowl, and other 
delicacies for which, even then, New England was 
akead^- famous. Thus early, and thus auspicously, was 
established the time-honored festival of Thanksgiving 
— a festival which, though originallj- confined in the 
observance to the sons of the Pilgrims, has now. happilv, 
long since become national. X 

t The reader will be interested to know that three descendants of the 
good Massasoit, consisting of a Mrs. Jlitchell, and her two daughters, 
still sur\-ive. They are said to have tlicu- summer habitat at a place 
called Betty's Nock — a tract of land on the shores of Assawampsctt 
Pond, as the largest Lake in this State is called. By virtue of the inter- 
marriage of a descendant of Massasoit with the grand-daughter of 
Sassamon, the Christian Indian and preacher, whose murder, at the in- 
stigation of Philip, precipitated the great Indian war, Mrs. M. is lineally 
coimected with the Praying Indians, as well as the haughty Wampa- 
noags ; while, if there be any found.ation for the tradition that Suspa- 
quin, another of Mrs. M.'s ancestors, married a young daughter of 
Sassacus, chief of the Pequots, the young girl having been taken prisoner 
of war, then in Mrs. Mitchell's veins are united the hostile blood of 
the Pequots, of the VTampano-ogs, and of the Praying Indians. The 
Mitchell fimily arc of pure blood, as their family plainly show. Mrs. JI. 
is well educated, having herself taught school; while her daughters 
have enji.'vcd all the advantages of New England high schools and 
academics. .She is reputed to be wealthy, inheriting, on the one hand, 
from Benjamin Suspaquin, a brave soldier under Captain James 
Church, lands granted to Church and his company for success in the 
field, which she still holds; and, on the other, lands in Lakevillc, which 
came to her from Sassamon's daughter, whom the English called 
Betty, and whose chief possessions were in Taunton and Raynhara, 
where a flourishing village is still known as " Squawbetty," because the 
lands, than which there arc no richer meadows in Massachusetts, were 
bought of her. 

With the help of General E. W. Pierce, the learned antiquarian and 
geologist, Mrs. M. has recently published a book, giving some account 
of her family. They take unfeigned pride in their descent, and it is not 
a little startling to hear one of the daughters, .arrayed in full Indian cos- 
tume, say that if she had been in Massa-'^oit's place, not one of the Pil- 
grims would have been allowed to survive that first winter. 

X Was not this festival suggested by the Harvest Festival in the " Old 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



A ,ycar has passed. How eventful ! What mournful 
changes have thus carlj' taken place. One-half of this 
little Colon}- is already at rest in the gra\e. Meantime, 
not a word has been heard from home. What a picture 
of loneliness is here presented ; shut out thus utterly' 
from the world, and surrounded only by the solitude of 
the primeval woods, with only the God of Israel to 
strengthen and to support them in their trials! Yet 
their efforts have thus far been, by no means, alto- 
gether unattended by success. If nothing more has 
been gained, they have at least safelj' encountered the 
perils of intercourse with their savage neighbors. Be- 
sides this, however, they had hopefully planted their 
settlement, and 
organize (Iph MS 
for future picg 
ress. 

In the fall of 
1621 then w(ie 
in Plymouth 
seven pimte 
houses, and 
four public 
buildings, one 
of which was 
a fort with a 
flat roof, on 
which cannon 
were mounted, 
serving both as 
a defence and a 
place of 11 sort 
for pubhc wor- 
ship. * 




In the spring of 1G24, throur:h emigration, the popu- 
lation of the Colony had increased to one hundred and 
eighty souls, and the number of dwelling-houses to thirty- 
two. The annual harvests meanwhile had been ample. 
Large tracts of land had been brought under cultivation. 
A light, and yet hopeful fur trade had sprung ujj ; and, 
on the whole, — though this was, of course, a day of 
small things, a time of weakness and vicissitude, — j'ct 
the temporal circumstanceg and prospects of the colo- 
nists were beginning to brighten, while thcj' meantime 
had occasion for devout thanlifulness to God that health 
and peace had been so generallj' continued unto them. 
One of the earliest trials to which the Pilgrims were 
subjected arose 
fiom their con- 
tiiruity to, and 
iclations with, 
a colony which 
had been at- 
tempted by a 
IMi. Weston of 
' mdon, and 
\\n), under a 
pitent ol)tained 
in 1G22, had 
dc sp itched an 
I \pcdition to 
settle for him 
a plantation 
somewhere in 
Mas sachusetts 
Baj. These 
colonists on 
their arrival 



COLONISTS GOING TO CHURCH, 



Country ? " However this may have been. Thanksgiving Day, from 
its first celebration, seems to have been, with the Pilgrims and their de- 
scendants, the great soeial event of the whole twelve months. The 
growing family, gathered from far and near, and clustering round the 
paternal hearthstone, forgot, on this oecasion, every trouble in the joys 
of kinship. " For days before it came, the plumpest fowls, the yellow- 
est pumpkins, and the finest vegetables were marked and put aside. 
The stalled ox and the fatted calf were killed. When the glad morning 
arrived, a happy flutter pervaded every home. Children's feet pattered 
over the old farmhouse from cellar to garret, and made the rafters echo 
with their noisy glee. After the public service came the generous 
dinner; and then all gathered round the blazing hickory fire to listen to 
the joys and perils of the year." 

* The first " meeting-houses " consisted ordinarily of a single room, 
perhaps 20 X 36 feet in size and twelve feet high. The roof was often 
thatched with long grass. It was a great advance when they were able 
to have it lathed on the inside, and plastered and whitened over. They 
were often built with a pyramidal roof, crowned with a belfry. The 
bell-rope hung from the centre, and the sexton performed his office half- 
way between the pulpit and the entrance door. Such a meeting-house, 
built in 1681, still stands in Hingham. Subsequently they were built of 



much ampler dimensions, with a lofty tower and steeple rising from 
the front, and located sometimes on the hill- 
In the early Plymouth 
days every house opened 
on Sunday morning at the 
tap of the drum. The men, 
in " sad-colorcd mantles," 
and armed to the teeth, the 
women in sober gowns, 
kerchiefs, and hoods, all as- 
sembled in front of the cap- 
tain's hou5e, when, three 
abreast, they marched up 
the hill to the meeting- 
house, where, every man 
setting down his musket 
within easy reach, the el- 
ders and deacons took 
their seat in a " long pue " 
in front of the preacher's desk, facing the congregation. 
Attending church in colonial days, indeed, was serious business ; the 




HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



were hospitabl3- received and entertained r.t riymoutli. 
Soon after, tlie3' proceeded to establish a plantation 
at ■\Vessagusset (AVeymouth) ; but being careless, im- 
provident, and regardless of the rights of others, and 
thus utterly unfitted for their undertalving, the_y were 
speedily reduced to want. Meanwhile, the manifold 
favors they had, from time to time, received at the 
hands of the Plj-moiith Colony, were ill requited. Not 
only had their idleness, wasteful exti'avagance, and 
riotousness clothed themselves with rags, and brought 
them to a morsel of bread, but their plundering habits 
and reckless depredations on the neighboring natives 
well-nigh brought down, not only upon their own, but 
upon the heads of the Pljmouth community, an attack 
bj' several combined tribes of Indians, not unnaturally' 
incensed by such exasperating excesses. 

Though the young Colony was steadily and hopefully 
advancing, yet, in consequence of A-arious complications 
and misunderstandings with the London Merchants 
Companj-, which, in consideration of a certain share of 
the profits of the enterprise, had consented to advance 
the mone^- necessary to defray the expenses of the voy- 

wildemess that echoed to the devotional songs of the Pilgrims being 
liable, at any moment, also, to be startled by the war-whoop of the 
savage, and the sacred strains of the Psalmist to be suddenly inter- 
rupted by the rude sound of bloody warfare. In fact, we are informed 
that the custom which still obtains of men sitting at the head of the 
pew in church, originated in this obvious necessity of their being ready 
for any surprise — prepared for even the most sudden alai-ms. 

The old men, the young men, and the young women, had each their 
separate place. The boys were gravely perched on the pulpit stairs, 
or in the galleries, and had a constable, or a tithing man, to keep them 
in order; and woe to the luckless youngster whose eye-lids drooped in 
slumber. The ever-vigilant constable, with his wand, tipped at one 
cud with the foot, at the other end with the tail of a hare, brings the 
heavier end down sharply on the little nodding flaxen head ; while, by 
a gentle touch on the forehead with the other and softer end of the same 
stick, he gently reminds the carc-ivorn matron of her duty, in ease, un- 
happily, she has been betrayed into a like offence. The service began 
with a long prayer, and was followed by reading and expounding of 
the Scriptures, a psalm — lined by one of the ruling elders — from 
Ainsworth's version, and the sermon. The approved length of the ser- 
mon was one hour, the sexton turning the hour-glass, which stood 
on the desk before the minister. Instrumental music was absolutely 
proscribed as condemned by the text (Amos v. 23) " I will not hear the 
melody of thy viols," and one tune for each metre was all those good 
old fathers needed. " York," " Windsor," " St. Mary's," and " Mar- 
tyrs" were the standard stock, and were intoned wilh a devout zeal 
almost forgotten in these days of organs and trained choirs. 

After tlie sermon came the wceldy contribution. The congregation, 
sternly solemn, marched to the front, the chief men, or magnates, first, 
and deposited their offerings in the money-box, held by one of the 
elders or deacons. No sensitiveness then in regard to collections. It 
must have been refreshing to witness not only the dignitaries below, 
but the occupants of the galleries as well, come down, marching two 
abreast, up one aisle and down another, and paying their respects sever- 
ally to the church treasury in money, paper promises, or articles of 
value, according to their abihty. — See National Repository, January, 



age and settlement, the Colon}' was beginning to get 
very restive under, and anxious to be released from an}' 
ftirther obligations to said compau}'. The result of pro- 
tracted negotiations relative to the matter was the 
pledge, on the p:irt of seven or eight of the principal 
]ilantcrs, to advance on behalf the Colony, in settlement 
of all claims of the Merchants Company against the 
hitter, the sum of £1,800, in nine annual instalments. 
By this arrangement, happily, the vexatious vassalage on 
the part of the Colony to the foreign merchants was 
brought to an end. Moreover, the houses and lands of j 
the settlement having now bj' a timely and equitable ] 
assignment become private property, there existed i 
finally, and was to exist henceforth and forever on New | 
England soil, onl}' independent, sovereign freeholders. I 

All efforts to obtain a patent from the crown having 
proved unavailing, the Pl^'mouth colonists were left to 
establish municipal regulations and carry on their gov- 
ernment, without royal sanction. Accordingl}-, quietly 
assuming all necessary powers and prerogatives, the}"' 
proceeded at once to organize a government, and to dis- 
charge all the functions of the State. A governor, with 
a council of five, afterward seven, assistants, and a leg- 
islature, consisting at first of the whole body of the male 
population, made and administered the laws. 

The compact adopted on board the " Mayflower," as 
alread}' intimated, long served the Pilgrims as their onlj- 
constitution. Beyond an acknowledged allegiance to the 
king, the controlling power was the lawfully expressed j 
will of the majoritj". For a period of nearly twent}' j'cars 
the people assembled annuall}' for purposes of legisla- 
tion, and for electing their governor and assistants, the 
same constituting the executive force of the government. * 

In 1638, in view of the increased number of freemen, 
and the distance of many of them from the place of 
election, it was enacted that four delegates from Plym- 
outh and four from each of the other towns, together 
with the governor and fifteen assistants, should form a 
legislative body, — the magistrates and deputies, mean- 
while, constituting, unhke those of the Massachusetts 
Colony, but a single board. 

The governor and assistants formed also a Court of 
Justice for the trial of civil and criminal cases. In some 
cases the decision was made by themselves, while in 
others, questions of fact were submitted to a jur}' select- 
ed by the court, f 

• A fine, it is said, was imposed upon any freeman who, without a 
good reason, was absent from the annual election ; while any person 
elected governor, or assistant, was obliged, under penalty, to serve for 
at least one year. 

t The h ighest tribunal of justice in the Colony was the General Court, 
and from its decision there could be no appeal. The next tribunal in 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



The selectmen, chosen bj- the freemen of each town, 
and approved by the General Court, -were to have in 
charge the general interests of their several towns, and 
were constituted a court for the trial of minor cases, sub- 
ject to an appeal to the Court of Magistrates. There 
was, at first, no formal declaration of what should be 
considered crimes. It was ordered, however, "that all 
criminal facts, and also all matters of trespass and debt 
between man and man should be subject to the verdict 
of twelve honest men to be empanelled bj- authoritj- in 
form of a jurj' under oath." 

Like their social customs, and 
modes of worship, the political sjs- 
tem of the Pilgi-ims was very sim- 
ple ; — ^it was severelj- republican, — 
everything connected therewith being 
ordained, not, indeed, for show, but 
solely for use. And thus organized, 
thus equipped, for many a decade 
this parent Colony continued to hold 
on its even and moderately prosper- 
ous way ; I say moderately pros- 
perous, for though ^-igorous and 
enterprising, yet to the end of its 
separate existence, the Colony of 
Plj-mouth, on account of its limited 
resources, continued to be a humble 
community as it regards numbers 
and wealth. As late as 1G65 the 
Colony contained but twelve towns, 
while its mechanic industries were 
limited to a solitar3' saw-mill, and 
one bloomary for iron. 

Indeed, when we consider the tran- 
scendent fame of the Pilgrims, the 
reader will be surprised on being as- 
sured that, so far as it regarded their 
direct influence on the fortunes of the 
countrj', that influence amounted to 
no more than a small circling edd}-, 
in comparison with the great tide that was pouring in 
from other quarters. The magnitude and importance of 
the Pilgrims' mission, however, are not to be estimated 

the order of dignity and authority, was the Cotirt of Assistants. From 
this court parties had the right to appeal to the hirrhcr judiciary above 
mentioned— the Supremo, or General Court. So long as the population 
■was small, or gathered within naiTOw limits, these courts conveniently 
answered all the ends of justice. Subsequently, however, to avoid the 
delay in securing legal decisions caused by travelling long distances. 
County Courts were organized. The latter had power, like the Courtof 
Assistants, to try all causes, civil or criminal, excepting only cases of 
divorce and crimes the punishment whereof extended to life, limb or 
banishment. 



MONIMENT AT PL1 



bj- the number of acres subdued, or the number of dollars 
they were worth ; l)ut rather, in the light of the ideas 
they illustrated, and of the holy cause they represented. * 
Politically and commercially they were never any 
match for their JMassachusetts Bay rivals ; yet, though, 
in these respects, cast into the shade by the success of 
the second and better appointed Colony, they are clearly 
entitled to the honor which springs from, and is always 
due to, true worth ; while " their magnanimous spirit of 
self-sacrifice and devotion, will ever endear their mem- 
ories to all capable of appreciating 
their ^•il•tues, and comprehending their 
excellencies." 

No one can ponder the annals of 
the early settlement of New England 
without being profoundlj' impressed 
with the rare exceUeney of the ma- 
terial that went into its foundations. 
Consider the names of such prim- 
itive Pilgrims as Carver, Bradford, 
Brewster, Standish, Winslow, Alden, 
Warren, Hopkins, and others. Nor, 
meanwhile, were female fortitude ' 
and heroism wanting, — wives and 
mothers, with dauntless courage, and 
unexampled patience, braving all the 
dangers, sharing all the tiials, bear- 
ing all the sorrows, submitting to all 
the privations and hardships incident 
to their peculiarly hard destiny- : — 
while "chilled and shivering child- 
hood, houseless but for a mother's 
arms, couchless but for a mother's 
breast," came in for its share, too, 
of suflTering and exposure. 

How providential, truly, that in- 
stead of such reckless adventurers, 
and profligate spendthrifts, as colon- 
ized most of the Spanish and French, 
and certain other portions of the En- 
glish territory on the continent of America, this, oiu- 
New England, was settled by a race of men actuated 
not so much by cupidity as by faith ; by a people who, 

* Kev. Mr. "Wood, author of the excellent sketch of Plymouth Connty, 
well writes : " The eariy years of Plymouth Colony present to the 
readers of history a people of singular dcvotedness to the cause of 
Right. In their intelligent views of free government, they were far in 
advance, not only of their immediate neighbors, but of all other peoples. 
They recognized more fully and clearly than any others had ever done, 
the right and aljility of men to govern themselves. Their intelligence 
and humanity led them to make their Colony a refuge, an asylum, for 
fugitives, whether from the neighboring Colony, or from abroad. It is 
an interesting and significant fact, that at the rery time Massachusetts 




HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



so far from seeking their own private ends merelj-, or 
principally, with confidence in God, and a cheerful re- 
liance on his beneficent providence, did, with invincible 
courage, determine to subdue the wilderness before them 
for the sake of fiUing this great continent " with free- 
dom and intelligence, the arts and the sciences, flour- 
ishing villages, temples of worship, and the numerous 
blessings of civilized life baptized in the fountain of the 
Gospel of Christ." 

The Massachusetts Colony. 

The Massachusetts Colonj-, like that also of Tlymouth, 
was the offspring of religious persecution. The ground- 
work on which both of these primitive New England 
Colonies were reared, it needs hardly be said, was a 
desire to provide an asylum for those who were oppressed 
for conscience' sake ; and more particularly for those who 
were oppressed for dissenting from the views and politj' 
of the Anglican Church. But, though in this one impor- 
tant respect both Colonies sprung from the same source, 
there was yet a striking and radical distinction — notably 
relative to the rank, wealth, and talents of their repre- 
sentative men — between the two ; — a distinction truly, 
which, as it marked their beginnings, continued not less 
to influence, mould, and determine their respective des- 
tinies. 

The Pilgrims,* as we have seen, were Dissenters, 
having openly withdrawn from the communion, and 
declared themselves independent of the National Church. 
The Massachusetts colonists, on the other hand, were 
Non-conformists, or Puritans ; f that is, though they 
could not conscientiously conform fuUy to its service and 

■was scourging and driving her terrorized citizens into exile with the 
penalties of witchcraft, Plymouth welcomed the latter to the safe 
refuge of her ample bosom, while no witch was convicted in the Plym- 
outh Colony. Says Judge Russell in his Middleborough address : 
' Whatever may be urged to excuse that delirium of good men, we love to 
recall the fact that no witch was ever convicted in Plymouth Colony : 
that whatever complaints were brought before the magistrates, the com- 
plainant was made to suffer : and that when a Plymouth sea-captain 
was arrested in Boston charged with this crime, Plymouth demanded 
and obtained his liberty. AVe are proud of the fact also,' adds the 
judge, that ' the weaker and gentler Colony hanged no Quaker, and dealt 
gently with the Baptists, and for years furnished a refuge to the great- 
hearted Roger Williams.' " 

• The Pilgrims and Puritans are sometimes by writers somewhat 
inaccurately spoken of indiscriminately as Puritan, or Pilgrim Fath- 
ers, thus : " But those most conspicuous in laying the foundations of 
the colonial settlements, who stamped the impress of their character on 
New England, and gave tone and energy to its peculiar habits and life, 
were the Puritans. They are appropriately called Pilgrim Fathers." 
{Fancher on the American Republic and its Constitutional Govern- 
ment.) Only the Plymouth settlers, however, were, strictly speaking, 
the " Pilgrim Fathers." 

t So called on account of the smgular purity, or austerity, of their 
manners and morals. 



ritual, they j-et continued to maintain their connection 
with the National Church. 

The distinction between these two Colonies, meantime, 
was not mainly ecclesiastical, or political. As already 
intimated, it was social. The Pilgrims were poor and 
comparatively uncultivated. So far from their having 
enjoyed extended opportunities for either literary or 
social culture ; so far from their having been reared in 
opulence or luxury, and accustomed to the ease and 
refinements of wealth, they were, for the most part, a 
plain, rustic folk, inured to hardship and toil, — simple 
in their habits, moderate in their desires ; and hence, 
especially because of their unwavering faith, exemplar^' 
morals, and profound reverence for God and his Word, 
eminently fitted to serve as pioneers to New England, — 
to prepare the as yet unbroken wilderness for the pos- 
session and occupancy of succeeding generations. 

On the other hand, the Massachusetts colonists em- 
braced many men of standing, talent, and influence — 
men who had received a finished education at the lead- 
ing English universities ; who were well versed in public 
affairs ; who possessed fortunes either accumulated or 
inherited, and hence lived in the enjoyment of all the 
external comforts which wealth could command. Among 
the leading men of this second Colony were statesmen, 
diplomatists, and ministers, fullj' a match for the ablest 
of those left behind in the mother country. A few of 
them, indeed, had moved in the highest circles of soci 
ety, bore titles of nobility, and were genuine represent- 
atives of the conventional dignitj' of the Old World. I 
Shall we be surprised, therefore, that, though subsequent 
in its origin, and several years the junior of the primi- 
tive Colony, Jlassachusetts yet soon took the lead upon 
the theatre of action ; — that, owing to these superior 
advantages attending its advent, it was vastlj' more 
rapid in its growth, and correspondingl3' more prosper- 
ous in its enterprises. More fortunate than their Pilgrim 
neighbors, who acted so worthily their part, the rank, 
fortune, and political influence of the Massachusetts 
colonists, exempting them from the necessitj' of depend- 
ing upon others for means, not only enabled them to 

J " The founders of New England were experienced statesmen ; nor 
as diplomatists were they inferior to the diplomatists of England. The 
principal men of the clergy and of the laity possessed disciplined minds, 
and talents which would have distinguished them in any sphere of 
action. Trained to take part in political discussions, and with a sagac- 
ity that penetrated the disguises of despotism, they wrought for pos- 
terity ; and the cause in which they engaged was emphatically the cause 
of freedom and humanity. Not only is America indebted to them for 
initialing the work of popular government ; the world is indebted to them 
for scattering broadcast the seeds of imperishable political truths, which 
have been wafted on the wings of every breeze to the nations of Europe, 
to ripen in due time to a han'est of blessings " — Barry. 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



obtain what was wanting to the former — a charter from 
the crown — but to furnish in abundance both followers 
and funds ; — to equip not one bark merelj-, but a fleet, 
and to send not one hundred, but manj- hundreds, to 
inhabit the territory' selected for their future residence.* 
The reasons, therefore, we repeat, are sufficiently patent 
why, though hy no means destitute of incidents of hard- 
ship and suflTering, the histor}' of the second Colony was 
of so different stamp from that of the first ; whj' its 
enterijrises were prosecuted with so much more vigor 
and success ; why it so immediately acquired, and so 
steadfastlj' maintained, so decided an ascendencj' in all 
colonial affairs; — stretching out its arms, scattering 
abroad its means, becoming the patron of the arts and 
sciences, founding seminaries of learning, rearing flour- 
ishing villages, engaging in commerce, establishing man- 
ufactures, and so taking the lead in both secular and 
spiritual affairs, and attaining to such power and 
strength in these regards as to become the backbone of, 
and properly to give its own name to the great State 
subsequently constructed out of the two original Colo- 
nies. f 

The administration of Strafford and Laud, as the tem- 
poral and spiritual advisers of Charles I., has been well 
said to have been characterized, both in the civil and 
ecclesiastical administration of the realm, bj' a " sj-stem 
of insolent invasion of every right most valued by free- 
men and revered by Protestants," an invasion not onlj* 
deliberately pursued, but with a stubbornness and cruelt}- 
which finall}' exhausted the patience of even the most 
submissive and non-resistant. | 

Meantime, most naturally, the more immediate victims 
of this monarchical vengeance and prelatical rage — the 
Puritans ■ — at length began anxiously and prayerfully to 
turn their ej-es to some quarter whither they might 
retreat from these storms of violence, which thus threat- 
ened to engulf them in irretrievable ruin. 

* The contrast between the condition of the two Colonies as to equip- 
ment is sufficiently striking. Speaking of the Pilgrims, Mr. Barry 
says : " They landed poorly armed, scantily provisioned, surrounded 
by barbarians, without prospect of human succor, without help or favor 
of their king, with a useless patent, without assurance of liberty in 
religion, without shelter, without means." 

t Barry, to whose eloquent pen the writer is indebted for the most of 
the above valual)le generalizations and judgments. 

I " The Star Chamber and tlie High Commission Court, fit engines 
of despotism, were brought into requisition, and distinguished them- 
selves by a course of the utmost wantonness and barbarity. Fines, 
imprisonment, banishment, and the pillory, were the most lenient pun- 
ishments inflicted by its judges. Its victims were not infrequently 
condemned to excoriation by the lash of the executioner, the incision 
of their nostrils, and the excision of their ears, and in this mutilated 
condition were exhibited as monuments of the justice of the sovereign 
and the piety of liis prelates." — Barry. 



The success of the Plymouth Colony natm-ally sug- 
gested the feasibilit}- of another similar colonizing enter- 
prise amid the wilds of North America ; while the hope 
that there at least there would be none to disturb them 
in the exercise of their God-given rights ; none to molest 
in the tranquil and peaceable enjoyment of both their 
civil and religious liberties — not only became, on their 
part, a powerful inducement to encounter the perils both 
of the ocean and of the wilderness, but finally actually 
determined them, without delay, to seek for themselves 
a permanent home beyond the sea. 

Tlie First Settlement. 

The earliest trace of the Massachusetts Baj* Colony 
may be said to date back to Jan. 1, 1624, when a patent 
of land about Cape Ann, where a fishing-stage had 
already been erected, was executed by Edmund, Lord 
Sheffield, § in favor of two members of the Plymouth 
Colony, Eobert Cushman and Edward Winslow, " for 
themselves, and for their associates." Aside, however, 
from its affording temporary protection to their men 
while fishing in those waters, we are not informed that 
this patent ever proved of material service to Plymouth. 

During the same year, 1624, a Mr. John Wliite, a 
Puritan minister of Dorchester, England, a place which 
furnished numbers of those who were now making 
voyages to New England for purposes of traffic, having 
become deeply interested on behalf of this seafaring 
class, succeeded in organizing an unincorporated joint- 
stock company, consisting mostly of Dorchester ship- 
owners, and known as the "Dorchester Adventurers," 
the oliject of which was to establish, somewhere on the 
New England coast, a settlement where these mariners, 
when at sea, might have a home ; where supplies might 
be provided for them by farming and hunting, and where 

' Of the spasmodic experiments made by the Council for New Eng- 
land * for giving value to their property, one had been a distribution of 
its territory among Individual members of the corpor.ition. Twenty 
noblemen and gentlemen owned the country along the coast from the 
Bay of Fundy to Narragansett Bay. The region about Cape Ann (so 
named by Captain Smith), fell to the lot of Edmund, Lord Sheffield,' 
who sold a patent for it to Cushman and Winslow, and their associates 
at New Plymouth. It was probably in the summer before this transac- 
tion that a few persons from the west of England sat down at Cape Ann 
for the purpose of planting and fishing. They appear to have acknowl- 
edged the rights of the Plymouth people when made known to them, 
and the fishermen of the two parties carried on their operations amica- 
bly side by side. — Palfrey. 

1 An English corporation " for the planting, ordering, ruling, and governing 
New England in America." Most of its forty patentees were men of dis- 
tinguished consequence, embracing thirteen peers of the highest rank. It was 
empowered to hold territory In America extending westward from sea to sea, 
and in breadth from the 40th to the 48th degree of north latitude. 

' Better known as a patriot leader under his later title of Earl of Mulgrave. 
—Pal/rey. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



especially thej' might be brought under religious influ- 
ences. The spot selected for the purpose of this experi 
ment was on Cape Ann, now Gloucester, — the grantees 
of the Sheffield patent cheerfully consenting to convej- 
to Mr. White and his associates such a site as might be 
deemed suitable for the objects contemplated. A com- 
panj- of some fourteen was at once sent out to "break 
the ice," and spend the winter.* 

Insignificant as it was as to numbers, and unfruitful 
as it proved in immediate results, yet this first Colony at 
Cape Ann is historically important, since it in realitj' 
became the germ, or seed-plot, as we shall soon see, of 
what subsequently became so famous as the Jlassachu- 
setts Bay Colonj-. 

This first attempt at colonization having proved unsuc- 
cessful, an eftbrt was made to retrieve matters by reor- 
ganizing and putting the business under a somewhat 
different direction, by appointing Jloger Conant, formerly 
of the Plymouth Colony, a gentleman uniformly spoken 
of in terms of the highest respect, and commended for 
his sobriety, prudence, and integrity, governor of the 
settlement, — a settlement of which he was about to 
become at once its superintendent and principal stay in 
the hour of its sorest need. 

This latter change not having been followed by the 
profits hoped for, the Adventurers at length became 
discouraged. The settlement was abandoned. The 
planters were paid off, and the most of them returned 
to their homes. 

Undismayed, however, by these reverses, Mr. Conant 
and a few of the most honest and industrious of his men, 
resolved to remain and make still further efforts at col- 
onization. Dissatisfied with theu- location at the Cape, 
Mr. Conant determined to remove to " a fruitful neck of 
land," at Naumkeag, now Salem, " secreth' conceiving 
in his mind, that in following times it might prove a 
receptacle for such as, on the account of rehgion, would 
be willing to begin a new plantation in this part of the 
world." 

Meantime, no sooner did Mr. White f hear of the 
heroic determination of Conant, than, unwilling that the 
work which had, as he thought, been too hastily- aban- 

• On the arrival of the London vessel in the service of the Adventur- 
ers, the crew found and took possession of a fishing-stage belonging to 
the Plymouth settlers, refusing to restore the same. Staiulisli came all 
the way from Plymouth to set things right. Pacific counsels prevailed, 
and the dispute was quieted by an engagement of the crew to lielp build 
another stage for the owners in place of that which had been in ques- 
tion. — Palfrey. 

t When we remember that this Puritan minister, Rector of Trinity, of 
Dorchester, England, was the father of this first Colony, and one of 
the chief founders of the Massachusetts Colony, his name and 
cannot be held by us in too grateful remembrance. 



doned by his associates, should be whollj' overthrown, 
he wrote to Conant, faithfully promising that, if he and 
three others named, would remain atNaiunkeag, he would 
obtain a patent, and forthwith forward men and sup- 
plies. This proposition was accepted ; and, though it 
was with the utmost difficulty that the dauntless gov- 
ernor prevailed upon his companions, "for fear of the 
Indians and other inconveniences," to persevere, yet he 
succeeded ; % and thus was the breath of life continued 
in the Colonj^ ; a beacon was kept burning on these dis- 
tant shores, — Conant and his companions, in the lan- 
guage of our New England historian, " remaining the 
forlorn hope, and lone sentinels of Puritanism, on the 
Bay of Massachusetts." 

Meanwhile, in fulfilment of his promise, Mr. White at 
once negotiated with the Council for New England, and 
obtained a patent, § conveying to certain parties as 
patentees, all the territory " lying between the Atlantic 
and Pacific, and extending three miles south of the 
Charles, and three miles north of every part of the 
Merrimac River." 

A portion of these original grantees, having early 
despaired of realizing at least any immediate benefit 
therefrom, withdrew from the enterprise, when, through 
the influence of Mr. White, always in\-incible alike to 
opposition and discouragement, several merchants of 
Loudon were persuaded so become partners in the 
adventure, — forming a company, afterwards incorpo- 
rated, and known as the " Massachusetts Company." 

In compliance with the promise to Conant, one of the 
first acts of this company, with its ample resources, was 
to seek a suitable person to conduct a bod}' of emigrants 
to the settlement of Naumkeag, " to carry on the planta- 
tion of the Dorchester merchants, and to make waj' for 
the settling of another Colony in the Massachusetts." 
They selected for this purpose John Endicott, " a Puritan 

J Conant's embarrassment was aggravated by the circumstance that 
Layford, who had accepted Conant's invitation to settle at Naumkeag 
as pastor, had received a " loving Invitation " to remove to Virginia, 
and was accordingly endeavoring, to the best of his ability, to persuade 
others of the Colony to accompany him, — a movement successfully 
thwarted only by the earnest, fearless, and persistent opposition of 
Conant. 

§ A considerable portion of the land embraced in this grant had been 
previously granted by the same Council to Capt. John Mason, and to 
Robert, the son of Sir Fernando Gorges. Whether this grant had been 
forfeited, as it is lilicly, by non-use, or whether compromises were made 
by the grantees to the former proprietors, or whether said grantors were 
ignorant of the geography of the country, or whether they were so 
.anxious to increase the emoluments of their company as to sell the ter- 
ritory twice, certain it is, the patent, interfering as it did with that of a 
previous date, gave rise to perplexing embarrassments, and to contro- 
versies which were conducted with no little acrimony, .and which con- 
tinued to disturb the country for over half a centurj-.— Barry. 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



of the sternest mould." EncUcott accepted the offer as 
soon as tendered, and was at once appointed agent, or 
governor of the plantation.* 

Preparations for his departure were promptly made, 
and about the last of June, accompanied by his wife and 
children, — • ' ' hostages of his fixed attachment to the 
New World," — and about fifty colonists, he embarked in 
the " Abigail," and arrived at Naumkeag in about eleven 
weeks. A few daj-s later he notified his emploj'ers of 
his safe arrival, of his various proceedings, and of the 
wants of the Colony. Having meantime advertised the 
old planters f of the purchase of the property and priv- 
ileges of the Dorchester Company at Cape Ann, and of 
the formation of a new company, under whose auspices 
he was sent out, he proceeded at once to enter upon the 
duties of his office as magistrate and governor of the 
plantation. \ 

The news of Endicott's safe arrival awakened renewed 
interest in the Colonj' ; new associates joined, and a royal 
charter § was at last obtained for the Company of Blas- 
sachusetts Bay. The charter established a corporation, 

* Endicott was sent out ostensibly " to strengthen the Colony, and 
administer its government." The Charter was granted March 19, 1628, 
to Sir Henry Rosewell and others. 

t Not unnaturally some of the p.irties already quartered on the spot 
— the remains, it is likely, of Conain's company — were disposed to 
question somewhat tlie claims of the new-comers. Some of the old 
planters who had engaged in the cultivation of tobacco, h.ad been for- 
bidden continuing in the practice; and they were apprehensive that 
they were to lose their lands and rights by the absorption of their 
colony, and be themselves reduced to a sort of vassalage. Through the 
prudence of Conant, and the moderation of Endicott, however, the dis- 
pute was amicably composed, and in commemoration of its adjustment, 
the place took the name of Salem, the Hebrew for " peaceful." Mean- 
time, whatever became of the noble Conant, who seems to have been 
somewhat summarily and unceremoniously set aside, the annals of the 
period, so far as the writer is aware, afford no information. 

J Through a long and eventful period, Mr. Endicott was destined to 
be intimately connected with the annals, and to exert a very important 
influence upon the history, of the Colony of which he was thus the first, 
or provisional, magistrate. Often the writer has traversed the broad 
acres once owned and cultivated by him and by his son, near Salem, 
and reflected on the sturdy virtues of the Puritan, who thus, Columbus- 
like, opened up a new continent, as it were, to civilization. The gov- 
eiTior's descendants are still living in Salem, reckoned among the most 
eminent and influential citizens of the State. Upon the occasion of the 
late fifth semi-centennial celebration of the arrival in this country of the 
governor. Judge William C. Endicott, a lineal descendant of the brave 
Puritan, and hunself a native of Salem, delivered an address replete 
with interest. 

§ The patent from the " Council for New England " vested in the Col- 
ony only the property of the soil. In order to adequate powers of mu- 
nicipal government, it early became apparent to the colonists that their 
grant must needs have further confirmation. Hence their application 
for a royal charter — an instrument that, for three-quarters of a cen- 
tury, was so enthusiastically honored and cherished by them as the 
palladium of theu: dearest rights and Uberties. Liberal in its spirit and 
comprehensive in its details, it was doubtless the best and wisest charter 
that had yet been granted. 



and the associates were constituted a body politic. Its 
officers were a governor, deputjs and eighteen assistants, 
all to be annually elected. {| A general assembly of the 
freemen was entrusted with legislati\e powers. Strange 
to say, the question of religious hberty was avoided in 
this famous instrument. The largest discretion in the 
matter of local self-government seems to have been 
aUowed — almost the only restriction laid upon the Col- 
ony being that no laws should be made contrary to those 
of England. 

In 1G29 a reinforcement of over four hundred souls, 
including food, arms, cattle, and tools, was despatched. 
The advent of this company was rendered memorable in 
the annals of the new-born Colony, inasmuch as espe- 
cially with it came the first teacher and pastor of the 
church at S.alem. 

The ordination and installation of the first Independ- 
ent Congregational minister in the Massachusetts Colony 
was an event certainly of no ordinary interest and mo- 
ment. As yet the new Colony had organized no church. 
The Pilgrims were a church at the date of their lauding, 
while the compact in the " Majilower " gave them a gov- 
ernment. The Massachusetts colonists, though provided 
by the company in England with a government — now 
happily established — were as yet without a church. 
Previous to the arrival of the second body of emigrants, 
worship, we are told, had been conducted in the Episco- 
pal form. After the arrival of the ministers from Eng- 
land, measures were at once adopted looking towards the 
organization of a church. A day accordingly was set 
apart for the purpose, as also for the trial and choice of 
a pastor. Taking counsel with their Pl3'mouth brethren, 
and requesting their presence on the interesting occasion, 
a church of thirty members was gathered ; elders and 
deacons were chosen and ordained ; a covenant and con- 
fession were drawn up and signed ; Mr. Skelton was 
ordained pastor, and Francis Higginson teacher. And 
thus at Salem was planted the second church in Massa- 
chusetts, and, some say, the first properly constituted 
Protestant church in America. 

To the ordinary reader it can never cease, we feel 
sure, to be a matter of- profound wonder that these orig- 
inal Puritan colonists, ministers and laymen, born and 
bred in the bosom of Episcopacy, should have so sud- 

II Perhaps it will never be definitely understood how or why Charles I. 
came to grant, as in this case, a charter for the organization or a Colony 
without reserving, according to usage, the royal privilege of appointing 
its governor— the immediate representative of the crown. The only 
rational theory of the case is, that he considered the adventure at first 
as only a commercial enterprise. When, however, from a mere trading- 
post, the affair became a Colony, it was too late to rectify, without 
trouble, the royal blunder. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



denly and completely conquered the prejudices, and sev- 
ered the associations of a life-tune ; and, on coming to 
New England, become metamorphosed into uncompro- 
mising Episcopal-hating, Dissenting Congregationalists.* 

How truly, out of the bosom of this prelatical, ritual- 
istic, hierarchical church, came an ultra anti-prelatical, 
anti-ritualistic, anti-hierarchical Congregationalism thus, 
full-armed, Minerva-like, to spring forth? 

Possibly the explanation of this singular phenomenon 
is to be found, at least partially, in the fact, first, that 
these colonists had long since repudiated many of the 
features of Episcopacy ; and that, moreover, the Episco- 
pal Church had long persecuted and oppressed them. 
Thej' had long led, on account of it, a troubled life for 
conscience' sake. Sincerely and supremely desirous to 
know and do God's will, their inquiries and senices, 
•while yet in the bosom of the ancient communion, had 
been seriously and most persistently abridged and re- 
strained. What wonder then, indeed, that now, having 
paid the heavy price of freedom, they should feel fully to 
enjoy the purchase ; that having thus withdrawn forever 
beyond the persecutor's reach, they should be inclined 
to leave none of their new-found, strange liberty un- 
used? Besides, nothing were more natural than just 
such a rebound as this from the extreme of unnatural or 
violent restraint, to the opposite extreme of liberty. 
And, finally, in a remote North American wild the power 
of conventional associations would be likely to be but 
feebly felt, if not, indeed, altogether broken. Wh^^ not, 
then, surelj', betake themselves, as they did, anew to the 
letter of Scriptm-e, and to that alone ; and, as freely as 
did the primitive disciples — as if neither mitre or canon 
had ever been made — erect their religious institutions 
after what they understood to be the pattern in the au- 
thentic Gospel? It was of very great moment that they 
should conform to the Bible ; it was of very little mo- 
ment if, in doing so, they should be found to be sepa- 
rated, in discipline and usage, from a church thousands 
of miles away, and which they had but little occasion to 
remember with either gratitude or affection. 

In the year 1629, two prominent places, Salem and 
Charlestown, had been commenced bj' the Massachusetts 
Company. On his arrival at Salem, Mr. Higginson 
found about half a score of houses and 400 inhabitants. 
Perhaps another hundred had already settled at Charles- 

• The platform of church government decided upon was the Congre- 
gational mode, connecting the several churches together, to a certain 
degree, and yet exempting each of them from any jurisdiction by way 
of authoritative censure, or any strictly ecclesiastical power extrinsic to 
their own. This was evidently opposed to the hicr.archy, and in order 
to secure to themselves rights denied in England under Church and 
State.— Minofs Ilist. Prox. Mass. Bay. 



town. So soon, therefore, had the second Colony be- 
come more populous than the first ; while, in another 
jear, it was destined, with a giant's stride, to outstrip it 
in the race. 

Connected with the charter, to which reference has 
already been made, excellent as it was in most of its 
features, there was yet one weakness — one serious de- 
fect, — and Endicott was not slow to detect it. The 
government of the Colony was vested directly in the 
hands of the companj' at home. Accordinglj' at an early 
day Endicott suggested that the government of the plan- 
tation should be transferred to, and vested in "those 
who inhabit there," — the first utterance this, so far as 
we know, of colonial independence — the first breathing 
of the distantly-coming storm. Meantime, so simple and 
so obviously sensible and just was this suggestion, that 
it excited no adverse comment. On the contrary, Aug. 
29, 1629, the company voted that the " government and 
pattent should bee settled in New England, and accord- 
ingl}' an order be di-awn upp " to that effect. 

The Court of Assistants, also, Oct. 16, 1629, met in 
London and passed a resolution declaring that "it was 
fitt and natural! that the go\ernment of persons bee held 
there, the government of trade and merchandize to bee 
here." Thus the company and the Colony became one 
— the earliest stepping-stone to the exercise of that self- 
government subsequently to be displaj'ed on so grand a 
scale, first of all in New England, and afterward 
throughout the New World. 

Four days after the decision of the Court of Assistants 
to transfer the government of the Colony to New Eng- 
land, t the General Court held a meeting in London to 
elect officers. John Winthrop was chosen governor, a 
man destined in the near future to exert a powerful in- 
fluence upon the prosperity of both company and Col- 
ony. " Dignified, yet unassuming ; learned, yet no pe- 
dant ; sagacious, yet not crafty ; benevolent in his 
impulses ; cordial in his sj-mpathies ; ardent in his affec- 
tions ; attractive in his manners ; mildl}' conservative, and 
moderately ambitious ;" Mr. Winthrop was manifestly pre- 



t Meanwhile large preparations were being made, in various ways, to 
strengthen tlie Colony. Dec. 1, IC'29, a joint-stock company was 
formed for the purpose of maintaining and increasing the trade with 
the Colony. And on the 10th of Feb., 1630, another company was 
formed " for the sale of land, defrayment of public charges, main- 
tenance of ministers, transportation of poor families, bnilding of 
churches and fortifications, and all other public necessities of the plan- 
tation." These two companies, it will be understood, were formed un- 
der the sanction of the New England Company,— sub-companies, so to 
speak, composed exclusively of members of the greater, or parent or- 
ganization, and intended, simply by a division of their interests and 
responsibilities, to facilitate the operations of the company, and to 
advance the best interests of the Colony. 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



eminently the man for, as he subsequently came unques- 
tionably to be, the master spirit of the young and rising 
Colony.* Of excellent descent ; bred a lawyer ; accus- 
tomed from his youth to an easy and familiar intercourse 
with persons of refinement and intelligence ; conversant 
■with tlicology as well as with law ; possessed of a com- 
fortable estate ; eminent forhis liberality and distinguished 
for his hospitality ; conspicuous for his virtues and im- 
partial as a magistrate ; and now, having just turned 
forty, in the maturity of his powers and the Mgoi ot his 
j-ears, a period when, if ever, the 
character of the man is developed, 
and the full energies of his being 
are brought into activity ; surelj' it 
would seem that this person was the 
one above all others, whom nature 
and Providence, as well as his asso- 
ciates, had selected for this weighty 
and responsible trust. 

Meantime, when we consider that 
galaxy of choice and noble spirits 
associated with Mr. Winthrop in 
la3-ing the foundations of our Com- 
monwealth — Thomas Dudley, Sir 
Richard Saltonstall, Isaac Johnson, 
John Humphrey, William Codding- 
ton, Simon Bradstreet, and others, — 
all persons of influence, culture, re- 
spectability and honor, — we cannot 
assuredly but rejoice in the singular 
good-fortune of New England in 
having been settled by such men ; 
men actuated by no sordid feelings, 
no mean, selfish, merely worldly am- 
bitions. Little there was indeed in 
the New World to excite a worldly 
greed, or enkindle sordid ambitions. 
As another has well and eloquently 
said, "No Hesperian isles laden oo-iehnor 

with the riches of tropical fruitage allured these Puritan 
fathers to scenes of luxurious indulgence. No fabled 
Elysium, 

'Nor Sheba's groves, nor Sharon's fields,' 

bloomed for them upon the rock-bound coast of New 
England. No Paphian magnificence, or CastOian gi-an- 
deur, could be found in the log-hut or the temporarj- 
booth." t 

* For this eloquently sketched portrait of Winthrop, the writer is in- 
debted to Mr. Barry, 
t Barry. 



If PljTnouth was fortunate in the character of her 
earlj' settlers, not less so Massachusetts Bay. Bringing 
with them to these shores, not only the accumulated 
blessings of the land of their birth, when at the height 
of its best ci\dlization, but withal that strong, un- 
conquerable love of freedom, as also that bold sph-it 
of intellectual and religious inquiry so characteristic of 
the Anglo-Saxon ; — bringing with them that invincible 
prowess and energy which, in modern times, has borne 
\lAe the banner of St George, and the Stars of the Union 
mto every quarter of the globe ; and, 
more especially, bringing with them 
that spirit of religious freedom which 
more, perhaps, than anything else, 
his given to our country its present 
commanding position, and won for 
it its most imperishable laurels ; — 
these early pioneers, "with a vision 
penetrating beyond the present mo- 
ment ; with a forethought embracing 
the interests of their posterity as 
well as their own ; anticipating to 
some extent, the Commonwealth to 
be founded by their arduous labors, 
purposed on these shores to realize 
their aspirations in erecting a Colony 
in which the doctrines they had es- 
poused, and the principles the}' had 
cherished, might be practically ap- 
plied to both Church and State." I 

" On a beautiful April da}-, in the 
year 1630," sa3-s another, "a vessel 
las rocking leisurelj' at her moor- 
ings in the harbor of Yarmouth. 
It was the ' Arbella,' the vessel 
which was to convey Governor John 
Winthrop to America. His parting 
address was delivered on its deck, 
and it is marked bj- good sense, 
piety, and courage. He neither under nor over estimates 
the dangers he is to meet." On the 12th of June he 
dropped his anchor at Salem, the forenmner of an 
emigration embracing not less than one thousand souls 
to be conveyed hither in a fleet of seventeen vessels. 
Though their reception was somewhat discouraging, as 
the}' found the settlers sick, and weak and destitute, yet 
sites for settlements were speedily selected, and the 
names of Boston, Watertown, Dorchester, Roxbury, 

' lAt the late Now England Dinner, New Yorlc City (Dec., 1878), 
Hon. Mr. Blaine spolio at length. Among many other good things 
' said, he soberly admitted as belonging to this section of the country 




HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



Mystic, Saugus (Lj-nn) , Charlestown and Salem occur 
early in the history of this period. 

The Colony during this initial epoch suffered great 
hardships. Not a few died, and some, disheartened, 
returned to their homes in England. The great major- 
ity, however, and reallj' the best, remained, preserAang 
their fortitude amid all discouragements. 

In the final organization of their government, which 
may be said to have been a kind of spiritual, democratic 
hierarchy-, particular attention was paid to the observ- 
ance and the maintenance of their religion, as also of the 
civil rights of the individual. 

Though at first somewhat aristocratic, the govern- 
ment soon received various liberal modifications ; 
adopting, however, in self-defence, it was claimed, a 
religious test of citizenship.* Peaceful relations were 
established with the Indians, and, desiring to promote 
friendly sentiments with the other European settlements, 
Governor "Winthrop and Mr. Wilson, first pastor of 
Boston, visited the old, or Plymouth Colony, in Octol ler, 
1632, where they were cordially received by Bradford 



" tlie chief and great merit " of developing the country and shaping its 
institutions. He said that from 1620 to 1C40, the real founders of Amer- 
ica arrived in New England, about 21,000 souls, not poor outcasts, .as 
Mr. Evarts has described them, but men of culture and of property, 
bringing with them $2,500,000, which was worth six times as much 
then as it is to-day. " Show me any town of 21,000 inhabitants," s.ays 
Mr. Blaine, " which is worth to-day over $15,000,000." He thought the 
great fact of the last 150 years was the expansion of the English-speak- 
ing race, 7,000,000 when the Pilgrims landed, to 100,000,000 now. 

* " It was fully understood that differing from the religious tenets 
generally received in the country was as great a disqualitication for 
citizenship as any political opinions whatever. In defence of this order 
it is advanced that the apostolic rule of rejecting such as brought not 
the true doctrine with them was as applicable to the commonwealth as 

to the church No man could be qualified either 

to elect, or be elected, to office who was not a church-member. 
The law confining the rights of freemen to church- 
members was at length modified, if not repealed ; the peciimary qualifi- 
cations, for such as were not church members, ^vith good morals, and 
the absurd requisite of orthodoxy of opinion, to be certified to by a 
clergyman, being substituted in its place." — Minot. 

The foregoing ordinance was probably " not so much a sectarian 
scruple, as a political regulation " — a provision to guard liberty — to pre- 
vent untimely encroachments upon the infant Commonwealth. Says 
John Winthrop : " The intent of the law is to preserve the welfare of 
the body ; and for this end to have none received into any fellowship 
with us who are likely to disturb the same, and this intent, I am sure, 
is lawful and good." " To the end that the body of the commons may 
be preserved of honest and good men, no man is to be admitted to the 
freedom of the body politic, but such as are members of some of the 
churches of the s.ame." 

As, by the terms of the charter, the lands they held they deemed ex- 
clusively their own, they clauned the right, in the interest at once of 
the Commonwealth and of the kingdom of God, to receive, or to 
exclude strangers at their own discretion. 

Recognizing no rights founded on Asiatic, or feudal notions, of 
inalienable hereditary virtue ; nor more, any distinctions based exclu- 
sively on talent or wealth, the Puritans aimed " to erect a Common- 



and Brewster, and kindly welcomed and entertained 
bj- the people. 

The Massachusetts Colony continued to receive addi- 
tions from England, and in the exercise of their political 
and religious privileges, manifested a jealous and %'igilant 
interest. Issues were soon made between the magistrates 
and people, relative to the construction of the charter in 
reference to the nature and extent of magisterial preroga- 
tive. The latter urged that the government f was " uo 
other but as mayor and aldermen, who (as the merely 
executive branch of the government) have no power to 
make laws or to raise the taxes without the people." To 
this the magistrates replied that the government (i. e., 
the governor and his assistants, eighteen in number) 
"was rather in the natm-e of a parUament, and that, 
as the freemen chose the assistants, thej' were theii- 
representatives, and were authorized to act on their 
behalf." This controversy concerning the relative pow- 
ers of the people, or their deputies, and the magis- 
trates, continued as late as 1644, when a comprom- 
ise divided the court (a house of deputies ha-ving been 

wealth of chosen people in covenant with God, in which the humblest 
freeholder, if sound in faith, possessed a power as great in the election 
of magistrates, .and the enactment of laws, as a peer of the realm, or 
the proudest lord spiritual in the land of then- birth." 

This was all, it need hardly be said, very beautiful in theory. Un- 
fortunately it did not work well in practice. It presumed too much upon 
" orthodox," or churchly, human nature. Admitting that chiu-ch-mcm- 
bers were always as wise as the truth may make them, and as holy as 
their creed implies, this Puritan theory of Church and State were ideally 
perfect. Milking, however, not character, but intellectual conformity 
to a standard of colonial orthodoxy the condition of citizenship — 
of exercising the rights and prerogatives of the elective franchise — and 
so establishing a practical oligarchy of religious votaries, clearly it 
involved, as Roger AVilliams and others stoutly and wisely maintained, 
an order of things under which a premium was put on hypocrisy, 
liberty jeopardized, and justice was very likely to be defeated. 

The only respect in which the Church and State system of Massachu- 
setts was possibly better than that of the mother country was that, 
unlike the latter, which makes the Church the dependent creature of 
the secular power, it rather subordinated the State to the Church — the 
State being moulded ostensibly wholly so as to secure the being and wel- 
fare of the Church. 

+ " The executive power of the corporation was invested in a 
govenior and eighteen assistants, whose duty was ' for the best dispos- 
ing and ordering of the lands granted, of the affairs of the plantation, 
of the government of the people there.' The governor and seven or 
more assistants were authorized to meet in monthly courts 'for 
despatching such business as concerned the company or settlement.' 

" The legislative power of the corporation, however, was invested in 
'a more solemn assembly.' This body was to be composed of the 
governor, deputy-governor, the assistants, and of the whole freemen 
of the company in person, and was directed to be held ' in every last 
Wednesday in the four terms,' which meetings, or sessions, were named 
' the four Great and General Com-ts.' It was empowered to make laws, 
or ordinances, for the government of the plantation, ' which should not 
be repugnant to the laws of England.' This Great and General Court 
was authorized to elect freemen, a governor, a deputy-governor, assist- 
ants, and other officers."— OraAc's History of Boston, page 63. 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



in the meantime organized) into two distinct branclies, 
each ha-\ang accorded to it a negative on the other.* 

The substitution of delegates to represent the free- 
men,! Maj', 1G34, was an earlj', an important change in 
the government. Whatever may have been the immedi- 
ate occasion of this change, | there can be no question as 
to its having tended greatly to complete and consolidate 
the power of the Commonwealth. 

In ordinary cases, under the new order of things, the 
governor and assistants sat apart, constituting a sort of 
upper house, and doubtless antedating our present State 
Senate, and transacted business by themselves, drawing 
up bills and orders which, being agreed upon, were sent 
to the deputies for confirmation or dissent. The depu- 
ties also sat by themselves, consulting upon the common 
good ; and all matters acted on by them were sent to 
the magistrates for their concurrence. No laws could be 
made without the consent of the major part of both 
houses. The governor had a casting vote in aU courts 
and assemblies, and could call a General Court, or any 
other court or council, at his pleasure. 

Previous to 1G35 the Colony had had no regularly 
framed bodj- of laws. The increase of population lead- 
ing to apprehension from the want of positive statutes, 
four magistrates were deputed to make a draft of what 
should be received for fundamental laws. Six years later 



• The govcmor and assistants were the first judicial court. Yet the 
General Court at first also exercised judicial functions. When the 
separation between the two orders, or the division of the court into two 
houses took place, the method of exercising jointly these judicial 
powers was one important theme of controversy. Says Minot: "The 
perpetual controversy incident to dividing power among several orders 
disproportional in their numbers took place between the assistants 
and representatives. Whether they should vote in separate bodies, or 
collectively, became a serious dispute. As, by a defect in the constitu- 
tion, they held both legislative and judicial authority, it was at last 
compromised that in making the laws the two houses should vote sep- 
arately, with a negative on each other; but in trying cases, in case they 
should differ in this mode, they should proceed to determine the ques- 
tion by voting together." 

t Thus was a House of Representatives — the second in America, 
that of Virginia having been the first, — introduced and established. 
Though not expressly provided for in the charter, it was held not to be 
contrary to cither its spirit or letter. " Quietly and without tumult," 
says Barry, the measure was effected. 

I The history of the original organization of the Massachusetts House 
of Representatives is involved in some obscurity. Dral;e says : " Up 
to this time (April, 1634) all the freemen had been, or had the privilege 
of being, present at the General Courts, and participating in making the 
laws by which they were to be governed. Thci/ had now become so 
numerous that the attendance of all was quite impracticable. So at 
the next General Court it was determined that there should be four 
General Courts yearly, and that it should be lawful for the freemen of 
each plantation to choose two or three before each General Court to 
confer of, and to prepare such business for, the next Court as they judged 
necessary to be acted on, and that persons so selected by the freemen 
should be fully empowered to act in the General Court for all the frco- 



a body of one hundred ordinances, compiled principally 
by Rev. Nathaniel Ward of Ipswich, was reported and 
established, and known as the " Body of Liberties." 

In 1G31, Winthrop was re-elected governor, and with 
the exception of a few years, when Vane, Dudlej-, Bell- 
ingham, and Endicott served a year or so each in that 
capacity, continued to hold that honorable office untU 
his death, which took place in 1G49. 

Pre^'ious to 1G36 there were at least nine churches in 
existence in the Massachusetts Colony ;§ and before 
1G50 twenty were added to the number. 

Meantime, it being as "unnatural for a right New 
England man to live without an able ministrj-, as for a 
smith to work his iron without a fire," these earlj- New 
England churches were almost uniformly manned by 
godly ministers of highly respectable talents, and of 
more or less commanding influence. New England will 
never cease to be under the weightiest obligations to such 
" burning and shining lights" among her colonial clergy, 
as John Cotton, || Mr. John Wilson, Roger Williams, 
John Eliot, Increase and Cotton Mather, Thomas 
Hooker, ^ and Samuel Stone. If these men sometimes 
seemed to be bigoted, intolerant, and arbitrar}', quite as 
zealous in suppressing heretical opinions as in preaching 
the word, it should be remembered that this apparent 
intolerance on their part, was bom, not so much, we 



men of the Commonwealth in making Laws, in granting lands, in short 
everything excepting the elections of magistrates, &c." 

Jlr. Barry, on the other hand, gives another and a very confused 
and unsatisfactory account of this result. He seems to attribute it to 
a jealousy, on the part of the freemen, of the magisti-ates' usurpa- 
tion of legislative prerogative. Since, however, the freemen were all 
members of the General Court, and had a voice, not only in making the 
laws, but in electing all the magistrates, it is difficult. to understand 
how they could have complained of taxation without representation, 
and so have insisted on a House of Deputies in order to redress, as 
against the despotism of the magistrates, or in order to the eiyoyment 
of their full rights as citizens. 

§ Salem, Watcrtown, Boston, Charlestown, Lynn, Roxbury, Dorches- 
ter, Newtown, and Ipswich. 

II From the ancient church of St. Botolph (Boston, Lincolnshire), 
perhaps the most stately parish church in England, a cathedral in size 
and beauty, came John Cotton, after a pastorate of twenty years, to 
preach the gospel within the mud walls and under the thatched roof of 
the meeting-house in a rude New England hamlet. The sanctity and 
mingled force and amiableness of his character won for hun a vast 
influence. — Palfrey. 

Precocious in youth, of very brilliant talents, distinguished as well 
for the mildness and gentleness of his temper as for the fervor of his 
manner, the suavity of his deportment, the profoundness of his learn- 
ing, the power of his eloquence, gave him .an ascendency in the church 
and an influence in the state which might have been dangerous in a 
person of a less elevated character. 

H TIic first pastor of Newtown. A distinguished refugee. A prodigy 
of learning, an eloquent orator — "the Light of the Western Churches., 
and the rich pearl which Europe gave to America." He subsequently 
removed to Connecticut. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



have reason to believe, of any ecclesiastical rancor or 
narrowness, as of a simple and sincere desire to pre- 
sence the unity and puritj' of the churches at a forma- 
tive, and hence a peculiarlj' critical, period of their his- 
tory ; while in manj' instances, by their prudent coun- 
sels, himible deportment, rare powers of harmonizing 
conflicting oiiinions, and moderating the spirit of contro- 
versj-, as well as bj- their more public and professional 
ministrations, they contributed greatly, there can be no 
doubt, to the promotion of the safetj', and aU the best 
interests of the Colonj-, amidst the storms and perils it 
was destined to encounter. 

Nor were the interests of education overlooked. As 
a large proportion of the clergy of New England, and 
some of the laitj', were men of liberal education, grad- 
uates of the time-honored universities of England, it 
was not unnatural that they should earlj- contemplate 
the founding of an institution of learning. Though pro- 
vision had as yet been hardlj' made for the first wants of 
life — habitations, food, clothing, and churches — and 
though dark, portentous clouds hung still on their polit- 
ical horizon,* yet through and be3-ond all these sad 
complications of the present, the New Englanders, look- 
ing to the great necessities of future times, made a 
generous appropriation for the endowment of a college.f 
Meantime this aforesaid magnanimous project coming 
to the knowledge, and engaging the sjTnpathj' of John 
Harvard, a graduate of Emmanuel College, Cambridge, 
and pastor of the Charlestown church, the latter be- 
queathed one-half of his estate, amounting to some 
£700, for the erection of the necessary- college buildings. 
This was in 1G39. In just gratitude for this noble and 
verj' timel}' act, the court ordered that the new institu- 
tion should be called b}' Mr. Ilan-ard's name. And so, 
in New England, no sooner was the church erected than 
the school-house spnmg up, — 

" Fast by the oracles of God : " 
learning and religion united hy indissoluble bonds, and 

• The power of England stood in an attitude to strike. A desper- 
ate war with the natives had already begun, and the government was 
threatened with an Antinomian insurrection. — Pa/frei/. 

t At the late New England Dinner (December, 1S78), New York 
City, President Scclyc, of Amherst College, uttered the following 
timely and interesting observation on the Puritans : 

"They did not build the college on the basis of the common school, 
but they started the college first and built the common school with the 
strength which the college furnished. They were ignorant of the mod- 
em discovery that you can only get the best by evolution from the 
poorest. They began with the best. Instead of attempting to ascend 
from lower planes by gradual development unto a higher, they started 
with the higher. Harvard College was founded only seventeen years 
after the landing at Plymouth, but this was ten years before the begin- 
ning of common schools in Massachusetts. It is true that this accorded 



bearing their legitimate fruit of intelligence and A-irtue 
— the ground and pillar of all popular self-govern- 
ment. 

Somewhat later (1647), two years before his death, 
Governor Winthrop had the satisfaction of giving his 
official sanction to a measure the importance and benefi- 
cent issues of which no estimate of tliat day could 
approach a just appreciation — a measure for the insti- 
tution of common schools — requiring everj' township 
of fifty householders to maintain permanentlj- a good 
district school. " Since the seventeenth year of Massa- 
chusetts," says Mr. Palfrey, " no child of this State has 
been able to say that to him poverty has closed the book 
of knowledge, or the -way to honor." 

Such, two centuries and a quarter ago, were the feeble 
yet hopeful beginnings of institutions which have now 
come to occupy the consideration, and which have mate- 
rially affected the destiny of the world. The Indians, 
who in those da3-s greatly outntunbercd the colonists, 
have since dwindled to a handful, while the "pale face" 
has subdued ucarlj' the whole continent to his dominion, 
and transformed it from a wilderness into a beautiful 
garden. 

TJie Earliest Yankee Emigration. 
Strange as it may seem, before 1639 complaints were 
heard in some towns that the people -were already 
" straitened for want of room," and the result was the 
settlement of Connecticut. Late in the spring of 1636, 
" when nature was radiant with beauty, and the leaves 
and grass were sufficiently grown for the cattle to 
browse," says the historian, Mr. Hooker, Mr. Stone, 
and most of the congregation of Newtown, set out for 
that then distant Colonj' — the pastor's wife being borne 
on a litter on account of her feebleness. "The party 
was composed of about one hundred emigrants, men, 
women, and children, some of whom had lived in opu- 
lence in England ; and, subsisting largely on the milk 
of their cattle by the waj-, thej' toiled on through the 

with the history of all education in Europe, the universities of Europe 
having been the progenitors and not the children of the common 
schools, and It is true that subsequent events have shown that the 
lower stages of education, instead of mounting by themselves up to the 
higher, have been lifted up by the power which has come down to thcra 
from that which is above. But I do not believe, Mr. President, that it 
was any historical deduction from the past, or any philosophical previ- 
sion of the future, which led our forefathers to make provision for the 
highest education before they had made any provision for the lowest. 
Rather did this grow out of that instinct, or I might say that inspira- 
tion, which led them so often and so unconsciously in a way of wisdom 
better than their knowledge. They were accustomed to look upon upward 
impulses as coming first from above, and so they sought in the moimtain- 
tops for the sources of the streams which were to run among the val- 
leys, and which were to make of a desert land the garden of the Lord." 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



pathless forests of interior Massachusetts, with onlj- the 
compass for their guide, having no pillow but Jacob's, 
and no canopy but the heavens. Advancing scarce ten 
miles a da}-, o'er mountain-top, and hill and stream, 
through tangled wood and dismal swamps, it was a full 
fortnight ere they reached their haven of rest." 

'■'■Praying Indians." 
From the first the colonists seem to have entertained 
projects looking towards the conversion of the natives. 
Though preceded in this field by Mayhew, of Nantucket, 
jet John Eliot, of Roxburj-, is usually considered as 
" the morning star of missionary enterprise,"* and to 
him has been awarded the appropriate title of "the 
Apostle to the Indians." Meantime, with such enthu- 
siasm did he enter upon his work, and with such success 
did he prosecute it — devoting to its advancement more 
than fortj' years of his life — that not onl}- were his 
labors applauded, and his name greatl}' honored, both at 
home and abroad, but, as trophies of his indefatigable 
assaults on Indian godlessness, he could at one time 
point to no less than fifteen hundred natives in the 
neighborhood of Boston who had by him been induced 
to abandon their savage customs and habits, form them- 
selves into civilized communities, learn to read the 
Scriptures and to worship the Christian's God. In con- 
sequence, however, of King Philip's War, and the sus- 
picions of the fidelity of even the Praying Indians, with 
which the public mind had been therebj- poisoned — 
resulting in the subjection of some of these so-called 
"Praying Indians" to peculiar and verj- aggravating 
hardships — this good work received a serious check. 
Indeed, owing to the causes named, in a few short 3-ears 
the number of meeting-places for these Indians was 
reduced from fourteen to four. If the value of an enter- 
prise is to be measured by its final success, the conver- 
sion of the New England Indians must be regarded as a 
failure. The race itself has vanished awa}- ; and now 
nearly all that remains to us of the genius and labors of 

* The legislature having passed an act for the propagation of the 
Gospel among the Indians, the General Court of Massachusetts has the 
distinguished honor of having been the first missionary society of Prot- 
estant Christendom. 

t Eliot was not the first minister of Roxbury, but preached there 
more than fifty years, having been bom at Nazing in England, in 1601, 
and dying in Roxbury in 1C90. When he was seventy-five years old 
he was visited by the Dutch missionaries, Bankers and Sluyter, who 
thought hira " the best of the ministers we have yet heard," and who 
found him very polite. But he then (1G79-80) "deplored the decline 
of the church in New England, and especially in Boston, so that he did 
not know what would be the final result." After twelve years' labor, 
Eliot transb.tcd the Bible into the Indian tongue, and had it printed, 
the New Testament first, .at Cambridge, in lCOl-3. 

" lie that would \vrite of Eliot," says Cotton Mather, " must write of 



Ehot are a few scattered volumes that have descended 
to us from the past, "as unintelligible as the inscrip- 
tions on the obelisk of Luxor." Yet, as memorials of 
the piety and missionarj' zeal of our ancestors, and 
especially as monuments of the self-sacrificing labors of 
this primitive New England "Apostle to the Gentiles," 
they are certainly' most impressive and instructive. f 

Colonial Penalties. 
" Of all our colonial ancestry," says another, "the 
New England character was marked by severest aus- 
terity and integrity. No Jew ever followed more closely 
both the laws and the prophets than the Puritan." Nay, 
not onlj' was his own conduct rigorously shaped by a 
literal interpretation of the Scriptures, but he insisted 
also on watching over and shaping the conduct of others 
according to the same divine pattern. Accordingly, in 
the good " old colonial days," not only were pubUc 
offences dealt with, but private morals, as well, were 
carefully watched over by the authorities of Church and I 
State. In these earhost times the ministers had almost i 
entire control, and hence a church reproof was con- i 
sidered the heav-lest disgrace. Betimes, however, some- j 
thing further was found necessary for consciences less 
tender, and for oflTenders more flagrant. For shooting 
fowl on Sunday a man was once whipped. The swearer 
was made to meditate over his sin standing in a public 
place with his tongue in a cleft stick. For graver oflTen- 
ces of speech, the guilty party was set in the stocks, or 
the unruly member was bored through with a hot iron. 
Nor were minor transgressions of the tongue b}' any 
means winked at — the unhappy housewife, whose tem- 
per had got the Ijctter of her wisdom, having allotted to 
her sorry leisure for repentance — being gagged (espe- 
cially if a bad scold) , and then set at her own door for 
all comers and goers to gaze at. Offenders of this lat- 
ter class, it may be added, were sometimes punished by 
being ducked in running water. Philip. Ratcliffc was 
sentenced to bo whipped, have his ears cut off, fined 

charity or say nothing." The parish treasurer once paid him his salary 
and tied it up for him in his handkerchief, with as many hard knots as 
he could. On his way home he called to see a poor sick woman, and 
said God had sent her some relief. Unable to untie the knots with his 
aged hands, he finally gave the whole handkerchief to the woman, say- 
ing, "Take it, my dear sister; the Lord designs it all for you." 
" Truly," he said, in his old age, " I am good for little here below, 
only, while I daily find my understanding going and my memory 
and senses decayed, I bless God my faith and charity grow." He 
dressed plainly and drank nothing but \\atcr, saying, "Wine is a 
noble, generous liquor, and we should be humbly th.ankful for it; 
but, as I remember, water was made before it." His portrait was 
discovered in London by William Whiting, in 1851, and is engraved 
for Mr. Drake's history. — Correspondoice of Springfield Repub- 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



forty shillings, and banished out of the limits of the 
jurisdiction, for uttering malicious and scandalous 
speeches against the government, and the chui-ch of 
Salem. Culprits were sometimes led about town fast- 
ened to the tail or back of a cart, being whipped as they 
went — a custom in vogue as late as the middle of the 
eighteenth century. — National Repository. 

Religious Persecutions. 

That the sacrifices made bj- the Puritans to obtain 
religious freedom for themselves involved no recogni- 
tion, on their part, of the general principle of religious 
toleration, as now understood, may be justly inferred 
from their conduct towards those who were considered to 
have deviated from their own ecclesiastical standards. 

When the Salem church decided that their form of 
church service and government should be Congrega- 
tional, some, dissatisfied with the covenant of said 
church, complained because the service of the Episcopal 
Chiu-ch was omitted. Aroused bj^ this opposition, Endi- 
cott, then governor, and no friend of the Episcopacy, 
regarding the course of these parties as " tending to 
mutinj- and faction," told them that New England was 
no place for them, and forthwith sent them back to 
England. Thus was Episcopacy professed, and thus 
summarilj' was it expelled from the Colon}-. 

Among the great lights of the earl}- colonial pulpit, 
and in some respects the nol)lest of the earl}- emigrants, 
was Roger Williams, a young Welsh preacher of singu- 
lar eloquence, and the second pastor of the Salem 
Church. He anived in 1631. This man has achieved 
an exceptional fame on the score of his misfortunes, as 
the groat apostle of the principle of freedom of relig- 
ious opinion, and as the founder of the city of Provi- 
dence. Having made himself obnoxious to the authori- 
ties as an agitator — as an advocate of measures con- 
sidered to be subversive of the peace and dignity of the 
state — after having been admonished and disciplined 
in vain, he was banished from the settlement. 

Scarcely were the magistrates rid of Roger Williams 
when they found themselves engaged in a contest much 
more threatening and difiicult to control than what he 
had raised.* At the head of it stood a capable and 

• The task was especially difflcnlt as her party comprehended several 
of the most important men in the infant Commonwealth, and its busi- 
ness was conducted by a determination and skill well worthy of a bet- 
ter cause. — Palfrey. 

t At a time when a war with the most powerful of the natives was 
imminent — a war which threatened to bring about a universal league of 
the New England savages ; yea, and when under these circumstances, 
a force had been ordered to take the field for the better defence of the 
settlements, the Boston men, it is recorded, refused to be mustered be- 
cause they suspected the chaplain, who was to accompany the expedi- 



resoluto woman, whose name, dismally conspicuous in the 
early history of New England, was Mrs. Anne Hutchin- 
son. Early she had become somewhat notorious for her 
eccentric speculations and pretensions to direct revela- 
tion. Of great energy of character and vivacity of mind, 
and possessed of striking controversial talents, she 
had acquired more or less popular esteem and influence. 
Meantime, attaching great importance to her religious 
notions, Mrs. Hutchinson, at length, was led to under- 
take some sort of public ministration of them. It had 
been the practice of the male members of the Boston 
church, of which Mrs. Hutchinson was a member, to 
hold meetings by themselves for the purpose of recapitu- 
lating and discussing the sermon of their minister. 
Mrs. Hutchinson conceived the idea of instituting simi- 
lar assembUes for her own sex, not so much, indeed, to 
review the sermon, as to ventilate her own peculiar va- 
garies. The meeting was established. From the first 
it was attended, it is said, by nearly one hundred 
females, embracing many of the chief matrons of the 
town. What wonder that her bold criticisms, set off 
with a certain voluble eloquence, — that her expositions, 
made impressive by an imposing familiarity at once with 
scripture, and the most abstruse speculations of philoso- 
phy ; and the whole, illumined and made impressive by 
devotional gifts even more striking than her didactic 
powers, — what wonder that these should have produced 
a sensation • — should have ensured this woman a follow- 
ing, including even such men as Governor Vane, and so 
eminent ministers as Wheelwright and John Cotton! 
Not unnaturally, in proportion to her popularity and 
success, she became conceited, headstrong, extravagant, 
imperious, fanatical ; even going so far, at length, as 
vehemently to assail the authorities, and thus, and at a 
specially perilous and critical epoch in the Colony's his- 
tory, creating disaflfection, and, to the same extent, of 
course, paralyzing the secular arm — hindering the 
magistrates in the effectual execution of the laws.f 
Forbearance, it was thought, at length, had ceased to bo 
a virtue. She and some of her leading partisans, were 
arrested, tried, convicted and banished from the settle- 
ment. I 

But that which, perhaps, more than anything else, has 

tion, of being under " a covenant of works." Surely, when a religious 
schism has become so rabid and reckless as to involve direct armed 
resistance to authority, even while invading hosts are supposed to be at 
our doors, is it not time it should be crushed with a strong hand ? 

J She went first to Rhode Island, but after the death of her husband, 
removed, with her sun-iving family, into the territory of the Dutch. 
The Dutch and Indians being then at war, in an invasion of the set- 
tlement by the latter, her house wr.s attacked and set on fire, and 
herself and all the family, save one child, who was carried captive, 
perished. 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



scandalized the Massachusetts Colonj', except it be possi- 
bly the hanging of tlie so-called witches of Salem, was 
its persecution (1659-60) of the Quakers even unto 
death. 

In so far as our Puritan fathers dealt harshly or 
unkindly with their pestilent agitators and rebellious 
heretics ; in so far as they may have been really intoler- 
ant in spirit, or high-handed, or arbitrary in their mea- 
sures, we are not careful to defend them.* It is but 
justice to these illustrious ancestors, however, that the 
principles on which thej-, at least ostensibly, proceeded, 
should be clearly recognized and distinctly understood ; 
and these, arising from their peculiar circumstances, and 
hence altogether singular, and without precedent, were 
t^^o : the right, on the ground of original occupation, of 
enjoj-ing unmolested their religion in their own commu- 
nity ; and sccondlj', self-defence. When Endicott so 
summarily banished the Episcopalians, and the Colony 
afterwards ejected Antinomians, Baptists, and Quakers, 
it was on the ground tuat Massachusetts having paid a 
great price for the sake of the unmolested worship of 
God in their own way, they proposed to maintain this 
privilege, which under the circumstances, in their judg- 
ment, partook largely of the nature of right. In Eng- 
land we were in the waj- of the National Church, virtu- 
ally they argued. We were crowded out. We do not 
complain. Now, j'ou are in our way. Go. The world 
is wide. Build on your own foundations. There is 
room for us both. We have no quarrel with 3"our doc- 
trines. We respect your right of private judgment. 
Only vacate our premises. f 

Says Mr. Palfrey, who has canvassed this whole sub- 
ject with great ability and candor, "The sound and 
generous principle of perfect freedom of conscience in 

* That this w.is the case, in some measure at least, is rendered highly 
probable in view of the vehement temper and character of such men for 
example as Endicott and Bcllingham, who, unfortunately, happened to 
have the most important agency in the administration of affairs at the 
time of the Quaker excitement. It is well knomi, moreover, that Gov- 
ernor Winthrop, though he did not doubt the justice of his sentence, 
yet keenly regretted the unnecessary harshness which attended the disci- 
pline and banishment of Roger Williams from the Jlassachusctts Colony. 

t At the foot of the gallows tlie offer was again renewed to Mary 
Dyer, of release, if she would only promise henceforth keep out of 
JIassaehusetts. But she refused it, and met her fate with brave deter- 
mination. — Palfrey. 

X The popular notion that, though exiles themselves for conscience' 
sake, yet with bigoted fury and intolerant ferocity, the Puritans sen- 
tenced, on purely religious or theological grounds, all opposers of their 
peculiar beliefs to the punishments of fine, whipping, imprisonment, 
banishment, and death, is hardly borne out by clearly established facts. 

Roger Williams is honored as the apostle of religious toleration, of 
freedom of opinion and speech on tliis continent; as the man "from 
the alembic of whoso soul was evolved the sublime principle of liberty 
of conscience." We have no disposition to take from this great and 
good man one laurel that belongs to him. Though we may question 



religious concerns can scared}' be shown to have been 
involved in these disputes ; between WiUiams and those 
who dismissed him there was no question about dogmas ; 
he was not charged with, and hence could not be exiled 
for, heresy proper, but for ' civil turbulence.' " Cotton 
Mather declared that "the wind-mill in the young 
Welshman's head seemed likely to turn everything topsj'- 
turvy in the settlement." Restless, violent, disputa- 
tious ; courageous, disinterested, kind-hearted to a fault, 
j'et hungering irresistibly for excitement and conflict, 
and, meanwhile hurling scathing denunciations against 
the authorities for what he was pleased to consider 
doubtless a mockery of liberty of conscience, Roger 
Williams, with aU his good qualities, proved, yet, a thorn 
in the side of the young Colony which they had not the 
grace to endure, and hence they cast him out. J 

In like manner Mr. Palfrey argues it would be an 
unjust representation of the case of Mrs. Hutchinson 
and her partisans to allege that they were punished for 
entertaining opinions distasteful to theii- associates on 
dark questions of theologj'. Standing, as they were, 
between two great perils, — a threatened rupture with 
the most formidable of the native tribes, and an invasion 
from the parent countrj", — dangers to be parried only 
by a concentration of all their own resources, and by 
further accessions from abroad, if such could be ob- 
tained, § is it not extravagant to suppose that the fathers 
of the state would have allowed themselves to be diverted 
into a mere distracting contest of speculative polemics ? 
In their estimation, it was a question of life and death 
with which they had to deal. 

The disputes introduced by Mrs. Hutchinson threat- 
ened nothing less than immediate anarcliy — put in 
jeopardy their very poUtical existence. The colonists 

whether it was because ho was " grieved to find among the colonists the 
same spirit of religious intolerance and persecution from ivhich thcr 
had just fled to find shelter in the wilderness," that he preached his 
crusade of denunciation against them, yet, that he did preach tolcr.".- 
tion for all sects, classes, and nations, and was, in this regard, far in 
advance of his time, we admit. For this we honor him. Menntin-.c, 
we venture to add, that so many years after William the Silent, and 
Henry IV. of France, Williams can hardly be esteemed in any proper 
sense, the author of this idea ; while it may be interesting and instruct- 
ive to remember that this same liberty-loving, creed-hr.ting Roger Wil- 
liams, rigorously repelled all religions dissentients fi'ora his sympathy 
and fellowship, however good Christians, if members of the Engli:.;i 
Church ; or, if not, if they did not publicly proclaim their repentance 
for having ever communed with such. 

§ " Depending, as the young colony did, on the good word and active 
patronage of its Puritan friends in England, and looking to tlicm 
anxiously for an increase of numbers, and so of power, it could ill bear 
to be represented to them as already rent and disabled by fictions. 
Nothing more intimately concerned its welfare than the creation within 
it of such a state of things as would justify a report in England suited 
to encourage a largo emigration of men of the desired character and 
mcam."— Palfrey. 



HISTORY OF KEW ENGLAND. 



were, therefore, ob\-iously shut up to a choice of evils in 
this case : internal discord and dissolution, or, on the 
other hand, the expulsion from their bosom of these ele- 
ments of deadl}- civil strife. The question for them to 
decide was simplj- whether the^- would live or die. 
They proposed to live. * 

It must be admitted that this plea does not hold with 
equal force in the case of the Quaker persecution. Un- 
less the judgment of the Puritan leaders had been seri- 
ously disturbed by the provocations of the contest, it is 
difficult to understand how thcj- could have seriously 
considered that measures of such extreme rigor were 
any longer indispensable in order to the safety of their 
institutions. Meantime, unless distempered imaginations 
greatly exaggerated their dangers, it must have been 
sufficiently patent to these leaders that, by enforcing 
their extreme measures they were maintaining their 
position at far too great a cost.f 

The Neva England Confederacy. 
The Confederacy of 1643 has been well stated to have 
been an important event in the history of New England. 
The idea seems to have originated with the Colonj- of 
PljTnouth during the Pequot war. Solicited to furnish 
men and means for this war, it was objected that in their 
late difficulties with the French; their Massachusetts 
brethren had refused their aid. This led to a conference 
in Boston between the agents of the two Colonies, called 
for the purpose of promoting harmon}- of action, and in 
which proposals were made for an alliance, ofi'ensive and 

= Let those who are disposed, with any nndnc severity, to condemn the 
Turitan fathers for their seeming intolertincc and exclusivcncss, bear in 
mind that the position they occupied was precisely the same at present 
maintained by many wise and good men on the Pacific slope in regard 
to Chinese immigration. Whether the policy be wise or unwise, some 
of the ablest statesmen and divines on the Pacific coast arguo that, com- 
ing under the cu-cumstanecs under which they do, the advent of the 
Mongolian to the Pacific States tends to make the reproduction of New 
England civilization there impracticable. Meanwhile, before we of the 
East too swcepingly condemn our Western brethren, may we not profit- 
ably consider that many thoughtful minds regard it as a very giave 
question how far even New England and the East can afford to go in 
importing the ignorant, Bocialistic, communistic elements of the Old 
World, and still preserve our free suffrage and our capacity for self- 
government. If, for example, intclUgenec and morality are absolutely 
essential conditions of a republican system, m.iy we not wisely inquire, 
to what extent is it safe to go in diluting the population of the land with 
ignorant and unprincipled suffrage — in thrusting the ballot into the hands 
of lawlessness and ignorance ? However it may contradict our cher- 
ished traditions, or belie our fine theories concerning a universal asy- 
lum, is it, after all, unstatcsmanliko to consider whether wc may not, 
nevertheless, be in danger of throwing more water into the national 
boiler than our furnaces can possibly convert into steam, in which case, 
of course, the engine must inevitably stop ? Nay, are there not sug- 
gestive indications that the steam in the national boiler even now is get- 
ting fearfully low ? At all events, until we can confidently answer 
some of these interrogatories in the negative, let us not be too swift to 



defensive, in all cases of like future occurrence. The 
two Connecticut Colonies shortly after also entered into 
this alliance, and the Confederacy was known as the 
United Colonies of New England. It continued for a 
period of about forty years, when it came to an end b}- 
an arbitrary act of the British Court. 

Scattered, as the\' were, over a wide extent of wilder- 
ness country, encompassed hy dangers on every side, and 
conscious of their insccuritj' and weakness, how natural 
that this handful of settlers should have thus combined. 
All round about them there roamed a subtle, savage, 
revengeful foe, with whom thej- had already had occasion 
to engage in dcadlj', exterminating strife, and whose very 
friendship was known to be fickle and inconstant ; while 
the air was constantly full of rumors of hostilities and 
plots for their overthrow. That, painfully alive thus, to 
the insecurity of their situation, — sensible, as the his- 
torian has vividly painted it, "that they were resting 
upon the verge of a slumbering volcano, whose streams 
of desolation might at any time overleap the feeble bar- 
ters which resti-ained them, and pour a desolating tide 
of lava over the country," — that, under the circumstances, 
we say, these pioneers, in their hour of peril, far from 
the land of their birth, dependent solely on God and 
their own right arm for prescr\-ation and support, should 
have woven, as the}' did, this fourfold cordon for their 
defence, will assuredly excite no surprise. 

Meantime, the thoughtful reader will hardlj- learn un- 
moved that self-preser\-ation was b}- no means the onh' 
motive that influenced these early fathers in entering into 

condemn the Puritans because they thought best to work the pumps 
slowly for a time and crowd the fu-.nace. 

t Mr. Palfrey expresses the opinion that, among those favoring the 
law threatening Quakers with death if they should return from banish- 
ment, there was a confident persuasion that the terror of the law alone 
would accomplish all that was desired, and would prevent (as in most 
cases it did) any occasion for its actual execution. Unfortunately, 
however, having thus imprudently calculated on the effects of their 
threats on men and women become frantic, insanely inconfiidcratc, or 
desperate, through the influence of fanatical opinions which they enter- 
tained, .and havmg thus committed themselves to a policy " which could 
not be maintained without grievous severity, or abandoned without hu- 
miliation and danger," the court, when the issue was fearlessly joined, 
and the necessity of action laid upon them, had not the courage to 
acknowledge their error and to retrace their steps. Possibly the morti- 
fication of defeat might have been endured ; but they f.arcd, it is prob- 
able, that any failure on their part to execute the la«-s would affect un- 
favorably the stability of their govenuncnt. Perhaps each party con- 
tinued to the last to hope that under the shadow of the terrible gal- 
lows, the other would relent. If so, both were doomed to dis.ip- 
pointment. The fltct is, whatever New England rulers, in those 
days, promised or threatened, it was their practice usually to do; 
while on the other hand, unhappily, in the weaker party in this case, 
to an idiotic folly was united an indoinilable boldness. The con- 
test of will was, therefore, to continue to the bitter end. The Qua- 
ker and Puritan measured swords. Though he suffered, yet the 
Quaker prevailed. 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



this league ; that this league was entered into, indeed, 
not less for religion and for religious liberties, than for 
temporal protection ; not less for the preservation and 
the propagation of the truths and liberties of the Gospel, 
than for their own mutual aid, or to promote their phj'si- 
cal safet3^ 

This confederation, meanwhile, so long as it continued 
to exist, served, not onlj' as the strong right arm of de- 
fence on the part of the Colonies, at once against a 
foreign, and also an insidious and common domestic 
enemj', but, moreover, promoted that mutual commerce 
of opinion, and interchange of ideas, and hence that 
mutual acquaintance, and, withal, obviously facilitated 
those intercolonial political intercommunications and 
combinations that so signall3' paved the waj' for the 
realization of that far grander and more effective con- 
federation that was to follow bj- and by. 

Indian Wars. 

For a long period the colonists had the good fortune 
to avoid hostile collisions with their aboriginal neighbors. 
With some of the native tribes they alwaj-s maintained 
friendly relations. Others, however, were less tractable 
and peaceably inclined. 

One of the first of these native New England tribes to 
j give the settlers serious trouble was the Pequot — a for- 
! midable tribe, numbering some seven hundred wamors, 
the central seat of whose power was between the Mystic 
and the Thames. If their feelings were ever friendly, 
they very early became changed, for some reason, to 
those of hatred and revenge. Having perpetrated cer- 
tain murders, and committed various depredations on the 
English, Endicott, bj' Vfaj of retaliation, burnt two of 
their villages, and destro3-ed their corn. 

This led to the Pequot war (1G37), the brunt of which 
was borne by Connecticut settlers. The campaign against 
the Pequots, under Captain Mason, in connection with 
which an Indian fort was surprised, the garrison put to 
the sword, and thus the Pequot tribe practicall}' extermi- 
nated, was one of the most brilliant in the annals of early 
New England. 

The first severe check which the prosperity of the 

• Philip was the second son of that Massasolt, sachem of the numer- 
ous trihc of Polianokets, who so early concluded a league of peace 
with the colonists of Plymouth, and who always, to the day of his 
death, forty years aftenvards, maintained the treaty faithfully. Dying 
at an advanced age, Massasoit was succeeded by his sons Wamsutta and 
Mctacomet. Ambitions of an English name, the court, as it cost them 
little to gratify him, bestowed on him the cognomen of Alexander; and 
desiring the same in behalf of his brother, the latter was named Philip. 

Philip's residence, or headquarters, was on " that beautiful peninsular 
range of hills, twelve miles long, called Mount Hope, now belonging to 
the town of liristol, which the traveller from Boston to New York by 



Colonies received was in what is known as " King 
Philip's * War," which, commencing in 1675, lasted till 
the latter part of 1676 — terminating with the death of 
PhiUp. 

The proximate cause of the outbreak of hostilities 
was the murder, bj- the tools of Philip, of a certain Praj- 
ing Indian, Sasamon, who, though he had apostatized 
and joined Philip, serving as his secretary, was yet sub- 
sequently reclaimed through the exertions of Mr. Eliot. 
The guilt}' parties were speedily secured, and, not a little 
to the exasperation of Philip, brought to justice. 

Philip's first blow was struck at Swansea. This was 
followed rapidly by bloody conflicts, massacres, and 
burnings, at Bloody Brook, Brookfield, Narragansett 
Fort, Hatfield, Springfield, Seekonk, and Lancaster. 

On the part of the savages, this war, from the very 
first, seems to have been one of desperation. They 
burned villages, lay in ambush for stray parties, fell on 
defenceless outposts, and pursued the conflict in a spirit 
of most sanguinary determination, giving over the 
struggle only when decimated, demoralized, crushed, 
driven with their bloodthirsty chieftain to his last 
retreat, thej' could hold out no longer. During this war 
— made luridl}' famous by the torch as well as the toma- 
hawk, and illustrated bj- the heroism and daring of such 
men as Price, Cudworth, Uncas, Wheeler, the defender 
of Brookfield, and Willard, who came to the rescue of 
the imperilled garrison there ; Parker, Winslow, and 
Captains Johnson and Davenport, — • the first to fall at 
the head of their respective commands on storming 
Narragansett Fort ; Lothrop, the hero of Bloodj- Brook, 
and whose compan}', known as the " Flower of Essex," 
was almost wholly cut to pieces on that disastrous field, 
and the gallant Church, who had the honor of ending the 
war, by overtaking and killing Philip ; — during this 
terrific war, no less than twelve or thirteen towns were 
destroyed, f and more than six hundred of the colonists 
perished in the field — were either stealthil}- murdered, or 
fell in battle, or, becoming prisoners, were lost sight of 
forever, an unknown number of them being put to death 
with nameless and most horrible tortures. 

There was hardly an English family in the two Colo- 
Fall River, sees on his right hand as ho passes down Taunton River 
into Narragansett Bay." 

t It has been well said that no mere inventory of murders and pil- 
lages, of massacres and conflagrations, even could such a list be made 
complete, can set forth the amount of distress endured in this cam- 
paign. Outlying houses were fired by night while their inmates slept; 
husbandmen at their work, and women at the well, and travellers on the 
road, were shot down; no man, outside the large towns, might leave his 
door with safety ; every bush near it might mask a watchful marksman. 
It was one continued succession of ruthless rav.-vgcs on a larger or 
smaller scale.— fo^rey. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



nies, saj's the historian, tliat was not in mourning in 
consequence of this war. Meantime, impoverishment 
■was added to bereavement, the expenses of the struggle 
ha^^ng reached the enormous figure, for that daj', of 
$500,000 — an amount believed to have been in excess of 
the value of tlic whole personal propertj- of the people. * 

The fact of this being known as King Philip's v.-ar, 
has led manj- to suppose that Philip was not onlj- the 
instigator, but the generalissimo and master-spirit of it. 
There is no reason, however, to believe that Philip pos- 
sessed either the statesmanlilie or militarj- qualities, — 
the considerate foresight, capacitj' for political combina- 
tion, or aptness for influencing the actions of men, — 
attributed to him, and necessarj- in order to enable him 
thus to ride upon and direct the storm which he had 
conjured up ; or that anj- such conspiracy, as the popular 
theorj- supposes, to rid the countrj- of the white man, b}'^ 
a combined movement on the part of all the Kow Eng- 
land tribes, ever actually- existed. The probabilities are 
rather that once hostilities having broken out, the thirst 
for blood became epidemic ; that a few war-whoops hav- 
ing fired the Indian heart, the contagion became general, 
and spread rapidly over a wide extent of country, -j- 

The dealings of the colonists with the Indians, have 
long been a subject of more or less reproach. Their 
treatment of the red race has been commonly censured 
as barbarous and cruel. This is not the place to enter 
upon a studied and elaborate defence of the Puritan 
fathers, touching their dealings with, or treatment of 
the red men. And jxt we may be permitted to saj- that 
there is no sufficient reason to believe that the latter 
were ever treated othen\-ise than equitablj-, and even 
generously, by the whites ; j-ea, so far from the natives 
having been wronged or oppressed by their white neigh- 
bors, all the endence goes to show that, on the other hand, 
the new order of things was greatl}- to the advantage of 
the sons of the soil. J Offering them a full equivalent 
for whatever they received from their lands, and acquir- 

• " By years of steady industry and pinching frugality, however, she 
paid her enormous debt, principal and interest, to the uttermost for- 
tUing. New England never learned the doctrine of repudiation." — Pal- 
frey. 

+ The Indian King Philip is a mythical character, — a creature of the 
popular imagination, — not less as to his personal habits, than touching 
his abilities, or character. " The title King, which it has been custom- 
ary to attach to his name," s.iys Jlr. Talfrcy, " disguises and trans- 
figures to the view the form of a squalid savage, whose palace was a 
Ety; whose royal robe was a bcar-sldn, or coarse blanket, alive with 
vermin; who h-irdly knew the luxury of an ablution, and who was 
often glad to appease appetite with food such as men ordinarily loathe." 

X Rev. Mr. Wood, writing concerning the Plymouth colonists, says : 
"Many have supposed that our fathers treated very unjustly the 
natives whom they found on this soil ; and sometimes AVilliam Pcnn, 
and Roger Williams are applauded as standing higher than others in 



ing whatever thej- wanted for the enlargement of their 
borders, hy an amicable arrangement with such as had 
an earlier possession ; affording a steady and profitable 
market for certain articles of their production, such as 
corn and furs, and so giving them the opportunitj', com- 
merce alone can give, to rise from their degradation to 
the decencies and comforts of ci^^lization ; while witli- 
oiit this custom, much which they possessed, or could 
acquire, must obviously remain utterly worthless on 
their hands ; holding over them, with assiduous solici- 
tude, the a?gis of law, protecting them in tlie possession 
of whatever they desired to keep, and shielding them 
with solicitous care from the dcA-iees of swindhng specu- 
lators and sharpers ; securing to them the benefits of 
instruction in such departments of knowledge, as were 
calculated to advance man in dignity and happiness ; 
and, finally, with infinite tenderness, patience, and 
pains, laboring to impart to them the most precious of 
all gifts, — the saving knowledge of Chiiotiamty, — the 
English had done the natives good, and only good, from 
the verj' beginning. True, in single instances, injustice 
and unkindncss maj- have been done to Indians ; but, if so, 
it had been contrar}' to law, by vagabonds such as infest 
every community, and whom no communit}- is able ab- 
solutely to control. When, indeed, was there ever a time, 
or where a place, that incapable and unluckj- persons have 
not been subject to injury from, arc not likely to be 
cheated and maltreated by, lawless people ? But so far 
as those responsible for the management of affairs were 
concerned, the natives had no occasion to complain, the 
government had never disturbed their homes, had never 
appropriated, without remuneration, or their consent, 
their so-called "hunting-grounds" ; had never defrauded 
them of an}- of their rights, but rather had aimed even 
religiously to regard, and sacredly to maintain them ; 
while, so far as practicable, they had exerted themselves, 
at no little cost of self-denial, to extend to them all the 
benefits of their own civilization. § 



this respect. It is believed, however, that the Pilgrim fathers were no 
less desirous, than the worthies just mentioned, of acting towards the 
Indians upon the principle of tlie Golden Rule. Gov. Winslow, in 
1676, says : ' I think I can clearly say that, before the present trouble 
broke out, the English did not possess one foot of land in this Colony 
but what was fairly obtained by honest purchase of the Indi.an pro- 
prietors. The prices paid seem to us now as absurdly small ; but the 
lands sold were of little value to the few saittercd natives, who wished 
to use them only for hunting and fishing ; and, in a large measure, they 
retained these privileges after the surrender of their titles to the soil. 
Lest they should be wronged by individual whites, it was ordered that 
no person should purchase, or receive as a gift, any land of the Indians, 
without consent of the court.' " 

} And yet, as Mr. Palfrey so eloquently observes : " Without provoca- 
tion, and without warning, these barbarians gave full sway to the inhu- 
man passions of their 6av.age nature. They burst forth into a wild riot of 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



Tlie Politics of the Period. — Difficulties and Disputes 
with England. 
For four years after their settlement, the Massachu- 
setts Colony had been left to bear their burdens and do 
their work without any material interference with Eng- 
land. The increasing emigration, however, from the 
latter country, and a suspicion on the part of the crown, 
that the Colony desired to be independent, led to an 
attempt to annul their charter, and the appointment of a 
special commission for its government.* Receiving an 
order to deliver up their charter, the Colony evaded the 
request, and at a meeting of tlic General Court showed 
their mettle h}' taking measures for the fortification of 
Boston Harbor, Charlestown, and Dorcliester, and mak- 
ing arrangements for the drilling and discipUning of 
troops. The political agitations of the mother country, 
however, and the vicissitudes incident to Cromwell's Com- 
monwealth, preserved the Colonies for almost a genera- 
tion from the dangers which had threatened them from 
that quarter. On the restoration of tlie Stuarts the old 
trouble was revived. The Colony had protested against 
the injustice of being subject to the laws of parliament. 
The Long Parliament had acquiesced in this. But the 
new judges, under the restoration, disregarded this 
protest ; denied the right of local self-government, and 
the Colony was declared to be under the unrestricted 
legislative supremacy of parliament. Much controversy 
ensued. At length, in 1662, a commission was sent to 
England to pray for the continuance of civil and religious 
liberties. It was successful in obtaining a confirmation 
of the charter, the king, however, maintaining his right 
to interfere in the domestic concerns of the Colony ; 
demanding the repeal of all laws derogatory to his 



pillage, arson, and massacre. By night they crept, with murderous intent, 
to the doors of the very dwellings made familiar to them by the experi- 
ence of old hospitality. They wrested wives and mothers from ministra- 
tions of dying men, and children from mothers' arms, for death in cruel 
forms. They tortured their prisoners with the most atrocious ingenuity. 
Repeatedly, after they rose in arms, overtures of friendship were made 
to thcra. But whether they disregarded such proposals, or professed 
to fall in with them, it was all the same, the work of massacre and ravage 
still went on. The ferocious creature, having once tasted blood, could not 
restrain himself till he should be gorged therewith." Meantime, the 
heart of English life in New England had been well-nigh reached by 
these assassins ; and, doubtless, had there actually been that general 
and combined movement on the part of the New England savages, 
supposed by some to have existed, — had the Indians been really pre- 
pared to strike a united and vigorous blow, — the result could have 
scarcely been other than the devastation of the whole territory, and the 
total abandonment of New England by the portion of civilized people 
left alive. Indeed, when we consider the immense advantage enjoyed 
by the Indians in this warfare, if not as to numbers, yet in their supe- 
rior knowledge of the countrj', and in their facilities for concealment, 
and for falling suddenly on the fixed residences of their enemy ; in 
their personal knowledge of every path and defile by which an un- 



authority ; the taking of the oath of allegiance ; the 
administration of justice in his name ; the complete tol- 
eration of the Church of England ; and a concession of 
the elective franchise to everj'^ inhabitant possessed of a 
competent estate. A portion of the community took 
quite strong grounds against these royal demands, though 
not so much on account of the demands themselves, as on 
account of the further power they implied. In due time 
commissioners were sent out to compose these difficul- 
ties in New England, charged to investigate the affairs 
of the Colony, with "full authority to provide for the 
peace of the country, according to the royal instructions 
and their own discretion." Thcj' arrived in 1664. So 
vigorous, however, was the opposition organized against 
them, so effectually did the colonists manoeuvre to baffle 
and nullify the measures of the commission, that, after 
an utterly unsuccessful attempt to accomplish their pur- 
poses, — " frustrated in every effort by the vigilance of 
the Colon}-," — the commission returned from their boot- 
less mission. Massachusetts, for this behavior, was 
sharply reproved by the king, and the governor (Bell- 
ingham) was commanded to appear in England. Com- 
pliance with this demand, after mature deliberation, was 
refused. Not unnaturally this bold act of disobedience 
raised the anger of the king, though it excited no further 
aggression on the part of a " monarch who preferred the 
companionship of favorites and mistresses to the cares 
of state." 

Influences, meanwhile, had long been in operation in 
England destined to culminate in a crisis in New Eng- 
land history. The Tory part}-, now in the ascendant, 
had deliberately determined to humble Massachusetts. 
Her spirit of independence, not to say insubordination, 



defended hamlet might be secretly reached, every thicket In which 
they might crouch and wait for a company of travellers ; every hoUow 
in which they might lie hidden, and baffle pursuit, — we cannot but 
regard it as providential that this war was not more utterly disastrous 
than it was. " They knew the haunts and the habits of theii' exposed 
white neighbors, the day of the week when their dwellings might be 
ransacked and burned more safely than on others ; the hours of the night 
when conflagration and carnage were easiest." 

* The writer is aware that it may be maintained that, in seeking to 
recall the original charter of this compiiny, and to replace it with one 
allowing the crown to appoint the colonial governor, the crown was 
really seeking to recover only its own constitutional prerogative ; that 
it is not necessary to impugn the motives of the king, or of his cabinet, 
for seeking such a result; and that the colonists were hardly war- 
ranted in assuming that the attempt to recall their charter, and to un- 
pose on them a royal governor, was necessarily an act of despotism. 
It is, to be sure, barely possible, that the original colonists and their 
immediate descendants were unnecessarily sensitive on this point. 
Why, indeed, were not our forefathers as proud of having an EngUsh 
nobleman for their chief magistrate as are our northern neighbors, even 
now rejoicing over the arrival among them of a royal princess and her 
" noble " husband to preside over their political destinies. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



had been insufferable ; it must be subdued. Her ecclesi- 
astical heterodoxj- and illiberality had ever been a thorn 
in their side. She must now be punished. She had 
been guiltj- of manifold crimes and misdemeanors ; it 
was high time she was made to know her place. Accord- 
ingl}-, crown and council, prelates and peers, merchants 
and manufacturers, all leagued together to break down 
her cherished and time-honored charter. She should be 
made an example of. She should be taught a lesson. 
Thej' were determined now to push matters to the utmost 
extremit}-. 

Of course, on the receipt of these ad^4ces in the 
Colony, the conmiunitj' was widely and intensely agi- 
tated. The matter was one in which all were interested. 
There was no party so moderate but was friendly to the 
charter, while the body of the people were sincerely 
attached to it. Their all seemed now to be at stake. 
"It was for this they had left England and fled to the wil- 
derness ; that they had encountered perils and distress ; 
that they had submitted to the sorest privations, and 
had contended with the difficulties incident to a new set- 
tlement. For more than fiftj^ j-ears it had been the 
sheet-anchor of the Colony ; the cherished palladium of 
their rights ; their refuge from oppression, tjTanny, and 
wrong. With the shield of its protection before them 
they had succeeded in defeating the machinations of their 
enemies, and had rapidly and steadily advanced in 
power. And now that the wilderness was subdued, and 
was ready to blossom ; that then' homes had been reared 
and their churches had been planted, and everything 
indicated that they were about to enter upon a career of 
unexampled prosperity, thej- were to be robbed of that 
instrument which had secured to them all these blessings ; 
an instrument endeared to them by all the toils and tears, 
the sorrows and sacrifices of their fathers." Is it sur- 
prising that a question of such moment was earnestly 
and widely discussed — fanners talking of it bj- their fire- 
sides and in the fields ; women canvassing the matter in 
drawing-room and kitchen ; and Boston people ponder- 
ing it in their warehouses, upon the exchange, and in 
their halls of legislation ; that it went with them to 
church and to the closet, and was the burden of their 
most fcn'ent prayers ? The clergy, moreover, it would 
seem, were aroused, and took good care that the pulpit 
should utter no uncertain sound relative to an issue of 
such momentous public concern.* 

* Increase Mather, then president of Har\ard College, nurtured in 
the ancient faith of the Puritans, and one of its oldest and firmest de- 
fenders, full of zeal, and richly furnished by study and reflection — a 
man who for twenty years exerted a greater influence upon the fortunes 
of Massachusetts than any other in the same length of time — delivered 
a very powerful and effective speech denouncing, in the strongest and 



That no means might be spared to prevent the con- 
sunmiation of the evil that threatened them, an addi-ess 
was agreed "pon by the General Court, in which were 
made many equired, and quite important, concessions. 
It was all in >ain. The fate of the charter was akeady 
sealed. The time had passed when the Colony could 
effect any reconciliation with the king. In 1684, the 
High Court of Chancery in England, gave judgment for 
the crown, against the Governor and Company of Massa- 
chusetts, and their charter was declared forfeited. Thus 
at length, t^Tannj^ triumphed, and the New England 
charter fell, f 

Joseph Dudley was appointed President of Massachu- 
setts, the General CoiU't was dissolved, and the new Com- 
mission superseded the government under the charter. 

On Dec. 20, 1G8G, Dudley was superseded by Sir 
Edmund Andros, who, glittering in scarlet and lace, 
landed at Boston, aS "Captain-General and Governor in 
Chief." and proceeded at once to enter upon his duties. 
Though his fair speeches at first awakened a momentarj' 
gleam of hope, yet so evident was it from the arbitrarj- 
and grosslj- illegal manner in which the new governor and 
his council proceeded to make laws and le^-y taxes, that 
despotism had marked the Colonies for its victims, that a 
most vigorous and determined opposition to his adminis- 
tration was developed at once. For two j'ears, as best it 
could be, this tyrannous rule was submitted to. Mean- 
time, never, probably, was more joyful or welcome 
intelligence received by an)'' people than when the an- 
nouncement reached New England of that revolution in 
England b}' which the reign of the Stuarts was brought 
to a close, and William and Mary became the pos- 
sessors of the English throne. No sooner were reports 
received of the flight of James and of the ascension of 
the new sovereigns, than, on a rumor of an intended 
massacre by the governor's guards, the people arose in 
arms, imprisoned Andros, and his equally- obnoxious 
associates, and reinstated the old magistrates. Town 
meetings were held, representatives were chosen, and the 
General Com-t was restored. The same spirit prevailed 
at Plj-mouth, Clark, Andros' agent, having been im- 
prisoned, and Hinckley, the former governor, reinstated. 
A new charter, known as the Province Charter, was 
issued in 1692, an epoch made ever memorable in oiu: 
annals by the interesting and remarkable episode that 
occurred that year, and known as the Salem Witchcraft. 

most emphatic terms, the movement looking toward the downfall of 
the charter. — Barry. 

\ This was the last effective act of Charles IT. relative to Massachu- 
setts ; for before any new government could be settled, the monarch 
was dead. His death, and that cf the charter, were nearly contempo- 
rary — Barry. 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



According to the terms of this charter, PljTuouth, 
after a separate colonial existence of seventj'-two j-ears, 
was final!}' annexed to Massachusetts, constituting with 
it, henceforth, the PRO■^^NCE op Massachusetts Bat. 

And thus was consummated an order of things politi- 
cally in New England, that amid a variety of vicissitude 
and struggle, continued uninterrupted until the eventful 
opening of the American Revolution.* 

II. THE PEOVESrCIAL PERIOD. 

The erection of the two Massachusetts Colonies into 
a single royal Province in 1692, marked a new and im- 
portant era in New England history. " It was the 
second act," as another has well said, "of the grand 
drama, whose third brought freedom to a wide-spread 
repubUc." 

The distinction between the colonial and provincial 
history of Jlassachusetts, in certain essential particulars 
is striliingly marked. During the former period a large 
share of political independence was enjoyed b}' the peo- 
ple. Allowed to choose their own rulers, and to manage 
their own affairs, theirs was reall}' an experiment, and a 
most successful one, too, of self-government. Acknowl- 
edging their dependence upon Great Britain for the char- 
ter they held, and for the pri^•ileges it secured, they yet 
had claimed exemption from the paramount authority of 
parliament, and the right, under certain constitutional 
restrictions, to enact their own laws, and to shape their 
own policj'. Under the new charter, the governor and a 
number of other officers, were appointed bj' the king, 
and were removable at his pleasure. A supervision was 
exercised over the legislation of the Province, and the 
paramount authority of parliament and crown was es- 
pecially asserted, f In accepting this charter, however, 
the people of Massachusetts did not understand that they 
were relinquishing their natural rights, much less their 
rights as English subjects ; nor did the}' without stub- 
born opposition yield to innovations upon the customs 
which had long been established among them. 

The provincial history of Massachusetts is a continua- 
tion of its colonial history under the above mentioned 
changed circumstances. It is quite likely that it was 
anticipated, on the part of the crown, that these con- 
stitutional changes, and the powers conferred on the 
chief officers of the Pro^^nce, would serve effectually to 
counterbalance and to hold in salutary check, any re- 

• Massachusetts at the time had jurisdiction over the territory of New 
Hampshire and Maine. New Hampshii-c became a separate royal Prov- 
ince in 1749. Massachusetts retained her title to Maine as late as 1820. 

At the time of the erection of the two Eastern Colonies into a single 
Province In 1692, Massachusetts, which was divided into the counties of 



publican tendencies which a government established and 
most successfully administered by the people alone, 
might be expected to encourage, and to keep the same 
in immediate and wholesome subjection. No act, for 
example, of the legislature was to be valid without the 
consent of the royal governor. 

The appointment of all military officers was vested 
solely in this official. It was in his power, moreover, to 
reject various officers chosen by the people. The influ- 
ence, accordingly, of the chief magistrate upon the 
affairs of the Colony, as will be readily obvious, was 
very great, and might clearly, without difficulty, be so 
wielded, as to check any considerable uprising of the 
spirit of freedom, and to favor, on the other hand, the 
designs of the distant monarch, or parliament, to whom, 
strictly speaking, he was alone responsible. 

Liberty of conscience, under the new charter, was 
assured to all but Papists. Worship in the Episcopal 
form was placed upon the same footing as worship in the 
Congregational form. Church membership was no 
longer to be a qualification for citizenship, all persons of 
a certain estate being entitled to its immunities and alike 
eligible to office. 

In some minor regards the new charter was an im- 
provement upon the old. In all essential resjjccts, how- 
ever, it was but its shadow. Meanwhile, whatever its 
excellences or defects, it was now the supreme law of 
the land, and was destined to remain such until the 
nation at last should arise in its majesty and throw off 
the yoke of bondage, and assert, by successfully main- 
taining it, its title to freedom and self-government. 

The First Governor, 
under the Province charter, was Sir William Phips, a 
native of New England ; a man of obscure birth, and of 
only ordinary abilities, who was indebted for his knightly 
title to his success in recovering a Spanish wreck laden 
with treasures, and who, according to Mr. Barry, owed 
his elevation to the chief magistracy of the Province, 
"more to the concurrence of favorable circumstances, 
than to either the dignity of his character, or the strength 
of his intellect." Though an amiable man, and a con- 
scientious official, his administration was far from being 
a success. It was during his rule (1692) that the 
Salem witchcraft delusion prevailed. The governor 
weakly fell in with the popular sentiment on the sub- 
ject, and lent to it the whole weight of his official sup- 
Suffolk, Essex, Middlesex, and Hampshire, and comprised some fifty- 
five towns, contained a population of about 40,000. Plymouth, with a 
population of about 7,000, was divided into the counties of Plymouth, 
Bristol and Banistablc, and comprised seventeen towns, 
t Barry. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



port. * Complaints having at length been preferred 
against him, he was summoned to England to answer 
to them, and died before his return, f 

It was a hopeful feature of the new government, it 
maj- be added in this connection, that many of the 
members had held ofRce imder the old charter. Brad- 
street, Saltonstall, Wait ■Winthrop, Eussell Sewcll, 
Appleton, Bradford, and Lathrop, for example, had all 
been assistants in Massachusetts or Pl^-mouth, and 
most of them had been distinguished " for their zealous 
defence of the liberties of the people, and their luicom- 
promising resistance to the aggressions of the Stuarts." 
All laws passed in the Pro^-ince, accortling to the 
terms of the new charter, were subjected to re%-ision bj- 
the king, and to rejection at his pleasure. 

Among the acts earlj- approved bj' the king, none 
were of greater importance or value than those making 
pro-visions for education and religion. By the terms of 
these, every town was required to be coustantlj- pro- 
A-ided with an "able, learned, and orthodox minister," 
and a properly quaUfied schoolmaster. Certainly it is 
to the creilit of our fathers, that thej- paid such early 
and adequate attention to these ^ital and permanent 
interests of society. To this foresight, indeed, it is 
doubtless that we owe our singular prosperitj- and suc- 

• It is reasonable to suppose that on learning that not even his own 
wife had escaped suspicion as being a witch, he experienced a sudden 
and radical change of opinion on this subject. 

t The successors in office of GoTemor Phips were : — 

"William Stonghton (1695) ; a Puritan of the old Commonwealth mould. 

Lord Bellamont (1699) ; remarkable for his suavity; condescending, 
affable, courteous. His career was soon cut short by death. 

Joseph Dudley (1702) ; a native of Massachusetts, of versatile talents, 
and of a large experience in state-craft. 

Samuel Shute (1715) ; formerly an officer in the wars of 'William and 
of Anne. 

■William Dummer (1723). 

William Burnett (1727) ; he was received with great pomp. Died in 
office. 

Jonathan Belcher (1730) ; he was a native of Massachusetts. 

"William Shu-ley (1741), for a long time acted a conspicuous part in 
American affairs. A native of Sussex, Eng., and a lawyer of respect- 
able talents ; he had lived in Boston eight years when promoted to the 
governor's office. He acquired grrat renown by the capture of Louis- 
burg. He was a devout supporter of prerogative, and an earnest ad- 
vocate of the subordination of the Colonies. His old mansion is still 
standing in Boston on a street bearing his name. 

Thomas Pownal (1757) was gifted with talents of a very superior 
order, Few were better acqnauited with, or more truly appreciated the 
American people. Though, lilie all his predecessors, a zealous defender 
of the prerogative, and of the constitutional subordination of the Colo- 
nies to the parliament of Great Britain, he yet so administered the 
duties of his office as to be immensely popular. After his return he did 
yeoman's service on the floor of the House of Commons in the interest 
of the Colonies and their constitutional rights. Not even the speeches 
of Pitt and Burke are more eloquent or convincing than those of 
Pownal on this behalf. 

Francis Bernard (1760), enjoys the bad pre-eminence of having done 
more during bis nine yeai-s of service, by his exaggerated statements in 



cess as a people. "We shall look in vain," says New 
England's eloquent annalist, "into the contemporary 
legislation of any country out of New England for 
similar provisions for the widest diffusion of that intelli- 
gence and virtue which must ever constitute the ground 
and pillar of all free institutions." Massachusetts, it 
has been said, enjoys the distinguished honor of having 
led in the work of universal education, and in making 
ample proAdsion for the support of religion. If so, the 
credit is largely due to our early fathers, — a work, 
truly, not less creditable to their wisdom than commend- 
able to their pietj-. J 

Holidays, Pastimes, and Customs. 
Fast and Thanksgi-\nng were the great public da3's of 
New England, — the former being regularly obsen'ed at 
the season of annual planting. Our Puritan forefathers 
were so rigidly jealous of the slightest concession to 
"Popish" customs, that excellent care was taken, not 
only to avoid a fast on Good Frida}-, but, as well, to 
keep clear of a feast on Christmas. § Whatever cheer, 
however, was lost from conscientious scruples at Christ- 
mas-tide, was quite made up iisuallj' at Thanksgiving 
daj-. Training day was also a great event. All the 
men, from sixteen to sixtj* 3-ears of age, were required 
his official reports, and gross misrepresentations of the -views and con- 
duct of the oppressed citizens he ruled over, and by the arbitrary and 
unftcling manner in which he executed the obnoxious laws of the Brit- 
ish ministry, to inflame the jealousy of the ministn,-, to irritate the peo- 
ple under his sway, and to strengthen the spirit of discord, disunion and 
discontent, than all the other governors combined. 

Thomas Hutchinson (1769) ; the last of the (civil) royal governors 
with which Massachusetts was ever cursed. A native of the State, a 
descendant of Anne Hutchinson ; gifted by nature and highly accom- 
plished; easy in his manners, courteous and aSiible in his intercourse 
-irith others, plausible and influential, he was yet a man of grasping am- 
bition, a lover of money and place, cautious and crafty, and, of course, 
a most indefatigable supporter of prerogative. It has been justly re- 
marked that " had the successor of Governor Bernard been a sincere 
and firm friend of the rights of the Province, though at the same time 
duly disposed to maintain the prerogative of the king, and the just au- 
thority of parliament— one that (like Po«-nal) was disposed to concili- 
ate rather than to criminate, and to represent favorably rather than to 
exaggerate, the temper and conduct of the people — h.armony would 
have been in a great degree restored to the Prorince, and the separation 
of the Colonics from the parent state delayed for mtiny years." But 
unfortunately for England, this man, — one of the most obsequious and 
scn-ile tools of the crown— must sin after the similitude of his prede- 
cessors. Just before the outbreak of hostilities he escaped to England, 
where he died. He was succeeded by General Gage, military governor 
of Massachusetts. | 

X The Bay Province alone, is said, at this time, to have contained 
eighty churches ; and most of the ministers had been educated at Har- 
vard, the school of the prophets of that day, and, until 1761, the only 
college in America. — Barry. 

§ Christmas had such an odor of Romanism, that it was rejected 
utterly. In fact the Court, in 1660, forbade its celebration. It is a little 
strange that to-day the descendants of the Puritans have made this 
the queen of festival days. 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



to participate in the general drill. Though boasting of 
no uniform or martial music, save that of the dram, or 
screeching fife, to inspirit military- movements, or 
manoeuvres, 3-et as everj' member of the militia practised 
for the defence of his own household, as well as his 
country, we can well imagine that there was lacking, in 
connection with this matter, neither zest nor zeal. 

At Plj-mouth, bj- law, trainings were alwa3-s begun 
and ended with praj'er. The pike-men, — the tallest 
and strongest in the Colony, — shouldered their pikes, 
— ten feet in length, besides the spear at the end, — 
with religious resolution ; the musketeers firmly grasped 
their clums}' old matchlocks ; while the j'oung Puritan 
boys looked on and sighed with envj-, longing for the 
time when they too might wear helmet and breast-plate. 
To be even a corporal in the militia, was an honor which, 
facetiousl}' saj's a late writer, required an extra amount 
of humility to bear without danger to the soul. Husk- 
ing, apple-parings, " raisings," and quiltings, were also 
favorite occasions for social gatherings. 

Social cheer, in these earlier periods of our history, 
was quite inseparably associated with an institution 
known as the "back-log." Forest logs, four feet long, 
were piled upon the ponderous andirons, and on occa- 
sions, it is said, the back- log was drawn into the house 
bj' a horse, and then rolled to the fire-place with hand- 
spikes. " Blazing hearth-stones," had then a meaning, 
at which, in our days of furnaces and steam-pipes, we 
can only guess. No need of artificial ventilation, when 
thus through the crevices of the building, and up the huge, 
roaring chimney, swept such keen, Ijrisk cuiTents of air. 

Sunday was eminently-, especially to the early settlers, 
a sacred day. It practically begun on Saturday, at 
sunset, when the out-door work was expected to be 
done, and the household to assume the air of repose.* 
The selectmen were expected to see that all the children 
were properly catechised, and to bring their parents to a 
strict account for neglect. The religious services had a 
prevailing tone of solemnit}-, if not of awe.f No choirs 

• The law forbodc " the doing," during Sabbath time " of servile 
work, not of piety, charity, or necessity." Children were required to 
lay aside their play. " Youth and maids, and other persons," were 
not allowed to be seen " walking uncivilly on the streets or fields," on 
the Lord's day. No person was allowed to travel on that day, " either 
on foot, on horseback, or by boat," except " to a lawful meeting." 

t Lecture day was early a day of special service, when the people 
generally suspended secular business, and repaired reverently to the 
house of God. 

X So necessary was all this parade and expense considered, that it 
was often carried out, in the case of the burial of a poor person, at the 
expense of the town. Among the items of such a burial at town ex- 
pense, in a certain case, the record specifies : " Gold rings, Lisbon and 
Malaga wine, rum, lemons, sugar, pipe, and tobacco," besides " Gloves, 
death's head and cross-bones." 



or instraments of music were seen. The hymn was 
"lined." The deacon, or some person appointed for 
that purpose, acted as precentor. 

Funerals were made verj' expensive, as well as im- 
pressive occasions. Crape, scarfs, hat-bands, gloves, 
and rings were given to the chief mourners. Large 
processions were generally in attendance, often led by 
marshals, carrying staves, halberds, and other badges of 
authority, dressed in mourning at the expense of the 
deceased. The friends who bore the corpse, were followed 
first by the men, if the body was that of a man ; by 
the women, if that of a female, — all marching by the 
solemn tolling of the bell. This large concourse must 
be provided with entertainment, in which wine, cider, 
and even stronger drinks, were generously supplied. | 
Strangely enough, while all this parade, and expensive- 
ness of dress and entertainment prevailed, there was no 
religious service over the dead, nor pastoral words of 
comfort spoken to the mourners. § 

During the first fifty years of the Colony, only the 
magistrates were permitted to perform the marriage 
ceremon}'. 

The games and recreations of the young were few. 
" Fishing and fowling, however, were encouraged, not 
onl}' by common practice, but by law." || 

Boston, and its near towns, were not indifferent to the 
matters of fine dress, costly and elegant mansions, and 
expensive fiu-niture. All this, though assailed from the 
pulpit, as sinful conformity to the world, was yet winked 
at "in persons of competent estate and liberal educa- 
tion," but " for peasants to equal the prince, and imitate 
him in garb and in gait, or for the handmaid to imitate 
her mistress," was regarded as " not according to order 
and very indecent, the forerunner of sad confusion." 

However noted for frugality, and for keen, shrewd, 
calculating business instincts, the primitive New Eng- 
lander yet alwajs had a weakness in the direction of 
appetite. Not that he was a glutton, or a wine-bibber. 
He was neither. He was simply a good liver — always 

5 Judge Sewall states that at the funeral of the Rev. Wm. Adams, of 
Roxbury, in 1685, " Mr. Wilson, minister of Medford, prayed with the 
company before they went to the grave." The next year, says the 
same authority, the Common Prayer Book was used at a burial. A 
prayer offered in Boston, in 1730, on the occasion of the burial of Mrs. 
Byfield, wife of Judge Byfield, and daughter of Gov. Lcvcrett, is 
spoken of as the fii'st of the practice known there. The reason sug- 
gested for this strange omission by the Puritians is, that Pagans 
and Romanists made great ado over their dead; the one with wild 
songs, and the other with pr.iycrs for the repose of the souls of the 
dep.arted, and that it did not become the true people of God to be like 
them. 

II In 1647, the Conrt proclaimed that there was " a common liberty for 
any man to fish in the great ponds lying in common, and to pass and 
repass on foot through any man's proprietary for that purpose." 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



had apparently a keen appreciation of. and livel)- relish be marrels of housekeepers. The pewter dishes afore 



for, the higher pleasures of the table. The Yankees, 
we suspect, have always set a far better table than either 
their Dutch or Canadian neighbors — have alwa^'s ex- 



said, standing in orderly rows on the shelves of the open 
cupboard, or of the dainty buttery, were hardly more 
brightly polished than the sanded floor. Meantime, the 



esemplarily frugal in this regard. 
In the morning, the earlj- New 
England farmer and his family 
were wont to sit down to then- 
breakfast of " bean porridge." or 
boiled corn meal (" hasty pud- 
ding ") , and milk. ' ' Rye and In- 
dian" was the staff of life. Beer, 
cider and cold water furnished the 
usual beverage — tea and coffee 
being unknown in New England 
homes in the seventeenth century. 
The dinner opens with a large 
Indian pudding — ground com, 
sweetened with molasses — accom- 
panied by an appropriate sauce ; 
next come boiled beef and pork ; 
then wild game, with potatoes, followed by turnips, samp, 
or succotash. Pumpkins were served in various ways — 
the "pumpkin pie" being always a favorite article of 
diet, not less in Massachusetts than in Connecticut. 
Supper ^\ Is il a ^ul ^tantial meil, th h ir n 
ally eaten cold 
Baked beans (a 
favorite Sundij 
dish), baked In 
dian pudding md 
newly-midc rve 
and Indnn 1 re id 
(usually b ik( 1 m 
huge brick o\Ln- 
adjacent to i ' 
fire-place) , 
standard d 
for Wtdni 
'■after tlic ^ 
ing and ii 
agonies of "^ 
day and J 
d.ay." Notl 
meantinu %\ i^. 
more in-i-iting to the eye than the New England table of 
those early days, with its pewter dishes brightened to their 
utmost polish, and, in the wealthier families, here and 
there, adorned with a silver beaker, or tankard, the heir- 
loom of the family. The matrons of those times used to 




celled in the line of cookii.g. Yet they have always been . spinning-wheel and loom furnished ample emplo^-mcnt 

during manj- months of the year 
for the grandmother on the one 
hand, and the bevy of hearty, 
rosy-faced daughters on the other, 
who, taking both wool and flax in 
their crude form, worked the same 
up into such various fabrics for 
table linen, bed-spreads, and gar- 
ments, as the familv might chance 
to stand in need of. Such were the 
humble, simple ways of our New 
England forefathers and mothers, I 
whose sturdy descendants have 
come to-day to constitute the bone 
and sinew, not only of New En- ' 
gland indeed, but of a large propor- ] 
tion of our wide national domain, j 




DrFFicrxTiEs with Fraxce. 
Previous to the landing of the Pilgrims, and hence 
long before the settlement of Boston, the foundations 
of Quebec had already been laid by the French. 

The French and 
English had been 
rivals for centu- 
ries — rivals in 
poUtics, in com- 
merce, and in am- 
bition for con- 
quest, territorial 
aggrandizement 
and supremacy. 
Early competi- 
tors in American 
seas, quite evenly 
matched as it re- 
garded maritime 
skill and enter- 
prise, and very 
nearly equals, as 
well as contem- 
poraries, in their voyages of exi^loration and dis- 
covery, each nation, not nnnaturally. upon the open- 
ing up of the New "World, not only claimed a por- 
tion of the. territorj- — assuming jurisdiction over the 
same, and attempting its colonization, — but eam- 



OLI>-TIME FIKESIDE. 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



nestly coveted as large a share of the country as pos- 
sible. 

Meantime, differences arising from shari^ly contrasting 
national characteristics, — differences of religion, lan- 
guage, habits, temperament, government, opinions and 
customs, — engendered prejudices, only hardened by 
time, and animosities, deepened and intensified by re- 
peated collisions, which unhappily ser^'ed to keep these 
two great nations constantlj- in an attitude of mutual 
opposition and defiance. 

In consequence of this hereditarj' hatred and rivalry 
on the part of the English and French, * as a matter of 
necessity, the Colonies at the north were earl^' involved 
in difficulties and contentions — difficulties, indeed, that 
could not but be increased as conflicts of interest brought 
them into collision, f Hence, almost from the first 
apprehensions of hostilities were entertained in Massa- 
chusetts, while, toward the close of the colonial period, 
these apprehensions continued so to disturb the people, 
as to result in the adoption of the most vigorous meas- 
ures on the part of the English, looking towards the 
uprooting of their hated rivals, and the driving of them, 
if possible, utterl^^ from their American possessions. 

One of the earliest of these attempts to wrest the 
coloni.ll possessions of France on this continent from 
her grasp, was an expedition to Canada, in 1G90, under 
Sir William Phips, which, however, in consequence of a 
want of concert of action on the part of the troops 
ordered to co-operate by land, ended in signal disaster. J 

In all the several subsequent expeditions fitted out and 
undertaken for the conquest of Canada, most of which, 

• Rendered formidable as a foe, not so much on account of numbers, 
as because of their influence over their savage allies, — the Indians 
within their borders, — to whose depredations the frontier settlements 
of the English were peculiarly exposed, and from whose thrcitcned In- 
cursions they could defend themselves only by an outl.iy that must 
impoverish them in their weakness, and imperil their safety. 

t They were rivals in the fur trade, and rivals in the fisheries. — 
Sarry. 

X This disaster spread an unusual gloom over the community. The 
distress of the government, impoverished by Philip's war, and burdened 
with debt, was at its height. Finding it Impossible to raise money to 
pay off their troops by ordinary metms, bills of credit were issued— the 
first paper currency of New England. — Barry. 

§ It seems hardly credible that so treacherous a design should have 
been deliberately conceived by a nation boasting of its superior enlight- 
enment. Charlevoix, the Jesuit historian of Canada, however, abund- 
antly proves the correctness of the charge, glorying meantime in the 
conduct of his countrymen touching the matter, speaking of it, indeed, 
in terms of the most extravagant eulogy.— Barry. 

No one will ever be likely to envy the record of either the nation or 
the church, that could thus have prostituted themselves to the diabol- 
ical work of instigating these untutored savages to violate their most 
solemn pledges, and to give free way to all the brutal ferocity of their 
nature— joining thus with the latter in spreading desolation and terror — 
scattering firebrands, arrows, and death, throughout the whole country. 



like the first, though through no fault of the colonists, 
terminated in discomfiture and disgrace, Massachusetts 
bore a conspicuous and honorable part. 

Tlie French and Indian War. 

In 1697, the date of the peace of Rjswick, there was 
a temporary suspension of hostilities between the French 
and English. In 1702, however, war was again de- 
clared. In the meantime it appeared that the French 
had been secretly' busy, tampering with and encouraging 
the Indians bordering on Kew England, and especially 
such as had been brought more immediately under their 
own influence, and that of their Jesuit minions, ycleped 
missionaries, to violate the solemn leagues formed with 
them on the part of the English, and ravage their coun- 
tr}'. Thus countenanced, § the fierce Abenakis, as may 
most naturallj- be supposed, manifested little reluctance 
to avail themselves of the opportunitj- hereby afforded to 
avenge their real or fancied wrongs ; and, accordinglj-, 
in a verj- short time thej- " bmst like an avalanche upon 
the country, spreading desolation and havoc wherever 
they went." Among the settlements which suffered the 
most severely' from these depredations were Deerfield, 
which had been rebuilt since King Philip's war, Groton, 
Billerica, Newbuiy, Lancaster, and Haverhill, || the two 
latter places being especially devoted to devastation and 
massacre. % Is it surprising that such atrocities as these 
inspired in tiie breasts of the New England settlers the 
deepest and most ineradicable hatred toward the French 
and their missionaries ? 

In 1722 war was again resumed with the Indians, and 

II The escape of Hannah Dustin, the " Heroine of Haverhill," as she 
has been appropriately called, is an episode of truly thrilling interest, 
showing what a mother can do when torn from her family, to restore 
herself to the embraces of her husband and children. A monument 
has recently been most fittingly erected to the memory of this eminently 
notable woman. 

The story of the capture of Rev. Mr. Williams, of Deerfield, is well 
known. 

H "' The barbarities perpetrated in this war equalled, if they did not 
exceed, those of Philip's Wear. Women, far advanced in pregnancy, 
were violently delivered, and the tender babes dashed to the ground. 
Infants were despatched in the same manner; or sometimes, half stran- 
gled, were thrown to their mothers to quiet. Of the captives, some were 
roasted alive, others were gashed in all parts of then- bodies ; brands 
were thrust into thoir wounds, and then set on fire. Others were sub- 
jected to tlio hardship of travelling barefoot and half naked, through 
pathless deserts, over craggy mountains, through horrible swamps and 
thickets ; obliged to endure frosts, rain, snow, and all the inelemencics 
of the season, both by day .and by night. No pity was sho\vn ; no 
allowance made to the ased, siil; and infirm. Such as, thfough infirmity, 
hunger, fatigue, or sovidh , I'aintud under their burdens, or could not 
keep pace with tlio enemy, wlic promptly despatched with the toma- 
h.awk. Poor Mrs. Williams, feeble from having been recently confined, 
having faltered by the way, received a blow from a tomahawk wliich 
put an end to her sorrows."— Barnj. 



HISTORY OF XEW ENGLAND. 



continued until the latter pai-t of 1725, when the troubles 
with these hated foes, -B-hich had now continued almost 
without interruption for nearlj' forty years, were for a 
season suspended. The end, however, unfortunately 
was not yet. Under the beUef that French and Indian 
hostilities against the 2\^ew Englanders were still being 
fomented by the French Jesuit missionaries, the Eng- 
lish, from time to time, perpetrated exterminating raids 
upon the missions of the latter, burning their churches, 
destropng their property, and sometimes even putting 
the missionaries themselves to death.* The natural re- 
sult of these hostile visits, on the part of the English, 
was, first, the utter abandonment of all Indian missions 
on the part of the Jesuits, in New England, and a large 
emigration of the Indians who had been under French 
influence, to Canada ; second, the awakening, or rather 
intensifying very generally, in the breasts of these na- 
tives, of a feeling of bitterness and indignation against 
those whom they had not a little reason to regard as 
intruders. They had left their hunting-grounds on the 
Kennebec, the Androscoggin, and the Connecticut, and 
had sought new homes in the North and West ; but they 
still retained a lively remembrance of their former seats, 
and a keen sense of the wrongs they considered them- 
selves to have suffered ; and, accordingly-, it only needed 
■another war between France and England to furnish 
these savages justification and employment in renewed 
predator}- excursions against the frontier English settle- 
ments ; or in acting as guides to their old-time aUies, 
through a region with which they were perfectly- familiar. 
Such a war was declared in 1744, exposing once more 
the frontier settlements of Massachusetts to incursions 
from Canada by hostile French and Indians, f 

On the first news of the declaration of war between 

• In the mnsenm of Bowdoin College, Maine, there may be Been a 
carious relic in the shape of a bell half embedded in the stock of a tree. 
The bell belonged to a Jesuit chapel, built at Norridgewock, on the 
Kennebec, by Father Rale, who was there as a French missionary to 
the Indians, certainly as early as 1695, and whose chapel was pillaged 
and burned in 1724 by a party of English, under the belief that French 
and Indian hostilities against the New Englanders were stimulated and 
aided by this Jesuit priest. He himself was killed at the same time, 
several chiefs who endeavored to protect him sharing his fate ; and his 
body was disgracefully mutilated by those who had shot him, but was 
afterwards tenderly buried by the Indians beneatli the spot where he 
used to stand before the altar. The beU of the chapel in some way fell 
into the embrace of a growing tree, which preserved it till, in our own 
time, the woodmen fotmd it at their work, and sent it where it will be 
preserved till the end of timQ. — Dedham Transcript. 

t Their faVorite paths from the St. Lawrence were cither by Lake 
Champlain, up Wood and Otter Creeks, across the Highlands of Ver- 
mont, down Wells and White Kivers to the Connecticut, or by Lake 
George, across the carrying-place to the headwaters of the Hudson, and 
thence up the Hoosac and across the watershed now pierced by the 
Hoosac Tunnel (almost directly over which runs the old Indian path) , 



France and England, the provincial government of Mas- 
sachusetts, with a view to the protection of its settle- 
ments against these predatory assaults from the North | 
and "West, authorized the inmiediate construction of a 
line of small forts, from Fort Dummer J to the valley of 
the Hoosac. at the foot of Saddle Mountain ; all of 
which were built in the summer of 1744, and under the 
superintendence of that grand old hero, Ephraini Wil- 
liams, after whom both the town of WilUamstown and 
Williams College are worthily named. § 

The peace of Aix-la-Chapelle ( 1 74S) was little more 
than a truce. Once more the Province was to be called 
to give her sons and her wealth for the defence of their 
homes. Meantime the situation of the English Colonies 
in America was becoming undeniably critical. "The [ 
French were in undisputed possession of the great val- j 
leys of the St. Lawrence, the Ohio and the Mississippi ; : 
they had the friendship of the Indians, except the Six 
Nations ; their territory enclosed, in the form of an arc 
of a circle, all the English settlements ; they were bound 
at least to maintain entire the possessions which they 
had, even if they had not determined to bring together 
the horns of their crescent, and thus fling the Enghsh 
into the sea. The great thoughts of the great men of 
the Old World were directed to this great question of the 
New World. The most prominent political problem of 
the middle of the last century, which all statesmen were 
straining their minds to solve, was whether France or ' I 
England were to control the vast territories and resources 
of this continent." 

The somewhat desperate nature of New England's sit- 
uation at this time seems, meantime, to have been not a 
httle aggravated by the very serious disasters and losses 
attending not only the English fleets in their attempts to 

to the Deerfield EiTer. Towards the settlements these routes con- 
verged, and the egress of the war-parties was pretty sore to be some- 
where between Brattleborongh, on the Connecticut, and the base of 
Saddle Mountain, near the headwaters of the Hoosac. 

X As early as 172-4 Fort Dummer, on the sight of what is now Brattle- 
borough, Vt., had been erected for the purpose of covering the towns I 
in the valley of the Connecticut, from the attacks of the Indians. This 
fort has the honor of being esteemed the first English settlement within ' 
the limits of the present State of Vermont. I 

The smaller forts subsequently built, in 1744, were situated in what 
are now the towns of Bemardston, Heath, Rowe, Coleraine, and North 
Adams. 

§ He commanded, also, with the rank of captain, tWs line of de- 
fences, having his headquarters at Fort Massachusetts, the westernmost 
and principal of his works. Again and again was this fort attacked by 
the French and Indians; and in August, 1746, while Capt. Williams 
was absent on a military expedition to Canada, it was captured, after 
an obstinate defence, by eight hundred men, and the garrison carried 
prisoners to Canada. Just two years after it was attacked again by 
three htmdred and thirty French and Indians, Capt. Williams being 
present, but this time the assailants were driven off with loss. 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



reduce the strongholds of the French in Canada, but not 
less their arms on land — those of Sir William Johnson 
at the head of Lake George, and of Braddock at the 
Forks of the Ohio. 

The daj', however, approaches that is to conduct Eng- 
land to a great and glorious A-ictory — a triumph, indeed, 
by which is to be opened a way for the final independ- 
ence of her choicest American Colonies. It need hardlj- 
be said that the object for which Massachusetts had so 
long lavished her strength and her treasure — a complete 
and final deliverance from French and Indian domina- 
tion and intimidation — was i-ealized only when, in 17j9, 
the gallant Wolfe scaled the heights of Quebec, and 
fought his memorable and decisive battle on the Plains 
of Abraham. No wonder that when the tidings of that 
victor}- — announcing the future and undisputed suprem- 
acy of English arms and English laws on this continent 
— reached Boston, thc}^ were received with unusual 
demonstrations of joj" ; that bonfires blazed from everj- 
hill-top ; bells were loing from every church-steeple, and 
shouts went up from every patriotic throat. A long and 
wretched war was over ; the key of Canada was at last, 
after so manj- humiliating defeats, in the hands of the 
English, and a foe that had for generations been the 
occasion of nameless and numberless tvoes, had finally, 
so far at least as this continent was concerned, been 
effectually and eternally set at rest. 

The Religion of the Period. 

Founded by Puritans, whose creed was the rigorous 
creed of Calvin, the religion of Massachusetts from the 
first had been Calvinistie, or " Orthodox." Tme, with 
the progress of settlement, and with the advancement of 
socictj', other fonns of faith had crept in and sprung up 
to some extent ; yet the prevailing religious faith in New 
England had been, and still was, o^-erwhelmingly Cal- 
vinistie. 

This system of theologj", whose influence in New Eng- 
land is still mdely felt, and whose doctrines, in a modi- 
fied and mild form, are still cxtensivel_y believed, was, 
on the whole, admirabl}- adapted to the temper of those 
times. Based, as it was, upon the Scriptures, it had its 
strong points ; and if it did not comprehend the whole 
circle of truth, yet it had enough to give it a wonderful 
vitalit}-. Upon it the churches of the country had been 
roared. It had, to a great extent, moulded the laws and 
customs of society, and contributed, as perhaps no other 



* The righteous souls of these men were stirred within them, not less 
fay the numbers of unconverted men within, than l)y the prevalence cf 
wickcd;iess without the Church— hy the decadence of piety within 
the fold, than by the developments of heresy and irreligion, both 



faith could have done at that day, to the strengthening 
and developing of the character of the people. 

Jleanwhile as, in process of time, the preaching came 
to lose somewhat of its earlier earnestness, and became 
more fonnal, didactic, dogmatic and doctrinal, and hence 
less adapted to promote spirituality, two results were 
developed : immorality outside, and iiTeligion and heresy 
inside the church. But heresy engenders controversy, and 
controversy, sectarian rancor. For j-ears the land was 
rife with theological warfare, while the pens of the dis- 
putants, seemed, as it were, to have been dipped in gall. 
The inex-itable result of such polemical stiife — of acri- 
monious theological debate — was wide-spread bitterness 
of feeling. Prondentially the advent of the renowned 
evangelist Whitfield brought to a happv crisis the stnig- 
gle that had been long convulsing the whole religious 
community. Already, however, under the ministry of 
such eniinentl}' godly and gifted men as Jonathan Ed- 
wards and Hopkins,* quite an ''awakening" had oc- 
curred (1734-1743). The people were, therefore, pre- 
pared and ripe for the still greater awakening that was 
now at hand. Meantime the ministiy of AVhitficld was 
eminently well adapted to supplement that of Edwards. 
The system of the latter, being intensely metaphysical, 
and emphasizing the jnore legal, judicial and punitive 
aspects of the Gospel, though it might stimulate thought 
and awaken the conscience, was not, yet, eminently calcu- 
lated to appeal to the emotional, or affcctional, nature. 
Whitfield, on the other hand, though liot neglecting the 
elements just mentioned, yet, through his ardent enthu- 
siasm, enkindling the deepest emotions of his hearers, 
wrought powerfulh' upon all classes, and produced an 
excitement the most violent and intense ever known in 
New England. 

Important and permanent, however, as were the re- , 
suits following this memorable "great awakening," it 
did not yet, hy any means, altogether allay the spirit of 
controvers}-, but became itself meanwhile the pestilent 
bone of contention. The ministers of the Province seem 
to have been quite widelj- divided in opinion in regard to 
Whitfield and his characteristic measures. Some wel- 
comed him as an ally ; others, the conservatives, de- 
nounced him as an " itinerant scourge," and his revivals 
as onlj- unwholesome and spurious excitements. His 
adherents were called "new lights"; his opponents 
were the "old lights" ; while between the two lay the 
party and the champions of " progress." The dispute 

\rithin and wiihont. Through the door of the "Half-way Cov- 
enant," unconverted men had been admitted to church membership 
in such numbers as neai-ly to paralyze its energies, and to destroy 
its life altogether. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



lasted long. The press teemed with ji.amphlets on either 
side. Nearly everj' clergj'nian in the country- partici- 
pated in the controversj-, and wrote and reproached on 
one side or the other. While attended with more or less 
e^^ls, this great discussion, let us hope, on the whole, 
hastened on the progress of light and truth.* 

Tlie Politics of the Period. 
1 During most of the provincial period, political parties 
' were divided on the line of acquiescence, or otherwise, 
in, or submission to, the steadily growing encroachments 
I and usurpations of arliitrar3- power. One party was 
j known as the party of freedom ; the otlier as the partj- of 
j prerogative. One part^- stood for chartered rights and 
I constitutional libert\- — for manhood and freedom. The 
I other, either for the sake of peace, or of gain, were pre- 
pared to surrender everjiliing to the roj-al prerogative, t 
The members of the one were known as Republicans, 
or Whigs, or as the "Sons of Liberty-;" wliile the 
adherents of tlie opposing cause were known as Royal- 
ists, Lojalists, and, subsequent to the outbreak of the 
Revolution, b^- the opprobious tille of Tories. Host of 
the latter were such of the wcalthj- class as hoped, by 
their ser\'ilit3' and complaisance, to share the royal favor ; 
while, leagued with the former, were tlie sagacious and 
eloquent champions of tlio people. Cliief among these, 
as especially the era of the Revolution drew near, were 
j such men as Benjamin Franklin, John Hancock, John 
Adams, Samuel Adams, \ regarded bj' some as the 
" Father of the Revolution ; " and James Otis, § in the 
estimation of the loyalist Hutchinson, the great inccn- 

• Dr. Dale, in " The Kinctccnth Ccntuiy," recently wrote as folloivs 
concerning the New England ministry of this period: — 

" In New England the social position of the clergy in the last centnrj- 
was, no doubt, very hijii, and their inHuence on public affah-s extraor- 
dinarily powerful. The Congregational parish minister was generally a 
very dignified personage; his cocked hat, white wig, black coat and 
black breeches, kncebuc!;les and shoe-buckles, impressed the popular 
imagination with the idea of his importance. He was usually the best- 
educated man in his pai'ish, and he was the centre of all its intellectual 
actirity. Ho was also the natural leader of the people in all social and 
political movements. Almost to a man the Congiegational p.istors of 
Connecticut were vehemently on the side of the colonists in their strag- 
gle ■with the English Croi\Ti ; and I ))elieve that as much might be said 
for the Congregational ministers in the other New England States. 
Some of them went as chaplains w i;h the army. Those who remained 
at home kept up the fires of patriotism in their parishes, and helped to 
sustain the courage and fortitude of the people throughout the conflict. 
Their public inQuenec was enormous." 

t Reminding us of the " Peace " (at any jirice) party just previous to, 
and during, the latc^va^ of the Rebellion — the final fortunes of which 
suggested, at the time, the following epigram : 

" The ])icce of a party called the party of peace. 
Like everything else which deceases. 
Has gone where the wicked from troubling shall cease, 
For the party of peace is in pieces." 



diary of New England, but, in the estimation of tlie 
patriot people, the eloquent and heroic defeuder of their 
rights. 

Contests with the Croicn. 

" England lost her Colonies," saj-s New England's 
historian, " bj' the mismanagement of Jit r ministers." 
Doubtless the insane penersity and foll\- of George III., 
the strange fatuity of his ministers, || and the in- 
fiammatorj-, and exasperating and intensely partisan 
representations of provincial affairs b}' the royal gov- 
ernors, contributed greatly to precipitate the political 
crisis known as the American Revolution. % Yet, it 
cannot bo denied, that for nearly a century the American 
people had been the ^detulls of an oppression as sys- 
tematic as it was unjust, and which, hence, could not but 
engender distrust, disaffection, and even bitterness, on 
their part, towards their oppressors. 

Nay, educated as thej' had been, and, from the first, 
accustomed to self-government, war would seem to have 
been organized, and to have become chronic in their very 
constitution. Under all the circumstances, it was 
manifestly a serious defect in the charter of William and 
Mary that the governors of the Province were to be 
appointed b}', and dependent on, the crown. The 
simple fact alone that their rulers were thus the 
appointees of the king, were hence his representatives, 
that accordingl}' as such thcj- would be supposed to be 
bound to conform to his instructions, however arbitrary ; 
to do his veriest bidding at the peril of instant displace- 
ment ; that, therefore, if the monarcli should be 



t Samuel Adams was hom in Boston in 1722; graduated with distinc- 
tion at Harvard University when eighteen years of age. From even his 
college days, he was a champion of liberty. In a pamphlet war just 
previous to the Rcvolytion, he wrote a discussion of the question at 
issue, which John Adams declared was a model of candor, sagacity, 
impartiality, and close and correct reasoning. He was the terror of the 
royal officers, and as incorruptible as he was fearless and patriotic. At 
a, time when corruption was notoriously common, they proposed to 
silence him by bribery. The proposal coming to the ears of Govcnior 
Hutchinson, the latter exclaimed : " They don't know their man. If 
they knew Adams as well as I do, they would never think of whispering 
bribery in his ears. Ho c;m never be bribed." 

§ James Otis, son of Colonel James Otis, of B.arnstable ; educated at 
Harvard University; studied law in Boston, and very early became ilie 
favorite advocate of the people. 

II " Had a little more deference been paid to their (the provinces) 
claims ; had the ministers of the king consented to listen to the state- 
ment of giicvances scut from these shores, the straggle which Lssucd in 
the independence of America might have been Indefinitely postponed." 

1 Testilently active in inflaming the prejudices of the enemies of 
America, and in poisoning the minds of the king's counsellors, these 
royal governors directly allotted, if they did not actually instigate, a 
system of oppression which was continued nntil the Americ:ins, ex- 
asperated beyond endurance, appealed to the l.ast resort for redress, and 
submitted their cause to the arbitrament of the sword.— Barry. 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



to oppress his subjects, these minions of his would doubt- 
less make haste to assist him to fasten the j'oke and 
rivet the fetters — tliis fact alone must have sufficed to 
engender invincible prejudices against these rulers as a 
class, on the part of the politicians, and the majority of 
the people of New England. Nor could it well have 
been otherwise, whatever the patriotism, honesty of pxu- 
pose, or administrative abilities these governors might 
have brought to the discharge of their duties. In the 
very nature of the case, for tlic one reason Just named, 
these officials must encounter serious, if not insuperable, 
obstacles to perfect success in the administration of 
affairs — obstacles arising from the inevitable and chronic 
conflict of opinion between the Province and the crown, 
and especially from the A-ery natural jealous}^ on the 
part of the fornier, that those placed over them at the 
pleasure of the king, must be supposed from that \evy 
fact to be inimical to their liberties, and disposed, at all 
events, to uphold the prerogatives of royalty. * 

Again ; as, under the primitive regime, the prosperit}- 
of the Province and its prospects of future advance- 
ment, appear to have so aroused the jealousy of English 
statesmen, as to induce them, for the sake of checking 
tlie spirit of freedom which was abroad, to overthrow 
their Colonj's ancient charter, and to impose on that 
Colony special restrictions ; so now, since, in spite of 
these later political limitations, to which they had been 
subjected, the country was still rapidly increasing in 
wealth and power, ■ — ^for, where the spirit of liberty is, it 
is difficult to repress the energies of a people, — king and 
parliament seem once more to have become suspicious 
that the Province is already aiming at a separate and 
independent political existence ; and, hence, conspire, in 
eveiy safe and effective way, if possible, to cripple and 
enslave her. 

Meantime, in this dirt}- work of subjugation, as, in- 
deed, might have been naturally anticipated, the king 
seldom failed to find most willing instruments in those 
oflicial creatures of his, the provincial governors — zealous 
supporters all of the royal prerogative, and of the suprem- 
acy of parliament, and conspicuous ever for their zeal in 
the cause of oppression. Nay, these gentlemen sometimes 
outstripped even their royal master in this unworthy 
service, — it being at their suggestion often that steps 

• As the prerogatives of the provincial government do not seera to 
have been sharply or definitely defined in their written constitution, or 
clinitcrs, a word seems to be necessary to set forth intelligibly what was 
claimed on the part of the colonists as their rights as English colonial, 
or jirovincial, subjects. " Though they went forth under a charter from 
the king," says the historian, Bany, " yet, as their community con- 
sisted of individuals possessing all the rights, liberties and franchises of 
English subjects, they had a right to political liberty. So far as was 



were taken, and measures adopted, that otherwise would 
have hardly been thought of, much less actuallj- at- 
tempted, looking toward the more complete humiliation 
and enslavement of this rising and aspiring people. 

One of the earliest causes of complaint, on the part of 
the people of the Pro\ince, was the restrictions imposed 
on commercial and manufactiuing interests and enter- 
prise, — restrictions precluding the possibility of profits 
on the part of the American trade ; and involving dis- 
tinctions, moreover, clearl}' in the interest of English as 
against American citizens — a policy that manifestly 
could not but be odious in the extreme to the Colonies. 

Fiulher opposition was awakened by agitating the 
project for raising a revenue from the Colonies to go 
towards pajing England's war debt, and, withal, to main- 
tain not only the colonial officials, executive and judicial, 
independent of the provincial legislature, but a provincial 
army of ten thousand men, nominally for the defence of 
the country-, but in reality to enforce the royal instruc- 
tions. What could have well been more aggravating? 
Is it surprising that measures thus practically sweep- 
ing aw.ay the charters of the Colonies altogether, and 
asserting the unlimited authority of parliament, should 
have awakened the most serious apprehensions on the 
part of the people — that Massachusetts, especially, un- 
wearied in her opposition to t^Tannj', should have 
vehemently inveighed, as she did, against the blindness 
that seemed to be taking possession of the advisers of the 
king? 

Opposition to the revenue laws, and especially to the 
arbitrary manner in which the officers of the crown 
administered them, became especially pronounced in 
1761. About this time the home government attempted 
to enforce what was termed "Writs of Assistance." 
These writs gave the officers of the customs liberty to 
enter stores, houses, or any other place, where the}' 
thought goods were kept on which no duties had been 
paid. Such goods, when found, were immediately con- 
fiscated, the revenue derived from the sale of which 
belonging to the treasuries of the crown and of the 
Province. To say nothing of the ruthless and arbitrarj- 
manner in which these seizures were effected, the Prov- 
ince, for some reason, found that it was receiving no 
part scarcel}-, of its share of this revenue ; a fact which 



consistent with due subordmation to the parent state, they held that 
they were entitled to have, to hold, and to eiyoy, within the body 
of their Colony, a free government, of the like privileges, juris- 
dictions and pre-eminences as those of the state from which they 
emigrated. . . . The power of parliament to tax them without 
their consent, since they were unrepresented in that body, was gen- 
erally denied; and the right of trial by jury in all cases was inflex- 
ibly demanded." 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



veiy naturally led to the ofScers aforementioned being 
public!}- and verj- positiveh" charged -with, and denounced 
for, putting the money in question into their own pockets. 

It was in connection with a case before the court in 
regard to these " "Writs of Assistance," and by way, 
especially, of defending the rights of property against 
unlawful seizure by rapacious and tyrannical revenue 
officials, that James Otis, in 1761, when thirty-eight 
years of age, was first brought into special prominence 
in connection with the patriot cause. He had as his 
opponent Jeremy Gridley, Attorney-General of the 
rrovince, under whom Otis had studied law. Gridley 
was the ablest lawjer of the time, and argued, on this 
occasion, with his customary learning, ingenuity, and 
dignitj'. But one who heard the pleadings* says : "Otis 
was a flame of fire. With a promptitude of classical 
allusions, a depth of research, a rapid summary of his- 
torical events and dates, a profusion of legal authorities, 
a prophetic glance of his eye into futurity, and a rapid 
torrent of impetuous eloquence, he hurried away all be- 
fore him. American independence was then and there 
born. Every man of an immense, crowded audience ap- 
peared to me to go away, as I did, read}', if necessarj", 
to take up arms against Writs of Assistance. From that 
hour Otis became the acknowledged idol of the town." 

Meantime, while this issue was thus developing, partj- 
lines, as between the people on the one hand, and the 
representatives of the new king (George III.) on the 
other, were still more sharply drawn by the prominence 
given, just at this time, to the "Prelacy" question. 
Most of the royal officers were EpiscopaHans ; a circum- 
stance leading the people naturall}- to associate the polit- 
ical rule which they opposed, and were rapidly coming to 
abhor, with the Chiirch of England. f 

Just at this crisis a fierce pamphlet war, involving this 
active and bitter popular prejudice, was unhappilj- pre- 
cipitated — opened by a Mr. Apthorp, an Episcopal 
minister, of Cambridge, "hot from Oxford," in the in- 
terest of a State Church. The Rev. Jonathan Mayhew 
of Boston, appeared as his opponent. The discussion 
waxed hot, and spread over the whole country, and 
moved even some of the ablest pens of England. It is 

• John Adams. 

t With the warming np of this controversv came the general use, in 
New England, of the terms Whigs and Tories. " All of a sudden," 
says an old historian, " the offieers of the crown, and such as were for 
keeping up their authority, were branded with the name of ' Tories,' 
which was always a name of reproach, while then- opposers assumed 
the name of ' Whigs.' " 

I In 1764, news came that several revenue cutters were to be sent over 
to hover about the harbor to see that the custom-house was duly re- 
spected. This caused a non-importation and a non-consumption system 
to be adopted. A general agreement was entered into to do without 



said to have embraced the question of the nature and 
extent of the authoritj' of parliament over the Colonies, 
and ended in the distinct answer, on the part of the 
Americans, that the Enghsh parliament had over its 
New England Colonies just no authority whatever. 

Shortly after this came the Stamp Act. Increasing 
rapidly in numbers, wealth, importance, and influence, 
naturally the Colonies became more and more sensitive 
to taxation by the home government, without due repre- 
sentation. 

Early in 1 705 news came to the Colonies that a stamp- 
tax had been determined upon b}' the crown. It was 
not long before the hated law was officially announced 
in Boston. The people had been expert in evading the 
revenue laws.| As they were regarded as unjust and 
oppressive, they had no scruple in doing so. But the 
stamp-tax could not be thus evaded. Nothing could be 
done legally, where any kind of a written instniment 
was requh-ed, unless that instrument bore upon it the 
odious stamp — the badge of their degradation. News- 
papers could not be issued, the business of the courts 
could not move, no process was valid, no vessel could go 
to sea, no person could be married, no debt could be 
contracted, unless a " stamp " gave assurance that the 
crown had been paid its enforced demand. All this, it 
need hardl}- be said, made the Americans angrj^ ; nor 
were they either slow or moderate in giving expression 
to their indignation. Indeed, such was the storm § of 
indignation and excitement awakened throughout the 
Province by this high-handed measure, that parliament 
the following year made haste to vote its unqualified re- 
peal ; a result that was welcomed throughout the Colonies 
with the most extravagant demonstrations of joy. 

Further plans for revenue and taxation were then 
devised bj' the home government. No sooner, however, 
was any law passed to this end, than the inhabitants of 
Boston and vicinity voted utterly to dispense with all 
such articles of British manufacture as had been thus 
specified as subject to duty, other sections of the country 
meanwhile promptlj- imitating the spirited and patriotic 
example of Boston in this regard. 

But. manifestly, a crisis is approaching. Even the 

those articles on which the heavy taxes were laid. Very expensive 
mourning apparel was generally used, but because of a heavy duty to be 
paid upon it, it was almost wholly laid aside. 

§ The spirit of resistance was fully aroused. " The Stamp Act shall 
never be executed here," was the determination of the people. " All 
the power of Great Britain shall not compel us to submit to it." " We 
will die first." " We will spend our last di-op of blood in the cause." 
" The man who offers a stamped paper to sell will he immediately killed." 
Such were the expressions heard muttered on almost every patriot lip. 
Is it stirprising that the historian characterizes the measure as the one 
above all others that laid the foundation of the American Revolution ? 



massachu.sp:tt.s. 



most patriotic virtue cannot alwaj-s cndnre such a sys- 
tematic and barbarous violation of sacred nglits. Faitli 
in the integrity of Parliament is being shaken. Here 
and there, indeed, men are beginning fearlessly to 
denounce, and boldl}' to counsel resistance to, such 
high-handed and arbitrary proceedings ; alleging that, 
under the circumstances, there remained to them no al- 
ternative but an appeal to Heaven to vindicate their 
cause. 

The Rise of (he Revolution. 
It was on the soil of Massachusetts that 

" the embattled farmers stood, 
And fired the shot heard round the world." 

It was on her territory that were fought the battles, 
Lexington, Concord and Bunker's Hill, th.at fired the con- 
tinental heart, and crystallized the public sentiment of 
the Colonies into a imited, determined, p.atriotic purpose 
to throw off the yoke of Great Britain. Influences, how- 
ever, had long been in operation to produce that mo- 
mentous result. We have seen that in the very cabin of 
the " Ma3"flowcr" the experiment of local self-government 
was initiated, — that the American Republic was born. 
AVe have also seen the first unconscious stirrings of a new 
political life, of a movement looking toward self-govern- 
ment and independence, in the reasonable demand of Gov. 
Endicott for the transfer of the government of the Massa- 
chusetts Bay Company to New England ; while, clearh', 
when that demand was actuallj' allowed, the chief corner- 
stone of the new political edifice went to its place. 
"When, very earlj' in the histor}' of the Massachusetts 
Colonj-, the latter had been threatened with a " general 
governor" from England, it was gravel}' decided on their 
part, that "we ought not to accept him, but to defend 
our lawful possessions." 

The truth is the germs of our national greatness, and 
of our characteristic political institutions inhered doubt- 
less in the verj' character of our first settlers. Their verj' 
mission to these shores was that noblest purpose that can 
sw.ay human beings, the enjoyment of the largest attain- 
able share of religious, in connection with cini freedom.* 

* Connected with the orisin and development of the Now England — 
the distinctively American — character, there is the mystery that always 
attends a new birth, a new creation. Whether " spontaneous genera- 
tion," " natural selection," or any other, be our theory of the case, the 
origin of a new species is always involved in profound mystery. The 
New England character would seem to have been a new species, — an 
original creation. It cannot be very well accounted for on natural 
groimds. Its traits do not seem to have been inherited. We can find 
no period in our annals, however early, when the New Englandcr was 
an Englishman. Across the border you will find plenty of Englishmen, 
Scotchmen, &c., a population still devotedly attached to their national 
peculiarities, and proud of their ancient transatlantic ancestors and 



Meantime, the circumstances of our colonial historj' 
were eminently of a r.ature to prepare our forefathers for 
self-government. Thrust out, as they were, and left en- 
tirely alone and in a wilderness to take care of them- 
selves, they must manifestly either establish and main- 
tain municipal regulations themselves, or perish. 

The transaction of their ordinary town business was 
highly favorable also for purposes of republican disci- 
pline. These little municipalities, in a measure peculiar 
to New England, and each sustaining a relation to the 
whole somewhat analogous to that of the States of our 
Union to the central power or constitution of the United 
States, m.ay be regarded as so many petty sovereignties 
— mimic republics — having supreme control over their 
own strictly internal aflTairs. One can easily appreciate, 
therefore, the force of the remark, made by some one, 
that the American Republic was born in a New England 
town-meeting. 

The responsibility, moreover, of annually electing 
deputies to the General Court was calculated to exert a 
wholesome political influence, and particularly after the 
measure was adopted of requiring the towns to choose 
their own citizens as such delegates. Previous to the 
year 1G94 it had been customary in the choice of depu- 
ties to the legislature, to allow the country towns the 
privilege of choosing for their representatives residents 
of Boston ; but in the year above-mentioned, from cer- 
tain local considerations, the change referred to was 
wiselj^ adopted, f Bringing the questions of the da}-, as 
it did, directly to their doors, and compelling them to 
take an immediate interest in political discussions, the 
new an-angement led naturally to the people's becoming 
versed in public .affairs ; was the occasion of their inves- 
tigating constitutional questions, issues and principles ; 
and so, of their partaking more largely than they other- 
wise would, of a public spirit and of a patriotic and 
national feeling ; while from the towns themselves, from 
tiiBC to time, were sent up (o the legislature, and so into 
public life, men of the first talents, to participate in the 
current discussions, in public affairs general'.}-, and all the 
exciting events which were afterwards to occur. 

institutions. Now Englandcrs were never such. The only cxjilanation 
perhaps, of the phenomcncn is, it was providential. 

t A motion for an address to the king against the removal of Govern- 
or Phips was passed by a bare majority, the Boston representatives of 
the country towns, acting, it was alleged, under the influence of local 
prejudice, voting solid against it. To save future trouble in conse- 
quence of any such manifest injustice, the prerogative, or court party, 
inserted a clause in a bill then pending, rcquuing residence as a qual- 
ification for town representatives. The change thus introduced for 
merely personal ends, and remaining ever since a part of the funda- 
mental law, was for reasons indicated in the text, highly important and 
beneficial. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



From the lieginning, in the govenimcut of ISIassachii- 
setts, hereditarj' claims and distinctions seem liappilj' to 
have been iitterl3' disregarded. Public officers were 
chosen periodically, and from the bod^- of the freemen, 
regardless of famil}- or rank. So also in the descent oi 
real and personal estates of intestates. The exclusive 
claim of anj- one heir was not admitted. Eather, equal 
division was made among all, reserving only to the 
oldest son a double portion. This, especiall}' in the 
case of a numerous family, which is not an uncommon 
thing in a young country, effectually prevented an undue 
accumulation of propcrtj*. " These two regulations," 
says Eichard Jlinot, " maj- be said to be the two gi-eat 
pillars on which republican libertj- in Massachusetts is 
supported." * 

The New England Confederacy of 1643, was the 
model and prototype of the North American Confeder- 
acy of 1774. The fourth article of its Constitution 
embodies the fundamental doctrine of the later republic, 
— the largest amount of local self-government consistent 
with nationality. This article asserted the right of 
jurisdiction of each Colonj- within its own limits, while 
the Confederacy itself existed simpl3' for the sake, and 
hence its prerogative was measured by the necessities of 
the common defence. 

No such heresy as " State sovereignty " but the shin- 
ing truth of State rights, has e\ier been the political 
creed of Massachusetts. | How little, meanwhile, those 
Colonies, over two hundred jears ago, realized that, in 
the organization of their humble, temporary confederacy, 
they were thus virtually setting a cop}' to be followed, 
upwards of a hundred j-ears afterwards, by the whole 
thirteen Colonies in the formation of the United States 
of America. Trulj-,- they builded better than they 
knew. 

_Nor had the Colonies been deprived of needed 
military experience and discipline. The military train- 
ing, which was to fit the citizens of New England for 
the battles of the impending Revolution, dates from the 
capture of Louisburg. The same old drums, it is said, 
that beat at the capture of that fortress, rallied the 
troops on then- march to Bunker's Hill. I Indeed, that 

• History of Province of Massacliusetts Bay, pp. 27, 28. 

Minot also observes (p. 28), "An inestimable advantajre was gained 
for freedom by a law of 1641, which dcclai-es tlie lands of the inhabit- 
ants free from all fines and licenses, the whole train of feudal exactions 
which have so grievously oppressed mankind in other parts of the world." 

t Confusion is constantly arising in consequence of speaking of 
" State Rights," interchangeably with the Calhoun dogma of " State 
Sovereignty," the fruit of wliich was secession, and which was decided 
against in the late war. State rights is the coiTCct doctrine under the 
Constitution, and the most vital of the principles underlying our gov- 
ernment, and as important for New England as for any other section of 



long and bloodj' conflict, known as the French War, 
became, as another has well said, for all the Colonies, 
" a school in which these people were to be fitted to ta!:e 
part in a fast ap[)roaching and more important struggle." 
It was, says Sir. Barrj-, emphatically ' '^yjrqjfirafi'o libertatis, 
— the stepping-stone to the Ecvolution" ; — the veterans 
trained in these earlier and arduous campaigns, having 
been thus, as it were, providentially prepared subse- 
quenth' to take charge of the armies of the Union, under 
George Washington as commander-in-chief. 

And thus we see that, from the first, the people of tliese 
Colonies seem to have been in training for independence 
and self-government. Nor was the temporar}' triumph 
of despotism, in the overthrow of the earlier charter, 
an}- serious hindrance to this work of democratic develop- 
ment and progress. Naj', the contests that long pre- 
vailed between the statesmen of the Province and the 
roj-al governors, so far from resulting in the subjection 
of the people, tended rather, on the other hand, to 
strengthen and develop their love of liberty, and to 
inspire within them that unwavering fidelity and courage 
that enabled them, eventualh*, so successfull}- to sta}- the 
tide of oppression, and permanentl}' establish the liber- 
ties of the people. Tnie, some of these struggles, on 
their part, with the Stuarts, had been desperate ; yet, as 
storms ser^•e onl}' to strengthen the hold of the trees 
the}' shake upon the soil, so these early political ■\'icissi- 
tudes, under all the circumstances, so far from uprooting 
and prostrating the infant State, ser\'ed rather to develop 
its powers, — to give to the same an increase of vitality 
and beauty. The fact was that, when the Stuarts finally 
attempted their subjugation, the spirit of liberty had 
already become by far too widely diffused throughout 
the Colonies to be easily crushed. Nay, notwithstand- 
ing the change in the constitution of the government, 
Puritanism was still in the ascendant, and Puritan 
principles still remained as vital as ever. Freedom, 
therefore, and none the less, but rather all the more, 
because of the arbitrary reign maintained over them, 
continued to be the beacon-light tliat guided these Col- 
onies on. The more it was denied them, the stronger, 
naturall}-, throbbed the desire in ever}' heart to enjoy it ; 

the Union. No more ardent advocate of the doctrine of State rights 
ever lived than old Snmucl Adams, the father of the Revolution. In 
all those functions which the Constitution confers on the national gov- 
ernment, the latter is sovereign, and the States are subordinate to it, 
Beyond, or outside of these, the States are independent commonwealths, 
and, as such, have important rights. 

J The same Colonel Gridlcy, who planned Pepperell's batteries at 
Louisburg, laid out the one where General Wan-on fell; and when 
Gage was erecting brcast-worlis acrors Boston Ncc'c, the provincial 
troops snceringly remarked that his mud walls were nothing compared 
with the stone walls of old Louisburg. 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



the more ardentlj- glowed the detcrniinatiou in CAciy 
breast to possess it. Under the veiy rod of oppression, 
laid so hca\il3' upon them, there sprung np, blossomed, 
and ripened, the conviction, — a conviction of such 
energ}- as not to be readilj- stifled, — that freedom -was 
the natural and inalienable birthright of man, — a boon, 
accordingl}-, not to be parted with on anj' terms what- 
ever, — espcciallj- at the behest of an}- mere earthl}- 
princc. "To laj- that down at Ctesai-'s feet," wrote 
John Milton, "which we received not from him, and 
T\hich accordinglj' we arc not beholden to him for, were 
an unworthy action, and degrading to our ver}' nature."* 
Tbanlcs, then, to the stern discipline of tyranny. By 
means of it were fostered and intensified those verj- repub- 
lican tendencies so much dreaded by the crown ; and 
which, growing with its growth, and strengthened with its 
strength, had, ere the unnatural " Mother Countiy " was 
aware, become too deeplj- rooted in the New England 
character ever to become eradicated or subdued. 

Nor, meantime, let it be supposed that the people, 
with all their love of libertj-, democratic instincts, and 
habits of self-government, were disloyal. To be sure thej- 
had little occasion to be fer\-enth- attached to fatherland. 
The}- had been driven from home by the stern hand of per- 
secution. Thej' had been left to shift for themselves in 
the wilderness ; and when, as in Philip's war, con- 
tending in a life and death struggle with their savage foe, 
from neither king or court came anj' aid -whatever. 

• Reply to Salmasius. 

t It may be urged, and apparently with reason, that at least during 
the long French and Indian war, the home povcrnment rendered the 
Colonies invaluable service, affording them the shelter of its arms, and 
finally delivering them from the accursed persecutions of their inveter- 
ate and hereditary foe. And j-ct, strange to say, according to Mr. 
Barry, " the conduct of Great Britain throughout the war with France, 
did not, to the inhabitants of America, justify the belief that it acted in 
good fiith towards the Colonies, or designed to render efficient aid in 
the eonqnest of Canada." 

i It may be admitted that the loyalty of the New England Colonies 
was of a peculiar and original character. From the vciy first, strangely, 
we find on the part, not even of the high-bred Puritans, any of that 
fanatical, unreasoning, almost adoring devotion to the crown that, even 
to this day, characterizes the peoples of the other Colonies and depend- 
encies of Great Britain. 

5 " The colonists," writes Otis, in 17C4, " know the blood and treas- 
ure independence would cost. They will never thinii of it till driven to 
it, as the last fatal resort against ministerial oppression, which will make 
the wisest mad, and the weakest strong." 

The reverent spirit with which the people of New England had 
from the infancy of their settlements been accustomed to speak of 
" the mother country," was a sufBcient evidence of a sincere and loyal 
attachment, on their part, to the home of their ancestors. And this 
conviction clicrished by them, that the land of their fathers was blessed 
above all otht rs in the possession of a wise, beneficent constitution, led 
tlicm to weiLih well the consequences of a rupture with that country, 
and every step tending to disunion. The fathers of the Revolution 
were no hot-headed, visionary enthusLasts. Rather the men who guided 
the destinies of the Province at the opening of that bloody drama were 



Though it was a dependency and domain of the king of 
Great Britain, as well as their own homos, thej' were mak- 
ing such desperate eflbrls and saciifices to defend, thej' 
were left to struggle under tlieir heavy load absolutely 
alone. t Yet the}- were loyal. J There is no reason to ques- 
tion the accuracy of Franklin's testimony when, in response 
to Lord Camden's charge, that the Colonies intended to 
tlirow off their dependence on the mother country, and 
that notwithstanding their boasted affection for it, meant 
soon to sot up for independence, ho promptly replied, "No 
such idea is entertained in the minds of the Americans, and 
no sucli idea ever will enter their heads unless you grossly 
abuse them." Over and over again in their successive ad- 
dresses to the king, soekuiga redress of their grievances, 
they avowed their loyalty ; and in this they were doubtless 
profoundly sincere. A few wise men may ha^'e foreseen 
the impending struggle and predicted the result ; yet up to 
the last the mass of the colonists manifestly never dreamed 
of independence. It was not until absolutely forced to 
resistance that the American people declared themselves 
entitled to the benefits of self-government. § All they had 
ever demanded was simply fair play, equal rights, the un- 
molested enjoyment of " English rights ; " -^ tlie right of 
self-government under the British constitution ; to mr.lce 
their own laws, so far as consistent with a due subordina- 
tion to parliament ; and especiall}-, unless duly represented 
in the primal legislative bod}', to impose on themselves 
whatever taxes might be rightfuU}' required at their hands. || 
clear-headed, far-seeing, deep-thinking men ; men who pondered well 
evci-y word they sent forth to the world. Ko hasty sentence escaped 
then- pens. They knew at every step just what they were about. In 
their every measure, they were guided not by fancy or passion, but by 
an enlightened patriotism and a stern sense of duty. They had looked 
into the future and fully counted the cost. They formed their conclu- 
sions only after mature deliberation ; and it was only when, by a course 
of legislation from which relief had been sought in vain, they felt forced 
to resist, that they appealed to arms, leaving the result to Gcd, and the 
responsibility with those who sanctioned and persisted iu enforcing the 
tj-rannical measures they complained of. 

II Of course every tyro in history understands that it was the paying 
of a trifling tax on stamped paper, and threepence a pound on tea that, 
among other things, was so strenuously, and so stubbornly resisted by 
the Colonics at last. " But was a demand of that nature," says one, 
" of sufficient importance to go to war about ? " Under certain circum- 
stances, the reader need hardly be told, a single drop of water will suffice 
to cause a bucket to overflow ; a single straw to break p, camel's back. 
Trifling as at first view the issue seems, it will yet, on reflection, 
be found to be of sufficient magnitude and importance to embody 
a great principle ; to involve a principle, indeed, measuring the whole 
distance between freedom and serfdom, between manhood and base 
servitude. Besides, the claims controverted by the colonists were 
the thin end of the wedge whose thick end was conceived to be 
unmitigated despotism. To the mind of the average Anglo-Saxon, 
taxation and legislation seemed inseparable. Taxation, therefore, 
without representation, to him is tyranny, a tyranny to whi.h to 
tamely submit is to dcscn-c servitude ; to which to submit, as John 
Wilton says, is "an unworthy action, and degrading to our very 



HISTORY OF NEA7 ENGLAND. 



These rights, however, had heeii sternly-, haughtilj- re- 
fused. Rough-shod the ministr}' and minions of the king 
had insisted upon overriding them. Grievance followed 
grievance. Outrage and wrong "trod each other's heel." 
Thej' had earned the right of revolution. * The meshes 
of tj'raiinj' at length having been drawn so close around 
them that escape seemed impossible, " the resolute," in 
the A'igorous language of another, " clad themselves in 
the panoplj' of war, and flung the gauntlet of defiance at 
the feet of the kiug and his ministers." 

Meantime, such t_vrannical measures as the " Stamp 
Act," •(• such acts of lawless violence as the "Boston 
Massacre," J such high-handed, unconstitutional meas- 
ures as the quartering on the cities of a disorderly, hire- 
ling soldiery, all contributed to hasten the struggle and 
precipitate the crisis. In consequence of the destruction 
in Boston harbor, bj' the citizens of the town, amidst the 
intensest popular excitement, of large quantities of tea, 
which, in spite of Boston's self-imposed embargo on that 
article, certain shipowners, royal ofllcials and Tory mer- 
chants were determined to land. General Gage, with a 
large force, was despatched at once to Boston, and 
appointed mihtary governor of the Province. And now 
there was plotting and counterplotting ; organization and 
the mustering of forces on both sides. The authorities 
were imcompromising ; the people were unawed, deter- 
mined. A sanguinary' collision was impending. It could 
not long be delayed. Every aggressive act on the part 
of the government was quietly, j'ct stubbornly, resisted. 
And when at length such resistance, ou the ever-memo- 
rable fields of Lexington and Concord, was attended 
with bloodshed, the mine, which had been so long pre- 
paring, was sprang. The die was cast. The Rubicon 
was passed. The beginning of the end had come. "The 
day-star of liberty," saj's the historian, "had risen on 
America." At all events, the signal-gun had been fired 
that announced the opening of 

Tlie War of the Revolution. 
September 1, 1774, the General Court met at Salem. 
General Gage having dissolved the assemblj-, the bodj' 
immediately resolved themselves into a Provincial Con- 
gress, which, from that time, continued to transact the 

• It is not in the nature of man to submit with taraencss to continued 
encroachments npon his real or fancied rishts. lie ni.iy forbear fur a 
time ; he will endure much. But when the yolce presses too heavily, an 
clTort will be made to throw it off, regardless of consequences, leaving 
the issue or success of his efTjrt with God. The instincts of a whole 
people may possibly be wrong ; yet, in general, the maxim Vox popiiU 
vox Dei holds true. A few persons mr.y delude themselves with the 
idea th.it their rif;hts are invaded, when, in f.ict, all that has awakened 
their rescnt:;icnt is that wholesome restraint indispensable to the wclf.ire 
of every community. But when the public itself rises in its might, 



business of the Province, so far as the patriots were con- 
cerned, until the erection of the State government in 
1780. 

In the meantime, Massachusetts statesmen had taken 
the lead.in maturing plans for the union of the Colonics, 
and for calling a Continental Congress. § Already 
Benjamin Church, in his oration upon the anniversary of 
the Boston Massacre, as if gifted with the spirit of 
prophecy, predicted that " some future Congress would 
be the glorious source of the salvation of America," and 
John Hancock, in an oration on a later annivcrsaiy of 
the same event, had suggested a " Congress of Deputies 
from the several houses of asseml)l3- on the continent, 
as the most efFeetual method of establishing union for 
the security of the rights and liberties of the country." 
Already Samuel Adams, the master-spirit of the times, 
had proposed that step said to have " included the whole 
Revolution " — the appointment of a committee of corre- 
spondence to draw up a statement of the rights of tlic 
colonists, with the infringements and violations thereof 
made from time to time, and to communicate and publish 
the same to the towns and the world — a committee, 
James Otis, chairman, whose work was so ably and 
effectually performed, that it is said to have laid the 
foundation of the American Union. Jleanwhile, this 
institution of a committee of correspondence in Massa- 
chusetts prepared the way for the establishment of like 
committees in all the Colonies. The resulting interchange 
of opinion which followed, soon happily brought all the 
Colonies of the country- to one mind. Old jealousies were 
removed, and perfect harmony- was restored between all. 
"A common cause," it began to be said, " is best sup- 
ported by common association." " The defence and 
maintenance of rights and liberties is the common cause 



when especially tne gifted and the tnic as well as the masses, the intel- 
ligent as well as the ignorant, tlio sober as well as the irapnkive, arc 
burning with a sense of overwhelming injustice, and no alternative is 
left but to resist or be enslaved, then it can hardly be denied tb.it resist- 
ance is lawful ; that resistance to kinge is obedience to God. — Barr-j. 

t This famous act required that all deeds and receipts, and other legal 
documents, should be written, or printed, on stamped paper, and that 
this paper should be sold by the tax collectors, the money going to tlio 
government. In itself, there was manifestly nothing so very K".d about 
this law. Englishmen would not have complained of it at home. Such 
a law, indeed, had already even existed in England. Taxes have been 
imposed in a similar way in America. The colonists olijcctcd to this 
law because it involved a principle — the right of taxation without rep- 
resentation. Dr Johnson, it is true, declared this to be " no tjTanny," 
and John AVeslcy agreed with him. The colonists begged leave to dilTcr. 

X The slaughter by British troops, under Captain Preston, of several 
citizens in an ill-advised attempt to quell a riot i;i Boston. 

§ The reader cannot but be interested to notice how prominent and 
leading a part was taken by JIassachusetts and her statesmen in the 
inauguration of tlie Revolutionary movement, and in laying the foun- 
dations of the new government. 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



of eveiy American, and all hence should unite, hand in 
hand, in one common association, to support it, and to 
drive t}Tann3- from these Northern climes." "Union" 
was the or}-; "union from Florida to the plains of 
Canada." " A Congress of the States is indispensable ; 
we can redress ourselves if we will, and what the people 
wills, shall be effected." A Congress of American 
States to frame a bill of rights, or to fonn an independent 
State — an American Commonwealth — was now, thanks 
to the sagacitj', and patriotism and zeal of the statesmen 
of Massachusetts, no longer the fiction, or "sickly dream 
of a political enthusiast." It was, on the other hand, al- 
readj- on the very eve of realization. June 2, 1774, the 
Massachusetts House of Representatives, by a vote of 
117 to 12, appointed a committee * to meet, at the 
earliest possible date, a like committee appointed by other 
Colonies, to consult together upon the present state of the 
Colonies ; not so much, we have reason to think, to moot, 
as yet, the question of independency, or of final separa- 
tion from Great Britain, or even of the propriety of an 
appeal to arms, but to show the British ministry that a 
determination prevailed throughout the Colonies to oppose 
their arbitrary and oppressive laws, and that, whatever 
the cost to themselves, they were prepared to take a 
decided stand in defence of their rights. 

At a public meeting held in Boston at about this same 
time, John Adams in the Chair, it was voted " that the 
Committee of Correspondence be enjoined forthwith to 
write to all the other Colonies, acquainting them that we 
are not idle, and that we are waiting with anxious ex- 
pectation for the result of a Continental Congress, 
whose meeting we impatiently' desire, in whose wisdom 
and firmness we confide, and in whose determinations we 
shall cheerfully acquiesce." 

This Continental Congress assembled at Carpenter's 
Hall, in Philadelphia, Sept. 5, 1774, and was dul}' or- 

• The JIassachusetts dclcjjates to this first National Congress were 
James Bowdoin, Thomas Cashing, Samuel Adams, John Adams, and 
Robert Treat Paine. 

t " In vain were the artifices of loyalists employed to seduce the patri- 
ots to a compliance with the wishes of His Excellency. Though hun- 
dreds were ruined, and thousands half starved, British gold was yet 
powerless to tempt or buy them. Nor should the noble example of 
woman be forgotten. Mothers and daughters infused their own earnest, 
principled sphnt of resistance to tyranny into the bosoms of fathers and 
sons, husbands and lovers ; and none more cheerfully than they submit- 
ted to privations, and encountered the trials which fall with peculiar 
hardship on their sex. Exposed to the brutal passions of the soldiery, 
and conscious that they were bringing on themselves manifold sorrows, 
they did not yet hesitate to sacrifice, if need be, home and its charms, 
life and endearments, and all the countless blessings of peace, rather 
than give up — what was dearer than all — liberty, without which life is 
a curse. Those gentler emotions, which are their ornament and pride, 
and even their natural aversion to blood, were, for the time, to give way 
to a sterner and more resolute temper. Yet, withal, they moved iiv their 



ganized by the choice of Pej-ton Randolph, Chairman, 
and Charles Thompson, Secretary. 

Throughout the Revolutionary war, JIassachusetts 
grandlj' sustained her former reputation for patriotism, f 
public spirit and valor. 

As she was the first to sustain the shock of battle, and 
to spill her blood in the interest of independence and 
liberty, so " wherever a stand was successfully made 
against British aggression, and wherever valor was called 
for in the assault, there were found bodies of men sent 
out bj^ Massachusetts, than whom none were ever more 
active, valiant or brave." Let it not be supposed that 
because, upon the evacuation of Boston bj- the British 
troops (March 17, 177G), the theatre of the war was 
conveyed to New York and to the South ; that because 
thus happil}- the soil of Massachusetts was never more 
to be trodden bj' a hireling soldiery, or to be drenched 
with patriot blood ; that because, hence, her sons were 
not again to be subjected to the dread necessitj- of fight- 
ing immediately for the defence of their own families, or 
for the protection of their own firesides, therefore they 
would be indifferent to the claims of other portions of 
their common country upon their services, whose peace 
was disturbed by a foreign foe. Nay. though her an- 
nals during this period no longer glow with the details 
of battle and siege, this Commonwealth, yet, let it be 
remembered, took a very active part in all those various 
movements and campaigns that, during the remaining 
dreary years of the war, reflected such credit upon the 
American arms. Meantime, while her citizen soldiers, 
superior to all sectional feeling or partisan prejudice, 
fired with genuine disinterested patriotism, were thus 
found at the distant front on quite everj' battle-field of 
the Revolution, never for a moment hesitating to conse- 
crate their fortunes to libertj-, and to seal their sincerity 
with their blood ; so her patriot statesmen — giants all — 

new sphere with the same quiet dignity and deep tenderness which at all 
times so adorn the sex, and render their presence a blessing to all; 
while the delicate offices which none but their hands could so well per- 
form, in the hour of tri.al, assuaged the pain of m.any a wound, and re- 
lieved the ghastlincss and horrors of death." — Barrij. 

The following is a specimen of the patriotic appeals made during the 
dark days of the Revolution : — 

" Act like yourselves. Arouse at the call of Washington and of the 
country, and you will soon be crowned with glory, independence and 
peace. Present interest and ease we must sacrifice ; meantime, what 
words can paint the solid joys, the delightful recollections, which will 
fill the patriotic mind hereaf.cr. He who wishes for permanent happi- 
ness, let him now put forth all his strength for the immediate salvation 
of his country, and ho shall reap immortal honor and renown. It is good 
for us to anticipate the joy that will fill our minds when we shall receive 
the reward of our labors ; when we shall see our counti-y flourish in 
peace; when grateful millions shall hail us as the protectors of our 
country, and an approving conscience shall light up eternal sunshine in 
om- souls." 



HISTOEY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



during all that period that " tried men's souls," were 
ever found in tlie vcr}- fore-front of evciy battle for 
human rights, as also in every sen-ice connected with 
settling the foundations of the new government. Surcl3-, 
it can never be forgotten that it was the audacious auto- 
graph of John Hancock of Massachusetts that heads the 
list of the immortal signers of the Declaration of Inde- 
pendence ; or that it was a no less illustrious son of this 
same State, John Adams,* who more, perhaps, than 
any other man in debate on the floor of the Conti- 
nental Congress, contributed to the successful and unan- 
imous passage (July 4, 1776) of what Daniel AVcbster 
has so fittingly characteiized as the great "title of our 
liberties." 



ni. THE COMMONWEALTH PERIOD. 

The Commonwealth period of our State history dates 
from the adoption of the State Constitution in 1780. 
The renunciation of allegiance to the crown of Great 
Britain, rendered it necessarj' for the Province, as earl}' 
as possible, to establish an independent government. 
Hence, while the war of the Revolution was j'et in 
progress, the citizens of Massachusetts were called upon 
to deliberate upon their civil affairs, and to determine 
what system of government should be adopted to suc- 
ceed the former one, and how that system should be 
framed and adopted. At quite an early date, a proposi- 
tion was made, in the General Court, that a committee 
should be appointed to prepare a form of government. 
Convinced, however, that an enterprise of this nature 
and magnitude, should originate with the people, — the 
proper source of the organic law ; na^-, that only a con- 
vention, composed of delegates from all the towns, elected 
expressly for this .purpose, was competent to draft a 
Constitution for the State ; — such a convention was 
duly called, and, at the appointed time, Sept. 1, 1779, 
assembled at Cambridge, James Bowdoin, president. 
The committee, consisting of twenty-six delegates, 
appointed to draft the Constitution, reported, at an 
adjourned meeting, the ensuing January. After con- 

* " It is doing no injustice to others to say that the general opinion 
was, and uniformly has been, that, in debate, on the side of inde- 
pendence, John Adams had no equal. The great author of the Declar- 
ation has himself expressed that opinion, uniformly and strongly. 
'John Adams,' said he, 'was our Colossus on the floor.'" — Daniel 
Webster. 

In connection with the foregoing tiibute to the scniccs of John 
Adams, let John Adams's own testimony be recorded relative to the 
value of the services of some of his distinguished Massachusetts .asso- 
ciates in Revolutionary fiimc and statesmanship : " James Otis, Samuel 
Adams, and John Hancock, were the three most essential characters of 



siderable debate, the report. was adopted. In the follow- 
ing June, the Constitution was submitted to the vote of 
the people, and was b}' them accepted. In 1^20, a con- 
vention to revise this Constitution, met and proposed 
various amendments, nine of which were in due time 
ratified bj' the popular vote. 

In 1834, the constitutional provision for the mainte- 
nance of public worship was abolished. Since which 
time, the so-called "voluntary system," which rightly 
leaves each citizen at liberty to pay or not, as he may 
please, for the support of religion, has been the law of 
the land. 

In 1857, amendments of the Constitution were made, 
bj- which the present district sj'stem of choosing repre- 
sentatives and senators to the State legislature was 
adopted, in place of the apportionment by towns and 
countiec. 

John Hancock was elected the first governor under 
the new Constitution, to which office, with an inter\-al of 
two j'ears, he was annually" re-elected until his death, 
exerting to the last a profound influence upon the policy 
of the State. 

Once peace was declared ; once the objects of their 
manifold and costlj- sacrifices were accomplished ; once 
the freedom and independence of the United States were 
dul}- recognized, and the painful struggle, which had 
thus far attended their existence as a nation, was happily- 
at an end, — the citizens of no section of the countrj- 
more heartilj- rejoiced than those of Massachusetts. 
Evcrj' countenance was radiant with smiles. The proc- 
lamation, when read in the different cities, was 
hailed bj- the people with tumultuous cheers. BeUs were 
rung, cannon were fired, bonfires blazed ; in the evening, 
houses were brilliantlj- illuminated ; and already, in this 
hour of triumph, proudl}' the veteran of the late war, 
was recounting, round his fireside, the perilous scenes 
he had witnessed. But this festive condition was not 
long to continue. 

Shmjs' Eebellion.^ 

Hardly had the sounds of Revolution died away, when 

civil disturbances broke out in this State, of such dimen- 



the Revolution. These three were the first movers, the most constant, 
steady, persevering agents, and most disinterested sufferers and firmest 
pillars of the whole Revolution. Without the character of S.".nincl 
Adams, especially, the true history of the American Revolution can 
never be written." 

t So called from the name of its nominal leader, Daniel Shays, 
foi-mcrly a captain in the army of the Revolution ; a m.in marked by no 
qualities which entitled him to distinction, on the score either of cour- 
age or ability, and whose precedence in this rebellion was the result, 
we are told, of mere accident. Bankrupt in fortune, as well as in 
principle, he was one of those reckless characters always ready to 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



sions as to threaten, for a time, the utter subversion of 
law and order. The popular emeute, known as " Shaj-s' 
Rebellion," was somewhat notable in three respects : 
1. It occurred, strange to saj-, on the ver3' heels of the 
successful issue of a long and sanguinar}' struggle for 
independence, and constitutional libert}-. 2. This has 
been the onl3' serious disturbance of the kind that has 
ever occurred within the bounds of our Commonwealth. 
3. In several of its features, this insurrection strikingl}- 
resembles certain later popular tumults in this country, 
under the auspices of some of our so-called " National" 
or socialistic movements. The animus of " Shaj-s' 
EebelHon" seems to have consisted largely in a bitter 
grudge, on tlie part of the poor against the rich, — an 
implacable prejudice, a wild rage, — on the part of the 
impecunious classes against the " bloated bond-holders" 
of that daj-. 

The grounds of this popular discontent, — the occasion 
of this wide-spread "inundation of distempered humor," 
— it will not, perhaps, be difficult to indicate. Then, as 
now, a pit)tracted and enormously expensive war had 
convulsed and impoverished the land ; had prostrated its 
business, while, at the same time, it had also bui'dened 
it with debt and taxation. * The inevitable sequel was 
" hard times," — high prices, small incomes, and oppres- 
sive taxes. Soured, embittered by their distresses, 
impatient under their temporary privations, and smart- 
ing under the losses incident to a depreciated Qurrcncj', 
as also under the seemingly excessive exactions of the 
tax-gatherer, the people, in many sections, particularly 
in the western counties, — in the rural districts, strangely, 
rather than in the cities, f — became almost desperate ; 
and under the lead and instigation of designing and 
desperate men, were induced, finally, not only to com- 
mit acts of gross violence against persons and property, 
but to resort to open and organized revolt, — flagrant 
and treasonable resistance against the government and 
its righteous authority. Thousands, meantime, from 
one motive or another, S5'mpathizcd more or less with 
the movement. A somewhat fonnidable military force 
was mustered by the insurgents, and put into the field. 
Certain of the inferior courts, against which these 
' ' Ilegulators " seemed to have a special spite, were taken 

" embark on the flood of any desperate adventure," in the hope either 
of obtaining notoriety, or improving his outward condition. He suc- 
ceeded in escaping the halter he had so richly earned, and finally ended 
his earthly career at Sparta, N. Y. 

Leagued with this desperado, in his insane opposition to, and crusade 
against the government, were men far more competent than ho for hiih 
military command, and more formidable by far and influential as rcljcls 
against the hiws. Among these, may be mentioned Luke Day, of West 
Springfield, also formerly a captain in the Revolutionary army, and 
really the master-spirit of the insurrection known as Shays' Rebellion. 



charge of by the rebels, and not sufTored, save under 
restraint, to hold their regular sessions ; while the whole 
State, to a very considerable extent, was becoming per- 
vaded with feverish excitement and alarm. The situa^ 
tion was becoming trulj' critical. The ship of state 
seemed to have been suddenlj- overtaken by a tornado 
of popular wrath, and by it was apparently being rapidly 
borne on towards breakers of anarchy and political 
chaos. 

The government at length roused itself. The General 
Court authorized the governor (Bowdoin) to employ vig- 
orous means to suppress tlie rebellion. General Lincola 
— a man of Revolutionar}' renown, of no less command- 
ing abilities as a statesman, than gifts as a commander, 
or excellence as a man — was put in command of the mil- 
itia. The crisis of the madness and folly was soon 
reached. Shays, having made an attack on General 
Shepard, at Springfield, for the purpose of obtaining 
possession of an arsenal at that point, was utterly and 
ignominiousl^- repulsed, though with only slight loss of 
life. Hotly pursued by General Lincoln, the discom- 
fitted leader, with a handful of his allies, pushed forward 
to the hills of Pelham. Being still further followed up, 
the rapidly dwindUng, and now utterly demoralized, in- 
surgent force, was finally overtaken at Petersham, where 
it speedily received the cotqy de grace, the frightened 
rebels scattering like sheep in everj* direction, while the 
redoubtable Shays succeeded in effecting his beggarly 
escape to the wilderness of distant New Hampshire. 
And thus was substantially ended this singularly wide- 
sjiread, and very nearlj'' disastrous rebellion. 

The histor}' of all such disturbances clearly shows 
that, in popular tumults, reason is practically dethroned, 
while the passions of the multitude, when highly exasper- 
ated, obedient to the clamor and ruling passion of the 
hour, overleap the barriers of outward restraint, and 
riot in suicidal and hideous 



The Adoption of the National Constitution. 
And j'ct Shays' rebellion maj' have after all been at- 
tended by at least one important practical result. It may 
have opened the e3es of the people generally to the neces- 
sity of a larger and more effective federal prerogative. 

* These debts had been contracted by individa.als, corporations, and 
by the State itself. 

t It often happens that the rural districts are jealous of the commer- 
cial, and that apparent difTcrcnee of interest separates men widely from 
each other in their political views. Thus, when the Federal Constitu- 
tion came up for adoption, the strongest affirmative vote was given by 
the larger towns, the scats of trade and mechanical industry, while 
the smaller to\\Tis, inhabited by a rural population, and particularly 
those counties in which these disturbances had occurred, voted largely 
in the negative. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



While this civil strife was in progress in Massachusetts, 
threatening to convulse socict}- to its very centre, there 
is reason to believe that it awakened in all parts of the 
country the li^■cliest interest, s^-mpathy and alarm. And 
yet, whatever the possibilities involved to the imperilled 
State, it was evident to all that the Confederation was 
helpless — had neither the authority, power, or the means 
to interfere in suppressing this revolt. By impressively 
calling the attention of the citizens of the country at 
large thus to this fatal weakness or defect connected with 
our general government, may not this ominous insurrec- 
tion in Massachusetts have ser\-ed an important pui-pose 
— have had at least the indirect effect to hasten the adop- 
tion of a national government? "The gate-waj' to po- 
litical perdition had been opened," saj-s another, ' ' and as 
gazing into the awful gulf yawning at their feet, there 
was revealed to their startled, astonished vision, the ele- 
ments of discord and anarchy, seething and simmering 
there, what wonder that even the most resolute stood 
aghast at the prospect of civil disaster, at an3- moment 
possible, unless to the Union should be conceded powers 
adequate for the conseri-ation of peace and order?" 
Yea, in the lurid glare of this one uprising of the more 
turbulent elements of society, the people of the country 
may have realized more vividlj' than ever before with 
what ease, unless there should be lodged somewhere in 
the system a centripetal force adequate to hold it steadily, 
serenel3' in its majestic course, even the brightest orna- 
ment of this glorious constellation of States might, at 
any moment, fly wild from its orbit, and wander blazing 
into the abysses. 

The growing conviction that it was not enough to be 
delivered from the yoke of foreign domination, but that 
there must be the power on the part of the general gov- 
ernment to preserve domestic tranquillity, to perpetuate 
the blessings which independence involves, by maintain- 
ing security, order, the enforcement of the laws, and the 
due subordination of all to a common national authority, 
was daily being strengthened and confirmed. To pro- 
Adde such security, and establish such a stable order of 
things, was the arduous duty to which the statesmen of 
America were nest to address their best effort. 

The steps preparatory to the calling of a convention 
to draft such a Constitution as to give greater stability to 
the Union, were taken in Massachusetts, May 31, 1785, 

• " The benefits from the adoption of the FcJeral Constitution were 
immediate and substantial. Order promptly arose out of confusion. 
Mutual confidence was strengthened. The arts and emploj-mcnts of 
life were encouraged. Commercial enterprise rapidly increased. The 
credit of the government, by wise and efBcicnt provisions in the finances 
of the conntry, the regulation of foreign trade, and the collection of the 
revenues, was speedily restored. And the whole nation, from a state of 



during the administration of Governor Bowdoin. In | 
Feb., 1787, the Massachusetts delegation succeeded in 
introducing into Congress a resolution, which was passed, 
sanctioning the calling of such a convention. Delegates | 
from all the States were chosen to attend it. The con- | 



vention met in Philadelphia, Maj- 25, 1787, and, on mo- 
tion of Robert Morris, was organized by the choice of 
George Wasliington for president. The result of the 
convention was the adoption of a Constitution, "con- 
sidered tnily federal and republican," — the product 
of the matured reflection of the assembled wisdom of 
the Repulilic — which was laid before Congress, and sub- 
mitted to conventions of the people in different States 
for adoption or rejection. The convention in Massa- 
chusetts called for this purpose convened at Boston, Jan. 
9, 1788, and continued in session for nearly a month. 
The members of this bodj', over three hundred in num- 
ber, comprising not a few of those who had served at 
Philadelphia, as also those who were engaged in the con- 
vention for framing the Constitution of Massachusetts, 
were among the most eminent men in the State. The 
convention was organized bj- the choice of Governor 
Hancock as president. On the 6th of Feb., 1788, the 
convention voted the ratification of the National Consti- 
tution by a vote of 187 to 1C8 — the oldest and first-set- 
tled towns in the State casting the strongest affirmative 
vote ; Boston and Plj'mouth, in this respect, standing 
shoulder to shoulder, the descendants of the Pilgrims, 
and the descendants of the Puritans, acting together in 
this notablj- patriotic work.* 

The War of 1812. 
Massachusetts was undoubtedlj- opposed to our " last 
war" with Great Britain. Not that she did not consider 
that the nation had a real grievance di manding redress, 
but it was believed by the great majority of the citizens 
of this State that, under the guidance of a prudent and 
magnanimous spirit, the difficulties between the two gov- 
ernments might have been amicably adjusted. There 
was doubtless enough in the matter of impressment, the 
principal cause for the declaration of war, to appeal to 
the patriotism of the people " to demand of the govern- 
ment security from the domineering insolence of un- 
authorized press-gangs." t Still, confessedly grievous 
as was this evil, and imperativelj- as it demanded re- 

embarrassraent and weakness, made steady advances to wealth, to 
power, and to vital prosperity."— i?ori-y. 

t Ostensibly the war was waged to avenge the stimulation of Indian 
massacres, paper blockades, and plunder of our property on the ocean, 
for which the only satisfaction was contemptuous insult, as well as for 
the impressment of seamen. Yet it was undeniably on the latter issue 
that the war came finally to turn. At the breaking out of this war, it 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



dress, it was insisted that the difficulty miglit have been 
adjusted bj- wise negotiation ; an opinion, the wisdom of 
which was abundantly confirmed bj' the event — the 
matter of impressment, strange to say, having been 
entirely evaded in the final pacification between the two 
countries ; having been left, after all, to be adjusted bj' 
the peaceful methods of negotiation and diplomacy. 

But Massachusetts, moreover, believed the declaration 
and prosecution of this war impolitic and inexpedient. 
It is true that, being overwhelmingly Federal in her poli- 
tics at the time, and the war being a distinctively Demo- 
cratic administration measure, she would naturally have 
opposed the war on strictl}' partisan, or political grounds.* 
But Massachusetts felt that she had more vital and sub- 
stantial grounds for her opposition to the war than those 
of a mere partisan nature. The people of this State were 
principally engaged in commercial pursuits. With them, 
the spirit of thrift was greater than any thirst for military 
glory. Here there existed no supernumerarj' class of 
young men, left in idleness, as at the South, by the 
institution of slaverj', and hence sighing, as they read of 
the battles of Europe, for swords and for militar}- renown. 
Naturally, therefore, and not from cowardice, or from 
parsimony, or from an^- willingness to sacrifice the true 
interests of the countr}', but from a profound conviction 
that peace, and not war, was the true policj" of the whole 
nation, and that all her interests would be best subserved 
thereby, the voice of Massachusetts was steadfastly-, not 
for war, but for peace, f 

Meantime, whatever the views of the people in regard 
to the policy and expediency of this war, the citizens of 
this State yet recognized the obligation of all alilie, with- 
out distinction, since war liad been declared b}' proper 
authorities, to sustain the government in the prosecution 
of the same until the unhappy contest should be brought 

was said on good authority, that not less than 2,500 American seamen, 
claiming the rights of citizenship, and refusing to fight against their 
country, were committed at once to Dartmoor and other prisons, where 
most of them were detained for a period of nearly three years. Was 
not this enough to justify at least earnest remonstrance, if not actual 
resistance ? Can we be surprised th.it such an outrage caused an 
unparalleled excitement throughout the country, and was appealed to 
with great force by the friends of the war, in jastification of the Presi- 
dent's policy ? 

In his youth, the writer remembers to have read a volume containing 
a narrative of the experiences of one of these Dartmoor prisoners, and 
the record was as harrowing almost as those of our boys later confined 
in Libby or Andersonville. 

* So sharply were party lines drawn in those days that, though there 
was probably no intention on his part to resist the laws of the Federal 
government, or to oppose their enforcement within constitutional 
bounds, yet the rancor of party spirit did not hesitate very severely to 
censure, if it did not impeach, the motives of the Federal governor. 
Strong, because of his extreme reluctance, in response to the President's 
requisition, to order the militia into the service of the United States. 



to a successful issue. In proof of this, she points proudly 
to the great numbers of seamen she furnished to man the 
United States Navy, and by which the most brilliant suc- 
cesses of the war were won. 

In August, 1812, Captain Isaac Hull, commander of 
the ftig.ate " Constitution," having attacked and captured 
the English frigate " Guerriere," on his return to Boston 
was received by all classes with enthusiastic greetings. 
A salute was fired on the occasion. The public dinner 
was attended b^- a large number of respectable merchants 
of the town, and b}' officers of the State and of the nation. 
Part3' distinctions were for the moment forgotten, and the 
rejoicing of the people was for the success of their 
nation's arms. 

June 1, 1813, a battle was fought off Boston harbor, 
in sight of a multitude of anxious spectators, between 
the United States frigate " Chesapeake," commanded bj- 
Captain Lawrence, and the British frigate " Shannon," 
which, after an engagement of only fifteen minutes, ter- 
minated unfortunately for the American ship. The ship 
was taken, and the captain himself was mortally wounded. 
Captain Lawi'cnce died five days later, and was buried at 
Halifax, with military honors. Not long after he was re- 
buried at Salem with most imposing ceremonies — Hon. 
Joseph Story acting as the orator of the day. The 
citizens of Boston had been the more interested in this 
engagement, and felt the more afflicted at its issue, inas- 
much as the "Chesapeake" had been for some time in 
port, and her officers, especially her gallant commander, 
were well known, and very highl}' esteemed. 

The Uartford Convention. 
This memorable bod^', consisting of an assemblage of 
delegates from the New England States, and called "to 
devise means of security and defence which may be con- 

The Federal party, which, from Washington to Jefferson, was in 
power, and which stood for the largest practicable centralization of 
power in the general government, was the Conservative party ; while the 
Democratic party (then called Republican), which stood for the largest 
possible liberty. State and individual, consistent with nationality, and 
which, for the most part, retained possession of the government from 
Jefferson down to our own generation, was, for many years, esteemed 
the party of progress. 

t We would not be understood as intimating that the war of 1812, 
was, after all, altogether futile, or vain. Revealing, as it did, to our- 
selves, as well as to foreign nations, our resources ; preventing, it is 
possible, future wars, by averting foreign wrongs, and inspiring in a 
people, divided and alienated, a feeling of brotherhood, and the pride of 
nationality, that have since borne us through many a crisis, and 
of which we feci the influence to the present hour, the indirect effects 
of that contest, at least, were undeniably beneficial. Let not, there- 
fore, this war, or its warriors, or its examples of unostentatious 
self-devotion and patriotic self-denial, be spoken lightly of, or re- 
warded amid the more conspicuous sacrifices of a later conflict, with 
oblivion. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



sistent with the presentation of our resources from total 
luin, adapted to our local situation and mutual relations 
and habits, and not repugnant to our obligations as 
members of the Union," met at Hartford, December 15, 
1814. This famous convention was born in a commit- 
tee-room of the Massachusetts legislature, under the 
auspices of Harrison Gray Otis. The legislature con- 
senting to adopt and baptize the bantling, and to notify- 
" all the rest of mankind " of his advent, he came early 
to great, albeit wc think unmerited, distinction. 

George Cabot, an eminent citizen of this State, was 
the president of that illustrious conclave. And such 
other citizens of this Commonwealth as "William Pres- 
cott of Boston, father of the historian, Harrison Gray 
Otis — statesman, orator, jurist, sage — Stephen Long- 
fellow, father of the poet, and manj' others hardly less 
eminent for their talents and virtues, took part in the 
proceedings of that famous convention ; — names these, 
surelj-, of sufficient note to preserve that body from the 
ridiculousl}' false and absurd charges so long and so 
persistently- preferred against it.* 

That this convention was reactionary in its temper 
and tendencies there can be no reasonable doubt. It 
seems to have been a calm, temperate, albeit emphatic 
expression of Federal resentment against the administra- 
tion for its method of conducting the war with Great 
Britain ; a vigorous protest especiall}' against its almost 
utter neglect of the greatly exposed New England sea- 
board. But that there was ever anything seditious or 
treasonable connected with its proceedings, there has 
never been discovered the slightest shred of evidence to 
show. Meantime that unhappy " Hartford Conven- 
tion," called simpl}' to propose a few harmless amend- 

* As an illustration of how great, wise, and patriotic men are liaWe 
to be carried away by a storm of partisan apprehension and prejudice, 
we quote below, from the " Life and Letters of the late George Tick- 
nor." As the elder President Adams was to give him some letters of 
introduction to important public persons whom he might meet on his 
way to Virginia, Mr. T. visited the retired statesman at his residence 
in Quincy. Ho thus writes of the interview : 

" I was then twenty-three years old, and though I had seen Mr. 
Adams occasionally, there was no real acquaintance between us. It 
was a time of great general anxiety. The war of 1812 was then going 
on, and New England was suffering from it severely. The Hartford 
Convention was then in session. Mr. Adams was bitterly opposed to it. 
Jlr. Cal)ot, who was ray acquaintance, and in some degree my friend, 
was its president. Soon after I was seated in Mr. Adams's parlor — 
where were no one but himself .and Mrs. Adams, who was knitting — 
he began to talk of the condition of the country with great earnestness. 
I said not a word. Mrs. Adams was equally silent. But Mr. Adams, 
who was a man of strong and vehement passions, went on more and 
more vehemently. He was dressed in a single-breasted, dark-green 
coat, buttoned tightly by very large, white, metal buttons, over his 
somwhat rotund person. As he grew more and more excited in his 
discourse, he impatiently endeavored to thrust his hand into the breast 
of his coat. The buttons did not yield readily. At last he forced his 



ments to the Federal Constitution, and with.al mildly to 
complain of, and to criticise certain alleged unwarranta- 
ble assumptions of power and prerogative, on the part 
of the dominant part}-, — that " Hartford Convention," 
alas I was fatal to all its authors and abettors — not 
only contributing to the doom of tlie old Federal party, 
but resulting withal in the exclusion from political power 
in the nation of almost every man implicated in its doings. 

Slavery in Massachusetts. 

The odious traffic in human beings known as chattel 
slavery was never sanctioned in Massachusetts. True, 
from quite an early period there had been a few slaves 
in the Province, owned principally by the wealthier 
classes, and valued at from £10 to £25. But, in gen- 
eral, slaverj' was so repugnant to the principles and 
instincts of the Puritans, that it was always viewed b}' 
them with abhoiTcnce ; and hence, fortunately, never 
attained to the dignity of a fixed or " i^eculiar institu- 
tion " of New England, f 

Meantime, at the opening of the Revolution, the atten- 
tion of patriots and philanthropists, in Massachusetts as 
well as elsewhere, had been directed to this subject. 
Under the colonial and provincial charters, though 
slaveiy itself was not speciflcallj' disapproved, the slave 
trade was deprecated and denounced as a disgrace to 
humanity. Five Africans, supposed to have been kid- 
napped, having been brought into the Colony (1G45) by 
Captain Smith, to be sold as slaves, were at once ordered 
to be liberated, and a law was passed prohibiting the 
bujing and selling of slaves, "except those taken in 
lawful war, or reduced to servitude for their crimes." X 
The General Court never neglected any favorable oppor- 

hand in, saying as he did so, in a loud voice, and with a most excited 
manner : ' Thank God ! thank God ! George Cabot's close-buttoned 
ambition has broke at last. He wants to be President of New England, 
sir ! ' I felt so uncomfort.able that I made my acknowledgments for his 
kindness in giving me the letters, and escaped as soon as I could." 

t Randolph speaks of two hundred slaves in the Colony in 1676. 
Another authority speaks of one hundred and tiventy in 16S0. For the 
space of fifty years after its first settlement, no slaves were imported 
into the Colony. At that time, after a twenty months' voyage, a vessel 
brought hither forty or fifty negi-ocs, mostly women and children, and 
these were sold here for ten, fifteen, or twenty pounds apiece. After- 
ward, at rare intervals, two or three negroes at a time were brought 
hither from Barbadocs, and from other of his Majesty's plantations, and 
sold for about twenty pounds each. Meantime, the opinion is expressed 
by the early chronicler, th.at as many Scots as Africans, captured dur- 
ing the border wars between England and Scotland, and about half as 
many Irish, had been brought to this country and likewise sold for ser- 
v.ints. Clearly our New England ancestors were guiltless of any pro- 
slavery prejudice based simply on color. The earliest known adver- 
tisement of slaves for sale in New England was in 1704. 

X Many of the captives, says Mr. Palfrey, taken during and at the 
close of King Philip's war, were sold to service among the conquerors, 
and many were transported to slavery in the West Indies. This last is 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



tunitj-, either to discountenance the practice of holding 
slaves, or to express its hearty abhorrence especiall}' of 
the slave trade. In a convention held at "Worcester 
(June 14, 1775), it was resolved, "that we al)hor the 
enslaving of anj' of the human race, and particularly of 
the negroes in this countrj- ; and that whenever there 
shall be a door opened, or opportunity' presented, for 
anything to be done towards the emancipation of the 
negroes, we v.'ill use our influence and endeavor that 
such a thing maj- be brought about." 

At the opening of the Eevolution, as ali-eady inti- 
mated, there seems to have been a more general disposi- 
tion than ever, on the part of thp people, to take into 
consideration the state and circumstances of the negro 
slaves in the Province, with reference to some effectual 
measures looking tov/ards their early emancipation.* 
In the fall of 177G, when several blacks, who had been 
brought into Salem on board a British prize ship, from 
Jamaica, had been advertised to Ijc sold, the legislature 
promptlj' interfered, and ordered them to be liberated 
forthwith. Meanwhile, the new State Constitution, in 
the very first article of the Declaration of Rights, based 
directly upon the noted axiom of the Declaration of 
Independence, had declared that "all men are born 
free and equal " — a clause said to have been inserted 
by Judge Lovell with special reference to the subject of 
slaver}'. 

Under the circumstances, a public expression of opin- 
ion in regard to this subject could not well be long de- 
layed. In 1783, a case f involving this all-important 
question came to trial. The supreme judicial court, 
sitting in the count}' of Worcester, did not hesitate to 
decide that the aforesaid provision of the new State 
Constitution had unquestionably abolished slavery in the 

said to have been the fate of the only surviving son of the wretched 
King Philip — an ignoble doom for the last of a noble race. Surely the 
sins of the fathers arc visited upon the children. Meantime, deeply as 
they had suffered, craelly as they had been outraged .and wronged, 
it is to be regretted that our ancestors did not exhibit a little more 
clemency towards the comparatively irresponsible parties to that 
great crime. And yet, horrible, repulsive as is the act of selling 
a man or woman or child to be a slave, it should be remembered 
that in this instance it was done, not indeed simply because tlic 
victims had black blood in tlicir veins, but by way of inflicting pen- 
alty for crime. 

• Upon the occasion of the late annual meeting of the Connecticut 
Valley Historical Society, Col. John S. Rice rcfid extracts from a prob- 
ably unpublished letter from John Adams to Dr. Belknap, the historian 
of New Hampshire, touching upon the metliod of the aljolition of 
slavery in Massachusetts. The real cause of the cmanci]>ation, accord- 
ing to Mr. Adams, was the multiplication of laboring white people, wlio 
would not allow the labor by which alone they could gain a subsistence 
to be done by shaves. The scoffs and jeers of the white people led the 
negroes to be so idle and dissipated that slavery was abolished as a mat- 
ter of economy. Rev. J. W. Harding recalled the fact th.at Rev. Dr. 
Stephen Williams of Longmeadow owned several slaves, one of whom 



Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The following pas- 
sage in the liistor}- of IMr. Bany, relative to the abolition 
of slaver}' in the United States, written a generation 
ago, reads curiously to-day in the light of events which 
have since transpired. He says: "It (slavery) has 
multiplied se^■enfold and is, without doubt, one of the 
most serious evils of the nation. Whether it will expand 
and increase, diffusing aliroad a moral miasma, to taint 
and corrupt the whole body politic, are questions which 
are certainly of \ital importance. But may we not hope 
that a merciful God will open a way in accortlance with 
the spirit of the Gospel of Christ, by which the country 
may be rid of this evil without the intervention of a 
violence which could end only in the dismemberment of 
the Union, or in an exasperation of feeling which would 
rankle so deeply as to banish forever brotherly love? 
Tliis is the problem of the nineteenth centur}' : who does 
not pray that it may be happily solved ? " 

The problem has alread}-, and long since, been solved ; 
alas, not by the peaceful method prayed for, but amid 
the din and smoke and tempest of battle; by "wading 
through slaughter ; " by pouring out patriot blood like 
water on many a desperately contended field ; by offering 
on the altar of the national honor and the national life, 
the most costly sacrifices of the heart on the part of mil- 
lions. Slavery finally struck at the very heart of the 
nation, and it required all the energies of the young 
republic to fling the monster from its breast and to crush 
it ; and then, to reorganize its dismembered territory, 
and to establish over the same its supreme authority. 
True, somewhat of that " exasperation of feeling" pre- 
dicted has douljtless been developed. Yet, let us hope 
that, under the guidance of prudence, magnanimity and 
righteousness, all this exasperation of feeling may be 

was sometimes put in jail for punishment, and another, who ultimately 
drowned himself in a well, was often whipped by a council of neigh- 
bors. In this connection, it may be mentioned that Henry Brewer rec- 
ollects that Col. Worthington owned a genuine Guinea negro female, 
who was one day terribly frightened by a thunder-storm. She put on 
her best crimson waist and petticoat, and, being asked what she diil that 
for, replied that it was the day of judgment, and that she wanted to be 
fit for the good company she expected to meet. 

On this same occasion was read a very interesting sketch by Judge 
Henry Morris, of slavery in Massachusetts, and especially iu the Con- 
necticut Valley and Springfield. 

t The case thus decided originated some time previously. It was 
occasioned by a citizen's beating and imprisoning his negro servant, 
whom he claimed as his slave. This offence the public could not over- 
look ; and the defendant was judged guilty of an assault, and was sen- 
tenced to pay a fine of forty shillings. And thus was the abolition of 
slavery in Massachusetts, after an existence of over a centiny, finally 
virtually effected. Many who had been held in bondage still continued 
as servants in the families of their masters during their lives. At the 
opening of the nineteenth century there were few such left, and the in- 
stitution died a natural death. The slave trade was prohibited in 178S. 
—Barry's Ilist. of N. E., Zd vol., pp. 188-9. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



allaj-c(l, and that, in its stead, brotliprly love — an intel- 
ligent, incorruptible ])atnotism — ma3- come speedilj' and 
universally to prevail. 

The Anti-Slavery Agitation. 
Among tlie many things, good, bad, and indifferent, 
said to have originated on the fertile soil of Slassachu- 
setts, it can hardlj- be denied that she is responsible for 
the birth of that " pestilent" and "incendiary" thing 
known as "Abolitionism." Nor do I know that she 
hesitates for a moment, or blushes to own it. Nay, as 
the ages roll on, and America becomes more and more 
the "land of the free," as well as the "home of the 
brave," it will appear more and more, there is reason to 
believe, th.nt the very brightest jewels in the coronet of 
her fame are the names of those unflinching, uncompro- 
mising advocates of freedom — of abolition, of unmcdi- 
ate and unconditional emancipation of the slave — "Wea- 

• Mr. Gan-ison's Anti-slavery society was organized Jan. 6, 1832, in 
the Bellinap Street School-house, Boston (called in the vernacular of the 
day the "Nigger SchooI-IIousc " on "Nigger Hill"). The oriji:ial 
members of that society were: William Lloyd Can-ison, Oliver John- 
son, Robert B. Ilall, Arnold BufTum, 'William J. SncUing, John E. 
Fuller, Moses Thatcher, Joshua Coffin, Stillman B. Neweomb, Benja- 
min C. Bacon, Isaac Knapp, Henry K. Stockton; Oliver Johnson at 
present being, it is supposed, the sole survivor of these original signers 
of the constitution of this original Abolitionist organization. These 
men were all poor, not able altogether, probably, to put so much as 
$100 into the treasury of the society ; but they were determined ; they 
were in earnest. Mr. Garrison was the centre and soul of this group, 
of this movement. He never faltered ; he never doubted. Realizing 
fully that the cause was God's, not man's, never, even the darkest hour, 
was he once doubtful of ultimate victory. He lived to see that glad 
day. 

"William Lloyd Gakrison. 

Bom in MassachttscttSf December 12, 1S04. 

Lived to Fuee the Slave, and to see him Free. 

Died in New York, May 24, 1879. 

Farewell ! The citadel of Freedom saved, 

What matter if its Garrison's no more ? 

t Mr. Garrison's well-known words indicate the temper, not only of 
the great agiLitor himself, but of the knot of indomitable spirits ho 
gathered about him: "I am in earnest. I will not equivocate; I will 
not excuse ; I will not retreat a single inch ; and / icill be heard, 

% Few men ever accomplished so much, with means so small, and in 
the face of hostility so incessant and so bitter. We can scarcely picture 
to ourselves the intolerance, the blind and reckless fanaticism with 
which the nation clung to human slavery, as if it had been the ark of 
the covenant, and not the abomination of desolation which it showed 
itself in the end. A few incidents and anecdotes of the early years of 
the Abolition movement may serve to remind us of what the state of 
feeling must have been. 

The letter of Harrison Gray Otis, describing the early insignificance 
of Garrison in Boston, has often been quoted, but generally only in that 
racy passage where the " Liberator " printing-offlee is spoken of as " an 
obscure hole," in which the " negro boy " is visible, flanked by " a 
very few persons of all colors." But there is another part of the letter 
which reads nowadays more like a burlesque on the worthy Mr. Otis's 
style of expressmg himself, and yet is literally true to the situation as it 



dell Phillips, William Lloyd Gan-ison, Theodore Tarker, 
John G. Whittier, and Horace Jlann. 

The first number of the "Liberator," William Lloyd 
Gan-ison editor, was published Jan. 1, 1830; and the 
little band of braves,* the resolute little "Liberty 
Party," that at once rallied around this fearless agitator, 
by their uncompromising spirit, their outspoken, unspar- 
ing, and sometimes inllammator3' testimonies against the 
"sum of all villainies," t soon challenged, and early 
awakened throughout the South, an intense and most 
inveterate reaction. Indeed, so sudden and terrific was 
the storm of denunciation visited on the heads of the 
Abolitionists that tl\e representatives of conservative 
political opinion in the North, thoroughl}- alarmed, not to 
say cowed, quite generally joined in the howl of execr.a- 
tion at the expense of the new sect called Abolitionists. | 
The ball, meantime, was now opened. The " irrepres- 
sible conflict " had begun in earnest. The Abolitionists 

exisited in 1832. " The first information received by me," says Mr. 
Otis (a nephew, by the way, of James Otis, the Revolutionary " flame 
of fire"), "of a disposition to agitate this subject in our State, was from 
the governors of Virginia and Georgia severally remonstrating against 
an incendiary newspaper published in Boston, and, as they alleged, 
thrown broadcast among their plantations, inciting to insurrection and 
its horrid results. It appeared, on inquiry, that no member of the eity 
government had ever heard of the publication, I communicated to the 
above-named governors an assurance of my belief that the new fanati- 
cism had not made, nor was likely to make, proselytes among the respect- 
able classes of our people." Aljsurdly as this sounds now, it was not 
unreasonable to say then, if the man who said it had no perception of the 
underlying strength of a tnie principle among the shallow and trivial 
issues that disturbed the politics of Jackson's administration. Respect- 
ability had no concern then for the freedom of the slave, and there 
seemed no prospect that it ever would have— Springfield Republican. 

As an illustration of the mob-tyranny of those days, the extent to 
which all who dared to act or think aloud in opposition to the will of 
the m.ijority, held their property and being subject to the edicts, or de- 
pendent on the clemency, of a mob, we quote further : — 

Miss Martineau, who was hero in 1834-36, found it in full career, and 
gives some curious particulars of it. " Even Judge Story," she says, 
" when I asked him whether there was not a public prosecutor who 
might not prosecute for the assault on Garrison, if the Abolitionists did 
not, replied that he had given his advice against any notice vhatever 
being taken of the outrage, — the feeling being so strong against the dis- 
cussion of slavery, and the rioters being so respectable in the city of Bos- 
ton." Prof. Ware told her that the plain truth was, " the citizens did not 
choose to let such a man as Gan-ison live among them,"— just as the 
citizens of Birmingham did not choose to have Dr. Priestley live among 
them and defend the rights of man. Apart, therefore, from his greatest 
work, of freeing the slaves. Garrison and the Abolitionists did another 
of almost equal importance; they wearied out and 6h.araed down the 
mob-spirit of the American people, which h.as almost wholly ceased 
since the period here spoken of. There were mobs in Boston against 
the Anti-slavery men of 18G1 — but they were slight affairs compared 
with the rage of 1835. 

That this mobocratic era, when public opinion, as the champion and 
demon of oppression, harnessed to the ploughshare of ruin the ignorant 
and interested opposers of the truth in every section of this heaven- 
favored, but then mob-cursed hand, has now passed, as we trust, forever 
away, we certainly cannot be sufficiently thankful. 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



would not hold their peace. The slaveholders threat- 
ened, flamed and thundered, — hnperiously, wrathfull3' 
demanding the instant suppression and extinction of 
the "incendiaries" and "fanatics" under the penalty 
of the dissolution of the Union, and the annihilation of 
Northern prosperity through a retributi\-e witluh-awal of 
Southern trade. On the other hand, the "Union-savers" 
and cotton-worshippers of the North, regarding South- 
ern favor and patronage as the sheet-anchor of all their 
commercial and political interests, eagerly and promptly 
responded to these clamors, made haste to prostrate 
themselves in the dust before the sla-\e power, and to 
promise to do its veriest bidding; made haste, indeed, 
at its instance, to lead the valiant editor of the " Libera- 
tor " through the streets of Boston at the rope's end ; to 
imbrue their hands in the blood of the intrepid Elijah P. 
Lovejoy of Alton, 111. ; and, a little later, under the 
auspices of the "fugitive slave law," having become kid- 
nappers and slave-hunters, to laj' their hands on the 
panting fugitive Burns, and, escorting him with United 
States bayonets through the streets of Boston, remand 
him to life-long and hopeless captivity. How shocking 
to the sensibilities of the future freemen of this land 
must seem this tale of humihation on the part of New 
Englanders, in terror of the crack of the slave-driver's 
whip ! All honor, however, to the Abolitionists, who, 
tliough detested and covered with odium, yet unflinch- 
ingly held their ground. * The heroic age had come 
again. A few there were, at least, in those sadly degen- 
erate days, who had not forgotten that the soil of New 
England had been consecrated to freedom, and that, cost 
what it might, it should still be preserved sacred, invio- 
late, to the rights of human nature. 

There were t\A0 stj-les of eloquence rife in those days. 
On the one hand, Hon. Edward Everett, the golden- 
mouthed, the eloquent representative of the elegant, cul- 
tured, calculating, doughface conservatism of the North, 
on the floor of the U. S. House of Representatives, could 
say (March 6, 1826) : " While it (slavery) subsists, 
where it subsists, its duties are presupposed and sanc- 
tioned by religion," — a gratuitous outburst which, in- 
stead of being gratefully hailed and welcomed by the 

• It should not be forgotten — though the fact is often overlooked — 
that there were active and radical Anti-slavciy men in some of the 
churches. It was quite the custom of some of the early Abolitionists, 
and particularly of the few blatant infidels among them, because certain 
of the wealthy and aristocratic churches were conservative and silent on 
this subject, to indulge in sweeping and bitter denunciations against allthc 
churches ; a course which was not only grossly unjust to some churches, 
but had the effect moreover of alienating multitudes of lovers of free- 
dom from the Anti-slavery society. Almost from the very first, in the 
Methodist church, at least, ardent Anti-slavery men have abounded ; 
while, in all the New England conferences, for over a generation, 



sLivocrats, was repelled and reprobated by them — John 
Randolph meeting it scornfully with his well-known 
stinging response: "I en^■y neither the head nor the 
heart of the man from the North who rises here to defend 
slaverj^ on principle." 

On the other hand, Hon. Horace Mann, also a son of 
Massachusetts, on the same floor of Congress, adverting 
to Mr. Webster's memoralile 7th of March speech 
(1850), lifting up his indignant voice, cried: " 'Twas 
then he laid his beaming forehead in the dust, and flung 
his clustered stars away." 

On the one hand, Daniel Webster, who, in days of 
old, had uttered so many good things for freedom, and 
whose majestic and impressive oratory certainly never 
seemed better fitted to his theme than when his voice had 
been given for the noble cause of Free Soil,t now, in the 
interest of national pacification, advises his party to 
" conquer their prejudices," and to " go in for the com- 
promise measures as a finality." On the other hand, 
young Sumner, whose words pealed through the nation, 
and smote on the ears of the rising generation like the 
blast of a trumpet, exclaimed : " Never more timelj- than 
now the maxim ' Fiat justitia mat coeJum ' — let justice 
be done though the heavens fall. Assured, however, 
that under these circumstances the heavens will never 
fall. Nay, rather, every act of justice iiobl3' done but 
adds another pillar to the skies — another link in that 
everlasting chain that holds heaven and earth and main." 
Meanwhile John G. Whittier, pre-eminentl}' the poet of 
freedom and reform, takes up the strain, and shouts back 
to the hauglity, clamorous, overbearing slaveholders : 
" Rail on, then, brethren of the South, 
Ye shall not hear the truth the less ; 
No seal is on the Yankee tongue— 

No fetter on the Y.inkce press. 
From our green mountains to the sea 
One voice shall thunder — wii are free I " 

Instigated by the repudiation of the Missouri Compro- 
mise, in the passage of the Kansas-Nebraska bill, and 
the atrocities perpetrated in connection with the rendi- 
tion of fugitive slaves ; as also the outrages committed 
hy " Border Ruffians " in Kansas, in their desperate en- 
deavor to bring that State into the Union as a slave 

h.ave been found many of the most eloquent and ardent champions of 
the slave the country has "produced. The Methodist Discipline has 
always been Anti-slavciy. The church split in 1841 on that issue, and 
an unhappy schism has since occurred in the s.ame interest. 

t " I frankly avow my unwillingness to do anything that shall extend 
the slavery of the African race on this continent, or add any other sUivc- 
holding St.ttcs to this Union. When I say that I regard slavery in itself 
a very great moral, social and political evil, I only use language which 
has been adopted by distinguished men, themselves citizens of slave- 
holding States. I shall do nothing, therefore, to favor or to encourage 
its extension." — Speech at Niblo's Garden, New York, March 15, 1837. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



State, — the more or less dormant Anti-slavery sentiment 
of the old 'Whig party, which had al'ovetime manifested 
itself bj' a firm, consistent, steadfast opposition to the 
scheme of annexing Texas as a slave State, and b}' the 
advocacy of the doctrine embodied in the fiimous Wilmot 
Proviso,* assumed in 1849 an active and organized 
form, under the title of the " Free Soil" part}-, and still 
later, in 1856, the Republican party. The fortunes of 
this party — known as the party of freedom, progress, 
justice, and reform — have been not a little influenced b}' 
the cotmsels and labors of such eminent statesmen of 
Massachusetts as Anson G. Burlingame, Henry Wilson, 
Governor Andrew, and — nomen clariissimum — Charles 
Sumner, who, early in the great struggle, not only by his 
affluent and scholarly tongue, but in his own person, 
afforded to the world a most impressive and memorable 
illustration of the " Barbarism of Slavery." 

The triumph of the Republican party in 1860, with 
Abraham Lincoln for its standard-bearer, was made the 
occasion of the slaveholders' rebellion. This resulted in 
the war for the Union, and the issue, Jan. 1, 1863, of 
the Proclamation of Emancipation, and, a little later, the 
Constitutional Amendment (April 8, l.sOt) abolishing and 
forever prohibiting slavery throughout the United States. 

Massachusetts in the War for the Union. 
Massachusetts shared in that grand uprising of the 
people, and unprecedented outbm-st of patriotic senti- 
ment occasioned hy the rebel assault on Fort Sumter. 
The verj' first shot sent crashing against the sides of that 
Union fortress convulsed and thrilled the Northern heart 
with the most intense excitement — with an enthusiasm 
of patriotism, perhaps without a parallel in history. 
And, now, that the Slaveholders' Confederacj' had thus 

• In 1846, Tvhile the vrwr n-ith Mexico was in progress, it became an 
important question what should be the Libor and sochl system of tlie 
territories about to be acquired from Mexico. While this question w;\s 
pending in Congress, Mr. David Vilmot of Pennsylvania, moved to add 
to a bill before the House the following : — 

" Provided, That as an express and fiind.imental condition to the ac- 
qnisition of any territory from the Republic of Mexico by the United 
States, by virtue of any treaty that may be negotiated between them, 
neither slavery nor involnnt.an.- servitude shall ever exist in any part of 
said territory, except for aime, whereof the party shall be first duly 
convicted." 

t As regiment after regiment, in rapid Buccession, was announced 
from old Massachusetts, the country was filled with enthusiasm. The 
WTiter chanced to be in a certain place of business, in a country town, 
of a neighboring State, on a certain morning during the early days 
of that struggle, when one of the workmen took up the morning 
paper and read the announcement, " The Masachusetis Thirty-Xinlh 
on its tent/ to the front." " God bless old Massachusetts ! " he ex- 
claimed, with the utmost warmth and emphasis. This sentiment was 
very general. 

X Robert G. Shaw, commander of the Massachusetts Fifty-fourth 
(colored) Regiment. From one of the oldest imd best families, 



actually- " appealed from sterile negotiations to the last 
argixment of aristocracies as well as kings, and had so 
given notice that the era of compromise and diplomacy' 
was ended," and that war — stern, grim, remorseless 
war — against the Union was begun, no State responded 
more promptly than Massachusetts to the country's call 
for militarj' and material aid. Her regiments, indeed, 
were among the very first to hurry forward, in obedience 
to the President's call, to the relief and defence of the 
beleaguered and imperilled capital. It was her troops 
that, as in the morning of the Revolution, were the first 
to resist the aggressions of tjTanny, and the first to shed 
their blood in defence of their country. All honor to 
the glorious and immortal Massachusetts Sixth ! No 
State, diu-ing the late civil war, sent more regiments into 
the field, in proportion to its population, composed of 
braver men, or officered by more gallant and patriotic 
leaders, than Massachusetts, t The lamvls of such 
heroes as General Bartlett, and of Colonel Robert G. 
Shaw, who fell at Fort Wagner, are imperishable. J On 
almost every battle-field of the Union repose her fallen, 
her honored sons. Nor were her daughters less nobly 
patriotic and self-denying. What monuments of their 
heroic toils were afibrded during those dark days, in 
connection with the history of the Sauitarj- and Chris- 
tian Commissions. Meantime, but for their brave words, 
their praj^ers, their white-winged love-messages to the 
absent ones on the " tented-field," as well as their soul- 
cheering presence, and personal services b}' the bed-side 
in t'nion hospitals, it is not easy to conceive how that 
fearful, desperate struggle could have ever been fought 
through to a successful issue. 

Nay, though eloquence § and poetrj- 1| have vied with 
each other in according to the patriotic virtue and ser- 

Colonel Shaw was one of the noblest and most promising yonng men 
of the State. He will always occupy a conspicuous and honored place 
in the annals of the war of the rebellion, not only in that, at a critical 
moment, he assumed a perilous responsibility; but, because identified 
prominently with that gre.at event in our history by which the title of 
colored men as citizen-soldiers was fixed beyond recall. As long as 
youthful dedication to a noble cause shall be honored in this land, 
America will not be unmindful of this hero who lies " buried with his 
niggers." 

§ See Hon. Edward Everett's Gettysburg oration. Among other 
things this imperial discourse pays an eloquent and richly deserved 
tribute to the loyalty, and patriotic services of the Union women of not 
merely one, but all the Northern States. 

I " The maid who binds her warrior's sash. 

With smiles that well her p.iin dissembles ; 
The while beneath her drooping lash. 

One starry- tear-drop hangs and trembles. 
Though Heaven alone records the tear. 

And forae shall never know her story ; 
Her heart has shed a drop as dear. 

As ever dewed the field of glory. 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



vices of these noble women a cordial and emphatic 
recognition, the}- yet certain]}' have uttered no more than 
Tvas actually felt to be their due, particularly on the part 
of those brave men known in Union annals as the " Boys 
in Blue." 

Ill almost every cit}' and town of the Commonwealth, 
may be seen, occupying a more or loss conspicuous site, 
a granite obelisk.* crowned either with the image of 
Liberty, or the statue of the Union soldier, commemora- 
tive of our patriot dead ; signifying that, though bred to 
the arts of peace, the citizens of old Massachusetts — 
the alma mater of the Union — were not yet so insen- 
sible to the claims of their countr}-, and of the "Old 
Flag," but that when put in mortal peril, they, like their 
sires of yore, smiling on death, could say, ^^ Duke et 
decorum est ipro Patria mori." 

Old- Time Travelling. — The Poetry of Pillion and Stage. 

During the colonial period, travelling in New England 
was principalh' performed on foot, or on horseback, tlie 
women being mounted on pillions behind the men. 
Pedestrians were at first guided through the forests by 
blazed trees. The earliest roads were mere bridle-paths. 
As late as 1691, the blind husband of Elizabeth How, 
accompanied by his two young daughters, might have 
been seen journeymg on horseback, twice a week, along 
narrow, difficult, and sometimes dangerous roads, all the 
way from Topsfield to Boston to ^•isit the wife and mother 
confined there as a convicted witch. 

These piimitive bridle-paths at length gave way to 
cart-roads, some of which, having never attained to the 
dignity of highways, still remain clean-cut through leafy 
woods, and affording us romantic traces of the simplicity 
of earlier times. 

At the close of the colonial period, or of the seven- 
teenth century, roads, such as they were, radiated in 
every direction from the metropolis (Boston) to the sur- 

" The infe who girds the husband's sword, 

'Mid little ones who weep and wonder; 
And bravely speaks the cheering word, 

■V\'hat tho' her heart be rent asunder,— 
Doomed nightly in her dreams to hear 

The bolts of war around him rattle, 
Hath shed as sacred blood as e'er 

Was poured upon the field of battle. 



" The mother who conceals her grief, 

AVhile on her breast her son she presses ; 
Then breathes a few brave words and brief, 

Kissing the patriot brow she blesses, 
With no one but her secret God 

To know the pain that weighs upon her 
Sheds holy blood, as e'er the sod 

Received on freedom's field of honor. 



rounding villages, forming the media of communication 
with their inhabitants. These roads, ordinarily, were 
very poorly worked, and travel thereon was accordingly 
exceedingly laborious and uncomfortable ; a trip, nnder 
the circumstances, of only a few miles, amply sufficing, 
says an historian, to cure even the most inveterate case 
of dyspepsia. Even yet, however, the more distant 
hamlets, buried in the depths of the primeval forests, 
were reached only by tortuous paths indicated by marked 
trees, — fallen timber, as also ragged rocks, piled in heaps, 
or scattered about in indiscriminate confusion, often 
impeding the progress of the wayfarer in reaching these 
settlements. It is interesting to consider, just here, 
that, distant and difficult of access as they were, these 
localities, now so densely populated, thus early yet pos- 
sessed, for the yeomanr}' of our land, points of attrac- 
tion sufficient to allure them thither. " As many a 
scene, which, at the distance, looks desert and rock- 
bound, unfolds itself, when visited, into vales of rarest 
beauty," so, though nestled so far away among the hills, 
these embr}-o villages, in the Arcadian simplicity of 
those earlier times, seem yet, once reached, to have 
effectually charmed that brave and hardy race by whose 
diligent toil the wilderness, in time, was made glad, and 
the desert to rejoice and to blossom as the rose. 

Pleasure-carriages, save in Boston, were ver}' rarely 
seen until the middle of the eighteenth century. The 
chaise, so long the pleasure-vehicle of New England, 
was introduced about that time. The wagons of the 
farmers were, for the most part, ver}- rude structures, 
usually bedded solidly on the axles, so that riding in 
them, — they ordinarily ser^'cd the purpose of convey- 
ance "both to mill and meeting" — especially over the 
hideous highways of the period, rough as yet, with im- 
pulled stones and stimips, was far from being voluptu- 
ously easy. Stage-coaches were not introduced until 
near the close of the seventeenth century, the ver}- first 
of w-hich we have any account, being that of Lady 
Andros, wife of the provincial governor. 

Stage routes were gradually opened up throughout all 
parts of the coimtry, and became the scene, at once, of 
busy travel, of exciting competition on the part of differ- 
ent stage lines, and of ever-increasing commercial trans- 
portation, -f 

• No more imperial monument to the memory of the long procession 
of its unrctuming braves was, probably, ever erected by any munici- 
pality, than th.it erected recently by the city of Boston, and located on 
an eminence in its truly matchless Common. Some towns, aiming to 
combine utility with a patriotic duty, have erected '< Jlcmorial Halls," 
instead of obelisks. A notable, and most commendable instance of 
this has occurred in the old town of Dedham. 

t One of the most important and widely known of these stage routes 
was that from Boston to Providence, opened early in the present cen- 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



On less frequented tbroroughfares, the daily arrival of 
the stage, with its burden of passengers and baggage, 
often piled high, was quite an incident in the history of 
the day. Its approach was indicated, or announced, by 
sonorous blasts upon a bora or bugle, carried for the 
purpose, while, as it descended the hill and, with its 
horses at full gallop, rounded up to the tavern door, a 
sensation was created throughout the whole otherwise 
quiet village, the loungers of the bar-room, meanwhile, 
and the small boys of the neighborhood hovering about, 
and regarding the stage-di'ivcr with no little amazement 
and envy. Indeed, the Jehu of those days was ordi- 
narily quite a noted character. In default of any others, 
these knights of the road occupied, in the popular imagi- 
nation, the plate al- 
lotted to the pop- 
ular hero. Mean 
time, the stjle n 
which they used to 
manage the "iib- 
bons," and the pi ide 
with which, -(Mth 
many a ringing 
crack of the -nhip, 
they drove their 
prancing steeds, 
four or six in hand, 
up to the dooi ot 
the waj-side inn, oi 
of the grand citj 
hotel, the obsened 
of all observers, 
was a striking fea- 
ture of a character 
now become obso- 
lete. Ancient stage travel, sluggish and loitering though 
it was, was by no means devoid of romance. Says a late 
writer: "In early times, say fifty years ago, the only 
means of public travel in these parts was the stage- 
coach, a thing of comfort in its day, sometimes a luxury 

tnry, and continued for at least a generation (from between 1S05 and 
ISIO, tol835, or 1836), over tlie old air-line, "Boston and Providence 
Tui-npike." 

Tlie stages nsed to start from the Exchange Colfee-house, Marlboro' 
Hotel, and Commercial CotTcc-housc, Boston, in the early morning, the 
passengers dining at South Walpole, and maUing close connections wiih 
the steamboats, which left Providence for New York at four o'clock, 
p. M. Sometimes, it is said, no less than fifty stages a day used to roll 
over this notable old turnpike. South Wiilpole being a kind of half- 
way station between the two tcnninal cities, with two good old-fashioned 
taverns, one long and favorably known as " Fuller's Tavcni " (the build- 
ing is still standing, though its capacious stable is going to decay), the 
other, directly opposite, as "Polly's"; horses were "changed" here, 
and ample refreshments for man and beast were provided. 




in travel. Well do we remember the time of stages 
which were run between Albany and Buffalo, with their ' 
relays of horses every ten or fifteen miles, the tooting | 
horn announcing its approach, the joll^' passengers who 
would alight for the noon meal, or to stretch their legs 
up some long hill, and then in again to ride on to 
their destination. Say what you will, the old stage- 
coach was an institution which, though it has gone, can 
never be forgotten." Sometimes, as intimated above, 
there would be sharp competitions on the routes, as, for 
example, on that between Boston and Providence, when 
the rival stages, enveloped in a cloud of summer's dust, 
vied with each other to see which should lead on entering 
anj- given city or town, — the excitement of the struggle, 
meantime, though 
not utterly de^•oid 
of risk, or unat- 
tended with peril, 
being fully shared 
b}- the passengers 
of the respective 
routes. 

But stage-coach- 
es and stage-driv- 
ers are now, for the 
most part, among 
the memories of the 
past. The h-on- 
horse, with his 
sinews of steel, 
and his heart of 
fire, has forever dis- 
tanced them. Says 
Holmes : — 

" Who in these d.iys, when all things go by steam. 
Recalls the stagc-eoach with its four-horse team. 
Its sturdy driver, who remembers him ? 
Or the old hmdlord saturnine aud grim." 

The typical country tavern, too, of those early days 
and simpler times, with its comely and dignified landlord, 
no longer exists, sa-\e in the form so well immortalized 
b^- Longfellow : — 

" A kind of old Hobgoblin hall. 
Now somewh.at fallen to decay, 
With weather-stains upon the wall 
And stairways worn, and crazy doors, 
And creaking and uneasy floors, 
And chimneys lai'ge and tUed and tall." 

Material, Educational and Eeligioxts Progress. 

Naturally the least fruitful of the Now England States, 

careful and laborious husbandly had yet, at an early 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



date, redeemed vast tracts of Massachusetts lands from 
barrenness, or from the grasp of the wilderness, and 
transformed the same into fertile and productive farms. 
During the early periods of the historj- of the Pro\'ince, 
manufactures and commerce had also made considerable 
and hopeful progress. Amidst the bustle and tumult of 
tha Revolution, however, not unnaturally-, business of all 
kinds was sadly interrupted. Domestic manufactures 
had especially fallen into decay. Cities and dwellings 
were dismantled and neglected. The half-tilled soil, and 
tlie ruined fences, which hardly kept out starving cattle, 
told of the hardships of the yeomanry, and of the omi- 
nous condition of their finances. Commerce, also, was 
cheeked. "Worse j-et : the country had been largely 
drained of its specie ; while the paper currency, sub- 
stituted in its place, had so far depreciated in value that 
creditors were reluctant to receive it for debts, and mer- 
chants in exchange for their commodities. 

But with the advent of peace, business naturally re- 
vived. Agriculture was encouraged ; swords, beaten 
into ploughshares, again turned up the fertile glebe ; while 
spears, transformed, were made to prune the boughs of 
fruitful trees. The fisheries and ship-building afforded 
employment for many hundreds of men ; while manufact- 
ures and commerce, once the business of the countrj-, 
had returned to their accustomed channels, and advanced 
with rapid strides. A special effort was made in 1786 to 
encourage domestic manufactures. The people, unable 
during the war to attend to these industries, had felt 
obliged meantime to depend for their supplies upon im- 
ports from Europe, — a condition of things soon nat- 
urallj^ involving indebtedness and great financial distress. 
To remedy this evil, and, at the same time, afford a new 
stimulus to home industry, an agreement was entered 
into b}' a number of the wealthiest and most respectable 
citizens to discourage the use and importation of foreign 
goods by wearing homespun clothes. Influenced by their 
example, it soon became the pride of all those who 
wished to be thought patriotic, even in the most fashion- 
able circles, to appear in garments of American fabrics. 
The consequence was, the spinning-wheel and the loom 
came once again to be busily plied in all parts of the 
State. 

At a somewhat later date, the legislature, by special 
enactments, gave public encouragement to such branches 
of industry as promised to be particular!}- useful. A duck 
manufactory was established in Boston, and a cotton 
manufactory in Beverly. The manufacturing of pot and 
pearl ashes was so increased in the interior of the State, 
under the public encouragement afforded, that not less 
tlian two hundred and forty establishments at once 



sprang up. Nails were also manufactured in large quan- 
tities, small forges having been erected in man}- a dwell- 
ing, at which even boys worked with their fathers in the 
long winter evenings, contributing thus an aporeciable 
quota to the income of the family. 

Earlj- in the present century the attention of the citi- 
zens of Massachusetts was directed to their domestic 
affairs, and arrangements were made for increasing the 
industrial resources of the State. Alread}- had woollen 
factories begun to be established, and by the encourage- 
ment of the legislature, at least thirty-four companies 
were incorporated for the manufacture of woollen and 
cotton goods. The incorjiorations for the latter purpose 
have, of course, since been greatly multiplied, and have, 
accordingl}-, in modem times, brought into existence a 
Lawrence, a Lowell, a Fall River, — where the hum of 
mj-riads of spindles, and the clank and thunder of other 
machinery, afford impressive evidence that, in manu- 
facturing industr}-, Massachusetts does, indeed, stand at 
the head of all States, and will compare favorably in 
this regard with any portion of the world. 

In this connection, mention should be made of an 
industry that, from quite an earh* day, has been char- 
acteristic particularly of the eastern section of the State, 
— the manufacture of boots and shoes. Almost everj- 
considerable -village in the eastern counties of Massachu- 
setts, supports one or more vast shoe maaufactories ; 
while some cities, as Lynn, are almost entirely dev<Jted 
to this one branch of business. 

The first important change which marked the historj' 
of modern New England labor, particularly in connec- 
tion with our mechanical industries, resulted from the 
introduction, about a quarter of a century since, of the 
foreign operative. Willing to work for far less wages than 
the native could afford to do, he has, particularly in all 
the lower grades of his craft, succeeded in crowding out 
and utterly supplanting the workmen to the manor born. 
Long since, a very large proportion of the operatives in 
those vast hives of industry, so characteristic of New 
England, where once the Yankee girl bore undisputed 
sway, and the yeomanry of the land found lucrative em- 
ployment, has come to be foreigners ; a change, which, 
though involving no loss to the manufacturer, perhaps, 
but possibly, the reverse of that, yet, for obvious reasons, 
has proved sadly subversive of the interests of New 
England workingmen. 

Meanwhile, the two factors which, within the past 
generation or two, have most contributed to modify the 
progress of Massachusetts manufactures, are steam and 
machinery. " The new star of the steam-engine," says 
Joseph Cook, " blazed across the mechanical sky ; took 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



a fixed place in it ; and at once there was a new group- 
ing of constellations. Tlie A-ast manufacturing establish- 
ments, wliich had hitherto existed at a distance from 
towns, now no longer dependent upon water-power, 
were transferred at onco to crowded populations. Be- 
tween 1802 and 1815, the factory system was transformed 
into its present shape." 

The introduction of machinery has had a hardh- less 
important influence on our various manufacturing inter- 
ests. Indeed, as a rule, steam and machinery- have^gone 
hand in hand, and their joint effect upon all business 
methods has become well-nigh incomputable. Take the 
shoe trade, for example, and consider how that, during 
the past ten or fifteen years, the fluctuations and vicissi- 
tudes of that business have been abnost altogether 
occasioned by the introduction, not onlj- of steam-power, 
but of improved devices and machines for doing the 
work, — the sewing-machine, the skiving-raachine, the 
pegging-machine, the sole-moulding machine, the cable- 
wire machine, the self-feeding eyelet-machine, — these, 
indeed, being but a fraction of the recent inventions not 
only patented, but already everywhere in use. Nay, so 
rapid has been the supph" of new machinery in this our 
time, that an}- list of machines correct for to-day, is quite 
likely to be incorrect, because outgrown, to-morrow. 

Jleantime, " it is a matter of public notoriety," says 
the writer just quoted, " that within a comparatively 
rectnt period, the methods of shoe manufacture have 
been quite revolutionized bj' the invention of the McKay 
sewing-machine alone. Yea, the invention of the spin- 
ning-jenny and the power-loom did no more to revolu- 
tionize the cotton manufacture ; the invention of the 
steam-engine no more to change the methods of inland 
and maritime conveyance, than the application of the 
sewing-machine to the shoe trade has done to revolution- 
ize the processes of that branch of industry. Three 
large results have followed this invention of new 
machinery. First, the small-shop sj-stem has been 
abandoned, and the large factory has been adopted. 
Secondly, a great subdivision of labor has taken place. 
Thirdly, the trade is much more subject to lulls or 
inactive seasons than it was before the invention of new 
machinery. 

" All eastern Massachusetts is sprinkled thick with the 
small shoe-shops — buildings twelve or twenty feet square, 
in each of which ten or fifteen men were usually employed 
on the heavier work of the trade, the females, in their 
own rooms at home, doing the lighter work. These 
rooms have been vacated, never to be filled again. For 
a hundred years they have been almost as characteristic 
of a large part of the towns of eastern Massachusetts as 



the school-houses or the churches. The large factories 
which are rising to fill their places, are destined to become 
larger and larger. There is no longer an artisan in this 
trade who makes a whole shoe. Subdivision of labor is 
sometimes carried so far that a single article passes 
through the hands of fifty workmen, each of whom is 
trained onl}- to make a part. As a rule, the old shoe- 
makers were largely independent in the management of 
their business, each family attending to its own for itself. 
But the large factories have introduced an operative class 
and an emploj'ing class. In the old sj'stem, work was 
commonly steady from year's end to year's end ; or 
afiected onl}' by the larger fluctuations of general com- 
merce. But now there are two periods in each year in 
the trade in any large city, when hundreds of operatives 
are dropped from employment." 

It is not the province of the present writer to compare 
the former with the modern system of labor, with a view to 
pronouncing on their relative merits. Doubtless each has 
its peculiar and characteristic benefits. Nor is it our 
prerogative to pronounce dogmatically- on the question 
w^hether the introduction of machinery is, on the whole, 
an advantage or a disadvantage to all concerned — -the 
working classes, the manufacturers, the consumers — on 
civilization generallj-. Doubtless the ease and rapidity 
with which the markets can now be glutted, and so pro- 
duction outstrip consumption, has had not a little to do 
with occasioning our " hard times," and has introduced 
an order of things that, for some time, may seem to bear 
hard on the laboring classes, and indirectlj- on business 
in general. Yet he, we think, would be a brave man who 
should, on that account, hazard the opinion that, in the 
long run, the modern improvements in machinery, any 
more than foreign emigration, are destined really to pro^e 
detrimental to the best interests of our American civiliza- 
tion. Meantime, whatever the nature of the result, one 
thing may doubtless be set down as settled ; the transition 
just refeiTcd to, from the old system to the new, from the 
former methods to the modem, is tmquestionably com- 
plete and final. 

The people of Massachusetts are eminently an indus- 
trial people. They are toilsome and earnest. They are 
not mere operatives. They are thoughtful workmen. If, 
during the Revolution, their bayonets, as some one has 
well said, were wont to "think," so now their spindles 
and needles have not ouh' hands, but brains behind them. 
" The condition of the class known as operatives in 
Massachusetts," says another, " their moral and in- 
tellectual character, as well as the happy relations exist- 
ing between thorn and their emploj'ers, is without a 
parallel, probably, in other manufacturing districts." 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



As a consequence of the changes and progress just 
indicated touching these material interests — as a result 
of the development, not only of the mechanical, but also 
of the agricultural resources of the Stat6, business activi- 
ties, it need hardly be said, have been stimulated, and 
enterprises of gigantic proportions, and of overshadow- 
ing influence, have been built up in various other direc- 
tions. Railroads, for example, are now radiating towards 
almost everj' point of the compass. The commerce of 
the State literally' encircles the globe — whitening almost 
everv sea with its snowj- wings, and opening up abroad 
not only channels for gainful enterprise, but for the 
ameliorating influences of a Christian civilization. With 
the increase of wealth, and of the comforts of life, the 
arts and sciences have been successfully cultivated ; the 
press,* pre-eminently the engine of modern civilization, is 
actively and ceaselessl}' at work for the enlightenment of 
the public. Our manners and customs have been greatly 
improved, so that, at the present time, there no longer 
exists among us any distinctively rustic, peasant or pro- 
vincial class. 

The interests of education are still fostered here with 
excei^tional fidelity and zeal. Massachusetts, indeed, 
maj- be said to have made popular education a specialty, 
and to consider her success in this field her pride. 

•The first printing-press in the New England Colonies was established 
at Cambridge in 1639; and tlie first newspaper in any of the Colonics 
appeared in 1704, and was called the " Boston News Letter." 

t During the past forty years the cause of temperance has made most 
encouraging progress in Massachusetts, as well as throughout the coun- 
try. Sixty years ago Lyman Becchcr attended an ordination at which 
forty dollars' worth of liquors were drank by New England ministers. 
To-day, Mrs. Hayes — whom m.ay God bless ! — expels Intoxicating bev- 
erages from the Presidential mansion. The following incident, pub- 
lished many years ago in the " Congi-egationalist," over the signature 
" II. B. II.," not only illustrates the drinking habits and the character 
of public sentiment here in New England, fifty years ago, in regard to 
temperance, but, as will be readily perceived, possesses an historical 
interest and value, as indicating the origin of a new departure and a 
better order of things touching this important public concern : — 

"It was a well-known custom, half a century since, for Christian 
ministers to cheer themselves, lil;e other people of those days, with 
divers kinds of fermented lirpiors at association and other meetings. 
The Mendon Association was to hold one of its meetings in October of 
1820, at the house of Ecv. J. 0. Barney at Seckonk. To do the honors 
of the occasion he rode into Providence the day previous to the meet- 
ing, to procure the due assortment of spirits, which immemorial usage 



Horace Mann is reported to have once described Massa- 
chusetts as being the State wherein no spot could be found 
where a rifle could be fired without hitting either a meet- 
ing, or a school house. Meantime, the fruits of this cher- 
ished feature, or peculiarity, are sufficiently obvious in 
the widespread prevalence of popular intelligence. Prob- 
ably there is no State in the Union where there are fewer 
persons, in proportion to the population, who cannot read 
and write, than in this. Indeed, the intellectual, as also 
the moral, advancement of society within the bounds of 
this Coimnonwealth, may be said to have quite kept pace 
with the progress that has attended all its secondary and 
temporal interests. Nay, but for the foreign population, 
unfortunately almost always densely ignorant, with which 
our large cities and manufacturing districts ha^e come of 
late to be infested — a class through whose almost " solid 
vote," cupidity and demagogism, to a great extent, rise 
to power in both municipal and State politics, not onlj' in 
its legislation, but in its actual practice, Massachusetts, 
we confidently affirm, would afford a conspicuous and 
shining example, not only of the grace of temperance, 
but of most other estimable civic virtues, f 

Such is Massachusetts. As Daniel Webster once said : 
" She needs no encomium." There she is. She speaks for 
herself. ' ' God save the Commonwealth of Massachusetts." 

had made an important part of his preparations. He accomplished his 
errand, and at sunset commenced his retuni home. He had procured 
an extra quantity of choice liquors, as it was his first entertainment of 
the association. He had densely packed all in a large basket in the 
back of his wagon. As he was rapidly driving in forgetful haste to 
reach home, the loud laughter of some men at work on the staging of a 
new house in the outskirts of the city broke upon his ears, and suggested 
to him the risk of such unbecoming speed. Intensely thinking of his 
freight, he looked behind, and lo ! fragmentary jngs, demijohns, and 
bottles were dancing in and out of the biisket, and a ruby stream of 
wines, brandies, and cordials was .illayingthe thirst of the pebbly street. 
What was to be done ? Should he go back and replenish, or take it as a 
providential hint .and go on. The lateness of the hour decided him to 
proceed, and state the calamity to the venerable body when they should 
assemljlc. He did so, and they took the hint, and banished the side- 
board forever from their meetings. This was the year in which Dr. 
Bcccher preached his ' six sermons ' on intemperance, and the first 
temperance society was organized. The noble example of the Men- 
don Association was followed by all the Congregational Associations 
in the State, and it is safe to say that not every smash-up of jugs 
and bottles has been attended with results so extensive and de- 
sirable." 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



BAK^STABLE COUNTY. 



BY HENRY E. CROCKER. 



I. Discovert and Explorations. 

Cape Cod, the right arm of Massachusetts, and, 
according to the historian Bancroft, the first soil in New 
England pressed by the feet of Europeans, includes 
■within its limits the entire county of Barnstable. It is, 
in reality, a peninsula, nearlj- seventy miles in length, 
bounding, on the south and east, the great bay from 
which the State of Massachusetts takes its name.* In 
1602, Bartholomew Gosnold, a brave mariner from the 
west of England, discovered and named this peninsula, 
and describes it as a " mightj- headland like an island, 
by reason of the large sound lying between it and the 
main." Of subsequent explorers, who visited Cape 
Cod, may be mentioned Martin Pring, sent out b}- the 
merchants of Bristol, Eng., in 1603 ; De Monts, com- 
missioned by Henry TV. of France to plant a colony in 
America, with Champlain as his pilot, in 160.5 ; probably 
Henry Hudson, on his celebrated voyage to discover a 
north-west passage to India, in 1609 ; and Capt. John 
Smith, who, in 1614, ranged along the coast and pre- 
pared a map of this and the coast region as far north as 
the Penobscot. 

Toward the close of the year 1620, an event occurred 
that has given to Cape Cod an historical prominence, as 
clearly marked as are its geographical features. On 
the 9th of November, of that year, a vessel, which had 
been tossed bj^ storms for man}- days, and carried to the 
north of its intended course, came within rievr of the 
I highlands of Cape Cod. This was the "Mayflower," with 
her one hundred and one passengers, anxiously seeking 
a haven of security and repose. " After manj- boister- 
ous storms, in which they could bear no sail, but were 

• vrb\\e the Cape has been for centuries the especial dread of mariners, 
and numerous vessels have been wrecked, from time to time, upon its 
long and harborless outer coast, it is not in all respects an agent of 
destruction. It is rather, what its poetical name suggests, a gigantic 
arm reaching out into the Atlantic, receiving the force of the angry 
waves, that, but for its presence, would dash with merciless fury upon 
the coast of Plymouth Countj-. This protection seems more apparent 
when the peculiar configuration of the Cape is observed. It is not an 
extended arm, but is bent at the elbow and wrist, thereby more fully 
enclosing the waters of the Bay, and suggesting, by its resemblance to 



forced to lie at hull for many daj's together," they arrived 
at Cape Cod, "the which, being made and certainly 
known to be it, they were not a little joyful." After 
tacking and steering south for a while, and finding no 
harbor along the sandj' coast, the}- changed their course, 
and rounding the extreme point of the Cape, entered, 
Nov. 11, 1G20, the haven now known as Provincetown 
Harbor. Here, in this safe and land-locked bay, they 
found, indeed, a harbor of refuge. f The first act of the 
Pilgrims after their arrival, was to fall on their knees 
and offer thanksgiving to God, who had delivered them 
from so man}- perils. Then, in the cabin of the " May- 
flower," was signed that compact of which one historian 
has said, "It was the first instrument, probably, that 
the world ever saw, recognizing true republican principles, 
and intrusting all power in the hands of the majority." 
John Car\-er, over whom the shadows of death were 
soon to gather, was chosen governor for one year. 

The preliminaries of government being arranged, 
Miles Standish, with fifteen men armed to the teeth, 
went on shore to procure wood and reconnoitre. The 
party returned on the evening of the next day, saying 
they had seen no house, nor any himian being, but had 
found the place to be a small neck of land, on one side 
the bay, and on the other the sea. It is probable that 
Standish landed on Long Point, then of far greater dimen- 
sions than now, the b,iy being the harbor in which lay 
the " Ma}-flower," and the sea the neighboring waters of 
Cape Cod Bay. 

Several exploring expeditions were undertaken under 
the leadership of Capt. Standish. Localities williin the 
present limits of Truro and Eastham were visited, and 
supplies of corn and bundles of arrows were found 

the human arm in its attitude of greatest strength, the idea of resistance 
to the encroachments of the sea. 

t It is described by the chronicler of the voyage, as a " good harbor 
and pleasant bay, round and circling, and compassed about to the very 
sea with oaks, pines, juniper, sassafras, and other sweet wood. It is a i 
harbor wherein a thousand sails of ships may safely ride. There was 
the greatest store of fowl that we ever saw. Every day we saw whales 
playing hiird by us, of which, if we h.id instruments and means to take 
them, we might have made a very rich return, but which, to our great 
grief, we wanted." 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



buried ill heaps of sand. In some Indian houses which 
the}' discovered, were many articles of cookery, and in 
one they found an English pail. A kettle, like those 
used on board vessels, was also discovered among the 
niins of a house. The night encampments of this band 
of explorers are supposed to have been near Stout's 
Creek, and on the shore of the pond that gives name to 
Pond Village in Truro. Other explorations were made 
in the shallop of the " Mayflower," along the shore of Cape 
Cod Bay. On the 28th of Kovember they entered the 
mouth of a stream which they called Cold Harbor, on 
account of the intense cold then prevailing. December 
6th they met with a tongue of land with a sandy point, 
the Billingsgate of the present day. As they drew near 
the shore they saw ten or twelve Indians, running to and 
fio as if the3* were carrying something awaj-. The}- 



safe shelter of Pro\incetown harbor. The}' joined their ] 
companions there on the 11th of December. | 

During their absence a son had been bom to William 
White and wife, fitly named Peregrine ; and the wife of 
Wilham Bradford had accidentally fallen into the sea 
and was drowned. Others of the little company had 
died — Edward Thomson, Jasper, the son of Governor 
Carver, and James Chilton. On the 1.5th of Decemljer, 
the Pilgrims, sailing from Cape Cod harbor, were driven 
back b}- a fierce north-eastsr, but the next day took their 
final departure for Plymouth. '< 

After the settlement of Plj-mouth, in 1620, we find 
that the Cape is quite frequentlj' mentioned, in connec- I 
tion with events more or less important, and the Indian 
names of localities, such as Manomet, Xauset, Matta- 
chiest, and Chumaquid, frequently occur in the narrative 



made a landing near the site of the "Old Eastham of those early times. 



Camp-Ground," and a little north of Great Pond, and 
j encamped for the night, building a barricade and setting 
! a watch. The next morning they named the body of 



It is difficult to trace with distinctness the tribes then ; 
inhabiting Cape Cod. It is quite evident that there were i 
two sachemdoms of the Cajje Indians, one extending \ 



water near which they had encamped Grampus Bay, i southward from the borders of Pljmouth, and embracing ' 
because of the dead bodies of the grampus l^ing upon 
the shore. The}' found not far distant an Indian bury- 
ing place, enclosed by palisades four or five yards long, 
set close together. This enclosure was full of graves of 
all sizes, some paled about, and others had something 
like an Indian house built over them. That night, while 
encamped on the shore near their shallop, they heard a 
great and hideous ciy, and the call of the sentinel to 
"Ann !" "Arm I" They shot off two muskets into 
the darkness and lay down again, concluding that the 
noise had been made by wolves and foxes. At five the 
next morning they heard again the great and strange cry, 
and one of the band, who had been abroad, came rush- 
ing in with the cry, " Indians ! Indians I " while a showfer 
of arrows flew through the air. Seizing their muskets, 

j thej- took good aim and discharged them at the person 

j of a "lusty Indian." whom they thought to be a chief, 
and who stood behind a tree half a musket shot away, 
and let fly his arrows. At last he gave an " extraordi- 
nary cr}'," and away they all went, the white men follow- 
ing for about half a mile. After gathering up eighteen 
of the arrows, some of which were headed with brass, 
the party knelt upon the sand and gave thanks to God 



the territory now included in Sandwich, P"almoutli, 
Mashpee, and a part of Barnstable. The other occu- 
pied the region extending eastward and northward to 
the extremity of the Cape. Of the former kingdom, the 
Mattachiest Indians under lyanough, the Manomet, and 
Slashpee, were the leading tribes. In the latter group, 
the Xauset tribe held the chief position. It is plain that 
in some way they owed allegiance to the Wampanoags, 
but that they were to a considerable degree independent, 
is shown by the fact that they could not be induced by 
iletacomct (King Philip) to join in war against the 
whites. The conduct of the natives of the Cape toward 
the settlers was uniformly generous and friendly. The 
" First Encounter " at Nausct was the only one within 
the limits of the peninsula over which, before the coming 
of the whites, they roamed at will. When the news of 
the massacre of the Weymouth Indians by the impru- 
dent Standish reached them, they seemed to lose confi- 
dence in the sincerity of the men they had befriended. 
Panic-stricken, they left their dwellings in the pleasant 
clearings, and fled to the woods and swamps, that they j 
might escape from the dreaded destroyer. There, in the i 
malarious and fever-laden atmosphere, many miserably j 
perished. Thus died the brave and gentle lyanough, ' 



for their preser\'ation. The spot where this skirmish , 
occurred was named by them the " Place of the First ■ Caunacum, the chief of Manomet, Aspinet, the sachem 
Encounter." To describe the further adventures of the of Nauset, and many others. Though ignorant of these 
party in their cniise to the westward, the night of peril results of the severity of Standish, John Robinson sent 
at Gurnet's Nose, and the subsequent discovery of across the sea the rebuking words, " It would have been 
Pl}'moutli harbor, would take us beyond the limits of better if they had converted some before they had killed 
Barnstable County. We return with the \oyagers to the any." ICotwithstanding their ill-treatment by the whites, 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



the Indians displayed a generosity rare even in civilized 
communities. A single incident will show the humane 
spirit of these untutored children of the forest. A Bos- 
ton vessel, in 1630, was wrecked upon Cape Cod. The 
Indians buried the dead that were cast upon the sands, 
cared most tenderly for the survivors, and, after they 
had sufficiently recovered, accompanied them fifty miles 
to the Plymouth settlement. 

This is but one of the many instances of kindl_v feel- 
ing exhibited by the Cape Indians, toward those who 
came among them unheralded by an^' acts of friendli- 
ness, and whose countrj-men had too rarelj- shown, in 
their dealings with the natives along the coast, the 
humane sympathies that should characterize a Christian 
race. 

II. Settlesiext. 

The first permanent English settlement within the lim- 
its of the territor}' now included in Barnstable County, 
was made in 1637, en the sits of the town of Sandwich. 
We saj- permanent settlement, because a trading-post 
had been established at Manomet ten years before. The 
settlement at Sandwich originated with Mr. Edmund 
Freeman and other citizens of Saugus, now Lynn. April 
3, 1637, the}- obtained a gi-ant of land from the authori- 
ties of Phnnouth, and at once, with a large number of 
families from Lynn, Duxbury, and rijnnouth, but chiefly 
from Lynn, removed to the location mentioned. The 
regular incorporation of the town did not occur until two 
years aftei-ward. The pioneers of this settlement were 
Edmund Freeman, Henry Feake, Thomas Dexter, Ed- 
ward Dillingham, William Wood, John Carman, Richard 
Chadwell, William Almy, Thomas Tupper, and George 
Knott. The first minister in Sandwich, Rev. William 
Leverich, removed to that place from Duxbury prior to 
1640. There was undoubtedly an organized church from 
the very first, and that a "meeting-house" was built at 
an early day appears from the fact that in 1G44, when it 
was found necessary to repair that edifice, it was called 
the " old meeting-house." 

The second permanent settlement upon Cape Cod was 
made in the eastern part of the territory called INIatta- 
cheese, in the summer of 1639, and to it was given the 
old English name of Yarmouth. The names of the 
grantees were Anthony Thatcher, John Crow (now Crow- 
ell) , and Thomas Howes. These men occupied a prom- 
inent place in the affairs of the town for many j-ears. 
The first settled minister at Yarmouth was, it is gener- 
ally- believed. Rev. Marmaduke Mathews, who came to 
Boston from Barnstaple, Eng., in 1638. lie was styled 
bj- Gov. Winthrop, " a godlj- minister." 



Closely- following the Yarmouth settlement in point of 
time, and between it and Sandwich as to location, was 
the settlement of Barnstable. The grant was obtained 
in September, 1639, and in October several families from 
Scituate remo-»-cd to the western part of Mattacheese, and 
laid the foundations of the shire town of Barnstable : 
County. But two persons are mentioned in the grant — i 
Joseph Hull, and Thomas Mitchell — but inanj- others 
were embraced under the teiin " associates." Among 
them were the pastor of the flock, Rev. John Lothrop, 
Anthou}- Annable, Henry Cobb, Thomas Cudworth, 
Samuel Fuller, George Lewis, Barnard Lumbard, Sam- 
uel Hinckley, William Crocker, AVilliam Parker, and 
William Bourne. From these have descended some of | 
the most enteq^rising citizens of the Cape, and the 
names, with scarcely an}- modification, are borne by 
many of the present generation. i 

The colon\- at Mattacheese was at first almost wholly , 
composed of members of the Scituate church, who, with i 
their pastor, settled along the southern border of the ' 
wide marshes extending eastward from Sandwich to the ' 
harbor of Barnstable. The religious character of these 1 
early settlers is evident bj- their manj- acts of prayer and 
frequent days of fasting. Jlonths before the removal 
from Scituate thej- observed a fast for the " presence of 
God in mercy to go with them to Mattakeese," and soon 
after their arrival they held a thanksgiving service at the 
house of one of their number, to celobr.ate "God's ex- , 
cecding mercy in bringing them thither in safety and in ! 
health." This spirit of humble reliance upon God is seen 
in many of their subsequent acts. On the last day of 
October a fast was held, " to implore the grace of God \ 
to settle them in church estate, to unite them in holy 
walking, and to make them faithful in keeping covenant 
with God and one another." * 

We have said that the locality selected as a place of 
settlement by Sir. Lothrop and his followers was at Mat- 
tacheese. This was indeed tiie place where they erected 
their rude dwellings, and where the first church was 
built, but other Indian localities not far distant are in- 
cluded within the limits of the present town. On the 
south side of the Cape, and bordering the Yineyaid 
Sound, was lyanough's tract, the present Hyannis. 
Near this, but farther to the west, was Cheekwaquet, 
now Centerville, and beyond that was Cotocheeset, now 
known as Osterville. Still farther to the west was Mis- 
tic, Marston's Mills, and south-west of that Coatuit, or 

• There is a tradition that the first public worship in B.imstable w.is 
not held in a house, but around a great rock, a portion of which is still 
pointed out, lying beside the raid, some two miles west of the court- 
house. The first view is prolwbly correct, for it rests upon the record 
made by Mr. Lothrop, who was very accurate in all his writings. 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



Santuit, now known as Cotuit. Inland, and including 
the region now called the " Plains," was Skunkanuck, 
bordering the river bearing the euphonious name of 
Skunknet. West of the " Great Marshes " was Skauton, 
now partly included in Barnstable and partly' in Sand- 
wich. 

At the close of the year 1639 there were but three 
English settlements upon the Cape. These three — 
Sandwich, Yarmouth, and Barnstable — had been in- 
vested with the rights and privileges of towns, and the 
next year, delegates from each of these towns were sent 
to the assemljly at Plymouth.* 

In 1640, Mr. Edmund Freeman, Sr., of Sandwich, 
was appointed assistant governor of the Colony, and he, 
with Mr. Thomas Dimoc of Barnstable, and Mr. John 
Crow of Yarmouth, were selected to attend to judicial 
matters within the three Cape townships, in cases where 
the amount of fine did not exceed twenty shillings. In 
September, 1642, an Indian outbreak seeming imminent, 
the court was hastil}' convened at Plymouth. Jliles 
Standish was appointed captain of the military force ; 
William Palmer of Yarmouth, lieutenant; Peregi'ine 
White, ensign, and Messrs. Edmund Freeman, Anthony 
Thatcher, and Thomas Dimoc, members of the council 
of war. 

In 1643, the j-ear of the confederation of most of the 
New England Colonies, which some have interpreted to 
be the germ of our national system, a requisition was 
made for men to join an expedition against the Indians ; 
the towns upon the Cape furnished their quota of three 
each. These towns were given permission to organize 
military companies, subject to the rules of the Pl^-mouth 
court and council. Yarmouth and Barnstable were to 

• The early history of the Cape is necessarily interwoven with that of 
the riymouth Colony, of which it formed a part for many years. The 
pceuUar customs and stringent laws of those primitive times were in 
force here, as well as in the settlements across the bay. Evidences of 
the watch care of the Plymouth Colony are seen in the records of the 
court. AVe read that Mr. John Aldcn and Capt. Miles Standish go to 
Sandwich with all convenient speed, and set forth the bounds of the 
lands granted there. Joseph Windsor and Anthony Besse, who were 
industriously laboring to clear the patches of ground assigned to them, 
were reported to the court for " disorderly keeping house alone." At a 
hiter period the court decreed that profane swearing should be pun- 
ished by Bitting in the stocks three hours, or by imprisonment. For tell- 
ing lies, a two hours' Imprisonment in the stocks was the penalty for 
each offence. A pair of stocks was erected in Yarmouth, so it is reason- 
able to suppose thai tne penalty was rigidly meted out to all offenders 
Other acts to prevent idleness and to compel a proper oljservance of the 
Sabbath were put upon record. To speak against the clergy was no 
small offence, and for this grave offence, William Mathews of Yarmouth 
was censured by the court, and laid under bonds to leave the place in 
si.'c months. 

While the Quaker troubles agitated the Massachusetts Colony, the 
Cape towns received no small share of attention from the Plymouth 
Court. Sandwich was presented for not having a full supply of powder. 



provide a place "for the defence of themselves, their 
wives and children, in case of sudden assault." Happily, 
no outbreak occurred, and, with the exception of the 
fitting out of an expedition against the Narragansetts, 
in 1645, no event of importance marked the two subse- 
quent j-ears. 

Kauset, the fourth in the list of Cape towns, was in- 
corporated in 1646, and, five years after, the name was 
changed to Eastham. In 1657, Mr. Thomas Prince of 
this town, who had been assistant governor of the 
Colony for many years, was elected governor. 

In 1660, through the agencj- of Mr. Richard Bourne 
of Sandwich, 10,500 acres of land were set apart by the 
court for the exclusive use of the Mashpee Indians. 
Twenty-five years later, this grant was ratified b^- the 
Ph-mouth court, and it was provided that this tract of 
land should be assigned to the South Sea Indians, living 
about Satuit Pond, and in Mashpee and vicinit}', " to 
be perpetually to thciii and to their children, so that no 
part of them shall be granted to, or purchased bj- any 
English whatsoever, without the consent of all the said 
Indians." 

The jear 1674 opened with portents of the storm 
that was soon to break upon the Colonies, the destructive 
King Philip's war. The citizens of the Cape had an 
active part in the events of those troublous times. While 
no surprises or attacks occurred within their borders, 
thej- shared with others in the expenses of the campaign, 
and gave to the service a large number of their bravest 
men. The soldiers of Barnstable were engaged in 
several battles, and man}' were slain. 

The Cape Indians, though nominallj' a part of the 
Wampanoags, did not join the forces of Philip, but 

and a fine imposed. The wife of a Mr. Hall of Barnstable, for interfer- 
ence in the domestic aHiiirs of another family, was warned " to desist, 
and carry herself better in the future." Josins Ilallett and Thomas Gage 
were fined for profaning the Lord's d:\y by putting forth to sea from 
Sandwich on that day. In 1653 two women were sentenced to be pub- 
licly whipped in Sandwich for disturbing the public worship and abusing 
the minister. &cvcral persons were arrested, and some of them fined, for 
giving encouragement and uheltcr to Quakers. Soon after, others were 
aiTested for " tumultuous carriage " at a meeting of Quakers, and fined 
twenty shillings. One of these was subsequently fined forty shillings 
for permitting a meeting of Quakers at his house. Lieut. Fuller of Barn- 
stable, for saying that " the law enacted about ministers' maintenance 
was a wicked and devilish law," and that " the devil sat at the stem 
when it was enacted," was fined fifty shillings. The year 1660 was 
marked to an extraordinary degree by a spirit of resistance to the ordi- 
nances of the court. A citizen of Sandwich paid a heavy fine for enter- 
taining a Quaker, and the latter individual was sentenced to lie " neck 
and heels," and afterwards was whipped and sent away. Others were 
aftenvards fined for harboring members of the "accursed sect," but the 
excitement gradually died away. The locality of these difficulties is to- 
day peopled by the worthy descendants of the persecuted Quakers, 
and the " Friends' Mcetlng-House " is a prominent landmark in that 
vicinity. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



remained neutral, or became allies of the English. In 
the darkest days of the war, when the frontier towns of 
Taunton, Middleborough, and Eridgcwatcr were men- 
aced, and, in some instances, the inhabitants driven 
from their homes, the Indians of Nauset, Mattachiest, 
and Manomet, were true to tlieir white neighbors. The 
freedom of the towns in this vicinity- from the alarms 
that prevailed in otiier localities, enabled them to extend 
an invitation to their more unfortunate brethren, to re- 
move to the Cape for safet3-.* 

Much credit is due to the town of Sandwich for the 
part it sustained in the war. Its frontier i)osition upon 
the Cape was of much service, in preventing an alliance 
of the Indians of the vicinity with the Wampanoags. 
Extending sympathy- in one direction, it exercised the 
utmost vigilance in the other, lest the emissaries of the 
wily Metacomct should incite a warlike spirit among the 
natives, and the colonists, from Nauset to Manomet, be 
involved in a defensive war. 

In 1679, select courts, for the better administration of 
justice were established, and, two years later, Mr. 
Tliomas Hinckley of Barnstable became governor of the 
Colon}-, Mr. James Cudworth, one of the original set- 
tlers of Barnstable, succeeding Mr. Hinckley as assist- 
ant governor. 

Tlie year 1C85 is marked by the division of the Plym- 
outh Colony into three counties : Plymouth, Bristol and 
Barnstable. The latter county then included eight 
towns: Sandwich, Yarmouth, Barnstable, Eastham, Fal- 
moutli, Harwich, Truro, and Chatham ; but only the four 
first mentioned were fully incorporated. Barnstable was 
selected as the county-seat, a court-house erected, and 
officers of the court appointed. Families from Sandwich 
and Barnstable, having settled from time to time in 
Suckonessit, the Indian tract lying on the Vineyard 
Sound, west of Mashpee, this region was incorporated, 
in 168G, as the town of Falmouth. Another tract, west 
of Sandwich, was incorporated as Rochester, in the 
county of Barnstable, but was soon set off to Plymouth 
County, and, from the time of this transfer, the limits of 
the former county were strictly confined to Cape Cod. 

The county of Barnstable had some part in King 
William's war, and, in 1G90, men were furnished for an 
unsuccessful campaign. September 14, 1G94, Harwich 
was given the rights and privileges of a town. Three 

« The response of the town of Taunton shows a suitable appreciation 
of the generous Invitation. It w.is in the foMowing language : " Vi'e 
bless God th;it he hath given us so much room in your hearts, that you 
so freely tender to us a part with you in your houses, fields, and pro- 
visions, at such a time when the Lord is threatening us with bereave- 
ment of our o\vn. It much comforteth us in this day of darkness, that 
we shall want no succor you arc able to afford us." 



years afterward a committee was appointed by the court 
to view a place for a passage to bo cut tlirough the land 
from Manomet Bay to Barnstable Ba}-, for vessels to 
pass through, " it being thought that it will be very 
useful and profitable to the public." Tiius was inau- 
gurated tlie Cape Cod Sliip Canal project, which has 
been agitated to no purpose for more than a century and 
a half. Before tlie jcar 1730 three additional towns 
came mto existence upon the Cape. Tlie first of these 
comprised a district which had been known for many 
years as Paniet ; but, since 1705, bj' the English name 
of Dangerfield. This tract was incorporated July 16, 
1709, as the town of Truro. The second, included a 
tract known -is Monamoiett, comprised within the limits 
of Harwich, but incorporated June 11, 1712, as the town 
of Chatham. 

The last of the three included a tract at the extremitj' 
of the Cape, hitherto called the " Province Lands." 
Tliis tract was incorporated as a township June 14, 1727, 
under the appropriate name of Provincetown. 

From the beginning of the century, with the creation 
of new towns, the histoiy of the Cape necessarily- widens, 
and but few of the man}- loading events can be noticed. 
In 1706, occurred the death of one who had occupied a 
prominent position in the affairs of the C'olonj- for man}- 
years. Gov. Thomas Ilmclvlo}". This distinguished man 
died very suddenly in Barnstable, April 2oth, at the age 
of eighty-six. 

In 1718, an event transpired which gave rise to many 
interesting traditions. The pirate-ship " AVhidah," of 
twent3--three guns and one hundred and thirty men, 
commanded by Samuel Bellamy, committed many depre- 
dations near the New England coast. Several vessels 
were captured, upon one of which, seven of the pirates 
were placed as a crew. While those men wore sleeping 
off the elfocts of a drunken debauch, the master of the 
vessel ran her ashore on the back side of the Capo, and 
the seven pirates were secured. Not long after, the 
high winds prevailing at that time, drove the pirate-ship 
itself upon the sands of Wellfleet. But two of that 
robber crew, an Einghshman and Indian, escaped the 
fury of the waves. Six of the pirates from the ves- 
sel first wrecked were taken to Boston and executed. 
To this day, the traveller in the vicinity of the wreck, 
recalls in imagination the scenes of that stormy night 
and the morning following, when the forms of more 
than a hundred of the pirate crew of " Bellamy's fleet" 
strewed the beach, or rose and fell with the incoming 
and receding waves. 

For many years previous to the date of this occurrence, 
the fishing interests of the Cape had suffered to a great 



massachusp:tts. 



extent, on account of the claim by the French of the 
exclusive right to the waters east of the Kennebec, and 
their seizure of all English vessels emplo3-ed in talcing 
fish in that region. Owing to this and the general busi- 
ness depression throughout New England, much suffer- 
ing and destitution prevailed.* 

In 1738, an important manufacturing interest had its 
inception in the southerly part of the town of Barnstable. 
Mr. Benjamin Marston, probablj- the first of that name 
in Barnstable, was granted extensive mill privileges in 
the locality named, for the pm'pose of dressing fabrics 
of linen and woollen. From that date the region has 
been known as Marston's Mills. The originator of this 
enteiprise was a prominent citizen of the town for many 
3'ears, and from him have descended several distin- 
guished men. Among these have been N3'mphas Jlars- 
ton, Esq., a graduate of Yale College, whose services in 
the Revolution were invaluable to the patriot cause ; Hon. 
NjTnphas Marston, a graduate of Harvard College, 
senator and judge, who has been termed the " father of 
the bar in Barnstable County ; " Hon. Charles Marston, 
senator, member of the executive council, high sherifT, 
and Indian commissioner ; and Hon. George IMarston, 
judge of probate, the efficient district-attorney for south- 
eastern Massachusetts for many years, and now the 
attorney-general of the Commonwealth. 

During the year 1739, many citizens of the county 
went to Cuba on an expedition against the Spanish, and 
some fell victims to disease, while encamped on that 
island. In 1743, the people of Provincetown presented 
a memorial to the General Court asking for relief for 
that place. It was represented that a large number of 
the inhabitants had removed to other localities, so that 
the town was in a great measure broken up ; not one of 
the selectmen remaining. 

The inhabitants of the county enlisted in considerable 
numbers for service in the English armj' during King 
George's war, beginning in 1744, and continuing until 
1748, and several were taken prisoners bj' the French. 
Some greatly distinguished themselves at the siege of 
Louisburg, and many of the honored names of Barn- 
stable and other towns appear on the regimental rolls of 

* A few years later much political contention was excited because of 
tlie issue by the General Court, for the third time, of bills of credit toa 
large amount. These bills were issued " to relieve the decline of trade," 
and, depreciating to a great degree, brought the Colony close upon the 
verge of financial ruin. The inhabitants of Cape Cod shared in the 
effects of this unwise legislation ; and the suffering engendered by the 
fishery troubles was much increased. 

t In the summer of 1756 a scene was enacted near the western border 
of the cotmty that well illustrates the sorrows of war. A large com- 
pany of French people sailed up the Manomet River in seven two-mast 
boats, and, for some time, their character w.as a source of speculation to 



the conquerors. Not less honorable was the service of 
the Cape soldiers in the French and Indian war a few 
j-ears later. When, in 1758, the call came for men to 
assist in the reduction of Canada, Barnstable County 
furnished its full quota, and sailors who had braved the 
dangers of the sea were "in at the death" wherever 
the men of Massachusetts upheld the honor of the Eng- 
lish arms.f 

The town of Wellfleet came into existence in 1763, it 
being incorporated as a district, with all the privileges 
of a town, except that it was united with Eastham in 
the election of a representative to the General Court. 

Hardly had the " Old French War" come to a close, 
when the preliminary acts that culminated in the Ameri- 
can Revolution began to excite a spirit of determined 
resistance among the colonists. In no part of New 
England was there stronger opposition of sentiment to 
the oppressive acts of parliament than in the county that 
gave to the patriot cause James Otis, the great champion 
of liberty and human rights. It was he who said in 
reference to the " Mutiny Act," which provided that all 
offenders against the laws should be sent to England for 
trial. " Let Great Britain rescind ; if she does not, the 
Colonies are lost forever." The temper of the hardy 
sons of the Cape is shown by an incident that occiu-red 
in New York. Isaac Sears, afterwards Col. Sears, 
who had commanded a privateer, and who was connected 
with one of the most distinguished famiUes of Yarmouth, 
placed himself at the head of a body of men gathered 
to resist the enforcement of the obnoxious Stamp Act. 
With the cr^', "Hurrah! my boys, we will have the 
stamps ! " he led them on, and the stamps were seized 
and consigned <o the flames. He was then placed by the 
people at the head of the committee of safety. Another 
incident, occurring in 1773, before the Boston Tea Party, 
was not less significant. The last of the tea ships, com- 
manded by Capt. Loring, was cast ashore on the back 
of the Cape. Most of the cargo was lost, but of that 
saved, it was declared, " we will resist the sale and use 
of this article, if needs be, in blood up to our knees." 

November 16, 1774, a county congress assembled at 
the com-t-house in Barnstable. Hon. James Otis, Sen., 

the residents in that vicinity. They professed to be bound to Boston, 
and wished to have their boats carted across the isthmus to the opposite 
bay. They said they were last from Rhode IsLind, but previously 
from Nova Scotia, and women and children formed part of the com- 
pany. Not knowing their character, and fearing that they might go to 
strengthen the enemy, they were detained by the authorities and after- 
wards distributed among the several towns for safe keeping, until the 
matter could be better understood. The reader need hardly to be told 
that these wandering families of " French neutrals " were the unfortu- 
nate Acadians, who, homeless since their cruel banishment, were wan- 
derers upon the face of the earth. 



HISTORY OF XEW ENGLAND. 



was chosen chairman, and Col. Joseph Otis, clerk of the 
meeting. The latter gentleman. Col. Nathaniel Free- 
man, an ardent patriot, who had taken an active part in 
protecting the rights of the people, Mr. Thomas Paine, 
Daniel Davis, Esq., and Mr. Job Crocker, were appointed 
a committee of correspondence. Others were chosen 
a committee to consider further the public grievances and 
the state of the countrv, and report at a future meeting. 
Thus was inaugurated that union of effort, which, on a 
larger scale throughout the Colonies, gave success to the 
patriot cause. 

AYhen the news of the battle of Lexington reached 
this vicinity, the citizens of the coimty responded with 
patriotic promptness to the summons to arms. Before 
the close of the year, hundreds had enlisted in the Con- 
tinental army. In January of the following year, upon 
the call of Gen. Washington for reinforcements, two 
hundred and sixty men were furnished. Later in the 
3-ear, another call for men to go to Canada was answered 
bj' the enlistment of a large number, including manj- of 
the Mashpee Indians. The militia of the county was 
organized into two regiments, the first being commanded 
by Col. Nathaniel Freeman, and the second by Col. 
Joseph Doane. In March, 1776, the county was required 
to furnish more than two hundred men for the army of 
Gen. Washington. These calls for men for the Con- 
tinental senice were frequent throughout the war, until 
thousands had left their homes and were engaged in the 
struggle for independence. 

The year 1777 opened gloomily for the inhabitants of 
the Cape. Not only were neighbors and kindred involved 
in political animosities, in many instances the Whig and 
Tory occupying adjoining estates, but the entire coast- 
line of the count}- was watched by British cruisers. 
Thus conunerce was obstructed, and the fisheries, from 
which the people derived a large part of their income, 
prevented. But one alternative remained for these 
adventurous seamen ; to see their fishing vessels going to 
decay at the wharves, or to push out boldly as privateers, 
and, with the imminent danger of capture, serve their 
country by preying on British commerce. It is not 
strange that numbers engaged in the latter service, meet- 
ing, in many instances, with success in the capture of 
valuable prizes, but in others being themselves cai)tured, 
and spending weary months and 3-ears immured in British 
prison-ships, rejecting the offer of liberty upon the con- 
dition that tbey engage in the service of the king. 

In September, 1778, Gen. Otis, the commander of the 
county brigade, went to Falmouth with a portion of his 
force, and prevented the enemj- from landing and burning 
the place. Great depredations were committed b\- the 



British upon the Vineyard side of the Sound. Leading 
patriots were seized and held as hostages, houses rifled, 
windows broken, and 9,000 sheep and 350 head of cattle 
carried off. Falmouth would have been visited, but for 
the presence of the militia, who were thought by the 
enemy to be as "thick as bees, five thousand strong, 
with plenty of artillor}-." Gen. Otis wrote, in reply to an 
order for fifty men to go to Providence, " As the enemy 
are around and threaten danger here, it is like dragging 
men from their home when their houses are on fire, but I 
will do my best to comply." 

The inhabitants of the Cape were greatly alarmed in 
November by the appearance of a British squadron in 
Cape Cod Bay, and later, on the south side of the Cape 
in Vineyard Sound. It was during this month that Col. 
James Otis, father of the illustrious patriot of the same 
name, and also of Gen. Joseph Otis, and Slercy Warren, 
wife of Gen. James Warren, died in Barnstable at an 
advanced age. 

December 2Gth and 27th, the terrible gale, known as 
the " Magee storm," swept along the New England coast. 
Several of the citizens of Cape Cod perished on boai-d 
the brig " Gon. Arnold," which was driven ashore near 
the harbor of Plymouth. This ill-fated vessel, mounting 
twenty guns, and carrjing a crew of one hundi-ed and 
five men and boys, commanded bj' Capt. James Magee, 
sailed from Boston harbor two days before the storm, on 
a cruise. The vessel stranded near Pl\-mouth, and, as 
the cold was intense, was soon enveloped in snow and 
ice, while the entire shore was congealed, thus preventing 
aid being aflTorded from persons on the land. When the 
vessel was boarded, seventj^ dead and frozen bodies were 
prostrate on the deck, or fastened to the masts and spars. 
Of those in whom life yet remained, nearly all died. 
Among those who perished was Lieut. John Russel of 
Barnstable. 

The British fleet continued to infest Buzzard's Bav* and 
Vineyard Sound in 1779, and the militia were on guard 
in that vicinity. Certain refugees created much trouble 
in the neighborhood of Falmouth, and several vessels 
and pilot-boats were seized. Gen. Otis applied for a 
number of eight-pounders and swivels, and engaged to 
procure two small vessels and sweep the Sound. Capt. 
Dimmick, of Falmouth, in a small vessel, carr\ing two 
three-pounders and two tcooden guns, and manned by 
twenty-five men, took the British vessel " Gen. Leslie," 
lying in Old Town Harbor, and carrying tea four-pound- 
ers, and a crew of twenty-seven men. 

The concluding years of the war were of peculiar hard- 
ship to the people of the Cape. The frequent calls for 
army supplies of beef and clothing, were especially se- 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



vcre upon a communitj', whose main sources of revenue 
had been cut off for j-ears. The ocean, with its wealth, 
was no longer at their command, and with a large pro- 
portion of the able-bodied men in the field, but little had 
been done in agi'iculture and manufacturing. AVith the 
currenc3' of the country so depreciated that the pay of a 
private for four months was hardly sufficient to purchase 
a single meal, it is not strange that many homes were 
the abodes of extreme poverty. The last call for troops 
that came to Barnstable found some of the towns iu 
great financial distress, jet thiiij--six men were sent to 
help complete the Massachusetts quota. In 1783, six 
of the towns were unable to pay their State tax, and the 
treasurer was authoiized to remit two-thirds of the as- 
sessed amount. 

On the 23d of May, the most illustrious of Barnstable's 
manj' noble sons, died in Andover at the age of fifty- 
eight. This was the patriot, James Otis, Jr., of whom 
the elder President Adams said, "I have been j-oung, 
and now am old, and I solemnl}- say, I have never known 
a man whose love of country was more ardent and sin- 
cere, never one who suffered so much, never one whose 
ser^■ices for any ten j-ears of his life were so important 
and essential to the cause of his country, as those of 
Mr. Otis from 17G0 to 1770." These ser\-ices as the 
champion of colonial rights, in the j-ears preceding the 
Revolutionarj' struggle, gained for him the title of the 
"great incendiary of New England." Until 1769, when 
his intellect was shattered b}' the blow of a cowardlv 
ruffian, whose enmitj' had been aroused by well-merited 
censure, he was among the foremost of the great men of 
his day. The heroism of his noble life, and the circum- 
stances of his tragic death by swift lightning-stroke, in 
fulfilment of an oft-expressed wish to be thus taken from 
the world, invest his career with an interest far surpass- 
ing that of ordinary' men. 

For several years after the close of the Revolution, no 
events of great general interest transpired in Barnstable 
County. We pass over events of minor importance, to 
the j-ear 1793, when the East Precinct of Yarmouth was 
incorporated on the 19th of June, as the town of Dennis. 
March 3, 1797, a portion of Eastham was set off as the 
town of Orleans. 

In 1798, during the difiBculties of this country with 
France, many of the Cape seamen were in command of 
privateers. Among these was Capt. Roland R. Crocker, 
a native of Falmouth, who was captured bj' a French 
vessel, after a musket-shot had passed through his body. 
lie was taken to France, and, after his release, continued 
in marine pursuits and had many thi'illing adventures. 
It is said that in the course of his long and eventful 



life, he crossed the ocean one hundred and sixty-four 
times. 

In 1800, according to the census then completed, the 
population of the county was 19,293. Feb. 19, 1803, 
the North Precinct of Harwich was incorporated as the 
town of Brewster. The maritime interests of the county 
sulTered to an unparalleled extent in 1808, from the ef- 
fects of the " Embargo Act," passed b}- Congress the 
year before and sanctioned by President Jefferson. The 
fisheries being abandoned, the harbors were occupied by 
dismantled vessels, and unemployed sailors were on 
ever}' hand. This condition of affairs continued for sev- 
eral years, and the depression was increased by the war 
of 1812. ■ 

Notwithstanding the general inactivity in commerce, 
the citizens of Barnstable County were among the most 
enthusiastic supporters of the government, and had no 
small share in the occuiTences of that eventful period. 
While suflTering severely in its commercial interests, the 
county cheerfully gave to the army and naval service, 
especially to the latter, the best and bravest of its hardy 
sons. The sentiment of the people was expressed in the 
following public declaration : " We consider the war in 
which we are engaged as just, necessarv, and unavoidable, 
and we will support the same with our lives and for- 
tunes." Several towns were menaced b}' the enemy's 
vessels of war, but no attack was made. Brewster, how- 
ever, escaped being burned, by a contribution of money. 
The same demand was made of other towns, but they 
declined to give anything and were not molested. When 
the war closed, commerce began gradually to revive, and 
soon the indications of the dawn of better times were 
seen on every hand. Among the institutions which were 
established during the next score of years were the Fal- 
mouth Bank, incorporated Feb. 14, 1821, with a capital 
of 8100,000 ; the Barnstable Bank at Yarmouth, char- 
tered Feb. 2G, 1825 ; and the Savings Institution at 
Barnstable, incorporated in January, 1829. This latter 
institution had a long and prosperous career until a year 
previous to the present writing, when, with others in the 
count}-, it was forced to suspend, and is now in the 
hands of receivers. 

The first printed newspaper published in the comity, 
was issued at Falmouth in 1826. It was called the 
" Nautical Intelligencer," and was soon after published at 
Barnstable, under the title of the " Barnstable Gazette 
and Nautical Intelligencer." The same year (Feb. 22d) 
the Boston and Sandwich Glass Company was established, 
with a capital of $300,000. 

Oct. 22, 1827, the county house at Barnstable was 
burned, and manj' valuable volumes of records of deeds 



HISTORY OF NEAV ENGLAND. 



and probate records were destro3-ed. A fine granite 
court-house was soon after erected, which is now under- 
going enlargement and repairs. 

In 1S34, the Indian Plantation of Mashpee, after sev- 
eral changes in its manner of government, was consti- 
tuted a district, bj' a special act of the legislature. Hy 
this act the people were allowed to choose officers and to 
manage their own affairs, with the assistance of a com- 
missioner appointed b}' the State. In 1870 the district 
was fullj- incorporated as an independent township, the 
j-oungest upon the Cape. The Pocasset Iron Company 
in Sandwich, and the Wellflect Savings Institution, were 
incorporated the same j-ear ; and the next j'ear Falmouth 
Academy-, aftcrwaids called Lawrence Academy, was 
established. 

The towns upon the Cape suffered to some extent dar- 
ing the commercial depression of 1837, but local improve- 
ments were carried forward, and several fishing compa- 
nies were organized. In 1838, the "Camp Meeting 
Grove Corporation" was authorized to hold a tract of 
land in Eastham for the purpose of annual religious 
gatherings. From the time of the organization of the 
first camp meeting, until the removal to the present lo- 
cation at Yarmouth, thousands of Methodists made their 
annual pilgrimage, by stage, sailing vessel, or steamer, 
to "Millennial Grove." 

The third of September, 1839, was a memorable day in 
the history of the quiet village of Barnstable. On that da}- 
the two hundredth anniversary of the settlement of the 
town was observed with appropriate ceremonies. Dr. J. 
G. Palfrey was the orator of the day, and speeches were 
made b}' Gov. Everett, Chief Justice Shaw, Hon. Robert 
C. Winthrop, Hon. B. F. Hallctt, and others. 

In October, 1841, Truro was visited b_y a terrible 
calamit}', frftj-'Seven men from that town being lost in a 
single gale. Four j-ears afterward, the entire crew of a 
fishing vessel, from that town, were lost on the Grand 
Banks, and, a few months subsequently, nearl}- a whole 
crew perished within haihng distance of Pond Village. 

To mention, in detail, the various coqjorations which 
came into existence subsequent to the j-ear 1840, would 
require more than our allotted space. Among the more 
important were the Barnstable County Agricultural 
Society, incorporated March 15, 1844 ; the Cape Cod 
Branch Railroad, afterwards the Cape Cod Railroad 

(1846) ; the Manomet Iron Company of Sandwich 

(1847) ; the Sandwich Savings Bank (1848) ; the 
Provincetown Bank, and the Seaman's SaA'ings Bank 
(1854) ; the Bank of Cape Cod, and the Cape Cod 
Savings Bank at Harwich (1855) ; the Nantucket and 
Cape Cod Steamboat Company, the Cape Cod Telegraph 



Company (1855) ; the First National Bank of Hj-annis 
(18G5) ; and the Hyannis Savings Bank (1868). 

The Cape Cod Railroad was first opened to travel, as 
far as Sandwich, in 1848, and was extended to Hyannis 
in Jul}', 1854. The road from Yarmouth to Orleans 
was opened bj- the Cape Cod Central Railroad Company, 
in December, 1865, and purchased by the Cape Cod 
Railroad Company, in 1868, and it was extended to 
Wellfleet in January, 1871. In October of the following 
year, the Cape Cod Railroad was consolidated with the 
Old Colony and Newport Railroad, and the name of the 
united road was changed to the Old Colony Railroad. 
The Cape Cod division was extended to Provincetown 
July 23, 1873, and, soon after, President Grant, and 
several members of his cabinet, passed over the road to 
its terminus. The Wood's Holl Branch of the Cape 
Cod Railroad was opened July 18, 1872. The summer 
travel over this road, connecting with steamers for Oak 
Bluffs and Nantucket, is very extensive. 

May 12, 1851, the Cape Cod Association in Boston 
was organized, having for its object the " bringing into 
acquaintance and familiar social communion, those claim- 
ing a common Cape Cod origin." April 21, 1856, a 
similar organization was effected in New York Cit}'. 

The Barnstable County Agricultural Society, men- 
tioned above, has exerted a marked influence upon the 
farming interests of the Cape, and its annual fairs are 
occasions of more than local interest. 

In 1858, a second establishment for the manufacture 
of glass, was completed at Sandwich, and was known as 
the Cape Cod Glass Factory. It was for several years 
the rival of the older corporation in that place, — the 
Boston and Sandwich Glass Company, — but has not 
been in active operation for some years, and its buildings 
are now going to decay. 

The citizens of Barnstable were employed in their 
peaceful avocations, at home and upon the sea, when 
the " roll-call of Sumter's guns " announced the begin- 
ning of the war of the Rebellion. They answered the 
summons of President Lincoln for volunteers, with the 
same readiness with which their fathers answered the 
call of 1812, and their fathers the earlier call to the 
fields of the Revolution. The old town-house, in the 
centre of Barnstable, became the scene of enthusiastic 
mass meetings, and every town upon the Cape bore its 
part in the furnishing of recruits. During the war, the 
comity sent into the army and naval service more than 
two thousand men. 

The more recent historj' of the count}' is marked by 
the vicissitudes common in other portions of New Eng- 
land. The war debts of the various towns, some of 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



them very heavj-, have been gradually- paid, and, for 
some 3-ears previous to the panic of 1873, general pros- 
perity pi'evailed. Since that period, manj' financial 
reverses have been experienced. Tlie revenue from the 
fisheries has been materially decreased, and the coasting 
trade has suffered greatly, by reason of increased facili- 
ties for railroad transportation. Banlcing institutions, 
supposed to be among the strongest in the State, have 
been ooliged to yield to the pressure of adverse circum- 
stances, and to pass into the control of receivers. Not- 
withstanding tliese re\erscs, the citizens of Barnstable 
have kept pace with the moral and educational improve- 
ments of the age. Recognizing the fact that financial 
difficulties, lil^e the storms thej^ have breasted upon tlie 
ocean, are but temporary, while truth and integrit}' are 
eternal, they have done, and, we believe, are still doing, 
their part, to mould the community in harmon}- with 
their convictions. 

III. Towns. 

Barnstable, the shire town of the county, occupies 
the entire breadth of Cape Cod between Sandwich and 
Yarmouth. It consists of several villages, some of con- 
siderable size. Two of these, Barnstable and West 
Barnstable, are on the north side of the Cape, and the 
others, Hyannis, Centre^'ille, Osterville, Marston's Mills. 
Cotuitport, and Cotuit Village, lie along the shore of 
Vineyard Sound. Other settlements of scattered dwell- 
ings are farther inland, near the base of a range of hills. 
North of this range the surface is quite uneven, and hills 
and valleys extend to the border of a region known as 
the " Great Marshes." These marshes, or salt meadows, 
stretch westward from Barnstable harbor for several 
miles, and northward to a long and narrow peninsula 
known as Sandy Neck. South of the hill region are 
extensive upland meadows, beautiful ponds, and large 
tracts of woodland, with occasional openings. Nine-mile 
Pond, near the centre of the town, covers nearly' eight 
hundred acres. Barnstable village, situated on a harbor 
of similar name in the north-eastern part of the town, 
contains the county buildings and a United States cus- 
tom-house. This latter is a fine structure of brick, and, 
with the granite court-house, recently enlarged, adds to 
the attractiveness of the place. The village has a good 
hotel, three churches, schools, a pubUc library, and 
many pleasant residences. The "Barnstable Patriot," 
long conducted by Maj. S. B. Phinne3-, a well-known 
politician, and now published by F. B. Goss, Esq., col- 
lector of the port, is an able journal with a large circu- 
lation. West Barnstable, bordering on the " Great 
Marshes," is mainly an agricultural village, and has 



some good farms, of which that of Hon. L. L. Good- 
speed, high sheriff of the countj', is the most noticeable. 
The manufacture of brick is carried on in the vicinity. 
Within the limits of this farm is a spot made sacred as 
the birthplace of James Otis — the ' ' morning star that 
flamed in the forehead of the Revolution." Upon a slight 
eminence in the southern part of the village stands the 
historic Congregational "meeting-house" of the West 
Parish. It is maintained that this church, which was 
organized in England in 1616, is the oldest independent 
Congregational cliurcli of that name in the toorld. The 
oaken frame of the present edifice was erected in 1718. 
Hj-annis, the ancient " l3-anough's tract," and one of 
the finest \'illages on the Cape, is pleasantly located in the 
south-eastern part of the town, upon an elevated table- 
land, overlooking the harbor. It presents a thriving 
appearance, with its numerous stores, elegant residences, 
neat school buildings, and churches. Among the latter 
is that of the Universalists, of modern architecture and 
tasteful design. The place also contains a national 
bank, carriage-factory, foundry, &c. The harbor fur- 
nishes a convenient roadstead for shipping, and is pro- 
tected bj' a stone breakwater, constructed by the govern- 
ment at a large expense. Hjannis Port is a watering- 
place of some note, and has many summer cottages, 
resembling those of Oak Bluffs and other places of fash- 
ionable resort on the coast. Centreville is a handsome 
village south west of Hyannis. Its main avenue is shaded 
with elms and lined with handsome dwellings. At its 
head is the monument erected to the memorj'' of the 
soldiers of Barnstable who perished in the late war. 
The Christian Camp Meeting Association hold their 
annual gatherings in a grove to the eastward of the vil- 
lage. The rare and beautiful pink water-lil^' is found in 
a pond near this grove. 

Osterville and Cotuitport, farther west, are popular 
summer resorts. The Cotocheeset House, a mile dis- 
tant from the former village, has an extensive and grow- 
ing popularitj' and patronage. The town has a popula- 
tion of 4,302 persons. The men are emplo3ed for the 
most part in nautical pursuits and in tilling the soil. 

Among the many distinguished men born in Barn- 
stable, and not elsewhere mentioned, were Maj. Gen. 
John Wallej' (1643-1712), judge of the Supreme Court; 
Dr James Thatcher (17.54-1S44), a surgeon in the Con- 
tinental army, author of a " Militarj' Journal," and 
numerous other works; Hon. Daniel Davis (1762-1830), 
an able lawyer; Hon. Lemuel Shaw, LL. D. (1781— 
1861), for thirty j-ears chief justice of the Supreme 
Court of Massachusetts ; Hon. Zeno Scudder (1807-57), 
at one time president of the Massachusetts Senate, 



HISTORY OF XEVT ENGLAND. 



and siibscquenth- a member of Congress ; and Hon. 
IJenj. F. Ilallett, an able law^-er and an active politician. 

Y^vEMOUTH (Mattacheesc) adjoins Barnstable on the 
east, and extends across the Cape from the Bay to the 
Atlantic. Point Gammon projects from the southern 
shore far out into the so.i, and partially encloses Lewis 
Bay. Tlie surface of the town is diversified, and ponds 
of clearest water abound. German's Hill, near the centre 
of the town, is 133 feet high. Tlie soil on the " north 
side " is generalFy quite productive, and on the opposite 
side, though light and sandy, j-ields moderate crops. 
The people are engaged quite extensively in nautical 
pursuits, but some attend to agriculture. The principal 
villages are Yarmouth, _-g=,- . ^ , ^ .-^^ 

— a part of which is 

called Yarmouthport, _ / ' 

— South and West ^- " 
Yarmouth. The form- 
er place is oue of ihe ; 
most beautiful villages 

of the county. <)n 
both sides of the hand- 
somely shaded main 
street are residences 
having an air of solid 
comfort. Some of 
these are of antique ap- 
pearance but in good 
repair, and, being in- 
terspersed with those 
of modern structure, 
produce a pleasing ef- 
fect. ^^"^ CF . 

The school focilities are of a high order ; and several 
churches and public institutions are located here. The 
village has a good public librarj-, an enterprising jour- 
nal, the " Yarmouth Register," edited by Hon. C. F. 
Swift, and a national bank. The railroad accommoda- 
tions are good, and the Hyannis Branch joins the Cape 
Cod Railroad here. The Yarmouth Camp Meeting 
Association hold their annual meeting in an oak grove a 
mile south of the village. This had its origin in the old 
Eastham camp-meeting, and the transfer was made 
partly on account of the difficult access to the latter. 
Within the groimds of the association are some two hun- 
dred and fifty cottages and tents ; and the place has a 
good reputation as a summer resort. 

South Yarmouth is a beautiful village, upon a high 
and level plateau near Bass River. The manufacture of 
salt from sea- water was at one time largelj' the business 




of the place, and, until a recent date, acres of land were 
covered with salt-works ; and windmills, used for pumi> 
ing the water into the vats, were numerous. 

The entire town has a population of 2,264. It has 
been the birthplace of many brave and accompHshcd 
men. Its seamen have been especiallj' noted for their 
daring, and many have held high positions in the navy 
and merchant service. 

Among the citizens of Yarmouth who have attained to 
eminence are Rev. Samuel West, D.D., (1730-1807) ; 
Rev. Timotiiy Aldeu, D.D. (1771-1830), an author, and 
a lineal descendant of John Alden of Plj-mouth ; Hon. 
John Reed (1781-18C0), member of Congress and heut.- 
governor of Massachusetts ; Hon. George Thatcher, 
___. _^^ _ (1754-1824), judgeof 

^J: ii-^ the Supreme Court of 

%^ Massachusetts ; Mr. 

'iS-n Joshua Sears (1791- 
^^ 18j7), a successful 
- merchant and capital- 
ist ; and Hon. John 
B. D. Cogswell, now 
the efficient presiding 
officer of the Massa- 
chusetts Senate. The 
late Hon. Amos Otis 
of this town, rendered 
valuable ser\-ice as a 
local historian and 
genealogist. 

Sandwich ( Shaw- 
me) is south-cast of 
^sDwicH. Plymouth, in the 

north-western part of the County of Barnstable. It is 
not a compact town, but is composed of a number of 
villages, lying a considerable distance apart. Along the 
line of the railroad are Cohasset Narrows, Monument, 
North and West Sandwich, Sandwich, and Spring Hill, 
a part of which is called East Sandwich. South of the 
railroad, and somewhat remote, are South Sandwich, 
FarmersA-ille, Greenville, and Pocasset,* the latter being 
situated on the Wood's Holl Branch of the Old Colony 
Railroad. Sandwich proper is noted for its raral channs, 
and contains several churches, school-houses, and manu- 
facturing establishments. Among the latter are the 



• This quiet hamlet has recently become invested with a tragic inter- 
est, by roaton of the murder of Edith Freeman, a bc-iutiful cbild of five 
summers, by her father, Charles F. Freeman, who, led by blind faith 
and small reason, regarded himself as a second Abraham, required to 
offer this bloody sacrifice. 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



Boston and Sandwich Glass Works, employing several 
hundred hands, an establislniient for the manufacture of 
shoes, a tack and nail factory, and marble works. At 
West Sandwich (Scusset) is a machine-shop for the 
manufacture of cars, &c. North Sandwich, familiarly 
known as Herring River, is the residence of a remnant 
of the Herring Pond Indians, and contains the ancient 
burying-ground of that tribe. Here are the Manomct 
Iron Works, a manufactory for edge tools, &c. At Co- 
hasset Narrows quite a settlement has sprung up, the 
nucleus of an extensive village. At Spring Hill, in the 
eastern part of the town, is the " Old Qu:iker Jloeting- 
Housc," a prominent landmark. Hero, for many years, 
was kept the celebrated boarding-school of Paul "V\'mg, 
Esq. Lakes well stocked with bass, perch, and pickerel 
are numerous in the south part of the town, and deer 
inhabit the adjacent woods. Sandwicli has a population 
of 3,110. Seven post-offices, and an equal number of 
railroad stations, are within its limits. The town is 
more agi'icultural than otherwise, and includes many 
productive farms. The educational interests are well 
sustained, and many persons of high reputation have 
received their early and academic education here. 

Thomas Prince (1G87-1758), an able divine, and 
author of " New England's Annals," and Nathan Prince 
(1G98-1748), an eminent scholar, were natives of this 
town. 

Fai.moutii (Succannesset) is located in the south- 
western part of the county, upon the eastern side of 
Buzzard's Bay, and on the north shore of Vineyard 
Sound. In the western part of the town, a range of 
hills of moderate elevation extends pnrallel with the 
shore of Buzzard's Ba3-. Tlie land in other portions of 
the township is generally level, and the soil as good as any 
on Cape Cod. From mam- points charming views of mari- 
time scenery are obtained. Nobska Hill, near the east- 
ern entrance to "Wood's IIoll, on which there is a light- 
house, commands a fine view of Vineyard Sound, 
through which vessels are constantly passing, the hills 
of Tisbury on Martha's Vinej'ard, and the picturesque 
shores of Buzzard's Bay. There are five villages con- 
taining post-offices — Falmouth, North, East and West 
Falmouth, and Wood's Holl. Falmouth Heights is a 
noted watering-place, a mile south-east of the main vil- 
lage, and has broad parks and avenues, a fine hotel, and 
manj' pleasant residences. Falmouth Village is near a 
beautiful beach, sweeping westward in the form of a 
crescent, and terminating in an irregular promontory 
near tlic harbor of Wood's Holl. It has the reputation 
of being one of the handsomest villages in New Eng- 



land, and contains a natic-.ial bank, churches, the Law- 
rence Academy, excellent graded schools, and a news- 
paper ofiice. 

At Wa<iuoit, a manufacturing village in the eastern 
part of the town, is a mill for the manufacture of wool- 
Ion yarn. Wood's Holl is at the terminus of the AVood's 
IIoll Branch of the Old Colony Railroad, and here con- 
nection is made with steamers for Oak Bluirs and Nan- 
tucket. The village is most pleasing in its general 
appearance, and is adorned with manj- summer resi- 
dences. The Pacific Guano Works are located here. 
The Universalists have a camp-ground at Menauhant, a 
summer resort which is growing up in the eastern part 
of the town. 

There are about one hundred and fift}' fanns in the 
township, and nearly one hundred acres of cranberry 
meadows.* The population is 2,211. Falmouth has 
been the birth-place of man^' men distinguished for 
energy and excellence of character, as well as for patri- 
otism and talents. Of these, Gen. Joseph Dimmick, a 
soldier of the French and Indian war, and of the Revo- 
lution, senator and high sheriff; and Samuel Lewis, law- 
yer, preacher, and "father of the common schools in 
Ohio," are especially- prominent. 

Dennis (Xobscussct) is a long and narrow town, ex- 
tending across Cape Cod, cast of Yarmouth, of which 
town it was originally a part. It received its present 
name in honor of Rev. Joseph Dennis, tlie first minister, 
who was ordained Juno 22, 1727. Bass River, in the 
western part of the town, is the largest stream upon Capo 
Cod. Its mouth affords a good harbor for vessels of 
hglit draught. North of a belt of woodland, which 
extends from east to west, and aljout a mile from the 
shore, is a range of hills, a continuation of the chain 
which extends from Sandwich to Orleans. Scargo Hill, 
of this range, is the highest eminence in the county. The 
town is divided into five villages, containing post-offices. 
These several villages have an aggregate of 3,309 inhabi- 
tants. North Dennis, in the vicinity- of the noted Scargo 
Hill, was once the chief site of the Nobscusset tribe of 
Indians. Near tlie location of the old East Precinct 
meeting-house, is an ancient burying-ground, whore 
" Tlic rude forefathers of tbe hamlet sleep." 

The other villages have an ai)pearance of thrift and 
comfort. AVest Dennis is quite thickly settled, and is 
connected by bridges with South Yarmouth. Many of 
the citizens of Dennis are retired sea-captains, of large 

• 111 August, 1814, the town was homhaijed liy the Briti.sh ehip-of- 
war "Nhnrod." Seven balls were shot into the liouse of Uev. Henry 
Lincoln, but no lives were lost. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



means and generous impulses. Within tlie limits of the 
town are fifteen schools, and several churches, and these, 
with a free public librarj-, furnish educational and 
religious facilities of a high order. 

The cod and mackerel fisheries, and the coasting trade, 
employ a large number of citizens. * Some two hundred 
acres are devoted to the culture of the cranberr}-, which 
is here of superior qualitj-. Dennis has the honor of 
being the birthplace of Gen. Nathaniel Freeman, the 
celebrated jurist, phj'sician, and military commander. 

Provincetown (Chequocket) is situated at the ex- 
tremity' of Cape Cod, one hundred and sixteen miles 
from Boston b}' rail, and about fifty miles by water. Its 
name was suggested by the i:)eeuliar relation it sus- 
tained to the Province of Massachusetts for many years, 
it receiving aid from the latter ou account of its shipping 




PKOVINCETOWX. 

advantages. The harbor is very capacious, and it is 
said that three thousand vessels could be easily accom- 
modated with anchorage ground. The town consists 
mainly of beaches and hills of sand, among which are 
shallow ponds and swamps. Many of these hills, by 
reason of their nature, are subji'ct to incessant changes. 
There is but little wood, and that of diminutive growth. 
To prevent the ravages of the winds, quite extensive 
tracts have been planted with beach grass. The cultiva- 
tion of the cranberrj' in the reclaimed swamp land is an 
important industrj-. The town, built principally upon a 
single street, is very unique in its appearance, and fol- 
lows the curve of the harbor for more than two miles. 
Interspersed among t!ie dwellings, in some portions of 
the town, are "fish flakes," where the fares of the re- 
turned fishing vessels are exposed for drying. Neatness 
and thrift cliaracterizo the place, and man}' of the houses 

• Tlio nianiifacture of salt -nTis li(""m here as early as 177fi, and has 
i;ly carried on. The wui^^r was raised by wiudmills from 



are of modern architecture, with shaded lawns and 
shrubbery. The soil of the streets and gardens was 
brought, to quite an extent, from other towns in the 
vicinity. The town contains high and grammar schools, 
a newspaper office, two banks, a public library, and five 
churches. Its citizens are mostly engaged in maritime 
pursuits, and several vessels are employed in short voy- 
ages to the nearer whaling grounds. The population of 
the town is 4,450. 

On Ilighpole Hill, an eminence rising picturesquely 
in the rear of the village, stood the old town hall, de- 
stroyed a few j-ears since bj- fire. A tablet on the fa(;ade 
of this building contained the words : "In commemo- 
ration of the arrival of the ' Ma3-flower ' in Cape Cod 
Harbor, and of the first landing of the Pilgrims in Amer- 
ica at this place, Nov. II, 1620, this tablet is presented 
by the Cape Cod Association, Nov. 8, 1853." The Race 
Point light-house is three miles dis- 
tant from the village, at the extreme 
end of the Cape. 

II ARvrrcH (Satucket) originally cx- 
= tended across the Cape, and for more 
than a hundred years included the 
territorj- now embraced in Brewster. 
It received its present name from 
Ilarwicli, a seaport of England. The 
surface is more level than that of the 
other Cape towns. Agriculture, with 
' - ' the exception of the cultivation of the 

cranberrj-, receives but little atten- 
tion. The latter has proved remu- 
nerative, several hundred acres being under cultivation. 
The cod and mackerel fisheries are prominent industries, 
but some are engaged in the coasting trade, and the 
foreign merchant service. 

The town comprises several villages, the most central 
of which, Ilarv.ich Centre, contains a church, an academy, 
good school edifices, the Cape Cod Bank, and a piinting- 
offlcc, from which the Harwich "Independent" is issued. 
The entire town has a population of 3,355. At West 
Harwich is the oldest Baptist societ}- in the county, prob- 
ably organized about the j-ear 1750. Nickerson's Grove, 
two miles north of the main village, is the scat of the 
Spiritualist Camp-meeting. 

Chatham (Monomoyick), named probablj- from the 
Earl of Chatham, occupies the extreme south-eastern 
angle of Cape Cod. It has a very irregular outline, its 



and evaporated 



leaving the salt ; 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



shore being indented l>y numerous coves, harbors and 
inlets. The snrfaea is of a -varied character, and ponds, 
covered in tlie summer with the beautifid white lily, 
abound. Great Hill, near the principal village, is the 
highest point of land, and, from its summit in clear 
weather, Nantucket can be seen without the aid of a 
glass. Changes along the sea-line of the township are 
constantly occumng, and the coast is gradually wearing 
away. By reason of storms, and the strong currents, 
which set in and out of the harbors, sand-bars are con- 
tinuallj- changing. * A narrow beach, the extremity of 
which is called Sandj' I^oint, or Cape Malabarre, extends 
south-west ten miles toward Nantucket. This beach is 
in fact an island ; a breach, forming the northernmost 
entrance to Old Harbor, having been made bj- the tide. 

The emplo3"ment of the men iy mainly upon the sea, 
and manj' are in command of ships, sailing from Boston 
and New York to various foreign ports. The town has 
five postal centres, fourteen schools, 
capacious churches, and a weekly 

newspaper. The population is 2,274. . t,^: 

Unlike other Cape towns, Chatham 
is not upon the railroad line, but con- 
nection is made with the C. C. R. R. 
at Harwich b}' stage coaches. 

Much a'tcntion is paid to educa- -- . l.^ 

tion, and the inhabitants have a just 
reputation for intelligence and refine- 
ment. 

Wellfleet, known in Indian 

language as Pononokanet, is an 

important fishing and commercial 

town, extending across Cape Cod, 

north of Eastham, of which town it formed a part 

for many years. There are two postal villages, and 

the town contains a savings bank, three cliurehes, a 

high school, and thirteen other public schools. It has 

I 1 a population of 1,988. Mackerel and cod fishing, and 

. I the oyster trade, are the prominent pursuits. The 

citizens are proverbial for enterprise, and many have 

I j acquired wealth in the face of no ordinary difficulties. 

The late Dr. Thomas N. Stone, at one time a member 



• It is fnid that when the English first settled on the Cape, an island 
was located nine miles ofT the coast, called Webb's Island. Its area 
was some twenty acres, and it was mostly covered with cedar, the in- 
habitants of Nantucket gathering firewood ihcre. About 180 years 
since, the island disappeared, and a huge rock on its surface settled to 
the bottom of the sea. 

t There is a traditional story of a man, who often visited this region, 
and who was supposed to be one of Bellamy's crew. It was thought 
[ that he knew where some of the treasure of the pirates was secreted. 



of the Massachusetts Senate, was one of the citizens of 
AVelllleet, whose memory is revered far lieyond the 
narrow limits of the county, that was proud to claim him 
as one of its noblest sons. His "Cape Cod Rhjmes" 
breathe the true poetic fire, and have caused many " to 
read over again the unwritten poems of childhood, and 
bring back the days^ when, in life's earl}- morning, even 
Cape Cod was beautiful." 

In 1718, the fleet of the noted pii-ate Bellamj- was 
wrecked near the table-land of AVellfleet. From time to 
time, portions of the wreck have been seen at low tide, 
and coins, made in the reign of William and Mary, have 
been picked up on the beach, f 

Truro (Pamet), called for a few j'cars previous to its 
receiving its present name, Dangcrfield, on account of its 
e.^qiosure to the vicissitudes of the ocean, is anextrcmcl}' 
narrow town, exteuiliug across the Cape, immediatclj- 



s-a^^*-r?S-~'i^?? --^^ -3? - 




north of Wellfleet. From Small's Hill, in the eastern 
part of the town, the ocean view, especiall}' after a 
storm, is very grand. One of the most prominent objects 
of the landscape, is the noted Highland Lighthouse, on an 
eminence at North Truro. 

The Pounds, so called because wrecks are pounded to 
pieces against them, are high, soUd, and perpendicular 
banks of clay on the eastern shore, and, wliile they have 
been, from time immemorial, the especial dread of sail- 



and that he came to this place for supplies of coin. Aged people 
related of him, that often in the stillness of night, he would give 
utterance in his sleep to profane and boisterous language, as if he were 
contending with some terrible enemy. When allowed the hospitality 
of a private dwelling, if the Bible was produced for the customary 
evening prayers, he would seem to be much disturbed, and hastily 
retire. It is said, that, af^ur his death, which occurred during a 
wild and tempestuous night, a girdle, heavy with gold, was found 
on his body. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



ors, they serve as an effectual barrier against the 
encroachments of the ocean. Truro, on the Pawmet 
River, is the most important of the three postal villages. 
The Cape Cod Railroad extends through the town, and, 
in one place, passes over a viaduct fifty-five feet in 
height. Population, 1,098. 

Orleans, the Indian Namskaket, long known as the 
south precinct of Eastham, is situated between that town 
and Brewster. The shore line of tliis, like that of 
neighboring towns, is undergoing constant changes from 
the action of the waves and strong tidal currents, and 
the modern charts of this region are widely at variance 
with those of a half century since. * Orleans has three 
postal villages, eight public schools, four churches, and a 
population of 1,373. 

Brewster (Sawkattuckett), named in honor of "William 
Brewster, one of the Pilgrims of the " Blayflower," 
occupies the inner side of the bend of the elbow of the 
Cape. 

The surface is quite uneven, and is diversified by 
beautiful sheets of fresh water. Long Pond, the largest 
of these, covers 778 acres, and its outlet is a stream 
called Herring River. The soil in the northern part of 
the town is nioderatel}' heavy, and affords good tillage 
land. There arc some excellent orchards and fine cran- 
berrj- meadows. The men are chiefly employed upon the 
sea, in coasting and foreign vo\ages. They are dis- 
tinguished for nautical skill and enterprise, and man}' 
have risen to high positions in the merchant service. 
The town has four postal villages, and 1,200 inhabitants. 
Nine schools, two churches, a ladies' library, and two 
hotels, are among the appointments of the place. 

Eastham, a town of 039 inhabitants, and originally 
called Nauset, extends across Cape Cod, north of Or- 
leans and Brewster. It is indented b\' inlets, and con- I 
tains several ponds, the largest of which is Great Pond, 
upon whose shore Jlilcs Standish and his little band of 
explorers encamped, on the night of Dec. 6, 1020. Bil- 
lingsgate Point, on the west side of the town, is now a 

• An example of the shifting nature of the sand is furnished by the 
, wreck of the Lunilon ship " Sparrow Hawk," lost in one of the harbors 
of Orleans, in 1G2G, and covered by mud and sa;ul for more than two 
centuries. This wreck w.as disclosed m 1SG3, and some of the parts 
were put together, and exhibited in Boston. The wreck soon dis- 
appeared, and, centuries hence, may again be revealed. It is re- 
markable that, wliile the disaster occurred inside the harbor, after a 
lapse of two hundred and thirty-seven years, it appeared outside that 
harbor. 



mere sandy islet or beach, the sea having washed away ! 
the istliiiuis that connected it with the main land. A 
light-house was erected on tliis point in 1822, and, in 
1838, three others were placed on the Atlantic side of the 
town, and have proved of great service to mariners. 

The grounds of the " Old Eastham Camp Meeting" 
were on high land near the shore of the bay, ni a beauti- 
t'lil tract of woodland known as " Millennial Grove." 
The first camp meeting was held here in 1828, but 
se\eral years since, the meeting was removed to Yar- 
mouth. 

JlAsnPEi;, formerly Marsiipek, is situated in the south- 
western part of Barnstable County upon Vineyard Sound. 
It covers some sixteen square miles of territory, quite 
largely woodland. The surface is level, the soil light 
and santly, but possessing considerable fertility, and 
adapted to the growth of corn and cereals. Several 
ponds, well stocked with fish, give variety to the land- 
scape. The JIashpee River, rising m a lake of the same 
name, is noted for its herring and trout fisheries. The 
town has two public schools, and a church, located in a 
beautiful grove two miles from the principal village. 
Near this church is an ancient bur3-ing-groiind, the graves 
of the tenants being covered with long grass and shrubs. 
Two other Indian burial places are in the township, f 

There are no Indians of unmixed blood now living in 
the town. The last of the race of purely aboriginal ex- 
traction was Isaac Simon, who died more tlu'.n a score of 
j-ears since. The present population is about 300, em- 
bracing some Indians of mixed blood, a promiscuous 
race of colored people, and a few whites. These are 
mostl}' emi)loyed in farming, fishing, and sea-fariiig pur- 
suits, are generally peaceable, and are susceptible to moral 
and religious influences. Their patriotism is shown by 
the fact that several men enlisted in the army during the 
late war. The Indians of Mashpee rendered eflicieiit 
service in the French and Indian War, and during the 
Revolution. It is to be hoped that this people, so faintly 
representing the original tribe, may long exist to remind 
their white brethren of the faithfulness of the Mashpee 
tribe to the early settlers upon the Cape. 

t Among the pastors of this flock in the wiMerness, were Rev. Gideon 
Hawley, a graduate of Yale, in the class of 1749, .at one tmie mission- 
ary to the Iroqnois, and subsequently chaplain of the regiment of Col. 
Gridlcy in tlio French and Indian War; and Rev. Phmcas Fish, a gmd- 
uate of Harvard College, who received his appointment from tlic 
authorities of that institution as trustees of the " Williams Fund "' 
This was a legacy of Rev. Daniel Williams, of London, " to be paid 
yearly to the college in Cambridge in New England, to promote the eon- 
version of the poor Indians of Mashpee." 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



BERKSHIRE COUNTY. 



BY J. E. A. SMITH. 



Tn!i: histoiy of Berkshire, the most westerly- county of 
Massachusetts, has a character largely' due to its border 
position and peculiar phj-sical gcographj'. 

Ill the opinion of the geographer, Guj-ot, the gi-oat 
inland topographical feature of New England is a double 
belt of highlands, not simply ranges of hills, but vast 
swells of land, separated almost to their bases b}' the 
deep and broad valley of the Connecticut, and rising to 
an average elevation of 1,000 feet above the level of 
the sea. Each has a width of 40 or 50 miles, from 
which, as a base, mountains rise in chains or in iso- 
lated groups to an altitude of several hundred, some- 
times several thousand, feet more. The sj'stem which 
surmounts the western upheaval, and bears the general 
name of the Green Mountains, is composed of two prin- 
cipal chains, more or less continuous, and several short- 
er ones. 

On the east, the Iloosac Jlountains present an un- 
broken wall, with an average altitude of some 800 
feet. The Taconic chain on the east is — with two im- 
portant exceptions — quite as uninterrupted and of some- 
what greater average altitude. On the north the rude 
hills of the Vermont border maintain nearly the same 
hci^^ht. Some three miles south of these hills, with the 
rich valley of the Hoosac River intervening, there rises, 
midway between the Taconic and Iloosac ranges, and be- 
tween the villages of Williamstown and Adams, Grej-- 
lock, the highest summit of Massachusetts, and the head 
of a short range of hills which extend to the north line 
of the town of Pittsfield, a length of about 15 miles. 
At the town of Egrcmont, in the south-west part of the 
county, the Taconics send oflT a spur •which terminatos 
in the south part of Pittsfield, separating the valley of 
Richmond from that of the Housatouic. The bed of 
this river, which, where it enters the county at Shef- 
field, is 800 feet above the sca-lcvel, rises to 1,000 
feet at Pittsfield, where it divides, the eastern branch 
finding its fountain-head in the north-cast part of that 
town ; while the western, passing through Pontoosuc 
Lake, in Pittsfield and Lancsborough, rises 100 feet 
more to its head waters in New Ashford. On the 



same valley-summits with the two branches of the IIous- 
atonic, and within a few feet of them respoctivclj-, the 
east and west branches of the IIoos.".o find their sources, 
and flowing north, the foimer to North Adams, the latter 
to Williamstown, bend at a sharp angle to the west, and 
uniting at Williamstown, find their way through a gap in 
the Taconics to the Hudson at Hoosac, N. Y. 

The Hoosac River has a descent of 600 feet with- 
in the county, and the Housatonic an equal descent ; 
in addition to which the latter has several tributary 
brooks large enough to furnish valuable water power ; 
while on the mountain-tops or in the valleys, there are a 
hundred lakelets varj'ing in area from twentj' acres to a 
thousand, which, either with or without artificial enlarge- 
ment, serve as reservoirs. Nature seems thus to have 
designed Berkshire for a manufacturing district. 

The region thus described has an area of a little 
over 950 square miles. The four cardinal bounda- 
ries of Berkshire lie along four dilTerent States. This 
border position has even now no little influence upon 
the character and fortunes of its people ; but in its 
earliest days, when Vermont and Northern New York 
were either a wilderness or very thinlj' settled, and when, 
as in the French and Indian and the Rovolutionarj- wars, 
Canada was a hostile province, Berkshire was a frontier 
region in quite another sense, and its history correspond- 
ingly interesting. 

The mountain barriers, of which we have spoken, of 
course present frequent passes available for highways, 
which in time were improved bj' turnpikes, and, subse- 
quently, bj- railroads. 

The territorj' now Berkshire County was, before its 
settlement by the English, the hunting-ground of the 
Mohcgan Indians, whose ordinary residence was in what 
is now the county of Columbia, N. Y., but who, every 
spring and autimin, visited the vaUey of the Housatonic 
and the adjacent hills, to hunt, trap, and fish. The tribe 
had once been powerful, boasting a thousand warriors, 
but it had been greatly reduced by its warfare with the 
Six Nations, and seems only to have escaped extinction 
bj- the timelj' arrival of the whites, to whom thej" became 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



firm and lasting allies. Previous to the settlement of 
Berkshire, they had sold much of their fertile land along 
the Hudson, and a few of them had begun to occupy 
througliout the year, their old spring and autumn hunt- 
ing-grounds among the hills. This native population 
was exceedingly scanty, but the tribal organization was 
perfect, and their title to the soil so well defined, as 
to be seldom, if ever, disputed by the colonial au- 
thorities. 

Owing to the insecurity of titles to land beyond the 
Connecticut Elver, to which both Massachusetts and New 
York, under conflicting royal jurisdictions laid claim, 
population for a long time lingered to the eastward of 
that river. On the 30th of January, 1722, Joseph Par- 
sons and 176 other inhabitants of Hampshire County, 
petitioned the General Court for two townships of land, 
situated on the Housatonic Eiver, at the south-west 
corner of the Massachusetts patent. In response, the 
General Court granted two townships, each to be seven 
miles square. 

John Stoddard, Ebenezer Pomeroy, and Henry Dwight, 
of Northampton, Luke Hitchcock of Springfield, and 
John Ashlej' of Westfield, — all influential citizens, and 
doubtless among the prompters of the petition, — were 
appointed commissioners to extinguish, bj- purchase, the 
Indian title to the tract selected ; to divide it ; to grant 
land to settlers ; and generally to supervise the settle- 
ment. Thej' were required to reserve lands to be con- 
ferred in fee upon the first settled minister, for the sup- 
port of schools and of " gospel ordinances ; " conditions 
which were attached to all subsequent grants of town- 
sliips in "Western Massachusetts, and from which many 
towns still derive a fund for the two latter purposes. 

The commissioners were also directed to exact from 
each settler the sum of thirty shillings for every one 
hundred acres of land received by him, towards the cost 
of purchase from the aboriginal proprietors. The few 
Mohcgans then resident in the vallej- lived in small vil- 
lages on the sites of the present towns of Great Barring- 
ton, Sheffield, Stockbridge, New Marlborough, Tyring- 
ham, Pittsfield, and Dalton, the larger collection being 
on the territory covered by the new grant. Those at 
the north and the south appear from old deeds to have 
owned their lands separately ; indeed, there seem to 
have been several distinct proprietorships. John Konka- 
pot, the principal man among the Mohegans of Massa- 
chusetts, lived in the south part of the present town of 
Stockbridge, near a small brook which still bears his 
name. He appears to have had some special leadership 
among his people in that vicinit3- ; and, with twenty 
other heads of families, he met the commissioners at 



Westfleld on the 2.5th of April, 1724, and conveyed to 
them the two townships, in consideration of £450 in 
money, three barrels of cider, and thirty quarts of rum. 
These two townships included the present towns of 
Sheffield, Great Barrington, Mount Washington, Egre- 
mont, and Alford, the larger part of Stockbridge and 
West Stockbridge, and a great portion of Lee. 

The Indians having, however, no thought of abandon- 
ijig their old homes, reserved a considerable quantity of 
this land. The best lay near the present dividing line 
of Sheffield and Great Barrington, on the south bank of 
a beautiful stream, then known as White River, but 
which the poet Bryant has since given to world-wide 
fame as Green River, his own favorite haunt in Berkshire. 
Here the Indians had a small village which they called 
Scatehook. 

The 177 persons who signed the petition of 1722 did 
not thereby indicate an intention of becoming actual 
settlers on the lands asked, and they were, therefore, 
not given to them, but to commissioners in trust. Prior 
to their purchase from the natives, this board met at 
Springfield and received the names of fifty-five persons 
to whom lands, in lots of from 200 to 1 ,000 acres, were 
promised upon their complying with the prescribed con- 
ditions ; and in 1 725 Captains John Ashley and Ebenezer 
Pomeroy made a general division of the lower township, 
especially that part lying along the river. 

The Lower Housatunnuk township was naturally the 
most attractive section of the valley to the agriculturist, 
as the climate, considerably milder than that of the 
north, gives the farmer a longer season, and the land is 
for the most part rich interval, — much of it fertile meadow. 
The Housatonic, for the greater portion of its course in 
the township a quiet stream sis or eight rods wide, in 
the extreme south tumbles over some conspicuous falls. 
And it is a singular fact, that of the multitude of water- 
privileges in Berkshire, the onlj- one of value which 
remains unused is this near the first spot settled in the 
county. It was little, however, that New England settlers 
in 1726 cared for water-power, so that they had enough 
to run a saw and grist mill, such as were soon built at 
Ashley Falls. But farmers soon began to flock into the 
new settlement from the Connecticut Valley, and chiefly 
from Westfield. The principal names among them being 
Noble, Austin, Kellogg, Ashley, Westover, Pell, Callcn- 
der, Corben, Iluggins, Smith, Ingersoll, Root, and 
Dewey. By an act of the General Court, approved 
June 24, 1733, the "Lower Housatunnok Township," 
eight miles long on the river, and wide enough to make 
its extent equivalent to seven miles square, was incor- 
porated as the town of Sheffieltl, so named by Gov. 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



Belcher, probably as a complimeut to Lord SheflBeld, 
Duke of Buckinghamshire. 

The first town meeting — the first west of the Con- 
necticut VaUcy — was held at the house of Obadiah 
' Koble, Jan. 16, 1734 (new style). 

In the summer of that year the people built a meeting- 
house, and the first church was organized Oct. 22, 1735.- 
On the same day Mr. Jonathan Hubbard of Sunderland 
was ordained pastor. Mr. Hubbard, who was the first 
college graduate, as well as the first clergj-man, to settle 
in Berkshire, was a descendant, in the fourth generation, 
from George Hubbard, the first of the family in America. 

The Stockbridge Indian Mission. 
In the year 1734, when population had advanced, to 
some small extent, into the present limits of Egremont 
and Stockbridge, an undertaking was commenced, of 
striking interest in itself, and whose success proved of 
vast advantage, not onl}' to the security of the settle- 
ments on the Ilousatonic, but that of all Western Massa- 
chusetts and Connecticut. This was no less than an at- 
tempt to christianize and civilize the Mohegan and other 
Indians, beginning with those under the immediate 
mfluence of Konlcapot ; and circumstances conspired to 
bring this about in a manner which reallj' seemed to 
justify the use of the old-fashioned New England adjec- 
tive, " providential." Rev. Samuel Hopkins, the pro- 
jector, and afterwards the historian of the mission, was, 
in 1734, pastor of the church in AVest Springfield, where 
he incidentlj' learned that Konkapot " was strictlj' tem- 
perate, very just and upright in his dealings, a man of 
prudence and industr3-, and sincerely inclined to embrace 
Christianity." But there were two obstacles in his 
way : one was the fear of ostracism b}' his people ; but 
the other, and the greater, was the evil lives of nominal 
Christians. Upon this, Mr. Hopkins resolved that the 
gospel should be preached to them in such purit}' and 
power, as should overcome the prejudice created bj- those 
who were only Christians in name. He had just learned 
that the British Society for the Propagation of the 
Gospel in Foreign Parts had placed funds at Boston, in 
the hands of a commission, consisting of Gov. Belcher, 
Dr. Benjamin Colman, Dr. Sewall, and others. He now 
conferred with Col. John Stoddard of Northampton, 
" The Great New Englander," and Rev. Stephen Wil- 
liams, D. D., one of "the Redeemed Captives," — the 
two men better informed than anj- others concerning the 
state of the Indians within reach of civilized influences. 
It was found that, although missionaries were stationed 
at the forts, " nothing had been done towards civilizing 
the natives, — worse than nothing towards christian- 



izing them"; and Rev. William Williams, of Hatfield, 
who had also boon taken into council, wrote to the com- 
missioners at Boston, who at once entered warmly into 
the project, and requested Mr. Hopkins and Dr. Wil- 
liams to ascertain the feelings of the Indians upon the 
subject. 

Konkapot and Umpachenee, his sub-chief, going to 
Springfield, about this time, to formally receive com- 
missions as captain and lieutenant, which had been 
bestowed upon them by Gov. Belcher, the opportunity 
was seized to confer with them upon the greater matter 
in hand. Konkapot earnestly favored the plan, and 
Umpachenee pledged himself not to oppose it ; but both 
thought it essential that the tribe should be visited, and 
the consent of all its members gained. In July, there- 
fore, Dr. Williams and Rev. Nehemiah Bull of West- 
field, — Mr. Hopkins being detained bj- illness, — ^^sited 
Ilousatonic, and presented the subject to the Indians 
there, who, after deliberating four days, as befitted the 
gravitj' of the suliject, gave a hearty assent to the 
establishment of the mission. 

Upon this, the commissioners at Boston authorized 
Messrs. Bull and Williams to seek out a suitable mis- 
sionary', offering him a yearl}' salarj' of £100. In their 
search thej' were remarkablj' happj-, Providence direct- 
ing them at once to Mr. John Sergeant, a native of 
Newark, N. J., at that time a tutor in Yale Col- 
lege, but who had been heard to say that he would 
prefer the life of a missionary' among the Indians to anj' 
other. He reached, what we will call b}- its present 
name, Great Barrington, on the 13th of October, and 
preached his first sermon to about twent}' Indians. The 
first convert was his interpreter, Pau-paiun-nuk, who 
was baptized October 17, as Ebenezer ; the name being 
considered significant. The profession of faith and the 
covenant, framed for the occasion, was brief, but com- 
prehensive. 

It was arranged that, during the winter, the Indians 
should collect at Great Barrington, where a few English 
famiUes had settled, with whom Mr. Sergeant could find 
board. On the 21st of October, the Indians, with light 
hearts and willing hands, began the erection of a build- 
ing for a church and school-house ; around which they 
built huts for themselves, in which they were soon settled 
for the winter. November 3d, Sunday, Mr. Sergeant 
preached to a largely increased audience, and, for the 
first time, by the aid of an interpreter, led them in 
prayer. Soon after, a school was opened in the new 
building. 

Timothy Woodbridge, of West Springfield, a J'oung 
man well quaUfied for the work of teaching and cat- 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



echising, was engaged as assistant : a man ■who after- 
ward became one of the most active magistrates and 
prominent citizens of the county of Berkshire. 

Meantime, the mission encountered vexatious ob- 
stacles. What with tlie determination of the Dutchmen, 
on the New York border, to furnish the Indians ardent 
spirits, the natural wealcness of the natives in the direc- 
tion of intemperance, and their tendency to indulge in 
their hideous orgies, the godly chief and the missionaries 
associated with him, often found their patience and wits 
sorely taxed to surmount all the difficulties and discour- 
agements in their way. Yet, under God, they did so. 

On the 31st of August, 1735, Mr. Sergeant was 
solemnly ordained, at Deerfield, as missionary to the 
Housatonic Indians : the presence of His Excellency 
Gov. Belcher, with large committees from the Council 
and the General Court, giving dignit}' to the occasion, 
and the Indians accepting him as their pastor by rising 
when the question was put to them by the Rev. Dr. Wil- 
liams. 

Before the end of the year 1735, over forty persons, 
including the two chiefs, had received the rite of bap- 
tism. Indeed, so scrupulous was Capt. Konkapot, that 
he insisted upon being re-named in the English form. 

A little more than a year had elapsed since the estab- 
lishment of the mission, and a church had been formed 
from converted heathen, which still flourishes, although 
at a distance of more than a thousand miles from its 
birth-jjlace. Heathenish customs had been renounced 
by nearly all the Indians of the Housatonic Vallej-, and 
they had placed themselves under the pastorate of the 
missionaries as at least nominal Christians. The}' had 
solemnly resolved to have ' ' no more trading in rum " ; 
fortj- children were attending school, and several adults 
were learning to read, and the reputation of the mission, 
among the Hudson River Mohegans, and to some 
extent bej'ond that river, was such, that there was begin- 
ning to be a disposition to place themselves under its 
immediate influence. 

Meantime, with a view to averting the inevitably 
demoralizing tendencies of seeking employment abroad 
during the summers, and of spending their time in idle- 
ness during the winters, through the influence of Col. 
Stoddard, Gov. Belcher, and others, in 1706, a township 
of land, or " reserv-ation," embracing 23,040 acres, was 
laid out within the limits of the Upper Housatonnuk 
township, and including the present towns of Stock- 
bridge and West Stockbridge, and these Christian Ind- 
ians were induced to take up farms, and settle thereon. 
Homes, and the care of flocks and herds of one's own, 
are indispensable alike as means of grace and conditions 



of civilization. Several leading English families also 
settled among them. 

In July, 1737, Jlr. Sergeant, Lieut. Umpachenee, and 
a large delegation of Indians, by invitation of Gov. 
Belcher, visited Boston, where thej- exijressed their sat- 
isfaction by relinquishing their interest in one mile of 
land on each side the road — the first over the Iloosac 
Mountains — which had been made in 1735, from AVcst- 
field to Sheffield, via Blandford. They added a request 
that the General Court would aid tliem in building a 
meeting-house and school-house ; and in the following 
January, at the instance of the governor, the General 
Court ordered that a meeting-house, thirty feet broad by 
forty long, together with a school-house, should be built 
under the direction of Col. Stoddard of Northampton, 
Mr. Sergeant, and Mr. Woodbridge. 

This meeting-house was a plain, two-story building, 
and stood on the present village green, where, at this 
writing — in the summer of 1878 — Hon. David Dudley 
Field is marking the site by the erection of an orna- 
mental stone tower, seventy-five feet in height, to be 
surmounted by a chime of bells. In this buililing Mr. 
Sergeant preached, both in the Mohegan and English 
tongue. When the sacrament was first administered, in 
June, 1738, there were eleven Indian communicants. 

The establishment of the mission upon a promising 
basis excited a wide interest among English and Ameri- 
can Christians, which was manifested in manj' waj'S.* 
In 1732, Rev. Isaac Hollis of Loudon wrote to Dr. 
Colman of Boston, offering f £-0 annually for the sup- 
port of a fourth missionar}' in New England ; but so little 
had been the success of pre\-iou3 efforts there that Dr. 
Colman advised him to send his monej' to New Jersoj'. 
Mr. Hollis did not adopt the suggestion, and in 1735 
Dr. Colman, reassured hj the success of the Stockbridge 
mission, wrote to accept the original offer. The result 
was a promise by IMr. Hollis to support twelve Indians, 
to be educated, at an annual cost for each of £25, New 
England currency. This led to several experiments in 
education. 

At the time of Mr. Sergeant's death, in 1749, there 

• Among others, the people of Boston presented it with a conch-shell, 
nearly a foot long, which, being blown by Duvid Nan-nan-nee-ka-nuk 
.ind other Indians, suCiccd to eiimmon the worshippers to church. 
Rev. Frr.ncis Ayccongh, D.B., Chaplain to the Prince of Wales, sent to 
Mr. Sergeant a copy of the Holy Scriptures, in two largo folio volumes, 
which are still in the possession of the church, at its present home in 
Minnesota. 

+ This mission doubly repaid its whole cost to the township and to 
the county, by the protection it afforded during the French and Indian 
wars, not only to the Massachusetts, but to the Connecticut border 
towns as well. Missions have always thus indirectly vastly more than 
paid their way. 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



were 218 mission Indians, divided into 53 families. One 
hundred and eight3'-two had been baptized, and 42 were 
communicants. Of the 53 families, 20 owued houses 
built in the English stjle. 

Mr. Sergeant's successor, the groat theologian and 
philosopher, Ecv., afterwards President Jonathan Ed- 
wards, was ordained August 8, 1751. Although an 
ardent friend of the Indians, and conscientious in ful- 
filling his duties towards them. President Edwards did 
not yet possess those pre-eminent qualifications for the 
place exhibited b}' his predecessor. While resident here 
he wrote his grand essay " On the Will," a labor pre- 
supposing an absorption of the mental faculties incon- 
sistent with such devotion to the mission work as Mr. 
Sergeant displayed, and the exigencies of the case de- 
manded. Under his pastorate the number of Indian 
famihes in the mission was reduced to fortj'-two. He 
resigned to accept the presidency of Princeton College. 

President Edwards was succeeded by Rev. Stephen 
West, D.D., a native of Tolland, Conn., and a gradu.ate 
of Yale College, who was ordained at Stockbridge, June 
13, 1759. His successor, in 1775, was Mr. John Ser- 
geant, son of the first missionary. He was devoted to 
his work, but the missionary spirit in the community at 
large was no longer what it had been. The white popu- 
lation increased in the township granted to the Indians ; 
and, although the latter also increased, they early found 
that their interests were no longer paramount. The 
Oneidas had given them a township upon their roser\a- 
tion in the Province of New York, and the question of 
their removal to it was agitated before the Revolutionary 
War ; but their services in that struggle were too valua- 
ble to be lost to Massachusetts. In the stagnation of 
business which followed the close of the war, the}', how- 
ever, like their white friends, looked to emigration west- 
ward for relief. The general dcmoraUzation of society 
at that time was not favorable to their religious progress 
in their old homo, and by general consent they rcmo^-cd 
to the Oneida township in 1785. The number of Indians 
at this time was about 420, but the number of commu- 
nicants had shrunk to 16, who were dismissed, to fonn 
a new church under the pastorate of Mr. Sergeant, in 
their new homo, which they called New Stockbridge.* 

The first great event which, subsequently to 1735, 
affected the settlement, was the first French and Indian 
war, which commenced in 1744. When Sheffield was 



• White popniation, with its evil influences, again approaching them, 
they removed, between 1S23 and 1820, to Green Bay, on tlie west side 
of Liilie Michigan; thence they migrated, in 1833, to the east shore of 
Liilic Winnebago, in Wisconsin : and still again from that point to 
Minnesota. 



founded in 1725-26, — and for several j-ears later, — its 
nearest civilized neighbors on the south were in Litch- 
field, Conn., and on the east, at Westfield, thirtj' miles 
off. Next west of the boundary line was the county 
of Albany. The whole territory tying to the north- 
ward, and including the present State of Vermont, 
was a wilderness. Thus isolated from civilization 
were the earliest settlements of Berkshire. Mean- 
time the French claimed the greater part of the 
county of Alban}-, and, in 1731, seized Crown Point 
on the west side of the southern extremity of Lake 
Champlain, where they erected Fort Frederick, and 
established a post, from which hundreds of parties of 
Indians, coming down the lake, with frequent admix- 
tures of French soldiers were sent out on merciless 
raids. 

In 1744, in addition to those alreadj' mentioned, settle- 
ments had been commenced in Alford, Egremont, 
T^-ringham, and New Marlborough, — all, together with 
Sheffield and Great Barrington, tying in a compact bod}', 
and more southerly than Stockbridge. The entire popu- 
lation may have been over a thousand, while at Stock- 
bridge there were a dozen English families, and about 
two hundred Indians. 

The first apprehension of the government of Massa- 
chusetts was that the French and Indian war-parties 
would renew their inroads from Crown Point, through the 
valley of the Hoosac, above the Greylock range, and 
thence down the Housatonic Valley to the settlements 
below Stockbridge ; or, over the mountain under which 
the Hoosac Tunnel now runs, to the vallej- of the Deer- 
field. 

The General Court, therefore, ordered the construction 
of a line of forts between the Connecticut and Hudson 
rivers, which wore located by their commissioners, as 
Fort Shirley at Heath, Fort Pclliam at Rowe, and Fort 
Massachusetts at Hoosac, in the present town of North 
Adams, near the WOliamstown hue. Tliore was at this 
time among those who had agreed to take part in the 
settlement of Pittsfield, a man who aftcrw.ards was for 
many j-ears the most prominent citizen of that place, and 
one of the most pronunent in the couutj- — William Wil- 
li.ims, the son of the pastor at Weston, and the grandson 
of the eminent divine of Hatfield, both bearing the same 
name with himself. He was born at Weston in 1711, 
and graduated at Harvard College in 1729. He studied 
medicine and began the practice, but abandoned it "as 
by no moans consonant with his genius." He was sub- 
sequentl}' in mercantile business in Boston, with Gen. 
Oglethorpe in his expedition against St. Augustine, and 
under Admiral Vernon against Carthagena. He was 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



connected with the family of Col. John Stoddard, one of 
the original proprietors of the township which became 
Pittsfield, and was oflercd extraordinary inducements to 
settle in it. The war inten-upting that project, he accept- 
ed a captain's commission in Col. Stoddard's regiment of 
militia, and was detailed to construct the forts just 
mentioned. This duty he performed to the complete 
satisfaction of the commissioners, and while engaged in 
it was promoted to the rank of major. 

The officer highest in rank at that time in Western 
Massachusetts was Brig. Gen. Jos. Dwight of Brook- 
field, who had won distinction as commander of the 
ordnance at the siege of Louisburg, and whom we 
shall soon find the leading citizen and magistrate of 
Stockbridge and Great Barrington. On his return home 
he raised a regiment, to wliich Lieut. Col. Williams, 
recentl}' promoted, was assigned. 

Li the summer of 1746, Fort Massachusetts, which, 
strangely, had been left insufficiently garrisoned, while 
in charge of the gallant sergeant, John Hawks, was 
attacked by a companj- of eight hundred or nine hundred 
French and Indians, under Gen. Rigaud de V.-iudreuil. 
After a vigorous but futile defence, the fort surrendered. 
The gaiTison, consisting of men, women, and children, 
were taken prisoners, conveyed to Canada, and, subse- 
quently, for the most part redeemed. 

The fort was, of course, burned by De Vandreuil, but 
was rebuilt in tlie following spring by Col. William 
Williams, to whom Gen. Dwight assigned four com- 
panies for that purpose. It was completed, and the 
command transferred, June 29, to Maj. Ephraun Wil- 
liams, afterward the founder of AVilliams College. 

The war closed in 1748, but in the short and troubled 
peace of five years which followed, the settlements on 
the Ilousatonic made small progress, although they 
received some notable citizens. A few families moved 
into Lenox, Lanesborough, and Sandisfield, and a re- 
spectable plantation was established at Pittsfield. 

The township, now Pittsfield, was one of the three 
granted in 1 735 to the town of Boston. By various sales 
and exchanges, it was owned in equal proportions in 
1741 by Col. Jacob Wendell of Boston, Col. John Stod- 
dard of Northampton, and Edward Livingston of Albany, 
lord of the neighboring Livingston Manor. 

* In the Bpring of 1753, one Wampanmcorsc, a SchagticoUe Indian, 
domiciled at Stoclvbridge, was shot at Hop Brook, in Tyringham, by 
one of two men whom he undertool£ to stop on the highway, supposing 
them to horscthicvcs. The men were tried at Springfield for the homi- 
cide, one of them being convicted of manslaughter, and the other 
acquitted. French emissaries took advantage of the craze of the Indians 
over this aff.iir to such a degree, that Gen. Dwight and President 
Edwards wrote to Boston in great alann, urging that money should 
immediately be sent to compensate the relatives of Wampaumcorse, 



By the year 1754, the settlement was well advanced. 
In Stockbridge, the number of white families increased 
to eighteen. But a greater accession than any of mere 
numbers was that of Gen. Joseph Dwight, who removed 
to the mission town, as trustee of the school, about 
1751, and married Mrs. Abigail, widow of the missionar}' 
Sergeant, daughter of Col. Ephraim Williams, one of the 
four original English settlers, and sister of the founder 
of Williams College. From this maiTiage, many of the 
leading families of Stockbridge and Great Barrington 
derive their descent. Col. WiUiams, like all others of 
the Williams name whom we have occasion to mention ' 
here, was a descendant of Robert Williams, a native of 
Norwich, England, who was admitted a freeman at Rox- 
bury in 1638, and became the ancestor of a long 
succession of divines, soldiers, and eminent civOians. 
Joseph and Timothy Woodbridge, of wliom mention has 
already been made, were also "descended from a long 
line of Protestant clergjinen, all bearing the name of 
John Woodbridge ; " the first dating back to about 1492. 
Add to these Jonathan Edwards, and the proportion of 
strong men among those eighteen early families of Stock- 
bridge may well be called remarkable. 

At Great Barrington, then the flourishing north parish 
of Sheffield, was Rev. Samuel Hopkins, the author 
of the Hopkinsian system of theologj'. Here, also, was 
David Ingersoll, an active magistrate, and captain in the 
militia. At Sheffield was Capt. John Ashley, who had 
settled there about 1732, removing from Wcstficld ; an 
influential magistrate, and a man of superior abilities, 
natural and acquired. 

The progress of the settlements was, however, by no 
means what it would have been had not the ominous 
shadow of the coming war hung over them. Nor, as 
that war approached nearer, was the disposition of the 
native Indians so satisfactory as it was at the opening of 
hostilities ten years before. * 

In 1761, the plantation of Poontoosuc was superseded 
by the incorporation of the original township as the 
town of Pittsfield, the name being given by the go\- 
emor. Sir Francis Barnard, in honor of William Pitt, 
the great Earl of Chatham, to whose statesmanship 
the successful issue of the French and Indian wars was 
largely to be attributed. The north parish of Sheffield 

according to aboriginal custom. This was done, and the better part of 
the Stockbridge Indians were pacified. The Schagticokes, however, 
whoso scat was in Rensselaer County, New York, maint.iined their 
malignancy, and concerted a plot with a few of the baser Jlohegans, for 
the destruction of Stockbridge. This design was frustrated, being 
betrayed by negro slaves, who were invited to join in it, and secure their 
freedom by flight to Canada. The alann on the border, however, was 
pitiable. "I never knew," vrrota Col. Israel Williams of Hatfield, "in 
all yo last wai-, the people under so great surprise and fear." 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



■was at this same session made the town of Great 
Barrington. 

Col. WiUiam Williams, who was conducting the appli- 
cation for the incorijoration of Pittsfield, was also, at the 
same time, the agent of several towns who petitioned for 
the division of Hampshire County by the west line of the 
town of Blandford ; and, in accordance with that peti- 
tion, the county of Berkshire was erected almost simul- 
taneouslj' with the incorporation of the two towns named. 
Sheffield was declared to be " for the present the shire or 
county town," meaning the north parish of that town, 
incorporated as Great Barrington a few dajs later. 

After the estabhshment of pennanent peace, incident 
to the final reduction of Canada in 17C0, the settlement 
of Berkshire was rapid. Poontoosuc began to take heart 
again, and to enter upon measures, not only to repair her 
losses, but to lay deep and broad the foundations of 
future prosperitj'. 

In 1776, the population of the countj' was 18,768, 
more than two-thirds of it probably in Pittsfield and 
towns south of it. 

In 1774, among the wealthy and magisterial classes 
the spirit of loyalty to the crown, in spite of all griev- 
ances, prevailed largely. In addition to the natural 
timiditj' of wealth, there was the allegiance to be expected 
from those holding office from the royal governor, who 
had the bestowal of all places except that of representa- 
tive in the General Court and town officers. 

Most of the Williams and Stoddard famil}' connection, 
of which there were many in Berkshire, of various family 
names, were devotedl}- and heartil}- loyal to British rule. 
The most prominent Tory in Pittsfield was Maj. Israel 
Stoddard, son of the great New Englander of Northamp- 
ton, and a large landed proprietor in Berkshire. But the 
ablest of the Berkshire loyalists was Woodbridge Little, 
a graduate of Yale, afterwards a preacher, and then the 
first law3"er in Pittsfield. The Graves familj- — which, as 
well as the Little * and Jones, were connected with the 
AVilliams-Stoddard — were all Tories. 

Among the conservative AVhigs of that daj* were Timo- 
thy Edwards, son of the great theologian, and Jahleel, 
son of Jos. Woodbridge. Both of these were educated at 
Princeton, and, after the Revolution, held high offices. 

• Little and Stoddard, being detected in clandestine correspondence 
witli Gen. Gage in 1775, fled to New York, but afterwards returned, and 
submitting themselves to sun-eillance, saved most of their property. In 
1777, they at last toolc the oath of allegicince to the Continental govern- 
ment, and, responding to the call of Gen. Stark previous to the battle 
of Bennington, repaired to that place, but a few hours too late to take 
part in the engagement. After the war, they were both held in favor by 
their neighbors, who frequently elected Little to olTice. At his death in 
1813, he divided his property between the Congregational Church in 
Pittsfield and Williams College. 



Among the Stockbridgo Whigs were Dr. Erastus Ser- 
geant, son of the first missionar}' to the Mohegans, and 
a successful physician ; and Thomas, son of Dr. Thomas 
Williams of Deerfield, a leading lawyer, and who died as 
lieutenant-colonel in the expedition against Canada in 
1776. 

Very earl}- in the Revolutionary contest there became 
prominent in Southern Berkshire a man destined to take 
high rank among the patriots and statesmen of Massa- 
chusetts, and to become the ancestor of man}' men and 
women of ability and note, namel}'. Judge Theodore 
Sedgwick, f 

At Sheffield, besides Mr. Sedgwick, the more promi- 
nent Whigs in 1774 were Hon. John Ashley and his son. 
Col. John Ashley. J A still more energetic Sheffield 
Whig was Col. John Fellows, who was born at Pomfrct, 
Conn., in 1834, became major in the French and Indian 
wars, was a member of the Massachusetts Pro\'incial 
Congress, and served with credit as a brigadier-general 
in the Continental aiTuj'. He died in 1808. 

One of the most brilliant Berkshire Whigs was Col. 
Mark Hopkins, grandfather of the distinguished presi- 
dent of Williams College, who bears the same name. 

John Brown graduated at Yale in 1771, and com- 




menced the practice of law at Johnstown, N. Y., but 
soon removed to Pittsfield, which, in 1774 chose him 
one of its delegates to the Provincial Congress. He 

t Theodore Sedgwick was bom at Hartford In May, 1746, being the 
son of Benjamin, a merchant of that city, who was descended from 
Gen. Robert Sedgwick, who, after being one of the settlers of Charles- 
to«Ti, in 1635, returned to England, and under the English Common- 
wealth was employed in several high positions, the last being in the 
expedition which resulted in the capture of Jamaica, in 1655. At this 
time he was promoted major-genci-al by Cromwell, and made a com- 
missioner for the government of the island, where he soon died. Theo- 
dore entered Yale College in the class of 1765, but did not graduate ; 
read law with Col. Hopkins, and was admitted to the bar in September, 
1775; practised first at Great Barrington, then at Sheffield; but re- 
moved to Stockbridge in 1785. Besides holding many minor, but hon- 
orable offices, he was a member of the Continental Congress, and of 
the Federal Congress ; United States Senator from 1796 to 1799 ; and 
judge of the supreme court of Massachusetts from 1802 until his death, 
in 1S13. In principle and by temperament Judge Sedgwick was exces- 
sively conservative, and for a long time he was at the head of the Fcd- 
er.".l party in Western jiassachusetts, and the intimate friend of the great 
leaders of the party in the country, including Washington, so far as 
any one could be intimate with him. 

t From 1765 to 1781 the elder Ashley was judge of the common 
pleas. He owned 16,000 acres of land in the town. His eon, a gradu- 
ate of Yale, was an active magistrate, and rose to the rank of n:ajor- 
gencral in the militia. The father died in 1802 at ninety-three ; the son 
in 1799 at sixty-four. Both were strongly conservative. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



was a mail of coiumaiiding talents, of noble personal 
appearance, of unflinching courage ; a true man everj' 
way. 

In Pittsfield, the most ardent and influential Whig 
leader was Rev. Thomas Allen, the first minister settled 
in the town. Bom at Northampton in 1713, a graduate 
of Harvard in 1762, and settled in 1764 at Pittsfield, he 
became one of the most noted of the clergj', who preached 
the gospel of libert3' from New England pulpits. He con- 
tinued pastor until his death in 1811, and became as 
widelj' known as an intense Democrat of the JeflTersonian 
school, as he had been as a radical Whig of the Revolution. 
Of the same spirit and possessed of great influence, was 
Elder A'alentine Rathbun, who had established a Baptist 
church at Pittsfield in 1772. Quite as earnest in their 
patriotism, but of a somewhat different class, were 
James Easton and John Brown, both afterwards distin- 
guished officers. Easton, who was a master-builder and 
innkeeper, was born at Hartford, and settled at Pitts- 
field in 1763. 

Lenox had several Whig leaders of abilitj'. * 

At Williamstown, was Benjamin Simonds, one of the 
wealthiest citizens, " a man," says Dr. Field, " of great 
activitj' and enterprise." He was born in 1726, in tlie 
eastern part of Hampshire County, and at the age of 
twenty was one of the captured garrison of Fort Massa- 
chusetts, lie distingiiislicd himself by his patriotic zeal 
in the Revolution, and particularly as commander of the 
Berkshire militia at the battle of Bennington. 

At Richmond, the leading Whig was Gen. David 
Rossiter, who, as lieutenant-colonel, commanded the Mid- 
dle Berkshire Regiment at the battle of Bennington. 
" Few men in the county commanded more respect, and 
no citizen of the town was ever more active in promot- 
ing its interests." 

Conservative and moderate, on the whole, j-et intensely 
patriotic was this remote countj- of Berkshire during 
the Revolutionary period. Dec. 16, 1773, Pittsfield 
in town meeting expressed its alarm at the destruc- 
tion of the East Indian Companj-'a tea in Boston, and 
declared it " unnccessarj', highly unwarrantable, and 
every way tending to the subversion of all good order 
and of the Constitution" ; although, in the same paper, 
the town added, "At the same time, we are as averse 
as any of the patriots in America of being subjected to a 

• Among them was Hon. TVilliam 'Walker, who was bom at Reho- 
both, in 1751, and removed to Berkshire when about nineteen years old. 
He joined the army at Cambridge in 1775, and fought in the battles of 
Trenton, Princeton, and Bennington. He held many honorable posi- 
tions, among others those of delegate to the State Constitutional Con- 
vention of 1781, judge of probate and of the common picas, and in 
1829 presidential elector. He died in 1831. 



tax without our own free and voluntarj' consent, and 
shall, we trust, always abide by that principle. And, 
were there not an alternative between the destruction of 
said tea and the people's being saddled with ilio paj-ment 
of the duties thereon, we should not have the like reason 
to complain ; but, as far as we live in the coimtry, judge 
otherwise." 

Thus conservative and moderate were the people of 
the town, which soon became the most radical in its 
Revolutionary principles of any in the Province. Pitts- 
field, at a town meeting held June 30, appointed Rev. 
Thomas Allen, Deacon James Easton, John Brown, 
Deacon Josiah Wright, John Strong, David Bush, and 
David Noble, "a standing committee to correspond with 
the correspondent committees of this and other prov- 
inces " ; and adopted the Worcester Covenant, — the 
most stringent form of the " solenm league and covenant," 
by which indiriduals bound themselves, and towns their 
citizens, not to purchase an}- goods, tlie production of 
Great Britain, or an}' of her West Indian Colonies, and 
generally agreed to act together in resisting the aggres- 
sions of the mother countr}-. 

On the 14th of July, Charles Dibble, and 113 other 
citizens of Lenox, signed a similar covenant, and other 
towns took patriotic action of the same kind dming 
the summer. 

On the sixth of July, 1774, a county congress, to con- 
sider the state of the I'rovince, was held at Stockbridge. 
John Ashley was president, and Thootlore Sedgwick 
clerk. Thomas Williams, Peter Curtis, John Brown, 
Mark Hopkins, and Theodore Sedgwick, were appointed 
a committee to take uito consideration the acts made by 
parliament for the purpose of raising a revenue in 
America ; and Tiraothj' Edwards, Dis. Whiting, Bar- 
nard, and Sergeant, and Deacon Easton, to draft an 
agreement to be recommended to the towns in the county 
for the non-consiunption of British manufactures. We 
have no record of the action of the first-named com- 
mittee, but the second reported a stringent covenant, of 
which the sixth and final paragraph declared " that if 
this, or a similar covenant, shall, after the first day of 
August next, be ofTcred to any trader or shopkeeper in 
this county, and he or they shall refuse to sign the same 
for the space of fortj^-eight hours, that we will from 
thenceforth purchase no article of British manufacture, 

John Patterson, afterwards colonel of the minnte-men and a briga- 
dier-general in the Continental army, was born at New Britain, 
Conn., in 1744, where he commenced the practice of law, but re- 
moved to Lenox in 1774. After the Shays rebellion, against which 
he took a prominent part, he removed to Lisle, N. Y., where he be- 
came chief justice of the county court, and, in 1803 was elected to 
Congress. 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



or East India goods from him or them, until sucli time 
as he or thcj- shall sign this or a similar covenant." 

The congress farther voted to set apart the next 
Thursday for a da}- of fasting and prayer, and recom- 
mended to the charity of the several towns in the county 
the distressed circumstances of the poor of Charlestown 
and Boston, and that their contributions should be remit- 
ted, the next fall, in fat cattle. The clerk was directed 
to transmit a copy of the proceedings to the Boston 
Committee of Correspondence. 

During the ■winter of 1774-5, man}' of the Berkshire 
towns adopted the famous Resolution of Association, 
which had been signed bj' the members of the Con- 
tinental Congress, on the 20th of October, and appointed, 
under it, " Committees of Inspection," whose duty it 
was " to observe the conduct of all persons within their 
precinct concerning the articles of association, and, if 
any dclinquencj' was found, to publish the name of the 
offender in the "Gazette" (meaning, in Berkshire, the 
Hartford "Courant"), to the end that all such foes of 
the rights of British America might be piibliclj- known, 
and universally' contemned as the enemies of American 
liberty, and that all patriots might thenceforth break off 
all intercourse with him or her." These formidable 
bodies were organized all over the Province ; but, in 
Berkshire, a special importance is attached to them ; for 
while elsewhere the courts of law were soon re-established, 
here the committees, as constituted by the towns from 
time to time, were the supreme rulers, practically inde- 
pendent of courts and laws, and only subject to occa- 
sional instruction from town meetings, generally guided 
by the committee-men. 

Under the general advice of the Provincial Congress, 
the Berkshire militia were reorganized* with officers of 
their own choosing, and James Easton became colonel, 
in place of the veteran William "Williams, whose roj-al 
commission was superseded. At the same time, two 
regiments of minute-men were put in readiness to take 
the field on an instant's warning ; one in the northern 
and central part of the count}', under Col. John Patter- 

• One incident in tlie organization of the minute-men is wortliy of 
special rccoid. Capt. David Kohle of Pittsficld, having visited Boston 
and Ijccorae impressed with the necessity of prompt military prepara- 
tion, returned home, sold two farms in Stephcntown, N. Y., for gold, sup- 
plied his company — which was raised in Pittsfield and Richmond — 
with one hundred and thirty stand of arms, and uniformed them with 
neat and substantial regimentals, their breeches being of buckskin, and 
thcur coats "of blue turned up with white," and the whole being made 
up in his own house during the winter. Aftcnvards, while with his 
company at the siege of Boston, he ordered all the grain and other need- 
ful things in his store at Pittsfleld, to be sent forward for the use of the 
army. lie died at Lake Champlain of small-pox, on the retreat of the 
ai-my from Canada in 177C, and neither he nor his heirs ever received 
any compensation for his sacrifices. 



son of Lenox ; the other, in the southern section, com- 
manded b}' Col. John Fellows of Sheffield. Both com- 
manders were members of the Provincial Congress. 

News of the battle of Lexington reached Berkshire on 
the 20th, and Col. Patterson's regiment was on its my 
to Cambridge by sunrise the next morning, completely 
equipped in arms, and generally in uniform. At Cam- 
bridge the regiment was reorganized, most of the men 
enlisting for eiglit months, although some preferred to 
join Arnold's expedition up the Kennebec. 

In 1774, Pittsficld elected John Brown to represent it 
in the Provincial Congress, a choice which led to a long 
series of exciting and important events, f 

In April, 1776, Col. Patterson's regiment, which had 
been serving in the siege of Boston, and afterwards in 
the vicinitj- of New York, joined the army in Canada, 
in its disastrous retreat to the southern shores of Lake 
Champlain, where, to use the graphic words of John 
Adams, " it lay disgraced, defeated, discontented, 
dispirited, diseased, naked, undisciplined, eaten up with 
vermin ; no clothes, beds or blankets, no medicines, no 
victuals but salt pork and flour." Here Capt. Noble 
and many other Berkshire men died. 

When Col. Patterson's regiment left White Plains for 
Canada in 177G, its place was filled by a corps of levies 
from the three Berkshire militia regiments, under the 
command of the gallant Col. Simonds of Williamstown. 
In the same j'ear, Col. Samuel Brewer of Tyringham, 
led a regiment from southern Berkshire to Ticonderoga. 
But it would be impracticable to speak of all the military 
senice of this exposed and excitable count}-, which was 
called upon in every emergency, for men and every kind 
of supplies, and always responded with alacrity. 

The record shows that, prior to 1780, Pittsfleld fur- 



;teathe 



t This John Brown it was who not only suggested the project of cap- 
turing Ticonderoga at the opening of the Revolution, but acted so con- 
spicuous a p.art subsequently, together with Ethan Allen, in driving the 
British from the waters, and from the vicinity of Lake Champhain. 
Failing inadvertently at last to co-operate with Allen in his contemplated 
attack on Montreal, the expedition against the latter city failed, and 
Allen was taken prisoner. Meantime, it may be added in this connec- 
tion, that one of the darkest pages of Revolutionary history is that 
wliich records the persistent, yet utterly unmerited neglect and abuse 
that, owing to the overweening confidence of his superior officers in 
Benedict Arnold, who systematically traduced him, was ■\isited upon 
this most heroic, intrepid, and Indomitable Revolutionary soldier. He 
was among the very first who detected the intrinsic baseness of Arnold; 
and Arnold knew that Brown understood, and did not respect him. 
Hence the calumnies of the latter; and hence the long agony of one of 
the noblest, bravest spirits that ever drew sword in defence of his 
country. After having achieved many brilliant exploits, and rendered 
most important and patriotic service to his country. Col. Brown at last, 
July, 17S0, fell at the head of his troops, while attempting to succor the 
Mohawk Valley, seriously threatened by Sir John Johnson's Indian and 
Tory hordes. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



nished men to meet thirty-two calls of greater or less 
importance ; sometimes ha^■ing more soldiers in the 
field than there were names on the militia roll ; and 
it is probable that the records of other towns, had thej- 
been as full}- preseri-ed, would tell a similar story. 

At the first opening of the Revolution, one of the most 
exasperating throats with which the Berkshire Tories 
sought to intimidate the Whigs, was that a British army, 
with savage auxiliaries, would sweep down upon the 
countv from Canada ; and it was in great part to avert 
this hideous calamity that the people there were so 
earnest for the early conquest of that Province. The 
defeat of that project reawakened their fears, which were 
enhanced b^' the apparently' needless evacuation of Fort 
Ticonderoga, immediatel}' upon the investment bj- Bur- 
goyne, and bj- the atrocities committed b^' his Indian 
allies. As he continued to advance, calls were frequentl}- 
made for details of the Berkshire militia, to aid in check- 
ing him. The demands were promptly answered, and 
the details almost as promptl}- sent back, with no oppor- 
tunity to accomplish anytliing. 

On learning that Gen. Stark had established an in- 
dependent command in the Grants, the courage of the 
people was renewed. And so, when the alarm that a 
large detachment of the enemy were approaching Ben- 
nington, was sent out b}- Stark at midnight between the 
13th and 14th of August, it met an enthusiastic response. 
Col. Simonds — the same who had been one of the cap- 
tives of Fort Massachusetts, but now for several j-ears 
colonel of the North Berkshire regiment of militia — 
resided about half a mile north of the village of Williams- 
town, and there Stark's messengers came, early on the 
morning of the 14th. Simonds rapidlj- disseminated the 
summons throughout the county, and before the night of 
the 15th, more than 500 Berkshh-e men had reported at 
Bennington. * 

• During the night of the 15th occurred a conversation which has 
become famous. Among the Pittsfield volunteers was Rev. Thomas 
Allen, the impetuous pastor of an impetuous people. Both he and they 
had become thoroughly disgusted with the frequent al)ortive expedi- 
tions to ehecli Burgo.vne, and he seized the first opportunity to malce 
this feeling known to Stark. Proceeding to headquarters, through the 
rain and darkness, he thus addressed the commander, who hardly 
needed such prodding : " Gen. Stark ; We, the people of Berkshire, 
have often been called upon to fight, but have never been led against 
the enemy ; and now, if you won't let us fight, we have resolved not to 
come out again." "Do you want to march now in the dark and 
rain?" inquired Stark. "No, not just this minute." "Well, if the 
Lord once more gives us sunshine, and I don't give you fighting enough, 
don't eorae again." 

Stark was as good as his word, and the parson, after praying before 
the troops that the Lord would teach their hands to war and their fingers 
to fight, went into the battle, musket in hand, and a shower of Tory 
bullets about his head, and became almost as notable a figure in the 
story of the day as Molly Stark's husband. 



The Berkshire troops were with the body who charged 
the breastworks in front. In the second part of the 
battle, on the approach of Burgoyne's reinforcements, 
Lieut. Col. Rossiter and JIaj. Stratton, of the Berkshire 
contingent, rendered brilliant ser^■ice in rallj-iug the 
troops who had scattered in search of plunder. There 
is no part of their service during the Revolution of which 
the people of Berkshire are more proud than their ex- 
ploits in this battle. 

At the battle of Saratoga, Gen. Patterson was present 
with a great part of his brigade, and the Berkshire militia 
were present in large numbers. 

During the greater part of the Revolution the political 
state of Berkshire was anomalous. From the summer 
of 1775, until the adoption of the State Constitution in 
1780, a part}-, composed of the great majority of the 
people, led by Rev. Thomas Allen, ruled the county, 
through committees of inspection and correspondence, in 
open disregard, so far as civil government was concerned, 
of the authority set up at Boston. From 1774 to 1778, 
no probate courts even were held in Berkshire ; nor were 
any deeds recorded between 1774 and 1776. 

The success of the Berkshire Constitutionalists, and 
of a similar committee rule which continued for a time in 
Hampshire County, doubtless encouraged, if it did not 
originally suggest, the resort to a suspension of the 
courts, attempted in the movement which became the 
Shays Rebellion. Although the principles of the two 
uprisings were entirely different, yet the habit of living 
without courts had certainly become so pleasant to man}' 
of the enormously large debtor class, that they were 
willing to do away with them altogether on any pretense. 

The rebellion did not, however, commence in Berk- 
shire, and before the resort to arms, the demands of the 
discontented by their conventions in that county were 
more moderate by far than those of their compatriots in 
Hampshire and Worcester. And yet few counties 
suffered so much by the depression of business which 
succeeded the Revolution. Labor had been more dis- 
turbed by the war here than in almost any other county, 
and there had been greater temptations to loose business 
habits. Agriculture was almost the sole occupation of 
its inhabitants, and their distance from large markets 
reduced the value of agricultural products to an almost 
merely nominal price. Faniis, generally owned by sol- 
diers of the war, were mortgaged often to Tories or Con- 
servatives, who had made money while their debtors were 
ser\'ing the country. The law of debtor and creditor 
was cruelly severe. In short, a large portion of the 
people, groaning under burdens of which they im- 
perfectly comprehended the nature, and still more im- 



MASSACI-rUSETTS. 



pcrfectlj' the remedies, wero in a plight to follow the lead 
of the first plausible demagogue who offered himself. In 
Berkshire, however, the leadership appears to have been 
more wise and moderate than could have been expected. 
A convention of the party held at Lenox in August, 
1786, exj^ressly disapproved many of the absurd doc- 
trines elsewhere proclaimed, "manifested a decent and 
respectable regard to the administration of government 
in general, and solemnly engaged to use their influence to 
support the courts of justice in the exercise of their legal 
powers, and to endeavor to quiet the agitated spii-its of 
the people." 

This influence, however, did not avail ; for the con- 
vention had hardly adjourned before a mob of 800 col- 
lected at Great Barrington, and not only prevented the 
session of the Common Picas Court, but released the 
prisoners in the jail, and induced tliree of the judges to 
sign an agreement not to act under their commissions 
until the grievances complained of by the mob had been 
redressed. The fourth judge, Hon. Elijah Dwight of 
Great BaiTington, bravelj' refused to sign, and suffered 
no harm for it. 

Soon after this affair at Great Barrington, the insur- 
gents, who had previously confined their opposition to 
the Inferior (Common Pleas) Courts, collected in such 
numbers at Springfield, where the Superior — corre- 
sponding to the present Supreme — Court was about to 
hold a session, that the judges, although protected bj- 
600 militia, deemed it unadvisable to sit there or to pro- 
ceed to Bcrkshu-e. Nevertheless, on the day appointed 
for the court to meet in that county, the malccontents as- 
sembled in large numbers at Great Barrington,- and, 
although no judges appeared, became exceedingly riot- 
ous, obliged obnoxious persons to flee for their lives, 
while armed men pursued one gentleman, who held a 
very honorable office, searched private houses, and fired 
upon several of the inoffensive inhabitants. 

Thus far all was the work of unorganized mobs ; but 
about Christmas, 1786, the insurrectionary proceedings 
in the lower counties assumed the form of pronounced 
rebellion, with Daniel Shaj-s at the head of its forces, 
among which were 400 Berkshii-e men, imder one Eli 
Parsons. 

An account of the defeat of the insurgents at Spring- 
field, and their flight to Petersham, is elsewhere given. 

Meanwhile small bodies of the disaffected appeared in 
Berkshire, in the hope of creating a diversion in favor of 
their brethren, and under the lead of the truculent Eli 
Parsons, occasioned serious distui-bance in many places. 
Stockbridge was the scene of an invasion by a company 
of 90 men, under Perez Hamlin. The insurgents, how- 



ever, were met, near the western boundary of Sheffield, 
by the loyal militia of that town, under Col. Ashley, and 
defeated, with a loss of two killed and thirty wounded. 

This blow practically ended the rebellion. Several of 
the insurgent leaders were prosecuted and condemned, 
and for some time detained in prison under sentence of 
death ; all, however, were subsequently set at liberty. 

Decemlier 21, 1841, the trains through Berkshire, 
making continuous trips from Boston to Albany, ran for 
the first time over the Western or Boston and Albany 
Railroad. 

The opening of the "Western Railroad changed the 
whole aspect of business affairs in Berkshire County, 
giving a marvellous impulse to manufactures, changing 
to a large extent the relative, as well as the absolute, 
prosperity of towns, with the advantage largely in favor 
of those directly on the line, and gradually modifying 
characteristics of the people which had arisen from their 
isolation. Its value to the county was greatly enhanced 
by the building of local roads intersecting the county 
from its northern to its southern border. The Pittsflcld 
and North Adams Railroad was built in 1846, having 
a length of 21 miles. It was constructed under the 
direction of the Western Railroad Company, at an 
expense of $450,000. The Ilousatonic Railroad, from 
Bridgeport to the north line of Connecticut, was opened 
in 1842, and nearly at the same time an extension 
was built through Sheffield, Great Barrington, and the 
village of Van Dcusenville, in Great Barrington, to West 
Stockbridge, where, by means of a short link, connection 
was made with the Western, and Hudson and Berkshire 
roads : thus giving Southern Bcrkshli-e raiboad commu- 
nication with New York city and Connecticut, and also 
with Boston and the West. In 1850, another extension 
of this line of roads was made by the opening of the 
Stockbridge and Pittsfield Railroad, connecting with the 
Berkshire at Van Dcusenville, and running through 
Stockbridge, Lee, and Lenox, to Pittsfield. This com- 
pleted the line commonly known as the Housatonic Rail- 
road, from Pittsfield to Bridgeport, there connecting 
with the New York and New Haven. 

Although the project of tunneUing the Iloosac moun- 
tain for a canal was abandoned, the people of Northern 
Berkshire never altogether gave up the idea of a line of 
commmiication — a railroad being substituted for a 
canal — through the valleys of the Deerfield and Hoosac 
rivers ; of which the tunnel was an essential element. 
The connecting links, east of Greenfield, ha\-ing been 
completed, the Lcgislatiure, in 1848, incorporated the 
Troy and Greenfield Railroad Company, with a capital 
of §3,500,000, for the purpose of extending this line to 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



the western border of the State, there to connect witli a 
road leading to the city of Tro}'. Private capitalists did 
not displaj^ any avidity to invest in this scheme, and 
appeals were made to the Legislature, from time to time, 
for State aid, but without efToct, until the j-ear ISo-l, 
when, tlie politics of the Commonwealth being in an 
unusually perturbed state, its credit was loaned to the 
company for $2,000,000. Under their direction the 
work was conducted until 18G2, when the State toolc 
possession of it. From that time on there was a scries 
of complications which it would require a volume to 
explain. It is sufficient for our purpose here to say that 
the final cost to the State was $18,000,000, but it has 
greatlj' enriched and populated the town of North 
Adams, and, to some extent, others upon its line. 

A .pleasant immediate result of the completion of the 
Western Railroad in 1841, was the Berkshire Jubilee, 
held at Pittsfield, on the 22d and 23d of August, 1844. 
This was simply a reunion of the immigrants from the 
countj- and their descendants, with its resident citizens ; 
but it was so managed as to secure national and penna- 
nent fame.* 

The fixing of the countj'-seat at Lenox, in 1787, soon 
became a source of conflict between the northern and 
southern sections of the county, contiiming, with more 
or less evil results, for eighty-one j-ears. In 1868, the 
proprietj' of making the central market-town of the 
count}' also tlie seat of its courts had become so apparent, 
that when Hon. Thomas F. Plunkett, one of its represent- 
atives began a judicious movement to effect it, there was 
verj' little opposition, and, by a direct vote of the legis- 
lature the county-scat was removed to Pittsfield. The 
court-house adjoins Parlc Square, and besides ample 
space for the building, afllbrds a very spacious com-t-yard 
in front, shaded bj- venerable elms. Its cost, with the 
site, was $235,000. 

Educational Institutions. 
Common schools were provided for in many of the 
towns of Berksliire, in addition to the statute requirc- 

• It originated with a committee in the city of New York, among 
whose eighteen mcmlicrs were AVilli.ini Cullcn Bryant, Tlicodorc Scdg- 
wicli, Rev. Dr. Orville Dewey, David Dudley Field, Judge Samuel R. 
Bctts, and Rev. Dr. R. .S. Cool;. The citizens of the county received 
the proposition with the utmost favor, and entrusted the management 
to large committees of the most honored of its members, with Rev. Dr. 
Todd at their head. George N. Briggs, then just elected for the fii'st 
time governor of the Commonwealth, presided throughout the jubilee, 
and Julius Rockwell, who had just succeeded him as member of Con- 
gress, was one of the most active and prominent of the managers. 

The exercises in chief consisted of a sermon by President Mark 
Hopkins of Willi.ims College, an oration by Hon. Joshua A. Spencer of 
Utica, a poem by Rev. 'William Allen, president of Bowdoin College, 
and son of the first Pittsfield minister. There was, also, a public dinner, 



ments obligatory upon the whole Commonwealth, bj- 
liberal reservations in the original grants. Their historj' 
has not diflSered from that of similar schools in other 
counties ; although strenuous organized effort has often 
been made for their improvement, the county as a whole 
has not taken high rank in this respect ; but there has 
been a marked advance in later years, at least in the 
larger towns. In the higher institutions of learning, on 
the other hand, Berkshire has stood among the first 
counties of tlie State, and chief among them stands 
Williams College. 

Col. Ephraim Williams, the founder of this institution, 
was the son of Col. Ephraim Williams who has already 
been mentioned as one of the first settlers of Stock- 
bridge. He was led bj- an adventurous disposition into 
a sea-faring life, which continued until he was twenty- 
five j-ears old. About that time he, at his father's urgent 
desire, gave up the sea and joined him at Stockbridge, 
where he was for a short interval a useful and acti\e 
citizen. The war, commencing in 1744, withch'ew hini 
from this peaceful field, and he was for a time in com- 
mand of the line of forts erected bj- his kinsman. Col. 
William Williams of Pittsfield, besides sen'ing with zeal 
in still more exposed locaHties. 

Earl}' in 1755, Maj. Williams was commissioned 
colonel of one of the three regiments raised bj' order of 
Gov. Shirley for the expedition against Crown Point. 
On the 7th of Septemljcr, when near the head of 
Lake George, Sir William Johnson, who was in com- 
mand, received information that a French and Indian 
arm}', which proved afterwards to be Baron Dieskau's 
famous corps, was approaching. Col. "SMlliams, with 
1,000 white men and 200 Mohawks, was detailed for a 
reconnoisance. As they passed up a steep ravine, it was 
discovered that they were within an ambuscade. Col. 
WiUiams soon fell, mortally wounded, and Col. Whiting, 
with all his courage and skill, was onl}' able to save a 
remnant of the command. 

All the way from his home in Deerfield to Albany, he 
was stronglj' impressed with the dut}' of making his 

with notable speeches and sentiments. Interspersed throughout were 
poems and other literary contributions from men and women of note ; 
among them Miss Catherine M. Sedgwick, Oliver Wendell Holmes, 
Rev. Dr. Orville Dewey, Mrs. Frances Ann Kcmblc, Macready, the 
English tragedian, and Jlrs. Lydia H. Sigoumcy. But it w.is not en- 
tirely due to the part taken in the jubilee by these distinguished persons 
that the jubilee took such a peculiar hold upon the fancy of the people, 
far and wide. It was its unique character and grand proportions as a 
social gathering, entirely original in its design, and entered into with 
all their hearts by the people of an entire county, which constituted its 
peculi.ir charm ; a charm like that which in the popular mind invests 
the first cattle-show. A truism became a happy rhetorical expression 
when one of the spcalters said : " There will bo other Berkshire Jubilees 
in coming years, but there can never again be a firtt one." 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



■will. Serious illness deepening this impression, he pro- 
ceeded, by bequest, to devote the bulk of his property 
for the support of a free school in the township west of 
Fort Massachusetts, provided it should fiill within the 
jurisdiction of the Province of Massachusetts, and be 
named Williamstown. The free school was incorporated 
in 1785. In 1790, the building now known as the "West 
College was erected. The free ' school was opened 
Oct. 20, 1791 ; the principal being Ebenezer Fitch, 
a graduate of Yale College. 

The school prospered. Young men from Massachu- 
setts and the neighboring States resorted to it in con- 
siderable numbers, and a disposition, natural to those 
ambitious days, to convert it into a college, soon arose. 
In 1792, the trustees petitioned the legislature that it 
might so be established and suitably endowed. In 
accordance with this petition, Williams College was 
established by an act of the legislature, approved June 
22, 1793. Rev. Mr. Fitch, who, in 1800, received the 
degree of D. D. from Harvard University, was made 
president, and the first commencement was held Sept. 2, 
1795, when four persons were graduated. 

The succeeding presidents have been Rev. Zephaniah 
Swift Moore, Rev. Edward D. Griffin, D. D.,* Rev. 
Mark Hopkins, D. D., and Rev. Paul A. Chadbourne, 

D. D. The growing interest of the alumni in the college, 
has of late years manifested itself in liberal contribu- 
tions, and this mountain Alma Mater has reason to 
rejoice in her children. 

The Berkshire ^Medical College, established at Pitts- 
field in 1823, after an existence of fortj'-f our years, grad- 
uating 1,138 doctors in medicine, was discontinued. 

Prof. Chester Dewey, the distinguished naturalist, 
established at Pittsfield, in 1826, the Berkshire G3'mna- 
sium, a school of high grade for young men, which 
flourished until Prof Dewej' was made president of the 
Rochester Collegiate Institute in 1836. 

In 1841, Rev. W. II. Tyler founded the Pittsfield 
Young Ladies' Institute, a seminarj- of high rank, and 
now known as the Maplewood Young Ladies' Institute. 

The first newspaper of Berkshire County, the "Ameri- 
can Centinel," was published in Pittsfield, in 1787, b}' 

E. Russel-t It was succeeded, after a brief existence, 
by the "Berkshire Chronicle," an able paper published 
by Roger StoiTS. The latter was followed, in 1790, bj' 
the "Berkshire Gazette." In 1799, the printing-office 
and materials of this paper were transferred to the 
" Pittsfield Sun," which was first issued by Phinehas 

• A clear and vigorous writer, and an able and exceedingly eloquent 
preacher. 

t Tte " Berkshire Star," long a leading county paper, was established 
at Stockbridgc, in 1788. 



Allen in 1800. This paper was conducted by Mr. Allen 
until his death in 1861, when he was succeeded by his 
son. Since 1872, it has been in charge of Hon. II. J. 
Canfield, and is the only organ of the Democratic partj' 
in Western Massachusetts. The "Berkshire Count3- 
Eagle," at present published by Henry Chickering and 
"William D. Axtell, is a flourishing and popular local 
paper. Other influential papers in the county are the 
" North Adams Transcript," published by Judge James 
T. Robinson ; the " News," also of North Adams, 
published by James C. Angell & Co.; "Berkshire 
Courier," of Great Barrington, now owned b}' Clark "W. 
Bryan ; and the " Valley Gleaner," of Lee. A dozen 
or more other papers have from time to time had an 
ephemeral existence in the county. 

In the war of the Rebellion, the county of Berkshire 
did its full duty. The Allen Guard of Pittsfield, com- 
manded by Captain, afterwards Brigadier-General, Henry 
S. Briggs, was attached to the Eighth Regiment, at the 
request of its commander, and formed part of the first 
contingent sent by Massachusetts to the support of the 
government ; being the first company called from 
western Massachusetts. 

In 1861, under authoritj' from the Secretarj' of "War, 
Major-General Butler, began the organization of two 
regiments in Massachusetts. One of these was organ- 
ized in Pittsfield, on the grounds of the Agricultural 
Society whose hall was used as barracks. This regiment, 
known as the Thirtj'-first Massachusetts, with officers 
commissioned by Gov. Andrew, was the first to enter 
the city of New Orleans after its surrender. In August, 
1862, a camp of instruction was established at Pittsfield, 
under the name of Camp Briggs. The first regiment 
organized here was the Thirt}--seventh, Col. Oliver 
Edwards of Springfield. It was raised in the four 
western counties of the State, and left Pittsfield Sept. 
7, 1862. The organization of the Fort^'-ninth, an 
exclusively Berkshire regiment, was commenced at once, 
Capt., since Gen., William F. Bartlett being soon placed 
in command. 

This officer, who afterwards became famous both for 
his gallantry in war, and his generous and honest states- 
manship in peace, was born at Haverhill, June 6, 1840, 
being the son of Charles Leonard Bartlett. "When the 
rebellion broke out he was a student of Han'ard Univer- 
sity, with strong Southern proclivities ; but in April, 
1861, he enlisted in the twentieth Massachusetts regi- 
ment, and in Julj' was commissioned captain. He lost a 
leg at Yorktown ; but was so conspicuous for efficiency 
in command of the camp at Pittsfield, that he was elected 
coloucl of the forty-ninth, and led the regiment to the 



HISTORY OF ^BVr ENGLAND. 



field ; his youtliful appearance, and his crutch strapped 
to his back as he rode at the head of his men, making 
him an object of achnii-ation at all points. The Hcutcn- 
ant-colonel of this regiment was Samuel B. .Sumner, an 
able lawj-er and poet of Great Barrington, and the major, 
Charles T. Plunkctt, of Pittsfield, 

After the fortj-uinth was disbanded, Col. Bartlett was 
assigned to the fiftj'-sevcutfi, and led it through several 
notable battles in the cnnpiijin of the Aini^ of the Po- 




THE COUHT HOrSE, PITTSFIELD. 



tomac in 1864. In June of that year he was promoted 
brigadier-general, and commanded a division of the 
ninth corps. In 1805 he was breveted mnjor-gcncral. 
In October, 1865, he married Agnes, daughter of Eobcrt 
Pomeroy of Pittsfield, and became a citizen of that 
town. In the efforts of the party knowTi as the Lib- 
eral Eepublicans, to secure a generous treatment of 
the States formerly in rebellion, and also a retrench- 
ment of national exjjenditui'e, Gen, Bartlett became 



a conspicuous leader and speaker. He died Dec. 17, 
1876. His life has been written by his Mend, Gen. F. 
W. Palfrey, of Boston. 

Besides the thirty-first, thirtj--seventh, and forty-ninth 
regiments, whose camps of recruiting and instruction 
were at Pittsfield, Berkshire sent companies to the eighth, 
tenth, twentieth, twenty-fourth, twenty-seventh, fifty- 
seventh, and many recruits to other regiments ; a resort 
to di afting being so rare as to be of httle account. 

Descriptive. 
Berkshire County, it needs hardly be said, 
is a region of exquisite natural beauty, con- 
Mbtmg, as it does, in infinite and deUghtful 
\ iiiety of combination of hiU and valley, lake 
.lud stream, rock and waterfall, farm and field. 
• The deUcious surprises of Berkshire," was 
one of the happiest phrases of the poetic Gov. 
Andiew. Wherever you go j-ou meet con- 
st mt changes "which at once charm the eye, 
nul dehght the heart. At eveiy turn of the 
road. 

" You stand suddenly astonished, 
You are gladdened unaware." 

The beauty of Berkshire is world-renowned ; 
ioi \\ illiani Cullen Bryant and Catherine Sedg- 
\Mck early made it their favorite theme, and 
HI later days. Holmes, Longfellow, Hawthorne, 
md a host of others loved to celebrate it. 

There are thi-ee irregular ranges of towns 
extending fift}' miles from north to south. 
Two of these lie along the mountain ranges 
respectively on the east and west; the thu-d 
stutches along the valley which is cradled 
v\een them. 

The unequal distribution of the himdred 
1 ikelcts of the county creates another dis- 
tinction between two classes of towns, the 
ii-tamed beauty of Stoekbridge, Lenox and 
Pittsfield, being derived in no small degree 
from the number and grace of outUne of the 
romantic sheets of water wliich lie wholly or 
in part within them. 

Towns. 
Pittsfield, the shire town since 1868, is very nearly 
the geographical centre of the county, and veiy emphat- 
ically its centre as regards intercommunication, owing to 
the peculiar conformation of the hills and valleys, which 
almost compels all traffic between the different sections 
to pass through it. The Boston and Albany, Housatonic 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



and Pittsfiold, and North Adams railroads all connect 
here in a union station house. 

The House of Mercj-, a cottage hospital, is the result 
of the benevolent labors of an association of ladies, who 
opened it in a hired house in 187G, and erected in 1877 
the present buOding, a handsome and convenient edifice 
of two stories. 

The Academy of Music is one of the most beautiful 
and commodious theatres in the country, out- 
side of the larger cities. 

The Berkshire Life Insurance Company, with 
assets of $3,276,000, now the most wealthy 
and prosperous business institution of the 
county, was organized in December, 1851, with 
Gov. George N. Briggs as president. The 
company has erected, at a cost of $180,000, 
a noble building of Nova Scotia freestone. 

The water works, which have been built at 
a cost of $195,000, were commenced in 1855. 
The water is as nearly pure as can be found 
in nature, the sources of supply being Lake 
Ashley, which lies on a mountain summit 
seven hundred feet high, and seven miles from 
the park, and two streams in the same silicious 
region. The reservoir, which has a capacity 
of over 1,000,000 gallons, lies three and a 
half miles from the park, and one hundred 
and thirty-six feet above it. 

There are eleven religious parishes in town 
— three Congi-cgational (one colored), two 
Catholic (one French) , and one each of Bap- 
tist, Methodist, Episcopalian, Lutheran (Ger- 
man) , Jewish (German) , and Shakers. The 
finest church edifices are the First Congre- 
gational, St. Joseph's (R. C), St. Stephen's 
(P. E ), of graj- limestone, and the Methodist 
and Baptist, of brick. The first settlers of the 
town were all Congregationalists. The first 
Baptist church was organized in 1772; but 
the present oi^nization dates from 1801. 
Shakerism came in 1779 ; the first Methodist 
class was formed in 1789 ; the first Episcopal 
parish in 1835; the first mass was said in 1835 
j the first Catholic church built in 1844. 
I There are forty-one public schools well graded, in- 
cluding a high school and four grammar schools. 

The Berkshire Athenteum, for the promotion of litera- 
ture, science and art, was mcorporated in 1871, and 
I immediatelj' received from various sources an excellent 
brick library building and some valuable libraries and 
cabinets. In 1872 the library was made free to all citi- 



zens of the town. In 1872 Phinehas Allen died, lea%'ing 
the AthenaBum his re.siduar}- legatee, so that at the ter- 
iidnation of some life interests it will receive $50,000. 
In 1873 the town voted $2,000, annually, for the sup- 
port of the institution until l^Ir. Allen's bequest becomes 
available ; and, mostly at the expense of the town, the 
site was enlarged to a frontage of 144 feet on Park 
Square at a cost of $27,000. On this, in 1875-76, 




THE EERKSUIUE 



,EUM, PITTSFIELD. 



and 



Thomas Allen of St. Louis — a summer resident of the 
town and grandson of " The Parson of Bennington 
Field" — erected for it a beautiful edifice. Forty 
thousand volumes were loaned last j'ear from the free 
library. 

The Pittsfield Rural Cemetery, one of the most beau- 
tiful in the country, consists of about 131 acres of wood 
and lawn, in wliich are a small lakelet and a large brook 
— Onota. 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



Pittsfield enjojs a fine reputation as a manufacturing 
citj'.* 

Among the many distinguished citizens of Pittsfield, 
in addition to those alrcad}' mentioned, are : Ezekiel 
Bacon, a gi-aduate of Yale, a prominent law3-er and 
member of Congress (177G-1870) ; John W. Hurlburt, 
the leader of the Federal, as Mr. Bacon was of the 
Democratic part}', an able lawj-er and member of Con- 
gress, who died in 1831 ; Eev. William Allen, D. D., 
son of the first minister, a graduate of Harvard, profes- 
sor at Dartmouth, president of Bowdoin College, and 
author of the first American Dictiouaiy of Biographj' 
(1794-18G8) ; Rev. Ileman Humphrey, D. D., a gradu- 
ate of Yale, author and president of the collegiate insti- 
stitute, which afterwards became Amherst College (1779 
-1861) ; George Nixon Briggs, congressman, judge, and 
governor of Massachusetts (1796-1861), and Rev. John 
Todd, D. D., graduate of Y''ale and Andover, author, 
and the well-known pastor of the First Church in Pitts- 
field for moi-e than a quarter of a century (1800-1873). 

Other i^rominent citizens of the town have been Dr. 
Timothy Childs, the Revolutionar}' patriot and surgeon ; 
Dr. Ilenrj- II. Childs, president and principal founder of 
the Medical College ; Colonel Oliver Root, a Revolu- 
tionary officer ; Maj. Thomas Melville ; Henry Clinton 
Brown, high sheriff; Lemuel Pomeroj-, manufacturer 
and a public-spirited citizen ; Henry Hubbard, lawyer, 
politician and editor ; Thomas F. Plunkett, manufac- 
turer, financier and politician ; Rev. Samuel Harris, D. 
D., since president of Bowdoin College ; Rev, George T. 
Chapman, a distinguished Episcopalian divine ; Julius 
Rockwell (afterwards of Lenox) , for fourteen years rep- 
resentative in Congress, United States senator and judge 
of the Superior Court ; Henry L. Dawes, United States 
senator, and James D. Colt, judge of the Supreme Court. 

Adams, the chief town in Northern Berkshire, and 
one of the most interesting in New England, is situated 
on the Hoosac River, where it bends from its northward 
course, and passing north of Grcylock, flows westward 
to the Hudson. At this point is some of the best water- 
power in Berkshire, and more than is to be found in anj' 
other portion of the county of the same extent. Before 
the division of the town in 1878, it included thi-ee flour- 
ishing manufacturing villages built upon this stream, 
Adams, North Adams, and Blackintou, with a popu- 
lation of 15,000. The southern portion retained the old 
town name, and is a busy little manufacturing place, 
famous chiefly on account of its large paper manufactorj-. 

• The Pontoosuc Woollen Company now employs 250 hands. The 
Bel Air Jlill, and several other corporations manufacture cotton and 



It has several churches, and a good system of public 
schools, establishments for the manufacture of paper, 
warps, cassimeres, ginghams, dress goods, &c. 

North Adams, including Blackintou, is now a town 
of 10,000 inhabitants. Alwaj-s enterprising and pros- 
perous, the building of the Hoosac Tunnel, whose ex- 
istence is largely due to the energy, persistence, and 
liberality of its citizens, has brought to it largely in- 
creased population, wealth, and fame. North Adams is 
eminently a manufactin'ing town. The leading establish- 
ment is the Arnold Print "Works, employing two hundred 
and fiftj- hands. The weekly capacity is 750,000 3-ards. 
Other companies manufacture ginghams, fancy cassi- 
meres, prints, shoes, lumber, &c. 

There are seven churches and three banks. Some of 
the churches are the finest public buildings in town. 
The public schools stand among the first in the State. 
Besides numerous primary schools, there are in Drury 
Academy thirteen departments, illustrating the graded 
system, and giving systematic and thorough instruction. 
The scene-ry in the vicinity of both North and South 
Adams is wild and picturesque. The most interesting 
spots are Grcylock, the recesses of Saddle Mountain, 
and the Natural Bridge. The latter is one of the most 
strange and beautiful of natural curiosities in the State, 
The water of a wild mountain stream has here cut " a 
channel in the white marble, some fifteen feet wide, from 
thirty to sixty feet deep, and thirty rods long, over 
which extends an arch of solid rock. In the Notch Brook 
there is a very beautiful cascade, which attracts the at- 
tention of the traveller. The water plunges down a pre- 
cipice about forty feet, affording a vision of beauty, 
heightened by the loneliness of the wooded glen through 
which the stream pursues its way." 

Great Barrington, the central market-town of South- 
ern Berkshire, owes its prosperity, in about equal pro- 
portions, to its facilities for manufacturing by water- 
power, its position in a rich farming region, and its 
natural and ^■illage beauties, which render it one of the 
most delightful of homes. Its broad and irregular street, 
in wliich quaint old houses mingle with elegant modern 
buildings, gives it an aspect somewhat difl"erent from 
other Berkshire villages. In and close around it are 
Monument Mountain, the Dome of the Taconics, Mt. 
Washington, Green River, Bash Bish Falls, a' half-score 
of romantic lakelets, and a host of other scenes of 
nature's loveliness or grandeur. 

woollen goods, employing each from fifty to two hundred and fifty per- 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



The finest public building is the town hall, built joint- 
I3' bj- the town and coiuity. The square in front 
of the hall is ornamented with a soldiers' monument, 
sunnounted by a bronze statue of Victory. The Epis- 
copal and Congregational churches arc also of creditable 
architecture. There are in the village, besides these, 
Methodist and Catholic churches. 

The amount of manufacturing in Great Barrington is 
considerable, but much of it is carried on in the flour- 
ishing outlying villages of Housatonic and Van Deusen- 
ville. In the village of Groat Barrington, the Berkshire 
Woollen Company has a large and well-furnished mill 
for the manufacture of 



at 13,000 pounds, and most American marbles at 12,000. 
This, with other qualities, proved by the severest tests 
which the chemist or engineer can apply, caused the com- 
mission to select it as the material for the extension of 
the National Capitol. 

The paper manufacture, now the leading interest of 
the town, was begun at South Lee, in 1806, b}- Samuel 
Church, who removed from East Hartford. In 1851, the 
town had twenty-five paper mills, producing 25,000 
pounds of paper dailj^, or over $2,000,000 worth an- 
nually. This industry is still in a flourishing condition. f 

Harrison Garfield, now the oldest active paper manufac- 
turer in the countv, huv- 




woollcn goods, and also 
one of the best flouiing 
mills in the county-. At 
Housatonic, Mr. Henry 
D, Cone has the old Hou- 
satonic Mill of the Owen 
Paper Companj-, which 
is 320 feet long, and 
is capable of making 
$250,000 worth of paper 
yearly. A half mile be- 
lowthis mill, and just op- 
posite the famous Monu- 
ment Mountain of Bry- 
ant's poem, Mr. Cone 
has recently built the 
Monument Mill, which 
surpasses anything of 
the kind, in Berkshire 
at least. It is 500 feet 
long, four stories high, 
and has a lean-to 400 
feet long, and a wing of 

200 feet. It is capable of making eight tons of fine 
paper daily. 

There is also at Housatonic a cotton-warp mill ; at 
Van Dcusenville there is a cotton factory, and also 
extensive iron-works belonging to the Richmond Iron 
Works Company. 

Lee,* the fourth town in the countj- in point of popu- 
lation, is, perhaps, as widelj' known as any other for its 
mineral and manufacturing products. The Lee marble 
has a very high reputation, is easilj- accessible, and of 
inexhaustible quantities. A commission appointed by 
Congress found that it would sustain a weight of 26,000 
pounds to the square inch, while Italian marble crushes 
* Named in honor of Gen. Lee of the Revolution. 



ing been forty years in 
the busmess, owns the 
two Foiest Mills, which 
ha\e an aggregate ca- 
pacity of 1,800 pounds. 
Other paper mills, with 
a dailj capacity of 1,000 
pounds and upwards, are 
1( Hated here. Prentiss 
C Baud, the only man- 
ulactui er of collar paper, 
can make 3,500 pounds 
daily. 

The extent of the de- 
votion of Lee to the pro- 
duction of paper maj- be 
infeiied from the facts 
that, by the census of 
1875, out of a popula- 
tion of 3,900, only 285 
aie reported as engaged 
ui agriculture, while 687 

J\LL LEL , , . 

were emplojed in man- 
ufactures, almost entirely of paper; and the value of 
agricultural products was only $116,682 to $1,616,760 
of manufactures. 

The first white man who settled in town was Mr. Isaac 
Davis, in 1760, in the south part of the town, near Hop 
Brook. Most of the early inhabitants were from Tol- 
land, Conn., and eastern Massachusetts. The Congre- 
gational Church was organized, ^lay 25, 1780, by Rev. 
Dauiel Collins of Lanesborough, consisting of thii-ty 
members. On the 3d of July, 1783, Mr. ElishaParm- 
lee, a graduate of Harvard, was ordained pastor. 



t The Smith Paper Company— the successor of the firm of Platner 
& Smith, once the greatest paper-making concern in the county — has 
now four mills. Elizur Smith is the founder and president of the 

company. 



JIASSACHUSETTS. 



There are two principal villages, South Lee, a neat 
and thriving manufacturing place, and North Lee — com- 
monly called simply Lee — in which most of the wealth 
and business of the town are collected. The latter has 
many fine residences and some handsome public edifices, 
the most striking being the Congregational and Episco- 
pal churches and Memorial Hall. The latter is a beau- 
tiful structure of brick, erected at a cost of $29,000 to 
the memory of Lee's soldiers in the C'i\il War. It con- 
tains a large public hall, librar}-, town offices, &c. There 
are sis churches, and a high school. 

Rev. Alvan Hyde, D. D., a graduate of Dartmouth, 
and honored in all the churches of his daj-, became pas- 
tor of the church at Lee in 1792. His son, Hon. Alex- 
ander Hyde, a well-known -writer 
for the press, has written an ex- 
cellent historj^ of Lee, from which 
we derive most of tlie information 
given above. 

Rev. Nahum Gale, born at Au- 
burn, Mass., graduated at Amherst 
in 1837 ; professor at the East 
Windsor Theological Seminary in 
1851 ; became pastor of the Con- 
gregational Church at Lee in 1853, 
and died in September of that 
3'ear. * 

Stockbridge. — North of Great 
Barrington lies this old his- 
toric town, whose central village, 
" Old Stockbridge- on -the-Plain," 
is luiown everj'where as the model ~ 

village of New England. In its 

historical character, its superior natural surroundings, 
and as the home of genius, taste, culture, and vu-tue, 
it is indeed unsuipassed. 

The -village on the plain consists principally of one 
long, broad street, elm-shaded, and bordered with pleas- 
ant residences, manj' of antique character. 

In the main street and on the central square, churches, 
stores, a bank and library building are interspersed 
among the dwellings, and elegant summer residences dot 
the neighboring hillsides. Hon. David Dudley Field has 
recently given to tlie town a bell-tower of stone, sur- 
mounted by a chime of bolls, and a town clock, and at 
various points are monuments to Jonathan Edwards, the 

• In Septcmhcr, 1824, a scone of most appalling desolation was ex- 
hibited in tliis town, occasioned by the explosion of .in extensive pow- 
der factory, containing, at the time, it was estimated, not less than five 
tons of powder. Several workmen were insUntly killed. The works 
were never rebuilt. 




Mohegan Indians, and the fallen heroes of Stockbridge 
in the -war of the Rebellion. Among the many points 
of romantic interest in Stockbridge are the Icy Glen, the 
Stockbridge Bowl, and other beautiful lakes, and Laurel 
Hill. To the liberality, energy, and above all, the good 
taste, of the Laurel Hill Association, the village owes 
much of its .attractiveness. The most conspicuous pub- 
lic building is tlie handsome public library of stone, the 
gift of Hon. John Z. Goodrich to the town. There are 
Congregational, Methodist, Episcopalian, and Catholic 
churches. The cemetery is of great interest on account 
of the many persons of historic note interred in it. 

In the vUlage of Glendale is a prosperous woollen 
factory. 

From its earliest days, Stock- 
bridge has been the home of dis- 
tinguished persons. Among those 
not alicady mentioned are Cather- 
ine M. Sedgwick, the celebrated 
iiithoress, with whose fame the 
II line of Stockbridge is intimatelj' 
unnectcd (born at Stockbridge, 
in 1789, and dying at Roxbury, in 
1*^07) ; Theodore Sedgwick, son 
e>f tlio judge, a leader in the move- 
iiK lit which resulted in the build- 
ing of tlie Boston and Albany 
R ulroad ; John Bacon, a graduate 
of Princeton College, associate pas- 
tor of the Old South Church from 
1771 to 1775, subsequently a ma- 
gistrate in Stockbridge, State sen- 
ator, and member of Congress, 
(died in 1820) ; Barnabas Bidwell, 
Henry W. Dwight, and John Z. Goodrich, able repre- 
sentatives in Congress ; Judge Horatio Byington, and 
Rev. David Dudley Field, the first historian of the 
countj", and pastor of the Congregational chin-ch. The 
three sons of the latter have all attained distinction — 
David Dudlcj-, as a lawyer and politician ; C3rus W. , as 
the originator of the Atlantic telegraph cable ; and 
Henry M., as a clergyman, an author and editor. 

Lenox, formerly the shire town of the county, lies 
next north of Stockbridge, and comprises two villages 
of widely dili'ercnt character — ■ Lenox-on-the-IIeights, a 
fashionable summer resort ; and Lenox Furnace, con- 
sisting of the iron and glass works, with the dwellings 
connected with them. 

Lcnox-on-the-Heights is the rival — or, perhaps, rather 
the companion — of Stockbridge, as a summer resort. 



'NT, STOCKBRIDGE. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



Both are thronged every season with visitors, and both 
have manj' elegant villas. The connection of the two 
towns is so close that their summer social life is ver^- 
intimate and friendly. 

One of the most conspicuous objects in the village is 
the fine old Congregational church which overlooks it, 
and has an excellent town clock, presented by Mrs. 
Frances Anne Kemble, an ardent lover of Lenox, where 
she owns a villa. The only otlier notable public build- 
ing is the Charles Sedgwick Memorial Ilall, formerly the 
court-house, but now remodelled as a public hall. Tliere 
are also Methodist, Episcopalian, and Catholic churches. 

Lenox-on-the-IIeights is two miles from the Housatonie 
Railroad. Lenox-Furnace village lies upon the road, 
and has extensive manufactures of plate and cjdinder 
glass, and an iron blast furnace of high repute, dating 
from the times of the Revolution. 

Hon. William Walker, a meritorious officer in the Rev- 
olution, and in the suppression of Shays' Rebellion, was 
for 29 years judge of probate for Berkshire. He was 
succeeded by his son, William Pcrrin Walker, a grad- 
uate of Williams, at different periods a member of every 
branch of the State government, and chief justice of the 
Berkshire Court of Sessions. He died at Lenox, in 1848. 

Judge Henry Walker Bishop, a graduate of Williams, 
born in 1796, died in 1871, was long a resident of this 
town. 

WiLLiAMSTOWN, long known as the seat of Williams 
College, has for some j-ears been growing in favor as a 
summer resort, chiefly of the educated and perhaps more 
sedate classes of society. Situated upon the Troy and 
Boston Railroad, five miles west of North Adams, the 
opening of tliat road has brought it into easy communi- 
cation with the world beyond the mountains by which it 
is surrounded. Lying in a romantic valley, in the angle 
fonned by the boundaries of New York and Vermont, 
with Greylock's grand group of peaks and valleys in the 
south-west, there are few localities in Berkshire which 
present so many points of interest. 

The college village, always picturesque and beautiful, 
has of late been rendered more so by the efforts of the 
citizens, and in 1878-9 by the expenditure of $10,000 
given by Cjtus W. Field for that purpose. The same 
gentleman also gave $.5,000 to prepare a boating course 
near the village, on the Hoosac River. The broad street 
and the college grounds now form a combination of atI- 
lage and park which is wonderfully beautiful. There is 
in the village a soldiers' monument, and another marks 
the spot where, in 1806, Samuel J. IMills, James Rich- 
ards, Francis L. Robbins, Harv-ey Loomis, and Byram 



Green, students of the college, held, under a haystack, 
a prayer-meeting, which in time led to the establishment 
of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign 
Missions. 

The seat of a college like Williams, must, necessarily, 
in the course of a century, have been the home of many 
able, and some distinguished men. 

Daniel Dewey, born at Sheffield in 176.5, and a gradu- 
ate of Yale, was a member of the thirteenth Congress, 
and one of the justices of the Supreme Court of Massa- 
chusetts in 1814. He died in the following year. 

Charles A. Dewey, son of Judge Dcwej', and grand- 
son of Judge David Noble, was born at Willi.amstown in 
1793. He was attornej--gencral and a justice of the 
Supreme Court of Massachusetts, and died in 1866. 

Rev. Mark Hopkins, D. D., the most celebrated of 
all Williams's presidents, — a grandson of Col. Mark 
Hopkins of Revolutionary fame, was born at Stock- 
bridge Feb. 4, 1802 ; graduated at Williams in 1824, 
and in medicine at Pittsficld in 1829 ; served for sever.al 
j'cars as professor of rhetoric and moral philosophy 
at Williams College ; president of the same institution 
from 18.36 to 1872. He has been president of the 
A. B. C. F. M. since 1857. He still retains his connection 
with Williams College, as president emeritua, and pro- 
fessor of theology-, moral philosophj', and metaphj-sics. 
Dr. Hopkins is distinguished not loss as a philanthropist 
and Christian reformer, than as a thinker, author, and 
educator. 

Dalton. — Paper-making was first introduced into 
Berkshire, in the town of Dalton, — which lies next 
east of Pittsfield, on the Boston and Albany Railroad, 
— by Zenas Crane, whose descendants still carry on the 
business there. This was in 1801, when WiswcU, Crane 
& Willard built the first mill, having announced it in 
the "Pittsfield Sun," by an advertisement headed: 
"Americans, encourage your own manufactures, and 
thej- will improve. Ladies, save your rags ! " 

Dalton has the further distinction of having, in the late 
season of general business depression, increased more 
rapidly in wealth and population than an^- other town in 
the county.* 

* Crane & Co. manufacture bond, bank-note, and parchment papers, 
to an amount said to exceed in value foOO.OOO annually. 

B^Ton Weston, in two mills, employs 250 hands, and has a product, 
in fine papers, of $500,000 annually. 

Carson & Brown employ 200 hands, and make $400,000 yearly of 
fine first-class papers. 

Zcnas Crane, Jr., employs 80 hands, and makes $300,000 yearly of 
Bristol-board, and other " wedding goods." 

West & Glennon employ 120 hands, and make annually fine cassi- 
meres to the value of $250,000. 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



Hinsdale , on the Boston and Albanj- Eailroacl , next east 
of Dalton, is a good agricultural town, and is also the seat 
of extensive woollen mills. The stone mill of the Hins- 
dale Brothers jields an annual product of fancy cassi- 
mcres to the value of $.396,000. The Plunkett Woollen 
Company has three mills, and employs 2'jO hands. 
Annual product 8400,000. 

Hinsdale has a handsome librarj- building of stone 
and brick, in the Swiss stj-le, the foundation gift being 
a bequest of 85,000 from Mrs. Mary R. Twining, daughter 
of Hon. Charles H. Plunkett. This was supplemented 
b3- contributions from other members of the Plunkett 
family, by Mr. Twining and Hon. C. J. Kittredge, until 
the amount reached 830,000. 

CuESHiKE, on the Pittsfield and North Adams Railroad, 
is the seat of a valuable iron furnace, and of a large 
trade in the purest granular quartz, a silicious sand, 
which is sent to the glass manufactories in eastern 
Massachusetts and elsewhere. It is famous for the 
unanimity of its people as Democrats, from the earliest 
days of the party nearly to 1848.* The inhabitants 
of Cheshire were as unanimously Baptists, as thej' were 
Democrats. 

Elder Jolni Leland, one of the most noted Baptist 
clergjTnen of his day, was distinguished for eccentricitj', 
slirewdness, and rude but stout logic. 

Sheffield, the oldest town in the county, is a rich 
and level agricultural district, and has some popularity 
as a summer resort. It has. no water-power except 
Ashley Falls, which, although valuable, and near the 
Housatonic Railroad, is the onlj' power of the kind 
in the county which is unemployed. 

Chester Dewey, the eminent naturalist and educator, 
born at Sheffield in 1784, was the earliest competent 
and thorough investigator of the natural historj' of 

• It is famous also for the mammoth cheese, weighing 1,450 pounds, 
which they sent to President Jefferson in 1802. On an appointed day, 
all the farmers' wives sent their curds to one place, and the quantity 
was so great that it could not all he pressed even in a cider-mill, and 
three additional cheeses were made, of 70 pounds each. The huge 
cheese was conveyed to Washington in charge of the minister, Elder 



Berkshire, and especiallj- its geology and mineralogy. 
He received doctorates in law, divinity, and medicine, 
from Williams, Union, and Yale colleges, respectively, 
and died in Rochester, N . Y., Dec. !■>, 18C7. 

Rev. 0^^•ille Dewey, the eloquent Unitarian divine 
and author, was bom at Sheffield, March 28, 1794, 
graduated at Williams in 1814, and at Andover in 1810. 
He early became a Unitarian, and, for two years, was 
a colleague of Dr. William Ellcr^' Channing at Boston. 
For several years he occupied, with eminent al)ility, 
some of the leading pulpits of his denomination. 
When compelled by ill-health to abandon the pulpit, he 
retired to Sheffield. 

The other towns in the coimt}' are mostly of an agri- 
cultural character, and of the extent indicated in the 
table which follows. Tliere are, however, important 
iron works in Lanesborougli, Richmond, and West Stock- 
bridge, each of which has also valuable marble quarries. 



Towxs. 




Settled. 


Inoorpo- 


Popntatlon, 
1875. 


Sheffield, . 




1725, . . 


1733, 


2,233 


Egremont, . 


(about) 


1730, . . 


1760, 


890 


Mt. Wasbinston, . 


. 


1753-54, . 


1779, 


182 


Great Barrington, . 


(about) 


1730, . . 


1761, 


4,385 


Alford. . . 


(about) 


i74o: . . 


1773, 




Stockbridee, . 




1734-36, . 


1739 


2,089 


West Stockhridge, 




1766, . . 


1774, 


1,981 


Tvrindiam, . ^ . 




1739, . . 


1762, 


517 


New Marlborough, 






1759, 


2,037 


Sandisfield, . 




17.50, . 


1762, 


1.172 


Beeket, . . 




1755, . . 


176.5, 


1,329 






1750-60, . 


1773, 


855 


Richmond, . 




1700, . . 


1765, 


1,141 


Lenox, . . 




1750, . 


1767, 


1,845 


Pittsfield, . 




1752, . 


1761, 


12.267 


Dalton, . 


(about) 


1755, . . 


1784, 








1700, . . 


1777, 


603 


Lee, . '. . 




1760, . 


1777, 


3.900 


L.anesborongh, 




1752-59, . 


1765, 


1,357 


Cheshire, 




1767, . . 


1793, 




New Ashford, . 


(aljout) 


1702, . 


1801, 


160 


AVilliamstowu, . 




1751-52, . 


176.5, 




Hancock, . 




1702, . 


1776, 


'730 


Peru, . . 




1764, . 




443 


Windsor, . . 


(alxiut; 


1767 . . 


1771, 


624 


Hinsdale, . 




1762-63, . 


1804, 


1,.571 


Adams, . 


(about) 


1764, . . 


1778. 


15,760 






1777, . . 


1797, 




Clarksburg, . 




17C9, . 


1798, 


670 


Florida, . . . 


(about) 


1783. . . 


1805, 


572 


Monterey, 






1S47, 


703 
63,270 



HISTORY OF SFM ENCxLAND. 



BRISTOL COUKTY. 



BY F. E. GALLIGAN, M. D. 



Di-RiNG the first sixty-five years of the Plymouth 
patent, all that portion of south-eastern Massachusetts 
and western Rhode Ihland embraced within its jurisdic- 
tion was known as I'lymouth Colony. With the increase 
of population, however, came a desire for better fiicilities 
of governing, and, in accordance with that want, the 
Colony, in 1G85, was divided into the counties of Plym- 
outh, Barnstable, and Bristol. The towns composing 
the latter county were Taunton, Rehoboth, Dartmouth, 
Swansea, Bristol, Tiverton, Little Compton, and Free- 
town, and the plantations of Cumberland Gore and 
Attleborough. 

As thus constituted, Bristol Count}- presented an 
area of about six hundred square miles, bounded on the 
north by that part of the Massachusetts Bay Colony's 
possessions now known as Norfolk County ; on the east 
by the newly formed county of Plymouth ; and on the 
south and west by Buzzard's, Mount Hope, and Narra- 
gansctt bays, and the plantation of Roger Williams. 

The people inhabiting all this territory' previous to its 
settlement were : (1) the Massachusetts tribe of Indians, 
some tliree thousand in number, whose domain extended 
from Duxbury to Titicut near Taunton, and to Kippi- 
nicket Pond in Eridgcwater, thence in a straight line to 
Whiting's Pond in Wrentham ; (2) tlie !Narragansetts, 
numbering five thousand braves, who dwelt in the further 
part of Rhode Island and upon the western shore of 
Narragansctt Bay ; (3) the Wampanoags, whose chief 
was Massasoit, who, with three thousand warriors, ruled 
over all the land from Cape Cod to Narragansctt Baj'. 

■RTien the novelty of their situation had begun to wear 
away, Edward Winslow and Stephen Hopkins, of the 
party who had landed from the " Mayflower " in the 
preceding December, actuated hj a desire for the welfare 
of the little Colony, coupled with that love of daring 
adventure so characteristic of all English-speaking 
peoples, started upon what was then a long journey, 
from Plymouth to the shores of Mount Hope Bay. 
Thej^ set out in July, 1C21, and, though the beautj' of a 

• The city of Taunton has perpetuated the memory of the deed on 
her coat of arms in the words, " Dux ftemina facti." 



New England summer was full in the heavens above and 
upon the earth below, j-et desolation reigned tln-oughout 
the land. Nine years before a great pestilence had 
swept over the country, and vast numbers of the natives 
having disappeared under its touch, their fields were still 
untillcd and the villages iminhabited. 

Their voyage was made under the guidance of one 
Tisquantum, a friendlj' Indian, possessing a knowledge 
of the English language, and had for its object a treatj- 
with Massasoit, the chief who ruled over this section. 
Thej' found the Indians in general peaceabl}' inclined, 
and met with no opposition until the}- attempted to cross 
Tetiquet (Taunton) River at a point where the village of 
Squabetty (East Taunton) now stands. Here, two 
Indians, mistrusting the object of the strangers, disputed 
the passage of the river. The matter was finallj- settled 
amicably and the party proceeded, following the course 
of the stream to the termination of their journey at 
Pokanokct. 

This is the first authentic information we have of the 
visit of white men to the country' of Cohannet. The 
greater part of the land which thej- traversed was claimed 
by the sachem of Tetiquet ; and, though except in a 
small portion of Raynham, there wore no settlements, 
3ct the ruined wigwams, the cleared places, and the 
unburicd remains of man)' who had probal )ly died during 
the pestilence, showed plainl}- that the place had pre- 
viously been thickly inhabited. In 1023, Winslow, in 
companj' with John Hampden, the regicide, again visited 
this section of the Colony, and from that time until 1G37, 
its name passes out of history. In that j'car Elizabeth 
Pool, an English lady of family and fortune, who had at 
first settled in Dorchester, conceived the strangely bold 
design of occupying tliis wilderness. It is onl}' when 
the location and the dangers bj' which it was surrounded 
are understood, that any idea of the hazardousness of ; 
the enterprise can be entertained.* The dealings of 
Miss Pool,t as a settler, were characterized hy the strict- I 
est sense of honesty and faithfulness. According to the 

t Elizabeth Pool died in Taunton in 1654, in the sixty-sixth year of 
her blameless virginity. Her remains were first laid in a plot of giound 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



torm3 of her bargain, the First or Tctiquet Purchase 
included the present towns of Rajnham, Berkley, and 
Taunton, and as thus defined, the plantation of Cohan- 
not was incorporated on the 3d of March, 1G39. In 
1G68, was made the North Purchase, which embraced 
Norton, Mansfield, and Easton. In 1G72, the South 
Purchase, now called Dighton, was added to the town, 
while still later, in 1080, Assonet Neck was annexed to 
the jurisdiction of Cohannet. 

Elizabeth Pool was hardlj- the founder of Cohannet. 
At the time of her advent to these parts, she found Rieh- 
ai'd AVilliams, Joseph Williams, Plenrj- UxW, Benja- 
min Wilson, Wilham Coy, George Hall, George Macy, 
Francis Doty, and some others here before her ; and it 
maj- he added, that while none of her name or blood 
remained long upon the lands she purchased, the progenj- 
of the others have continued, some of them, even to 
this day, in possession of the very farms on which their 
ancestors first located. 

Concerning Henry Uxle}-, one of the original proprie- 
tors of Taunton, but verj' Uttle is known. His farm was 
sold to Richard Williams, who is considered the father 
of Taunton. The latter was a descendant of a WiUiams 
family in Glanmorganshire in Wales, but at what precise 
time he emigrated to America cannot be ascertained. * 
He scr\'ed as deput3' from Taunton at Plymouth for 
manj' years, and died in 1692 aged ninet3'-three years. 

A prominent man of the earlj' settlers was Mr. John 
Gilbert, Sen. He came originallj' from Devonshire, 

at the south-cast extremity of Main Street, but afterwards, in 1771, 
they 1VC1-0 removed to " The Plain " (a burial-ground lying between 
Washington Street and Broadway), and her liinsman, John Borland, 
Esq., erected to her memory a stone bearing the following inscription, 
written by the Hon. Robert Treat Paine, one of the signers of the 
Declaration of Independence : — 

Here lies the remains 

of Miss Elizabeth Pool, 

a native of old England, 

of good Family, Friends, and Prospects, 

All which she left, in the Prime of her Life, 

to enjoy the Religion of her conscience 

in this distant wilderness ; 

A great Proprietor in the Township 

of Taunton ; 

A chief promoter of its Settlement, 

and its Incorporation, 1G39-40, 

abont which time she Settled near this spot ; 

And, having employed the opportunity 

of her Virgin state, 

in Piety, Liberality, 

and Sanctity of Manners, 

Died, May 21st, A. D. 1G54, aged Lxv. 

To whoso memory 

this Monument is gratefully erected 

by her next of kin, 

John Borland, Esquire, 

A. D. 1771. 



Eng., and settled in Taunton at a somewhat advanced 
period of his Ufe. For services in attending court, 
lajung out land, and perfoniiing other public offices, he, 
together with Mr. WilUam Pool, and five others, received 
a grant of forty acres. 

Henry Andrews was another man who enjoj-ed the 
esteem of the ancient settlers of Cohannet. He built 
the first meeting-house in Taunton, and obtained, in 
1G47, " the Calf- Pasture Neck," in compensation for his 
labor. In lGo9, in company with John Macomber, one 
of the holders in the North Purchase, he was permitted 
to erect a saw-mill on Mill River, " if it be not found 
hurtful to the grist-mill." One of his sons was killed in 
King Philip's war. He was frequently a deputj' to the 
Plymouth Court. 

Two of the earl^' settlers in this town, whose descend- 
ants are numerous, were John and Walter Deane. 

John Deane, the father of the first white child born in 
Taunton, was born in England, in IGOO, and, after 
securing his proprietorship, located his farm on the west 
bank of Taunton River. The road passing bj' his farm 
was at that time, and has ever since been called Deane 
Street. He was a frugal man, possessed of a brave spirit 
and strong religious convictions. At his death (in April, 
IGGO), his estate inventoried £334 18s., quite a snug 
little sum in the olden time. 

AValtcr Deane, a jounger brother of John, was born 
between 1G15 and 1G20, at a place called Chard, near 
Taunton, Eng. He was selectman of Taunton from 
1G79 to 1G8G. By trade a tanner, he married Elleanor, 
a sister of John Strong. One of his descendants was 
John G. Deane, Esq., a prominent writer on the north- 
eastern boundarj' question. 

About the location of the first church in Taunton noth- 
ing definite is known ; but concerning its earliest pastor, 
Rev. William Ilooke, much information remains. Bom 
in Southampton, Eng., in IGOl, he graduated at Trinity 
College, Oxford, in 1G20. Having been ordained in the 
Church of England, he preached for seven j'ears at Ox- 
mouth, in Devonshire ; but, experiencing a change in his 
religious belief, his sentiments became obnoxious to the 
dominant party, and, for the sake of that freedom denied 
him at home, he emigrated to the New World. At what 
precise period Mr. Ilooke came to Taunton cannot be de- 
termined, but it comes down to us that the distinguished 
AVilson of Boston and Mather of Dorchester, inducted 

* Mr. Baylies conjectures that he was a relative of Oliver Cromwell, 
while another opinion has been advanced that he was a brother of 
Roger AVilliams. " Richard Williams married Frances Dighton, sister 
of Catherine Dighton, who was married to Gov. Thom.as Dudley,— the 
said Catherine Dighton being the mother of Gov. Joseph Dudley, and 
grandmother of Paul Dudley, Esq., one of the judges of the circuit." 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



him into office. Mr. Ilooke dwelt in Taunton seven 
years, when he accepted a call to New Haven, where he 
became the associate of the famous Davenport. 

The same day on which Mv. Ilooke was ordained 
pastor, Master Nicholas Street was installed teacher. 
Upon the removal of Mr. Ilooke to New Ilavcn, he 
assumed the duties of the vacant office, and fulilUed 
them with great acceptance for more than twenty years. 
His death occurred April 22, 1674. 

Mr. Street's first wife was a sister of Elizabeth Pool, 
and his second, the widow of Gov. Newman. 

Throughout the greater part of these years peace 
smiled upon the little settlement, and its fortunes bloomed 
like a garden. With the accession of new members, 
freemanchip was extended to those possessing the proper 
qualifications, lands were divided, and other boundaries 
established. In 1G52, James Leonard, Henrj' Leonard, 
and Ralph Russell erected at Taunton (now Raynham) 
the first extensive ii-on-works in North America. This 
part}- came originally from I'ontypool, in Wales, and first 
settled in Brain tree. Their euteiiJrise continued a suc- 
cess through manj- j-ears. 

But a change was soon to come over this prosperous 
people. Philip, son of Massasoit, jealous of English 
power, began to excite discontent among his savage 
brethren. 

Quick to take alarm, Ph-mouth Court demanded assur- 
ances of friendship, which Philip was slow to give. 
Massachusetts, anxious to avert the impending conflict, 
sent William Davis, William Hudson, and Thomas Brattle 
to reconcile the opposing people. The commissioners 
arrived at Taunton, April 13, 1C71, where they met Gov. 
Prince, Josias Winslow, and Constant Southworth, of 
Plj-mouth. News being received that Philip was at 
Three-Mile River, Gov. Prince sent messengers to him, 
inciting him to a conference. After some little diplomacy 
(in which Philip was the equal, if not the superior, of 
the English) , a meeting was held, and documents were 
ikawn up and signed. 

His signature, however, did not insure on the part of 
Philip the fidfilment of its terms. When, at length, tlis- 
simulation would no more avail, he threw aside the cow- 

*The kindness of an inhabitant of this town is said to have developed 
one of the nobler qualities of Philip's nature, and saved the settlement 
from the ruin that befell the neighboring places. AVhen the chief went 
hunting in this locality, if his guns needed repairing, James Leonard, 
of Raynham, cheerfully obliged him. If he wanted iron, or such other 
trifles as most dehght the savage, the same generous hand was open to 
him. When the war broke out, the gratitude of the Indian displayed 
itself. In a general attack upon the to\™, it would be impossible to 
distinguish between friend and foe, and this Philip must have well 
knoira, when, at the commencement of hostilities, ho gave his strictest 
orders that not a Leonard should be injured. Thus Taunton escaped 



ardice which had so long masked his character, and 
placing himself at the head of his people, pushed for- 
ward (June, IGTJ), not simply as their chieftain alone, 
but, as is commonly supposed, as the leader of the con- 
solidated New England tribes. From Taunton went 
forth the information that Sausaman, whose death was at 
first supposed to be accidental, had been foully dealt 
with. Then followed, in quick succession, the inquest, 
the arrest, trial, conviction, and execution of the mur- 
derers, and King Philip's war. Taunton, though not 
destined to suffer as much as did other towns in this 
struggle, * yet was often the theatre of warUke scenes. 
Companies recruiting, soldiers marching to and from the 
town, and its proximity to places of slaughter, all con- 
spired to give Cohannet something of more than slight 
historic interest. Bradford's armj- was stationed here 
for quite a while, and this was the town in which twenty 
men, leaving their employment, shouldered their musk- 
ets, marched into the forest, captured twenty-six of the 
enemy, — the cntu-e number at that place, — and then 
returned to their labors. It was here that Church met 
with an enthusiastic reception after his captiu'e of 
Annawan. 

The destruction of tliis place was often threatened. On 
one of these occasions, when the towns of Cape Cod 
had, by special invitation, offered the people a refuge 
from danger, thej-, through their committee, politclj' 
declined the invitation, and nobly declared their intention 
to stand or fall b}' their firesides, At the close of the 
war, Taunton received £10 as her share of the sum sent 
over to the distressed people of Ph-mouth bj- the citizens 
of Dublin, t With the return of peace came an increase 
of population to the settlements, and the consequent 
occasion for the enactment of new laws, looking to the 
pubUc weal. I Nothing, however, either of general or 
local interest, occurred during the seven j-ears succeed- 
ing, at the end of which period Taunton became a part 
of the county of Bristol. 

Rehoboth. — The original limits of Rehoboth com- 
prised the present towns of Seekonk, Rehoboth, Paw- 
tucket, Attleborough (first called the North Purchase), 

with the loss of but few of its inhabitants, only fifteen of the entire num- 
ber being killed in that terrible war. 

t Mr. BayUcs remarks that Ireland -was the only place in the British 
European dominions that offered any succor to the suffering colonists. 
The total amount contributed was £124 10s. 

X In this connection it may be pleasing to some to leant that as 
early as 1678, Taunton had a liquor law, with a seizure clause attached. 
Thus we read from the record of that year that James Walker, James 
Wilbore and Increase Robinson were "appointed and established by 
the Court to take notice of such liquors as are brought into the town of 
Taunton, and to make seizure thereof according to order." 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



Cumberland, and that part of Swansea known as Wan- 
namoisett. The first settler was the celebrated William 
Blackstone, who removed to Cumberland in 1G35, after 
the sale of his lands at Shawmut Neck in Boston. In 
this quiet retreat, on the banks of the Blackstone River, 
he remained until his death. May 2G, 1675. 

Roger Williams was the next of the English who 
visited this part of Bristol County-. In 1G36 he fixed his 
dwelling in that part of Scekonk called Nauton's Neclc, 
but this territor}' being -within the PljTnouth Patent, he 
was ad^•iscd b}^ Gov. "Winslow to move across the river, 
which he accordingly did, and afterwards founded the 
town of Providence. 

The real founder of Rehoboth was Rev. Samuel New- 
man, a minister of We3Tnouth. Not satisQed with his 
situation, he and a number of his charge, together with 
some from Hingham, determined to remove, and fixed 
upon Seekonk as the site of the new settlement. 

The place chosen was an open plain, alreadj' cleared 
of forest trees, and in everj- waj- apparently well adapted 
for the cultivation of Indian corn. The laud having been 
purchased of Plj-mouth Court, the first meeting of the 
proprietors was held at WejTnouth, Aug. 24, 1G43. On 
Oct. 10, 1643, at a final meeting held in Weymouth, 
Richard Wright was employed to build a saw-mill. 

The first purchase was a tract of land about ten miles 
square, embracing the present towns of Pawtucket, See- 
konk, and Rehoboth. To this purchase the name of 
Rehoboth was given by the pastor, " for," said he, "the 
Lord hath made room for us." * 

In IGCG, Thomas Willet bargained with Wamsitta, 
alias Wamsetta, alias Alexander, elder brother of King 
Philip, for the land known as the North Purchase. This 
territor3' included the present towns of Attleborough, 
Iilass., and Cumberland, f R- 1- Three j-ears previous to 
the annexation of the North Purchase, Mr. Newman 
died, t 

It was during the ministry of Mr. Newman that 
Obadiah Holmes, one of the original settlers of Rehoboth, 
introduced there the first schism that appeared in " Plym- 
outh Colony-." § In 1G75 the Indian war broke out, 

•After they h.id bought their lands, the proprietors deemed them- 
selves an independent body, but were claimed by the governments of 
Massachusetts and Plymouth, to the latter of which they were assigned 
by the Commissioners in 1G45. 

t Cumberland passed under the jurisdiction of Rhode Island in 1741. 

% JlcT. Samuel Nc-nman, bom in England in ICOO, was educated at 
Oxford University, and came to New England in 1C36. He was subse- 
quently pastor in Dochestcr and 'Weymouth, and finally settled in Hcho- 
both. He was the author of the celebrated " Cambridge Concordance." 

i The doctrines embraced by Mr. Holmes and his followers were 
those of the Baptists, and occasioned Qpnsiderable excitement. The 
trouble commenced as early us 1G49. 

II One rather notable struggle took place here early in August, 1675. 



and Rehoboth, located in the very heart of the enemy's 
country, could not escape being the witness of scenes of 
strife. II 

One affair with the Indians, which occurred in this 
town, had, in particular, so sad an ending, as to cast a 
gloom over the whole Colon)-. 

On the 17th of March, 1676, the greater portion of 
Warwick, R. I., was destroyed, and Capt. Pierce, with 
50 Englishmen and 20 friendly Indians, marched 
forth to take revenge for the injury. The two forces 
came together near Blackstone's house in Pawtucket, 
and it was not until after the battle had commenced, 
that Pierce ascertained the vast supcriorit)' of the enemy 
in point of numbers. Entirel}- surrounded in the early 
part of the engagement, with no chance of escape, the 
Englislimen fought long and bravely. When night set- 
tled down upon the surrounding woodlands, Capt. Pierce 
and his 50 brethren, together with 12 of their allies, 
lay dead on the field. Of the opposing savages, 140 
were slain. While the conflict was raging, the people of 
Rehoboth learning of Pierce's peril, marched forth to his 
assistance, but arrived too late. The dead bodies of 
their friends were strewn about the ground, and those, 
having gathered up, they buried, and then returned to 
their homes. The Indians, elated with their victory, 
proceeded to ravage the surrounding countrj'. Within 
three daj'S after Pierce's disaster, 30 houses and 40 
bams were burned in Rehoboth. 1[ 

Dartmouth. — The old town of Dartmouth originally 
comprised the present towns of Dartmouth, Acushnet, 
Fairhaven, and Westport, and the citj* of New Bedford. 
In 1G02 Bartholomew Gosnold visited the place, and 
named a round hill, situated between the Apooneganset 
and Pascamansett rivers. Heap's Hill. Nov. 8, 1052, 
a party of 36 persons met at Plj-mouth, and hav- 
ing purchased the title, made an equal division of the 
lands by joint consent. But ver^' few of the original 
proprietors occupied the soil, which was taken up mostly 
1)}' Quakers, and men whose religious tenets were at 
-\ariance with those of the Puritans. Anthony Slocima, 

Philip, forced out of Pocassct swamp, had crossed Taunton River, and 
was pushing his way towards Taunton. The country through which he 
had fled was a level plain, and soon his dusky warriors were perceived 
by tlio people of Rehoboth. These, animated and led on by their 
minister. Rev. Mr. Newman, pursued the flying savages with such vigor 
that 12 of them were slain. Not one of the English was injured. 

% In the southeastern part of the town, near the Dighton line, is the 
famous " Annawan's Rock," a huge m.".ss of stone of almost precipitous 
descent, surrounded, at the time of which we write, by a dense growth 
of woodland. 'Within the shelter thus atTorded Annawan, the greatest 
of Philip's generals, had formed his camp, and he was surprised and 
captured by the redoubtable Church, with a handful of men, on the 
evening of Aug. 28, 1C76. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



and Ealph Russcl, t^vo of the earlj- settlers of Taunton, 
•ncre among the first occupants of Dartmouth. Some 
came also from Plj-mouth, and some from Duxbury. 
The ancient names of Dartmouth were Accushcna and 
Coakset. It is beautifully situated on Buzzard's Baj-, in 
the south-eastern portion of the county*. The town ivas 
incorporated June 8, 1GC4, but -was not thoroughly or- 
ganized until near the commencement of King Philip's 
war. During that conflict, the exposed situation of 
Dartmouth seemed to in\-ite the presence of the enemj-, 
who, in Julj-, 1G76, descended upon the town, destroying 
it utterly, and killing many of the people.* 

The progress of this town was remarkably slow, for 
even as late as 1C92 there was no Congregational church 
in Dartmouth. 

Swansea, formerly embraced within its limits the 
present town of that name, besides Somerset in Massa- 
chusetts, Barrington, and the greater part of Warren, in 
Rhode Inland. 

On their journey to Sowams in 1621, Winslow and 
Hopkins passed through here, and found the ten-itory had 
escaped the ravages of the pestilence, which had visited 
other parts of the countr}' some j'ears before. Winslow, 
in 1623, accompanied by John Hampden, came again 
into this neighborhood, this time to visit the sick Maosa- 
soit. While making this journey they were hospitably' 
entertained by Corbitant, a follower of Massasoit, and 
sachem of the Pocasscts. Ancient Swansea was pur- 
chased from the natives, and the title confirmed bj- 
l"lj-mouth Court. The town was duly incoqoorated in 
1GG7, though quite a number of English and their de- 
scendants had arrived there some years previous. 

Mr. Mylcs, pastor of the church, and Capt. Thomas 
Willet, a wealthy and prominent citizen, and the last of 
the Loj-den company who came to this countrj', are 
considered the fathers of Swansea. 

This town will be ever memorable as the place in 
which King PhiHp's war began. The Indians com- 
menced hostilities by plundering houses and killing 
cattle. Their unpunished insolence at last became so 
intolerable, that an Englishman, under a sudden impulse 
of anger, fired upon one of them, wounding him sc- 
vcrclj'. News of this occurrence was instantly sent to 
PljTnouth, and assistance requested. Twenty horsemen 
from Bridgewater answered the summons. At Meta- 

• Shortly after this occurrence the Plymouth forces were ordered 
there, and, having induced all the Dartmouth Indians who were not 
concerned in this outrage, to surrender as prisoners of war, marched 
them off to Plymouth. Despite tlie remonstrances of Ralph Earle, 
Capts. Eels and Church, the warriors who were conspicuous in securing 
the surrender, the colonial government basely betrayed the confidence 



poisett, the house of one Bourne, had ah'eady been gar- 
risoned, within which were collected 70 persons, only 
16 of whom were men. 

Thither the cavalry proceeded. Two days after their 
arrival, a party which had been sent out from the garri- 
son to bring in a quantity of com from a deserted house, 
were surprised by the enemy, and six of their number 
killed. The noise of the firing was heard at Bourne's, 
but before the soldiers could reach the scene the afiair 
was over. 

Shortly afterwards the troops were reinforced, and the 
inmates having been sent over in safety to Rhode Island, 
the garrison was abandoned. Sundaj', the 24th of June, 
was a day of fasting and humiliation. That daj-, as the 
people of Swansea were returning from pubUc worship, 
they were fired upon bj' the Indians, and one of their 
number was killed and two were wounded. Of tlio party 
which had been sent for a surgeon, two were shot dead 
on their mission of mere}-. On the same daj- the savages 
attacked a house in another part of the town, and six 
men were murdered. In the meantime the torch had 
been applied to houses and barns, and before manj' 
days one-half the town was destroyed. Massachusetts 
promptly responded to the appeal of the distressed set- 
tlers, and a company of infantr}- under Capt. Henchman, 
and a company of cavalry under Capt. Prentice, together 
with 110 volunteers, amongst whom were 12 privateers- 
men, with dogs, under charge of Capt. Moselej-, an old 
buccaneer, were sent to Swansea, where thej' arrived on 
the 28th of June. 

At length, in April, 1676, the conflict had grown to 
such alarming proportions, and so feeble was the sup- 
port th.at could be given to the dilTerent settlements, that 
most of the inhabitants of Swansea fled to the more 
thickly populated districts for protection. Later in the 
year, twenty of Philip's party was captured at Meta- 
poisctt, t and the chief himself made a narrow escape 
into Pocasset. 

Among the last of the captives taken by Church, was 
one, quite an old man, named Conscience, who belonged 
in Swansea. Thither he was led, while bitterly lament- 
ing the fate of his people, and sold to a master of his 
own choosing. 

As the towns of Bristol, Little Compton and Tiverton 
are now included in Rhode Island, their history properly- 
belongs to that State. 

reposed in its honor, and ordered the whole party to the nnmlxir of IGO 
to be sold as slaves and transported out of the country. 

t It was at Metapoisett, also, now kno\\-n as Gardner's Neck, that the 
body of Weetamoe, the squaw sachem of Pocasset, was found floating 
in the water. Her head was cut off and set on a pole at Taunton, to the 
great grief of many of her subjects, who were there as prisoners. 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



Freetown, the present city of Fall Eiver, the villages 
of Assonct and Freetown, were originally embraced 
uithin the territory of Freetown, then known as Asso- 
nct. These lands Tvere obtained by the -nhite people 
through a regular purchase. * 

Although this territor}' was purchased at so earlj' a 
date, yet Freetown was not incorporated until 1G83. 
The first settlers were principally from Scituate, Marsh- 
field, and Plj-mouth. The early names were Cudworth, 
Winslow, Morton, Eeed, Ilathawaj', and Tcny. There 
was no church organization there at the termination of 
the colonial government. 

Organization or the County. 

From the termination of King Philip's war to the divi- 
sion of Plymouth Colonj- into counties, the condition of 
society was in some sections very deplorable. In no 
partof the Colony had the ravages of war been so severely 
felt as in that part afterwards known as Bristol Count}'. 
Within this territory was the stronghold of the Wam- 
panoags, and here, when the struggle commenced, the 
torch of destruction was lighted, nor did its flame die out 
till the head of Philip was brought in triumph to Raynham. 

As a result of that contest many families were broken 
up, some towns were utterly ruined, and their local gov- 
ernments disorganized. Added to this, the great debt 
created by the war weighed heavily upon the whole peo- 
ple, and constantly harassed them in their eflforts to re- 
store former prosperity. But the characteristic energy 
of the early settlers, many of whom were yet living, was 
transmitted to their offspring, and at the formation of 
the county judiciary in 1G85, many of the greatest ob- 
stacles to success had been surmounted. 

Although education had received some encouragement, 
yet only two schools were established in the county ; one 
of these was at Taunton, the other at Rchoboth. Com- 
ing as they did from the finest institutions of learning in 
the Old "World, it is not remarkable that we find, under 
this order of things, the ministry embodj'ing nearly all 
the higher intelligence of the community, f 

In 1G85, Nicholas Peck, Thomas Leonard, and Joseph 
Church were appointed to hold, in Bristol Count}', courts 
somewhat similar to the ancient court of Common Pleas. 
The first term of the court holden in Bristol Count}', of 
which there is any record, coromenced Oct. 13, 1702, and 
the last term in June, 1774. 

A royal decree, which was brought over in the autumn 
of 1746, fixed new boundar}* lines for the Provinces of 

• The deed, bearing date April 2, 1659, was duly attested by Wam- 
sitta and Tattapanuin. 
t Ilcnce we are not surprised that, at this period, parties were hon- 



Massachusetts and Rhode Island. By that decree Bris- 
tol, Tiverton, Saconct and a part of Rchoboth and Swan- 
sea passed under the juriodiction of the latter Pro\'ince. 

An act of the Massachusetts General Court, enacted 
in November, 1740, made Taunton the shire town of 
Bristol County. The first court opened, under the new 
order of affairs, was holden at Taunton, Dec. 9, 1740- 
During all these year's a military organization was in 
existence in the county. The war of 1C90 was con- 
ducted by Col. Church. At the capture of the fortress 
of Louisburg, June 17,1745, Joseph Hodges of Free- 
town, who was major of the Bristol County regiment, lost 
his life. His son, Capt. Joseph Hodges, was killed in 
1756, in the French and Indian war. In 17G2 there was 
also a militia regiment in the county, composed of com- 
panies from Taunton, Raynham, Easton, Norton, Mans- 
field, and Attlcborough. March 25 of that year, Samuel 
Wilde of Taunton was appointed colonel, superseded in 
1774 by George Godfrey of Taunton. This organization 
continued until the Revolution. In the distribution of 
honors that was made at that period. Col. GodCrcy was 
raised to the rank of brigadier-general, and was the first 
citizen of Bristol County to whom such a commission 
was granted. His rank gave him the command of all 
the militia in the county. 

In October, 177G, a "Train of Artillery" was organ- 
ized, known as the Norton Artillery, an organization 
which performed invaluable seiwice in the Revolution. 

Taunton has the honor of having passed, early in the 
Independence agitation, most eloquently patriotic and 
ringing resolutions in favor of colonial independence of 
Great Britain ; while, on the other hand, Freetown en- 
jo}'s the reputation of having been, during that memor- 
able struggle, the stronghold of the Tories in Bristol 
County. At a town meeting, held there in 17G8, to send 
delegates to a convention in Boston, called for the pur- 
pose of condemning the measures of the king, 33 
votes were cast, of which 23 were Tory. In 1775, Gov. 
Gage, at the request of Col. Thomas Gilbert, sent arms 
to Freetown, whereupon a company of royalist militia 
was mustered in with the avowed intention of putting 
down the Whigs of the town. Their actions at length 
aroused the anger of the "rebels" in the remainder of 
the county, and Gilbert was compelled to fly to Boston. 

Towns. 

Fall River. — This important manufacturing city 

is situated on somewhat elevated ground at the 

ored yrith a seat upon the bench, not so much for their legal attainments 
as for their good judgment and sound sense, and their unquestioned 

probity. 



HISTOKY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



mouth of Taunton Eivcr, and near the head of 
Mt. Hope Bay. The harbor is safe and commo- 
dious, affording anchorage for vessels of the largest 
size. The town was incorjjorated under its present 
name, Feb. 26, 1803. The next j-ear the name was 
changed to Troy, but in 1834 the original name was re- 
sumed. This latter is derived from the Indian word 
Quequechan, meaning Falling Water, and designating 
a small stream which takes its rise in a chain of long 
i and narrow ponds known as Watuppa, or Place of Boats. 
These ponds are fed by perpetual springs, and afford a 
volume of water that is ever constant, never liable to ex- 
cess, and of sufficient power for the largest manufacto- 
ries. The Quequechan derives additional force from its 
rapid descent, which, in the course of half a mile, 
amounts to 132 feet. In 1803, there were eighteen 
dwelling-houses and one hundred persons in Fall River. 
The first building of any note erected in the new cor- 
poration was the town house, completed in 1805. It was 
built at Steep Brook, then the centre of business, and 
served its purpose imtil 1825, when a new one was erect- 
ed on the land now occupied by the North Cemetery. 

The first regular mail was received Feb. 12, 1811, and 
the same j^ear Col. Jos. Durfee, in companj' with others, 
liuilt a cotton mill in Globe Village. This mill was a 
small wooden structure, and stood on the ground which 
is now the corner of Main and Globe streets. 

In October, 1813, a structure three stories in height? 
CO feet in length, and 40 feet in breadth, known as the 
Fall Eiver Mill, was erected on the Quequechan at the 
head of the third falls from tide water, and manufactur- 
ing was begun the following year. The dressing of yarn 
for the looms was, at first, the source of much annoj'- 
ance, and it was some years before the present satisfac- 
torj' method was obtained. The total number of per- 
sons employed in this mill in 1819, did not exceed 35. 
It was not until 1820 that the enterprise began to yield 
any appreciable gains to the stockholders ; but after that 
time the results were ver}' satisfactorj'. Successive en- 
largements became necessary in 1827 and in 1839. In 
1868 the factory was burned to the ground, and in the 
succeeding year the present mill was erected. This 
structure is of stone, five stories high, 275 feet long, 73 
feet wide, and contains 600 looms and 25,992 spindles, 
operated by two turbine wheels of 140 horse power, and 
a Corliss engine of 300 horse power. For a number of 
j-ears the company has placed 7,000,000 j-ards of cloth 
on the market annually. The Troy Cotton and Woollen 
Manufactory, another of the older establishments in Fall 
Eiver, contains 932 looms, 38,928 spindles, producing 
more than 10,000,000 yards of print cloth annually. 



From the time of the incorporation of the above men- 
tioned mills, great changes have taken place in Fall 
River. Between 1820 and 1830, several large corpora- 
tions were organized. By the tariff bill of 1824, a new 
stimulus was given to the energies of the people, and the 
whole count}' rejoiced over its beneficial effects.* While 
in 1820 the population of the town was but 1,594, in 
1830 it had risen to 4,159. 

The first newspaper printed in Troy, as the town was 
then called, was issued Jan. 6, 1826, by Nathan Hall, 
and called the " Fall River Monitor." At that date, but 
four churches were in existence here. The Congrega- 
tionalists, with Re^■. Mr. Read pastor, worshipped in a 
house on the site of the present Annawan Street school- 
house. The Baptists still worshipped in the old meeting- 
house near the buttonwood tree, with Rev. Job Borden 
as pastor. The Methodists held meetings in the old 
school-house at the comer of South Main and Annawan 
streets. Of the places of worship of other denomina- 
tions we are not advised. That the Catholics, who now 
form so large a portion of the population, had no church 
here, we are positive, as, for many years subsequent, 
they were obliged to seek spiritual advice and consola- 
tion from a priest in Taunton, nearlj' twenty miles awaj-. 
At the present time the Catholics have six chm-ehes in 
Fall River. The number of churches and missions, of 
all denominations, is twenty-nine. 

A writer, who sailed up the river to Somerset, speaks 
of Fall River as being at this time ' ' a city of the 
wilderness rising in the midst of trees, hills, waterfalls, 
and rural sceneiy." It then contained 36 stores, a 
tavern, with a stone post 36 feet high, three physicians, 
one lawyer, and a bank, with a capital of $100,000. 

Previous to 1825, the only means of communication 
between Fall River and the neighboring towns was by 
means of private carriages, but in that year a stage line 
was established froni Pro^ddence and New Bedford, and 
had its tci-minus at Slade's Ferry. There was also 
another line which ran to Boston, Bristol, and Newport 
via Bristol Fcrr}-. In 1826, a horse boat was put on at 
Slade's FciTy, and by this means the stages crossed to 
Fall River. This primitive transfer boat was superseded 
in 1847, by the steam ferry-boat " Faith." In 1827, the 
steamer "Hancock" commenced running regularly be- 
tween this place and Providence. On May 19th, the 

* There are now nearly thirty manufactories in Fall River, devoted to 
the production of cotton, linen and woollen goods, and prints. Besides 
these, there are numerous machine shops, a bleachery, a lai-go iron and 
nail works, cooper shops, a carriage factory, marble works, &c. Good 
outlets for the products of these varied industries are afforded by a 
railroad to Providence, another to Boston, and by a fine steamboat line 
to New York. 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



steamer " Marco Bozzaris" was advertised to run be- 
tween Dighton and New York, stopping at Fall River, 
passengers to be taken b}' stage from Dighton to Boston. 

Slany prosperous dajs had shone through long jcars 
upon Fall River ; but at length a severe blow was given 
its interests bj' the conflagration which occurred in the 
summer of 1843. The fire, the origin of which was acci- 
dental, broke out in a carpenter's shop on the north side of 
Borden Street, on the afternoon of Sunday, Julj- 2, of the 
j-ear above named. The flames, aided by a strong south 
wind, spread rapidl}- in a northerly direction, and, in the 
course of seven hours burned over twenty acres in the 
very heart of the village. The value of the propert}' 
destroyed was estimated at over half a million of dollars. 
This disaster to the town, however, served but to stimu- 
late the inherent energies of the people, and not a great 
while elapsed ere beautiful edifices adorned the scene of 
desolation. 

The very latest, and, in some of its aspects, by far the 
heaviest and saddest blow that has ever befallen Fall 
River — still fresh in the memory- of all — is, it were 
hardly necessary to mention, the stupendous defalcations 
of three men, occupjing at the time of their fall, promi- 
nent and highly responsible official and social positions — 
S. Angier Chace, George F. Hathaway, and Charles V. 
Stickney ; all of whom arc now, as convicted felons, 
pa3'ing the penalt}- of their ill-judged acts. 

In 1854, Fall River was incorporated as a city, and 
May 6th of that year, James Buffinton was elected 
maj-or. 

In the dark hours of the Rebellion, which came on dur- 
ing the next decade, the people of the new cit^' were 
unsurpassed in their devotion to the cause of freedom. 
Promptly her sons responded to their countr3''s call, and 
many a battle-field was consecrated with the blood of her 
sons. At the conclusion of the late war the population 
of this place had risen to 17,525, and, in the next 
twelve 3'ears, the census rose to 45,113. 

Of public buildings in Fall River, those that present 
the most pleasing appearance are the new Central Con- 
gregational Church, erected in 1875, and built of brick 
and sandstone in the early English Gothic style ; the 
Episcopal Church, Borden's Block, and the city hall. 
The Public Library and Reading-room is located on the 
lower floor of the city hall, and contains upwards of 
15,000 volumes. 

There are two public parks in Fall River, one located 
in the north-east and the other in the southern part of the 
city. The latter, overlooking as it does Mt. Hope Bay, 
and afl!br(ling a splendid view of the surrounding coun- 
try, promises to be, when the newly planted trees and 



shrubbery shall have attained a sturdj' growth, one of the 
most dehghtful spots in New England. 

Oak Grove Cemetery, comprising seventj-five acres of 
land, is situated in the north-easterlj- part of the city. It 
is, indeed, a beautiful resting-place for the dead. The 
ground, somewhat elevated, is well laid out with grav- 
elled roadways and wallcs, mai-ked by manj' monuments 
of a high order of artisUc merit. 

The splendid water-works system with which this city 
is supplied, went into operation Jan. 5, 1874, and the 
first water was supplied to the citj- on January- 8th of the 
same j-ear. 

Biorjraphical Sketches. — Hon. James Buffinton, the 
first maj-or of Fall River, was born in that city March 
16, 1817. He received manj- honors from his fellow- 
citizens, and held eminent positions in the service of the 
government. He was for mauj- j-cars a member of 
Congress ; general ti-easury agent under President John- 
son, and revenue collector for the First Massachusetts 
District from 1864 to 1870. He died while a member of 
the lower house of Congress, March 6, 1874. 

Hon. Edward P. Buffinton, for some years mayor of 
Fall River, and one of the leading business men of that 
citj-, was born in Westport, Mass., Sept. 16, 1814. His 
death occurred Oct. 2, 1871. 

Xew Bedford. — This beautiful and prosperous city 
is situated on the westerly side of Acushnet River, a small 
estuar}-, near the western end of Buzzard's Baj-. It was 
originally a part of Dartmouth, from which it was set ofi", 
and, including the present town of Fairhaven, was incor- 
porated in 1787. Bedford, the earl3- name of the old 
village, was given it in honor of Joseph Russel, who 
bore the family name of the Duke of Bedford. Jlr. 
Russel was a descendant, in the fourth generation, of 
Ralph Russel, who earl^' came to Taunton, and helped 
establish an iron forge there, but subsequently came to 
Dartmouth, where he became engaged in the same busi- 
ness at a place now known as Russcl's Mills. After- 
ward, when it was ascertained that there was another 
village of Bedford in the State, the present city of New 
Bedford took the name by which it is now designated. 

New Bedford is 55 miles south-east from Boston, and 
228 north-cast from New York. The land rises grad- 
ually from the river, and, as the streets are well laid out, 
and some of the buildings quite handsome, an excellent 
view is afforded from the harbor. Although continuing 
to be a part of the ancient Dartmouth until after the 
Revolution, jet the village of Bedford was as distinctly' 
known through a long number of years prior to the pas- 
sage of the act of incorporation, as if it were a place 



HISTOKY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



enjojing its own municipal privileges. Therefore manj' 
of the important events which have occurred in this 
neighborhood will be given as part of the history of the 
present city. 

The struggles for existence of the first settlers in this 
section of the Old Colony were manifold and bitter. 
Being for the most part Quakers, their religious views 
were at variance with those of Pl^-mouth Court, and 
earned for them the distrust of the greater portion of 
their Puritan brethren. The rockj' nature of the land 
obliged them to locate only in those places which ad- 
mitted of casj- cultivation, so that the commencement of 
King Philip's war found the homes of the people scat- 
tered at long intervals one from the other, and an easy 
proy to the Indians. Yet, in the harvest of their sor- 
rows were sown the seeds of future prosperitj-. The 
unjielding character of the soil, together with the recol- 
lection of their fonner labors, and their almost barren 
results, at length compelled the inhabitants of this por- 
tion of Dartmouth to seek other modes of living. The 
whale fishery, with its large profits, had for man}- j-ears 
attracted the attention of maritime countries, and into 
this enteqirise the people of Bedford entered with a 
spirit worthj- of their progenitors. The first ship 
launched was the "Dartmouth," in the 3'ear 17G7. She 
made her first voyage to London with a cargo of whale 
oil.* The early ventures of the Xcw Bedford people in 
the whaling business were necessarily- small, but success 
crowning their first etforts, other and larger vessels were 
put into the business. 

The wars of the Revolution and 1812,1 however, 
brought ruin to many whose wealth was principally in 
marine property ; but, notwithstanding these obstacles, 
the prudence, skill, and daring of Xew Bedford sailors 
triumphed, and in the end achieved for their native city 
the honor, -which she wears to-day, of being the largest 
whaling port in the world. During the struggle for 
independence, the harbors of Buzzard's Baj- were not 
alone resorts for whaling vessels ; thej- were also ren- 
dezvous for privateersmen and prizes taken from the 
enem\-. This fact coming to the knowledge of Sir 
Henry Clinton, he dispatched, in 1778, a fleet imder 
command of Maj. Gen. Charles Earle Gre}-, for the 
destruction of property- in that part of the New England 
coast. I 

The good people of Bedford village were f 



* This ship afterwards came into Boston freighted with tea, which 
historians say was disposed of in rather a peculiar manner. 

t " It (the v.ar of 1S12) was a sad war for our little commnnitr," 
remarks Mr. Crapo, " for the commerce of the country was swept from 
tlie ocean, and it was on the ocean alone that the inhabitants of New 
Bedford depended for their support.' It was tliis disagi-ecablc fact, 



of the first naval battle of the Revolution. " On the otli 
of Ma3' (1775), Capt. Linzee, of the ' Falcon,' captured 
two provincial sloops at Bedford. He intended to send : 
them to Martha's Mneyard, and freight sheep to Boston ; 
but the Bedford people fitted out two sloops, with thirty i 
men, and retook the captured vessels, with fifteen men on ' 
board. In the action three of the ' Falcon's ' crew were 
wounded, and one of them mortally. Thirteen prisoners 
were sent to Cambridge." — Frothingham's Siege of 
Boston. 

The command in this gallant action was divided be- [ 
tween Capt. Egery and Nathaniel Pope. As manj- of 
the people of Bedford had at that time conscientious 
scruples about throwing otf their allegiance to George j 
III., the prisoners were hastily sent to Taunton, in order 
to pat them beyond the reach of a writ of habeas corpus. 

While these noble exploits were being performed at 
home, there were those who, in divers places, reflected 
honor on their native town, and the records at the State 
House point to the names of manj- of the sous of ancient 
Dartmouth, who made a cheerful oflTcring of their lives 
for the freedom of their countrv. It has before been 
intimated that at the cessation of hostilities the whahng 
business, with the progress of which the histoiy of New 
Bedford is so intimately connected, was almost prostrate. 
Y'et it is impossible, at this date, to fully rcahze the 
deplorable condition of affairs that then existed. Manj- 
merchants were bankrupt ; others had all their vessels 
destroved ; while those more fortunate were seriouslj' 
cmban-assed bj- the duty imposed hy the British govern- 
ment on oils shipped from foreign ports. Though sadly 
crippled, yet it was with stout hearts these merchants 
bent themselves to the work of rcpaii-ing their fortunes. 
As an evidence of their enterprise and energy we will 
instance the fact that the ship " Rebecca," of New Bed- 
ford, Joseph Kearslej' master, was the first American 
vessel that doubled Cape Horn, and obtained a cargo of 
oil in the Pacific Ocean. 

The number of dwelling-houses in the village of Bed- 
ford in 1801 was 185. The public builliiigs were a 
meeting-house for Friends, one for Congicgationahsts, 
two large school-houses, — one for each of these soci- 
eties, — ■ an almshouse, and a small market-house. In 
1803, there were owned in New Bedford, 32 ships and 
31 brigs. House lots sold at from S500 to $2,000 each, 
according to location. 



, as much as the " peace " proclivities of the people, that led to 
their decidedly unpatriotic deliverances, July '21, 1814, in town meet- 
ing, unquaUfiedly disappro\-ing, by formal vote, of the war then in 
progress. 

X The loss of property by this visit of the British has been pretty 
generally estimated at £20,000. 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



Among those who took a prominent part in the ad- 
vancement of the affairs of the town at this period none 
labored more earnestly than the Eotch famih-. Their 
efforts were characterized by a spirit and zeal truly 
admirable. On Tuesday, Nov. 27, 1792, was issued the 
first newspaper published in Kcw Bedford. It was 
entitled "The Medley, or New Bedford Marine Jour- 
nal," and was "printed and published bj' John Rotch, 
at his office near Eotch's Wharf." How, or when, its 
existence terminated, we cannot determine. The suc- 
cessor of "The Medley" was "The Columbian Courier," 
edited by Abraham Sherman, at the Four Comers. It, 
like its predecessor, was a weekly paper, and continued a 
little more than five years. The first number appeared 
Dec. 8, 1799. In 1803, to meet the pressing wants of 
business, the first banking institution of the village was 
incorporated. It was styled " The Bedford Bank," and 
started with a capital of $G0,000, which was subse- 
quently increased to $160,000. Thomas Howland, 
president. 

The " Bedford Marine Insurance Companj- " was 
established in 1805, with a capital of $150,000. 

In 1847, New Bedford received its city charter.* 
With their advancement in wealth the merchants of New 
Bedford have evinced a spirit of enterprise commendable 
to other localities in the county. Taught b3' sad experi- 
ence the folly of placing their reliance on one industry 
alone, they have, with an increase of money-power, 
built up around them manufactories of various kinds, f 

Of that class of sterling men, men of clear heads, 
stout hearts, and strong arms, to whom New Bedford 
is indebted for her present proud position, there is, per- 
haps, no better example tlian Cornelius Grinnell. His 
ancestors came over from England in 1710 and settled in 
Little Compton, R. I., where Capt. Grinnell was born 
Feb. 11, 1758. At an earlj' age he removed to New 
Bedford, and served his time at the hatter's trade with 

• Its population was then, exclusive of Fairhaven, 15,000. Three 
years previous, the value of oil and bone brought into the toivn was 
$3,003,324. In 1S.33, the products of tlie whale fishery realized gllO,- 
703,107.83; but it was in 1Sj7 that this Industry reached its highest 
point in capital, vcss-cls, and tonnage. During the latter year the New 
Bedford whaling fleet of 329 ships and outfits was worth more than 
$12,000,000, and requured the services of 10,000 seamen. In the w.ar for 
secession the ships and outfits belonging to this port, destroyed by 
Confederate privateers, amounted in value to about $1 ,300,000. In Sep- 
tember, 1871, thirty-three ships had to be abandoned in the ice of 
the Arctic Ocean. Twenty-nvo of the numljcr belonged in New Bed- 
ford, and were valued, regardless of the oil and bone on board, at 
$1,090,000. 

t Beside the manufacture of the products of the whale fishery, there 
are at present two shipyards, five boat-building establishments, three 
matt and spar yards, and a cordage factory in the city. There is also a 
rolling, slit:ing. and nail mill, two hollow ware and casting fur- 
naces; establishments for the manufacture of steam-engines, iron rail- 



his brother-in-law, Joseph Austin. At the termination 
of his apprenticeship he started in business for himself, 
but was left bankrupt by the burning of the town by the 
British in 1778. Being a person of great determination 
of character he soon sought other methods to mend his 
circumstances, and shortly we find him, yet a young 
man, acting in the capacitj' of shipmaster. From the 
time that he obtained command of a vessel fortune 
seemed to smile upon his labors, and ere long he became 
the possessor of ample means and a wide reputation. 
He died in the cit3' of his adoption April 19, 1850, leav- 
ing to posteritj^, besides his large wealth, an unsullied 
name. J 

A noted merchant of New Bedford was George 
Howland, for manj- years president of the Bedford Com- 
mercial Bank. He died the possessor of great wealth. 
May 21, 1852, at the age of seventj-. Among his be- 
quests were $15,000 to a Friends' School at Ilaverford, 
Pa. ; $5,000 for a school in North Carolina ; and $50,000 
in trust for a school for young females. 

Throughout a great portion of the last century New 
Bedford was the home of the celebrated Dr. Samuel 
West. He was born at Yarmouth, March 4, 1730; 
graduated from Harvard College in 1754, and was 
ordained as a minister in 17G1. Four j-ears later, hav- 
ing become a strong Whig partisan, he was chosen a 
member of the convention for framing the Constitution 
of Massachusetts, and subsequently a member of the con- 
vention for the adoption of the Constitution of the United 
States. Dr. West was the author of several books, and 
was a memljor of the Academy of Science at Philadel- 
phia and Boston. He died Sept. 24, 1807. 

Hon. Jabez D. Hammond, LL. D., a distinguished 
jurist and author, member of Congress from New York, 
and also State senator and county- judge, was born in 
New Bedford Aug. 2, 1778, and died Aug. 18, 1855. 

Hon. John Hem'y Clifford, whom Massachusetts hon- 
ing, and fence, chemical preparations, metal sheathing for vessels, yel- 
low sheathing, a copper manufactory, and two brass foundries. Added 
to these is a large establishment for the manufacture of linEced oil, and 
carriage-shops that turned out $183,100 worth of work in 1875. There 
is also an immense amount of work done in flouring mills, copper-bolt 
factories, boot and shoe shops, looking-glass and pictm-e-frame estal>- 
lishments. In 1S75, the amount of capital invested in the manufacture 
of cotton cloth was $3,100,000, and the value of goods made and work 
done the same year was $2,836,703. 

tilis son, Joseph Grinnell, bora in 1788, became a distinguished 
merchant, and represented his district in Congress from 1844-52. 

Another son was Moses H. Grinnell, born in New Bedford Nov. 3, 
1803. After finishing his studies at a " Friends' Academy " he be- 
came engaged in mercantile affairs, and was frequently sent abroad as 
supercargo. He was elected a member of Congress in 1839-41. In 
18G9, Mr. Grinnell was appointed collector of the port of New York ; 
but it was as a promoter of Dr. Kane's Arctic Expedition that he was 
most distinguished. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



ored-n-iththeLighcst office in ber gift, was for the greater ancient iion-workers, engaged, under the firm-name of 
portion of his lile a resident of New Bedford. Leonard & Crockers, in a branch of the favorite industrj' 

New Bedford has a population of ^^,,.^=___^^ of their forefathers, in the village of 

26,000. Manj' of the private resi- ^^ ^~"\ Hopewell, in the northern part of 

dences are quite beautiful, while ^^ N. the town. The slitting and nail 

some of the public buildings evi- ^^p -X mills of these parties not only fur- 

dence a fine architectural taste. ^ ^^-- I \ ^^'^^'^^^ employment to hundreds of 

The custom-house, city hnll, and ^^^^ l,. \ finniUes in this vicinity, but also 

post-office are imposing structuns j \ gave to the products of Taunton 

of native granite. Tlie latter build- -. manufacture a repute which justly 

ing was erected in 1836, at a cost increased in succeeding years, 

of $31,700. The customs huildiii- In 1807, after the death of Samuel 

was completed in 1830, at an ex- ^ Leonard and "VTilliam A. Crocker, 

pense of $00,000. New Bedford, A V ' Samuel Crocker having associated 

while earnest in trying to satisfv ^XM. "itb himself Thomas Bu3h and 

the material aspirations of her peo- ^J^Wj^ ^ -■)««»*,"«'• 'St^-SaSfifR-J ^^^"''^''^ Richmond, the business was 
pie, has not been negligent of their ^^|ig^»,iB j^ ^^^jfej^nw ^ continued under their management 
intellectual needs. Under the will bfllnS tH I^^^^^^BhH for a number of years. At a sub- 
of Sylvia Ann Howlnnd, the city of R-i^||^^H^LLa|H^^HB sequent period, on the decease of 
New Bedford was b'^queathcd tlie ^^^^^^^^^^KUKK/Kk ^^'■- ■^'^^'^' ^'^'^ business was con- 
sum of $100,000 " for the promo- Te^||l|^^^^^lf-1PHPriHESS^ ducted by the remaining members 
tion and support, within the city, (n , ^^^^ ; / lijabi*.' ^ j gf t^g gj-m. 

liberal education and the oilargc- ^^^^^^^-^ J IMessrs. Crocker & Richmond not 

ment, from time to time, of the Free ^^S^^^^^'^^^'**' < only engaged in the manufacture of 

PubUc Library." The latter build- c . . . ii m i , m n bi di oi , copper and iron, but, in 1823, they, 

ing was completed in 1857, at a co^t of $10,000. It l T\ithotlui>, Mcie empowered "tocarry on the businessof 
contains 33,000 volumes, besides numerous pamphlets, bleaching and printing cottons, mushns, and silks." By 
and has an annual income from trust funds of $3.1.56. | their enterprise, many foreign mechanics, mostly EngUsh, 



New Bedford was made a shire 
town for holding courts in 
1827. Most of the religious 
denominations have erect^^ 1 
edifices in New Bedford , 1 ut 
those alone worthy of spc( 
mention are the Lnitiii 
Congregational, Fpiscoj 
and Roman Catholic churc Ii 
The Methodist and Bi ti t 
denominations are not TMth 
out a fair representation in 
this thriving city by the s°a 

Taiinton. — The iion en- 
terprise, initiated by the 
Leonards in 1652, was des 
tined to be the basis of the 
wealth and world-^ ide celeb- 
rity of the present city of 
Taunton. About the begin- 




ning of the present century, Samuel Leonard, Samuel I parts. The copper-works 

and William A. Crocker, all lineal descendants of the | Brothers in 1825, and incorporated with 



were called to the place, and 
Taunton acquired the reputa- 
tion of being one of the larg- 
est mnnufacturirg towns in 
the State. 

Wlien W. A. Crocker died, 
in 1807, he bequeathed to his j 
sons, Samuel L., William A. 
and George A. Crocker, be- 
sides a goodly share of wealth, 
not a little of the character- 
istic tact and energy of his 
progenitors. 

It is not surprising, there- 
fore, that these young men 
should be found devoting 
themselves with all their in- | 
hcritcd vigor to the develop- 1 
ment of an industry which 
had received, as yet, but in- j 
different attention in these 
was originated bj-the Crocker | 
capital of i 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



$200,000 the following j'ear. The machinery of the 
company was located in Norton, but the office was 
on irain Street, in Taunton, in rooms over the Taunton 
Bank. From the start the enterprise was a positive suc- 
cess. Besides manufacturing a large amount of other 
copper material for the General Government, Crocker 
Bros., from 1830 to 1853, furnished coin to the United 
States Mint of the value of $75,000 annually. The 
immense increase in their business, and the better facili- 
ties for transportation afforded by Taunton, at length 
determined the companj' to remove the greater part of 
their works to the latter place, where they are now in 
operation. From time to time, other stockholders have 
bought in, and the capital stock increased, until it is at 
present $900,000. The onlj' surviving member of tlie 
Crocker Bros., is the Hon. Samuel L. Crocker, now in 
his 75th year. He represented his district two terms in 
Congress. 

In 1827, Albert Field, then a j'oung man of thirty, 
constructed his first machine for the manufacture of 
brads. His place of business was on the east side of Spring 
Street, near the site of the present extensive works of 
A. Field & Sons. Three years later, he purchased one 
of Reed's tack-machincs, and employed E. S. Caswell to 
take charge of it. Under the combined inventive genius 
of employer and employee, and the judicious management 
of the former, the business prospered. One machine 
after another was built, the buildings were enlarged, im- 
provements in the methods of manufacturing were origi- 
nated or adopted, until now the tack-works, started by 
Albert Field in 1827, is th^ leading concern of its kind 
on the Western Continent. 

Another local industry merits particular notice in the 
history of Taunton. This is the manufacture of britannia, 
introduced b3' Isaac Babbitt in 1824. Six j-ears later the 
Taunton Britannia Manufacturing Company was organ- 
ized, and commenced operations on the present site of 
Reed & Barton's works. From this beginning has grown 
the present establishment for the manufacture of britannia, 
albata, silver and silver-plated ware, conducted by Messrs. 
Reed & Barton, the oldest and largest in the United States. 
In good times, about 500 hands are employed. 

William Mason, whose splendid mechanical genius 
has made him conspicuous in the business annals 
of our country, came to Taunton from Connecticut, 
when Crocker, Richmond & Co. were at the height of 
their prosperity. It was while employed in the machine- 
shop of Messrs. Leach & Keith that he brought to per- 
fection the great invention of his life. This was the 
" self-acting mule," the manufacture of which has added 
greatly to the material prosperity of his adopted city. 



Mr. Mason began, in 1845, the erection of Mason's 
Machine Works. The main shop was 315 feet long and 
three stories high, but a rapidly increasing business has 
compelled the erection of building after building, until 
now the works cover an area of sis acres. At first, Mr. 
Mason confined himself to the production of cotton and 
woollen machinery, in the manufacture of which he was 
eminently successful. Subsequently he modified and 
enlarged his plans, and, in 1853, brought out his first 
locomotive, which immediately elicited warmest praise 
from mechanics for its beauty and remarkalile s\imnctry 
of design. During the Rebellion, Mr. Mason did quite a 
business in the manufacture of firearms for the govern- 
ment, producing, for a short period, as many as 600 
Springfield rifles per week. Some years ago he made 
an improvement in car wheels, and erected a foun- 
dry for their production. In prosperous seasons, ]\Iason's 
Machine Works give employment to 700 men. 

Mr. Mason's locomotive, meanwhile, was not the first 
produced in Taunton. This piece of mechanism came 
from the shops of the Taunton Locomotive Company, 
incorporated in 1847. This company sent out the first 
locomotive that ran west of the Mississippi. Their loco- 
motives have been so distinguished for speed and pov.cr 
as to attract attention in England. Two hundred and 
fifty hands are usually emploj'ed at this establishment. 

The Taunton Paper fllauufacturing Company was in- 
corporated in 1847. Other corporations, of which space 
forbids a more extended account, ai-e the Dean Cotton 
Manufacturing Company, incorporated in 1815 ; Dean 
Cotton and Machine Company (1848) ; Taunton Cotton 
and Machine Company (1874) ; Bristol Print Works 
(1833) ; Crocker Manufacturing Compan}- ( ) ; Taun- 
ton Iron Company (1837) ; Old Colony Iron Company 
(1844) ; Phenix Manufacturing Company (1850) ; Taun- 
ton Iron Works Company (1854) ; Taunton Tack Com- 
pany (1854) ; and Stearns, Son & Hall Silver-Plate 
Company (1879). Beside these there are many com- 
panies manufacturing cotton fabrics, machinists' tools, 
stove linings, stoves, hollow ware, print rolls, stationary' 
engines, &c. 

Another industrj' of Taunton towards the close of the 
last century was the manufacture of brick. * 

The first banking institution known in Taunton was 
incorporated June 23, 1812. It was located in the lower 
part of the building on Main Street, now used for a shoe 
store bj' II. L. Peck. It was called the Taunton Bank. 
Judge Samuel Fales was the first president. 

• That this hnsiness was carried on to a considerable extent is appar- 
ent from the foct that not less than ten sloops, of thirty tons each, were 
employed in the exportation of this article. 



HISTORY OF NEW EXGLAN'D. 



The first savings bank in Taunton ivas organized 
Feb. 6, 1827. It was styled tlie Trovident Institu- 
tion for Savings, and was located in a room of the late 
William Crandall'a house, comer of Howard Street and 
City Square. This institution, in 1840, passed into the 
hands of receivers. 

Jacob Chapin was editor of the first newspaper pub- 
lished in Taunton. This was a weekly sheet, whose 
earliest number appeared in 1821. The " Old Colony 
Journal and Columbian Reporter," as the paper was 
styled, has been continued, under several names, to the 
present time, and has absorbed several other papers. It 
is now the " Bristol Count}' Republican," published by 
the Hon. Ezra Davol. 
Other newspapers are 
the "Daily Gazette," 
started by Edmund An- 
thony in 1849, and the 
"Household Gazette." 

The Taimton Police 
Court was organized 
March 21, 1834, and 
James EUis was the first 
judge. 

In 1853, gas was in- 
troduced into the city by 
the Taunton Gaslight 
Compan}', incorporated 
FebS-uarj- 11th of that 
year. 

Taunton was incorpo- 
rated a city in 1SG4, and 
in Januarj' of the ensu- 
ing year, the municipal 
government was inaugurated 
as mayor. 

Public Binlding.f, ScJiools, &c. — In 1854, this town 
was selected as the one in which the second State 
Lunatic Hospital should be erected. This is an impos- 
ing structure, built much in the style of similar institu- 
tions, is beautifully bordered by river, farming-grounds, 
and woodlands, and is considered one of the best man- 
aged asjlums in the countiy. Beyond this and the Epis- 
copal, St. Mary's (Catholic) , and the Unitarian churches, 
tliere are no buildings in Taunton deserving particular 
notice. Attention is called to the two former, on account 
of their architectur.al beauty, and to the latter because of 
the associations with which its history is interwoven, — 
for this church has come down to us through a long 

• Mr. Baylies savs that Henry Uxley was the first schoolmaster in 
Taunton, but gives no further information al)out hlin. 




h H lUnnctt 



avenue of years as the representative of that other 
church in which worshipped the early settlers of ancient 
Cohannet. 

The first schoolmaster in Taunton,* of whom any 
mention is made, was one Master Bishop, who probably 
came here with some of the proprietors in the original 
or Tetiquet Purchase. Very little is known concerning 
him, yet that he was a person of no mean ability, is 
made manifest by Lechford, who states that he assisted 
at the ordination of Rev. William Hooke. A school 
which man}- in this and neighboring places regard with a 
respect approaching veneration, is the Bristol Academy. 
This institution was incorporated May 30, 1792, "for 
the promotion of piety, 
moralitj-aud patriotism." 
The act of incorporation, 
obtained through the in- 
strumentality of Gen. 
Cobb, was accompanied 
b}^ a grant of a town- 
ship, six miles square, in 
the district of Maine. 
The academy was opened 
with an address by the 
first principal. Rev. Wil- 
liam Daggett, July 18, 
1706. The present school 
system embraces twcnt}-- 
eight schools, including 
one high and five gram- 
mar schools. The Taun- 
ton Public Library was 
estabhshed in 18G6, It 
contains over 15,000 vol- 
umes, pamphlets, &.c Mr. S. B. King, at his death, 
kit m trust to the city the sum of $1,000, the interest 
of which is applied, as was designed it should be, to the 
purchase of books for this library. 

In the western part of the city proper is situated 
Mount Pleasant Cemetery, incorporated in 1836. The 
grounds cover an area of about twelve acres, traversed 
by beautiful avenues, shaded by wide-spreading trees. 
Within this cemeterj- stands the monument erected by 
the ladies of Taunton to the memory of Elizabeth 
Poole. 

The churches of Taunton j are seventeen in number. 
The Unitarian is the oldest, being organized in 1G37. 

Biographical Notes. — Judge Thomas Leonard, son 
of James Leonard, one of those who established the 



t Of these, five are Congregationalis 
hrcc Catholic, and one Episcopal. 



four Methodist, two Baptist, 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



iron worlis at Taunton, was the first phjsician in that 
town of whom we have any record. He was a native of 
"Wales, but came to this countrj- while quite 3"0ung. He 
held several positions of honor, and died in 1713, in the 
enjoj-ment of universal esteem. 

Gen. David Cobb, son of Thomas Cobb and Ljdia 
Leonard of Taunton, was born while his mother was 
visiting some friends in Attleborough, Sept. 14, 1748. 
His i^arents were wealthy for those days, and he was 
reared in accordance with their circumstances. Edu- 
cated at Harvard University, and studying medicine 
with Dr. Perkins, a celebrated physician of Boston, ho 
began the practice of the medical profession in that city, 
where his great talents won him distinction. Returning 
to Taunton at the urgent request of his father, he con- 
tinued in practice there with marked success. But, in 
the early days of the Revolution, he espoused the patriot 
cause, and, as a soldier, achieved distinction. He was 
the confidential friend of Knox, Greene, Lincoln, and 
Hamilton, and aid-de-camp to Washington. He sub- 
sequently served in the legislature of his native State, 
in the National Congress, as judge of the Court of 
Common Pleas, and major-general in the Massachusetts 
militia. In 1795 he removed to Maine, and, in 1802, 
was cliosen president of the State Senate. He was 
afterwards a member of the governor's council, lieuten- 
ant-governor, chief justice of the Court of Common 
Pleas, and major-general of the militia. He returned 
to Taunton in 1815, and died April 17, 1830.* 

Hon. Samuel White, the first lawyer in Taunton, 
was born in Braintree in 1710. During the days of 
the " Stamp Act," while speaker of the Massachusetts 
House, he signed the circular which called together the 
first Amciican Congress. He died in Taunton in 1769. 

Robert Treat Paine, one of the signers of the Decla- 
ration of Independence, was for many years a resident 
of Taunton. Born in Boston, in 1731, and educated at 
Harvard University, he became an able and successful 
advocate. As speaker of the Jlassachusetts House, 
attorney-general, and judge of the Supreme Court, he 
fulfilled the high promise of his earlier j'ears. His death 
occurred May 11, 1814. 

Thomas Paine, son of the above, born in Taunton, 



• While judge of the Court of Common Pleas for Bristol County, an 
incident occurred wliich displays an element of his character in its 
strongest light. Tlie event transpired during Shays' Rebellion in 1780. 
Suits had been entered in the previous couit, and when the time anivcd 
for recording the judgments in the cases, much excitement arose in Taun- 
ton, where court was to bo convened. On one side of " the Green," 
armed men thronged the streets declaring their intention to resist the 
law. When the situation was made known to Gen. Cobb, he arrayed 
himself in his uniform of major-general, and stepping into the street, 



Dec. 9, 1773, was a man of splendid talents, but of 
rather erratic habits. Upon the death of his brother, 
Robert Treat Paine, Jr., he, with the authority of the 
Massachusetts legislatm-e, assumed that person's name, 
desiring, as he expressed it, to have a " Chi-istian 
name." He was in mercantile business, and afterwards 
a lawyer in Boston, and died in that citj* Nov. 13, 1811. 
He was the author of the famous song, " Adams and 
Liberty," and other poems. 

Gen. James Williams, son of Judge James Williams, 
was born in Taunton in 1741. Y or fifty-six years he was 
register of deeds for Bristol Count}-, a position which his 
father had previously held. He commanded a company 
of minute-men at the beginning of the Revolution. In 
1778, when the British landed on Rhode Island, he was 
in command of a Taunton companj', and took part in 
the battle that ensued. After the war he was activclj- 
interested in the cause of education. He died in Taun- 
ton in 1826. His son Alfred succeeded him in the office 
of the registry of deeds, and held that position for 
twenty years. Thus it will be seen that, for ninet3--five 
j-ears, the office of register in this county remained in 
the Williams family. 

Hon. John Mason Williams, LL. D., son of Gen. 
James Williams, born in Taunton in 1780, and a grad- 
uate of Brown Universitj-, was a prominent lawyer in 
his native town, and in New Bedford. He was after- 
wards associate justice and chief justice of the Court of 
Common Pleas, and died in 1808. 

Hon. Henry Williams has long been a prominent and 
influential citizen of Taunton. He is a native of the 
citj-, and about 73 j-ears of age. Graduating from 
Brown Universitj-, he chose the profession of law, and 
rapidly rose to distinction. As a member of both 
branches of the State government, representative to 
Congress, and in other important official positions, he 
has reflected honor upon his constituents. Throughout 
his life-time he has taken an active interest in the growth 
and prosperity' of Taunton. He is a direct descendant, 
by his father and mother, of Richard Williams, the 
"father of Taunton." 

Hon. Marcus Morton, LL. D., born in Freetown, Feb. 
19, 1784, was for a long period a resident of Taunton. 



formed what militia he could muster into line, with cannon in front 
of them, on the opposite side of tlio square. Then, sword in hand, 
ho advanced into the common and drew a line upon the gicen- 
swai-d, saying to the leader of the mob, "Pass that lino and I fiic; 
the blood be upon your own head." His bravery was well known 
to them, for they had served under him, and realized the terril>le 
consequence of trifling with such a man at such an hour. The 
mob quietly withdrew, court was held, and the dignity of the l;'.w 
maintained. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



He gi-adiiated from Brown University, and was admitted 
to the bar in 1807. He was subsequently clcrli of tlie 
Massachusetts Senate, member of Congress, lieutenant- 
governor, Supreme Court judge for fourteen years, gov- 
ernor of Massachusetts, collector of the port of Boston, 
and a leader in the Free-soil movement. He died in 
Taunton in 1864. 

Hon. Francis Baylies, bom in Dighton, Oct. 16, 1783, 
achieved special distinction in literary pursuits. He 
was at one time a member of Congress, and subse- 
quently United States Cliarcje cT Affaires to Brazil. His 
" Memoir of Plymouth Colony." published in 1828, and 
republished with notes and additions, by Drake, in 18G6, 
is pronounced one of the best works of its kind extant. 
Mr. Baylies died in Taunton, Oct. 28, 1852. 

Attlebokough, * formerly a part of Rehoboth, and 
having at present a population of 9,224, was set oflT and 
incorporated Oct. 19, 1694. It was named from a mar- 
ket town in the county of Norfolk, Eng. The fii'st 
minister was Matthew Short, settled in 1712 ; the sec- 
ond, Ebenezer White, in 1715 ; the third, Habijah Weld, 
in 1726. The last-named gentleman preached here fiftj- 
years. The principal industry of Attleborough has been 
for many j-ears the manufacture of jewelry, as manj' as 
thLrt3'-six establishments, with a million and a half of 
capital, being engaged in this branch of trade alone. 

Among the distinguished men bom in this town, was 
Rev. Napthali Daggett, D.D., a graduate of Yale Col- 
lege, and subsequently professor of divinity and acting 
president of that institution. When the British attacked 
New Haven, in 1779, he shouldered his fowling-piece 
and joined in the fight. Being taken piisoner, he was 
compelled to act as guide to his captors, and, while per- 
forming this reluctant service, received wounds from the 
bayonets of the bi^utal soldierj' from which he never 
recovered. He died Nov. 25, 1780, at the age of 53. 
His son Hcnrj' was an officer in the patriot army. 

Hon. David Daggett, LL. D., an eminent jurist, born 
in this town in 1764, was at one time a member of the 
United States Senate. He was also maj'or of New 
Haven, and died in that city in 1851. 

Other noted men, natives of this town, were Jonathan 

• In 1875 print-cloth sheeting to the value of §695,000 was made. 
The total value of the goods made in this town, the same year, was 
$3,485,018. There are in Attleborongh eight churches, one national 
and one savings bank, and one weelily newspaper. An agricultural 
society, recently formed, holds yearly meetings here, and has built a 
hall in the town at an expense of §25,000. 

t Upon the easterly bank of Taunton River, about seven miles from 
the present city of Taunton, stands a rock measuring some nine or ten 
feet at its base, and about four feet in height, on whose face are graven 
characters which have proved to antiquarians a subject of deepest inter- 



Maxcey, D. D., an eloquent divine, president succes- 
sively of Brown University, Union College, and Columbia 
College, S. C. (died in 1820) ; andEzekielG. Robinson, 
president of Brown University. 

Berkley, originally a part of Taunton, and afterwards 
of Dighton, was incorporated April 18, 1735, and named 
in honor of Bishop Berkeley. The famous Dighton 
Rock t is located here. The first minister of this town 
was Rev. Samuel Tobey, settled in 1737. Rev. William 
]\Iason Cornell, LL. D., author of A^arious works, was born 
in Berkley Oct. 16, 1802. Some shipbuilding was formerh' 
can-ied on in this place, but the people are now princi- ' 
pallj' engaged in fishing and agriculture. Population, 781. 

Dabtmouth. — The present village of Dartmouth 
comprises but a smaU portion of the territorj- embraced 
by the ancient town. The principal products of industry 
are oil, spermaceti, whalebone, lumber, Indian com, 
&c. Population, 3,434. Henrj- H. Crapo, govemor of 
Jliehigan, from 1865 to 1869, was born in Dartmouth, ' 
May 24, 1804, and died in Flint, Mich., July 23, 1869. 

Dighton, a town of 1,755 inhabitants, lies in the 
central part of Bristol County, on the western bank of 
Taunton River. It was embraced in the South j 
Purchase of Taunton, and was named in honor of 
Frances Dighton, wife of Richard Williams, the father [ 
of that town. Dighton was incorporated Ma}- 30, 1712. 
William Baylies, M. D., born in Uxbridge, Mass., Dec. 
5, 1743, died here June 17, 1826. He earlj' came to 
Dighton, and was a successful practitioner there. A 
man of rare mental endowments, he was a member of 
the Academj' of Arts and Sciences, of Massachusetts i 
Historical Societj-, and a founder of Massachusetts j 
Medical Society. He was also a member of Congress 
from 1805 to 1809. 

Easton, population 3,898, the Indian name of which 
was Hockamock, was also a part of Taunton until 1725, 
when it was incorporated. The town was named in 
honor of John Easton, who was govemor of Rhode 
Island from 1690 to 1694. A weekly paper is '' 

est for nearly two centuries. As a result of their studies, some of 
the savans have maintained that the inscription was traced by a party 
of Phoenicians who, diiven by stress of weather to our shores, w.andercd 
up this quiet river to lay by and repair damages. Again, there are 
those who assert that the hieroglyphics arc the work of some ancient 
Indian tribe who formerly dwelt hero, and who removed, or were 
destroyed at some remote period by the ravages of war, pestilence, or 
famine. If the first of these conjectures be correct, then, as Baylies 
aptly remarks, Dighton Rock, as it is called, has a greater antiquity 
than anv similar rehc in Europe. 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



published here. Easton manufactures one-half the 
shovels made in all the world. Eev. David Reed, editor 
and founder of " The Cliristian Register," was born 
here in 1790. His death occurred June 7, 1870. Oakes 
Ames, M. C, was born in Easton Jan. 10, 1804, and 
died May 8, 1873. 

Fairhaven, originally a part of Dartmouth, and 
afterwards of New Bedford, was incorporated in 1812. 
The village was laid out in 17C4 on Acushnet River, 
which here forms a beautiful harbor, or " fair haven," of 
nearly a mile in breadth. Formerlj', Fairhaven was 
much interested in the whale fishery ; but of late the 
attention of the inhabitants has been turned more 
towards manufacturing. Tlie value of goods made, and 
work done in 1875 was 8387,000 There are fi-\e 
churches here, besides a 
beautiful resting-place for 
the dead, called Riverside 
C(-meterv, dedicated in 
18.-30. Population, 2,768. 

R A Y N n A M , population 
1,687, a part of the ancient 
Tetiquet Purchase, was in- 
corporated in 1731. In this 
town, the first iron forge in 
America was built. Here, 
also, was Fowling Pond, 
a favorite resort of King 
Philip, and here was kept 
under a doorstep for sev- 
eral weeks the head of that famous chief. The first minis- 
ter settled in this place was Rev. John Wales, in 1731. 
For some time preceding the Revolution, Raynham was 
the home of Benjamin Church, M. D., great-grandson of 
Col. Benjamin Church. Dr. Church was born in Newport, 
R. I., in 1734. He came to Raynham about 1768, 
whore he built an elegant mansion, and led an extrav- 
agant and licentious life. An ardent Whig in the years 
prior to the struggle for independence, his eminent 
abilities won for him a place in the Provincial Congress, 
and the office of phj'sicinn-general to the patriot armj-. 
Subsequently, having been detected in treasonable cor- 
respondence with the enemy, he was expelled from 
Congress and imprisoned. Ho died in England in 1788. 

Rehoboth. — The ancient town of Rehoboth, on 
account of subdivisions, has lost much of its original 
territory. The population is 1,827. The eminent p-r- 
sons born here were Benjamin West, LL. D. (1700- 




1810), famous as an astronomer; Daniel Reed (1757- 
1836), a musical composer, author of "Greenwich," 
"Windham," and other popular tunes; Nathan Smith 
(1762-1820), a distinguished surgeon; and George W. 
Peck (1817-1859), an author and editor. 

Freetown. — The early history of this ancient town 
has already boon given. The present inhabitants are 
chiefly' emplo3ed at farming. The population is 1,396. 
Noted persons born here : Rev. William R. Alger (1822) , 
a distinguished author and divine ; Gen. Ebenezer Pierce 
(1822), soldier, historian, and genealogist; and Gov. 
Marcus Morton. 

IMansfield, originall}- a part of Taunton North Pur- 
chase, an 1 latci a portion of Norton, was incorporated in 
1770. There was a coal 
mine opened here in 1836, 
but the yield not proving 
profitable, the enteqorise 
was alsandoncd. Recently 
a deposit of ochre has boon 
discovered, which promises 
rich results. Mansfield has 
nine public schools, inclu- 
ding a high school ; four 
churches, and a Society of 
Friends. The population 
is 2,656, and the value 
of manufactured products, 
$555,159. Tlie following 
eminent persons were born 
in this town : — Asa Clapp, a benevolent merchant 
(1762-184t;) ; Rev. Samuel Deane, historian and poet 
(1784-1834) ; William Reade Deane, scholar and anti- 
quary (1807-1871). 

Somerset. — The Indian name of Somerset was Shew- 
amet, and the lands which it embraced were known as tlie 
" Shewamet Purchase." It continued a pa:t of Swan- 
sea until Fob. 28, 1790, when it obtained its own mu- 
nicipal rights. Somerset contains large iron works, ami 
a population of 1,940. 

Norton, population 1,595, obtains its name from 
Norton in England. The town was a part of Taunton 
North Purchase until, 1711, when it acquired its own 
municipal privileges. William Wetherell, who located 
near the outlet of Winnecunnct Pond, in 1669, was 
probably- the first settler here. A forge and bloomaiy 
were erected in this town by the Leonard family as early 



HISTORY OF NEV/ ENGLAND. 



as 1G96. The first minister settled in Norton was Rev. 
Joseph Averj-, in 1714. The Wheaton Female Scminar3', 
founded bj' Hon. Laban Wheaton in 1834, is located 
here. Distinguished men : Hon. George Leonard. Hon. 
L.aban AVheaton (1754-1846) ; Rev. Gardner Perry, 
D. D. (1783-1869). 

Swansea. — Ycry little, comparativel3' speaking, re- 
mains of the ancient territory of Swansea. Shipbuilding 
was at one lime carried on here, but the inhabitants are now 
principally engaged in agriculture. Population, 1,308. 

Nathaniel Paine came from Swansea to Bristol, of 
which he was one of the first settlers. He succeeded 
Judge B3"ficld as judge of probate in 1710, and was 
made a judge of the court of common pleas. Judge 
Paine was greatlj- identified with the politics of his time, 
and among the offices he held was that of counsellor of 



the Province. He was the ancestor of the Paine fam- 
ilies in Worcester. 

Westport. — (Acoakset.) The early history of this 
town is connected with that of Dartmouth. It was in- 
corporated July 2, 1787. The largest number of sheep 
of any town in Bristol County is raised by Westport. 
The population is 2,912. 

Seekonk. — The early history of Seekonk is identified 
with that of Rohoboth, of which it continued a part 
until 1812. The population is 1,167. 

AcusHNET, formerly' a part of Fairhaven, was incoqio- 
rated in 1860. It took its name from the Acushnct 
River, which flows through the town. The population 

is 1,059. 



DUKES COUl^TY. 



BY HEBRON VINCEXT, A. M. 



Few sections, if any, along the New England coast, 
with the exception of the great emporiums of business, 
have been regarded as of greater importance, real and 
historical, than the island of Jlartha's Vineyard and its 
environs. The discovery of this island antedated the 
landing of the Pilgrims bj'^ some eighteen or nineteen 
years, and Edgartown was settled b3' white men, as we 
think, but a few years later than that first landing upon 
the " rock-bound coast." The reminiscences of the first 
centurj' of civilization on this sea-girt isle would afford 
descriptions quite as pleasurable to tJie antiquarian, the 
philologist, and the Christian, as most of those relating 
to the localit}' named. These headlands and harbors 
have almost a world-wide notoriety-. There is but one 
" Gay Head" in America. 

Our island was discovered by Capt. Bartholomew 
Gosnold on the same voyage with, and immediately after, 
the discovery of " Capo Cod," in the jcar 1602. It is 
said that ho first espied the little island of "Neman's 
Land," about four miles from Chilmark beach, and gave 
to that the name of Jlartha's Vineyard, which name 
was afterwards transferred to the main island, the 
Indian name of which was Nop", or Capawock. Wh^- 
either should have been denominated a vineyard is 



not quite apparent. It could not, in its rude and 
uncultivated state, have borne much resemblance to 
the vineyards of the East, ancient or modern ; although 
it may have been, and doubtless was, aliundantly 
more prolific in the growth of the wild grape then 
than now. 

There are some representations of a fabulous kind as 
to the origin of the names of this and neighboring 
islands, in which, romantic as thej' may bo, we have no 
confidence. It is suflTicicnt to say that this island was -at 
one time called Martin's Vineyard, probably from Ma\- 
tin Pring, who made a vo3-age hither the next year after 
the discover}- by Gosnold. The name was soon changed 
to Martha's Vineyard. Gosnold landed at Cuttyhuuk, 
which he named "Elizabeth Island," which name was 
subsequently transferred to the whole group, and they 
have ever since been called the " Elizabeth Islands." 
The name was undoubtedlj- given cut of respect to the 
reigning queen. On Cuttj-hunk, which was the most 
western of the group, Gosnold, finding the soil fertiL\ 
built a little fort and a store-house, designed for such of 
his company as should remain. The store-house is said 
to have been the first English house known to have been 
built in New England. Differences arising among the 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



companj- from some cause, thej- broke up, and all re- 
turned to England. 

The main island, Martha's Vineyard, is tiventy-one 
miles long, and has an average width of aliout six miles, 
although in one part it is nine miles or more. Its trend 
is from east to west. The eastern part is quite level, 
while the western, as we approach it, becomes hillj' and 
rock}', some of the elevations being some 1 JO feet above 
the level of the sea. It has the broad Atlantic Ocean 
on the south, and the Vineyard Sound, which separates 
it from the Elizabeth Islands and the main land, on the 
north. Its nearest approach to the main land, at Wood's 
Holl, is about four miles, and the distance from Boston, 
from which it lies in a south-south-easterlj' direction, is 
about eight} -five miles. 

Within the memory of the writer there remained evi- 
dences that, on this island, now mostly- given to the oak, 
pines prevailed to a very considerable extent ; and in his 
j-outh, the old men of that time were accustomed to relate 
that such had been the fact. It may have been so on Xau- 
shon, but of later years there has been a variety in the 
growth. Bordering the south side of this, the main island, 
are large ponds, which, in the long past, were undoubtedl^- 
fiords of the sea, although now separated from it by a 
long beach. The evidence that they were such is, that 
when, by some great outbreak liy the forces of nature, 
or work by the hands of men, channels are opened 
through the beach to the sea, so that the accumulations 
of fresh water run off, reducing these ponds to the ocean 
level, the heads of the coves around them are laid bare, 
disclosing to the view numerous stiunps of trees in their 
normal positions, which trees never could ha\e grown 
under water, but must have grown above the wash of the 
sea-water in such localities. 

As the result of long centuries of the deposition of 
vegetable gi-owths in swamps and low lands, especially' 
in the western part, extensive beds of peat have been 
found to exist, which tlie inhabitants have been accus- 
tomed to utihzQ, to some extent, for fuel. Another of 
the native resources of the western and north-western 
parts of the island, which, in the later years, has been 
made available, is the extensive fields of various clays, 
assuming different colors, especially- in the cliffs of Gaj- 
Head. Soon after the discovery of those islands, the}' 
became noted, among other things, for the growth of 
sassafras — great quantities of which were said to have 
been gathered and shipped to the mother country. It is 
averred that this article formed the chief part of the first 
cargo transported from the '• Xew World" to the "Old." 
These islands, at the time of their discovery, were, like 
other portions of this western wild, inhabited by Indian 



tribes, usually more or less warlike. Here they had their 
settlements, as a general thing, near the neighboring 
waters, as the immense beds of shells in the uplands in- 
dicate, but roamed the forests at will. At the time of 
the settlement by white men, the Indian population of 
Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket was estimated at 
3,000. It is said that near " Great Harbor," now Edgar- 
town hai'bor, the Indians were friendly, but that at Cai)e 
Poge, they were verj- savage ; which, if a fact, with re- 
gard to the latter, suggests that it was probablj- there 
that in 1619, Capt. Thomas Dermer and his men, on land- 
ing, were attacked by the natives ; and where, after a 
gallant defence with tlieir swords, they escaped, leaving 
" several Indians killed in the fray." 

At first, this and the neighboring islands, including 
Nantucket, were not under the jurisdiction of any of the 
New England governments. In those early years, the 
changes transpn-ing in the government of the mother 
couutrv, caused things to be a little" mixed here. The 
claim of the Maj-hews over the native rights of the Ind- 
ians was, as in other cases, based on the right of the 
British crown, which, in turn, was based on the fact of 
discovery. On the score of this right, William, Earl of 
Sterhng, laid claim, under a grant from the cruwn, not 
only to these islands, but to all the islands between Cape 
Cod and the Hudson River. Of the grounds on winch 
Sir Ferdinan<lo Gorges laid any claim to Martha's Vine- 
yard, the writer is not apprised. Lord Sterling's title is 
thus set forth in " Hayward's Massachusetts Gazetteer" : 
' ' William, Earl of Sterling, in consequence of a grant 
from the crown of England, laid claim to all the islands 
between Cape Cod and Hudson's River." He adds : 
"James Forcett, agent of the Earl, in October, 1G41, 
granted to Thomas Mayhew, of Watertown, and Thomas 
Ma\hcw, his son, Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard and 
the Elizabeth Islands, with the same powers of govern- 
ment which the people of Jlassachusetts possessed by 
charter." This gi-anting of such powers, ' • Holmes' 
Annals" says, was "according to the opinion of the 
day;" and adds: "Hence it was that Maj-hew was 
called governor of the islands." 

In 1044, Martha's Vincj-ard was annexed to the juris- 
diction of Massachusetts. There were subsequently 
other changes under the English supervision, bj- which 
JIatthow Ma3-hew, grandson of the governor, became 
the most important ci\ iUan of the island. One of the 
most noteworthy of these was the measure by which the 
income of the island was to be expended for the propa- 
gation of the gospel among the aborigines. 

Following the English Commonwealth, under Cromwell 
I and others, Charles ths Second gave to his brother, the 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



Duke of York, afterwards James the Second, a grant of 
New York, including Long Island, Martha's Vineyard, 
Nantucket, and the adjacent islands, which had pre- 
viouslj- been purchased b}- Henr^-, grandson of William, 
Earl of Sterling, who pre-v-iouslj- resigned, and assigned 
them to the Duke. It was thus that these islands became 
connected with New York ; and it was under this con- 
nection that, in 1683, these islands, including Nantucket, 
were constituted a country, very naturallj- receiving, from 
its reputed owner, the name of " Duke's County." The 
colonial population is stated at 2,822. This undoubtedly 
included the aborigines. By the charter of William III. 
and Jlary II., who succeeded to the crown in 1689, 
which charter arrived in 1692, these islands were taken 
from New York, and re-annexed to Massachusetts, in 
which connection thej* have ever since remained. In 
1695, the jear of the decease of Mary, Martha's Vine- 
j-ard, the Elizabeth Islands, and Noman's Land, were 
separated from Nantucket bj' the provincial legislature, 
and made a county b3' themselves, still retaining the 
name first given to the whole — Duke's County. 

They who judge solely from records now extant, are 
accustomed to fix the time of the first settlement here bj- 
the whites at 1642. This, if the island was, as is claimed, 
first settled by the Mayhews, and those who came with 
them from Watertown, would undoubtedl}' be true. His- 
torical accounts in printed form, and newspaper articles 
written bj' visitors to the island, point to this period. 
They very natiu-allj- do so, for the reason that no written 
record now known to exist, dates back of that period. 
Whether there may not have been an anterior settlement 
and record, has been, and is, a hving question with a 
large portion of the inhabitants, and is, therefore, one to 
which it would seem fitting to give, at least, a passing 
notice in this connection. 

The oral, or traditionar3' history of the first settlement 
of Martha's \'inej'ard b}" white men, dates back some 
ten or twelve j-ears, more or less, prior to the purchase 
of it, and settlement by the Mayhews. To substantiate 
this tradition we have not only the current talk from the 
earliest boj-hood of the oldest people now living, but the 
account as given by some of the oldest inhabitants, 
some sixty years ago, who had it from an immetliate 
ancestry-. The statement in brief, was, that at about the 
time above indicated, a vessel on her waj' from Pl^nn- 
outh, bound west, or south, stopped and anchored in or 
near the outer harbor of what is now Edgartown ; that a 
boat's companj' — mostlj' passengers — attempted a land- 
ing near where the town now is ; that a large number of 
the Indians, with their chief, appeared on the bunk near 
the boat, apparently peaceful, but suspicious, to whom the 



whites made signs of friendship, designed to secure their 
confidence ; that one of the company b}' the name of 
John Pease, having done militarj' service in England, 
and having with him his red coat, made a present of it 
to the chief, and shov.ed him how to put it on ; that 
when put on, the Indians were so elated, so wild with 
joy at the sight that they set up a great shout ; that such 
was the kindl}- feeling inspired bj- this honor bestowed, 
the chief, in whom, as it is held bj- different writers, the 
titles of the Indian lands, so far as tho.se tribes could 
claim them, were vested, gave to Pease and others a 
large section of land, including the site on which Edgar- 
town is now built ; that thereupon four of these men — ■ 
Pease, Vinson, Trapp, and Browning — decided to dis- 
continue their voyage and risk their fortunes for life 
here.* The account still further states, that some others 
came soon after and stopped here, so that before the 
Maj-hews came the number of men was about a dozen, 
between whom the section given bj- the Indian chief 
was divided ; that John Pease, who was a man of some 
education, kept the record of the settlement in a book 
called the " Black Book," from the color of the ma- 
terial from which the cover was made ; that subsequently, 
when others came, as thcj- did from Watertown with 
the Maj'hews, none of whom had become sharers in 
the gift lands, a very natural unrest was engendered ; 
that about this time John Pease died ; that while he was 
lying dead, two men of the new comers — names not 
definitely stated — came to the house of the deceased 
and desired of the man in charge to see the book of 
records ; that he complied, and, leaving the room for a 
while to attend to other duties, upon his return the 
book was no where to be seen, and has not been seen bj' 
the public from that day to tliis ; that the record evi- 
dence of the settlement and of the division of the lands 
having been thus destroj'ed, matters were thrown into 
chaos, and the chief man being dead, those early men were 
deprived of their rights, such as thej- had, the charter 
rights under the crown controlling any new disposition 
of the lands acquired, and any additional lands upon 
which the whites entered, — obtained with perhaps some 
little formality of purchase from the Indians, — and that 
hence the record of the settlement, on such basis, could 
go no further back than the 2>urchasc and settlement b3' 
Thomas Ma^'hew and his sons " and their associates." f 



•There are traces of aro-id, — andinparts the road still exists,— now, 
as from time immemori-il, called " Pease's Point Eoad," which led from a 
point or headland, near the village, — where it is understood the first four 
landed, — to lands by the Great Pond, some Uvo or three miles distant. 

t Though we are not without material eridcnce of this earlier settle- 
ment, yet the more important portion of the history of this county mani- 
festly begins wiih the advent of the Mayhews. 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



The purchase of the British right by virtue of dis- 
coyer3', made by Thomas Mayhew, then of "VVatertown, 
formerly a merchant of Southampton, Eng., and his son 
Thomas, to be enjojcd by them " and tlioir associates," 
which purchase occurred in 1G41, and their subsequent 
removal hither, with others, in 1G42, and that tlie said 
Thomaa Majhew, senior, became governor of these 
islands, are all universally accredited and undisputed 
facts. While the father thus became the ruler, the son, 
being pious and well educated, officiated as preacher to 
and pastor of the settlers, and soon extended his labors 
among the Indians, as a missionarj-. These people 
were, of course, in the darkness of heathenism, given to 
the worship of demons. It is well attested, that the 
labors of this youthful minister among these children of 
nature, while seeking to win them to the tnifh of ilio 
Gospel, and to the profession 
and practice of true pietj', 
were very effective. His 
useful life, however, early 
terminated. After a service 
here of about fifteen years, 
having a desire to visit En- 
gland, he started on the toj-- 
age in 1C57, much to the re- 
gret of the natives, who had 
become greatly attached to 
him. Ofthis attachment they 
gave very strong demonstra- 
tions. The voyage proved 
to be a fatal one, the ship oldest huisk 

being lost with all on board. 

Some time subsequent to this event, the father. Gov. 
Jlnyhew, took up the work left by the son, and became 
preacher and missionary as well as ruler.* 

Edgartown, incorporated in 1671, and the shire town 
of the county, is on the east coast of the island. Its 
harbor, called Whitson's Bay by IMartin Pring, is safe 
and commodious. The wlmling business was at one 
time a verj' important interest, and four ships are still 

• There were in the list of the men of this name of Mayhew five in 
all, coming down through as many generations. The son of the 
younger Thomas, the first missionary, was the Rev. John Mayhew, 
bom in 1G.52, settled in Tislmry. Rev. Experience Mayliew w.as the 
oldest son of tlie preceding, somewhat of a writer, and an energetic 
worker in his chosen vocation. Rev. Zachariah Mayhew, youngest son of 
the last named, was also a zealous, devoted minister, who died in 1805, 
aged eighty-nine years. There have been, later, two others who have 
become preachers, but of less note. The people of the name, as those 
of some other names, have become quite numerous. 

The Christian efforts of these devoted ministers, especially among 
the Indians, were crowned with great success. Quite a number of the 




emploj-cd in that capacitj'. Large numbers of the men 
of this, and of the other towns on the island, formerly 
sailed in Nantucket and New Bedford ships, — mainly 
the latter, — making some of the most successful ship- 
masters. The name of Clement Norton, the rapidity 
and success of whose voj-ages on the Brazil Banks were 
a marvel, and of many others contributing by their very 
valuable voyages to enrich their owners, will long be 
remembered. 

The famous IMartha's Vineyard Camp Ground and 
Meetings, with Oak Bluffs, Vineyard Highlands, and vi- 
cinity, being all within the limits of the township, 
attract large numbers of visitors during the siunmer 
months. 

Among the reminiscences of the past of tliis com- 
paratively ancient town, is the fact, recently tmeed b}' 
Richard L. Pease, Esq., of 
this place, that a man by the 
name of Birchard, an early 
resident here, was an ances- 
tor of Rutherford Birchard 
Hayes, President of the 
United States. A small 
church was founded here in 
1G42. Although it appears 
that there was but little, if 
any, recorded e-v-idonce of its 
existence until in 1717, there 
can yet be little doubt of the 
fact. After the missionary 
Majhew left for England, it 
is said that Peter Folger, who, 
with his father, John Folger, came to this coimtry from 
England, and, soon after arriving in Portsmouth, settled 
here, and who, afterwards, with his father, removed to 
Nantucket, and there became the ancestor of Benjamin 
Franklin, made himself useful here for some time by his 
teaching, and by his Christian labors. 

The first Methodists on the island, so far as known, 
were John Sanders and his wife, who, having been slaves 
in Virginia, succeeded in purchasing their freedom, and 

native converts became preachers, the first and foremost of whom was 
Iliacoomes. Great numbers of others were exemplary and useful 
Christians. It should be added that the early ministers extended their 
laliors into other parts of the island, and probably also to other islands. 
Tlie history of those early times informs us, " such had been the sue 
cess of the missionaries, aided by the countenance and support of tlie 
government, and blessed by Providence," that " in 1G9.5 there were not 
less than three thousand adult Indian converts in the islands of Mar- 
tha's Vineyard and Nantucket." Probably, however, very many « ho 
were reckoned in the above number were but nominally Christian. 
The present remains of those tribes, we may add, afford but slight 
characteristics of the erect and agile red man of other days. 



IN EDGAllTOWN. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



came north in a vessel. Thej' landed at Holmes's Hole, 
— now Vineyard Haven, — in 1787. They afterwards 
settled at a place called " Farm Neck," near where the 
Camp Ground now is, where was a small neighborhood 
of colored people, to whom John preached, ha-\-ing been 
a preacher among the slaves, but he formed no society. 
In 1795, the celebrated Jesse Lee, the pioneer of Meth- 
odism in New England, visited the island, and preached 
a few times. 

In 1835, while Methodism on the island was in its 
dajs of strength, the Martha's Vineyard camp-meeting, 
the germ of what is now called the Cottage City, came 
into existence. This now celebrated camp-meeting 
sprang from most humble be 
ginnings. The pastor of the W 
Edgartown cimrch and a few 
others, at the suggestion ol 
Jeremiah Pease, Esq., visit- 
ed a beautiful oak-grove, six 
miles north-west of the vil- 
lage, and decided on a site for 
a minister's stand and seats for 
the people. The gathering 
was at first small, only nine 
tents gracing the circle, but it 
increased in number from year 
to year, and in course of time, 
clergymen, and members of 
other denominations, lent it 
their aid and influence. Noth- 
ing beyond a camp of tents 
was originally contemplated, 
but these finally increased 
to several hundreds. In due 
time, and after manj' improve- 
ments had been made upon 
the grounds, the era of cottage-building commenced, at 
first on the camp-ground, but afterwards at the Bluffs, 
the Highlands, and elsewhere. 

A summer house of worship was built on the Bluffs- 
side called "Union Chapel," where service was held 
during the season of rustication, including camp-meeting 
week. AVithin a j-ear or two last past, there have been 
built the Baptist chapel, already named, on the Bluffs ; 
the Methodist chapel, a fine structure, in the Camp 
Circle ; and on the Highlands, where the Baptist denom- 
ination now annually hold a meeting similar to that of 
the Methodists, a spacious wooden tabernacle has re- 
cently been erected. The Methodists who, since the 
failing of the shade by the oak-trees, have worshipped 
under a tabernacle of canvas, have in contemplation, as 




they have had for some time past, the erection of one 
similar to that of the Baptists. The two chapels lately 
built are suited to winter as well as summer, — being in 
part for people who reside here, and in the vicinity, 
through the year. Thus the place, where once was a 
comjjarativcly small gathering of people for purel}' re- 
ligious services, — living in a sort of primitive waj', in 
tents, under the shade of the oak foliage, — has become, 
in addition, one of the greatest watering-places in the 
country,* and the parent of cottage camps ; the religious 
element and the religious senices exerting their salutary 
influences, to a good extent, upon the masses. Many 
summer visitors also find homes at Edgartown village, 

_ _ Katama, Vinej-ard Haven, 

i and elsewhere. 
I In the summer of 1878, 
there was organized at this 
new settlement, by Col. Hom- 
I er B. Sprague of Boston, and 
others, the Martha's Vine- 
yard Summer Institute, a 
school for literary and scien- 
tific purposes, with lectures ; 
which proved to be such a 
success that it is to be re- 
peated, and will, doubtless, 
iK'Comea permanent annual. 
There is now a narrow-gauge 
railroad between Oak Bluffs 
wharf and the South Beach, 
via Edgartown village and 
Katama. It is mainly- for the 
summer travel, and affords a 
fine opportunity for visitors 
to come to the points named. 
Edgartown has good schools, 
partially graded, a lyceum, and other literary means, 
including a weekly newspaper, the " Vineyard Gazette," 
established thirty-two years since by the late, Edgar 
Marchant, Esq., a native of the town. 

A custom-house, court-house, jail, and national bank 
are also located here. This is the terminus of the route 
of tlie New Bedford and Martha's Vineyard line of 
steamers. The population of the town is 1,707. 

TisBURT, the central town on the island, includes Vine- 
yard Haven, West and North Tisbury. The sm-face on 

*This place boasts one of the largest and best summer hotels to be 
found in the countiy, also tlie most superb of concrete drives in all 
directions ; while its cottages of almost every conceivable device, rival 
quite, for grace, beauty, and all charming appointments, the creations 
of fancy in the most ingenious of fairy tales. — Ed. 



ION CHAPEL. 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



the north-westerly side is undulating, hillj', and rocky. 
It has much good farming land. Ponds, as in Edgar- 
town, border the southern side, a beach forming the outer 
limit. The town was earlj' settled by the whites. Its 
inhabitants have been very enterprising, a part of them 
as cultivators of the soil, and a part on the sea, either in 
the mercantile marine or in the whaling business ; the 
thrift of the latter centering at what was Holmes's Hole, 
now Vineyard Haven. This village is very eligibly loca- 
ted on an ascent of ground, affording a fine ^■iew of the 
harbor and of the neighboring waters. It has communi- 
cation with the main-land by steamers. About two miles 
distant from the head of the harbor is the well-known 
"West Chop Light-house." This harbor has become 
increasingly' a " waiting place" for vessels of all kinds 
and drafts, for winds and tides, when making passages 
either way on the Vineyard Sound. The village con- 
tains excellent schools, a reading-room for seamen and 
three churches. 

In "West Tisbury is a woollen factory ; a flour mill, 
built and owned b}' the late Dr. Daniel Fisher ; the 
Martha's Vineyard Agricultural Society's hall and 
grounds, and the Dukes County Academj'. This part of 
the town, as well as North Tisbury, is largely a farming 
district. The pond and pound fisheries are sources of 
revenue. 

The earliest records of the first church organization in 
this town, in West Tisbury, have been lost. The Rev. 
John Maj'hew, not then ordained, began to preach here 
in 1673. He was followed by Rev. Josiah Torrey in 
1701, and by Rev. Nathaniel Hancock (nephew of the 
celebrated Gov. John Hancock), iu 1727. 

Chilmakk adjoins Tisbury, and includes all the remain- 
ing part of Martha's Vineyard, with the exception of 
Gay Head. The central and northern parts are hilly 
and rock^-. It has some of the best grazing and farming 
lands in the county, and the inhabitants are usually large 
owners of stock — especially neat cattle and sheep- 
There are also fishing interests here, largely connected 
with the small island of Neman's Land, which forms a 
part of this town. In this township, also, are the hard}- 
and successful sons of the ocean, many of whom have 
risen on their own merits to the first place on the ship's 
"quarter-deck," and have accumulated a comfortable 
competency. 

On the north side of the town, near the Sound, is an 
extensive section embedding useful clays,* large quanti- 

• Scientific men tell ns that this is a part of a bed that runs through 
Long Isl.and and into New Jersey, and which, in a remote age, was the 
front ridge of the Continent. 



ties of which have been exported. In the vicinity are 
the Vineyard Brick and Tile Works, owned hy Hon. 
Nathaniel Harris of Brookline, and costing $55,000. 
Not far distant is a large paint mill. 

A church, with a settled pastor, was early established 
in this town. Among the strong men of the town in- 
tellectuallj-, fifty j-ears ago, was John Hancock, Esq. — 
not the Governor John, of course, but another, prob- 
ablj- a relative. Still earlier was Hon. Benjamin Bas- 
sett, one of the justices of the county couit. The 
town was incorporated in 1714, and has a population 
of 508. 

Gay Head, in the exti-eme western part of the island, 
acquired its name from the gay cliffs in that section. It 
is a promontorj' some four to five miles in length, having 
the water on nearly all sides. The lands, which are quite 
fertile, are undulating, ending in the beautiful, variegated 
cliffs of gorgeous colors, some parts rising to the height 
of about one hundred and fifty feet. Gosnold, when he 
discovered these cliffs, called them "Dover Cliffs." on 
account of their resemblance to the cliffs of that name in 
England. They were undoubtedly an upheaval at some 
remote period ; and the marine fossils they unbosom to 
the view, especially after a heavy rain in spring has 
washed their sloping sides, render the place a great 
attraction to scientific men. The sunset and earl}- 
morning views are admired by mariners and all others 
enjoying them. 

The people of this town constitute the largest settle- 
ment of the remains of the Indian tribes once so numer- 
ous on this island. There is a small number on Chappa- 
quiddic, and another small settlement at a place called 
Chi-istiantown, in Tisbury. They have, bj- immigrations 
of persons of the negro race, and bj' intennarriages, 
become far more characterized bj' other bloods than bj- 
that of the aborigines. The reriinant of the three tribes 
named were formerly wards of the State, under appointed 
guardians. Gay Head was some time a " District," but 
was incorporated as a town in 1870. It has a popula- 
tion of 216. A good highway has been constructed at 
the State's expense, through this town to the " Head." 
On this elevation stands a government light-house, one 
of the finest as well as one of the most important on the 
coast. 

The inhabitants till their lands to some extent, having, 
as others, cattle and sheep. Some of the j'ounger men, 
as in other localities, go out on sea voyages. A good 
school is maintained here, by a State provision, and at 
the State's expense. A church of the Baptist denomina- 
tion has existed here from an early date. 



HISTOET OF NEW ENGLAND. 



GosNOLD, composed of the Elizabeth Islands, is a re- 
centlj- incorporated town, bearing the name of the first 
discoverer of all these islands. They were formerl}- 
included in the township of Chilmark, but were set apart 
as a town in the yeai- 1864. Commencing at the eastern 
end of the town, which forais the western side of the 
water passage, or gate, called "Wood's IIoU," it extends 
westerly to Cuttyhunk.* At the west end of Naushon, 
which is the largest island of the group, we come to a 
shallow passage of water, separating it from the island 
of Pasque, between which and Nashawena, is a wide and 
deep ship-channel, " Quick's Hole," through which both 
outward and inward bound Xew Bedford ships not un- 
frequently pass. On Penikese, it will be recollected, was 
established by Prof. Agassiz, the famed summer school 
for young men. On Cuttyhunk, the most western island 
of the group, and the one on which the great discoverer 
first landed, has long stood a government hght-house. 
Naushon is well wooded, and, like most of the other 
islands, has fine pasturage for sheep, cattle, and horses. 
Wild deer are still found there. About five or sis miles 
from Wood's HoU, on the south side of this island, is the 
well-known " Tarpaulin Cove," at which vessels, passing 
through the Sound, often have occasion to stop. 

Naushon has been called " Bowdoin's Island," it hav- 
ing been for many j-ears in the possession of men bear- 
ing the name of Bowdoin. It is now the property of 
R. B. Forbes, Esq., of Boston, who makes it a summer 
home. The population of the town is 115. 

General Remakks. 

All the older towns in this county have long been dis- 
tinguished for their adventurous and eflfective men, both 
those employed in the merchant marine, and those engaged 
in the whaling business. There being within the limits 
of the county, along the coast, many places of great 
hazard to vessels coming in, manj' of our men, ac- 
quiring experience, and accurateness of knowledge of 
reefs, rocks, and shoals, as well as the safe entrances 
into harbors, have obtained a deserved reputation as 
pilots. 

The people of Martha's Vineyard suffered much during 
the Revolution. Two thousand cattle were taken from 
them at one time by the British war-ships. Some of the 
inhabitants of this island, moreover, were captm-ed bj- 

• On Cuttyhunk are located the lands and buildings of the " Neiv 
York Club," of seventy-five gentlemen, who spend several months of 
the year there in rel.ixation firom active business. Ou this island also 
reside a majoritj- of the fixed population of the town. They have here 
a school nine months of the year. Although they have the services of 
a clergyman but part of the time, religious meetings and a Saljbath 
school are maintained through the year. 



the enemy, taken to England, and incarcerated in the 
loathsome " Dartmoor Prison." 

The agricultiu-al interests of the county have been < 
greatly promoted bj' the formation of the Martha's Vine- 
yard Agricultural Society- some twenty years since, antl 
the encouragement given by the State bounty. The rais- ! 
ing of grains, roots, bulbs, hay, &c., have been more sue- j 
cessfullj" accomplished, and breeds of cattle and sheep have 
been improved ; although, owing to the fact that the work 
of the team is now done more by horses, there has been 
somewhat of a decrease in the number of working oxen. 
The " clip" of wool is about the same as formerly, but 
of far better quality. The cultivated lauds have been 
better cared for and managed, and the growing of nice 
orchard and garden fruit greatly increased. The cultiva- 
tion of the cranberry has also received considerable 
attention. 

From very early times, great attention has been paid 
in this county to education. In addition to the ordinary 
facilities for its promotion in the earlier stages of its 
progress, a county educational association, formed some 
thirty j-cars since under a law of the State, still retains 
its freshness and vigor, and is doing good work by its 
annual sessions, conducted somewhat after the manner of 
the teachers' institute. 

The county has been marked for the raising-up of pro- 
fessional men — clergymen, lawyers, physicians, teachers, 
limners, and others. It can boast of its Spaulding, for 
man^- years a representative in Congress from a western 
State ; of its Walter Hiliman, Jr., LL. D., late president 
of a college in Mississippi ; and of its Maj.-Gen. Worth, 
the hero in command at the taking of the city of Mexico. 
U. S. Senator Dawes claims to have had a maternal an- 
cestor on this island. Many of less distinction, but still 
successful and of good repute, might be named. 

The greatest population of the county, so far as the 
authorized census shows, was in the year 1850, at which 
time the business enterprises of the people were pros- 
perous. It was then 4,540. 

Within the recollections of men now living, this island 
of Martha's Vineyard, Mith its surroundings, has been 
undergoing great changes physically. While the south- 
eastern portions seem to have been formed in a remote 
antiquity by the wash of the ocean that bounded them, 
and bj- its tides, it is believed that the north-western 
p.irts were, at some period in the distant past, severed 
from the continent, having from that time been subject to 
the ever-wearing tides, winds, and waves, which have 
contributed to the formation of the great marine high- 
way-, the Vinej'ard Somid, upon and through which a 
large share of the w^ealth of the Atlantic States is 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



annually borne. The south-eastern parts, also, singularly 
enough, are manifestly being worn away, their limits 
contracted, and the separated debris and sands thrown 
into neighboring bars and shoals. Within a compar- 
ativelj' recent period, something like a quarter of a mile 
in width for a distance of nearly twelve miles on this 
southerly side, has been lost to the island. Small ponds 
have been annihilated, larger ones very much lessened in 
size, while arable lauds and meadows have been either 
covered with beach-sand, or submerged under the dash- 
ing waves. Near the south shore of Chappaquiddic — ■ 
in the same range — where once were meadows, there is 



now a depth of water sufficient to float a ship. Still 
the island stands, and will doubtless long contuaue to 
stand — probably as long as time itself shall endure. 
The rolling in of the waves upon the " South Beach," — 
which, with the view of the open, unbounded expanse of 
the ocean, Edward Everett pronounced as exceeding, in 
interest, a sight of the Falls of Niagara, — and the ever- 
flowing tide of the Vine^-ard Sound on the north will still 
sweep on, bearing upon its bosom its freights of wealth 
and of human beings ; and so will the tide of time, the 
march of human thought, and the activities of human life, 
move on to the end. 



ESSEX COUNTY.* 



BY CYRUS M. TRACY, ESQ. t 



The history of Essex County is that of small begin- 
nings and great ends. One of the smallest counties in 
the State, it nestles, isolated and alone, in its north- 
easternmost corner. More densely populated than any 
other county, full of thrift and industry, it has a some- 
what famous record, both mercantile and historical; 
embracing, as it does, some of the largest and oldest 
cities and towns in the State. Its topograjihy has noth- 
ing remarkable or very picturesque about it ; the plains 
being low, level, and sandy, and the elevations only 
moderate, though often rock}'. Yet, even in this respect, 
it does not lack interest. Its southern border, resting 
on Massachusetts Bay, though irregular, exhibits much 
of beauty. From the north of the Merrimac to the rocky 
promontorj' of Cape Ann, the encroachments of the sea 
are compai-atively few ; but from that point to its south- 
ernmost limit, the irregularity is very marked. Scattered 
along the coast are harbors which, with the exception of 
that of Nuwburyport, are noticeable rather for their 
depth than for their commodiousness. Bays, inlets, and 
harbors of various degrees of importance are found 
along the coast, together with numerous sandy beaches, 
which add mirch to its beauty. Plum Island, a narrow 
strip of land about seven miles in length, stretches, like 



• Essex is largely a manufacturing county. The total value of the 
goods made, and work done in 1875 was $93,482,744, and the amount of 
invested capital ^3,785,188. 

t Tlie aiulior acknowledges his obligation to Frederick B. Graves, 
Esq., of Lynn, for valuable assistance. 



a huge thing of the sea, from Great Neck in Ipswich, to 
the mouth of the Merrimac River at Newburjioort. The 
pretty peninsula of Nahant extends into the bay near 
the southern border, and is connected with the city 
of Lynn by a hard, sandy beach two miles in length. 
Other islands and peninsulas, of less importance and 
significance, lie along the coast, particularly south of 
Cape Ann. 

Away from the coast, the surface of the county is very 
diversified, and shoots up to the summit elevation in the 
town of Boxford, where eight or ten small lakes give 
origin to many streams. In the large vaUey, which 
extends across the northern part of the county, courses 
the Merrimac River, the greatest stream in the county, 
and in the State, with the exception of the Connecticut. 
The small valley, a few minutes south, bears the Ips- 
wich River; and one smaller still between these two, 
carries the small stream known as the Parker River. In 
the north-western part of the county, in a peculiar, 
diagonal vallej', runs the Shawshine River, a small con- 
fluent of the Merrimac. There are other rivers, better 
designated, however, as streams. Bass River, of some 
historical notoriety, rises in the north parish of Beverly, 
and empties into the North River at Salem. Chebacco 
River, starting on the boundary of Hamilton and Essex, 
falls into Chebacco Bay. Spicket River and Little 
River both flow south into the Merrimac, the first in 
the town of Methiien, and the other in Haverhill. There 
are five lakes Ijing in the northern and western portions 



HISTOKY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



of the county which connect with the Merrimac River, — 
Great Pond in North Andover, Kunball's Pond in Ames- 
burv, Kenoza Lake in Haverhill, Haggett's Pond in 
Andover, and Johnson's Pond in Groveland ; while 
uniting to swell the modest flow of the Ipswich River 
aie AVenham Lake in Wenham, Middleton Pond in 
Jliddleton, and Suntaug Lake in Lynufield, Pilhngs' 
Pond in Lynufield, and Fkx Pond in Lynn, find their 
way ultimately to the Saugus River. 

Essex County, like some others in the State, can 
boast of no large mountains within its limits. Never- 
theless, there are manj' pleasant and picturesque hills, 
serving to relieve the dreariness of the plain, though 
they cannot be dignified hy the name of mountain. 
Holt's Hill in Andover attains an elevation of 423 feet. 

Such is the topogi-aphy of Essex County, and such, 
in general, it will always be. Civilization may build 
roads and highways, and industry maj- dot its landscapes 
with well-tilled farms, yet it will always be substantially 
the same as when, in 1611, Edward Hai'lie and Nicholas 
Hobson landed at Ipswich, the fii-st Europeans who set 
foot on the soil of Essex County. 

This region was discovered by Europeans in the year 
1602. It was not, however, until nine years afterwards 
that other men than the natives trod its soil. During 
the subsequent thirteen years, frequent visits were made 
to the region, but no settlement was attempted. 

The earliest settlers of this county were the Cape 
Ann colonists, sent out in 1624, under the auspices of 
the so-called Dorchester Adventurers, and organized, a 
little later, under the efBcient direction of the valiant 
and faithful Roger Conant. Endicott's Colony, sent out 
hy the Massachusetts Company, to carry on the planta- 
tion alreadj- successfullj- initiated bj- Conant at Naum- 
keag, or Salem, arrived Sept. 6, 1628. The Colony of 
Gov. Winthi-op, consisting of 900 persons, reached these 
shores June 12, 1630. 

Amid the many trials and adversities naturally inci- 
dent to a new settlement, the Colony of Massachusetts 
Bay, of which the towns embraced in Essex County, at 
its incorporation, constituted an important part, con- 
tinued, from the first, to enjoy a very fair measure of 
prosperity. Not a little annoj-ance, however, was 
occasioned, from time to time, by Indian raids. The 
murder of the Indian trader, Oldham, by the Pequots, 
especially, roused the whole settlement. In consequence, 
in 1636, Gov. Vane, sent 99 men, under Endicott and 
the famous Capt. Uuderhill, to retaliate upon the Pe- 
quots. The expedition, though sanguinary, was yet 
comparatively inelfectual, its only eflect, apparently, 
being to incite the brief (though in its effects on the 



hostile tribes, finally-exterminating) Pequot war. In 
this war, Essex County generously participated, furnish- 
ing her full quota of the 190 men levied (April, 1651) 
by the General Court to assist in the prosecution of the 
same. 

In 1643, eight towns; viz., Salem, Lynn, Wenham, 
Ipswich, Rowley. Newbury, Gloucester, and Andover, 
were set apart and incorporated as Essex Count}'. 

There had been over a score and a half of years of 
partial peace, when Philip, the intrepid and powerful 
sachem of the Pokanokets, engaged in his unprovoked, 
fierce, and well-nigh successful struggle with the whites 
for supremacy on this continent. During this war, 
Essex County enlisted brave soldiers, and provided able 
and gallant leaders, — men who distinguished themselves 
at Deerfield, Hatfield, and at other points. Theirs were 
the troops so mercilessly slaughtered at " Bloodj' Brook," 
— a body of ninety picked, well disciplined, coui-ageous 
soldiers, known as "the Flower of Essex." under the 
laoiented Capt. Lothrop of Ipswich, * having been sur- 
prised by the treacherous savages, and almost utterly 
cut to pieces. 

When Sir William Phips, the first governor of the 
Massachustts Colony under the new or provincial char- 
ter, ai-rived in New England, in May, 1692, he found the 
public mind in the greater part of Essex County in a 
fear-fully distracted condition on account of the preva- 
lence of that woful delusion known as the Salem Witch- 
craft. During the same j-ear certain members of the 
family of the Rev. Samuel Parris, the minister of Salem 
Village, now Dan vers Centre, were believed to be aflSicted 
by witches. t His little daughter, Elizabeth, scarcely- 
nine years of age, and his niece, Abigail Williams, 
eleven, acted ver^- strangely at times. Other children in 
the neighborhood presently caught the contagion. These 
finally complained of being tormented by certain indi- 
%iduals, whom, in due tune, they were encouraged for- 
mally to accuse. One of the first specifically charged with 
this misdemeanor was one Tituba, an Indian woman, 
and a servant in the family of Mr. Parris. It would 
seem that she had been trying, by her Indian incanta- 
tions, to relieve the chUdi-en of theu- ti-ouble, and so, 
not-unnaturaUy, became a subject of suspicion. Others 
were soon accused, among the earliest being two friend- 
less, hag-like women, one actually insane, and the other 
bed-ridden ; fit targets, truly, of such a cruelly helUsh 
craze. The excitement spread, and at length, adults, as 
well as children, complained of being bewitched or tor- 

• Some authorities place him at Beverly. 

t A witch was one who, throngh collusion, or a compact, with evil 
5puits, was held to be able thus to torment others. 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



mented, — accusing those against whom they chanced to 
have some pique. Meanwhile, Cotton Mather, Judge 
Stoughton, and Rev. Mr. Noj'es of Salem, and Increase 
Mather, president of Hansard College, as well as many 
others of culture and position, encouraged the arrests, 
and gave to the prosecutions the benefit of the whole 
weight of their great influence.* 

The result was, that in one short year, not only had 
the frightful delusion been communicated to, and had 
involved all the surrounding towns in its consuming 
flame, but not less than twenty had been actually exe- 
cuted ; nineteen b^' hanging (on " Witch "or " Gallows 
Ilill ") , and one by pressing, t Among the more notable 
of these victims were Rebecca Nourse, { a venerable and 
most excellent woman, mother of a large and respectable 
family, an exemplary church-member, and residing in 
what is known as the " Witch House " § at Danvers 
(Taple3•^^lle) ; Sarah Good, who, when Rev. Mr. Noyes 
attempted, even at the gallows, to persuade her to con- 
fess her guilt and so save her life, witli commendalilc 
spirit replied, "You are a liar. I am no more a witch 



* These men londly announced that this commotion was the reenlt of 
an effort on the part of the powers of darkness to gain the victory over 
the saints. 

The first settlers of this country bronght with them from Europe a belief 
in witchcraft ; and between 1648 and 1655 six or eight witches had been 

I already executed. Agreeable to what was supposed to be Scripture 
precept, — that a witch ought not to be permitted to live, — the statntcs 
of Christendom very generally recognized witchcraft as a capital 
offence; albeit, by confessing their guilt the offenders were allowed 
usually to escape the fearful penalty of their crime. 

t Giles Corey, whose wife Martha had been torn from his side, and, 
as he firmly beUcved, and fearlessly declared, judicially murdered, 
having been himself, doubtless on account of these very denunciations, 
accused, determined to meet his fate in a way to proclaim at once his 
utter abhorrence and defiance of the prosecutions. Eefasing to plead, 

! and so to put himself on trial, tradition says that he was laid naked upon 
the bare floor of his prison and gradually crushed by huge weights 
placed upon bis breast. 

I t By night, and stealthily, her body was snatched, by members of her 

I family, from its shallow grave on Gallows Hill, and, on horseback, 
conveyed to her late home, and furtively buried, It is supposed, in some 
part of the old family burial lot. 

§ Originally built by Townsend Bishop, in 1635 ; hence, one of the 
oldest, if not the oldest, occupied houses on the continent. It was quite 
a mansion in its day, and together with the adjacent farm, was bought 
by Gov. Endicott for his son John. 

II Tradition says that the uncanny prophecy was fulfilled, inasmuch as 
Mr. Noyes' death was occasioned by the bursting of a blood vessel. 

11 His own wife baring been accused, and finally conricted. Proctor 
spoke his mmd with au energy inspired by affection, as well as convic- 
tion. Indeed, armed with a sense of the awfully cruel outrage inflicted 
upon him, he entered upon the defence of his nife with a manly earn- 
estness and downrightness that soon brought down upon his own de- 
voted head the avenging i^Tath of the whole church and prosecuting 
party. And so, though the wife finally escaped, as b.v the skin of her 
teeth, the noble husband paid for his temerity by his life. 

•• After the trial and condemnation. Burroughs was driven in a cart 
through the streets of Salem to the place of execution. Arrived at the 



than you are a wizard, and if you take my life God will 
yet give you blood to drink " ; || John Proctor, a leading 
citizen, a man of great probity' and intelligence, and 
whose \igorous understanding led him at once, and 
almost alone, clearly to perceive the unsubstantial and 
delusive character of the mania, and accordingly to 
denounce it in unmeasured terms as utterly, unpardon- 
ably cruel and wicked ; % a clergyman named George 
Burrotighs, a former pastor of the Salem Village church, 
a man of unusual phj^sical strength, of many odd fan- 
cies and eccentric habits, but of undeniable scholarship 
and piety ; * * Elizabeth How f f of Topsfield, a woman of 
great loveliness of character, and whose own heroic 
qualities shone out amid the darkness of her times with 
a resplendence equalled onlj- bj' the unexampled devo- 
tion, during this season of trial, of the members of her 
own family ; and an old man by the name of Jacobs. I J 
At the time this maniacal furor reached its height, 
and the tide of public sentiment began to turn against 
it, § § besides those actuall)' executed, eight had been con- 
•50 persons were still in prison awaiting trial ; 



scaffold, he mounted the ladder with a firm step, and proceeded to make 
a pathetic and stirring appeal to the gathered multitude. In the fulness 
of his faith he was powerful, and boldly declared his innocence, closing 
his appeal by offering a simple and fervid petition to God, repeating, 
solemnly and reverently, the Lord's Prayer. Some of the spectators 
wept; others loudly protested their belief in his innocence, and the 
ofliccrs and executioners grew afraid that the multitude would prevent 
the execution by force. But just then came forward, riding amid the 
crowd on a spirited steed, the well-known figure of Cotton Mather. In 
front of the scaffold he stayed and addressed the people, asserting his 
belief that Burroughs was guilty, declaring him an unordained minis- 
ter, and with a sophistry fitted to the prevalent superstitious feeling 
aflirmed that the devil oftentimes appears as an angel of light. The 
excitement subsided. The innocent Burroughs was swung off, and the 
hypocritical Mather went away satisfied. It is asserted, that, as if these 
things were not enough, the body was cut down and shamefully mal- 
treated by the improvised grave-diggers. 

1 1 Greatly as we are amazed at the credulity of the public at this time, 
we cannot be less so in view, not only of the heartless recklessness with 
which accusations were made — knowing, as the accusers did, that to 
accuse was to convict and destroy — but of the remorselessness with 
which even families and friends usually turned against the accused. 
Reference has already been made to a few noble exceptions to this rule. 
Meantime, what scene more touching than that of the blind husband of 
Elizabeth How, accompanied by his two young daughters, journeying 
on horseback, twice a week, along narrow, difficult, and sometimes 
dangerous roads, all the way from Topsfield to Boston, to visit and to 
minister to the comfort of the wife and mother in her prison cell. 

tt It is said that the grave of Jacobs, located on the old homestead, 
near Salem (the old house is still standing), is the only one of all those 
of the witchcraft victims that has ever been positively identified. There 
is, in the Salem Athenseum, a painting, said to be intended to represent 
the trial of this man Jacobs. 

§ § It is an interesting and significant fact that it was not until the finger 
of suspicion and of accusation came finally strangely to be pointed at 
members of the families of the prosecutors themselves that the eyes of 
the latter worthies got suddenly and wonderfully opened to the atroci- 
ties of the practices in progress ; and that hence this tempest of mad- 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



200 othi'is Imcl been accused, while a considerable num- 
ber of the suspected, including some of the most 
reputable members of the communit}-, had fled the 
country. Nor do these statistics by any means ade- 
quately indicate the full extent of the disaster. In con- 
sequence of expensive trials, rapacious confiscations, 
and the utter prostration of business, scores, not to say 
hundreds, were utterlj' impoverished. Farms were for- 
saken, business was neglected, while most of the 
churches were in a sadlj-, and even hopelessly, distracted 
condition. Long years of toil and sorrow and sacrifice 
followed ere Essex Coimty recovered fully from the 
elTects of this terrible blow. 

During the Revolution Essex County did her full and 
earnest dut}-. ■\Mien the spirited letter was sent out to 
the towns in the Colony, calling for an open and sincere 
expression of their opinions as to the course that should 
be pursued towards the British government, as to whether 
thej- should submit or resist, all the towns, both large 
and small, within her borders, replied with one patriotic 
voice against the usurpations of the crown. The feehng 
was spontaneous and heartfelt. "Gloucester, Salem, 
Newbury, Newburj'port, and Ipswich gave their power- 
ful support to the determination to resist to the last; 
while Salisbury, Beverl}', Lynn, Danvers, and Rowley 
re-echoed the sentiment. The hardy fishermen of Mar- 
blehead declared themselves ready to unite for the re- 
covery of their -siolated rights." The soul of the county 
was fired ; the universal desire of her towns was for a 
solid and permanent union, a closing up of the ranks of 
the Colonies against a most cruel, unjust, and \indictive 
oppression. 

Towns. 

Lawkence was chartered as a city in 1853. It was 

ness, passion, and superstitious terror began sensibly to abate. No 
sooner had suspicion been cast on the wife of Rev. Mr. Hale of Bev- 
erly, and on the lady of Gov. Phips, than very naturally the cry went 
up, " Hang the girls," it apparently m.iking an important difference in 
the logical and theological perceptions of these august personages 
whose was the ox that was gored. Some of tlie judges and ministers, 
having been brought to see their error, humbly and publicly made due 
acknowledgment of the same. Judge Sewall rose before the congrega- 
tion in the Old South at Boston, and asked the prayers of God's people 
that the guilt of the errors he had committed at Salem might not fall 
on his country, his family, and himself Others, like Mather and 
Stoughton, with an insanely contemptuous disregard of facts, and of 
public sentiment, continued, even to the lai-t, to cling to their fanatical 
folly, and, though secured in defiance of all ordinary established rnlcs 
of evidence — the simple charge of the accuser sufficing beyond all con- 
troversy, to convict— nevertheless persistently justified the executions. 
Among those who, in the height of the excitement, on the other hand 
maintained " level " heads, and, though at the imminent peril of their 
lives, resisted the demand for the execution of the alleged witches, and 
are hence descrying of all honor, were the Rev. Samuel Willard, Rev. 
Mr. Jloody, ex-Gov. Bradstreet, Thomas Danforth, and especially 
Robert Calef of Boston. 



originall}' a part of Andover and Methuen, but by an 
act of the legislature in 18-17, it was set off from these 
towns, and made one by itself. When it became a city, 
the name of Lawrence was selected in honor of Hon. 
Abbott Lawrence and other members of that family. 
The natural attractiveness of the "New City" as a fa- 
vorable location for immense industries was not great ; 
it required the powerful assistance of art to utilize all 
the means, and draw hither an industrious, laboring pop- 
ulation. In olden time, eel-fishing was almost the only 
industry that yielded a good revenue at this place. In 
1845, a company was formed known as the Essex Com- 
pany, which was authorized by legislative enactment to '> 
construct and maintain a dam across the Merrimac j 
River, either at " Deer-Jimip," or " Bodwell's Falls," or 
at any point between these falls. This company was to 
remove obstructions from the river, and create a water- 
power, to use, sell, or lease to other corporations or 
persons for manufacturing or mechanical purposes. 
Abbott Lawrence, Nathan Appleton, and others were 
appointed directors, and Charles S. Storrow was chosen 
treasurer. The dam was commenced in September, 
1845. It is fortj' feet in height at the maximum, and is 
one of the most substantial structures in the countrj-. 
North of the river is a canal, a trifle more than one mile 
in length, running parallel with the river, and about four 
hundred feet distant from it. It is between the river and 
this canal that those busj' hives of industry and labor 
are located. From this company starts the spirit which 
has ever characterized the life of this enterprising and 
prosperous city.* • 

Lawrence possesses all the advantages of a great 
city ; such as parks, banks, railroads, churches, soci- 
eties, an excellent fire department, and well-managed 

It will always, of course, be a matter of profound amazement that so 
many of the best minds of an intelligent community, including repre- 
sentatives of all the learned professions, could ever have been so de- 
luded, and have been led so far astray, as in this case. This can be 
understood only when it is considered, not only that in all ages the 
public mind is susceptible to such sudden and fatal crazes as this, but 
that this delusion occurred, not simply in a period when a belief in 
witchcraft was an established doctrine of orthodoxy, but in an utterly 
unscientific age ; and when, moreover, the very newness of the country, 
the vast solitudes of the forests, and the perils and alarms to which, 
because of prowling s.avagcs and wild beasts, the people were con- 
stantly liable, conspired to engender a popular mood clearly, eminently 
favorable for just such a destructive moral epidemic. | 

* The most notable mills in the city are the Pacific, Atlantic Cotton, 
"Washington, and Everett Mills, and the famous Pembeiton Mill. 
All of these have a large capital invested, and employ many oper- 
atives. The aggregate wealth of these corporations is very large, 
amounting to ahput eight and a half millions. The other and smaller 
companies nmning arc the Lawrence Duck Company, Arlington 
Woollen Mills, Lawrence Woollen Company, Russell Paper Com. 
pany, Lawrence Flyer and Spindle Works, and the Lawrence lumber 
companies. 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



and economical civil departments. Its population is 
34,916. 

Historically, this citj' is noted for the terrible calamity' 
of Jan. 10, 18C0, when the -n-hole structiu'e of the Pem- 
berton MiU fell down in a minute, as it were, burning 
between 700 and 800 persons in the burning ruins, of 
whom about 100 perished. 

Lynx is, with one exception, the oldest town in Essex 
j County, the settle- 
ment having been _ ^ 
commenced in 1629. 
In the following year, 
its freemen were ad- 
mitted as members 
of the General Court, 
which privilege incor- 
porated it a town. 
Until 16.37 it was 
called S august, but 
in that year, perhaps 
in compliment to Mr. 
Whiting, who had 
lived a little whUe in 
Lynn Eegis, Eng., it 
was changed. As the 
record of the General 
Court reads: " /Saw- 
gust is called Lin." 
Before the settlement 
of LjTin, the Indians 
dwelt there in large 
numbers. Monto- 
wampate was the sa- 
chem of LjTin, and 
lived on what is now 
known as Sagamore 
Hill. In 1644, the 
first iron foundry in 
the United States was established in Lynn, at a spot 
now included in Saugus. Ten years afterwards, the 
selectmen of Boston contracted with Mr. Joseph Jenks, 

• "About the year 1670," says Lewis, "shoes began to be cnt with 
broad straps, for buckles, which were worn by women as well as by 
men. In 1727, square toed shoes, and buckles for latlics, went out of 
fashion; though buckles continued to be worn by men till after the 
Revolution. The sole leather was all worked with the flesh side out. 
In 17 JO, John Adam D,ig>-r, a Welshman, gave gieat unpulse and noto- 
riety to the business by producing shoes equal to the best made in Eng- 
land. From that time the craft con.-inued to flourish, unlil it became 
the principal business of the tovrn. Fathers, sons, journeymen, and 
apprentices worked together, in a shop of one story in height, twelve 
feet or so square, with a fiieplace in one comer, and a cutting-board in 




OLD TUNNEL CHUKCH, LTNN. 



of the Iron Works, "for an Ingine to carry water 
in case of fire." This was the first fire-engine con- 
structed in the United States. In 1652, a mint was 
established at Boston, and the dies for coinage were 
made at the Iron Works in Ljom by the same Joseph 
Jenks. 

Slioemaking, for which Lynn is so famous, began as 
early as 1636. The first shoemakers known in Lynn 
were Philip Kertland and Ecbnund Biidges, both of 
whom came over in 
1635. In the begin- 
ning, the shoes were 
made of woollen cloth , 
or neats' leather. A 
nicer shoe of white silk 
was made for special 
occasions, such as a 
wedding. * 

From ISOO this in- 
dustrj- has gradual- 
ly but steadily in- 
creased, t 

The population of 
the city in 1875 was 
32,600, and its total 
valuation was $28,- 
077,793, the largest 
of anj- city or town 
in the county. 

Since its incoipo- 
ration, Lynn has lost 
territorj- by the sepa- 
ration of Lynnfield, 
Saugus, and Swamp- 
scott, and Nahant. 
It was organized as a 
city May 14, 1850. 

The patriotic char- 
acter of Lynn is wide- 
ly known, and to her honor she had 170 men in the 
Revolution, four being killed at Lexington. She fitted 
out one privateer in the war of 1812, which did good 

another. The finer quality of shoes were made with white and msset 
rands, stitched very fine, with white waxed thread. They were made 
with very sharp toes, and had wooden heels, covered with leather, from 
half an inch to two inches in height, called cross-cut, common court, 
and "Wuitemburg heels. About the year 1800, wooden heels were dis- 
contiiiucd, and lca;::cr heels were nsed instead." 

t In 1S75 there were 151 establishments engaged in the manufacture 
of bij< ts, shoes, and slippers, with an 'aggregate capital of 82,712,300. 
Tlie value of the leather nsed annually amounts to about $7,000,000. 
The whole nuiulicr of employes in 1875, for whom wages were returned, 
was 10,838, with wages amounting to #5,287, 1C5. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



service. Whou the Rebellion 
burst on the country, she had 
the first men in the field after 
Marblehead; and her memo- 
rable response to the call : " Wo 
have more men than guns 1 
"What shall we do ? " -will never 
pass out of patriotic history. 

Salem, incorporated as a 
town June 24, 1629, is ihe 
chief historic city in the county. 
The first permanent settlement 
in the old Massa- 
chusetts Colony 
was at Salem. 
The chief por- 
tion of the city 
rests on a long 
narrow peninsu- 
la, which extends 
towards the sea, 
and termiuatesiu 
two headlands, 
which are divid- 
ed by Collins's 
Cove. On the 
north, the North 
River divides the 
city proper from 
North Salem and 
Beverly, and on 
the other side, 
South River di- 
vides South Sa- 
lem from the city 
proper. It has 
l)een more exten- 
sive, but towns 
have been set oil 
from the original 
territorJ^ 

Aug. 6, 1629, 
O. S., a Congre- 
gational Church 
was organized in 
Salem, and was 
undoubtedly the 
first Protestant 
church farmed in 
America. The 




NEW CITY HAI-L, LYNN. 



pastors previous to 1640 were, 
Francis Iliggiuson (1629), Sam- 
uel Skelton, Roger WilUams, 
and Hugh Peters. The latter 
did not confine his attention to 
the ministry, but directed his 
great powers, with zeal, to na- 
tional afl'airs, being one of the 
' ' Regicide Judges." Returning 
to England after the restoration 
of the monarchy, he was tried 
and executed in 1660, aged 61 
years. 

Strange!}' this 
parent Puritan 
church of Sakiu, 
this church, that, 
in the beginning, 
had had such a 
horror of heresy, 
is to-day, and for 
manj' j-ears has 
been, a church 
not indeed of the 
" orthodox," but | 
of the Unitarian 
order. It is a 
somewhat signif- 
icant fact that 
the first actual 
conflict of the 
Revolution after 
the arrival of 
Gage, took place 
at Salem in Feb- 
ruary, 1775, in 
the famous en- 
counter with Col. 
Leslie. The first 
congress to con- 
sider the ques- 
tion of indepen- 
dence also met 
here. In 1740, 
Whitefield, the 
celebrated Meth- 
odist evangelist, 
preached to an 
audience of near- 
ly 6,000 people 
on the Common. 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



The first printing office established at Salem was in 17G8 
by Samuel Ilall, and on the 2d of August of the same 
year the publication of the "Essex Gazette," a weeklj- 
paper, began. An important feature of this city is 
its fine cemetery, " Hannonj- Grove," lying between 
Salem and Peabody. George Peabody, the eminent 
banker, is interred here. 

The churches of the city are numerous, and the various 
civil departments of the municipalitj* are excellent. * An 
United States custom-bouse is located here. The popu- 
lation of the city has been steadily on the increase. In 
1790 it was 7,921 ; and 1875, 25,958. Tlje valuation in 
1875 was 826,312,272. 

Hon. Nathaniel Bowditch, LL. D., F. R. S., one of 
the most celebrated mathematicians of the age, was a 
native of Salem. He was born March 26, 1773. In 
1823, he removed to Boston, where he continued to 
reside until his death on the IGth of March, 1838. Dr. 
Bowditch stood at the head of the scientific men of this 
countrj', and no man has contributed more to his coun- 
tiy's reputation. His fame, resting on the union of the 
highest genius with the most practical tulent, and the ap- 
plication of both to the good of mankind, is of the most 
durable kind. Everj- American ship crosses the ocean 
more safely for his labors, and the most eminent mathe- 
maticians of Europe have acknowledged him their equal 
in the highest walks of their science. — Barber' s Historical 
Collections. 

Gloucester,! was the first place occupied by the 
English north of Massachusetts Baj-. The topograph}' of 
Gloucester is bold, rock}- and uneven, occasiunall}- re- 
lieved b}- small tracts of level land. Indomitable indus- 
try has, to some extent, changed this barrenness into 
fertility. Previous to the incorj^oration of Rockport in 
1840, Gloucester embraced the whole promontory of 
Cape Ann. In Maj-, 1642, it was incorporated as a plan- 
tation, and named Gloucester, a name attached at the 
request of some of the inhabitants who came from 



• The following are the principal societies of Salem, with their several 
dates of incorporation. The Social Library- was formed in 1760; the 
S.-ilem Evangelical Library was formed in 1818, with 600 volumes; on 
March 3, 1801, the East India Marine Museum was incorporated; this 
museum in 1867 was united with the Peabody Academy of Science, an 
institution founded by the munificence of George Peabody. He donated 
8140,000, of which §40,000 was to be used to purchase the East India 
Marine Hall, and properly fit it up ; $100,000 was to be a permanent 
fund, the interest of which was to be used for the advancement of 
science and useful knowledge in the county of Essex ; the Essex His- 
torical Society was incorporated June 11, 1821 ; on Feb. 12, 1836, the 
Essex County Natural History Society was incorporated ; the Athe- 
nxum, March 12, 1810, and Mechanics' Hall, March 7, 1839; the Salem 
Marine was instituted in 1766, and incorporated, 1772 ; it has a fund of 
815,000, and the income of Franklin building, bequeathed in 1831, by 



Gloucester, England. The interests of Gloucester are 
almost wholly commercial. It has a greater amount of 
tonnage engaged in domestic fisheries than any other 
town in the United States, and ranks third in foreign 
commerce in l^Iassachusctts, being surpassed onl}' b}- 
Boston and Salem. It is, indeed, asserted to be tlie 
largest fishing port at present in the world. It imports 
sugar, molasse^, &c., from Surinam ; and coal, wood, 
salt, and lumber from the British Pro\'inces. For over 
one hundred years, tlie cod fishery has been carried on 
successful!}-. The annual fleet sent out from 1 7G5 to 
1775 was 146 vessels, employing nearly 900 men. In 
1865, Gloucester had 358 vessels engaged in commerce, 
with an aggregate tonnage of 25,670. The harbor of 
Gloucester is spacious and deep. The town is beauti- 
fully situated, and the views of the sea are magnificent. 
In the "West Parish of the town there is an old church, 
standing like a grim sentinel on the summit of a high 
hill. It is one of the oldest in New England. During 
both the Revolutionary War, and the war of 1812, 
Gloucester was attacked by the enemy. % In all the wars 
it has contributed largely to the navy of the United 
States. A city charter was granted to this place. May 
26, 1871 ; but not being accepted by the town, a second 
was afterwards obtained, under which she became in- 
corporated as the sixth city in the county. The popula- 
tion is 16,754. 

Haverhill (Pentuckett) was settled in 1640 by 
twelve men from Newbury and Ipswich. They settled 
without a title. It was not until 1642 that the deed was 
negotiated with the Indians. The new settlement was 
called Haverhill in honor of the English birthplace of 
Mr. Ward, who was the master-spirit of the enterprise. 
Two years after the settlement, there were 32 land-hold- 
ers in Haverhill. The first regular town meeting was 
held in 1643, and two years afterwards the first church 
assembled, and IMr. AVard was ordained the pastor. In 
the autumn of 1648 the first meeting-house was erected ; 

Thomas Perkins, a merchant ; the Salem East India Marine was founded 
in 1799, and incorporated in 1801 ; and the East India Marine Hall Cor- 
poration was chartered in 1821 ; the Salem Seamen's Orphans' and 
Children's Friend Society was formed in 1839, and incorporated in 
1841; in 1823 the Charitable Marine was formed; and in 1844 com- 
menced the Ladies' Seamen's Friend Society. 

+ It has been, from time to time, but especially within the past few 
years, subjected to very disastrous losses from the wreck and de- 
struction of many of its fishing fleets.— Ed. 

t On the 8th of August, 1775, the British ship.of-war "Falcon "bom- 
barded it for several hours. The people offered a gallant resistance, 
and nearly half of the crew of the "Falcon" were either killed, wounded 
or captured. The British frigate " Tenedos," on Sept 8, 1814, also at- 
tacked the town, but did no serious damage, though the frigate suffered 
much, losing a barge and 13 men. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



and in the same 3"ear a fcny was established at the place 
still called the "old ferrj'-waj'," a little east of the foot 
of Kent Street. In 1660 the first public school was es- 
tablished. 

In 1697, was enacted that fearful tragedy of which 
Mrs. Dustin of Haverhill was the heroine. The details 
may be found in any history of the town. 

When the Colonies were divided into four counties in 
1643, Haverhill was included in Norfolk County, but in 
1676, with Amesbury and Salisburj', it was transferred 
into Essex County. The salmon fisheries were at one 
time an important industry of Haverhill. It is recorded 
that, in 17G0, bj-one draught of the net, 2,500 shad were 
di'awn. Washington, in 1789, visited this place, and 
was received with a hearty welcome. HaverhiE is a 
large manufacturing place, and annually increasing in 
importance. It was incorpo- ^ ^^^^ 

rated as a city, Mar. 10, 1869. J^^I^ 

Population, 14,628. ^ =^e- 

Newbuktport, in the matter 
of trade and business, was once 
the glory of Essex. It was 
settled in 1635, when it formed 
a part of the town of Newburj'. 
But in 1764, one square mile 
of Newbmy, 640 acres, was set 
off, and incorjiorated with the 
nameof Newburyport. Thister- 
ritorj- has since been increased, 
in 1851, when, also, a city 
charter was obtained. From 
the j^ear 1764 up to 1775, the 
growth of Newburyport was marvellous. Shipbuilding 
was the principal industry- ; vessels being constructed 
here as early as 1680. During periods of prosperity, 
as many as ninety vessels have been on the ways at 
one time. In a large and enthusiastic town meeting, 
Newburj-port, anticipating the Declaration of Indepen- 
dence, resolved "that if the Honorable Congress should, 
for the safety of the United Colonies, declare themselves 
independent of the Kingdom of Great Britain, this town 
will, with their lives and fortunes, support them in the 
measure." 

* For eight years, Mr. Tracey was the principal owner of 110 mer- 
chantmen, which had an aggregate tonnage of 15,660, and were valued, 
wiih their cargoes, at $2,733,000. Of these, but 13 were left at the 
end of the Revolution; the remainder being either captm-ed by the 
enemy or lost. Mr. Tracey owned also 24 cruiser.'!, carrying 340 
guns, and navigated by 2,800 seamen. All these, save one, were lost. 
These vessels did invaluable service to the struggling government- 
They captured property from the British that sold for $3,9.50,000 in 
gold. 




PIBLIC LIBRARY, NEVBCRYPOHT 



In August, 1775, the first privateer fitted out in the 
United States, owned bj' Nathaniel Tracey, sailed from 
this port. * The first vessel that flung the American 
flag from her peak in the Thames was from Newbury- 
port ; t and this town despatched the first vessel to 
Labrador. 

The commerce of Newburyport flourished amazingly 
from the close of the Revolution until 1807. Wealth 
seemed to rise trom the sea, and fall spontaneously into 
her ready lap. But the heavy embargo crushed her 
prosperity, though not the spirit of the people. Then 
came a local calamity, the great fire of 1811, which 
destroyed a million and a half of property in a few 
hours. Last of all, the Middlesex Canal, which was 
built soon after, paralyzed her prosperitj-, by diverting 
her traflic, and made the vital thrust at her enterprise. 
Newburyport to-day is one of 
the most beautiful, but hardlj' 
one of the most enterprising, 
cities in the count}'. | Its pop- 
ulation is 13,323. 

This place is remarkable for 
the number of noted people 
^ ho have resided here : Jacob 
Perkins, the celebrated inven- 
tor ; Thcophilus Parsons, the 
jurist ; Edmund Blunt, the navi- 
gator ; George Lunt, the au- 
thor ; William Lloyd Garrison, 
the philanthropist ; Hannah F. 
Gould, the poetess ; and Har- 
iiet Prcscott Spofford, the au- 
thoress ; Hon. Caleb Cushing, 
the statesman; Rev. George Whitefield, the preacher, 
and many more. The remains of Mr. Whitefield rest 
under the Federal Street Church. 

Marblehead § is one of the choicest places of native 
seaside beauty in the county, if not in the State. Lying on 
a peninsula, it has a fine harbor, accessible at all times to 
vessels of the deepest draught. This town was detached 
from Salem, May 2, 1649. At that time there were only 
44 families; to-day there are 1,881, with 7,677 inhabit- 
ants. The main portion of the town is situated at the 

t An honor also claimed by Nantucket. 

X There were four cotton factories there in 1875, with an invested 
capital of $1,200,000; making goods annually valued, with the work 
done, at $1,235,511. The capital invested in shipbuilding in that year 
was only $149,500; yet this is more than formerly ; $96,000 is invested 
in the manufacture of boots, shoes and slippers. 

§ In 1837 the town manufactured over 1,000,000 pairs of shoes, em- 
ploying for it nearly 1,200 operatives. There are at present e.xtensivc 
shoe factories in the town. There are two national banks and one sav- 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



head of a short and narrow arm of the sea, while to the 
south hcs the peninsula known as the " Great Neck." 
This neck is a favorite summer resort, both on account 
of the beautj" of the scenery, and the coolness of the 
breezes that are constant!}' blowing from the sea. There 
are here two excellent hotels, and many pleasant and at- 
tractive cottages. The pursuits of the people are shoe 
manufacturing, market-gardening and Cshing. The latter 
was once tbe chief pursuit of the citizens of the town. 

Just pre-\-ious to the Kevolution, the vessels of INIar- 
blehoad rocked in nearl}' ever}' harbor, and sailed in 
almost every sea. The patriotic heroism, and almost 
reckless daring of the seamen, were the theme of univer- 
sal conversation. Marblehead was then the second town 
in the Colony. 

Particularly worthj' of men- 
tion is the patriotism of Mar- 
blehead. The old town is, 
and alwaj's was, " lo3'al to the 
core." During the Revolution, 
when she lost almost 1,000 
men, the War of 1812, and 
the Rebellion, her great heart 
beat with loyal pulse. She 
spared neither men nor money 
for the honor and glory of the 
government ; both were freely 
given for its support. * 

Marblehead has produced 
more great men than most 
other cities or towns in the 
county. There was Gen. John 
Glover, who led that famous 
army across the Delaware, on the bitter night of Dec. 
25, 177G. Gen. Glover also conducted the surrendered 
army of Burgoyne through New England. He was an 
able, brave soldier, and a friend of Washington. Hon. 
Elliridge Gerry is another of Marblehead's illustrious 
sons. He was one of the signers of the Declaration 
of Independence, and a member of Congress. He was 
sent as ambassador to France, was Governor of Massa- 
chusetts, and flnall}' became Vice-President of the United 
States. Then there are others: Joseph Story, LL.D., 



ings hank in the to-rni; and also a high school, besides several inter- 
mediate and primary schools. An excellent newspaper, "The Mes- 
senger," is published here. There are eight chnrches of all denomi- 
nations. By the bcqnest of Benjamin Abbott, a beautiful public build- 
ing, called Abbott Hall, has been erected on the Common at a cost of 
#75,000. 

* Late one afternoon in 1861 , she received notice of the call for troops ; 
and at eight o'clock the next morning she had a company of men in 
Fancuil Hall. They were the first troops there. An hour later two 




John Gallison, Azor Ome, Edward A. Holyoke, Isaac 
Story, Rev. Samuel Sewall, and Samuel Hooper. 

Though no recognized poet seems native to Jlarble- 
head, yet she has not wanted pens to celebrate her 
beaut}' and her patriotism. Longfellow, on the beach 
near old Fort Sewall, wrote his "Fire of Driftwood." 
Lucy Larcom, with her characteristic tenderness, wrote 
" Hannah Binding Shoes," in Marblehead. The muses 
of Whittier and Holmes, and the genius of Hawthorne, 
have touched, as with fire, the old town, so rugged and 
rocky, that Whiteficld wondered where they buried their 
dead. There are many interesting landmarks in Marble- 
head. Among the more importnnt are the Old North 
Church, St. Michael's Church, built in 1714, the town- 
house erected in 1728, the old 
powder-house, and the house 
in which Elbridge Gerry was 
bom. 

Danvers, containing a pop- 
ulation of 6,024 persons, so 
called, it is said, from Earl 
D'Anvers, f a nobleman in 
the north of England, and fa- 
mous as being the town in 
which Gov. Endicott was the 
first landholder, — he having 
established himself there (at 
the " Port") as early as 1830, 
— was formerly a part of Sa- 
lem, and known as Salem Vil- 
lage. The settlement was 
incorporated as a district in 
1752, and as a town June 16, 1757. It has at present 
six postal centres. The principal, though latest, settle- 
ment, Danvers Plains, is a large, thickly settled, and 
pleasant village, occupying, for the most part, a very 
cligibb plain from which it takes its name, which, on 
its rear, stretches away very picturesquely up on to the 
slopes of Lindall Hill. The to«ii is supphed with 
hotels, banks, and a newspaper office. 

Danversport, once called New Mills Village, the early 
home of Gov. Endicott, } situated at the head of naviga- 

other companies from Marblehead arrived. Likewise, in the war of 
Independence, she saw and did her duty. After its close, it was found 
that the tonnage of Marblehead had decreased from 12,000 to 1,500; 
from 1 ,200 voters she had declined to less than 500. Thus vi-as there 
left a sadly crippled industry, with more than 500 widows and more 
than 1,000 oqihans. 

t In honor, according to one account, of Sir Danvers Osbom. 

t It is said that a pear tree, planted by Gov. Endicott, m.ay still be 
seen, on the old Kudicott eslatc, 243 years old. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



tion on Porter River, in the north-eastern part of the 
township, was settled at a very early date. During the 
Revolutionary war, four twenty-gun ships, and eight or 
ten privateers were built here. It is, at present, the seat 
of quite a large lumber trade. 

Danvers Centre, formerly Salem Tillage proper, was 
the earliest settled portion of the town, and was the site 
of the first church edifice, a very humble structure, and 
built in 1C72, — noted as the building in which were held 
the preliminary hciiincs of the more important witch- 
cnft cises * A second chuich, located at the Plains, 
wj.a organized iii 1713, 




BIRTHPL.VCn OP ISr.AEL PI T>f AM, DANTEIIS. 

Rev. James Bailey was the first pastor of this historic 
colonial church. He was settled in 1671, and resigned 
1G80. His successor was Rev. George Burroughs (1G80- 
1G83), subsequently (Aug. 19, 1G92) executed for witch- 
craft on "Gallows Hill," Salem. He ^was succeeded by 
Rev. Dcodab Lawson (1683-1688). The next in order 
•was Rev. Samuel Parris (1G89-1696), in whose family-, 

• In 1701, a somewhat larger and more commodious structure was 
put up in its place ; constructed after the primitive colonial pattern, 
square, with pointed roof. Unpretentious as it was, this edifice yet 
answered the religious needs of the settlement for upwards of eighty- 
years ; when it, in turn, was superseded by a still larger ar.d more 
amhitions temple, having a very lofty steeple. This li.ing burned in 
ISOG, a brick church was erected, which, in 1S39, gave place, finally, to 
the pi'esent commanding structure. 

+ One of the old Revolutionary landmarks of Danvers, the " Collins 
House " (now the beautiful summer residence of Mr. Peabody of Bos- 
ton), is a memorial of the patriotic zeal of the fathers. At one time, 
this house was the headquarters of Gcii. Gage. 



as elsewhere stated, the witchcraft excitement first made 
its appearance. 

The first town meeting in Danvers was held March 4, 
1752, the population at the time being 400. The town 
was divided into Danvers and South Danvers Maj' 18, 
1855. The principal industry is the boot and shoe 
manufacture, though brick-making has, in times past, 
been a lucrative and thriving business. Danvers Ceme- 
tery can hardly be surpassed for taste and rural beautj-. 
The town has an abundant water-supply, with its sources 
in Middleton Pond 

" Thv, mil iliitants of Danvers," saj's Mr. Barber, 
" hnve always been distinguished for 
thi ir patriotism, and its citizens bore 
their full share in the great contest 
of the Revolution."! Gen. Israel 
Putnam, so celebrated for his courage, 
and his important services in the 
Ficnch, Indian, and Revolutionaiy 
wais ; Col. Hutchinson, another Revo- 
lutionary commander, and who re- 
ceived the marked approbation of 
"\\ ishington for his ser\-ices in cros- 
sing the Delaware ; I Capt. Samuel 
and Jeremiah Page, both of whom 
fought at Lexington, and were com- 
m mders of companies in the Revo- 
lutionary army, were from this town. 
Of those who fell at Lexing:on, one- 
'.ixth p.art were inhabitants of this 
to^^n. § 

In 1861, Danvers enlisted 800 

soldiers. A noble granite monument 

be irs the names of those who were 

slain. 

Among the noted men in Danvers, besides those 

already named, maj- be mentioned Nathan Reed, Judge 

Samuel Hoiten, and Samuel P. King, all former members 

of Congress. Rev. Dr. Putnam (eminently a town 

name), a distinguished divine of Brooklyn, N. Y., is a 

native of this town. John G. Whittier is at present a 

resident of this place. 

% He also commanded a company at the siege and capture of Quebec, 
and was at Lake George, and at the defeat of Ticonderoga with Gtu. 
Abcrcrombie. At Lexington he commanded a company of miuute- 

§ A monument to their memory, standing, it is claimed, on the identi- 
cal spot, — at the junction of Main and Wiishingtj.'U sti-ccts, Peabody, 
— where the young patriots rallied, and whence they mai-ched to Lex- 
ington, w.as erected in 1835. Gen. Gideon Foster, one of the snrvivors 
of that battle, delivering the address upon the occasion. The religious 
scriices on this occasion were held in the same old church in which, 
sixty years before, funeral services had been held over the remains of 
the slain. — Ed. 



f}JS^M{' 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



The Pcabod3- Institute contains, hesidos a fine hall, a 
■well-choson library of 8,3.j0 volumes. The now State 
Lunatic Asylum, on Hawthorne Hill, and visible from a 
great distance, is the largest building in Essex County, 
and is 2o7 feet above the sea level. 

Andover is situated on the south-east side of the 
IMcrrimac Eiver, about sixteen miles north-west of 
Salem. Along its whole north-west side flows the 
Merrimac. Its agriculture is important, one writer 
reckoning it as "one of the best fanning towns in 
Massachusetts." The exact date of the settlement of it 
is difficult to determine. It is known, however, that the 
land was purchased of Cutsham- 
aehe, the sagamore of Massachu- 
setts, for £6 and a coat. Mr. 
"Woodbridge made the bargain in 
Dchalf of the inhabitants of Coch- 
icowick, the Indian name of An- 
dover. The court ratified this pur- 
chase in 1G4:6, and Incorporated 
the town with the name of Ando- 
ver, after the old English town 
bjr that name in Hampshire, from 
which a large number of the set- 
tlors came. The first settlements 
were on the pleasant tract of laud 
near Cochicewick. Among the 
early settlers were Mr. Bradstreet, 
John Osgood, and Joseph Parker. 

In 1G44, Simon Bradstreet, after- 
wards deputy-governor, erected the 

first mill in the town. The first 

disturbance from the Indians oc- 
curred as late as 1076, v.Iicu they 

killed Joseph Abbott, to jk Timothy Abbott, his brother, 
prisoner, and burned Mr. Faulkner's house to the ground. 
In 1G98, a party of thirty or forty Indians "surprised 
the town, killed fi\'e persons, burnt two houses and two 
barns, with the cattle in them, and set another dwelling- 
house and the mccting-house on fire." The first town 
meeting was hold in IG06, at the house of John Osgood. 

Fifty sons of Andover fought at the battle of Bunker 
Hill. There were, in 1777, four militia companies in 
the town, numbering", with what was called the alarm- 
list, a muster-roll of 670 men. 

Andover is the seat of many worthy institutions of 
learning. Phillips Academy, instituted in 1778, and, 



* In 1S7.5 there were ten carriase e.stablishmcnts, with an invested 
cnpitiil of $!163,0nn ; tlic value of goods made and work done amounted 
to §393,200. There was only one establishment which manufac- 



consequently, the oldest academy in the State, is here. 
The Andover Theological Seminar^', founded in 1807, 
does its modest but gi-eat work here also. In 1829 
another school was established here, called the Abbot 
Female Acadoni}-. Twenty-seven j-oars afterwards, in 
1856, the Punchard Free School was founded ; but, 
shortly afterwards, it was destroyed by fire. There are 
two large and valuable libraries in the town ; the Ando- 
ver Theological Seminary Library, and the Old South Sab- 
bath-school Library. The population of Andover is 5,097. 
Boots, shoes and slippers arc the principal mapufactures. 

Amesbuhy* was once a part of the town of Salisburj-. 




^TiiLiip^ \ciDFJfY, \vno-\Tr 

M a t(j\vu meeting of the inhabitants of SaU=buiy in 
lG-12, it was ordered that thirty families remove to the 
west side of the Pow-wow River before 1643. This was 
the territory of Amosburj'. In 1664, the population on 
this spot had become so large that a vote was passed to 
Imild a meeting-house, and a committee appointed to 
choose a minister. Eight j-ears afti^rwards this committee 
were successful in securing the services of Rev. Thomas 
Wells. In 1666 the inhabitants petitioned the General 
Court for the grant of a township. It was not until 
1668, however, that the General Court granted leave to 
name the town "Amesbury." In 1725 the town was 
divided into the West and East Parishes. During the 



tured woollen goods proper, but that had §1,000,000 of invested cap- 
ital, and the value of g(K)ds made and the work done amounted to 
$1,432,512. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



Revolution the feeling of patriotism and devotion to the 
colonial cause was universal throughout the town. In 
March, 1775, the town voted to raise fifty able-bodied 
men, to serve one year. They were eommandod bj- 
Capt. John Currier, and fought at the battle of Bunker 
Hill. Josiah Bartlett, one of the signers of the Declara- 
tion of Independence, was born in this town. After the 
close of the war of 1812, in which the town seems to 
have taken no deep interest, the industry became largelj- 
manufacturing; whereas, heretofore, it had been agri- 
cultural. Woollen and carriage manufactures are the 
principal industries. 

As early as April, 1861, a compan}- was already 
organized and drilling. In the following July it was 
mustered into sendee under the command of Capt. Jos. 
W. Sargent. The Soldiers' Record contains tlie names 
of 342 citizens of Amesbury, who " served their country 
well." This town has the distinction of being, for manj' 
years, the home of the delightful poet, John G. Whittier. 
Its population is 3,816. 

Beverly,* situated north of Salem, and an offshoot of 
that city, is separated from the latter b3' a part of the 
North River wliich forms the harbor of the town. The 
soil is rather thin, and not over-productive, and the land 
is hill3' and rocky. John and William Woodliury, with 
other companions of the famous Roger Conant, having 
removed hither from Salem, and being soon followed by 
Conant himself in 1630, the settlement was incorpo- 
rated as a distinct township with the name of Beverly, in 
1668; but it was not until 1753 that a small tract of 
territorj" Ipng between Danvers and Beverly was 
annexed to the latter. This tract was known by the 
romantic title of " Ryallside." The first town meeting 
was held Nov. 23, 1668. 

The first cotton-mill in the United States was erected 
in Bevcrl3' in 1 778. It was built of brick, and was locat- 
ed in North Beverly, near Baker's Comer. A periodi- 
cal describing this saj's : "An experiment made with a 
complete set of machinery for carding and spinning 
cotton met with the warmest expectations of the proprie- 
tors." In his tour through the countrjMn 1789, Wash- 
ington visited this mill. 

• Beverly has a capable fire department, one military company, a 
tiank of discount, a public library, a lyceum, farmer's club, an excel- 
lent system of public schools, and a weekly journal called " The Bev- 
cily Citizen." The population is 7,271. 

t This section of the town is largely devoted to country-seats on the 
part of the citizens of Salem and Boston. These estates, Including 
mansions and grounds, are often superb, while the ocean scenery from 
these points is probably quite unsurpassed. 

X At this place there is an old church in which Rev. John Chipman 
prcacned for nearly 60 years, and in which George Whitefield is said also 



From the date of tlie settlement of Beverlj-, until 
1649, its inhalntants worshipped with the First Church 
in Salem. The first meeting-house was erected in 1656 
on the site of the present Old South Meeting-house, at 
the comer of Cabot and Hale streets. The first minister 
was Rev. John Hale. There are churches here now of 
almost all the usual denominations. The military record 
of the town is patriotic. During the wars against the 
savages, the Revolution, the war of 1812, and especially 
during the Rebellion (when the town enlisted 988 men, 
of which number over 100 were lost), it was ever on the 
alert and contributed its full share of soldiers and money. 

The cod-fisher3' was carried on with great success from 
1789 up to the beginning of the Rebellion. It was 
seriously, though temporarily, affected 1)3' the embargo, 
and injured by the war of 1812. Tanning, and the 
manufactiu-e of pottery, were among the earl3' industries 
of Beverly. There is now but one establishment for the 
manufacture of pottery in the town. Beverly has three 
postal centres — Beverh', Beverh' Farms f and North 
Beverl3' J — and a population of 7,241. The most thickl3-- 
settled portion is nearest to Salem, supported largely by 
boot and shoe manufactories. The town hall, and Odd 
Fellows' hall, and Briscoe school-house, the powder-house 
and common, are the principal points of interest. One 
of the most prominent and sightl3- elevations in town is 
Cherry HiU, North Bcverl3-, crowned by the estate § and 
elegant mansion of Richard Palmer Waters, Esq. 

Rev. John Chipman, a graduate of Harvard College, 
1711, was ordained over the church at North Beverly 
(which had been constituted the same day) Dec. 28, 
1 715, and continued pastor until his death, in 1775, aged 
85 years. His colleague, Rev. Enos Hitchcock, (ordained 
Ma3' 1, 1771), some four years subsequent to his settle- 
ment, received an appointment as chaplain in a Massachu- 
setts regiment — continuing with the same, for the most 
part, during the whole Revolutionarj' War — not having 
been dismissed from his pastorate, meantime, until 1780. 
His regiment was at West Point, Yalle3- Forge, and at 
other equall3' memorable and historic points. 

Essex was one of the junior members of the famil3' of 
the parent count3' from which it has its name, not having 

to have discoursed. The old Chipman manse, a building of good, old- 
f.ishioncd proportions, though now sadly dilapidated, is yet standing, 
and occupied by descendants of the venerable pastor. In this building 
is a portrait, in oil, of Whitefield, said to be authentic. 

} This estate is memorable as having been the property of Mr. Joseph 
White, of Salem, murdered by Crowningshield, through the instigation 
of the Knapps (of Wenham), and on the occasion of whose tiial 
Daniel Webster made the famous plea, familiar to every school-boy. 
Mr. Waters well remembers this Mr. White, having seen him as he lay 
in his bed the morning after the murder. — Ed. 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



had an incorporation till Feb. 18, 1819. Before that 
time it had reckoned as Ipswich Second Parish, or more 
commonly as (by its Indian name) " Chebacco." It is a 
lovely place, but in a secluded position, partly on which 
account it had had no railroad till within a very few 
years. It lies on the sea-coast, immediately north of 
Cape Ann. By means of several deep creeks and 
estuaries, it has good communication with navigable 
waters, and has for years been noted for its enter- 
prise in shipbuilding, for which its situation is well 
adapted. 

In the western part lies Chebacco Pond, a charming 
lake of 260 acres, from which flows Esses River, giving 
fine variety and much convenience to the town. In some 
directions, the village is hidden by deep forests ; in 
others, concealed among numerous and picturesque hills. 
Bumham's, "White's and Perkins' Hills, may be taken as 
specimens, affording fine ^aews. 

Agriculture is good here, but does not lead. Salt hay 
is largely cut on the marshes, and the gardens are pro- 
ductive, but the land is better for pasturage than tillage. 
Clams are abundant, and form a valuable article of trade. 
Shoes are extensively made ; also shingles, and some 
other similar products. But the shipbuilding of Essex 
has made her reputation. Dr. Kane made an Arctic 
voyage in a vessel built here. 

Essex had 200 soldiers in the war of the Rebellion, of 
whom she lost 30. Her record is also honored by the 
nativity of Hon. Rufus Choate, born Oct. 1, 1799 ; also 
his brother, David Choate, a man of different tastes, but 
hardly less ability. 

Several churches are found here, the oldest being the 
Congregational, where Rev. John Wise was ordained in 
1682. Population, 1,713. 

Peabodt,* (population, 8,066), previous to 1855, was 
embraced in Danvers. The town was named in honor 
of George Peabody, the philanthropic London banker, 
who established in the town an institute in 1852, with an 
endowment of $200,000. The institute provides for an 
annual course of free lectures, and a free librarj'. 
Peabody is closely alhed to Salem. It is largely engaged 
in the manufacture of leather ; indeed, its annual pro- 
duction is larger than that of Salem. In 1875, the value 
of leather manufactured in Peabody was S3, 345, 618. 
The town contains a large bleacherj' and extensive glue 
manufactories. 

• In the old burial-ground of this place, it is said, lies buried 
the remains of the woman — Elizal)cth Whitman — a temporary resident 
of tliis town, whose singular and rather melancholy history constituted 
the foundation of the story which, in other days, has excited so much 
interest with readers of romance, and is called " Eliza Wliarton." 



Grovelaxd is one of the beautiful towns of the lower 
Meri'lmac series, and almost the latest one in municipal 
existence, having been incorporated so latel}- as JNIarch 8, 
1850. Its surface is prettily diversified, with many bits 
of choice woodland, interspersed with ponds and streams 
that add much attractiveness to the scene. This town, 
whose euphonious name is neither imitated from an Ind- 
ian barbarism, nor copied in servility from the English, 
lies with its north-west side along the Men-imac River. 
The eastern section is watered bj' Parker River, and the 
west by Johnson's Pond, with its brisk outlet stream 
falling into the Merrimac. Water-power is abundantly 
furnished, and fishery, as of bass, salmon, shad and the 
like, is profitably carried on. 

Until its incorporation this was the East Precinct of 
Bradford. It had a church as early as June 7, 1727, 
when Rev. William Balch was pastor ; and at the pres- 
ent time there are Baptist, Methodist, and Episcopal 
societies as well. The industry is first, agriculture, and 
after that, boots and shoes. Woollen goods are likewise 
largely' made, there being three factories in the place. 
A remarkably fine iron bridge spans the Merrimack here, 
taking the place of an ancient ferrj-, and connecting 
with Haverhill on the north bank. The Newburj-port 
branch of the B. & M. R. R. assists communication. A 
tasteful monument commemorates the fact that 117 sol- 
diers went from here to help subdue the Rebellion, of 
whom 24 never returned. The population is 2,084. 

Salisbukt is the most northerly town in Essex 
Countj', and is indeed the most northerly town in Mas- 
sachusetts, finding that extremity in Grape Hill, on the 
New Hampshire line. This is one of the oldest of the 
towns ; the first grant of the town was made in 1638, to 
Daniel Dennison and others, and it was called " Merri- 
mac." A j'ear after, it had a new name, and was en- 
titled "Colchester;" and by another year, Oct. 7, 1640, 
it arrived at an incorporation, and still another name, to 
wit, that of " Salisbury." 

Prior to the definition of the State Une with New 
Hampshire, Salisbury was associated with Hampton, 
Portsmouth, Exeter and Dover, which, with Haverhill, 
made the county of ' ' Norfolk." This was set aside 
afterward, and the line of the Rosewell Patent confirmed, 
running parallel to the Merrimac, and three miles to the 
north of it. These limits became settled in 1679. The 
first church was organized here at the original set- 
tlement, in 1638, with Rev. William Worcester as pastor. 

This town has a peculiarly mixed topograph)' ; all the 
eastern part being marked with every character of the 
seaside, while the remainder is equally well seen to be- 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



long to a river town onl_y. One of the most peculiar 
beaches in the State forms the whole eastern line, three 
miles long, yellow, and hard as a floor. It is a great 
resort in the summer, and is built along its whole length 
with cottages. Behind it are extensive tracts of salt 
marsh ; and these graduall}- harden into sandy plains, 
which again rise, in the west, into man^' hills, some of 
large elevation. The tallest is Powwow Hill, close to the 
western boundary, and 323 feet in height. 

A slow stream, called Heale3-'s Canal, or Dead Creek, 
runs behind the beach, into the Memmac. The west- 
ern boundary is formed by the Powwow Elver. This, 
flowing soutli-eastcrh' from New Hampshire, has a sud- 
den fall of about 70 feet in a distance of some 50 rods, 
just before reaching tide water, which has been converted 
into valuable water-power, and has furnished a location 
for the chief village, that of Salisburj- Mills. Here are 
six or eight valuable wooUen factories, formerlj- in high 
activit}-, but of late mostlj' out of employ. Another 
important village is at the mouth of the Powwow, and is 
called Salisbury Point ; and East Salisburj' is a postal 
centre in the seaward part of the town, of a more scat- 
tered character than either. 

The industry of the town is mostly given to farming ; 
but the importance of cottons and woollens has been 
considerable, and caniage-building continues to be prof- 
itable. Besides, fishing, coasting, and ship-building 
have always had good attention, and some other branches 
are well followed. The tovra has a national and a sav- 
ings bank, an insurance ofl3ce, and a weekly newspaper. 
Seven churches are found here. Railroad facilities are 
afforded by the Salisbury Branch of the Eastern Rail- 
road, and by the Newburyport Street Railroad. The 
Merrimac is spanned by three bridges : one of which, at 
Deer Island, is the first chain suspension bridge built in 
America. The Salisbury end, however, is a pier bridge, 
with a draw. 

The industrial statistics are verj' interesting, there 
being fourteen leading manufactures in a town having 
only 4,078 inhabitants. 

Ipswich (population, 3,674) was settled in 1633 by 
John "Winthrop, Jr., and was called Agawam until 
1634, when it was incorporated. A body of freemen, 
known as Commoners, owned the land, and thej- gianted 
lots to those who wished to settle. In 1788, the Com- 
moners made a grant of all their personal and real proi> 
ertj' to the town for the purpose of pajing its debts. 
Hamilton and Essex were foimerlj' included in Ipswich. 
Until 18.50 it was a shire town. In 1771, a post-office 
was established, and in 1642, free schools were created. 



The Ipswich Female Seminary was established in 1828, 
by Miss Zilpah P. Grant and Miss Marj- Lyon. A grist- 
mill wae built in 1635, and a saw-mill in 1656. In 1827, 
a cotton factory was erected, and it; 1864, a woollen 
miU. Ship-building was commenced in 1668, and was, 
for a short time, a leading industr3-. The manufacture 
of hosiery is the industry in which the most capital is at 
present invested. The first meeting-house was erected, 
in all probability, soon after the settlement of the town ; 
and the first church was organized in 1653. 

Manchester, a town of 1,560 inhabitants, lies about 
eight miles north-east of Salem, and is 25 miles distant 
from Boston on the Gloucester Branch of the Eastern 
Railroad. It was originally known as Jeffrey's Creek, in 
honor of William Jeffreys, its first settler ; and it was 
separated from Salem, May 14, 1G45. For many years it 
was a large, if not the largest, fishing-port in the coun- 
ty. The principal industry to-day is the manufacture of 
cabinet furniture, and in this branch it has no superior. 
There are 13 establishments for this purpose in the 
town. There is one tannery in the village ; and market- 
gardening is made quite a profitable pursuit. Three 
churches, eight schools, and two hotels are in the town. 
Manchester is a favorite summer resort ; its natural 
beautj- being almost uiisuipassed. It has latterl}' been 
termed " Manchester-bj--the-Sea." There are ample fa- 
cilities for bathing, boating, and fishing. Among those 
who have summer residences in Manchester, are Rev. C. 
A. Bartol, D.D., of Boston ; James T. Fields ; Richard 
H. Dana, Jr. ; J. B. Booth, the tragedian ; Russell Stur- 
gis ; R. G. Boardman ; Dana Boardman ; Dr. O. S. 
Fowler ; E. E. Rice, and Walter Cabot. 

Satjgus, formerly an important part of L3-nn, was set off 
and separately incorporated, Feb. 17, 1815. Some of the 
most interesting antiquities of Lynn now lie in this town, 
where the first iron works in America were established 
in 1642 ; the first tavern between Salem and Boston in 
1635, or thereabout ; and almost the first river fisheries, 
as of alewives and bass, taken at the head of tide-water 
and dried, as early as 1633. The southerly part of 
the town is formed of broad, salt marshes, through 
which the Saugus River, running southerlj' from Wake- 
field Pond, bj- the middle of the town, at last finds exit. 
The town lies in four principal \'illages, in which the 
making of shoes and cigars form the leading indus- 
tries, both graduall3' increasing. The shoe business 
had invested in it in 1875 $25,000, producing goods 
worth §152,000. The population at the same date was 
2,578. 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



SwAMPScoTT -was a part of Lynn until March 21, 1852, 
when it was incorporated as a separate town, retaining 
its Indian name. It is one of the most beautiful places 
on the New England coast. There are three fine beaches 
in the town, — Phillips' Beach, one mile in length; 
AVhale Beach ; and Blane3-'s Beach. It has some of the 
best farms to be found any where, and is a famous sum- 
mer resort for the wealthy, particularly Bostonians. The 
first tannery ever erected in New England was built here, 
in 1629, by Francis Ingalls ; the old vats remained until 
1825. The population is 2,128. A large business has 
long been done here in shore-fishing, A'ast quantities of 
cod, and other fish, being taken within sight of land. 
These are mostly sold fresh. Lobster-catching is also 
largely followed. 

Nahant, in territory, is the smallest town in Essex 
Count}' ; otherwise it is one of the most remarkable. It 
consists of three small islands, connected together, and 
with the main land, by a curious series of le\el sandy 
beaches, which form delightful drives. The famous Capt. 
John Smith discovered Nahant, or " The Nahants," 
on one of his voyages along the coast, and he named 
them on his map " The FuUerton Islands." This was in 
1G14 ; and in 1G24 the Council of New England granted 
these "islands" to Eobert Gorges; but that he ever 
visited his possession is doubtful. In 1G29 it was still 
occupied by the Indians. The second settler on Nahant 
was James Mills. In 1088, Edward Randolph, Secretary 
of State for Massachusetts, petitioned Gov. Andios for 
a grant of the whole peninsula. It was complied with, 
but the real proprietors, to whom had been granted the 
land bj- a vote of the town of L3-nn, resisted. Andros 
was deposed and imprisoned, and Randolph jielded his 
claim. Until 1 706 there was peace ; but in that j'ear, 
the old grants of 1657 were annulled, and the land was 
re-granted. Nahant is verj' famous as a watering-place, 
and has the siunmer residences of a great many distin- 
guished persons. It was set off from Lj-nn, March 29, 
1853, and has since then enjoyed the reputation of as- 
sessing the lightest taxes in Massachusetts. 

RocKPORT, a town of 4,480 inhabitants, was incor- 
porated and set off from Gloucester in 1840. Its princi- 
pal industry is the quarrj-ing of granite. Very beautiful 
sea-side locations are here found, furnishing an open 
view of the Atlantic. A more sterile or rockj' ground 
for inhabitation can hardly any where be found, yet 
these stern rocks are the wealth of the place. Fishery is 
largely and profitably followed, and a steam cotton-mill 
has long been in successful operation. 



Methuen, population 4,205, was incoqjorated a town 
in 1725. A school-house was erected in 1742, though 
the town had supported schools for a period of 11 years. 
Valuable water-power is afforded bj' tlie Spicket River, 
a tributary' of the Mcrrimac, which runs south-easterly 
from New Hampshire through the middle of the town. 
The stream has a fall of some 50 feet in the midst of the 
village, a feature of much beauty in wet seasons. It is 
called Spicket Falls, and is the only cataract in Essex 
County. 

Rowley, a town of 1,162 inhabitants, was settled in 
1639 by Mr, Ezekiel Rogers. In his honor it was 
originally called " Rogers' Plantation," but it was sub- 
sequently changed to Rowlej', the name of the town in 
Yorkshire, Eng., where Mr. Rogers had resided. The 
act of incorporation occurred July 7, 1639. In his 
" Wonder-working Providence," Johnson sajs, speaking 
of the old settlers: "They consisted of about three- 
score families. Their people being very industrious 
every waj', soon built as many houses, and were the first 
people that set upon making cloth in this western world, 
for which end they built a fulling-mill, and caused their 
little ones to be very diligent in spinning cotton-wool, 
many of them having been clothiers in England." The 
original territory has been materially diminished by the 
separation of Boxford, Bradford and Georgetown from 
it. The scenerj' is much diversified by the remarkably 
extensive salt marshes that form all the eastern section. 

TopsFiELD. — This town, incorporated in 1650, was 
originally known as New Meadow ; but it was afterward 
named Topsfield from a town in England. It is said 
that the name is eight hundred years old. In 1663 the 
first church was regularly constituted in the town, and 
Rev. Thomas Gilbert was ordained the pastor. The 
father of the founder of the Mormon faith, Joe Smith, 
was a native of Topsfield. It is a most excellent farm- 
ing town, lying in a valley with beautiful hills rising 
around it, with the Ipswich River winding about their 
northern base. Its population is 1,221. It has always 
shown gi'eat interest in education, long had a famous 
and very flourishing academy, and sent out more school 
teachers than any town in the region. 

Newbttky, the oldest town on the Merrimac, was set- 
tled and incorporated in the spring of 1635, and contained 
about 30,000 acres. When the terrible witchcraft delu- 
sion spread so rapidly in 1692, Newbury was not in the 
least affected by it. In 1764, "that part of Newbury now 
called Newburyport," was set off and incorporated. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



Following this incorporation of Newbur^-port, in 1819, 
West Newburj- iras set apart as a distinct municipalitj-. 
The honor of building the first chain-suspension bridge 
in America, crossing the Merriniac about three miles 
above Newbur^-port, belongs to Newburj". On Slarch 2, 
1762, was begun the erection of Dummer Academ}-, 
located in Byfield parish, an institution of great worth, 
and one of the oldest in the State.* This old town is 
not without its mineral wealth. f The population of 
Newburj' is 1,426. 

West Newbury. — When this town was set apart from 
Newburj-, it was incoi-porated under the name of Par- 
sons ; but, soon after, the name was changed to West 
Newbury. The town has manj- beautiful prospects, and, 
in its vicinity, are some of the most pleasant drives in 
the county. An excellent bridge connects the town with 
East Haverhill, which has been called, ever since it was 
built in 1795, "The Rock's Bridge." It was 1,000 ft. 
in length, and the longest bridge across the Merrimac. 
It was swept away by ice in 1818, but rebuilt in 1828. 
Population, 2,021. 

Bradford was incorporated a town in 1673, and, in 
1682, the first Congregational Church was organized, 
Rev. Zachariah Sj-mmes, pastor. During the great 
freshet in 1818 this town sustained great loss. 

Bradford is near to Haverhill, and connected with it 
by a bridge. The town is beautifully located on the 
south bank of the Merrimac ; its surface is pleasantly 
diversified. Population, 2,014. 

Georgetown, like Boxford, was originally a part of 
the town of Rowley. It was not incorporated until 
1833. The topograph}' of the town is equal, in general 
beauty, to any in the countj'. It boasts the highest 
elevation in the county, Bald-pate Hill, situated in the 
south-western part of the town. The boot and shoe 
business is a growing industry- here, and farming is car- 
ried on quite extensively. Parker's River affords good 
water-power. During the Rebellion, Georgetown lost 
49 men. It is said that she was represented on twelve 
battle-fields. Population, 2,214. 

North Andover, originallj- a part of Andover, and 
known as the North Parish, was separated and incorpo- 
rated as a town in 18.55. It is one of the best agricul- 

• This institution was founded by Lieat. Gov. Dummer in 1756, 
though not incorporated till October, 1782. 

t About 1875, a reraarliable discovery of silver ore was made in this 
town, not far from the famous mineral locality of the "Devil's Den." 



tural towns in the county ; everything in the form of! 
field products, from potatoes to mangoes, being produced. I 
East of the village lies Great Pond, the largest sheet of 
water in the county, whose outlet into the Merrimac 
affords excellent mill facilities. Population, 2,981. I 

Lynnfield, formerly called Lynn End, was incorpo- 
rated as a district July 3, 1782 ; obtained full incorpora- 
tion, Feb. 28, 1814. A church was jjlanted there, under 
charge of Rev. Nathaniel Sparhawk, Aug. 17, 1720, and 
has continued to prosper ever since. 

Abundant water suppl}- is had from the Ipswich River 
on the north, the Saugus River on the west, and Suntaug 
Lake in the eastern part. The last is a lovely expanse } 
of water, almost circular, and covering 210 acres. Ex- '' 
tensive forests are here ; and peat is cut in the meadows 
to a depth of fifteen feet. ! 

A more perfectly quiet and rural town than Lynnfield 
were hard to find. The lover of solitude will have noth- 
ing here to disturb him ; and to the invalid the salubrit}- 
of the air is found often quite as beneficial as that of the 
distant interior. Farming is the chief industr\', but 
something is done in ice, granite, and ground dyewoods. 
There is a development of fine serpentine rock here, 
wliich at one time was hoped to be profitable for work- 
ing. South Lynnfield was the outgrowth of the famous 
Newburyport Turnpike enterprise. A large -hotel was 
erected in connection with it, but was never successful. 
Daniel Townsend, killed at Lexington, belonged here. 
His grave is shown in the old bur^-ing ground, with a 
poetic epitaph, often quoted. 

Merrimac, the West Parish of Amesbury, which had 
had a separate organization to a certain extent for manj- 
years, was set off and incorporated as a distinct town, 
April 11, 1876. The new town took the name of Merri- , 
mac, and was made to include almost one-half the orig- i 
inal area of the town of Amesbury. Two important ! 
villages were comprised in the new municipality ; that of 
"West Amesbur}'," and that known as the '• River Vil- 
lage." The former place is the special seat of the car- 
riage manufacture, and both are notable for entei-prise 
and thrift. 

It is understood that about 2,500inhabitants went with 
the new town. The villages are supplied with water 
facilities by a fine little stream called Cobbler's Brook, 
and are places of much attractiveness. 



At first it was largely accompanied by lead ; but, latterly, it appears 
purer and better for working. Several mines are now successfully 
worked. The ore is quite rich, and the discovery is one of the most 
remarkable ever made in New England. 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



Wenham has the name of being tkc first town set off 
from Salem, the date being Mar. 10, 1G43. Its old name 
; Tvas Enon, but it was changed to Wenham, in memorj- of 
j the town of Wenham, SuffoUc County, Eng. The cele- 
brated Hugh Peters was the first preacher here in 1G36 ; 
and he spoke from a small knoll by the pond side, his 
text being "At Enon, near to Salem, because there was 
much water there." 

At present there are two churches in the town. Con- 
gregational and Baptist. Farming is the principal in- 
dustry', but some are engaged in the manufacture of 
shoes. An important industry- of this town is the ice 
business. The population is 911. 

The topography of Wenham is beautiful. Wenham 
Lake, one of the largest sheets of water in the countj', 
is the source of water suppl}- to Salem and Beverly-. 
Ipswich Eiver touches its northern boundary, and Miles 
Iviver flows from the lake, along the southern. 

Hamilton, consisting of the south-western angle of old 
Ipswich, formerljr calbd the " Hamlets," incorporated 
June 21, 1793, is named after the statesman, Alexander 
Hamilton. It is a ver}' quiet, pleasant, rural place, well 
built, and of the highest respectability. The surface 
occasionally rises into a tall elevation, as Brown's Ilill, 
or Sagamore Hill. A considerable share of Chebacco 
Pond lies in this town. 

]\Iuch attention is given to this place by summer resi- 
dents and pleasui-e-seekers, who have here two attractive 
picnic groves and summer hotels, and also the celebrated 



Abbur}' Grove, the location of the annual camp-meeting 
of the Methodist people, where many of them also dwell 
all through the warm season. The old church, or "Third 
Church of Ipswich," was founded here Oct. 27, 1714. Its 
most noted pastors have been Rev. Manasseh Cutler, 
perhaps the earliest botanist of New England, and Rev. 
Joseph B. Felt, an historian and annalist of great breadth 
of research. 

Little is done here save in agriculture, though there is 
a manufactory of woollen cloths. Total population, 797. 

BoxFORD, a town of 834 inhabitants, was originally a 
p.art of the town of Rowley, but, in 1685, it was incor- 
porated under the name it now bears. The industry of 
the town is mainly agricultural. In 1680, the manufac- 
ture of iron was commenced in this town. At the battle 
of Bunker Hill, eight Boxford men fell. 

This town occupies the highest land in the countj', and 
is full of ponds, from which many important streams 
descend. 

]MiDDLETON is pleasantly situated on the Ipswich 
River. Its principal manufactures are shoe knives, soap, 
glue and starch. The town was originally a part of 
Salem, Boxford and Andover, from which it was separated 
in 1 728. In olden times, the people of Middleton were 
called " Will's Hill Men," from an eminence in the 
central portion of the settlement. The population is 
1,092. A beautiful pond lies near the village, and an 
enterprising paper-mill is found at the southern boundarv. 



FKANKLIN COUNTY, 



BY WM. E. GRAVES, ESQ. 



Franklik ComrrT is the home of a generally peaceful 
and prosperous people, who seem by their varied indus- 
trial pursuits well worth}' to share the fame of the im- 
mortal statesman and sage in honor of whom it received 
its name. The county occupies an important position in 
the northern and western centre of the State, with New 
Hampshire and Vermont on its northern boundary, the 
county of Hampshire — of which it was formerly a part 
— lying directly south, Worcester County bordering it 
on the east, and Berkshire County on the west. Its 
superficial area of 650 square miles embraces 26 towns. 



The total valuation of the county is $16,579,435. Its 
act of incorporation bears date June 24, 1811. 

A quiet glance over its territory shows how much 
grandeur and beauty the Green Mountain range and the 
Connecticut — or "Long River," as its Indian name 
impUes, — have imparted to the section which they trav- 
erse. Hill, valley and river ; these broad meadows and 
those rapid tributary streams have evidently shaped the 
labor of the county, and determined its industrial char- 
acter. In the language of Dr. Holland, " there is 
hardly a farm or a workshop, a dwelling or a church, a 



HISTORY OF SEW ENGLAND. 



road or a mill, but is connected in some waj- with Con- 
necticut Eivcr. The streams that gather on the moun- 
tain-sides turn the wheels of lonely or clustered manu- 
factories, herds and flocks feed upon the sweet grasses 
that grow among the rocks and upon the smoother 
slopes, while many a favored home-lot nestles down 
upon a broad inten'al, watered by a stream that has 
found a smooth path, and shut out from bleak winds by 
the elevations that rise on every side." 

Originally the northern portion of the largest count}' 
in the State, and generally mountainous in its aspect, 
more particularly in the western sections, where, amid 
rude Alpine sccnerj' rises many a lofty elevation covered 
from base to summit with a hcavv growth of timber, it 
is nevertheless a somewhat remarkable feature of this 
county that every town within its borders, almost 
without exception, is well watered. Various objects 
of curiosity abound in the hilly, broken lands where 
spring the sources of its never-failing brooks and 
streams. Its picturesque elevations comprise conical 
hills of red sandstone as well as wood-crowned heights ; 
and the eye wearied with gazing on rude ledges of 
trap rock turns with relief to the softer cornelian, or the 
more brilliant specimens of agate and amethyst found in 
its geological formation. The banks of the broad and 
beautiful Connecticut River, which first enters the State 
of Massachusetts in this county, and flowing southerly 
with an average width of an eighth of a mile, divides 
the county into nearly equal p.^irts, arc adorned with 
fertile mcadou s and rich alluvial lands bordering well- 
cultivated farms dotted here and there with graceful 
elms. Fine grazing grounds are also found on the hilly 
ridges rising above the luxuriant Deerficld meadows, 
forming the productive basin of that romantic river. 
Here abound all sorts of grain and grasses, the moun- 
tain sides yielding rich pasture for flocks and herds. 
The wild Deerfield, with its powerful volume of water 
pouring in from the west, and Miller's River, with its 
rapid current from the east, swell the noble Connecticut, 
joining it near the heart of the count}' and passing on to 
the ocean, produce a gigantic motive-power whose extent 
and value are almost illimitable, and whose complete 
utilization would nearlj- revolutionize the industrial inter- 

• The rude fortifications of this frontier town were built of squared 
timber, laid horizontnlly, interlocked at the angles, and with loopholes 
pierced on every side for firing on an enemy. The walls of framed 
houses were lined with brick, the upper story projeetlnj;, with open 
spaces here and there to annoy or wound assailants ; and " mounts," or 
elevated block-houses, affording a view of the neighboring country, 
wcro erected at exposed points, while sentry-ljoxcs for a similar pur- 
pose were sometimes placed on roofs. The fort itself was a large 
enclosure, — sometimes embracing the chin-ch and several dwelling- 
houses,— and was surrounded by palisades of cleft or hewn timber 



ests of this section of the State. Affluents of these 
rivers, including manj- rapid streams running circuitousl}' 
through narrow valleys flanked bj' rocky and wooded 
eminences abound, almost in the rude state of lGG-2, 
when this territory, inhabited onlj' b}' wild beasts and 
Indians, was incorporated as a part of Hampshire 
County. Here a continuation of the Green Mountain 
range presents some of the wildest and most picturesque 
scenery in Massachusetts. But the romance and the 
loneliness of nature in these western soUludes are sur- 
passed by her lovehness in the gentler grass-lands of 
this favored Franklin Count}-, where gi-acefully-winding 
streams gleam through green meadows like silver threads 
in the sunshine. 

The first settlement made in this county, the first 
church formed, and the first minister ordained, were in 
its oldest town, Dccrfiold. * The place was called " Po- 
cumtuck " by the Indians, who dwelt peaceably with the 
whites till King Philip's war in 1G75, when, — the 
fidelity of the Indians being suspected, — they were 
ordered to deliver up their arms, which they promised to 
do, but secretly fled. They were piursucd and twenty- 
six of their number were killed near Sugar Loaf Hill, 
the remainder joining Philip. Six days afterward, Sept. 
1, 1675, the Indians captured Deerfield, killed one per- 
son and burned nearly the whole village, leaving a large 
amount of grain which had escaped the conflagration 
stacked in the fields. Capt. Thomas Lothrop, with 
eighty-four soldiers, guarding men and teams, was de- 
tailed to secure these stores for the use of the garrison 
in the neighboring town of Hadlcy, where a fort was 
maintained to protect Deerfield and other frontier settle- 
ments from Indian outrage and atrocity. On returning 
with his convoy, while crossing a small stream bordered 
by swamp laud thickly covered with brush, in which a 
body of more than seven hundred Indians lay in ambus- 
cade, he was suddenly surrounded, overpowered by the 
relentless savages, and mercilesGly slain with nearly his 
whole force. The blood of the wounded and dying 
stained the wet earth, and dyed the surrounding waters. 
Only seven or eight of the settlers escaped ; and, as the 
massacre of Bloody Brook, Sept. 18, 1675, the fatal 
attack will ever be known in history. A marble monu- 

planted perpendicularly in the ground, and without ditches. Single 
dwellings were sometimes protected by stockades, which proved of ser- 
vice against slight attacks. But the settlers, harassed by calls for mili- 
tary serrice, and the incnrsions of the Indians, found it hard work to 
clear land enough for their own support, and the former sought his field 
with a gun in one hand and some implement of husbandry in the other. 
Like the Pilgrims at Plymouth, and the early Bay colonists, these hardy 
men of the frontier literally lived by faith, where, it has been often 
said, a less fearless and persevering race would have yielded to despau- 
and abandoned the contest. 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



ment in memorj' of Capt. Lothrop • and his men was 
erected near the south point of Sugar Loaf Hill, Deer- 
field, in 1838. 

John P)-nchon, Esq., of Springfield, received a deed 
of this territorj- from the Indians, Feb. 21, 1665. The 
document was witnessed by Wequonock, who " helped 
the Sachem in making the bargain," and, as usual in all 
Indian transfers of land, reserved to them " the right of 
fishing in the rivers and waters ; hunting deer or other 
wild animals ; the gathering of walnuts, chestnuts, and 
other nuts and things on the commons." The legisla- 
ture, or General Court of the Province of Massachu- 
setts, in 1669, sanctioned this grant of land to Ensign 
Daniel Fisher and others of Dedham, for whom the deed 
was originally secured. Deerfield Ijegan to be settled by 
white people in 1670-71, and was incorporated May 24, 
1682. 

The slaughter of 300 Indians during the famous 
" Falls Fight," May 18, 1676, by the brave soldier Capt. 
Turner, — • whose name has since been given to the falls, 
— and who lost only 37 of 1.50 men, was a serious blow 
to Philip, because it broke up the fisheries on which he 
had largely depended for supplies, and cost him the lives 
of many important sachems and able warriors. En- 
feebled by previous sickness, Capt. Turner lost his own 
life during the retreat across Greenfield meadows. Philip 
had before this dealt treacherousl}' with the Mohawks ; 
! and when Capt. Turner at early morning surprised the 
j Indians, they supposed the Mohawks were upon them. 
Some were killed in their cabins, others were cut down 
under the shelving rocks of the river's bank, where thej^ 
had fled for shelter ; while many leaped into canoes, for- 
getting their paddles, and 140 passed over the falls, but 
one of whom escaped drowning. Turner's Falls are 
situated between Greenfield, Gill, and Montague. The 
! dam constructed here for the canal is at a point where 
! its upper locks were stationed in 1793-5, and was origi- 
nallj' erected in part by capitalists from Holland. " It 
is about 1,000 feet long, resting near the centre upon 
two small islands. Over the dam the water leaps more 
I than thirty feet perpendicular, and for a mile continues 
descending rapidly, and foaming along its course. A 
thousand rods below, the stream strikes directlj' against 
a lofty greenstone ridge, when it changes its course 
towards the south nearly a quarter of a circle." From 
the elevated ground on the Gill shore the cataract may 
be seen to good advantage. Sixtj- years elapsed after the 
fight in this vicinity before the General Court of Massa- 
chusetts, in 1736, granted to the sunivors and their 
descendants the whole of the present town of Bernards- 
ton, elsewhere mentioned. 



During the year following the death of Philip the 
farmers of Deei-field were annoyed by straggling parties 
of Indians emigrating from the East, and crossing the 
Connecticut Valley on their way to the West ; and bj' a 
few plundering squads who came from their northern 
abodes to wreak vengeance upon the holders of their old 
homes and hunting-grounds. It was suspected that the 
French in Canada were aiding the Indians. This after- 
wards proved correct. Attacks and repulses frequently 
occurred, and the settlers became discouraged. A tem- 
porary peace ensued, and the people prospered. Deer- 
field sufiered throughout "King William's War," and 
during the reign of Anne, who succeeded William at his 
death in 1702, it encountered still severer hardships. Dur- 
ing the so-called ^' Queen Anne's War" the unfortunate 
settlers learned that the French people in Canada in- 
tended to destroy Deerfield, and thus annoy England 
through her Colonies. 

In the cold night of Feb. 29, 1704, the town being 
then guarded mainly by four feet of snow, drifted in 
some places over the tops of the palisades suiTounding 
the fort, Maj. De Rouville, with a force of 342 French 
and Indians, scaled the stockade over the deep snow, 
capturing or massacreing all within the enclosure, which 
embraced the church and several dwelling-houses. Forty- 
seven persons were killed, and 112 taken prisoners, — 
most of whom were marched to Canada. Among these 
was the Rev. John Williams, born in Roxbury. At the 
age of nineteen, he had graduated at Harvard College, 
in 1683, and, three years later, was settled as the first 
minister in Deei-field. Two of his children and a ser- 
vant were murdered at the door. His wife, who was 
in feeble health, and unable to keep up with the Indians, 
was tomahawked two days afterwards, in Greenfield. A 
similar fate befell all who were unable to follow their 
forced march. A touching account of his sufferings 
was published in a book called the " Redeemed Captive," 
soon after his return, in 1706, to Boston, where a flag- 
ship, sent to Quebec for that purpose, landed himself 
and fifty-six others who had been carried into captivity, 
includuig four of his children, two of whom, at a later 
period, became ministers of the gospel. His daughter, 
Eunice, remained in Canada, where she became the 
bride of an Indian, — once or twice afterwards visiting 
Deerfield, but always returning to her Canadian homo. 
Many years after, a descendant of hers, the Rev. Eleazer 
Williams, caused great excitement in the community, 
by the senseless supposition that he was the son of 
Louis XVI. of France. 

During this attack on Deerfield, the shot from a mus- 
ket pushed through a hole made by tomahawks in the 1 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



door of Capt. SheWon's house, killed Mrs. Sheldon 
while rising from her bed. Failing to break in the door, 
the Indians set fire to the house ; but the flames Tvere 
afterwards extinguished. The door, still carefully pre- 
served as a relic, now hangs in the hall of the "Pocura- 
tuck House" in that town. The Rev. John Williams 
resumed his foi-mer charge, and died at the mature age of 
sLstj'-four, while pastor of the church at Deerfleld. A 
year pre^•ious (1728), he preached the convention ser- 
mon in Boston. His successor, the Rev. Jonathan 
Ashley, a graduate of Yale, was a tall, well-proportioned 
specimen of the old-time clergy. During his fortj--eight 
years' ministiy at Deerfield, he officiated at 2 JO marriages, 
and at more than a thousand baptisms. On account of 
his supposed " Torjism," or undue sympathy with 
English interests, the meeting-house in Greenfield was 
once closed against him, for an afternoon sen-ice. At 
another time, the door of his own pulpit in Deerfield 
was shut against him, and fastened with spikes. One of 
his deacons, a blacksmith, being asked to aid in opening 
the door, quietly replied that he " never used tools on 
the Sabbath ! " whereupon Mr. Ashley sent for an axe, 
with which he spht down the door of the pulpit before 
the eyes of the congregation, and held the sen-ice. 
During his last sickness, occurred the memorable " dark 
day," Maj' 19, 1780. He died, pastor of the church, in 
the following August, and was buried in Deerfield. On 
a monument in the old burj-ing-ground in that town is 
recorded the death of Lieut. Hinsdell, who was the first 
male child born in Deerfield, and was " twice captivated 
by Indian Salvages." 

Lieut. Hinsdell was probably a descendant of Robert 
Hinsdale, who, with Sampson Fi-ary and Godfrey Nims, 
were known as settlers there when the town plot was 
laid out. The grant was made to Dedham, it is sup- 
posed, as a compensation for the lands conveyed to the 
Apostle Eliot. For half a century, Deerfield was the 
leading town in northern Hampshire. South Deei-field 
began to be settled about 1750 ; and, three years later, 
Greenfield, foiTQerly a part of Deerfield, being then 
called Green River, was incorporated in 1753. The 
limits, or boundaries, of the " twent3'-acre tracts of 
land," at first laid out in this place, many years before, 
had been very carelessly defined. Among the owners of 
these lots, appear the names of John Allyn, Joseph and 
Robert Goddard,' Jeremiah Hull, Ebenezer Wells, Sam- 
j uel Smead, Nathaniel Brooks, Philip Mattoon, Nathaniel 
] Cooke, and Edward Allyn, who appears to have been 
one of the principal men, and kept the first records of 
the town. Some of these town lots were afterwards for- 
feited for non-pa3-ment of taxes, and other causes, — the 



town rates, in 1G95, being pajable in "good merchant- 
able pork and com." Afterwards, all who had property 
were assessed in monej-. Land was regarded as worth, 
then, about ten dollars an acre. A cow was valued at 
about ten dollars ; a horse, fifteen dollars ; and an ex, 
thirty dollars. Every householder was also required to 
kill a certain number of crows and blackbirds, under a 
penalty-. If he killed more than twelve in a season, he 
was allowed for it in his taxes ; if he killed less, he was 
charged for the deficiency. Finallj-, the village lots 
became smaller, comprising but a few acres. Many of 
the old deeds describe these lands as bounded by the 
comer of a barn, bj' a big tree, or by somebodj-'s water- 
ing-trough ; and one ancient deed limits the propertj* to 
"so far round as the good land goeth," — a better 
description, of course, than could be de\-ised of certain 
kinds of land, of which the more a man has, the poorer 
he is. 

There was a fort at Adams ; one on the highlands, now 
Rowe, called Fort Pclham ; and another at Heath, called 
Fort Shirlej-. Several houses were stockaded at Coh-ain, 
Bernardston, Norlhfield, Deerfield and in other parts of 
the county. For years pre-\-ious to the "Falls Fight," 
parties kept ranging from Fort Dummer to Adams, on 
the lookout for Indians, and to discover their trails. 
Companies of large dogs were emploj-ed in this sen'ice, 
so that Indians could not well pass the line without dis- 
cover}-. Although different statements have been made, 
the records of Dedham show that the Indian titles to the 
lands in Greenfield and Deerfield were extinguished by 
purchase. 

The first legal town meeting in Greenfield was held 
July 3, 1753, at which Benjamin Hastings was chosen 
moderator, town clerk, constable, and sealer of leather. 
The Rev. Edward Billings, a native of Sunderland, and 
a graduate of Har\'ard College, in 1731, was selected 
and settled as the first minister of the town in 1754. 
He died, while pastor, in 1760, but no stone marks the 
spot where he lies in the old burial-gi-ound. In the north 
bur3-ing-ground is a monument to the memor}- of Jlrs. 
Jlary Neweomb, "last surviving child of Gen. Joseph 
Warren." The town was always patriotic. When the 
news of the battle of Lexington, — or, as Bancroft calls 
it, "the Lexington murder, and the Concord fight," — 
reached Greenfield, on the aftemoon of the same day, a 
company of volunteers enUstcd in less than half an hour, 
and marched to the scene of conflict the next morning 
before sunrise ! Its chosen captain, Benjamin Hastings, 
at once yielded the office to Capt. Timothy Child, who, 
he modestl}- said, was a man of greater experience, while 
he himself became second in command. During the 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



whole war of the Eevolution, the people of Greenfield 
took an active interest. In the Eebellion, Greenfield was 
eminently patriotic, — furnishing more than her quota, in 
all, upwards of 600 soldiers, of whom sixty were lost. 

At cue time, a portion of the town's people — in all 
other respects patriotic — sj-mpathized with the insurrec- 
tion known as Shays' Rebellion. It is a remarkable 
fact that all those killed and wounded in connection 
with that famous, but disgraceful fiasco, came from 
Franklin County. 

EeUgious controversies have not greatly prevailed in 
this count}'. Fifty years ago, there were some discus- 
sions between the Orthodox and Unitarians respecting 
their religious systems, — nearly all previous difficulties 
being in regard to terms of admission to the church. 
Those were times when the long-drawn blowing of a 
conch, or the stirring drum-beat summoned the pious 
settlers from their log-houses to the place of worship, 
and when the big wig of the parson — nodding forcibly, 
or impressively — was as good as a gospel mandate to 
eager Ksteners seated in church, by " age, dignity, or 
estate." Many curious facts are recorded in connection 
with the earh- ministry. The He v. Jacob Sherman, a 
Yale graduate, was ordained pastor of the First Con- 
gregational Church in Aslifield, in 1763. Next to its 
former Indian owners, Capt. Ephraim Hunt was the 
original proprietor of all the territorj' in this town, hav- 
ing received it as a gift for his sen-ices in the Canada 
expedition of 1G90. The property- was actually con- 
veyed to his heirs in 1736, and was for many years 
known as " Hunt's Town," until 1765, when, as a mark 
of respect, probably for Lord Thurlow of Ashfield, and 
of the king's council, it was incorporated under its 
jjresent name. Richard Ellis, a native of Ireland, was 
the first settler, followed by Thomas Phillips, his brother- 
in-law, about 1745, Small military garrisons were 
stationed here in 1750, but, on account of the French 
and Indian wars, were abandoned for a season in 1755. 
The Baptists, then called "Separatists," organized a 
church here in 1761, and the Congregationalists in 1763. 
After Mr. Sherman's ordination, both societies claimed 
a lot of land of several hundred acres, which was to 
accrue to the one who first settled a pastor. A lawsuit 
followed, and the case was decided in favor of the Con- 
gregationalists, causing great conflict of opinion, and 
much hard feeUng. 

Mr. Sherman's successor in Ashfield, Rev. Nehemiah 
Porter, who was a chaplain in the American army at the 
surrender of Burgoyne, lived till 1820, and, at the time 
of his death, lacked 22 days only of completing his 100th 
J'ear. 



The Rev. Jonathan Lea^itt, a graduate of Yale in 
1758, who was theologically sound, but whose prayers — 
incredible as it may seem — were often "more than an 
hour long," was settled and preached for many years in ' 
that part of Charlemont, now included in Heath. Buck- i 
land, formerly called " Xo Town," was also once a part ] 
of Charlemont, and was incorporated in 1779. A j 
Mr. "White and Capt. Nahum "Ward were among the first ] 
settlers. Its first meeting-house was built in 1793, pre- 
vious to which the congregation met in a barn. This 
territory was on the frontier during the French and 
Indian wars ; and, in the limits of Charlemont were three 
garrisons, projected by Col. "Williams in 1754. 

In June of the next year, while at work in the meadow 
near Rice's fort, Capt. Moses Rice and Phineas Rice were 
killed by the Indians. A monument has been erected to 
their memor)'. In honor of James Caulfield, created 
Earl of Charlemont a j-ear or two previous, the town 
received its present name, and was incorporated in 1765. 

From Charlemont to Cokain was then a wilderness. 
The town last named was settled about 1740, by emi- 
grants from Londonderry, X. H., — supposed to be part 
of the 100 families who had come there from the Prov- 
ince of Ulster, in Ireland, in 1719. They first intro- 
duced the spinning-wheel and the culture of potatoes. 
Deacon Thomas McGee, a Protestant from Ireland; 
James Steward, afterwards town clerk ; Hugh McClellan, 
its first magistrate ; John Cochran, from Pelham ; John 
Clark, of Irish descent, whose father was killed in one of 
the French and Indian wars ; and Hugh Morrison, after- 
wards captain of one of the four garrisoned forts main- 
tained in the town, were among the first comers, and Capt. 
John "^"ood, from South Hadley, kept the first tavern. 
The first meeting-house commenced was never completed, 
on account of its location. The first minister. Rev. 
Alexander McDowell, bom in Ireland, but a graduate of 
Harvard, was settled in 1753. Rev. Daniel McClellan, 
bom in Pennsylvania, but educated in Edinburgh, Scot- 
land, afterwards came back to this country, and the 
church in Colrain twice sent to Philadelphia to obtain his 
services. He had two calls at this time, and decided the 
doubt by setting up a stick of wood perpendicularly, and 
letting it fall. It fell towards Colrain, and he went there. 
He was an excellent Hebrew scholar — something extraor- 
dinary for the ministers of that day, — and his Hebrew 
Bible, pubUshed in 1609, is still prescned by his descend- 
ants. This territorj- was called ' ' Boston Township " till in- 
corporated in 1 76 1 , and received its present name in honor 
of Lord Colrain, created a Baron in that year, — or, 
as some suppose, from Colrain, a seaport town in 
Ireland. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



CoNWAT, SO named from Heniy Sej-mour Conway, a 
secretaiy of state in England, was originallj'^ the south- 
west part of Deerfield, and was incorporated in 1767. 
Tsvo years later, the Kev. John Emerson, a Harvard 
j graduate, was settled as its first minister. He preached 
his first sermon iu Conway in a bam, — jocosely saying 
I it was literally " John preaching in the wilderness." 
j His ministry lasted fiftj'-seven years. He died in 1826, 
aged 80. At a town meeting in Conway, in "Revolu- 
tionary times," Aug. 1777, a few people appeared dis- 
affected to the American cause. It was voted to "set a 
gard over those enemical persons." Subsequentlj- thej- 
were warned out of town l^y the constable, who had a 
warrant from the selectmen to bring them before a justice 
of the peace. This officer in " ye oldenne tj-me," was a 
terror to evil-doers, as well as an oracle of information 
on all subjects. Whenever and wherever he moved, 
people gazed upon the great man with a respect amount- 
ing to reverence. 

Though the early ministers in Franklin Count}' were 
well educated, and men of eminent virtues, yet thej- 
were not all perfect. Some were unworth}' pretenders. 
A notable example of the latter class was William Dor- 
rell, founder of the fanatical sect called " Dorrellites." * 
The town of Orange had for its first minister, in 1782, 
the Rev. Emerson Foster, f The first settler in this town 
was Jacob Hutchins, who sold out to Abner Morton ; 
and Benjamin Dexter began to build on the hill west in 
1770. At that time, there was no other house between 
this and the Connecticut River. Samuel Ruggles came 
in 1776, and Leonard Ruggles soon after, in 1780. The 
town was not incorporated till 1810. 

In the town of Warwick, about the period of the Revo- 
lution, appeared one Elder Hicks. For a considerable 
time, he created a wide-spread religious excitement. 
This town was named in honor of the Earl of Warwick, 
and was incorporated in 1763. Of 39 soldiers who went 



• He lived in Lcyden, a to-mi set off as a dish-ict of Bemardston, in 
1784, and incorporated in 1809. Dorrcll, the son of a Yorkshire farmer, 
came to America as a soldier, and was captured with Burgoync ; after- 
wards removing to Leydcn. He was illiterate, and could neither read 
nor write, hzt had a retentive memory. He had committed a large por- 
tion of the Bible by hearing it read by his wife. In his habits he was far 
from temperate. He began to have followers in 1794, and, at one time, 
twenty- or more families — some as respectable as any in town— joined 
him. His doctrines were non-resistance ; abstinence from animal food ; 
that life should never be taken under any cu-cumstances ; that all days 
were alike ; that there was a Messiah for every generation, and that ho 
was the Messiah of his ; and that no arm of flesh could hurt him. The 
ceremonies to be obseri'cd were drinking, dancing, and listening to his 
lectures. All property was held in common, and he was the self-con- 
stituted treasurer. His sect was at last suddenly brought to an end. 
" At one of the meetings," says Dr. HoUiind, " Ezekiel Foster of Lcy- 
den attended as a spectator, and when Dorrell, in his harangues, dwelt 



from Roxbury and Brookline, under Capt. Gardner, in 
the expedition to Canada, in 1690, aU but one, named 
Ewing, perished. As a partial recompense for this ser- 
vice, the town of Warwick was given to their descend- 
ants in 1736, and, for many years, bore the name of 
" Roxbur3--Canada." Its old Indian name was " Shao- 
met." Among the earliest white settlers in 1744, were 
Joseph Goodell, Moses Leonard, Samuel Bennett, Deacon 
James Ball, Amos Marsh, Solomon Enger, Thomas 
Rich, and Capt. John Goldsmith. Near the centre of 
the town rises a beautiful elevation, known as " Mount 
Grace." The origin of the name is thus given : After 
the destruction of Lancaster by the savages, Mrs. Rov.- 
landson and her child were carried into captivity by the 
retreating Indians. Little Grace Rowlandson died on 
the march, and her mother carried the dead bod}' of her 
infant until she reached the base of this mountain, when, 
compelled b}' fatigue, she reluctantly consigned the child 
to its grave. The mountain has ever since borne the 
name of Mount Grace. 

The Rev. Rufus Wells, a Harvard gi-aduate, was settled 
as the first minister in the town of Whately, in 1771, at 
which time it was incorporated, and named in honor of 
Thomas Whately, a friend of Thomas Hutchinson. It 
was originally a part of Hadlej-, from which it was sepa- 
rated with Hatfield, remaining for a hundred years the 
north part of the last-named town. A part of Deerfield 
was annexed to Whately in 1810. Lieut. Ebenczer 
Bardwell, Sergt. John Wait, Benjamin Scott, Joseph 
Belding, and David Graves, were known as the first set- 
tlers, about 1735. Although a church had been organ- 
ized, no meeting-house was opened for worship till 
1773. It remained unfinished for many years, and 
was not publicly dedicated till 1797. The town went 
early into the movement for the Revolution, sending 
Oliver Graves as its representative to the first Pro\'incial 
Congress. 



upon his mysterious powers, and stated that no arm of flesh could hurt 
him, Foster, a man of giant frame, disgusted with his imposture, 
stepped up to him, and knocked him down. Dorrell, almost senseless, 
attempted to rise, but received a second blow, at which he cried for 
mercy. Foster promised forbearance on condition that he would re- 
nounce his doctrines in the hearing of his dupes, which he immediately 
did." 

t About twenty years after the Rev. Mr. Foster's first settlement, his 
health failed, and he felt compelled to use opium for his " stomach's 
sake and his often infirmities." In short, he was unable to preach a 
sermon without it. On a certain occasion, when he was expected to | 
deliver a discourse, he found that his faculties had failed him for want 
of his usual stimulant. Ensign Tnthill immediately mounted a horse, 
and rode over to the neighboring village. Soon after his return with a 
satisfactory supply, Mr. Foster, it is said, preached one of his smartest 
sermons. It cost his parish so much to furnish him with opium, that they 
afterwards felt a degree of relief when released from their engagement. 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



Wendell was incorporated in 1781, and named from 
Oliver Wendell, Esq., of Boston, for many j'ears presi- 
dent of the Union Bank, the second institution of the 
kind in Massachusetts. The first church was organized in 
1 774. Eight j'ears afterwards, the first meeting-house was 
built. After a ministry of thirty-two years, the Rev. 
Jos. Kilburn died, while pastor of the church, in 1816, 
aged 61. 

The Rev. Joseph Willard was the first minister settled 
(Jan. 1, 1718) in the town of Sunderland, formerly a 
part of Hadley, and called " Swampfield." This town 
was first settled in 1673, by farmers from Hadley and 
Hatfield. These settlements were broken up during 
King Philip's war, when the houses were plundered and 
the buildings given to the flames. Fortj' 3-ears after- 
wards, the former clearings were found overgrown with 
brush, and large trees were seen forcing their way through 
the charred roofs and walls of ruined homes. The town 
was incorporated in 1714, and named in honor of Charles 
Spencer, Earl of Sunderland, and prime minister of Eng- 
land. Three years later, a meeting-house was built, a 
church organized, and its pastor ordained. Accounts 
vary in describing later periods in the life of the Rev. 
Joseph Willard * — • his name having been erroneously 
written " Josiah " in the town records of Sunderland, 
in the "American Quarterlj' Review," and in " Barber's 
Historical Collections," where the impression is given 
that he lived till near the close of the last centurj", and 
died at the age of 90. 

Deerfield was the onlj- town in the countj- incorpo- 
rated in the seventeenth century, all others having come 
into legislative existence during the eighteenth, except- 
ing the comparatively new towns of Erving, Loyden, 
Orange and Monroe. Greenfield was the scene of 
many savage horrors, and Northflcld suffered most 
severel}' during the French and Indian wars. This 
town, the Indian " Squakeag," was first settled in 1673, 
by a few people from Northampton, Hadley and Hat- 
field, the names of Lieut. William Clark, Wilham Hol- 
ton, Lieut. Samuel Smith, Cornet William Allys and 
Isaac Graves appearing on the records as those of per- 
sons who " laid out the plantation." To avoid attacks 

• The closing scene in his life furnishes a sad picture of the perils of 
the early ministi-y. Unanimously chosen as the pastor of the Rutland 
church, his installation was deferred on account of Indian hostilities in 
the neighborhood. Before the day for his ordination arrived, a savage 
foray was made upon the town, and, during the onslaught, he fought 
with great bravery for his life. Being attacked by two Indians, — one 
of whom he wounded, — he closed with the other, and had nearly over- 
powered him, when three more of the enemy rushed to the rescue of 
their companion. After a protracted struggle, Mr. Willard was killed, 
and his scalp was carried to Canada. His death occurred when about 
31 years of age. 



from the French and Indians during " King William's 
War," in 1689, and "Queen Anne's War," which soon 
followed, the settlers buried their goods in wells, and 
weut to Hadley. The northern boundary of Massachu- 
setts being then unknown, Korthfield's original area of 
six miles b3' twelve extended into New Hampshire and 
Vermont. When the true line wa,s run in 1740, the town 
lost more than a third of its territory. Fourteen years 
ailer its first settlement, the Indians sold their title for 
"two hundred fathoms of wampum, and fifty-seven 
pounds' worth of trading-goods." Then "the planters 
built small huts, and covered them with thatch ; made a 
place for pubUc worship ; and built a storehouse and 
fort." The first child born in the town was Lj'dia, 
daughter of Remembrance Wright. Her birth occurred 
in 1713. A few j-ears after its first settlement, the town 
was laid waste. The inhabitants returned in 1685, and 
five years later the place was again destro^-ed. It lay 
waste manj' years, when, in 1713, after the erection of 
Fort Dummer, the inhabitants again returned and rebuilt 
the town. Its first preacher was Elder Janes, ancestor 
of Bishop Janes, — the audience gathering under an oak ; 
and the first settled minister was Rev. Benj.amin Doolittle, 
in 1718. His grandfather, Abraham Doolittle who came 
from England, to New Haven, Conn., in 1640-42, is 
supposed to be progenitor of all bj^ the name of Doo- 
little in this country-. Beers' Mountain, in this town, 
marks the spot where fell, mortally wounded, in 1675, 
Capt. Richard Beers, fighting bravely on his retreat, 
with thirtj^-six men, from an Indian ambuscade in the 
swamp below, still known as Beers' Plain. Of a com- 
pan}' of thirty-six, only sixteen men escaped. The 
heads of the slain were elevated on poles ; and, as a 
sample of Indian atrocitj-, one man was suspended to 
the limb of a tree by a chain hooked to his under jaw, — 
probably when he was alive ! The daj' before, nine or 
ten of the inhabitants were massacred in the woods. 
Subsequent slaughters and depredations occurred ; and 
as late as 1748, Aaron Belding was killed in the village 
by the Indians. The town was incorporated in 1713, 
the jear in which its first minister was settled. He was 
an excellent physician, as well as pastor, and died, 
greatlj- revered, in 1 748. 

On account of the " unsettled state of the times," — or, 
in other words, because the people were unable to pay 
him his saLir\-, — the Rev. John Norton, first minister 
of the church in Bcniardston, after a four years' settle- 
ment, was dismissed, in 1745. He was afterwards 
chaplain at the Massachusetts Fort. 

Bernardston — so named in honor of Gov. Bernard, 
the provincial governor of Massachusetts — was incor- 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



porated into a township in 17G2. Originally including 
what is now Bcrnardston, Leydcn, and a part of Col- 
rain, it was granted, in 1735 or 1736, to the officers and 
soldiers who were in the " Fall Fight" at Turner's Falls, 
in the town of Gill, in 1G76. Hence the town, for 
twenty years, was called '' Fall Town." Atherton, 
Lyman, Smead, Wells, and other names, appear among 
those of the original proprietors, who numbered 97. 
The town began to be settled in 1738, — Slajor John 
Burke,* S.amuel Connable, Deacon Sheldon, and Lieut. 
Ebenezer Sheldon building the first four houses of logs, 
with port-holes through the sides for defence against the 
Indians. The first meeting-house was built on Huckle 
Hill, about 1740, when a committee was appointed "to 
cut and burn the brush about 10 rods round the meeting- 
house." 

Near the site of Fort Shirlej-, built and garrisoned in 
1774, in the town of Heath, as a defence against the 
Indians, is still to be seen the grave of a young girl 
who died there while the fort was occupied. Jonathan 
Taylor was the first settler in Heath, then a part of 
Charlemont. The Rerolutionary period came on soon 
after settlements were commenced, but through the in- 
fluence of Col. Maxwell, a prominent and patriotic 
townsman, who was wounded at the battle of Bunker 
Hill, it is said there was not a single Tor^- in the town 
during the Revolutionarj- war. The nortli-east part of 
Charlemont, including some wild forest-land known as 
the " Green and Walker Tract," was incorporated as the 
town of Heath in 1785, and named from Gen. William 
Heath of Roxbury, then an influential member of the 
General Court. The first town meeting was held in 
March, and a church was organized in April, of the same 
year. The first physician in the town was Dr. Joseph 
Lothrop, and its first minister was the Rev. Joseph 
Strong, settled five j-ears later, in 1790. The absence 
of Torj-ism assumed a different fonn in Northfield, 
where, in 1770, this town voted almost unanimously " to 
use no more tea." In Shutesbur\-, the feeling was still 
more marked. The Rev. Abraham Hillf was ordained 
pastor of the church in that town in 1742, a meeting- 
house having been commenced about two years before, 
upon a tract of land known as the Government Farm. 
This building was never thoroughlj- finished, and after 
standing eighty years was demolished. Most of the 
earl}- settlers came from Sudbury in 1738, and the place 
was known as "Road Town" till 1761, when it was 
incorporated, and named Shutesburj', in honor of Gov. 

• Major John Burke participated in Johnson's expedition to Lalce 
George. He died in 17S4. 
t Near the close of a ministry of thirtj--five years, Mr. Hill was dis- 



Shute, who gave the town an elegant Bible, which is 
still preserved. 

Among the ardent patriots and champions of colonial 
rights stands prominent the name of Joseph Hawley, a 
leading lawyer of Northampton, whose fame is perpet- 
uated in an honored town in the western part of Frank- 
lin County. In the words of Dr. Holland, "his name 
will descend to posterity in most honored companionship 
with those of James Otis, Samuel Adams, John Adams, 
Josiah Quinc}-, and Samuel Dexter." The town of Haw- 
ley, formerly known as "Plantation No. 7," welcomed 
its first settlers in 1770; formed its first church eight 
years afterward ; was incorporated four j-ears later, in 
1792, and in two jxars from that time, built its first 
meeting-house. The Rev. Jacob Sherwin was the first 
preacher, and the Rev. Jonathan Grout its first settled 
minister. 

MoNTAGTiE deserves honorable mention for the part 
she bore in the struggle of the Revolution. The names 
of Marsh and Taylor appear as its first settlers in 1726. 
Dr. Moses Gnnn, a prominent townsman in Revolution- 
ary times, drafted all the resolutions and documents 
now on record. The town was first called " Hunting 
Hills"; was originally the north parish of Sunderland; 
and, when incorporated in 1753, was named in honor of 
Capt. Montague, commander of the " Merm.aid " at the 
taking of Cape Breton. He brought home news of the 
victor}- of Louisburg. Montague abounds in Indian 
relics, and the neighborhood of Turner's Falls in that 
town was once the gi-and fishing-ground of the Indians, 
and the fields around were much frequented by moose 
and deer, as well as by bears and wolves. An act in 
force in early days proviiled that two sufficient " woulfe 
trapps should be constantly bay ted and daily attended, 
in every township, under the penaltie of five pounds." 
There was a bounty of twenty dollars on wolves, and the 
olden-time exploits of James Corss, a famous hunter, 
are worthy of mention. He destroyed hundreds of 
wolves, and realized a snug fortune for those da}s. A 
monument in the old burial-ground at Greenfield bears 
his name, and date of death in 1783, at the age of 90 
years. 

Martin Gnnn was Montague's first postmaster, and 
the Rev. Judah Nash its first minister, settled in 1752. 
For several years the customary shell, blown on Sabbath 
days, called the communicants to church. 

Monroe, situated on the high lands north of the Hoo- 
sac River, and formed from a part of the territory of 

missed from the pastorate, in 1738, " in consequence of imbibing senti- 
ments hostile to American liberty." At the period of his dismissal, the 
church had become reduced to one member ! 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



j Rowe, including a "gore" of unincorijorated land north 
of the town of Florida, was named in honor of President 
James Monroe, and incorporated in 1822. A settle- 
ment was commenced here in the year 1800, by Daniel 

j C'aneda}- of Colrain. The onl}- meeting-house in the 
place is the town-house, a far better building than the 
town of Rowe could claim in 1770, when the Rev. Cor- 
nelius Jones preached in a small building made of split 
planks, in Myrifield, — as he then called the tract of 
wild land, four miles square, which he had bought and 
paid for, and which included most of what is now Rowe, 
and a part of Monroe.* The ruins of old Fort Pelham, 
which was one in the line of fortifications put up for 
protection against the French and Indians, in 1774, are 
still to be seen on Pelham Brook, the only stream pass- 
ing through the town. In the following year, almost 
every man in town went to Cambridge ; and, during the 
battle of Bunker Hill, the first wounded man brought 
into Cambridge was Aaron Barr of Myrifield. It was a 
patriotic place, — the Rev. Mr. Jones bearing arms till 
Burgoyne's surrender. In 1779, Mr. Jones sold all the 
property he owned for about S.50,000, receiving his pay 
in Continental monej-, which the government never re- 
deemed, and he died a poor man. Myrifield became 
Rowe bj' act of incorporation in 1 785 ; and, two years 
later, the Rev. Preserved Smith, a Baptist preacher, was 
settled as its first minister, f 

Before settlements commenced in Shelbume it was 
famiUarly called " Deerfield Pasture," — the land being 
then so rocky and poor it was deemed uninhabitable, and 
thought to be fit only for fuel and pasture. "When it 
grew to be a small village it became known as " Deer- 
field North-west," its territorj' being a part of Deerfield 
for fifty-six years. The place began to be settled near 
Shelburne Falls, in 1756, the first two families coming 
from Deerfield. These settlements were abandoned 
early in the French and Indian wars. Six years after its 
first settlement, there were fourteen families in the place. 
The legality of slavery was unquestioned at this period 
in the Province of Massachusetts, and a few of these 
families held slaves ; as did also several of the early 
ministers in Franklin County. The Shakers came here 
in 1782, remaining about three 3-ears, when they removed 
to New Lebanon. A Mr. Wood was their elder, or 
leader. The town was incorporated in 1708, and named 

• Part of Zoar, in Berkshire County, was annexed to Rowe, and part 
to Charlcmont, in 183S. 

t Of bis wedding it is told, when the nnptial day arrived, he tooli his 
bride behind him on horscljacli, travelling from Ashficld (then Hunt's 
Town) to Deerfield, where the ceremony was performed, — no minister 
or magistrate being nearer, — his father riding another horse before 
them, with his gun, to guard them from the Indians. 



Shelbume, in honor of Lord Shelbume of England. 
The first town meeting was held the last day of October, 
the same year, at the house of Daniel Nims. The first 
meeting-house in the place was built of logs, in 1769. 
In the following year, the town " voted to pla.ster up the 
cracks with mortar, to obtain three windows and a door 
for the meeting-house, and to get a pulpit made " The 
first church was organized the same year ; and the Rev. 
Robert Hubbard, the first minister, was ordained in 
1773. 

Another town whose territory originally belonged to 
old Deerfield, and afterwards formed the easterly part of 
Greenfield, was — with a portion of Northfield known as 
"Grass Hill"- — -incorporated in 1793, and named in 
honor of Lieut. Gov. Moses Gill. The date of its first 
settlement is not known, but it was probably prior to the 
famous "Fall Fight" on the Gill shore of the river, in 
1G76. On account of Indian hostilities, there was no 
permanent settlement till nearlj^ a centurj^ afterward ; 
and, for several years, religious meetings were held in 
private houses and in barns. The first house of worship 
was not occupied till 1798, when the Rev. John Jack- 
son, its first minister, was settled ; but the meeting- 
house remained unfinished, and was not completed till 
1805. [Goat Island was annexed to the town in the 
same year. A part of Northfield had been joined to it 
in 1795.] Gill was a favorite resort of the Indians, 
who called it the best fishing-place on the Connecticut 
River. The town abounds in Indian reUcs, and is a 
place of great interest to geologists. Shays' Rebellion 
found manj- sympathizers here. 

Like many other towns trul3- patriotic during the Rev- 
olution, the town of Leverett was also in favor of the 
insurgents in Shays' Rebellion. Joseph Hubbard was 
probably the first settler in this place. The town was 
originally a part of Sunderland. It was incorporated 
March 5, 1774, and named from John Leverett, presi- 
dent of Harvard College. The Rev. Henry WilUams 
was ordained as the first pastor in the town. His twen- 
ty-seven years of faithful ministerial service were ended 
at last by his death in 1811. 

The dangers incurred by worshippers in the olden 
time must have seemed serious to the inhabitants of 
New Salem, when building their first meeting-house in 
1738-9. It was a period of Indian troubles; and with 
other precautions, the walls of the church were hea\-il_y 
planked to render them impervious to musket-balls. The 
original owners of this territory lived in Salem. They 
were sixty in number — according to one account — and 
obtained a grant of the township in 1734. The first 
settler was Jeremiah Meacham, who received a bounty of 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



fift3- dollars in 1737, for assuming the hanlships of a 
pioneer. Others from the eastern part of the Province 
came soon after. The first minister was the Rev. Sam- 
uel Kendall, who died in 1792. The place was named 
from Salem, in Essex Count\-. and incorporated June 
15, 1753. 

Nearlj' all the territor3- now known as the town of Er- 
ving, and for manj' j'ears called " Erving's Grant," was 
purchased in 1751 hy individuals who sold it to John 
Er%-ing of Boston, to whom the grant was confirmed bj' 
the General Court. The territory- was incorporated as a 
town April 17, 1838. A part of Nortlifield, known as 
"Hack's Grant," was annexed to it Feb. 10, ISCO. The 
first settler in Erving-shire was Col. Asaph White, from 
Heath. For a residence, in 1802, he built a log-house, 
which was used as a public house till 1819. Besides 
"keeping a hotel," Col. White erected a dam and a saw- 
mill in 1803 ; and, as contractor, built the fifth Massa- 
chusetts turnpike. There was preaching bj- the Bajj- 
tists, occasionallj-, from 1818 to 1830 ; but no religious 
organization previous to 1832, when a Congregational 
church was formed. 

The limits of a brief compilation preclude special 
notice of manj" choice spirits of the Revolution, who 
were alwaj-s activeh' engaged in suppressing Tor}ism, 
directing popular opinion, and leading the patriot cause. 
These were times when labor wrought from sun to sun ; 
when a substantial tavern dinner and a good night's lodg- 
ing could be had for the price of a mug of flip or toddy 
"made from New England rum ! " Alas, for the good 
old da3-s whose evenings, at the close of village toil, 
were passed in simple neighborl}- exchanges of good 
feeling and quiet mirth. Yet, whenever the Committee 
of Safety called for their services, the men of Franklin 
County' wore on the march before dajbreak. Thus they 
moved one bright morning in September, 1777, and par- 
ticipated in the capture of Burgoyne. 

In 1778, the inhabitants of Greenfield, in town meet- 
ing assembled, " voted to approve the confederation of 
the United States." The "hard winter" of 1780, and 
the 19th of ;Maj- in the same year — memorable in the 
annals of New England as the " dark day," — followed 
in regular order. 

The lading out of a road "from Smead's inn, north," 
in 1 788 ; petitions for a lottery for building a bridge over 
Deei-field River in 1 790 ; and the efforts for a free bridge 
in '95, were exciting periods in the history of Greenfield. 
The smaU-i>ox prevailed in '02 ; and in '9G a hospital for 
inoculation was licensed. During this j'car, also, a peti- 
tion was forwarded to the General Court for an act to 
incorporate Daniel Wells, Elicl Gilbert and Abner Smead 



as a company to introduce good and wholesome water 
into the "town street," by pipes. The "great sickness 
of 1802," attributed to a scarcity of fruit, and defying 
the power of medicine, caused another season of excite- 
ment. Some families lost five of their number ; others, 
three ; and several lost all of their children. Every in- 
habited house in the place had one or more sick or dead. 
In 1808, a long memorial for the suspension or repeal of 
the Embartro Law was forwarded to Congress ; and, 
in 1811, the county was divided, and Greenfield became 
the shire town. 

In 1816 came the " cold summer," when there was 
frost every month, and few fields of com ripened ; and, 
in due time, followed the very " remarkable winter of 
1819," when lands were ploughed in January, and when 
flies and grasshoppers were seen abroad, and ever3thing 
had the appearance of spring. Another remarkable pe- 
riod was the dry summer and drought of 1S20, when 
grasshoppers ate the standing corn, and farmers were 
compelled to feed their cattle with hay to keep them 
alive. Since then, the inhabitants of the count3' have 
periodically experienced similar sudden and extreme 
changes of temperature, which are now summarily dis- 
posed of as marked characteristics of our peculiar New 
England climate ! 

The later history of the count3- is more familiar. 
IMainly an agricultural people, many are engaged in man- 
ufacturing ; but the hope of the count3' rests on the 
success of the farmer. His work must ever be the basis 
of its prosperity. Hitherto the immense water-power of 
the county' has been but partl3' improved. In connec- 
tion with its industries may bo mentioned the six reser- 
voirs in the count3', for manufacturing purposes, having 
a total acreage of 2G0 ; its 24 paper engines and four 
papor-machincs ; the 45 runs of stone in its grist and 
flouring mills ; the 67 vats in its tanneries ; and the 318 
saws in its lumber-miUs. Pertaining to agricultural in- 
terests are about 75,000 acres of woodland, and nearl3' 
80,000 acres of cultivated land. 

There arc about 4,000 farms in Franklin Count3-, with 
an average value of a little less than $3,000. 

A general air of thrift and pro?perit3- characterizes the 
county. Within the borders of its picturesque and pleas- 
ant towns, are found comfortable hotels, commodious 
churches and convenient town halls. One of these, in 
Greenfield, is a noble structure built of brick. The peo- 
ple gcnerall3- enjoy the advantages of public libraries. 
The private collections in the county- show an aggregate 
of more than 20.000 volumes. In the various towns and 
villages the dwelling-houses wear a neat look, with an 
air of comfort in their surroundings, often extending to 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



broad meadows and well-tillcd farms. la many of the 
village streets are seen elegant private residences peer- 
ing through the dense summer foliage of loft^' elms and 
maples. Many of these have been cultivated with great 
care.* 

The local papers have proved valuable aids to the edu- 
cational interests of the count}'. Its first newspaper was 
established in Greenfield by Thomas Diekman, a native 
of Boston, in February-, 1793. He served his time with 
Benjamin Edes & Son. It was called the "Impartial In- 
tcUigoneer." The name was soon after changed to that 
of "Greenfield Gazette." The facilities by mails and 
stages in 1 792 were limited to once a week, provided the 
weather was not unfavorable, and some improvement on 
this was realized in 1796; but for some years previous 
to 1809, the mail from Boston was brought once a week, 
on horseback, and in 1810 in a covered carriage. 

There are 219 public, and seven incorporated private 
schools within the county. Excepting these private in- 
stitutions, the public district-school is evidentl}' the main 
edueator. While no claim is made that the inhabitants 
of Franldin County lead in literary culture, in general 
industry and purity of character, in honesty of purpose 
and patriotic impulse, their record is as unimpeachable 
as it is exemplaiy. 

Towns. 
Greenfield, the shire town of Franklin Count}', is one 
of the most delightful towns in the Connecticut Valley. 
Traces of a continuation of the Deerfleld mountains are 
seen in some of the beautiful eminences in the eastern 
part of the town ; but generally the land is level, and 
the soil, especially in the intervals of Green River, rich 
and productive. The farmers are intelligent, thrifty 
and independent. The water-power is supplied by 
Green River, which winds through the town to the 
Deerfield River ; by Fall River, which separates it from 
Gill on the east ; and by the Connecticut River, which 
washes its southern border. In connection with its 
motive-power the town has eight steam-engines, a larger 
number than is found in any other town in the county. 
F(jur establishments are engaged in printing and pnb- 
hshing, — the capital invested being about $43,500 ; and 
there are six manufactories of metals and metallic goods, 
with a capital of $71,000. Here is also a gas company, 
with a capital stock of $50,000. The town contains 
3.540 inhabitants. The " Gazette and Courier," a weekly 
journal established in 1782 ; and the '• Franklin County 

• According to " Willard's History of Greenfield," several of the tall 
and beautiful elms which are now the pride and onianicnt of that place, 
" were planted and watered by the hand of William Coleman, a native 



Times," also a weekly, established in 1872, are the local 
papers. 

The village of Greenfield is built on two picturesque 
streets, flanked by many elegant buildings, and orna- 
mented with elm, maple, and other shade trees. On the 
north side of the public square stands the new Congre- 
gational chiu'ch, built of red sandstone ; near it, the 
court-house ; and, just below the square, the substantial 
structure known as the town hall. The high school was 
established in 1856, and its building erected in 1857. 
The churches are the Episcopal, Baptist, Methodist, 
Congregational, Roman Catholic, and Unitarian. 

Eastward from the village rises Rocky Mountain, from 
whose summit may be seen Mt. Grace, in Warwick, the 
hills of Leyden and Shelburne, and " Old Deerfield hid- 
den among its elms." The Bear's Den is a romantic spot 
in the southern part of this rocky ridge. In memory of 
her soldiers who fell in the late war, the town erected, in 
1870, a beautiful monument upon the common, in the 
centre of the village, at a cost of $7,000. Upon it is the 
following appropriate inscription : — 

"Greenfield erects this Monument in grateful honor to licr 
Patriotic Sons who offered their lives in suppressiug the Great 
Rebellion, aud for the Preservation of the National Union." 

George Ripley, a distinguished scholar and critic, is v 
native of Greenfield. Ho was born here in 1802. Ex- 
Gov. W. B. Washburn of Massachusetts is a resident of 
this beautiful town. 

Deerfield, the oldest town in the county, is one of 
the most fertile and beautiful. Its broad meadows and 
rich alluvial intervals rise here and there into picturesque 
eminences, while Pocomtuck Rock, near the geographical 
centre of the town, overlooks both the valley aud the 
village. The Deerfleld River gracefully pursues its wind- 
ing way through the centre of the town, and the Con- 
necticut River Railroad, running parallel with the river, 
divides the place into nearly ctjual sections, and crosses 
the Deerfield River by a bridge 750 feet in length, and 90 
feet above the water. The Troy and Greenfield Railroad 
follows the course of the Deerfield River to its junction 
with the Connecticut River road near the Greenfield 
line. Some of the best farms in the county are in Deer- 
field, where its annual tobacco crop exceeds half a millon 
pounds ; the value of its hay crop alone exceeds $100,000. 
The total value of its farm property is more than a 
million and a half of dollars ; and for a Western Massa- 

of Boston, who studied law at Worcester with Judge Paine. He after- 
wards went to New York, was the partner of Aaron Purr, and the 
intimate friend of Alexander Hamilton." 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



chusetts town, many of its farmers are wealthy. Large 
establishments in the town of Montague have temporarily 
affected the manufacture of cutlery in Deerfield, where it 
was formerly the principal manufacturing interest, — 
amounting in some years to more than $400,000. The 
town has 3,414: inhabitants; two post-offices, — one at 
Deerfield, the other at South Deerfield ; sis churches ; a 
good hotel, — the Pocomtuck House ; an incorporated 
academy ; two high schools, and other graded schools ; 
two public libraries ; a lyceum, called " The Adelphi" ; 
two farmers' clubs ; and a memorial association (incor- 
porated 1870, Mr. George Sheldon, president), for the 
purpose of preserving the local relics of the aborigines 
and the early settlers. Deerfield furnished for the Grand 
Army of the Republic 320 soldiers ; and to perpetuate 
the memory of those who were lost, it erected, of Port- 
land sandstone, a beautiful monument. 

Gen. Hoyt, the historian, author of " Hoyt's Indian 
Wars," was born here in 1765. His death occurred in 
1850. The Rev. Dr. Hitchcock, an eminent clergj-man 
and geologist, who died in 1864, was born in Deerfield 
in 1793. Richard Hildreth, journalist and author, was 
also a native of this town. He was born in 1807, and 
died in 1865. 

JIoNTAGUE, the busiest and most iirosperous town in the 
county, is on the Vermont and Massachusetts Railroad, 
and contains 3,380 inhabitants, and five postal villages, — 
Montague Centre, Montague City, Lock's Village, Tur- 
ner's Falls, and the rapidly-growing village of Miller's 
Falls (known also as '• Grout's Corner"). Willis' Hill 
and Chestnut Hill, are conspicuous eminences in the 
easterly part of the place. Lake Pleasant, a beautiful 
sheet of water, near the centre of the town, has an 
inviting gi-ove, well fitted with buildings for pleasure- 
parties, and attracts man^- visitors. Besides the numer- 
ous active industries in its various villages, the farmers 
are bj' no means idle. Heavy crops of Indian corn, 
grain, broom-corn, and tobacco, are raised from the 
rich soil of Montague, and its timber-growth is rapid. 
The company of capitalists, — including Thomas Talbot, 
Benjamin F. Butler, and others,- — who, a few years 
since, purchased 1,200 acres of land at Turner's Falls, 
in this town, and caused it to be surveyed and laid out 
for a new city, have hopes that in time it maj- become 
" the Lowell of Franklin County." Its manufacturing 
interests are already large. The John Russell Cutlerj- 
Comijan}- have the largest and best arranged establish- 
ment of the kind in this country. When running at its 
full capacity, it gives employment to .ibout 1,200 jiorsons. 
Small concerns in adjoining towns have removed here 



and consolidated. A pnlp-mill, in which poplar-wood is 
reduced to a clear, white pulp, for the manufacture of 
paper, is in active operation, and 20 paper-engines (the 
only ones in the county), with a capacity of 10,400 
pounds, and four Foudrinier paper-machines are required 
in its large mills, where 304 persons are employed in the 
various manufactures of paper and paper goods. As 
motive-power, besides three steam-engines, Montague 
has 28 water-wheels, with a nominal horse-power of 
2,820. Here are annually made lumber and bricks, 
wood-pulp, writing-paper, printing-paper, and cutlery. 
The town has a bank of discount, and one for savings ; 
a good town hall, and a public library ; a high school, 
and 12 school districts ; a lively public journal, called 
" The Turner's Falls Reporter," established in 1872, and 
five churches. The New London Northern Railroad 
passes centrally through the town. Montague's gain of 
1,806 since the pre\-ious census, gives it the largest in- 
crease in population of any town in the county. 

Luther Severance, a noted politician and journalist, 
born here in 1797, died at Augusta, Me., in 1855. He 
was a member of Congress from 1843 to 1847. Hon. 
Jonathan Hartwell, who settled in Montague in 1817, as 
its first lawyer, is said to have originated the system 
of school-district libraries now adopted throughout the 
Commonwealth. 

Orange, a sprightly manufacturing and farming town, 
has 2,497 inhabitants. Miller's River, — here a swift and 
valuable stream, with the Vermont and Massachusetts 
Railroad following its course. — intersects the town, which 
has a post-office at the Centre and at North Orange ; 
five churches ; a public library ; 15 schools, including a 
high school; and a good newspaper, "The Journal of 
Industry," established in 1872. Few villages in Massa- 
chusetts present a more picturesque appearance thcin 
Orange Centre, with its white clustering cottages and its 
pleasant gardens rising from the banks of Miller's River, 
ha^•ing the wooded hills fur a background. Three est.ab- 
lishmcnts for making furnitui'e, machinery, and sewing- 
machines, are located here. The whole capital invested 
in these manufacluring interests is $355,000, and the 
value of goods made is more than half a million doUurs. 
Since the last census, the town has gained 588, in popu- 
lation, by development of manufactin-es. A soldiers' 
monument, erected by the town at a cost of $4,000, 
commemorates the heroism of her sons who fell during 
the late war. 

NoRTHFiELT) is a rich agricultural town, whose prin- 
cipal street, adorned with neat buildings, and bordered 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



by ornamental trees, rans along an elevated plain, par- 
allel with the river, presenting in earlj' summer a scene 
of quiet beauty almost unsurpassed. The town has 1 ,G41 
inhabitants, ^dth postal facilities at Northficld, Northfield 
Farms, and West Northfield. It has a town hall, two 
churches, and ten school districts. There is also an 
Indian burial-place in the town. The institution of the 
Social Library in 1813, and the planting of a beautiful 
avenue of trees in the \'illage, are worthy mementos of 
tlie taste, enterprise, and public spirit of Thomas Power, 
afterwards for many j'ears clerk of the Police Court of 
Boston. Some of the best farms of the county are found 
in Northfield, and Indian com and tobacco are prominent 
products. The patriotism of the people was manifest in 
the Eebellion of 1861 ; and, during the war of 1812, the 
town sent a company of artillery for the defence of Bos- 
ton. Joel Munsell, historian, and publisher of antiquarian 
works, was born here in 1808. 

CoLRAiN (so spelled by State and United States officials, 
but formerly known as "Coleraine") is a mountainous 
town of 1,699 inhabitants, and five postal villages; 418 
persons find emplo3-ment in the manufacture of cotton 
goods, in which this town excels. It has three churches, 
none of whose communicants now approve the act of their 
predecessors, who, in 1764, voted to " color the meeting- 
house blue ! " 

Dr. Deane, the naturalist, who discovered fossil foot- 
prints in the red sandstones of the Connecticut Vallej-, 
was a native of this town. The Rev. Samuel Taggard, 
its third minister, settled in 1777, was a member of Con- 
gress from 1804, for 14 j-ears. 



occupies a central position in Franklin 
Countj% and has four postal villages, — Shelburne Cen- 
tre, Shelbume Falls, East Shelburne and Bardwell's 
Ferr}-. Of these Shelburne Falls is the most flourishing, 
and is one of the leading villages of the county. Its 
rapid growth and prosperity are mainly due to its water- 
power, — the village hing in a vaUey and upon its slop- 
ing hillsides, near a point where the Deerfield River 
plunges over a precipice more than fortj' feet in depth, 
forming one of the most beautiful cataracts in the State. 
The town contains 1,590 inhabitants. The industries of 
Shelbume are various. In the manufacture of tobacco 
and smokers' supplies, of millstones, marble and other 
stone goods, Shelbume has no superior in the count)'. 
The town has four churches ; one national, and one 
sa^nngs bank ; the Arms public libraiy, and the Arms 
ministers' library, and abundant school pri\'ilegcs. 

The Rev. Theophilus Packard, Jr., who pultlished a 



history of the " Churches and Ministers of Franklin 
Count3'," in 1854, was born in Shelbume in 1802. The 
Rev. PUny Fisk, missionarj' to Palestine, was born here 
in 1792. He died at Beirout, Syria, in 1825. 

CoNWAT is a hilly town of 1,452 inhabitants, accom- 
modated by the Troy and Greenfield Railroad which winds 
along the left bank of the Deerfield River on its north- 
eastern border. The village is beautifully situated in a 
valley, and several powerful mill-streams furnish valu- 
able manufacturing privileges, — more than half a million 
dollars' worth of woollen and cotton goods being made 
here annually. The town has three churches, a national 
bank, one high school, and twelve district schools. 

Chester Harding, a distinguished portrait-painter, who 
died in 1866, was born here in 1792. This town was 
also the birth-place in 1803 of Rev. Dr. Dwight, mis- 
sionarj' to Constantinople, whose death occurred in 1862. 

BucKLAND is a picturesque farming town of three 
churches, and 1,921 inhabitants. Shelbume Falls are 
on the boundar}' line between this town and Shelbume, 
the village of that name lying partly in each town. 

Mary Lyon, afterwards a celelirated teacher, was bom 
in Buckland in 1 797. Dr. Holland speaks of her as a lady 
whose influence was " greater and better than that of any 
other woman who ever lived in AYestern Massachusetts." 

AsHFiELD has 1,190 inhabitants, two postal ■v'illages 
(Ashfield and South Ashfield), and owns more merino 
sheep than any other town in the count}'. 

Alvan Clark, — known as a telescope-maker the world 
over, — was born here in 1804. As a practical astrono- 
mer, in 1863, he discovered the " new star" near Sirius. 

Chaklemont. — Lumbering and farming are the prin- 
cipal occupations of the people of this town. The Deer- 
field River Agricultural Societj', in connection with which 
is a lyceum, has a large and convenient hall in the cen- 
tral village. The maple-sugar crop is one of the most 
important. In the number and value of its apple-trees 
it excels all other towns in the county. The highest 
point of Pocomtiick Mountain, in the extreme north- 
eastem part of the town is 1,888 feet above sea-level. 
Charlemont has 1,029 inhabitants, eight public schools, 
and throe church edifices. Work on the Troj' and Green- 
field Railroad has proved a material aid to the prosperity 
of the town. 

Bernakdston, whose principal settlement lies in the 
beautiful valley of Fall River, — a powerful mill-stream 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



running southerlj' through the centre of the town, — has 
991 inhabitants, a good public library of 3,289 volumes, 
an excellent free academj- called Power's Institute, six 
school districts and five churches. The Connecticut 
River Railroad passes through the southern section of 
the town, opening a market for the wood and lumber of 
its forests. 

The Hon. Samuel C. Allen, an able politician, who 
died in Northfleld at the age of 70, was born here in 
1772. He was formerly a member of Congress. The 
Hon. Henry W. Cushman, Lieutenant-Governor of Mas- 
sachusetts in 1851-52, was also a native of this town. 
He was born here in 1805, and died at Bernardston, 
Nov. 21, 1863. 

The remaining towns of Franklin County are : Erving 
(population 794), Gill (673), Hawley (588), Heath 
(545), Leverett (831), Leyden (524), Monroe (190), 
New Salem (923), Rowe (661), Shutesbury (558), Sun- 
derland (860), Warwick (744), Wendell (503), and 



Whately (958) . The most of the foregoing are moun- 
' tain towns and devoted to agriculture. Leverett. how- 
I ever, Erving, Gill, Warwick, Ashfield and Wendell have 
important manufactures. 

Among the eminent personages native of the above 
towus are : Henry Kirke Brown, an eminent sculptor 
(Leyden, 1814); John L. RiddeU, M. D., inventor of 
the binocular microscope and magnifying glass (1807) ; 
Rev. Moses Ballon (Monroe), Hon. Paul Dillingham 
(Shutesbury), Rev. Jonas King, D. D.,* many jears a 
foreign missionary- (Hawley, 1792) ; Le^-i Hedge, LL. D., 
a successful teacher and writer (Warwick, 1776) ; Sum- 
ner Lincoln Fairfield, poet and teacher (1803), and Mrs. 
AnneT. (Wilbur) Wood, authoress (Wendell, 1817). 

Ephraim Pratt, a resident of Shutesbury, died in 
1804, aged 116 years and 5 months. 

In Leyden is a remarkable natural curiosity known as 
" The Glen." Not far from its entrance, the place is 
pointed out where Mrs. Eunice Williams was murdered 
on the march to Canada. 



HAMPDEJs" C0U:N^TY. 



BY ROBERT O. MORRIS, ESQ. 



Hampden is the southernmost of the three counties 
which the Connecticut River bisects in its course through 
Massachusetts. The halves of this county are again 
divided by the Chicopee River which runs into the Con- 
necticut on the east side, and the Agawam, or Westfield 
River, which comes down from the Berkshire hills on 
the west. The valleys of these three rivers contain the 
richest farms, and also most of the manufacturing and 
commercial enterprises of the count}-. Railroad lines 
run by the side of the three streams, and form a junc- 
tion at Springfield, -which is the county seat. The 
earliest settlements in Western Massachusetts were 
made within the limits of this county, but the subsequent 
history is uneventful, except for the burning of the vil- 
lage of Springfield in 1675, and the Shays' Rebellion of 
1785, until the introduction of- railroads, in 1839, gave 
a sudden and lasting impetus to the business growth of 

• In a brief sketch of his remarkable career, it is mentioned, as an 
interesting coincidence, that the three first American missionaries to 
Jerusalem were bom within twenty-five miles of each other ; in what 
was then the same county, and within thirty-five days of the same 



the section. The county is fifty-two miles long from 
east to west, and its width varies from nine to twenty- 
four miles. 

The first English settlement on the Connecticut River 
was a trading post at Windsor, Conn., in 1633, and 
two yenTS later, settlements were made simultaneously 
at Agawam, now Springfield, by a part}- from Roxbury ; 
at AVindsor bj- Dorchester people ; at AVethersfield by 
Watertown ; and at Hartford, by Cambridge people. 
The first settlers at Agawam, the only one of these 
places now within the bounds of Massachusetts, were 
William Pynchon, Nath. Mitchell, Henry Smith, Jehuc 
Burr, WiUiam Blake, Edmund Wood, Thomas UfTord, 
and John Cabel, with their families. Allotments of land 
were also made to Thomas Woodford, John Reader, 
Samuel Butterfield, and James Wood. It is a singular 
fact that none of the twelve died iu the hamlet which 

time, viz. : Kev. Pliny Fisk, bom in Shelbumc, June 24, 1792 ; 
Rev. Levi Parsons, bom in Goshen, July 18, 1792 ; Rev. Jonas King, 
horn in Hawley, July 29, 1792. He died at Athens, Greece, May 22, 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



they founded. Jlr. Pvnchon, the leader of the enter- 
prise, was a man of considerable education and influence. 
He had been one of the corporators of the Massachu- 
setts Colonj-, and afterwards its treasurer, was one of 
the founders of the town of Roxbur}', and probably 
removed to the Connecticut River in the hope of extend- 
ing the beaver trade in which he was engaged. He was 
elected magistrate of the new settlement, and exercised 
the office until his return to England, in 1652, with his 
son-in-law, Henry Smith, and was succeeded in the 
the magistracy by his son John. The name of the 
plantation was changed fi'om Agawam to Springfield in 
1G40, as a compliment to Mr. Pynchon, who came from 
a place named Sijringfleld, near Chelmsford, in Essex, 
England. Massachusetts at first exercised jurisdiction as 
far south as Weathersfield, but, in 1638, the present 
boundary line at the Connecticut River was fixed. 
There was, also, in the first years of the settlement, a 
controvers}' between the two Colonies whether the 
Springfield people should paj' toll to the owners of the 
fort at Saybrook, for the privilege of bringing their 
goods up the river. The Connecticut authorities bought 
the fort and the claim for several j-ears' toll, in 1644. 
The Commissioners of the United Colonies decided that 
the claim was just. The Springfield people still refused 
to pay it. The Massachusetts authorities attcmptrd to 
retaliate bj' charging toll on all vessels entering Boston 
Harbor ; and the difficult}', which was never adjusted, 
might have caused a serious rupture between the Col- 
onies, but that thej' were threatened by a common 
danger. 

The first development of the new settlement was aided 
by forty years of peace. No fort was built at Spring- 
field until 1660, when John Pynchon built the first brick 
house in the village, which stood until 1831. The settle- 
ments in the neighborhood progressed rapidlj', particu- 
larly to the northward. Hampshire County, which then 
included all the Connecticut Valley, in Massachusetts, 
was established in 1662, courts being held, after a few 
years, at both Northampton and Springfield. The 
plantation of Woronoco was bought and settled in 1631, 
and incorporated, in 1669, as Westflcld, being at that 
time the westernmost settlement in the Colony. Japhet 
and Henry Chapiu settled within the present limits of 
Chicopee about 1640, being sons of Deacon Samuel 
Chapin of Springfield, from whom, it is thought, most, 
if not all, the Chapins in the United States are descended. 
A settlement was made at Masacksick, now Long- 
meadow, in 1644, bj' Benjamin Cooley, George Cotton, 
and John Keep, whose names still survive in many 
residents of the town. The settlement was at first made 



in the strip of bottom land, from the shape of which the 
town derived its present name ; but the annual inundations 
of the river drove the citizens to move their residences 
to the brow of the adjoining hill in 1703. Agawam 
contains the site of the first house in Western Massa- 
chusetts, which was built in 1634, or 1635, just south of 
the Agawam River, by John Cabel, or Cable, and one 
John Woodcock, in the expectation that the coming set- 
tlement would be made on that side of the Connecticut. 
The first permanent settlements on the west side of the 
river were made in 1654 and 1655, although land there 
had previously been cultivated. In these years, allot- 
ments in the present site of West Springfield, were made 
to Francis Pepper, Hugh Dudley, John Dumbleton, 
Miles Morgan, John Stewart, Obadiah Miller, and Simon 
Sackett. The first settlers below the Agawam were 
Thomas Cooper, Abel Leonard, and Tliomas Merrick. 

The first settlers of Springfield bought their land of 
the Indians, and lived peaceably with them for several 
years, the savages soon recognizing the authority of the 
magistrates over those of their own number that injured 
the settlers in person or property. King Philip's war 
began in 1675, and, instigated by that wily chieftain, 
without any sufficient cause for ill-feeling, the Imlians 
living near Springfield treacherously and cruellj' assisted 
in burning the village, and would have slain the inhab- 
itants but that they found shelter in fortified houses until 
troops arrived. The settlement at this time contained 
some forty-five dwellings, chiefly along the line of the 
present main street ; and although the Indians had 
already burned the village of Brookfleld to the east, had 
attacked Deerfield and Northfield, and were said to be 
hovering about Hadley on the north, no apprehension 
was felt for Springfield, and all the troops of the village 
and vicinity had been sent to Hadley, under command 
of Maj. John Pj-nchon, who was as much the leader of 
the people in civil as in military matters, having suc- 
ceeded to his father's iniluence and honors. Tlia plot of 
the Indians against the village was revealed on the night 
of the 4th of October (corresponding to the loth of the 
present calendar) , by an Indian living in the family of 
Mr. Wolcott at Windsor, and the messenger sent to 
alai-m the village arrived at about midnight. Word was 
at once sent to Maj. Pj-nchon, and the families, with 
their valuables, were gathered in the three fortified 
houses ; but no attack occurred during the night. Many 
of the people became confident that none was to be 
feared, and Rev. Pelatiah Glover, the pastor of the 
community, moved his library back to his study. Lieut. 
Cooper and Thomas Miller mounted their horses, and 
drove toward an Indian fort, at the south end of the 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



town, to reconnoitre, but rode into fin anibuscaile, and 
were fatally shot, Coojjer living barelj- long enough to 
drive back and give the alarm. The savages at once 
biu-st upon the town ; but the people had fled to the 
forts, and all escaped except one other man, who was 
fatally wounded, one woman who was killed outright, 
and three other persons who were wounded. There was 
nothing, however, to prevent the Indians from devastat- 
ing as much of the town as was beyond the reach of the 
muskets of the forts, and in a very short time they 
bui-ned thirty- two dwellings and twentj'-five bams, besides 
the house of correction, also Maj. Pynchon's grist-mill, 
saw-mill, and most of the com and gr.-iin that was stored 
up for consumption during the approaching winter. 
Some Connecticut troops, under Maj. Treat, an-ived on 
the opposite side of the river during the burning, and 
the beleaguered inhabitants managed to send them a 
boat; but the Indians gathered on the bank in such 
strength that the troops could not land. Finally, at 
about three o'clock in the afternoon, the two hundred 
soldiers, under Maj. Pynchon, arrived at their homes, 
after a hurried and anxious march, to find their village 
in ashes. The band of Indians, which probably con- 
sisted of about fifty Springfield Indians, with two hun- 

i dred of Philip's men, withdrew at the approach of Maj. 

I Pynchon's force, and retreated to the neighborhood of 
the present site of Indian Orchard and Jenksville. No 
pursuit was attempted, soldiers and citizens ha-vdng 
enough on their hands in repairing their desolate homes. 
King Philip's war lasted nearlj' a year longer, but 
scarcely any other important event in connection with it 
occurred within the present Hampden County. Groups 
of Indians hovered about the frightened settlements all 
the winter. Three j-oung men from Springfield were 
killed while prospecting for iron ore near Westfield. 
The settlers at Longmeadow were unable to attend 
church all winter, and when a band of eighteen, under a 
small guard, attempted to come to Springfield one Sun- 
day in March, they were waylaid near Pecowsic Brook, 
and John Keep, a prominent man of the town, was 
killed, with his wife and child.* One of the Springfield 
planters who crossed the river in the spring to look after 
his corn stored in a house there, was shot down and his 
house burned. Moses Cook, a Westfield planter, was 
also killed while out with a scouting partv. These 
assaults and assassinations, which were prevalent in the 
settlements farther up the river as well, seem to have 
impressed the Massachusetts council with the notion that 

• A waterfeU, on the Chicopee River at Ludlow, bears the name of 
Indian Leap, from a tradition bearing the date of King Philip's «ar, 
but probably without authority. It is to the effect that a camp of 



thej- were unable to protect so large a territor)'. They 
accordingly called upon the smaller settlements to retire 
into the larger ones, specifying particularly that the 
Westfield people should betake themselves to Spring- 
field. The order was received with indignation by the 
Westfield settlers, who refused to obey the command 
immediately, because several of their number were sick. 
They also presented considerations why the consolida- 
tion should not take place, to the efi"ect that Springfield, 
since its burning, did not have accommodations for more 
inhabitants, and the hand of Providence seemed, more- 
over, to be against the settlement on the Connecticut. 
There was also, in the remonstrance, a hint of securing 
reinforcements from Connecticut, and a vague intimation 
that the Hartford council would be glad to receive and 
shelter the settlement. This diplomatic threat of with- 
drawal seems to have accomplished its purpose, for 
Westfield and the other outlying towns were allowed to 
retain their own locations, and peace came within a jear, 
bringing prosperity with it. The settlements of this 
region contributed their quota of soldiers to the subse- 
quent Indian wars, but the scene of operations was gen- 
erally so far to the north that these towns were not 
molested. The one notable exception was in July, 1 70S, 
during Queen Anne's war, when a part}- of Indians 
attacked the house of Lieut. Wright at Skipmuck, near 
Chicopee Falls, and killed "old Mr. Wright," Aaron 
Parsons and Barijah Hubbard, a couple of soldiers, 
knocked two children on the head, one of whom after- 
wards died,»and took Henry Wright's wife captive, and 
probably killed her. There is another Ludlow tradition 
that the Indians killed a female captive at a place in that 
town called Facing Rocks, and the two events may have 
had some connection with each other. 

During the century that intervened between King 
Philip's war and the American Revolution, the progi-ess 
of the settlements in the vicinitj- of Springfield was that 
of peaceful development, although other communities in 
western Massachusetts were much of the time retarded 
in their growth by incursions of Indians. The colony 
on the west side of the river grew rapidly, and as early 
as 1673, they ijctitioucd for the establishment of a ferry. 
In the year 1695 they numbered 32 famihes and upwards 
of 200 persons, and asked for and obtained the privi- 
lege of settling a minister, all their church and municipal 
relations having before been on the east side of the 
river. The town was not incorporated until 1774, 
and then included the present territory of Holyoke and 

Indians, surprised by a company of white soldiers, escaped by jumping 
the river fiom the high overhanging rocks, the last to make the leap 
being the cliief, Koaring Thunder, with his child in his arms. 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



Agawam. Up to the time of the introduction of rail- 
roads, this town was, perhaps, the cliief town in the 
limits of the old Hampshire County-. Longmeadow was 
incorporated as a separate parish in 1713, having some 
40 families. The town of Brimfield, including the 
[ present towns of Monson, Wales and Holland, was 
j laid out in 1701 by a committee of five Springfield men, 
I of whom Maj. John Pj-nchon was the chief, who were to 
have charge of the settlement for five j'ears. The enter- 
j prise progressed slowlj', however, from Indian troubles 
and other causes, and in 1723 the General Court declared 
the preceding grant void, and appointed another com- 
mittee to perfect the settlement of the town, who re- 
ported, in 1729, adversely to the first grants. The 
General Court settled the controvers3-, however, in 1731, 
! by confirming the grants of the first committee, of 120 
acres of land to some 55 persons. There were other 
special grants, and all the remaining lands were decreed 
to belong to the grantees, to be divided proportionately. 
! Monson was set aside as a district, but still connected for 
representative purposes, in 1 7G0 ; and the same action 
I was taken, in 1762, in regard to Holland and South Wil- 
braham, now "Wales. The inhabitants of this town were 
at first troubled by Indians, but no notable conflicts took 
j place on its territoiy. The site of Wilbraham was 
divided into allotments as earl}' as 1685 under peculiar 
circumstances, the first settler not appearing until fort}-- 
five 3'ears later. It laj* in what was called the "out- 
ward commons " of Springfield, and was laid out to 
overreach the declaration of the English Court of Chan- 
cer}- that the Massachusetts charter was forfeited. The 
act of annulment contained, however, a provision that 
the rights of individuals should not be molested, and 
this territor}' was di\'ided among the inhabitants of the 
town to remove it from the operations of the act. It 
was, under these circumstances, laid out in narrow and 
inconvenient strips, that hindered its settlement. Na- 
thaniel Hitchcock, the first settler, sowed a couple of 
acres of land in 1 730, and built a cabin for his familj-, 
who moved thither the following J'ear. In 1741 there 
were 24 settlers, who were incoq^orated as the fourth 
parish of Springfield. Wilbraham was incorporated as 
a district in 1763, but did not have the privilege of send- 
ing a representative until 1780. 

The district was represented for three j-ears, from 1772, 
by John Bliss, who was elected on the ticket with Col. 



• The original name of the place was New Glasgow, but when it was 
incorporated in 1741 Gov. Shirley changed it to Blandford, in honor of 
the ship that brought hiin safely over the ocean. The place was also 
known as the Sufflcld equivalent, being confen-cd upon the inhabitants of 
that town by the Massachusetts legislature in 1732. Aftcrthe settlement 



John Worthington, by a coalition against the voters on 
the west side of the river, who proposed to drop Wor- 
thington. The setting off of V/est Springfield as a 
separate town, in 1774, put an end to such contests. 
The inhabitants of Wilbraham, at the time of its incor- 
poration, objected strenuously, but vainly, to the 
name attached to them, which has the significance of 
"Wild Boar's Home." Palmer was settled as early as 
1727, b\- a considerable colony of emigi-ants who were 
descended from a colony of Protestants which migi-ated 
from Argyleshire in Scotland and settled in the north of 
Ireland about 1712. These were the first Presbj-terians 
in the country, and thej- were looked upon with disfavor 
bj' the Congregationalists. The place where thc}- settled 
was known as " the Elbows," from a curve in the Chico- 
pee Eiver, and their title was not at first good. The 
first saw-mill in the town began running in 1730, and the 
first grist-mill in 1737. 

This period of such active growth for the eastern half 
of the count}' was also an important era in the develop- 
ment of the western poilion. The first highway from 
Westfleld to the settlements in Berkshire County was 
built in 1735, and the first settlement was made at Bland- 
ford * in the same year. The site of this town was owned 
in undivided quarters by Christopher Jacob Lawton, 
Francis Wells, John Faye and Francis Brinlej', who in- 
duced a colon}' of families to settle upon it. The town 
being upon the frontier, suffered some by Indians in the 
French and Indian wars, and was the site of an impor- 
tant government fort. 

Granville was first called Bedford, and was bought of 
Toto, an Indian, by one Anthony Mather. The first 
settler was Samuel Bancroft of Springfield, who lived to 
represent the town in the legislatui-e in 1775. In the 
first half of the century as many as eighty-nine persons 
bearing the name of Bancroft lived in East Granville ; 
and the names of most of the other first settlers are still 
perpetuated. The town is a very healthy one, and it is 
claimed that one in thirty of the inhabitants reach the ' 
age of ninety years. 

Southmck, which was within the bounds of Westfleld j 
until 1770, was also first settled in 1734, Samuel Fowler 
being the first inhabitant. 

Tolland was at first the third parish of Granv-ille, and 
was settled in 1750. The town is said to contain the 
highest land of the latitude between the Connecticut and 



of the boundary line had thrown them into Connecticut, Christopher 
Jacob Lawton of Sufficid became purchaser of the tract, and afterwards 
sold undivided fourths to Francis 'Wells, John Faye, and Francis Brin- 
ley. They induced forty-live families from Ilopliinton to settle in the 
town. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



Housatoiiic rivers, the C'atskill llouutains being visible 
from some points. 

Cliester was one of the ten towns sold at auction by 
order of the General Court in 17G2, and was bought bj- 
"William Williams for £1,500, the first settlement occur- 
ring about this time. The settlei's were mostlj- Irish. 
The place was incorporated under the name of Jliiira}'- 
field in 17G2, continuing under that name until 1783. 

At the time of the American Revolution the count3" com- 
prised, it will be seen, a dozen or more thriving agricul- 
tural communities, which were located too far inland to be 
the scene of any military movements, but which, with 
every other section of the C'olonj-, contributed frcclj' of 
men and means to secure the nation's independence. 
As early as 1 773 Brimficld town meetings passed patriotic 
resolutions of protest against the assumptions of power 
on the part of the Biitish government. Ludlow had a 
population of only about 200, but sent 29 recruits to the 
arm}'. All the other towns seem to have taxed them- 
selves very freely to equip and support those of their cit- 
izens who enlisted, and there was also little trouble in 
securing volunteers. There were some Tories in the 
count}-, the most prominent being Col. John "Worthing- 
ton of Springfield, a lawj-er of pre-eminent ability and 
standing, who would have been the most influential man 
of his daj' but for his political views. There were also 
adherents to the royal cause at Blandford, which was set- 
tled largely by British subjects ; and some of these were 
forbidden by the Committee of Safetj- to leave their farms. 
The safe location of Springfield at a distance from the 
active operations of the war, induced the government 
to establish a storehouse for munitions of war at that 
point, and afterwai'ds a shop for the manufacture of 
arms. * 

The close of the war left the county in an unhappy 
financial condition, through the excessive private debts 
under which almost everybod}' labored ; and also by the 
depreciation of the currenej-. This discontent culminated 
in the Shays Rebellion, which was very strong in some 
sections of the count}-, and which received its chief blow 
in an encounter with the State troops on Armory Hill in 
Springfield. The leader, from whom the insun-ection 
took its name, came from Pclham, but Luke Day of "West 
Springfield was as prominent in fomenting discontent, 
and about as influential in directing the demonstration. 
The first affront to the government occurred at Spring- 
field, in 1782, when a mob released from prison one 



* The works were removed from their first location on Main Street 
about 177S, to the place on the liill where the United States Armory is 
now such a prominent feature in the landscape, and an addition to the 
beauties of the city. During the late Civil war the capacity of the 



Samuel Ely, who had been guilty of disturbing the courts 
at Northampton. 

In the fall of 1786 a large mob gathered to prevent the 
holding of the Supreme Court at Springfield, September 
26. The insiu-gents numbered about 1,200 men, about 
half of whom had muskets, while the court was protected 
by about 800 militia-nicn. The opposing hosts had 
camps about three-quarters of a mile apart, and for four 
days the inhabitants of the town were momentarily in fear 
of a collision that would result in death or wounds to 
many. The court went through the form of organizing, 
and adjourned after three days without transacting any 
busincss, and each party claimed to have accomplished 
its end. Luke Day had before this time been drilling a 
company of his followers on the West Springfield com- 
mon, and, in December, he led 100 men from Wcstfield, 
West Springfield and Longmeadow, to assist Sha} s in 
his schemes at AVorcester.- A company of 50 more who 
started to follow, were driven back by a snow-storm. 
Again in December the presence of a mob prevented the 
session of the court at Springfield, but without any vio- 
lent acts. To prevent a continuance of such outrages, 
the goA'ernment called for a force of 4,400 men, to be 
under the command of Gen. Benjamin Lincoln, and to 
rendezAous at Boston, Worcester and Springfield. A 
term of court was to be held at Worcester Jan. 22, 17S7 ; 
but the military force was so strong that the rebels could 
not hope to interfere successfully, and Shays accordingly 
determined to seize the United States Arsenal at Spring- 
field, if possible, before Lincoln and his troops could ar- 
rive from the east. Day had a force of 400 men, whom 
he had billeted on the citizens of West Springfield. 

A force of 400 Berkshire men, under Eli Parsons, was 
stationed at Chicopee, and Shays led a force of 1,100 
from the east, it being his design to have the three forces 
attack the arsenal at once from diflTerent directions. Gen. 
William Shepard of Wcstfield, an able and successful 
ofljcer in the Revolutionary army, had command of the 
arsenal, with some 1 , 100 troops. Shays reached "U'ilbra- 
ham on the evening of January 25, and quartered his 
troops on the inhabitants over night. Several friends of 
the government in the village consulted together, and 
decided that the duty of conveying information to Gen. 
Shepard of the movements of the hostile force, belonged 
to the deputy sheriff, Asaph King. Accordingly when 
Shays set out the next morning for Springfield, this mes- 
senger outstripped him by a shorter course, and reached 

works was increased, so that 1,000 muskets were made daily, but only 
about 800 men are now employed, producing aljout 75 rifles a day. Tlie 
Springfield rifle, as perfected, is claimed by army officers to bo the best 
arm furnished to anv soldiers in the world. 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



the arsenal in forty-five minutes from the time he left 
■ Wilbraham. Shays had sent a messenger to Day, ex- 
j plaining his plan, and Daj- had sent a reply, asking that 
the attack on the arsenal be postponed for a day for some 
unknown cause, but the messenger bearing this word was 
: intercepted, and the two leaders were thus acting on dif- 
ferent plans. Shays and his force did not appear before 
the arsenal until four o'clock. Gen. Shepard warned 
them not to advance ; but they persisted, and he then 
ordered his cannon to be discharged against the centre 
of the column, killing three of the insurgents and mor- 
tally wounding a fourth. The line was thrown into con- 
fusion. Shays tried in vain to rallj- his supporters, who 
turned and fled, resting only when the}- reached Ludlow, 
ten miles distant, where thej- slept that night. Lincoln's 
army was but a day's march distant, and on its arrival, 
the present territorj- of Hampden Count}' was speedily 
cleared of the insurgents, the union of Shaj's' forces 
being prevented by prompt measures, and Daj-'s force 
stampeding after a verj- sMght show of resistance. * 

The gradual return of prosperity stimulated the mate- 
rial development of the county, and several important 
public enterprises were carried through during the 3-ears 
immediatelj' following the suppression of the Shaj-s 
Rebellion. The chief of these was the construction of 
the canal and dam at South Iladley Falls, the original 
object of which was to render the Connecticut River 
na^-igable. The dam was built to supply the canal with 
water, and was rebuilt in 1803, the funds being raised bj- 
a lottery, and was strengthened and increased several 
times later. 

The growth of the region necessitated improved means 
of communication, and this period was accordingly' 
marked bj- the laying out of a large number of roads, 
particularly in the western part of the count}', connect- 
ing the towns with each other, and also with Berkshire 
Count}-. Bridges already existed over some of the 
smaller streams of the county, but they were now in- 
creased in number. The bridge between Springfield 
and "West Springfield was first built in 1805, but only 
lasted until 1814, and its successor only until 1818, after 
which the present structure was put up. The last two 
•were partly built by the proceeds of lotteries. 

The war of 181-2 did not profoundly stir the citizens of 
this region, as the fighting was at a distance. A regi- 
ment of infantr}', mostly from the present Hampden 
County, under command of Col. Enos Foot of South- 



• Alpheus Colton of Longmeadoiv, was one of those sentenced to death 
for his participation In the treason. All were suliscquently pardoned. 

+ This is clearly illustrated by the fact thr.t, while the population of 
the county has gro»-n from 37,360 to 94,304 since 1840, there has during 



wick, and a company of artillery from Springfield, were 
among the troops called out by Gov. Strong, but they 
saw no fighting. 

From this time the growth of the county was peaceful, 
unmarked by any particular incident until the introduc- 
tion of railroads made new channels and centres for 
trade, gave an impetus to manufacturing, and revolution- 
ized the entire commercial interests of the county. The 
first railroad was the Western, which was a continuation 
of the Boston and "Worcester. This was opened as far 
as Springfield in 1800, and to the Hudson River in 1842, 
being now included in the Boston and Albany Railroad. 
Various schemes had been discussed during the twenty- 
five years preceding for building a canal, or a horse-power 
railroad, over this route, but when the feasibility of steam 
locomotion was proved, this, of several routes surve}'ed, 
was selected, largely through the enthusiastic advocacy of 
George Bliss of Springfield, a prominent lawyer, who 
gave up his practice to become the first general agent of 
the road. The Connecticut River Railroad was opened 
from Springfield, as far as Northampton, in 1845, and to 
Greenfield the following year. The Hartford and Spring- 
field Railroad, now a part of the Xew York, New Haven 
and Hartford Railroad, was opened in 1844. The New 
London Northern Railroad, which crosses the eastern end 
of the county, was opened from New London to Palmer 
in 1850, and to Amherst in 1853, the two sections being 
at first under different managements. A canal was built 
for navigation from New Haven to "Westficld in 1830, 
which was continued to Northampton in 1834, but was 
not profitable, and the owners built a railroad in its place, 
which was opened in 185G. The "Ware River Railroad, 
a branch of the Boston and Albany road from Palmer to 
"Winchendon, was built in 1870, the Springfield, Athol 
and North-eastern from Springfield to Barrett's Junction 
in 1872, and the Connecticut Central from Springfield to 
Hartford and Rockville in 1875. The eflfcct of the intro- 
duction of railroads cannot be over-estimated. Once 
pojiular stage-routes were superseded, and river nsLviga- 
tion entirely suspended, although there is at present an 
eflfort being made to revive the latter. Towns which had 
formerly rivalled in size and importance the county-scat, 
found themselves away from the lines of traffic ; while 
new centres of trade and manufactures were opened. ■)• 

The largest water power in the State, if not in the 
world, is at Holyoke, where the Connecticut River is 
crossed by a dam 1,017 feet long. The Westfield and 



the same period been an actual decrease in the population of the towns 
of Bbndford, Bri:ulicld, Chester, Granville, Holland, Ludlow, Mont- 
gomery, Russell, Southwick and Tolland. Ludlow, however, is now 
increasing, through the growth of its manufacturing villages. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



Chicopee rivers also run over several dams, In their 
respective courses through the county, and there are 
numerous water-powers on smaller streams, the number of 
water-wheels already existing being 285, with a total of 
14,472 horse power, there being opportunit}' for the in- 
definite multiplication of these figures. There are in the 
county 633 manufacturing establishments, with an aggre- 
gate capital of $19,765,118, producing goods annually 
valued at 832,584,175. The county makes more paper 
than any other in the country, and Holyoke more than 
any other city, the yearly total for the county being 
§6,146,705, and for Holyoke, $3,199,407. The county is 
also the first in the State in the manufacture of tobacco, 
turning out $1,302,894 worth yearly, of which $854,416 
comes from Westfield, this last being in excess of anj' 
other town. Aside from the product of the United States 
Armor}-, the county sends out arms and ammunition 
yearlj^ worth $670,141, Springfield leading all the towns 
and cities of the State in this item with $582,750. Of 
cotton goods, the county produces $8,296,112, being 
fourth in the State, of which Holyoke, the fifth place in 
the State, furnishes $3,039,050; Palmer, $1,320,017; 
and Springfield, $771,432, most of this last amount 
being produced at the village of Indian Orchard, in the 
outskirts of the city limits. Holyoke stands seventh in 
the State in the matter of woollen goods, producing them 
annually to the amount of $1,394,035, while Monson 
sends out goods worth $862,000. The value of the stone 
quan-ied in the connty j'early is $107,910, and Cliicopee 
alone makes agricultural implements valued at $80,000. 
There are in the count}- 3,736 farms, containing 316,015 
acres, the total value of land and buildings being 
$14,496,445. The total value of the products is 
$2,774,297. 

Springfield, "Westfield, Holyoke, "West Springfield and 
Agawam are all supplied with water from aqueducts — 
the Springfield reservoir, which is the largest, being 
located in Ludlow, twelve miles distant, and covering 
445 acres. Springfield, Holyoke, "Westfield and Chico- 
pee have public gas-works. Bridges stand prominent 
among the public improvements of the county ; and of 
the ten bridges that span the Connecticut in Massachu- 
setts, seven touch the banlts of Hampden County. 

Going back now, some facts remain to be stated con- 
cerning the settlement, division and incorporation of the 
towns. Monson, which was set aside as a district in 
17G0, — "Wilbraham, which had likewise been incorpo- 
rated in 17C3, — and Southwick, which became a di.itrict 
in 1770, — became towns b}' the operation of a general 
law passed in 1786. Holland and "Wales, which, with 
Monson, were included in the original territory of Brim- 



field, became districts in 1762 and towns in 1796. The 
latter was first called South Brimfleld, and assumed its 
present name in 1828, it being the family name of a 
number of the inhabitants. Holland was settled as early 
as 1720, the prominent names of the first settlers being 
Lyon, Blodgett, HoUoway, Belknap, Cram, Nelson and 
Bond. Ludlow was incorporated in 1774, about twenty- 
five years after its first settlement. Montgomery was 
incorporated as a town in 1780, and Russell in 1792 — 
both having previously been included in "Westfield. "West 
Springfield, although settled about twenty years after 
Springfield, was not incorporated until 1774, the act then 
being the result of rivalry for political power between 
the inhabitants on opposite sides of the river. Holyoke 
was incorporated as the third parish of West Spring- 
field, in 1786, and became a city in 1873, most of its 
growth having occurred since 1850. This place was the 
scene of the disastrous burning of a French Catholic 
church, in 1875, by which eighty persons lost their lives. 
The second parish, at the south end of the town, was 
divided in 1800 into the two parishes of Agawam and 
Feeding Hills, and in 1855 these two were together in- 
corporated as the town of Agawam. Some Stockbridge 
Indians lived in West Springfield as late as 1783, and 
were the last of their tribe. Tolland, which had pre- 
viousl}' been a parish of Granville, was incorporated as 
a town in 1810. Hampden County itself was incorpo- 
rated in 1812, being the last to be set off from the old 
Hampshire County, which formeriy covered the present 
four western counties of the State. The villages of 
Cabofriille, "Willimansett, Chicopee Falls and Chicopee 
Street were set off from Springfield as the town of Chico- 
pee, in 1848, and finally the town of Hampden was sep- 
arated from the mother town of "Wilbraham in 1878. 
"Wilbraham celebrated its centennial in 1863, and Lud- 
low and West Springfield theirs in 1874. Westfield cel- 
ebrated its bi-ccntennial in 1869 ; and the two hundredth 
anniversar}- of the burning of Springfield was commemo- 
rated by an historical address by Judge Hemy Morris, 
formerly of the Court of Common Pleas. 

During the late Civil war the spirit of patriotism ran 
high in Hampden County, as in all other parts of the 
Commonwealth. Out of a population of about 60,000, 
some 6,239 men are recorded as having entered the anny 
of the Union, while the number was doubtless much 
larger. This, however, was a surplus of 486 over the 
number required. Among them were 222 commissioned 
officers. The tenth, twenty-seventh and forty-sixth 
regiments were recruited in this immediate locality, 
being in camp first at Springfield. These regiments 
were in active ser\ice in all the armies and in almost 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



every campaign of the war, and iniiforml}- ccndncted 
themselves crcditaljl}-, many of the officers winning pro- 
motion. They were sustained by patriotic utterances 
from their friends at home, every town in the county 
offering a bountj' for recruits, and agreeing to look after, 
and, if necessar}', minister to the wants of their families. 
The county spent $G30,031 for the prosecution of the 
war, besides $34,851 raised by private contributions. A 
" Soldiers' Rest" was maintained at Springfield, and the 
sanitary commissions of the county united in a very 
successful and profitable fair at Springfield in 18G4. 
Several of the towns have memorial monuments for those 
of their sons who fell during the war. 

The countj-, although it is the seat of no college or 
theological seminarj', has plaj'ed an important part in 
the theological development of New England, its doc- 
trinal dissensions being confined to no one communitj' or 
generation. The first pastor at Springfield, Rev. Mr. 
Moxon, had a well-defined case of witchcraft in his own 
family in 164.5, which was the first to occur in New 
England. He is suspected of having left for his home 
in England in disgust, because the alleged witch, one 
Goody Parsons, was acquitted on her trial at Boston. 
"William P3"nchon also, the founder of the settlement, 
was driven out of the Colonj' because of the heretical 
notions of a book he published. The General Court 
deposed him from the magistracj-, ordered the book to be 
publicly burned, and appointed a divine to write a replj' 
to it. After he had returned to England, Mr. P3-nchon 
published another edition of his book, which seems to 
have been quite an able production. A still greater stir 
was caused in the years from 1734 to 1736, concerning 
the installation over the Springfield parish of Rev. 
Robert Brcck, whom some of the ministers considered 
unorthodox. One council refused to ordain him, and 
another, called for the purpose, was broken up hy the 
sheriff", who arrested LIr. Breck on a warrant for heresy, 
which required him to appear at New London for trial. 
He was, however, admitted to bail ; was afterwards 
acquitted on the trial, and installed in 1736, when the 
excitement had quieted down. His lovable disposition, 
and wise management, soon united the church in his 
favor, and he remained in the pastorate fort3--nine years, 
or until his death. In the present centurj' the same church 
was shaken by the Unitarian controversy, which resulted 
in the withdrawal of a large colony to found the present 
Church of the Unity. The Baptist Church in Gran\-ille 
is due to a split in the Congregational Church of the 
town, in the middle of the last centurj', in regard to 
" Stoddardeanism," or the question whether the sacra- 
ment of the Lord's Supper was a converting ordinance. 



An Episcopal Church was organized at Blandford, about 
1795, bj- a faction of the Congregationalists who differed 
from the pastor's views on the subject of unconditional 
election. The Ludlow churches were for many years 
involved in a lawsuit concerning the disposition of cer- 
tain funds for the support of preaching, all of which 
goes to the Congregationalists. The discussion of the 
subject of eternal punishment which extended through 
the whole countrj- in the winter of 1877-8 originated 
in the refusal of a Congregational council to instal a 
pastor over a church at Indian Orchard in Springfield, 
whose views on this subject did not meet their approval. 
The first churches in the county were, of course, of the 
Puritan, or Congregational faith ; but all denominations 
are now represented. The first settlers at Palmer were 
Prcsbj-terians, and established a church of that sect 
there in 1730, which, however, became Congregational 
about 1806. Most of the church-goers in Wales are 
Baptists. The church is still standing on Beech Hill, in 
the south part of Blandford, in which the first ]Mcthodist 
conference east of the Hudson was held. Springfield 
is the episcopal residence for the large Roman Catholic 
diocese of Western Massachusetts. Christ Episcopal 
Church in Springfield has had no less than three rectors 
who have afterwards become bishops: Henry W. Lee, 
A. N. Littlcjohn, and Alexander Burgess. 

Hampden County contains no institutions of learning 
of the highest grade, but it furnishes unsurpassed facili- 
ties for obtaining a common, or preparatory education 
All of the towns support the common schools, and mos 
of them high schools as well, Southwick and AVest 
Springfield having funds for the support of their schools, 
The Roman Catholics maintain separate denominational 
schools at Springfield, Holyoke and Chicopee. West- 
field had an academy from 1800 to 1857, which was 
.started by a town appropriation of $2,000, a subscrip. 
tion of $1,000, and a legislative grant of half a town- 
ship in Maine. It was an important factor in the intel- 
lectual training of most of the towns in the western part 
of the county, and was discontinued because of the 
proximity of other more generously endowed institu- 
tions. Its funds arc accumulating interest, and may yet 
be found useful. The State Normal School at Westfield 
was established there in 1844, having been located for 
five years at Barre, and was the second school of the 
kind in the State. A school of observation is maintained 
in connection with it, and the recent erection of a new 
boarding-hall furnishes the school with an excellent set 
of buildings. Monson Academy was incorporated in 
1804, and the building erected in 1806 by contributions 
of the citizens of the town. This also received a half 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



township of Maine land from the legislature, and is well 
equipped with libraiy, observatory and laboratory. 
There is a fund to aid students preparing for the min- 
istry, and a large number of its graduates have entered 
that calling. The State Primary School is also in the 
northern part of Monson, not far from the Palmer depot, 
and is designed for the education and training of the 
children of State paupers. It has about 500 inmates, 
and a large farm is nm in connection with the school. 
The Hitchcock Free High School at Brimfield was estab- 
lished in 18.55, being endowed by the late Samuel A- 
Hitchcock to the amount of $80,000. The school is free 
to all, including non-residents. Wesleyan Academy, at 
■Wilbraham, claims to be the oldest existing literaiy in- 
stitution under the patronage of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church in America, being established by the New Eng- 
land Conference at New Market, N. H., in 1818, and 
transferred to Wilbraham in 1823. The first principal 
was Rev. Wilbur Fisk, D. D. Both sexes are admitted 
to the benefits of the school, and the institution holds a 
verj' warm place in the hearts of Methodists over a large 
region. The large boarding-hall was twice burned down, 
in 1856 and 1857. There are 214 public schools in the 
county, with buildings valued at $1,119,787. Besides 
the numerous church and school and private circulating 
libraries, there are public libraries at Springfield, Chico- 
pee, Holj-oke, Monson, Palmer, Wilbraham, West 
Springfield and Westfield, containing, altogether, 51,5G8 
volumes and 1,750 pamphlets, and having a 3'earl3' 
circulation of 69,822 books. Two dailj' newspapers are 
published at Springfield, the ' ' Republican " and the 
" Union," the former of which has a national reputation. 
Holj-oke supports two semi- weekUes, the "Transcript" 
and the "News" ; Westfield two weeklies, the "Times" 
and the "Advertiser," and Palmer also has a weekly, 
the " Journal." A weekly agricultural paper, the " New 
England Homestead," is published at Springfield, where 
also are issued the "Fancier's Jomiial," and " Sundaj- 
Afternoon," both monthly. 

The list of distinguished men who have originated in 
Hampden County, or have been closely connected with 
its historj-, is a long and brilliant one, beginning with 
the first settlers. William Pynchon, the leader of the 
Colony, has been already alluded to as a man of educa- 
tion and ability. His son John, who was called "The 
worshipful Major Pynchon," had even more stiiking 
talents in some respects than his father. He was re- 
spected as a magistrate, and was a man of remarkable 
business energ}-, being connected prominently with all 
the schemes of his daj- for the development of the region. 
Dea. Samuel Chapin, one of the earl}' settlers, is notable, 



if for nothing else, by the fact that he is supposed to be 
the ancestor of all in America bearing his name. A 
large reunion of the family was held at Springfield in 
1802. The county has been paiticularly fortunate in se- 
curing clergj-men of high ability. Besides Mr. Moxon 
and Mr. Breck, the Springfield Church had Pelatiah 
Grover, Daniel Brewer, and Bezaleel Howard, all of 
whom stood high among their clerical brethren ; and 
these were succeeded by Rev. Dr. Samuel Osgood, — 
their sis pastorates reaching to 1854, or 218 years from 
the founding of the church. Dr. Osgood was possessed 
of great energy, and conducted his church through the 
trying days of the Unitarian controversy and the Anti- 
Slavery agitation, being himself an ardent Abolitionist. 
Rev. W. B. O. Peabody, the first pastor of the Unitarian 
Church in Springfield, to which he preached for 27 years, 
had rare poetic ability, and left a lasting memorial in the 
beautiful cemeter}', which was secured through his efforts. 
The South Congregational Church, of Springfield, had, 
for its first pastor. Rev. Dr. Noah Porter, now president 
of Yale College, and his successor. Rev. Dr. S. G. Buck- 
ingham, is still serving after a term of more than 30 
jxars. Dr. Stephen Williams, the first minister of Long- 
meadow, was the son of Rev. John Williams of Deer- 
field, and was earned into capti^ity by the Indians when 
he was 11 j'cars old, and his sister, who was captured at 
the same time, became so enamored of the savage life 
that she could not be induced to return to civilization. 
He was settled at Longmcadow in 1716, and continued 
as pastor 66 years, when he died in his ninetieth year. 
He was succeeded hy Richard Salter StoiTS, whose pas- 
torate extended over the other third of a centurj-. His 
son was an eminent minister, and lived to an advanced 
age at Braintree, and his grandson is the present famous 
preacher of Brooklyn, New York, all three having the 
same name. Dr. Joseph Lathrop, of West Springfield, 
was one of the most remarkable divines that has lived in 
the Connecticut Valley, both in the quality and amount 
of his work. He was ordained over the church in 1754, 
and continued as pastor until 1818, when he asked for a 
colleague. He wrote 5,000 sermons, of which seven 
octavo volumes were published. He was succeeded for 
10 3"ears bj' Rev. Dr. W. B. Sprague, afterwards of Al- 
bam-, who, besides the duties of a busy and fruitful 
ministerial life, performed a large amount of excellent 
literary work. * Rev. Dr. Timothy M. Coolcj-, a native 
of Granville, was pastor of the Congregational Church in 
that town from 1 795 to 1854. The same town also pro- 
duced Rev. Lemuel ILaj-nes, a colored preacher, who 

• Spraguc's Pulpit Annals are well kno-mi. 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



died in 1833, at the age of 80, and is said to have 
been marvellously- eloquent. Rev. Gordon Hall, one of 
the pioneers in American Foreign Missions, was born 
in the part of Granville that is now Tolland, and 
died in India in 182G, at the age of 42. His son 
has been a pastor at Northampton since 1852. Another 
eminent missionary was Rev. Justin Perkins, who was 
born in Ireland Parish, now a part of Holj'oke, in 1805, 
was ordained as a missionary in 1833, and spent 36 j-ears 
in the Nestorian field, where he translated the entire 
Bible into modern Syriac, and published a number of 
books. Among the preachers that have occupied the 
pulpit of the Ludlow Congregational Church was Elijah 
Iledding, afterwards senior bishop of the Methodist 
Chui'ch, who made his residence at Ludlow during the 
3'ear 1811 while serving as presiding elder. N. E. Cob- 
leigh, afterwards president of Appleton University in 
Wisconsin, and editor of " Zion's Herald," organized 
the Methodist Chm-ch at Tliomdike, in Palmer, in 1847. 
Dr. Mark Trafton, a prominent Methodist preacher, has 
had a number of appointments in the count3-, and was 
once representative to Congress from the eleventh district. 
Rev. Dr. Emerson Davis of Westfield was an important 
figure in that vicinitj' for many years. He was connected 
with the Westfield Academy from 1824 to 1835, when he 
left to become the colleague of Mr. Knapp in the pas- 
torate of the First Congregational Church, in which posi- 
tion he continued until his sudden death in 1866, being 
always a prominent adviser in the cause of education.* 

The Hampden Count}' bar also presents a list of names 
that are justly a matter of pride. Col. John Woi-thing- 
ton has already' been mentioned, whose transcendent 
ability was counteracted by his Tor}' principles during 
the Revolution, in the estimation of his fellow-citizens. 
Isaac C. Bates was a native of Granville, and was a 
graceful, convincing orator, either before a jury or on 
the rostrum. He served several terms in the national 
House of Representatives, and five years in the Senate. 
While a member of the latter bod}-, in 1845, he delivered 
an impassioned address against the admission of Texas, 
then sank down, and lived but a few days. George 
Bliss was a native of Springfield, born in 1 764. He was 
a deeply studious lawj'er, served in both branches of the 
legislature, and was a member of the Hartford Convention 
of 1814. He left two valuable addresses on local his- 
tory. His son, of the same name, was largely instru- 
mental in getting the railroad route from Boston to 
Albany laid through Springfield. Oliver B. Morris was 
a native of Wilbraham and a graduate of Williams. He 

• In this list of Hampden County notables, it would seem that Dr. 
Ide, for many years the popular pastor of the First Baptist Church in 



was prosecuting attornej-, register of probate, and then, 
for more than a quarter of a century, judge of probate, 
in which office his fairness shone forth conspicuously. 
He was fond of antiquarian and literary pursuits, and 
devoted his closing years entirely to these, d^-iug in 
1871, at the age of 88. John Mills, a native of 
Sandisfield, married a daughter of Col. Enos Foot of 
Southwick, and settled in that town, being admitted to 
the bar in 1815. He finally left his profession to engage 
in commercial pursuits. He was president of the State 
Senate, and was talked of for the United States Senate, 
being popularly known as " Honest John Mills." Pat- 
rick Boise, a native of Blandford, was a graduate of 
Williams, and was admitted to the bar in the same year 
with Mr. Mills. He served as sherifi", also in both 
branches of the legislature, and in the governor's coun- 
cil. He spent the last thirty years of his life at West- 
field, where he died in 1850. George Ashmun, who died 
at Springfield in 1870, was admitted to the bar in 1830. 
After a few years his attention was diverted from his 
practice by politics and other employments. He served 
several terms in Congress. He was chairman of the 
Republican n.ttional convention of 1860 which nominated 
Lincoln for the presidency ; and, curiously enough, Mr. 
Ashmun received from the President the last line that be 
wrote before leaving for the theatre where he was assas- 
sinated. Reuben Atwater Chapman was born at Rus- 
sell in 1801. With no more preparation than could be 
gained in the district schools, as pupil and teacher, and 
in a debating society, while clerk in a store at Bland- 
ford, he began the study of law, and was admitted to 
practice in 1825. After failing to get enough business 
at either Westfield or Monson, he moved to Ware in 
1829, but went to Springfield a year later to enter into a 
partnership with George Ashmun, which lasted until 
1850. Mr. Chapman became a judge of the Supreme 
Court in 1860, and chief justice in 1868, d3'ing in 1873 
at Lake Luzerne, Switzerland, having shown by his 
career the splendid results attainable b}' industry' and 
perseverance. Caleb Rice, admitted to the bar in 1819, 
settled in West Springfield, represented the town in both 
houses of the legislature, was sheriff from 1831 to 1851, 
and then moved to Springfield, where he was elected the 
first mayor under the city charter. WUliam B. Calhoun 
was also drawn from the practice of the law by a love of 
politics. He was a representative in Congress for many 
years, was speaker of the State House of Representa- 
tives from 1828 to 1835, was president of the Senate for 
two years, and was mayor of Springfield. John Wells, 

Springfield, should he mentioned. He wag a prominent man in his 
denomination, and an exceptionably able and eloquent preacher. — Ed. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



a graduate ofWilliams College, settled in Chicopee in 
1841. For twentj'-five years he was a prominent member 
of the Hampden Count}' bar, and judge of probate and 
insolvencj' from 1858 to 1866, when he was appointed a 
justice of the Supreme Judicial Court. He was a man 
of great kindness, well-digested learning, and fearless 
independence. He died in 1871, at the age of 56. 

Gen. William Shepard of Westfield, who acted so 
creditably in crushing the Shays Rebellion, showed ad- 
mirable qualities as a soldier and citizen. He ser\-ed six 
years under Gen. Abercrombie, and, at the breaking out 
of the Revolution, was commissioned as lieutenant- 
colonel. He was wounded at the battle of Long Island, 
and went through twenty-two battles during the war. 
He was afterwards a State representative, senator, and 
councillor, and several times a member of Congress, and 
a commissioner to treat with the Penobscot Indians. 
Notwithstanding the many offices he held, his honesty 
was incorruptible, and he lived, and died, in moderate 
circumstances. Oliver Phelps a native of Granville, 
and at first a servant boy, became a commissary in the 
Revolutionary army, and rendered seridces of which 
Washington made distinct acknowledgment. Mr. Phelps 
afterwards, with Nathaniel Gorham, bought the county 
of Genesee in New York State, opened it up for settle- 
ment, and represented the district in Congress. Another 
pioneer enterprise from Gran-Nalle was the settling of 
Granville, O., by a colony under the leadership of 
Timothy Rose. The western namesake of the Hampden 
County hill-town contains a college and two academies, 
and is an unusually intelligent and well-behaved com- 
munity'. Gen. William Eaton of Brimfield filled a large 
portion of the public eye in his day, being a verj- bril- 
liant but eccentric militarj' hero. After serving in the 
army sis years, he resigned his commission, and was 
appointed consul to Tunis in 1798, where he remained 
for four years, conducting negotiations for the protection 
of commerce on the Mediterranean, and receiving a 
tribute from the King of Denmark for services rendered 
that country. When war was declared against Tripoli, 
he returned to Africa in 1805, and organized an expedi- 
tion in the interest of Hemet Bashaw, the rightful sov- 
ereign of Tripoli, which involved a march of 600 miles 
across the the desert of Barca. By the co-operation of 
the fleet, the city of Deme was taken, and the American 
consul made use of the panic which followed to conclude 
a treaty with the Bashaw, much to Eaton's disgust, 
who wanted to see Hemet restored to the throne. On 
his return to this countrj' Aaron Burr offered Eaton the 
second post in his projected kingdom, which offer he dis- 
closed, and was a witness for the government at the trial 



for treason. John Brown, the anti-slaverj' martjT, was 
a resident of Springfield from 1846 to 1849, being 
engaged in the wool business, and also doing consider- 
able work on the underground railway. Dea. A. W. 
Porter of Monson, who died in 1877, was a life-long friend 
of abolitionism, and also of education. He contributed 
liberally to Mt. Holyoke Seminary, Monson Academy, 
and other institutions. Whiting Street, a miserly bache- 
lor of Holj'oke, who died in 1878, left a large sum of 
monej' to charities, $106,000 going to various towns for 
the benefit of the worthy poor. Perhaps the most emi- 
nent citizen that Springfield ever produced was Samuel 
Bowles, editor of the " RepubHoan," who died in 1878, 
at the age of fifty-two, having had charge of the dailypaper 
ever since its issue was begun, thirty -three years before. 
His father founded the weekly " Republican," and the 
chief part of his education was obtained in the news- 
paper office. He esteemed the position of journalist 
higher than any public honor. Bj- the almost universal 
testimonj' of his contemporaries at his death, he was the 
foi'emost journalist of his day, and did more to elevate 
the profession than an}' other man. Dr. J. G. Holland, 
the well-known writer, was associated with Mr. Bowles 
in the management of the " Republican," for manj' 
3'ears. Chester W. Chapin, the millionaire, ex-president 
of the Boston and Albanj- Railroad, is a native of Ludlow. 
He began life bj' trading in a small way at Chicopee, and 
trucking at Springfield. He became interested in stage 
lines, and afterwards in steam-boat na^-igation between 
Springfield and Hartford, which business paid immense 
profits. When railroads were introduced he was one of 
the first to be interested. His profits have been invested 
in various directions, and he own shares in several 
transportation companies and manufacturing concerns. 
He was elected to Congress in 1874 at the age of seventy- 
six, and was the oldest member of the House. He held 
the presidency of the Western or Boston and Albany 
Railroad from 1854 to 1878. 

Towns. * 
Springfield, the capital of Hampden County, is a 
beautiful, industrial, and progressive cit}', ninety-eight 
miles south-west of Boston, by the Boston and Albany 
R.iilrond, having a population of 31,053. It is finely 
situated on the left bank of the Connecticut River, and 
embraces many elegant public buildings and private 
residences, together with the ample grounds and struct- 
ures of the United States Armory, established here in 
1795. There are several handsome ponds at Indian 

•.The following description of the towns of Hampden County is 
talien from Nason's " Gazetteer of Massachusetts." — Ed. 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



Orchard, which find an outlet into Chicopee River ; and 
Mill River, with its branches, drains the central parts of 
the citj-, and furnishes important motive-power. 

Springfield is the grand railroad and commercial cen- 
tre for the western section of the State, and is admirably 
situated for the transaction of mercantile or industrial 
business. The Boston and Albanj-, the Hartford, New- 
Haven and Springfield, and the Connecticut River rail- 
roads, come together here, and give the citj' immediate 
and direct communication with every other city in the 
country-. An immense amount of freight and tra\-ol 
passes through or terminates at this central point. The 
principal avenue, and seat of business, is Main Street, 
which extends along the 
river to tlie distance of 
about three miles. It is a 
broad and beautiful ave- 
nue, shaded with trees, 
and flanked with hand- 
some buildings, generally 
of brick. In the centre 
of the cit}' there is a beau- 
tiful square for prome- 
nade, adorned with shade- 
trees, and with winding 
walks and alleys. Among 
the conspicuous buildings 
are the new court house 
(of granite) , the city hall, 
the city library (a hand- 
some structure, built of 
brick, with yellow-stone 
trimmings, and containing 
about 40,000 volumes), 
the Unitarian and Memo- 
rial churches, the vaiious 
school-houses, the Massasoit House, and the Ilaynes 
House, together with the solid brick structures of the 
Armory. The industries of the place are remarkably 
varied, almost every trade and mechanic art being 
represented. Among tlie manufactures may be men- 
tioned cotton and woollen goods (to a limited extent) , 
mechanics' tools, hollow-ware, hand-cards, steam-engines 
and boilers, railroad-coaches, locks, buttons, paper col- 
lars, jewelry, military goods, photographic albums, pis- 
tols and other fire-arms, cartridges, bricks in large 
quantities, boxes, sashes and blinds, India-rubber goods, 
and numerous other articles. The Smith & Wesson 
Pistol Company, and the N. E. Card and Paper 
Company, are very large establishments. The United 
States Arsenal and Armory-, situated on Arsenal Hill, 




PUBLIC LIBRARY, SPBlNGFIEI.l). 



about half a mile east of Main Street, is enclosed in a 
square of about 20 acres. The buildings are sub- 
stantially constructed of brick, and contain vast stores 
of fire-arms, arranged in perfect order, and ready for 
immediate use. From the tower of one of the buildings, 
a magnificent view of the city and the suburbs may be 
had. The workshops, comprising about 20 water- 
wheels and 30 forges, are on Miller's River, in the 
southern part of the cit^'. 

Springfield has an excellent sj'stem of public schools, 
now mider the superintendence of Mr. A. P. Stone. 
The city has seven banks for discount, two for savings, 
various civic and benevolent institutions, and two very 
ably conducted public 
journals — "The Repub- 
lican" and " The Union." 
Tlio churches, more than 
20 iu number, are gener- 
ally well constructed and 
commodious. 

Among the eminent 
men, not previousl}' men- 
tioned, who have origi- 
nated in Springfield, are 
Enos Hitchcock, D. D. 
(1744-1803), an able di- 
vine and author ; Calvin 
Chapin, D. D. (17G3- 
1851), an eloquent and j 
earnest preacher ; Wil- 
Uam Harris, D.D. (17C5- 
1829), president of Col- 
umbia College for eighteen 
years ; Rev. Francis War- 
riner (1805-1S66,) an 
able writer ; "VVorthington 
Hooker, M. D. (1806-1867), an author ; David A. Wells 
( 1828 ) , an editor and author ; and the late Hon. Benjamin 
F. Wade, a distinguished United States Senator. 

HoLYOKE is a new, enterprising, and rapidly-increasing 
city, lying on the right bank of the Connecticut River, in 
the extreme north-central part of Hampden County, and 
contains a population of 16,260 inhabitants. It was 
formerly the northern section of West Springfield, and 
was incorporated as a town March 11, 1850; and as a 
city Jlay 29, 1873. 

The remarkable growth and prosperity of this city are 
due almost wholly to the great hyckaulic power derived 
from the Coimccticut River. 

It is only within a few years that this power has been 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



controlled, and made subsenuent to the will of man. 
Until 1847, the fall of. the Connecticut at South Hadlcy, 
which is about sixtj' feet, was neglected. At that time 
a party of capitalists from Boston obtained the uicorpo- 
poration of the Hadley Falls Company, the purpose of 
which was to construct a dam across the river, and one 
or more locks and canals, by means of which a water- 
power might be created for the use of this company in the 
manufacture of articles from cotton, wool, iron, wood, 
and other materials, and for the purposes of na-\ngation. 

Four million dollars was the capital stock of this corpo- 
ration, divided into shares of $000 each. 

It also had authority to hold real estate not exceeding 
in value $500,000. This company bought the entire 
property and franchise of the Proprietois of the Locks 
and Canals on the Connecticut River, and purchased the 
fishing-rights above, and 1,100 acres of land where now 
stands the city of Holyoke. The dam was constructed 
in 1848, but in sucli an unsubstantial manner, that, in a 
few hours after the gates were shut, it was swept away. 
The next j'ear, the company, nothing daunted, con- 
structed the present dam, which is a grand triumph of 
skill and art in the control of a magnificent natural 
power. The length of this structure is 1,017 feet, or 
about one-fifth of a mile. The abutments at either end 
are of solid masonry, both together measuring 13,000 
square rods. Four million feet of timber are contained 
in the structure ; all of which, being under water, is pro- 
tected from decaj'. 

During the construction of the dam, the water was 
allowed to flow through gates in it, 16 by 18 feet, of 
which there were 46 in all. When the work was finished, 
at twentj--two minutes before one o'clock in the afternoon 
of Oct. 22, 1849, the engineer gave the signal, and half 
the gates were closed. Another signal immediatel}' fol- 
lowed, and the alternate gutes were also closed. The 
river ceased its flow, until its waters, gradually collecting, 
rose upon the face of the dam, and finally fell in a broad 
sheet over its crest. 

Since the construction of this dam in 1849, the town 
and cit}- of Holyoke have come into existence ; and the 
cit}- is now one of our most important inland manufactur- 
ing centres, containing some of the largest, most costly, 
and well-arranged modern mill*, with the latest improved 
machinery, to be found in the country. From these busy 

• By the last statistical report on the industry of the State, this town 
had seven cotton-mills, with 114,208 spindles, employing 1,218 persons; 
one woollen-mill, with one set of machinery, and 23 persons ; one fiu- 
nace, cmployini? 40 persons ; two brass-foundiics, employing 400 per- 
sons ; one establishment for making military equipments, mail-ljags, &c., 
carried on by 250 hands ; one also for small-arms, giving employment to 
2-50 persons; one lock manufactory, to 41 persons; aud four tin- ware 



workshops great quantities of cotton and woollen cloths, 
paper, thread, and other textile goods, are annually sent 
forth. The number of mills is five cotton, fifteen paper, 
three woollen, and two thread, affording steady employ- 
meat to a large number of male and female operatives. 
A writer sajs, " The city, celebrated for the fine paper 
made there, has fourteen paper mills, with a nominal 
capital of $1,500,000, which give employment to 2,000 
opera! ives. Tliree large cotton factories, whose aggre- 
gate capital is $1,930,000, employ 1,900 hands ; and two 
threatl-mills, with $950,000 capital, employ 800 opera- 
tives. Three woollen mills, employ 450 men ; and the 
Holyoke Ma<-hine Works give work to 250 men. Tlio 
Holyoke Water-power Company also gives emplo^Tuent 
to many persons. The Holyoke Lumber Company is 
also in successful operation, its first drive of 15,000,000 
logs having been brought down in July, 1872." 

The city has two national and two savings banks. 
The Hadley Falls National Bank and the Holyoke 
National Bank have each an aggregate capital of $400,- 
000. 

There are nine religious societies having churches, 
many of them commodious and tasteful structures. 

Tiie city has a new and elegant city hall, one high 
school and thirty-two graded schools, a public library of 
5,000 volumes, a lyceum, a farmers' club, and two 
newspapers. The Ingleside House, on the margin of 
the river, is a quiet retreat, which commands a \ievf of 
some very charming scenen,-. 

The railroad lines passing through the city are the 
Connecticut River, and the Holyoke and Weslfield. The 
water-supplj- is pure and abundant. 

CmcoPEE, one of the most important manufacturing 
towns of Hampden County, contains 10,335 inhabitants. 
The land is generally level, and the soil productive. 
The Chicopee River, which here unites with the Connecti- 
cut, affords a very superior hydraulic power, to which the 
town is mainly indebted for its prosperit}- and wealth. 

The manufacturing interests of this place are very 
important, and multitudes of people, among whom there 
is a strong foreign element, find emplo^-ment in the ex- 
tensive industrial establishments whoso varied machinery 
is driven by tiie motive-power of the Chicopee River.* 

The town has three postal centres, — Chicopee, Chico- 

establishmcnts, in which 11 hands were laboring; together with estab- 
lishments for making power-loom harnesses, boots and shoes, clothing, 
brooms, hair-pins, soap, and other articles. The Dwight Manufactming 
Company have now seven large cotton-mills ; the Ames Manufacturing 
Company make bronze statues of excellent quality ; and the Chicopee 
Manufacturing Company make cotton-flannels and other textile goods, 
which stand high in the market. 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



pee Falls, and Willimansctt, a thriving village opposite 
the eit3' of Holj-okc, — and is accommodated b^' the Con- 
necticut Eiver Railroad, -which runs along its western 
border, crossing the Connecticut at Willimansett ; and 
also bj' a branch railroad -which extends from C'hicopce 
along the left bank of Chicopee Eiver to Chicopce Falls. 
The vie-w of this village from the high bluffs on the right 
bank of the river is remarkably beautiful. A recentlj-- 
erectcd cotton-mill is the largest in the western part of 
the State. The structure is 425 feet long, 195 feet deep, 
and has a capacity of about 600 horse-po-wcr. The 
Belcher & Taylor Company, at the Falls, manufacture 
a remarkable variety of agricultural implements. 

The town has twent3"-flve public schools, of which two 
are high schools ; a bank of discount (with a capital of 
$150,000), a bank for savings, an efficient fire depart- 
ment, an elegant town hall, 
and nine churches. The first 
minister, Eev. John McKin- 
stry, ordained in 1752, sus- 
tained the relation of pastoi 
61 3'ears. 

Westfield is a large and 
flourishing town, of 8,431 in- 
habitants, on Westfield Eiver. 
in tlie westerlj' part of Hamp- 
shire Count}-, 10 miles from 
Springfield. The Boston and 
Albany and the New Haven 
and Northampton railroads 
intersect each other at the 

Centre. The most prominent elevation is Pochassic Hill, 
a beautiful and sightl}' eminence north-west of the Centre. 
The Westfield Eiver, a clear and rapid stream, flows 
through tlie central section, giving valuable hydraulic 
power. The scenic aspect of the place is verj- beautiful. 
The Centre occupies a valley, or basin, encircled by 
wooded hills and bluffs, and is supposed to have been, in 
forni'-r times, the bed of a lake, whose waters broke 
through the IMount Tom range of highlands, and dis- 
charged themselves into the Connecticut Eiver. The 
abrupt declivit}', the forest-crowned heights, the river, 
and the glen, conspire to form a landscape of unusual 
beauty. There are seven saw-mills, which have prepared 
as many as 895,000 feet of timber and 475,000 shingles 
for market in a j-ear. The manufactures consist of 
wliips, organs, parts of piano-fortes, writing and wrap- 
ping papers, trunks, coaches, clothing, powder, brick, 
cigar-boxes, and many other articles. There are in 
this flourishing town two banks of discount and two 




banking-houses, a good town hall, a pubhc librarj-, 
and two well-edited public journals. The educational 
advantages of the place are excellent. The town is 
divided into twenty school districts, and sustains an 
efliciont high school. Oue of the State normal schools is 
established at this place. The town has five handsome 
church buildings. Many of the public and private edi- 
fices are of beautiful architectural design. The streets 
are ornamented with ancient trees, and the sidewalks 
paved with concrete. The water supply is excellent. 
A monument has been erected to the soldiers who lost 
their lives in the service of the countrj' during the late 
war. 

Edward Bancroft, a writer of considerable abilitj', was 
born in this place Jan. 9, 1744, and died in England, 
Sept. 8, 1820. Thomas Bangs Thorpe, a painter and 
author of some celebrit}', was 
born here March 1, 1815. 

W E 3T Speingfield extends 
nlong the right bank of the 
Connecticut Eiver, embracing 
a n< h alluvial valley, flanked 
b\ wild and wooded eminences 
on the west. A bridge over 
llip Connecticut River cou- 
nt cts the town with Spring- 
full on the east. BlackBrook, 
m outlet of Ashley's Pond in 
Hohokc, and on which there 
IS I paper-mill, drains the 
westerly section of the town. 
The number of inhabitants is 3,739. The culture of 
garden vegetables for market, and of tobacco, engrosses 
much attention. The town has one cotton mill of 20,000 
spindles, employing about 300 persons, and two paper- 
mills, with an aggregate capital of $200,000. Wagons, 
sleighs, and carriages are also manufactured here. The 
town has a new town hall, a public library of 1,300 
volumes, a good high school, and six church edifices. 

MoNSON is a verj' large and beautiful town, of 3,733 
inhabitants, situated in the south-easterly part of Hamp- 
den Count}'. It is accommodated by the New London 
Northern Railroad, which passes through its centre. The [ 
Boston and Albany Riukoad runs tlirough its northern | 
section. Large quantities of gneiss, known as " gran- 
ite," are quarried here, and used for building purposes. 
The scenic aspect of the town is very fine. Moon Moun- 
tain, in the south-west, is a handsome eminence, and 
Peaked Mountain, in the same quarter, rising to the j 



^^^^^M^^^^ 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 




height of 1,239 feet, commands a prospect of great 
extent and bcaut3-. A narrow valley, abounding in rich 
meadows and streamlets, extends from north to south 
entirely through the township. 

A pleasant streamlet flows northerlj', draining the cen- 
tral part of the town, and allording good nnll ])ii\ lU ses. 
The Chicopee River, which wa^^lu ^ 1 w i 'i 'i n in 
border, is here a swift 
and valuable stream. 
In addition to agri- 
cultural, lumbering, 
and quarrying inter- 
ests, Monson has six 
woollen mills, having 
two sets of machinery 
each, and a verj' large 
hat and bonnet manu- 
factory. It has a 
national bank, three 
churches, a farmers' 
club, eleven public 
schools, and a first- 
class institution, known as " Monson Academy." * The 
State Primarj'' School, formerly the State Almshouse, is 
located in this pleasant town. 

Monson was a favorite resort of the Indians, and 
arrow-heads are fre- ^^ _ , _ _ ,-^^_ 

quently found. The 
remains of an Indian 
were exhumed sev- 
eral years ago in the 
valle3'on the left bank 
of the Chicopee River 
He was found in a sit 
ting position, with a 
gun and bottle by his 
side. 

James Lj-man Mer- 
rick, a missionarj 
and author, was born 
here Oct. 11, 1803, 
and died in Amherst, June 1.^, IsbO. This town was 
the residence of the late Chief Justice Reuben A. Chap- 
man, who died, greatly lamented, in 1873. 

Monson is noted as having been long the residence of 
Mrs. Phoebe Hinsdale Brown, author of the well-known 

sacred Ij-ric, « I love to steal awhile away," 



• This institution was long in charge of that eminent instructor, the 
late Rev. Charles Hammond, A. M. Mr. Hammond was bora in 
Union, Conn., June 15, 1813 ; was graduated from Yale in 1S39, and at 
once took charge of Monson Academy, where, excepting a few years 




BOABBQJQ-UOCaE, 1VXLBHAHASI ACADOIT, wtthraham 



and other hj-mns. A son is a missionary to Japan, and a 
translator of the Bible into the Japanese language. 

WiLBRAHAM lies in the south-eastern part of Hampden 
County, on the Boston and Albany Railroad. 

The local scenery is rtmaikably beautiful; the land 
ling glades and valleys, or rising 
into picturesque emi- 
~ ncnces, from or near 

which small stream- 
lets flow in various di- 
rections through the 
territory. The Chic- 
opee River washes 
the entii-e northern 
border. Rattlesnake 
Hill, which has an 
altitude of 1.077 feet, 
rises grandly on the 
Connecticut line. A 
" range of hills extends | 

from this point north- 
erly and centrally nearly through the town. The number 
of inhabitants is 2,576. The principal business of the 
people is agriculture. There is a large paper-mill 
at Collins Depot. The Wesleyan Academy, a flourish- 
=_„,-_ -_.,„.„^_^„ . ing literary institu- 

tion, is located here. 
The Rev. Rufus P. 
Stebbins, D.D., adis- 
tinguished preacher, 
is a native of AVilbra- 
ham. John Stearns, \ 
M.D., a noted phy- 
sician, was bom here 
in 1770, and died 
March 18, 1848. 

Palmer is a pop- 
ulous and thriving 
town, occupjang the 
north-west extremity of Hampden County, and contain- 
ing 4, .572 inhabitants. Its form is quite irregular, and 
from this circumstance it originally bore the name of 
'•The Elbows." The New London and Northern, the 
Ware River, the Belchertow^n and Amherst, and the 
Boston and All^any railroads, meet at Palmer Depot, in 

passed at Andover in theological study, and eleven years devoted to the | 
cause of education as the principal of the Lawrence Academy at 
Groton, he continued successfully to labor until his death, which took 
place Nov. 7, 187S. 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



the southerly part, and afford unusual facilities for travel 
and the transportation of merchandise. There is a 
mineral spring of some celebritj' on the right bank of the 
Chicopoe River, in the easterlj' part of the town ; and 
Pattaquattic Ponds, on the left banks of "Ware River, are 
very beautiful. Colonel's Mountain rises to the height 
of 1 , 1 72 feet in the extreme north-east. Tlie water-power 
is vcrj- valuable, and well employed. It is formed by the 
Chieopee River (which sweeps for several miles around 
the southern border) and the Ware and Swift rivers 
(which meet the Chieopee at the village of Three Rivers 
on the western line). Few towns have such an affluence 
of river scenerj^ and water-power, and, as a result of it, 
pleasant manufacturing villages have sprung up in differ- 
ent localities through the town. Bj' the last statistical 
report, there were three cotton mills, having an aggre- 
gate of 40,128 spindles, and emplojing 411 persons ; one 
woollen miU, one scythe manufactorj-, one furnace for 
hollow ware, and four saw -mills. The other manufactures 
are clothing, coaches, medicines, boots and shoes, churns 
and reeds, and cabinet ware. 

Palmer has a public high school, and fifteen schools 
of a lower grade, a bank for savings, and a well-con- 
ducted newspaper. 

The Rev. Zephaniah Swift Moore, D. D., first presi- 
dent of Amherst College, was born here Nov. 20, 1770, 
and died at Amherst, June 30, 1823. 

Agawam, a very beautiful town of 2,248 inhabitants, 
lies in the southern part of Hampden County, on the B. 



and A. R. R. The land in the eastern part is level or 
undulating ; in the western, hilly and broken. Proven's 
Hill, rising to the height of 6G5 feet in the north-western 
section, affords a magnificent view of the valley of the 
Westfield River, of the city of Springfield, and the towns 
adjoining. An affluent of the Connecticut River, nui- 
ning through the central village, furnishes valuable mo- 
tive-power. The soil is rich, and of easy cultivation. 
Tobacco is one of the most valuable productions. The 
principal manufactures are paper and woollen goods. 
The town has eleven public schools and three churches. 
"Feeding Hills" is a pleasant village in the western 
part of the town. 

The other towns in the county are mainly agricultural, 
and are as follows: Longmeadow (population, 1,4G7), 
Ludlow (1,222), Granville (1,240), Chester (1,30G), 
Brimficld (1,201), Southwick (1,114), "Wales (1,020), 
Blandford (964), Russell (643), Tolland (4y2), Mont- 
gomery (304), and Holland (334). Hampden, formerly 
South Wilbraham, was set off from Wilbraham in 1878. 
It has a small population and some manufactures. 

Ludlow has important manufacturing establishments 
in the thriving village of Jenksville, on the Chieopee 
River. 

Among the eminent persons, natives of the above- 
named towns, are Col. Timothy Danielson, a Revolu- 
tionary officer (Brimficld, 1733-91) ; Hon. Eli P. Ash- 
mun, U. S. senator (Blandford, 1770-1819) ; Rufus P. 
Ranney (1813) ; and Gamaliel S. Olds, a scholar and 
divine (Granville, 1777-1848). 



HAMPSHIRE COUNTY. 



BY MRS. S. F. WHITE. 



Hampshire Codnty, named from Hampshire, Eng., 
when first organized, in 1662, included the whole of 
Western Massachusetts, embracing the Connecticut Val- 
ley—the Eden of New England — and the beautiful 
mountains which gird the western portion of the State. 
For many years its boundaries were very indefinite. In 
1731 Worcester County was formed, taking a portion of 
Hampshire County on the east, and thenceforth giving it 
a definite eastern boundary. In May, 1761, the western 
part of Hampshire County was set off, and became 
Berkshire County. Again, in 1811, the dissecting- 



knife of State authority was applied to old Hampshire, 
and Hampden County was formed from its southern 
section. In 1812 Hampshire was divided yet a fourth 
time, and the northern portion was made Franklin 
Count}'. 

Hampshire is thus the honored mother of Worcester, 
Berkshu-c, Hampden, and Franklin. The hills which lie 
thickly scattered over the western half of the county 
seem like detached and broken links from the main 
Green Mountain chain, and, if less grand, are not infe- 
rior in rugged beauty to their more elevated northern 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



kindred. The most widelj' known, though not the 
highest within the county, are Mount Tom, west of the 
Connecticut, 1,214 feet high, and Jlount Ilol^okc, on 
tlie east side of the river, 1,120 feet high. The latter 
has been pronounced tlic gem of Massachusetts moun- 
tains. It has long been a favorite resort of excursion- 
ists, especiallj' of all lovers of nature. Conveyance up 
its steep ascent is provided bj' a kind of railway, and a 
hotel on its summit affords the numerous visitors rest 
and refreshment. These magnificent natural observa- 
tories overlook that whicli, to her myriad lovers, is 
" The sweetest stream that flows. 
Winding and willow-fringed Connecticut," 

its broad vallej' covered with thriving villages and culti- 
vated fields, and threaded with highways and railways. 

The first settlement in tlie present Hampshire Count}' 
was made at Northampton, in 1654. Eigliteen j-ears 
pre-saous, a little company from Roxbury, obtaining 
from the General Court permission to remove, took up 
their line of march for the "far west," then the rich 
vallej' of the Great River of New England. This Uttle 
band of adventurers made Springfield Iheir home, and 
became the nucleus of ci\dlized society in Western Mas- 
sachusetts. Northampton was the first outgrowth of its 
pioneer spiiit. The territory in which the new settle- 
ment was embraced was known as Nonotuck, and in- 
cluded the present towns of Northampton, Easthampton, 
Southampton, Westhampton, and a portion of Hatfield 
and Montgomer}'. 

According to the custom usually adopted by the earl}' 
settlers of New England, the Indian title was extin- 
guished by formal purchase. The deed was given in 
1G58, by Wanhillona, Nenessahalant, Nassieochec, and 
four other Indians, to John Pynchon, Elizur Ilolj'oke, 
and Samuel Chapin, Springfield commissioners. The 
price paid for the entire territory' of Nonotuck was " one 
hundred fathoms of wampum, ten coats, some small 
gifts, and plowing up of sixteen acres of land on the 
east side of the river." 

It is supposed that Northampton was incorporated as 
a town in the first j'ear of its settlement, in 1654. The 
records show that in the following year, town officers 
were elected called " townsmen," — a board answering 
to our selectmen, though with larger powers and wider 
discretion. 

The settlement of Hadley was five j-ears later than 
that of Northampton, and was made by an organized 
body of men from Hartford, Conn., the special occasion 

• An instance is given of a good deacon who vigorously protested 
when arrangements were in process for warming the church, and not 
being able to convince his brethi-en of the absurdity of thcu: procedure, 



of tlicir removal being an unhappj- diflference as to the 
proper qualifications for the ordinance of baptism and 
church membership. For the sake of peace, one party 
to the controversy concluded to leave Hartford and plant 
themselves together in a new settlement. To this end, 
under the lead of John Webster, the governor of Con- 
necticut, and Rev. John Russel of Weathersfield, sixty 
persons resolved to remove from Connecticut to Massa- 
chusetts. 

The territorj' allotted to them by the General Court, 
all included in the original town of " Hadleigh," com- 
passed in its ample bounds the present towns of Hadley, 
Hatfield, South Hadley, Amherst, and Granbj'. The 
founders of the Hadley settlement were men of means, 
character, and exi^erience. They employed Capt. P3n- 
chon to complete their title to the plantation bj- purchase 
of the Indians. 

On the 9th of November, 1659, seven "townsmen," 
or selectmen, were chosen, — William Westwood, Na- 
thaniel Dickinson, Lemuel Smith, Thomas Studlej'. 
John White, Richard Goodman and Nathaniel Wai'd, — 
those of the companj- who had not then removed from 
Hartford, as well as the actual settlers, participating in 
the election. These worthy pioneers, though burdened 
with toil and surrounded by danger, were not forgetful 
to make earlj' provision for public worship. As thev 
were able, thej' began with little log meeting-houses, in 
which a fire was unknown, even in the coldest season, 
save onlj' in the foot-stoves of the more fortunate ladies. 
The poor men had no other escape from freezing than a 
resort to a general clatter of heavj' boots. * Rev. Sol- 
omon Williams, when pastor at Northampton, used 
sometimes to preach in a blue great-coat, with a ban- 
danna handkerchief about his neck, and woollen mittens 
on his hands. 

In 1655, a local government was established for 
Northampton, and Thomas Bascom, Edward Elmore, 
and William Holton were appointed to try the more 
common misdemeanors. In those times, the dut}' of a 
magistrate included not only the administration of civil 
law, but extended into the more minute details of pri- 
vate affairs, which, in later times, would be regarded as 
an infringement on personal liberty. Legislation often 
fixed the price of labor, as well as various kinds of 
produce. 

For nearly forty years after the first settlement of the 
Connecticut Valloj', the inhabitants lived in peace with 
the red men. The Indians were treated with justice and 

exclaimed, in righteous indignation, '" A fire in a church, a fire in a 
church ; if you had enough of tho lovo of God in your hearts, you 
wouldn't need any fire ! " 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



generosity, and wero allovred nianj- privileges. Tlicy 
had their villages of wigwams on land belonging to the 
towns, and set apart for theii- use, and liberties were 
granted them for hunting and fishing. 

The policy adopted by the settlers from the first was, 
to keep fire-arms and intoxicating drinks from the sav- 
ages. Laws were strict on the subject, and violations 
being numerous, hea\y fines were paid. Northampton 
formed its first regular corapanj- of militia in 16G1, 
seven j'ears after its settlement. 

The first military company at Hadlcy was formed fom- 
years after its settlement. 

The wisdom of these preparations and precautions be- 
came apparent on the bi-eaking out of King Philip's war. 
Hadlc}- was made the headquarters of the English forces 
on the Connecticut Eiver. In the fall of 1C75 an attack 
was made on Hatfield by several hundi'ed Indians. 

The town at this time was garrisoned by two com- 
panies, one commanded bj' Capt. Mosely, the other by 
Capt. Pool. Capt. Appleton, with his forces from Ilad- 
ley, soon appeared on the scene of conflict. 

The attack was made on all sides. The battle was 
desperate, but the superior numbers of the Indians proved 
no match for the militai-j' discipline and skill of the 
English. 

The loss of the Indians could not be estimated, as 
nightfall covered Iheir retreat, and the3- strictly adhered 
to their custom of carrying off their dead. 

On the 14th of March, 1C7G, a furious but unsuccessful 
attack was made on Northampton. During the ever- 
memorable Falls fight, wliich occurred May 19, 167G, 
near the place now known as Timier's Falls, Capt. John 
Turner, and 14 others from Northampton, were killed. 

During this war the Indians made a fierce and well- 
planned assault on Hadlcy, and succeeded in breaking 
through the palisades. At this crisis a stranger appeared 
in the midst of the affrighted villagers ; his manner gave 
evidence of practice in militarj' affairs; he rallied, ar- 
ranged, and, where it was necessarj-, commanded the 
English forces ; his presence was an inspiration, and 



• This stranger was subsequently believed to have been none other 
than Goffe, one of the twenty-eight resicido judges at the trial of Cliailes 
I. of England, -who, on the accession of Charles II., with Iiis father-in- 
law Whallcy, sought refuge in America. They are believed to have 
lived in concealment for m.iny years in the tamily of Mr. Rusccll, the 
minister. Goflo had formerly been an officer of liish rank in Cromwell's 
army, and he retained so much of tlio Cromwcllian spirit as to enable 
hi;ri, on this occasion, to change impending defeat into complete victory. 
The truthfulness of the statement that these distrnguishcd refugees 
were concealed in lladley, has been doubted. Ei;t in the present stage 
of inqnirj-, unquestionably Hadlcy has the first claim as having been 
their place of refuge. Chester Gaylord, who was born in 17S2, and lived 
for many years on the old Russell homestead, has left a desa-iption of 



when the enemy were thoroughly- routed, the stranger 
disappeared as mysteriously as he made his advent. The 
people were ready to regard him as an angel sent from 
Heaven, on that special occasion, for their rescue* 

After the excitement connected with Philip's war had 
subsided, the witchcraft mania reappeared in the Con- 
necticut Valley, although in a comparatively mild form. 
A poor woman in Hadlejs on being accused of torturing 
in various waj's a hj'pochondriac neighbor, was taken 
from her liouse bj' a fanatical mob, and hung on a tree 
till nearl3- dead, then rolled and buried in the snow ; but 
she finallj- escaped from her tormentors. 

Tliere is no evidence t!i.at the witchcraft persecution 
received the sanction of law in Massachusetts. 

In the early historj' of the count}', physicians were few, 
and their services seem to have been less required than 
at the present d.ay. A single fact will serve as an illus- 
tration of the times in this regard. George Filer ob- 
tained permission of the Count}' Court " to practice as a 
chirurgeon." He remained a short time, then removed 
to Westfield. Except this temporary residence of Mr. 
Filer, Northampton had no physician for 72 years after 
its settlement. 

One of the most thrilling events of later times within 
the bounds of Hampshire County, is the fatal calamity so 
widely known as the Mill Eiver disaster, which has left 
an almost irrecoverable blight upon the thriving villages 
through which the desolatmg deluge swept. 

Early on the morning of May 16, 1874, the ill-fated 
reservoir, located about three miles north of Williams- 
burg Village, covering an area of 111 acres, with an aver- 
age depth of 24 feet, broke from its insecure fastenings, 
and rushed, like an avalanche, upon the beautiful villages 
in the valley below. Words are inadequate to portray 
the disastrous consequences. Only an eye-witness could 
realize the fearful devastation that was wrought, t 

The State legislature, then in session, promptly voted 
an appropriation for rebuilding the roads, the sum ex- 
pended not to exceed $1.50,000. Only $92,000 were 
used. Of the principal villages devastated, Haydenville 



the southern portion of the house, which, in his childhood, remained in 
its original condition. Ho speaks of a dark under-closet, which Avas en- 
tered only by removing a board from the chamber-floor. This closet 
was in close proximity to the large old-fashioned chimney, and there is 
a tr.adition that it was the hiding-place of the judges when their pur- 
suers passed through the house. In rebuilding the house a portion of 
the cellar-wall was removed, and the worI;mcn discovered the grave of a 
man of large size, though only a few bones and teeth remained. This 
was confidently claimed as the grave of Gen. AVhalley. 

+ The wasted and dcath-sWclccn villages were "Williamsburg, Skin- 
nervillc and Haydenville m the town of Williamsburg, and Leeds in 
Korthampton. It has been estimated that the lofscs in thore fov.r 
places alone amount to fully §1,000,000, without including damages to 



HISTORY OF KEW ENGLAND. 



and Leeds speedily regained their former prosperity. 
Williamsburg Village, though deprived of some of its 
thriving manufacturing interests, has j'ct also shown the 
vitality which even a great disaster cannot utterly de- 
stroj', and is now an enterprising place. 

Towns. 

Northampton was incorporated Oct. 18, 1654. A 
settlement was commenced a few months previous b}' 
twenty-one planters, principally from Springfield and 
Windsor. Tlie great event of the first year, at least to 
David Burt and Marj- Ilolton, the happj' pair, was the 
celebration of the first marriage. At that time, and for 
many years after, marriages were performed only b}' 
magistrates. In the following j-.ear (ICj,')) , occurred the 
first birth, Ebenczer Parsons being the name of the 
newly-arrived citizen. " Townsmen," or selectmen, 
were chosen ; and the first mecting-liouse was built. It 
was completed April loth, and served its original purpose 
till 1662, when it was converted into a school-house, and 
a more commodious house of worship was erected. 

Rev. Eleazer Mather, of Dorchester, a graduate of 
Harvard, was ordained as the first pastor in June, 

land and highways. The whole number of lives lost was 138. Be- 
yond Leeds, the on-rushing flood, though with abated fury, took in its 
path the ch.-irming village of Florence, destroying property to the 
amount of many thousand dollars. Kor had the angry tide so spent 
its force and fury when it reached Northampton, 11 miles from its 
source, but that it wrought sad h.ivoc even there. Georpre Cheney, 
the gate-keeper, living a short distance from the reservoir, on discov- 
ering the breaking away of the dam, rode in haste to Williamsburg 
Tillage, to report the fact to his employer, little realizing thiit the on- 
coming torrent was already at his heels. Collins Graves, amilk-pcd- 
dler, carried the half-credited report on his route from Williamsburg 
Village to Haydenville. When Graves turned about to return to the 
former place, he was confounded to find the flood close upon him, and 
he with difficulty escaped by climbing a bank. MjTon Day carried the 
tidings on to Leeds, barely reaching the village and gaining a place of 
safety before the arrival of the rushing waters. Robert Loud, of Wil- 
liamsburg, deserves honorable mention for his earnest and real sen-ice 
in rousing the people to a sense of their danger. Hearing the roaring 
flood, and comprehending at once the situation, he started on foot, 
and ran at his utmost speed a distance of two miles along the doomed 
pathway, warning all whom he could reach to flee to places of safety. 
It is known that many valuable lives were saved through his prompt, 
timely, and well-directed effort. Meantime many of the people could 
scarcely credit or comprehend the warning which they received. Some 
lost their lives through hesitation ; others escaped to the hillsides and 
became witnesses to the heart-rending scenes below. Children were 
seen at open windows crj'ing for help : friends who had gained a 
place of safety vainly called for others to join them. The seething 
mass of w.aters seemed a liquid mountain, rolling, roaring, gathering 
up everything it could reach in its merciless grasp. It was surrounded 
by a dense spray, thick and dark like smoke. An odor, like that emitted 
from stagnant pools, was perceived from a considerable distance. Trees 
were broken or nptom by its power, and those who sought refuge 
in their branches, perished in the waters. Scores of buildings were 
swept away like leaves before the wind. Some were groimd to 
atoms by the resistless tide, others were borne away like boats upon 



1661, though he had ministered to the people for some 
time previous. He lived eight j-ears after his settlement, 
and was then succeeded by Rev. Solomon Stoddard, 
who served the people fifty-five j'oars, before he had a 
colleague. Mr. Stoddard is described as a man of great 
learning and influence, and a leader in the theological 
discussions of the daj'. * 

In 1854, the town celebrated its second centennial. The 
statement scarcel3- needs qualification, that each succeed- 
ing j-ear, since its incoiporation, has added to its culture 
and refinement. Even the financial reverses, which it has 
shared in common with other places, have proved but 
transient checks upon the steady' and healthful growth, 
insured bj- its abounding moral and intellectu.il vitalitj-. 
Visitors to this famous old town, the count}' capital, 
cannot fail to observe its varied attractions of location 
and natural scenerj', as well as of neatness, taste, and 
thrift evcrj-whcre manifest. The description is not 
overdrawn by the poet, who sajs : 
" Queen village of the meads, 

Fronting the 6unri.se, and in beauty throned ; 

With jewelled homes around her lifted brow, 

And coronal of ancient forest trees, — 

Northampton sits, and rules her pleasant realm." 

an ocean wave, and set down unbroken. A small house was taken 
up and caiTied some distance, then drifted over a dam in an erect 
position, and lodged a few rods below. When the water subsided, it 
was found to contain a small child unharmed. The accumulations of a 
lifetime were thus swept away in a single hour. Many of the once rich 
gardens and fertile meadows were left a sandy waste. In some cases, 
the boundaries of real estate were obliterated, homes vanished, and 
some survivors were scarcely able to locate their former homes. Of the 
heart-rending scenes that followed — the protracted and anxious search 
for the bodies of the dead, often, when found, mangled almost beyond 
recognition — the long march of funeral processions — the universal 
mourning, too deep to find expression in the loud lament — it is not in 
place here to speak. 

* Rev. Dr. Cuyler gives to the public an incident concerning the mar- 
riage of Mr. Stoddard's daughter. 

Rev. Stephen Mix made a journey to Northampton in 1796, in search 
of a wife. AiTiving at Mr. Stoddard's, he informed him at once of the 
object of his visit, and that his duties required the utmost dispatch. 
Mr. Stoddard took him into the room where his four daughters were, 
introduced him, and then retired. Mr. Mix, addressing Mary, the 
eldest daughter, said ho had lately been settled in Weathcrsficld, and 
was desirous of obtaining a wife, and conchided by offering her his 
hand. She blushingly replied that so important a proposition required 
time for consideration. He rejoined, that in order to afford her the 
needed opportunity to think of his propos.al, he would step into an 
adjoining room and smoke a pipe with her father. When he had fin- 
ished his pipe, he sent a message to Miss Mary that he was ready for 
her answer. She came in and asked for further time for consideration. 
He replied that she could reflect still longer, and send her answer to 
Weathersfield. In a few weeks he received her reply, which is probably 
the most laconic epistle of the kind ever penned. 

NOHTHAMPTON, 1T96. 

Rev. Stephen Mix : — Yes. 

Mart Stoddard. 

Dr. Cuyler adds that " the matrimonial Mix-ture took place soon 
after, and proved to be compounded of the most < 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



Mill River flows diagonally through the town, and 
enters the Connecticut at the Ox Bow. On this stream, 
two miles from Northampton Village, and connected 
with it by a horse-car railroad, is Florence, a village of 
taste and refinement, and the seat of extensive sewing- 
machine and silk manufacturing enterprises. In the 
north-west part of the town, on the same stream, 
is Leeds, successfully engaged in button and silk 
manufacture. Northampton publishes two weoklj' jour- 
nals, — the "Gazette and Courier," and the "Free 
Press." It has a population of 10,160; nine churches, 
three national and two sa%'ings banks, a high school, 
and fortj'-cight schools of lower grades. Memorial 
llall was erected at a cost of f 1G,000, and contains a 
library of 12,000 volumes. The Northampton bank 
robbery, which occurred Jan. 25, 1876, is without paral- 
lel in the country. 

The State Lunatic Asylum is located on Hospital 
Hill. The grounds are finely' laid out, and command a 
delightful view of the surrounding region. The institu- 
tion has been for many j-ears under the successful man- 
agement of Dr. Pliny Earlc, who has published valuable 
works on the treatment of the insane. 

Round Hill, * located a little distance westward from 
the business centre, is verj' attractive, and is occupied 
bj' numerous fine residences, surrounded b}' magnificent 
lawns and gardens. This eminence is the seat of the 
Clarke Institution for Deaf Mutes, erected in 1SC7. 

Smith College, one of the leading institutions in the 
countrj' for the higher education of women, was founded 
by Miss Sophia Smith of Hatfield, who bequeathed, for 
that purpose, property now amounting to over five hun- 
dred thousand dollars. In her will. Miss Smith expressed 
her design, in the establishment of the institution, of 
furnishing means and facilities for 3'oung women to 
pursue courses of study, as broad and complete as are 
aflbrded in the leading colleges for young men. Rev. L. 
Clark Seeley is the honored and noble president. 

Jonathan Edwards. — The life of Rev. Jonathan 
Edwards is so thoroughl}' identified with the earlier his- 
tory of Northampton as to justifj' a brief sketch in 
this connection. He was born Oct. 5. 1703, in East 
"Windsor, Conn., where his father. Rev. Timothy Ed- 
wards, a man of learning and talent, was pastor. He 
earlj- showed a remarkable fondness for books ; began 
the study of Latin wlien six 3-ears old, and graduated at 



» The site, formerly, of a famous school, of which, at one time, 
Bancroft, the historian, wo believe, was principal. 

t Calel) Strong, afterwards governor, who was his associate in the 
Provincial CongiTSS, returning from Boston at one time, fonnil tlie 
ni.njor at home, and greatly depressed in spirits from fear that the 



Yale College at seventeen. It is from about this time 
that he dates his conversion, though he had been the 
subject of deep religious impressions from childhood. 
He became the settled pastor in Northampton in 1727. 
After several years successful labor, he was dismissed, 
because of dissatisfaction occasioned by his efforts to 
secure a higher standard of Christian character, as the 
condition of admission to the sacrament of the Lord's 
Supper. After his dismissal, he labored for a time as 
a missionary at Stockbridge, among the Housatonic 
Indians. In 1 757, he was appointed president of Prince- 
ton College, N. J., where he died in 1758. Mr. Edwards 
was one of the greatest theologians and metaphj'sicians 
of his time, as his published works abundantly testify. 
As a close and subtle, yet candid reasoner, he has no 
superior, and few equals ; and as an able, devout, and 
earnest Chiistian pastor and educator, no man of his 
generation has more stronglj' impressed his life on the 
generations that have followed him. 

Col. John Stoddard, son of Rev. Solomon Stod- 
dard, was bom in 1681. Gov. Hutchinson, in speaking 
of Col. Stoddard, says, "He shone only in great afl'airs, 
while inferior matters were often carried against his w-ill 
by the little arts and crafts of minute politicians which 
he disdained to defeat by counter-workings." He was a 
leader in all civil and militarj' aflTairs of the town and 
county. He died in Boston June 19, 1784. President 
Edwards, who preached his funer.al sermon, ascribed to 
him remarkable native gifts of mind, and expressed the 
opinion that no man in New England could more truly 
be called a great man. 

Maj. Joseph Hawley was born in 1724 ; graduated at 
Yale in 1742 ; studied divinity, and was a chaplain in 
the Provincial army, and afterwards became an eminent 
and conscientious lawyer. In the struggle with Great 
Britain, he was a leader in the American cause. Early 
in the conflict, he became afflicted with hypochondria,* 
and retired from public life. 

Judge Simeon Strong, born in 1736, was the son of 
Nehemiah Strong, the mathematician and preacher. lie 
became a lawj-er of great eminence, and for manj- years 
stood at the head of the Hampshire bar. In 1800 he 
was appointed judge of the Supreme Judicial Court. 
He died in 1805. 

Gov. Caleb Strong, LL. D., son of Lieut. Caleb Strong, 
was born in 1745 ; gr.aduated at Harvard in 1764 ; served 



American cause would fail, and he would be hung. " No," replied 
Strong, " the British would not hang more than forty men, and you 
and I would escape." Indignant at the low estimate thus expressed, of 
his position and influence, he exclaimed, " I would have you know, sir, 
that lam one of the first three! " 



HISTORY OF NEW EXGLAND. 



as count \-attomcy for twent3--four jears ; -was a delegate 
in the convention ■which framed the United States Constitu- 
tion in 1788 ; -was chosen United States senator in the 
first Congress, and again in 1793 ; and was first elected 
governor in 1800. Such was his popularity, where he 
was best known, that, in seven or eight towns, of which 
Northampton was the centre, not a single vote was cast 
against him. He first served as governor for seven 
successive years, and was chosen again in 1811, holding 
the office for a period of four j-ears more, at the close of 
which he retired from public life. He died in North- 
ampton in 1819. 

Rev. Timothy Dwight, D. D., LL. D., a grandson of 
Jonathan Edwards, was bom in 17j2. He graduated at 
Yale in 1 7G9 ; was a chaplain in the Revolutionary army ; 
afterwards pastor of a church in Greenfi'^ld ; and. in 
1 795, was elected pres- 
ident and theological 
professor of Yale Col- 
lege. He remained in ^ _ ^- 
this position tUl his ^^^^^ 
death. He was an able Z'" 
theologian, and, byhib 
published works, as 
well as by his influence 
as a living teacher, he 
did much to guide the 
thought of his gen- 
eration. 

Theodore Dwight, a 
younger brother of the 
preceding, was born in 
17G4. He was an able journaUst, an eminent lawyer, 
and a brilliant political writer. He was a member of 
Congress in 1806-7, and secretary of the Hartford Con- 
vention in 1814. He died in 1846. 

Amherst is first referred to as a town in 1776, although 
its incorporation as such did not take place till ten years 
later. The first church was located on the hill where the 
college buUdings now stand. The first pastor, Rev. 
David Parsons, Jr., was ordained in 1739, and continued 
in office till his death in 1781. His son, David Parsons, 
D. D., succeeded to the pastorate in 1782, and ministered 
to the people f r tliirtj-'Sevcn jxars, when he became 
professor of theology in Yale College. 

Amherst YUlage is situated on an elevation which 
affords a beautiful outlook in every direction. Various 
causes hr.ve contributed to the prosperity of the town, 
— the fertility of the soil, general healthfuhiess, rai'.road 
facOities, and the rare beauty of its natural scenery. 




JAiSACUUSETTt. S. I IC I Lll HAI COLL 



But the chief cause of its rapid growth, doubtless, is 
that it is the seat of one of the leading colleges in the 
country. 

Amherst College was established in 1821. At that 
date, the village had but twenty-five dwelUng-houses, 
one store, and 150 inhabitants. Now, within a radius 
of three-quarters of a mile from the Amherst House, 
there are 3G0 dwelling-houses and 40 stores, with a 
population, including students, of 2,500. The popula- 
tion of the entire town is 4,035. The town has nine 
churches, one national and one savings bank, and two 
newspapers. 

In 1867, new attractions and advantages were added 
to this already fa%-ored town, bj"^ making it the seat of 
the iNlassachusetts Agricultural College. 

The multiplied erhicational facilities, added to the natu- 
ral advantages of loca- 
tion and sceneiy, have 
"i made Amherst an at- 
tractive place CI resi- 
^ deuce for families of 
wealth and culture. 
', The town celebrated 
_'*''*j \ its first centennial in 
1876. 

The two colleges lo- 
cated here claim each 
distinct notice. 

Amherst College. — 
The comer-stone of 
the first college build- 
ing was laid Aug. 9, 
1820, the j-ear before the college went into operation, 
by Rev. Dr. Parsons, then president of the board of 
trustees. 

The address on the occasion was made by Noah 
Webster, the distinguished lexicographer, then a resident 
of the town, and a vigorous projector and generous 
benefactor of the institution. In May, 1821, Rev. Z. 
S. Moore, D. D., was elected president. He was 
inaugurated the September following, at the opening of 
the institution. 

The students then enrolled and arranged in the four 
regular classes numbered 53. After four years faithful 
service Dr. Moore was removed by death, — a loss severely 
felt bj' the infant college. His place was filled by Rev. 
Heman Humphrey, D. D. During Dr. Humphre3"'s 
successful presidenc}' of twenty-two years, the institution 
passed through its severest struggles aud greatest finan- 
cial depression ; but, at his retirement, he left it on the 
high road to success. Rev. Edward Hitchcock, D. D., 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



LL. D., -wlio had for many years been a distinguished 
professor in the college, succeeded Dr. Humplirey, and 
filled the office with honor, from 1845 to 1854. He was 
succeeded by Rev. Willi.am A. Stearns, D. D., LL. D., 
whose efficient administration continued till his death in 
1876. Eev. Julius H. Seelye, LL, D., the present able 
and popular president, was then chosen. The founders 
of the institution had prominently in view the gi'atuitoiis 
education of J'oung men preparing for the ministry, and 
numbers annually receive benefit from a fund established 
for this purpose. * 

The Massachusetts Agricultural College, established 
in 18G7, has no corporate connection with the Amherst 
College, but was located near it that it might have the 
benefit of its seienlific treasures. The real estate belong- 
ing to the college cost $200,000. The farm contains 

383^ acres. The insti- 

tution, besides the nee- _^^ 

essary farm -buildings, " — _ 

has three college -halls, 
two boarding-houses, 
the Durfee plant-house, 
and a botanical mu- 
seum, in which may be 
seen plants from every 
clime, representing al- 
most every botanical 
family. 

The graduation of the 
first class occurred in 
1871. 

Among the earlier 
sons of Amherst who by their talents and public ser- 
vices became men of mark, were Ebenezer Mattoon, Jr., 
a graduate of Dartmouth, an officer of the Revolution, 
member of Congress, and major-general of the State 
miUtia; born in 1755, died in 1843. Solomon Strong, 
a graduate of Williams, State senator, member of Con- 
gress, and judge of the Court of Common Picas ; born 
in 1780, died in 1850 ; and Silas Wright, Jr., a graduate 
of Middleburj', senator in New York, his adopted State, 
member of Congress, comptroller of the State, United 
States senator, and governor of New York ; born in 
1795, died in 1847. 

Wake. — The western part of the present town was 



• The Ecrai-centcniiial of tlic college was celebrated in 1871. The 
alumni then nuiiibeied 1,'J3G, of whom 1,450 were living. The whole 
property of the in^titlItion, including funds, professorships, &c., amounts 
to not less than one million dollars. This has been received largely in do- 
naiions from friends and patrons. The State lias appropriated $50)000. 




THE MOUNT-HOI.rOKE SEMINARy, SOUTH llADIXT. 



formerly known as " Equivalent Lands." It was con- 
veyed to John Reed by the State of Connecticut, about 
the year 1713. According to Trumbull it was estimated 
" at less than a farthing per acre." 

The value of the territory was decreased by its being 
burned over by the Indians for the purpose of securing 
game. The Brookfield settlers were accustomed to use 
the Ware lands for pasturage. A tract of five hundred 
acres in the south-east corner of the town, a part of 
which is now included in the village, was granted, in 
1673, to Richard Hollingsworth, in consideration of the 
services of his father as the first shipbuilder in the 
county. The first settlement made on this grant was by 
Capt. John Olmstead, who went from Brookfield, prob- 
ably a3 early as 1729, and erected mills near the falls. 
He built a house, which was called the "great house," 
and was afterwards used 
as a tavern. The house 
was standing in 1813, 
when the first move- 
ment was made towards 
erecting factories. The 
Ware River affords fine 
water-power, wliich is 
well improved. At 
Ware village the stream 
falls seventy feet in less 
than seventy rods. It 
received its name from 
numerous weirs, con- 
structed in the stream 
for the purpose of tak- 
The orthography has since been changed 



ing salmon 
to Ware. 

No town m the county exceeds this in the extent of 
its manufactures. Its population is 4,259. The town 
has seven churches, two banks, two newspapers, five 
extensive factories, and a hbrary of 2,000 volumes. 
Aspen Grove is the name of its beautiful cemetery. 

SouTn Hadlet was made the second or south precinct 
of Hadley in 1720, and settlements were made upon its 
territory the following year. 

The first cltureh was completed in 1737, and contained 
nine pews in tiie body of the house. Rev. Grindall Raw- 
son, the first pastor, was settled in 1733. A spirit of 



Hon. Samuel AVilliston of Easthampton, and Dr. ■William Walker of Bo 
ton have been generous bcnel'aciurs. The annual income is now 8)50,00 
"The Hitchcock Ichnological Cabinet, the Adams' collccliun : 
conchology, and the Shcpard mineralogical and meteoric collections a: 
known the world over as of unsurpassed value and excellence." 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



strong opposition rose against him, and a committee was 
appointed to prevent bis entering the meeting-house un- 
less he -would desist from preaching. * 

South Hadley is the scat of Mt. Holj'oke Female Sem- 
inary, the earhest institution for the education of young 
ladies of so advanced a grade in the country. Foi-tunatelj- 
the pubUc are in possession of all needed information in 
regard to this institution. 

Miss Marj- Lyon, the eminent founder of Mt. Ilolyolce 
Seminary, was born in Buckland, Mass., Feb. 28, 1797. 
Her father died when she was five years of age, she be- 
ing the fifth of seven childi-en left in care of a mother 
with slender means of support. Her early educational 
advantages were verj' limited. When seventeen or 
eighteen years old she commenced teaching near Shel- 
burne Falls, rccei^-ing seventy-five cents per wcolv and 
board. At the age of twenty she attended Sanderson 
Academj' at Ashfiold, where, as her means would allow 
her to remain but a short time, she slept but four 
hours in the twent3--four, giving the remainder of the 
time to studj-. She became an eminent and successful 
educator. 

While engaged in teaching at Ipswich she matured the 
plan of establishing an institution for the education of 
women, " where expenses should be so moderate as not 
to debar those of limited means, and advantages so great 
that the wealth}- could find no superior elsewhere." The 
funds for the erection of the buildings were obtained 
chiefly by donations, and the rooms of the new school 
were ready to receive pupils in the autumn of 1837. 
Miss Lyon remained principal till her death — a period 
of twelve years. 

A prominent feature of the institution is, that it is a 
family school in which no domestics are employed, the 
labor of the establishment being divided among, and 
performed hy, the students. 

Previous to 18G2 the course of studj' occupied but 
three j-ears. Since that time it has been four } ears. The 
clioice librarj- of 10,000 volumes is the gift of jMrs. 
Henrj' Durant of Boston. 

The L3Tnan WilUston Hall, recently- erected, affords 
ample accommodations for the pursuit of art and science. 

The school has, from the first, been pervaded b}- much 
of Mary Lyou's deepl}' religious, and fervent, mission- 
ary spirit. Manj' of its graduates have become earnest 
and successful missionaries. 



• Tradition says that tlio committee stopiicJ his mouth with a hand- 
kerchief, and forcibly carried hint from the church. £ 10 were then raised 
to defend the committee, but as Mr. Rawson resorted to no legal meas- 
ures, the money was used in the settlement of his successor, Kev. John 
Woodbridge. 



Miss Julia E. Ward, the present principal, has suc- 
cessfullj- filled her position for many j-ears. 

Col. Euggles Woodbridge, the eldest son of Eev. John 
Woodbridge, was an officer in the Revolutionary arm}-, 
and became a man of wealth and great influence in this 
town. 

The village of South Hadley Falls had its origin in the 
building of the canal around the falls in the Connecticut 
River at that place. This was the first canal of its kind 
in this countrj-. It was built by Hollanders with foreign 
capital. B}' the construction of the canal the business 
of navigation was largely increased, and the Falls soon 
became a centre of trade. ; 

From 1815 to 1825 corn was brought here in great I 
quantities, dried in kilns, then sent to the West Indies 
and exchanged for intoxicating liquors. When this busi- 
ness ceased the kilns were used for drjing salt, which 
was brought in sloops from Fahnouth, Mass. 

The population of Hadley is 2,843. 

Easthajipton was originallj- included in Northamp- 
ton. John Webb erected a log-house in 1664, and lived 
for several j-ears, near the Indian fort at Pascommuck. 
But no permanent settlement seems to have been made 
till the year 1700, when five men, with their famihes, 
made for themselves homes near the foot of Mt. Tom. 
Their names were Moses Hutchinson, John Searl, Ben- 
oni Jones, Samuel Janes and Benjamin Janes. Four 
jxars after, their village was destroj-ed b}' the Indians, 
and twenty settlers were slain. 

The settlement of the west part of the present town 
began about 1732. 

Easthampton was incorporated as a district in 1785, 
and a church was organized the same year. Rev. Pay- 
son WiUiston, its first minister, was settled in 1789, and 
served the people as a faithful pastor for fortj'-four years. 
A second Congregational church was estabhshed in 1852. 
A Methodist chm'ch has also been erected. 

The birth in the home of Samuel WilUston of a new 
enteiprise — button manufacture — has proved the germ 
of the subsequent remarlrable growth and prosperitj- of 
the town. From that time the historj- of the town is 
largel}' the historj- of Samuel WiUiston. 

He was born in 1 795, and was the son of the esteemed 
pastor, Rev. Payson WiUiston. Reared m a home 
where econom}- was ruecessary, }"oung WUliston was earlj- 
put to work to help provide for the wants of the family-. 
He attended school summer and winter tUl he was ten 
years old ; then only in the winter tiU he was sixteen. 
When nineteen years old he went to Phillips Acadcmj', 
Andover, to avail himself of the privileges afltorded by 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



that institution to indigent j'oung men. He made part 
of tlic journey on foot, to save travelling expenses, car- 
r^'ing in his hand the bundle containing his outfit. In 
less than a j-ear he was obliged to abandon his hopes of 
a college education, on account of the partial failure of 
his ej'csight. For some j'ears after, his time was di\'ided 
between labor on a farm, clerkship in a store, and teach- 
ing school. In 1822 he married Miss Emilj- Graves, 
who afterward became a prominent actor in the enter- 
prise of button manufacture, which pelded such abun- 
dant returns to its projectors. 

Mr. Williston had not onlj' genius for business, but 
also that moral and Christian integrity which made all 
his personal successes at the same time substantial helps 
to those about him. For thirtj'-three years he was a 
trustee of Amherst CoUege ; and in the time of its great- 
est financial distress, he came to the rescue with a liber- 
alitj' that saved it from ruin. At different times he con- 
tributed to its funds at least $150,000. 

"Williston Seminary in Easthampton is a monimient to 
his memorj', having been built and endowed bj- him at 
an expenditure of $250,000. Its curriculum provides a 
thorough college preparatorj- course. 

The town has numerous manufacturing interests, and 
is quite a centre of tr.ade. It has 3,620 inhabitants, one 
national and one sa-v-ings bank, a public library, a fine 
town hall, and fifteen public schools. 

From the first the town has provided liberallj' for the 
education of her sons. Many of them have received the 
benefit of collegiate training, and in all the walks of act- 
ive and professional life thej' have done credit to their 
native town. 

Belchertown, formerlj' called Cold Spring, was 
incorijorated in 17G1, receiving its name in honor of 
Jonathan Belcher, an extensive land-owner in the town, 
and governor of Massachusetts from 1730 to 1740. In 
July, 1731, Samuel Bascom, Benjamin Stebbins, and 
Aaron Lj-man from Northampton, and John Bradwell 
and Jonathan Graves from Hatfield, removed to Cold 
Spring, receiving gratuitous grants of land on condition 
that they made permanent settlements. 

The earhest records refer to the settlement of the first 
pastor, Ecv. Edward Billings, who was ordained in 1739. 
Rev. Experience Porter served tlio people as pastor from 
1812 to 1825. During this period of thirteen years, 315 
were added to the church ; a number nearly as large as 
had united with it during the entire eightj' years of its 
pre-s-ious history. 

Carriages and sleighs have been ^extensively manufac- 
tured here for many years. Population, 2,315. 



IIadley, a town of 2,301 inhabitants, has a long and 
interesting histor}-, being the second settlement in Hamp- 
shire Count}', and the third in western Massachusetts. 
From the date of its first settlement, by an organized 
company from Hartford, it kept pace with the neighbor- 
ing towns, till Northampton, on one side, was made the 
county capital, and Amherst, on the other, became the 
honored seat of liberal learning. These towns, as a 
natural consequence, attracted trade and travel, and 
became business centres, while Hadley remained, as 
from the first, simply a wealthy agricultural town. 

A church appears to have been organized before the 
part}' left Hartford. Rev. John Russell, their minister, 
came with them. He had great influence among his 
people, and died after a ministry of 33 j-ears. * 

The raising of broom corn was for many j'ears an 
important industrj-. It was first cultivated in the garden 
of Le\i Dickinson, in the year 1797. Some thought him 
visionar}- in his project, but he predicted that the broom 
business would become the greatest in the region. Less 
than half a centurj' proved the wisdom of his sapng. 
The census of 1850 gave as the product of the industry 
in brooms and brushes, 845,700, valued at $124,448, 
and furnishing emplojTnent to nearly a thousand men. 

With the introduction of tobacco-raising, Hadley, in 
common with other vallej' towns, experienced a great 
financial impetus, which re-acted in even a greater busi- 
ness depression, from which it has never fullj' recovered. 

In matters of education Hadley holds an honorable 
position. In its earl}' historj- a gift was received from 
John Hopkins, which was enlarged bj' other donations, 
to be used for the promotion of education. 

Near the beginning of the present century, a fine 
brick building, three stories high, was erected on Russell 
Street. This was known as Hopkins' Academj-. It 
maintained a high character for many years and drew 
many students from abroad. The building was burned 
in 18G0. Since that time the fund has been appropriated 
to the use of public schools. 

Williamsburg. — The date of the fii-st settlement is 
not known. It probably took place a short time previ- 
ous to its incorporation as a district in April, 1771. At 
a meeting held the following year, it was voted to repair 
the school-house so that it might serve as a place of 
public worship. Lieut. Joshua Tha3-er was promoted to 



* It is not flattering, howcTcr, to the youth of the time to find, as an 
early recorded vote shows, that the eloquence of this godly minister 
had to be supplemented by " some sticks set up in the meeting-house in 
several places, with some fitt persons placed by them, and to use them 
as occasion shall rcquke, to keep the youth from disorder." 



HISTOEY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



the honor of summoning the people to public worship bj- 
blowing a conch-shell, receiving an annual salarj' of 15s. 
The shell is still preserved as a time-honored relic. A 
church was organized In 1772, and Rev. Amos Butler 
was ordained pastor the following j-ear. In 1832, a 
Methodist church was organized. In 1850, it received 
the ministrations of Rev. Wm. Butler, since a distin- 
guished missionarj' to India and Mexico. A Congrega- 
tional church was formed at Haydenville in 1849. Hon. 
Joel Haydcn, afterwards lieutenant-governor of the 
State, was one of its members, and was a most generous 
contributor to all its interests. Previous to the great 
disaster in 1874, the town of Williamsbui-g contained 
numerous and extensive manufactures. It has a popula- 
tion of 2,159. 

The pul)lic schools of "Williamsburg village have been 
greatly improved by the legacy bequeathed bj- Dr. Collins, 
who was for many years a practicing physician in town. 

Hatfield. — Population, 1,594. The history of this 
town for the first six years is identified with that of 
Hadlej', of which it formed a part. 

Of the forty families who came from Connecticut in 
1659, to establish a settlement at Iladlej', six took up 
their residence on the west side of the river. The incon- 
venience of crossing the river to attend business meet- 
ings and religious worship was severely felt from the first, 
and when, after a few years, as population increased, 
they petitioned to be made a distinct town, the people 
on the east side opposed the movement, and sharp contro- 
versies arose. The long struggle was ended in 1G70, 
when Hatfield was incorporated as a town. The same 
year Rev. Hope Atherton was settled as a pastor. 

The Smith Charity Fund, which has such peculiar 
specifications, and now holds over a million dollars, was 
established bj' Oliver Smith of Hatfield. He was born 
in January, 1776, and died in 1845. * 

Miss Sophia Smith, the founder of Smith College in 
Northampton, was born in Hatfield, Aug. 27, 1796, 



• He possessed a remarkable faculty for accumulating wealth. His 
will assigned tlie greater portion of his property to various charitable 
piii-poscs, and placed it under the control of a board of three trustees to 
be chosen by electors, themselves elected annually, one from each of 
the towns of Northampton, Hadlcy, Hatfield, Amherst, Williamsburg, 
Deerficld, Greenfield, and Whatoly. To this board was committed 
$200,000 to be held till it should amount to $400,000, when it should be 
divided into three funds. 

One of $30,000 for an agricultural school in Northampton, which was 
not to be established till the fund had accumulated for 60 years after his 
death. $10,000 was given to the American Colonization Society, the 
income to he paid over annually ; and a fund of $360,000 to be used for 
the benefit of indigent boys, guls, young women, and widows, under 
carefully guarded conditions. 



where she spent the greater part of her life. She was a 
niece of Oliver Smith, previously mentioned. Her 
school advantages were limited. She was a woman of 
tender sensibilities, and noble Christian endeavor. The 
death of her brother in 1861, left her, through his will, 
in possession of his estate, appraised at $200,000. She 
felt herself unequal to the responsibility of the trust so 
unexpectedly committed to her. Rev. John Green, at 
that time her pastor, was her chief adviser. She appro- 
priated $75,000 to an academy in her native town and 
gave liberallj- to other Christian and educational enter- 
prises. The greater part of her property was devoted to 
the founding of the college which bears hor name. In 
her will she defined the object and plan of the institution, 
appointed the trustees, and fixed its location. She died 
June 12, 1870, aged sixty years. 

Huntington is the old town of Norwich, which attained 
the right of representation in 1786. It was enlarged in 
1853 by important additions from Chester and a tract 
from Blandford, more than doubling its wealth and pop- 
ulation. Ten years later it received its present name 
from Hon. Charles P. Huntington of Northampton, in 
consideration of his services in securing the desired 
enlargement. The town has extensive water-power and 
numerous manufacturing interests. This was the first 
town in the county benefited bj' a railroad. 

There are at present three churches. A public library 
was established b3' Hon. C. P. Huntington, whose con- 
tribution constituted one-half its value. It was destro^-ed 
by fire in 1865. 

The freshet of Dec. 10, 1878, did much damage to 
private property and highways. The water reached a 
higher mark than ever before known by the present 
inhabitants. Population, 1,156. 

Southampton was formerly a part of Northampton. 
A settlement was commenced in 1732 by Judah Hutch- 
inson and Thomas Porter. In 1748, Indian murders 
occasioned such alarm that the people forsook their 
homes and sought retreat with their friends in the sur- 
rounding settlements. Returning the following summer, 
thej' suffered severely- from sickness and the cutting off 
of their crops. 

In Revolutionary times prompt and heart}' responses 
were given to the call for recruits and supplies. 

In 1828, Sheldon Academ}- was established. It re- 
ceived its name from Silas Sheldon, who contributed 
liberally for its benefit. Between 1765 and 1845, forty- 
eight men belonging to the town received a college edu- 
cation. Rev. B. B. Edwards, a native of Southampton, 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



and for some j-ears professor in Andover Theological 
Seminarj', in speaking of the large number of educated 
and professional men the town has furnished to the 
countrj-, says : " It is the banner town, in the banner 
county, of the banner State." In the same connection 
he says, "the county of Hampshire has furnished more 
students for college, with perhaps a single exception, 
than other an}- county in the United States." 
Southampton has a population of 1,159. 

CuMMiNGTON, SO named from Col. John Cummings, 
the original proprietor, and which has just celebrated 
(June 23, 1879), with impressive ceremonies, its cen- 
tennial, if not important commercially, or on the score 
of its population (1,037), is yet deserving of special 
mention on account of its fruitfulness of great men. 

The sunlight was first let into the primeval forest which 
covered the Cummington hills and valleys, by the soldiers 
of the colonists, who cut a militarj' road through the south 
part of the town while forcing their wa}' to tlie north 
during the latter part of the French and Indian war.* 

It was then that the General Court, being much in 
need of funds, determined to sell a large tract of land 
belonging to the State in the western part of its bounda- 
ries. The details were left to a committee who had the 
territorj- auctioned off at the Eoyal Exchange tavern in 
Boston, June 2, 17G2. The land wasdiraled into 10 town- 
ships, and it now embraces the following towns : — Adams, 
Peru, Hinsdale, "Worthington, IVindsor, Cummington, 
Savoj', Ilawley, Lenox, Eichmond, Chester and Eowe. 

* Soon after tlie road was cut through settlers began to come in. Col. 
Samuel Brc\ycr was the first white man to press that sod and call it 
home. Ho located close by the road, a little east of where Hiram Steele 
now lives. Some authors say that he came as early as 1761. 

t The geogi'aphical centre of the town, where the Concord proprietors 
insisted the church should bo, was exceedingly high and rocky, and by 
no means an acceptable location to all the settlers who had come to oc- 
cupy the 60 or 70 hundred-acre lots which had been laid out. For a 
long time all the municipal meetings were hold at the house of Timothy 
Mower, who lived just across the road from the old grave-yard on the 
hill, where Dr. Bryant was buried. It is said that one faction would 
meet there in the morning and the other in the afternoon, each voting 
to do something contrary to the wish of the other. 

t Concerning the location of this there has been some controvers}-. 
Says a late writer in the " Springfield Republican : " " Dr. Peter Bry- 
ant was a native of Bridgewatcr, whence came many of Cummington's 
settlers, and after establishing himself in practice and marrying the 
daughter of Square SncU in 1792, he settled in a house opposite the cem- 
etery, which is located on the hillside a mile above the village and half 
a mile below the site of the old yellow meeting-house, which was for so 
long the church of the town. The traveller who, starting out from the 
east village, takes the first left-hand road, a little before coming to the 
Bryant library, and has the patience to climb the long, steep hill, will 
have no difficulty in locating the field of herd's-grass and clover, that is 
now ever waving in the June breeze, although there is nothing to mark 
the exact spot. The field is the one lying above and at the left of the 
cross-road which starts out opposite the cemetery and leads down the hill. 



At the auction sale alluded to above, Col. Cummings 
bid off township No. 5 (Cummington) for £1,800. After 
Mr. Cummings had bought the land he seems to have 
become associated with 27 other proprietors, so many of 
whom, meanwhile, had been residents of Concord, that 
their township was at first called New Concord. After a 
protracted controversy as to where their meeting house 
should be located, a church was finally organized, and 
the first minister, Eev. James Briggs, was ordained a few 
days after its incorporation, t 

On all these hills there is hardlj* a house or lot not 
worthy of mention because of its historic associations 
and interest. First of all there is the Bryant birth-place . X 
A little below the latter the visitor is pointed to the de- 
serted house of the second minister of the parish, Ecv. 
Eoswell Hawkes, who like his brethren of the time was 
a farmer as well as a minister. lie came in 1825, and 
stayed till '39, leaving here to help Mary Lj-on raise 
funds for Mt. Holyoke seminary. He was the best beg- 
gar of his time, and they travelled together in a carriage 
about the country, meeting with great success. Subse- 
quently he accepted the post of seminary steward at 
South Iladley, where he remained for a number of 
3-ears. 

Continuing along the road which passes by the spot 
where the church referred to above stood before its re- 
moval, the visitor comes to a fork in the roads where the 
little red school-house used to stand that harbored so 
many of the Cummington boys who have been " heard 
from" in the battle of life. § 

" In the house which stood here, Dr. Bryant's oldest child, Col. Austin 
Bryant, was born, and then his second son, William Cullen, the latter 
on the 3d of Nov. 1794. While he w.is still a small boy his father left 
home for a considerable sojourn in the Isle of France. Then his grand- 
father. Square Snell, came and took the family to his home, the present 
lower Bryant place. 

" Probably it is known but to a few that William Cullen Bryant and 
Henry L. Dawes were born under the same roof. After Dr. Bryant 
quitted his first home, it came into the possession of the father of the 
Dawes family, who moved it half a mile up the hill, and placed it nearly 
opposite the front of the meeting-house, on the right of the road leading 
southward from the church. There it was that Senator Dawes was 
born, although his boyhood was largely passed in a red house which 
stands about a mile to the west and on still higher ground. After Fran- 
cis Dawes bcgiin life for himself, he took this house and built a new one 
for his parents, tearing down the birthplace of Bryant and his brother. 
Across the road from this house there used to stand a country store, 
having over it a hall in which Senator Dawes and the companions of 
his youth met often for debates." 

^ We give the names of some of those who were bred in the neighbor- 
hood, all of whom are supposed to have attended that school. There 
was Luther Bradish, who lived a half mile or more up the hill, and be- 
came lieutenant-governor of New York. It is said that ho made the 
best presiding officer ever known in the legislative annals of the State. 
There was Theophihis Packard, who lived down in the valley, where the 
new Bryant road begins to descend toward the east village, and Thomas 
Snell, brother of Bryant's mother, both of whom became emment doc- 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



WoRTHrNGTON was settled in 1765, and incoi-porated 
as a town three years later. It received its name from 
Col. TCorthington of Springfield, one of the proprietors 
of the plantation of which it was a part, and a liberal 
promoter of its interests. The town increased more 
rapidly in population than the majority of towns in its 
vicinity. Before the close of the last century it contained 
a larger population than at the last census. It now has 
860 inhabitants, largely the descendants of early settlers. 
Many of the time-honored customs of the fathers are 
still retained by their sons, such as the neighborhood 
huskings, the boarding around of the school-teacher, and 
the reverent opening of town-meeting with prayer by the 
pastor. 

Houses erected a century ago are still standing, in 
•which the old-fashioned fire-places yet remain, and the 
large brick ovens, though no longer in common use, fail 
not to turn out their annual Thanksgiving dinner of good 
things. 

Agiiculture is the leading emplo3'ment of the people. 
Maple sugar and dair^- products are abundant. 

A Congregational church was erected at the centre in 
17G4. A Methodist church was formed in the south-east 
part of the town in 1828. 

Prof. Harmon NUes is a native of the town. He was 
educated under Prof. Agassiz, and, in his special depart- 
ment, is well known as one of the foremost scholars and 
lecturers of his time. 

Hon. Elisha Brewster, whose counsel was long sought 
in all important town and personal matters, and who 
for several j-ears held divers important oflSces in the 
State, died Nov. 27, 1878, aged 69 years. 

Enfield is comparatively a new town, having been 
incorporated in 1816. It embraces the territory formerly 

tors of divinity. There were the brothers Cnllen and Charles Packard, 
living nearest to the school-house on the west, both brilliant scholars. 
Charles Packard, who is now a clergyman, is the man who Henry L. 
Dawes once predicted would make the most distinguished man of all 
Iiis school-mates. Then there were the three Trow brothers, who grew 
up on a cross-road a little south of the school-house, and who studied 
medicine, and are now practicing in Buckland, Sunderland and East- 
hampton. Then there was W. AV. Mitchell, who began to teach school 
at 15, and has never failed to teach during some part of every year 
since that time, save one, although he is now over 60. The exception 
was because of sickness. And there must be added to the list the name 
of one of our most honored citizens, E. A. Hubbard. The name of 
Shepherd Knapp ought not to be left out while recounting the natives. 
He went to New York early in life, and became a clerk for Gideon Lcc, 
and afterwards treasurer of Kings County, and the long-time president 
of the Mechanics' bank. Mr. Lee, who in early life travelled about in 
AVorthington and Cummington as a shoemaker, lived to be mavor of 
New York. 



known as the South Parish of Greenwich. This parish 
included not only the south part of Greenwich, but also 
portions of Bclchertown and Ware. A church was built 
in 1786. Rev. Joshua Crosby-, the first pastor, was set- 
tled in 17C9. A Methodist church was organized in 
1847. For thirty j-ears previous to 1820, Quabbin whet- 
stones were the principal article of export. Cotton, 
woollen, and other manufactures have since been estab- 
lished. Population, 1,023. 

The remaining towns of this county, with their respec- 
tive populations and dates of incoi-poration, are Chester- 
field (a. d. 1762—746), Goshen (1781—349), Granby 
(1768—812), Greenwich (granted in 1732—606), Mid- 
dlefield (1780—603), Pelham (1743—633), Plainficld 
(1807 — 481), Prescott (1822 — 493), and Westhampton 
(1778—006). 

The first pastor of the church in the latter place was 
Rev. Enoch Hale, grandfather of Rev. Edward Everett 
Hale, D. D. He retained his connection with this church 
till his death, a period of 58 years. The ordination ser- 
■vice was held in a bam. Mr. Hale, a man of Puritanic j 
tji^e of character, was proverbial for his promptness. It 
is said that the people of the neighborhood could regulate 
their clocks to a minute by the precision with which he ! 
met his appointments. * 

Caleb Strong, aftenvards, for several years, governor . 
of the State, was one of the first settlers of Westhampton. 
Pelham was, for a time, the pastorate of Stephen Bur- [ 
roughs, the notorious imposter and counterfeiter. Rev. 
Moses Hallock, the first pastor of Plainfield, and for 55 
years the incumbent of this parish, was also a school- 
master, — WUliam Cullen Brj-ant, and several who after- 
wards became foreign missionaries, having been his 
pupils. 

Most of these men were students of Cummington Academy, and 
many of them went from it to college. The academy was opened in 
1824 or 182.'), and continued in operation only 15 years ; but no one will 
dare to measure the influence it has exerted on the community and the 
world from the day of its establishment, an influence that will be felt, 
it may be, while time shall last. The teachers were Rev. Francis J. 
Vamer, an Episcopal clergyman who is buried in town, Rev. Oren 
Coolcy, Rev. Thomas Rawson, and Zalmon Richards. The building 
where the school was kept stands in the east village, and has been used 
for a dwelling almost 40 years. 

• At one time w hen his Association was held 75 miles from his home, 
and he had not reached the place five minutes before the meeting was to 
open, speculation became rife as to the probability of his arrival within 
the time. One clergyman, who knew him better than the rest, said if he 
was not there at the appointed time, it would prove that the town clock 
was wrong. As minutes and half-nrinutes wore away, curiosity became 
intense ; but, in the last half-minute, Mr. Hale drove up in his " One- 
Hoss Shay," entered the meeting-house, and called the meeting to order. 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



MIDDLESEX COUNTY. 



BY PROF. L. F. GRIFFIN. 



Middlesex County contains some of the oldest settle- 
ments in Massachusetts. Onh" Pl3-moiith Countj', and, 
perhaps, the city of Salem in Essex Count3', can boast 
settlements of an earlier date. 

The first division of the State into counties occurred in 
1C43, and Middlesex -was one of the four then formed. 
Excepting Suffolk it is the most populous county of the 
old Bay State. It also contains within its limits the ear- 
liest battle-fields of the Revolution, though, by the 
annexation of Charlestown to Boston, Bunker Hill no 
longer belongs to it geographically ; yet it is still a por- 
tion of Middlesex in all its history. The first seat of 
learning in the Colonies, too, is in the countj*, and her 
manufactures have given American industry a world--nade 
reputation. 

The first permanent settlement of the county was at 
Watertown, and it was made hj a companj' of Puritans 
early in 1 C30. Cambridge dates from the same year, though 
it appears to have been later iu the season when the set- 
tlers, with their ministers, Thomas Hooker and Samuel 
Stone, located there. Its first name was New Town. 
Those who made the first companj' foi-med three settle- 
ments,— Dorchester, Roxbury, and Watertown. Some 
of Matthew Craddoek's men had alreadj' visited Medford, 
and a pennajient settlement there was begun the same 
jear ; perhaps bouses had already been erected and occu- 
pied bj' the temporarj' residents engaged in fishing. 

The Indians of the vicinity were few in number, as 
they had been nearly destroyed a few j'ears before bj' a 
plague. Those left manifested a friendly disposition. 

In 1G31, a grant of land was made to Governor Win- 
throp, near the Mj-stic River ; and he erected a house 
there, and laid out a fann. He also built a small vessel 
named "The Blessing of the Baj-," the real beginning of 
ship-building at Medford, an interest that afterward was 
of primary importance in building up the town. The 
same year Governor Winthrop induced Matthew Crad- 
dock to enlarge the settlement alreadj- commenced ; and 
the "great house" was erected that year, and still 
stands. 

The first winter, the settlers, not knowing the spirit of 
the natives, selected a site for a garrison. Since Cam- 



bridge, or New Town, as it was then called, was selected 
for the residences of the rulers, that place was fortified. 
But as, the next year, it was decided to make Boston the 
capital, the fortifications at Cambridge were abandoned. 

The year 1640 saw two new settlements made in this 
countj-, one at Reading, and the other at 'Woburn. 

The people of Charlestown, believing that their terri- 
tories were too contracted, asked and obtained a grant of 
land farther inland May 24, 1640. The location of their 
grant was at a place known as a favorite residence of 
Indians, The new grant included, besides Woburn, the 
present towns of Winchester, Wilmington, and Burling- 
ton. A committee was formed, Noveinbcr 4, to set the 
bounds of the new town, and to settle such worthj' men 
of Charlestown as might be willing to reside inland ; and 
the records of Woburn commence the same year. Ed- 
ward Convers built the first house, near Convers' 
Bridge. The church, however, experienced some diffi- 
cultj' in eflTecting an organization, chieflj- because no one 
could be found readj' to settle with them as their minister. 
But finallj' Thomas Carter was secured, a town charter 
obtained, so separating them from the parent town, on 
Oct. 6, 1642; and Mr. Carter was ordained December 
2d of the same j-ear. 

One other distinct settlement alreadj^ made deserves 
especial notice, since it was the first inland settlement, 
the ancient town of Concord. The place was known 
among the Indians as Musketaquid, and, for many j-ears, 
it was one of the principal villages of the Massachusetts 
tribe. It owed allegiance to their great king, Nanepash- 
emet, who lived in Medford, near Mj-stic Pond, in a house 
raised upon a scaffold. 

The first step taken in forming the new settlement was 
to obtain a grant of six miles square from the General 
Court at its session at New Town, Sept. 2, 1635. This 
grant named Rev. Peter Bulkcley, and Maj. Simon Wil- 
lard, and included with them about twelve other families. 
Then the land was purchased from the Indians, and the 
settlement began. Later, when, as a result of Mr. 
Eliot's labors, many of the Indians had accepted Chris- 
tianitj', provision was made for them. 

By the j'ear 1656, the town had become a place of con- 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



siderablc importance. In that j-ear, finding their pastur- 
I age insufficient, they aslced, and obtained, a new grant, 
including the present towns of Acton and Ashby. In the 
same year, the Sliepard and Law families commenced a 
permanent settlement upon this new grant. But for 
about three-quarters of a centmy, until 1735, the grant 
continued a part of the parent town. 

Middlesex County was not found wanting during King 
Philip's war. At the time of the destruction of Brook- 
field, a few men from this county were present, and, after 
the wounding of the commander, Lieut. Simon Davis of 
Concord assumed command. And, too, when the news 
of the danger there reached Concord, a partj' at once 
wont to the rescue. The first events of this war 
that actually belonged to this county were in the 
early part of 1G76. In February, Abraham and Isaac 
Shepard of Concord, fearing the Indians, stationed their 
younger sister, about 15 j-ears of age, to keep Avatch 
while they threshed the gi'ain in the barn. But the Ind- 
ians came upon her unawares, and carried her off" a cap- 
tive, and then killed her brothers. However, while the 
Indians slept, probablj^ rendered stupid by liquor, she 
made her escape, even taking the saddle away from the 
head of her keeper, and, by riding all night, returned to 
the settlement. 

The next attack was upon Groton. " A body of sav- 
ages entered the town on the 2nd of March, plundered 
several houses, and carried off a number of cattle. On 
the 9th, they ambushed four men who wore driving their 
carts, killed one, and took a second, but while they were 
disputing about the manner of putting him to death, he 
escaped. On the 13th, about 400 of these people 
assaulted Groton again. The inhabitants, alarmed by the 
recent destruction of Lancaster, had retreated into five 
garrisoned houses. Four of these were within musket 
shot of each other. The fifth stood at the distance of a 
mile. Between the four neighboring ones were gathered 
all the cattle belonging to the inhabitants. In the morn- 
ing, two Indians showed themselves behind a hill near 
one of the four garrisons, with an intention to dccoj'^ the 
inhabitants out of their fortifications. The alarm was 
immediatcl}- given. A considerable part of the men in 
this garrison, and several from the next, imprudently 
went out to surprise them, when a large body, in ambush 
for the purpose, arose instantaneously and fired upon 
them. The English fled. The ungarrisoned houses were 
then set on fire." The entire town was burned, except 
the four garrisons, which successfully resisted all hostile 
attempts upon them. 

On the 21.st of April, an alarm was raised that 1,500 
Indians were about to attack Sudbury. They had already 



burned several houses, and killed two citizens. A com- 
pan)' from Watertowu, aided bj' some citizens, attacked 
them on the east side of Concord River, but were com- 
pelled to retreat. Some citizens of Concord went to their 
relief, but were surrounded by savages near the gariison 
house of Walter Haj-nes, and were destro3-ed. 

The attack upon Marlborough occun-ed in September, 
1678. A party of Indians here killed many of the inhabi- 
tants, and set fire to their houses. A company sent from 
Concord to defend the place was totally destroj-ed, and 
two other companies from Boston met a similar fate. 
These companies, under Capts. Wadsworth and Smith, 
were led into an ambuscade near Sudburj-, surrounded by 
about 300 natives, and destroj-ed. 

The attack upon Chelmsford was upon the 1st of 
November following, and was made by the Indians living 
around the Merrimac. Overpowering the inhabitants, 
they put all to death indiscriminatel}-, not even sparing 
the babes at their mother's breast. November 9th, they 
burned the house of Mr. Ezra Eames, near Concord, 
killed his wife, and captured his children ; and on the 
loth, they took a young woman, 16 jears of age, and 
carried her awaj- a captive. 

In 1724-5, Capt. John Lovewell of Dunstable, at the 
head of a companj- of 600 men, induced b3- the offer of a 
generous bounty for scalps (£100), made three expedi- 
tions against the Indians, in the last of which, surprised 
at a place called Pigwacket, in Maine, he lost his life. 

Sixteen of the towns at present in the count}^ were 
chartered during the seventeenth centurj', and all but 
twelve of the remainder during the next hundred year^. 
So rapidly did this locaUty develop its resources and add 
to its population. 

To the call to engage in the struggle for national 
independence, the towns of Middlesex responded nobly. 
" No power on earth," said tlie people of Concord, "can 
agreeably to our constitution, take from us our rights, or 
any part of them, without our consent." Framinghara 
replied that " it is om- absolute duty to defend, b}' everj- 
constitutional measure, our dear privileges, purchased 
with so much blood and treasure." Medford, Acton, 
Stoneham, Groton, Pepperell and Shirley spoke with 
equal decision. " Death," said Marlborough, " is more 
eligible than slavery." 

The real commencement of the Revolution belongs to 
this county. The towns of Lexington and Concord, 
especially, in this county, will be forever memorable as 
the scene of the fii'st armed encounter between the British 
and the American forces, in connection with that great 
contest. On the ni^^ht of April 18, 1G75, Paul Revere of 
Boston, having eluded the British sentinels, and escaped 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



across Charles River Into the countrj-, -with all despatch 
spread abroad information of an intended inarch of a de- 
tachment of British troops, 800 strong, commanded by 
Lieut. -Col. Smith, to seize tlie provincial stores and 
cannon at Concord. The alarm, by means of church 
bells, bonfires, and other preconcerted signals, was gi\en 
at once, and, by two o'clock in the morning, about 130 
militia-men were assembled under arms on Lexington 
Common, under the command of Capt. John Parlter. 
Just at daj-break, the advanced guard of the enemy, com- 



silentlj', stood their ground, and held their ranks. Pit- 
cairn then commanded his men to fire. A heavj' dis- 
charge of muskets followed, and seven * men fell, f 
After this volley, Capt. Parker ordered his men to dis- 
l^erse. The British drew up on the Common, discharged 
their pieces, gave three cheers, and then, after a halt of 
about half an hour, pushed ou towards Concord. By 
this time the country round about had become thoroughly 
alarmed. On the one hand, the Concord people were al- 
ready busily employed removing and secreting the coveted 





Lli OF LL.\I.\GIC 



iiiitiiuuu uy luiij. xucauu, was discovered approaching 
the village. The alarm was sounded, and the militia-men 
at once paraded in two ranks on the Common, a few rods 
north of the meeting-house. After a brief halt, to allow 
the rest of the detachment to come up, the British 
advanced, almost on the run, Maj. Pitcairn, meanwhile, 
riding in front and shouting : " Disperse, ye rebels ; dis- 
perse, disperse!" The "rebels," however, firmly and 

• The killed were Jonas Parker, Isaac Muzzey, Jonathan Harrington, 
Jr., Caleb Ilarrinston, RoI)crt Jlonroe, Samuel Hadlcy and John 
Broi^-n. The last two were pursued and killed after they had left tlie 
Common. Asahel Porter of Wolnim, a prisoner taken by the British 
on the march, was killed while attempting to effect his escape. 

t In 1790, a small monument was erected to mark the spot of the first 



Stores ; while, ou the other, the patriot military were 
hastily gathering from near and from far. When, at 
length, the enemy came in sight, there were not less than 
150 minute-men who had already reported for duty ; and 
a part under Col. Barrett, and a part under Maj. But- 
trick I — a descendant of one of the oldest settlers of the 
town — had been drawn up in battle array just beyond 
the North Bridge, across Concord River, and were pre- 

bloodshed of the Revolutionary War. Recently, a more fitting memo- 
rial of the event has been erected, consisiiu;,' of a colossal hronze statue 
of a Revolutionary minute-man, elevated upon a lofty pedestal of gran- 
ite, with appropriate sculptures in bas-relief. 

X Maj. Puttrick, it is snid. has the honor of having issued the first 
order to fire on the royal troops — " the shot heard round the world." 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



pared to offer the invaders, if necessary-, a stubborn 
resistance. During the brief, but decisive engagement 
which followed, several were killed on both sides, includ- 
ing Captain Isaac Da\'is of Acton. The British, mean- 
while, discomfited by this unexpectedlj- warm reception, 
disappointed in regard to finding the stores in quest of 
which they had been dispatched, and fearing, withal, lest 
in case of further delay on their part, swarms of enraged 
patriots might descend upon them and prevent their 
return, at length commenced their disastrous retreat — 
followed along the road to Lexington by the provin- 
cials, who inflicted upon them serious injury. "While 
passing through Lincoln, they were attacked b}' the 
Lexington men, and sharply pursued, the latter maintain- 
ing a galling fire upon them from behind trees, buildings 
and walls, and heading them off, and seriousl3- harassing 
them at every turn of the road. About a>mile below 
Lexington Common, the British were saved from total 
rout and destruction by the timelj' arrival, with reinforce- 
ments, of Lord Perc}'. Even as it was, the roj'al troops, 
on finally reaching Boston, were thoroughly exhausted, 
and as completely demoralized. 

Some one has said that, so far as the deliberate pur- 
pose of the Americans was concerned, the American 
Revolution was begiui * by the determination of the 
farmers of Middlesex County to resist British assault 
by marching upon the North Bridge at Concord, f 

The people everj'where bore insults and anno^-ances 
with the utmost calmness. Minute-men were every- 
where, and the people in every possible waj' were get- 
ting stores of ammunition read}' for immediate use. 
Not a red-coat could be seen anywhere but he was fol- 
lowed, and his errand discovered. 

For some time it was evident that Gen. Gage was 
preparing to occupy the heights of Charlestown or Dor- 
chester, probably the latter. The pronncials had al- 
ready examined the ground for fortifications, and breast- 
works had been recommended at the present site of the 
McLean Asylum and on Prospect Hill, with redoubts 
upon Winter and Bunker hills, provided with cannon. 
This was referred to a council of war, approved, and a 
part of the works at once constructed. As Gage's plan 
to seize Dorchester became known, it was at once deter- 
mined to seize and fortify Bunker Hill. 

On Friday, June 16, orders were issued to Col. Wil- 
liam Prescott, and the commanding officers of Frj-e's 

• How impressive the crisis now reached ! The action at Lexington 
and Concord roused the whole country, and precipitated the long-impend- 
ing conflict. The night before these battles, there «erc few people in 
the Colonies, probably, who expected that any blood would be shed in 
the contest. "The night after," says Bancroft, "the king's governor 
and the king's army found themselves closely beleaguered in Boston, i 



and Bridge's regiments, with a fatigue party of two 
hundred Connecticut troops, under Thomas Knowlton, 
and the artillery of Capt. Samuel Gridley, in all about 
twelve hundred men, to go, supplied with a day's pro- 
visions and intrenching tools, and seize and fortify- 
Bunker Hill, under the chief engineer. Col. Richard 
Gridlej'. The detachment paraded on Cambridge Com- 
mon, and about nine in the evening, after prayer for 
their safety and success by President Langdon of Har- 
vard College, they marched to Charlestown, headed by 
Prescott. After setting a guard at the Neck, they pro- 
ceeded to Bunker Hill, but considering that to be too far 
from the shipping, it was decided to intrench Breed's 
Hill, as better suited to the objects of the expedition. 
Gridley marked out the plan, and about midnight the 
work commenced. 

When the morning dawned, the British were aston- 
ished to see such works thrown up in so short a time, 
and, as it were, almost in their face and eyes. Gage 
was thunderstruck, while, from the ships of war and a 
mortar on Copp's Hill, was commenced a cannonade 
sufficient to appall the stoutest heart. A council of war, 
called immediatelj', decided that the Americans must be 
dislodged at all hazards, and their works destroyed ; 
and, despite different advice, Gage determined to make 
the attack in front. 

At about one o'clock, in plain sight of the Americans, 
a British force of 2,000 men bore away from Boston for 
Moulton's Point, near Breed's Hill, Gen. Howe com- 
manding the right, and Gen. Pigot the left wing. On 
the American side, the military force under arms did not 
exceed 1,500 men. Col. Prescott was the fii-st in com- 
mand, Knowlton, Stark and Putnam being active and 
efficient in various ways. The British columns under 
Pigot advanced to a simultaneous attack a little after 2| 
o'clock. With their scarlet uniforms and flashing armor 
they presented a formidable appearance. A tremendous 
volley of musketry from the Americans, however, levelled 
nearlj- the whole front rank of the British troops. Again 
and again the latter advanced, only to recoil under the 
effective and unremitting fire of the Americans, until at 
length the}' staggered and retreated in more or less dis- 
order. Howe's division, in like manner, was received 
b}* a sheeted and deadl}' fire that soon forced it into con- 
fusion and precipitate retreat. A second attempt to 
storm the American position was no more successful. 

t In 1835, a granite obelisk, 28 feet high, including the base, 5^ 
feet broad, was erected on the spot where the first British soldiers fell, 
with a suitable inscription. The spot is one of great rural beauty, 
the road along which the troops marched having been many years 
closed, and the bridge over which the first volleys of the Revolution 
flew having long since disappeared. 




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MASSACHUSETTS. 



In the face of a continuous fire the British pressed for- 
ward, but before the vollej-s, aimed with the fatal skill 
of sharp-shooters, they again gave wa}-, and retreated in 
greater confusion than before. It was now discovered 
by the Americans that their ammunition was nearly 
exhausted ; accordingly', when the engagement was re- 
newed, Prescott gave the order to retreat, which, after 
pouring with their last round of ammunition into the 
ranks of the advancing foe a parting and murderous 
volley, they proceeded to do in comparatively good 
order, Prescott himself being one of the very last to 
leave the redoubt. 

As they thus abandoned their position, they received 
from the enemj' a destructive voUej', when the brave 
Warren* fell, shot through the head with a bullet. 
The result of the battle, though a defeat, yet had all the 
moral effect of a victorj'. The Americans had not onlj- 
" smellod gunpowder" : they had met, and had repeat- 
edly seen superior numbers of the disciplined soldiers of 
England retreat before their fire ! and, in consequence, 
were confirmed in their trust that their liberties would be 
presen'ed. Well may New England's poet exultantlj' 
exclaim : — 

" Hail to the mom, when first they stood 
On Banker's height, 
And fearless stemmed the invading flood, 
And wrote our dearest rights in blood, 
And mowed in ranks the hireling brood. 

In desperate figlit ! 
Oh, 'twas a proud, exulting day, 
For even our fallen fortunes lay 
In light." 

When, Sept. 12, 1786, the Court of Common Pleas 
attempted to sit at Concord, about one hundred men, 
led by one Capt. Job Shattuck of Groton, and INIatthew 
and Sylvanus Smith of Shu'lej', encamped in the vicin- 
ity, with a view to preventing the transaction of anj- 
business. On the morning when the court was to meet, 
they formed, but presented a wretched ai)pearance ; 
indeed, they were little more than a mob. But the dis- 
turbance was so great that the judges finallj- decided to 
leave the place without holding a court. Similar pro- 
ceedings occurred in several other counties in the State. 
After a few months, however, tlie wholesome presence 
of the militia, under Maj. Gen. Lincoln, effectually dis- 
persed these mobs, and put to a perpetual end the infa- 
mous so-called " Shays' RcbelHon." 

The growth of this county has been marvellous. Its 
citizens have always generously participated in whatever 
has interested or concerned the whole countr)'. When 

• The death of Warren, one of the most gnileless as well as gallant 
of patriots, was the occasion of profound and universal sorrow. In the 
centre of the grounds included within the redoubt of the old-time battle- 



the Rebellion broke out in 1861, her sons were first on 
the field. The first northern men slain in the memorable 
riot at Baltimore belonged to old Middlesex, the "gal- 
lant sixth " being the veiy earliest regiment to respond 
to the President's call to ai'ms, and to fly to the defence 
of the beleaguered capital. And all through that long 
and cruel war it will be found, we think, that Middlesex 
never failed to do her duty. 

Towns. 

LovTELL, a city of 40,928 inhabitants, owes its ex- 
istence to the vast water-power fm-nished hy the Mer- 
rimac River. This locahty was once a favorite fishing- 
ground for the Indians, and one tribe had its village, 
named Wamesit, near the site of the present city. 

In 1821, Messrs. Nathan Appleton and Patrick Tracy 
Jackson, the proprietors of successful cotton-mills at 
Waltham, were attracted by the great unemploj'ed 
water-power fimiished bj- Pawtucket Falls, and soon the 
idea of gaining " all the power of the Merrimac River " 
completely possessed them. So they purchased the 
stock of the old Pawtucket Canal Company, and four 
farms of about four hundred acres, where now stands 
the most densely populated part of Lowell, for from one 
to two hundred dollars per acre. Shortly a hundred 
new houses stood on these farms, and in 1822, a line of 
stages was estal)lished with Boston. The first paper, 
called the " Chelmsford Courier," was started in 1824, 
and the Mechanic Phalanx, the first military company, was 
organized JUI3- 4, 1825. The Central Bridge Company 
was formed the same year. Near tlie close of that year, 
the Middlesex Mechanics' Association was also incorpo- 
rated. Thus the town sprang into existence, with all its 
leading institutions, almost immediatelj' after the pur- 
chase of the water-power. 

The town of Lowell was chartered as a separate com- 
munity March 1, 1826, with a population of about 2,000. 
In 1835, because of " the want of executive power, and 
the loose and irresponsible manner in which money for 
municipal purposes is granted and expended," a committee 
was appointed to draft a city charter. Luther Lane was 
chairman, and the charter proposed was adopted April 
11, 1836. In the ten years since its organization as a 
town, the population had increased to 17,633. The 
Railroad Bank was established in 1831, and the Police 
Court two years later. 

In 1830, Patrick T. Jackson undertook the Boston & 
Lowell Railroad, one of the earUest to carry both freight 

field on Breed's Hill, now stands the obelisk known as Bunker Hill 
monument, a square shaft of Quincy granite, 221 feet in height, 31 feet 
square at the base, and 15 at the top. 



HISTORY OF "KEW ENGLAND. 



and passengers. When completed, in 1835, this lauda- 
ble enterprise had cost the sum of $1,800,000. 



erected in Monument Square in 18G4, and is cher- 
ished as one of Lowell's most precious memorials. 







The Lowell Cemetery dates from 
area of about 45 acres. This 
"garden of graves," largely the 
work of Oliver M. "Whipple, is 
situated on the east bank of Con- 
cord Eivcr, one mile from the city. 
It is laid out in the French style, 
with long, serpentine avenues, 
shaded by forest trees, and is one 
of the most beautiful burial-places 
in the State. 

During the Rebellion, Lowell 
furnished 5,022 men, of whom 
450 were in the navj-. The first 
in the field came from Lowell, 
and this city was the first to make 
provision for the families of vol- 
unteers. Of the old sixth regi- 
ment, which was ordered out im- 
mediately after the fall of Fort 
Sumter, four companies came 
from this city, and Addison 0. 
"Whitney, Luther C. Ladd, and 
Charles A. Taylor, killed at Bal- 
timore, belonged in Lowell. A 
monmnent to their memory was 






a 1 , and has an | Lowell owes its origin and sufisequent growth to the 
I introduction of cotton manufac- 

J tures. 

J; The first corjjoration formed 

^ was the Men-imack. This was 

incorporated Feb. 5, 1822, with j 
"Warren Dutton as president, and 1 
a capital of $000,000 ; but it has 
been increased to $2,500,000. 
The corporation first built a 
dam across Pawtucket Falls, then 
widened and deepened the canal, 
and erected miUs. The first was 
completed and started Sept. 1, 

1823, and the first return of cloth 
was made in November. Kirk 
Boott was the first treasurer and 
agent, and Ezra "Worthen super- 
intendent — he, however, died in 

1824, and his place was supphcd 
bj' "Warren Colburn, famous for 
a series of arithmetics. The 
founders had, from the first, con- 
templated calico printing. Allen 
Pollard made here the first at- 
tempt at this line of goods in this 




countrj' ; but it pro-\ ed a 
failure. Henry Burrows 
became superintendent of 
this enterprise in 1855 
His skill, supplemented bj 
that of his chemist, Sim- 
uel L. Dana, gave then 
prints a fame that is woild 
wide. The company haA c 
five mills and print-woiks 
In 1825, the old Locks 
and Canal Company was 
rc-organized, aiid into its 
hands was committed the 
sole control of the water- 
power. Their business has 
been to furnish land and 
water-power ; build mills, 
and fill them with machin- 
eiy. They constructed all 
the canals to convey water 
to the several miUs, and, 
for twenty years, kept in 
operation two machine- 
shops and a saw-mill. In 
1845, the Lowell Machine 
Companj' was organized to 
do this last work. 



.( List of LoioelVs Maniifacturinff Corporaii 



NAME. 


Incnrpo- 


Capital. 


The Hamilton jranufacturing Company, . 


1825, 


1600,000 00 


Appleton Company, 


1828, 


600,000 00 


Lowell Company, 


1828, 


2,000,000 00 


Middlesex Company, 


1830, 


500,000 00 




1831, 


600,000 00 


TremontMffls, 


1831, 


600,000 00 


Lamrence 


1831, 


1,500,000 00 


Lowell Bleachery, 

Boott & Cotton MUls, 


1832, 


300,000 00 


1835, 


1,200,000 00 


Massachusetts, 


1839, 


1,800,000 00 



These are the large corpor- 
ations. There are also some 
smaller companies, among which 
may be mentioned the Sterling 
Mills, with 40 flannel looms ; the 
Faulkner, with 38 looms ; and 
the Hosiery Company, engaged 
in making women's hose. The 
American Bolt Company employ 
one hmidred hands. Wood, Sher- 
wood & Company manufacture 
fine plated goods ; the Thorn- 
dike Manufacturing Company', 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



elastic goods ; and the Bel- 
videre "Woollen Companj-, 
Charles A. Stott, agent, 
ran 86 looms. These are 
not all, but the most im- 
portant of the industries of 
this busy city. 

The scenery around the 
city of Lowell presents 
many points of marked in- 
terest to every lover of the 
beautiful. From the heights 
of Centrah-ille on the left 
bank, and from Bclvidere 
on the right, especially, 
the whole panorama of the 
citj'' appears spread out be- 
neath, with the river wind- 
ing its way between sur- 
rounding hills, while for a 
background to the picture, 
Wachusett, and the moun- 
tains of New Hampshire, 
tower in grandeur. 

The citj^, too, can boast 
many handsome buildings. 
The county jail is usually 
considered to be the finest, 
though the court-house is 
not far behind in architectural beauty. Built at a cost of 
$100,000, this stands on an elevated site in a shaded en- 
closure, on Gorham Street. The city has good schools, * 
64 in number ; six banks, with an aggregate capital of 
$2,350,000, and six savings banks ; a public library of 
13,000 volumes ; and a course of lectures is maintained 
each season, usually in Huntington Hall. There are three 
papers, — the "Lowell Daily Courier," which succeeded 
the " Chelmsford Courier," now published by Marden & 
RoweU; the "Vox Populi," a 
semi-weekly, started in 1841, 
published by Stone & Huse ; and 
the " Times," published by E. A. 
Hills. 

There are 27 religious denom- 
inations in the city. The first 
foi-med was St. Anne's, Episco- 
pal, and it possesses a substantial 
stone structure that was conse- 
crated by Bishop A. V. Griswold, 
* To 'Warren Colbum, the mathemat- 
ician, and Dr. Edson, Lowell is indebted 

EPtSCOPAX. CHURCH, LOWELL. ^""^ ''« P'"''^''"' ^y^^<''^ °^ P"'^"'= ^'^^°°^- 





HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



March 26, 1825. The first rector was Rev. T. Edson, 
D. D., who still remains, and has always exerted a 
powerful influence in the city. 

Kirk Boott was the first treasm-er and agent of the 
Merrimack corporation. He was bom in Boston in 1791, 
and educated at Rugby School, England. He entered 
Harvard, but did not complete his course. He served 
five years in the British army, and fought under "Welling- 
ton. He so infused his spirit into the place, that, for 
fifteen years, its history was practical^ his own. He 
was the leading man of Dr. Edson's parish. His death 
occurred in 1837. 

Benjamin F. Butler, one of Lowell's most eminent law- 
yers, was born in Deerfield, N. H., Nov. 5, 1818 ; 
graduated at "Watenolle (Colby University) in 1838 ; 
and was admitted to the bar in 1840, and, in 1860, was 
a member of the Democratic National Convention. Dm-- 
ing the wai* he displayed great executive ability, and rose 
to the rank of major general. At its close he was elected 
to Congress, and has been a member nearly all the time 
since. 

Dr. J. C. Ayer, actively identified for many years with 
the material interests of the city, came to Lowell when a 
mere boy, and was first employed as a drag clerk. In 
1838 he began his experiments with patent medicines, 
and soon obtained a degree from the Universitj- of Penn- 
sylvania. He was part owner of several corporations, and 
of -the New York "Tribune." He died, July 3, 1878, 
from insanity. 

Cajibridge, so called from Cambridge, Eng., is the 
seat of Harvard University, one of the shire towns of 
the county, and the second in size. Population, 39,634. 
It comprises four sections, — North Cambridge, Cam- 
bridge proper, where the University is located ; East 
Cambridge, formerly Lechmere's Point ; and Cambridge- 
port. East Cambridge is connected with Charlestown 
by Prison Point Bridge, and with Boston by the Lowell 
Railroad and Cragie's Bridge. CambridgejDort is con- 
nected with Boston by "West Boston Bridge, 6,190 feet 
long, a fine structiu-e, finished -nith a draw. There are 
also bridges connecting the city with Brookline and 
Brighton. 

Early in 1631, Lieut.-Gov. Dudley, and Secretary' 
Bradstreet, in accordance with the agreement, commenced 
the erection of houses in Cambridge. The next year, 
' ' the Braintree company removed to New Town. These 
were Mr. Hooker's compan}-," and Rev. Thomas Hooker 
became the first settled minister. 

In 1639 the first printing-press in America was set up 
" by one Day, at the charge of Mr. Glover," who died 



on his passage, to this country. Its first production 
was the " freeman's oath," and the next an almanac for 
New England, by Mr. Pierce, mariner ; and then the 
Psalms turned into metre. From this beginning has 
grown Cambridge's world-wide renown for printing 
books. 

The first license for an inn was given to Andrew 
Belcher in 1652, and in 1656 the inhabitants consented 
to pay each his share of a rate to the sum of £200 
" towards the building a bridge over Charles River." 
The bridge called ' ' the Great Bridge " was erected about 
1660. A House of Correction was erected at nearly the 
same time. 

In 1642 Cambridge embraced Menotomy, now As- 
lington ; the Farms, now Lexington ; the lands on 
the Shawshine, now BUlerica ; and Nonantmn, now 
Newton. In 1668, several respectable men were chosen 
"for katechising the youth of this towne." During 
the Revolution, Cambridge evinced an unwavering 
IJatriotism, and whUe the army occupied the place 
during the siege of Boston, the inhabitants submitted 
to the necessary privations without a murmur. The 
influence of the University too was powerfully for 
freedom, and dming the war of the RebeUion, her fame 
was unsuUied. Cambridge furnished 3,600 men for the 
Union service, of whom 470 were lost. A beautiful 
monument has been erected on the Common to perpet- 
uate then- memory. Parts of Charlestown were annexed 
to Cambridge in 1802, 1818, and 1820. The city charter 
was passed by the legislatui-e March 17, 1846, and ac- 
cepted by the inhabitants March 30. The motto is : 
"Literis antiqvis novis institvtis decora." Its growth 
has been exceedingly rapid ; and with an honorable 
past, and an admirable present, it promises a brilliant 
future. 

The surface of Cambridge is, for the most part, level, 
and along the streams it is low and marshy. In addition 
to Charles River and a branch of the M\-stic, the city 
contains part of Fresh Pond, furnishing the city at once 
its water-supply- and ice. ]\Iiller's River is a noxious 
tidal stream rising in SomerviUe. 

The manufactures are steam-engines, glass (for mak- 
ing which there are two large establishments at East Cam- 
bridge, one of which, the New England, is as extensive 
as any in the country) , soap, fiu-niture, tin-ware, brushes, 
chemicals, brass and ii-on castings, clothing, confection- 
ery, bricks, musical instniments, &c. There are also 
extensive slaughtering establishments, of which that of 
Mr. J. P. Squire is the most important. 

The city has six banks, and four savings banks ; an 
eflicient police, and a fii-e department, with the telegraph- 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



alarm system ; a fine city hall, containing a public 
library ; an excellent sj'stem of graded schools, the high 
school being one of marked excellence ; an horticultural 
association dat- 
ing from 1860; 
and the Dowse 
Institute, which 
furnishes a j'early 
course of public 
lectures. " The 
Cambridge Cit}- 
Guard " is a fine 
military organi- 



and picturesque Mount Auburn, with its shaded avenues 
and storied monuments, its sacred associations and hal- 
lowed influences, must stand pre-eminent. This is one 
of the earliest, 
most extensive, 
and finest rural 
cemeteries, and 
was dedicated on 
Sept. 24, 1831. 
It contains an 
area of about 
125 acres, and 
its highest point 
is about 1 75 feet 
above the level 
of the Charles. 
Its natural scen- 
ery consists of a 
remarkable vari- 
etj' of wooded hill 
and shaded dale, 
interspersed with 
smaU lakes, to 
which the land- 
scape gardener 
LT LONGFELLOW, cAMBHiDGF ^'^^ added mauy 

other attractions. 




Oct. 11, 1633, 
the First Church 
of Cambridge 
was organized, 
with Rev. Thos. 
Hooker, pastor, 
and Sam'l Stone, 
assistant. They, 
with the church, 
removed to Hart- 
ford, Conn., in 
1636, and the 
church was re- 
organized the same 3 ear, with Ke\. Thomas Shepard, I A chapel of stone for funeral services stands conve- 
minister. There are now 28 churches within the city, | niently near the entrance, while a stone tower crowns 




some of them remarkable 
for architectural beauty. 
The Shepard Memorial 
Church is probably the 
most costly. 

Cambridge has many 
points of interest be- 
sides its celebrated Uni- 
versitj', some of them his- 
toric. The poet, Henry 
W. Longfellow, resides 
in the fine old mansion 
on Brattle Street, that 
served for Washington's 
head-quarters ; and the 
"Washington ehu" is 
on one side of the com- 
mon, where, July 3, 1775, the " Father of his Country" 
took command of the Continental Army. The Ralph 
Inman place on Main Street, Cambridgeport, was Gen. 
Israel Putnam's headquarters. 

But in point of interest in Cambridge, the beautiful 



MEMOKLAL HALL 



the highest eminence 
commanding a view of 
all the surrounding coun- 
trj\ The gateway is mas- 
sive, built from an Egyp- 
tian model, and there are 
within the sacred enclo- 
sm'es many fine monu- 
ments to commemorate 
the departed. The first 
to attract attention, on 
the left of the main en- 
trance, is that of John 
Gaspar Spurzheim, who 
died Oct. 10, 1832, and 
is an exact copy of the 
tomb of Scipio Africanus. 
Hai-vard University, the oldest, and perhaps the best 
endowed institution in America, was founded in 1636, 
and named for Rev. John Hai-vard of Charlcstown, who, 
two years later, bequeathed to it about £780 and 300 
volumes of books. The college grounds, with an area 

^ J 



VN-IVERSITY. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



of 22 acres, are nearly covered with the University 
buildings. Prominent among these is Memorial Hall, 
one of the finest structures in the State, erected in honor 
of the sons of Harvard who fell in the late war. The 
course of study is largely elective. Under the adminis- 
tration of Pres. Eliot, the number of students has largely 
increased, and a high standard of scholarship is main- 
tained. * 

The University includes, besides the college proper, 
the Theological, Law, Medical and Dental schools ; the 
two last located in Boston ; the Lawrence Scientific 
School, the Bnssey Institution, the Museum of Natural 
Historj-, the Botanic Garden, and the Observatory. 
The Divinity School, under the patronage of the Uni- 
tarian, denomination, has a corps of able professors. 
There is also an Episcopal Theological School. The 
Law and Medical Colleges have gained a national repu- 
tation, and have the merit of being the first institutions 
of the kind to insist upon passing thorough examinations 
to secure the degi-ee. The Lawrence Scientific School 
has post-graduate courses in preparation for special 
scientific labor. Thus Harvai-d meets the idea of an 
university more fully than any other institution in the 
country. The Observatory, upon an eminence some 
half mile from the college, is under Prof. E. C. Pickering 
as director. It is pro\dded with all modern apphances 
for extended study of celestial phenomena. 

Cambridge has been the residence of many distin- 
guished men. Thomas Oakes (1644-1719) was a noted 
physician and able counsellor. Bartholomew Green, 
died 1732, was the printer of the first newspaper in the 
country. Jonathan Belcher, died 1732, was for several 
years governor of the Colony. William Brattle, F. R. 
S. (1702-177(5), was an able legislator in the colonial 
period. William Eustis, LL. D., died in 1825, was an 
eminent physician, and for the last two years of his hfe 
governor of the State. Amos Whiltemore was the 
inventor of a machine for making cards, which displays 
much mechanical skill. Charles K. Williams, LL. D., 
and Jonathan Sewell, LL. D., were both noted jurists. 
Joseph Willard, died 1865, was a noted antiquai-y. 

* Presidents. — Ker. Henry Dunster (resigned 1654) ; Rev. Charles 
Chauncey (inaugurated 1G54) ; Rev. Leonard Hoar (1672) ; Rev. Urian 
Oalies (1675) ; John Rogers (1681) ; Rev. Increase Mather (1685) ; 
Rev. Samuel Willard (1701) ; John Leverett (1707) ; Rev. Benjamin 
Wadsworth (1725) ; Rev. Edward Holyoke (1737) ; Rev. Samuel Locke 
(1770); Eev. Samuel Langdon, D.D. (1774); Rev. Joseph Willard 
(1781) ; Prof. Samuel Webber (1805) ; Dr. John S. Kirkland (1810) ; 
Josiah Quincy (1829) ; Edward Everett (1846) ; Jared Sparks (1849) ; 
Jacob Walker (1852) ; Cornelius Conway Felton (1860) ; Thomas Hill 
(1862) ; Charles William Eliot (1869). 

t Following from the north, these hUls are : a part of Walnut, upon 
which stands Tufts College ; Wmter Hill, upon which was a Ime of 



Ezra Stiles Gannett, D.D., born in 1801, was an eloquent 
di^-ine ; killed on the Eastern Railroad at Revere, in 
1871. Arthur B. Fuller was chaplain of the Sixteenth 
Massachusetts Regiment, and was shot while crossing 
the Rappahannock at the battle of Fredericksburg in 
1862. Besides these there are many noted authors , among 
whom may be mentioned Richard H. Dana, died 1807 ; 
George B. Enghsh,*died 1828; Frederick H. Hedge, 
D.D. ; Ohver WendeU Hohnes, M. D. ; Sarah M. Fuller, 
died 1850 ; R. H. Dana, Jr. ; James Russell Lowell ; 
and T. W. Higginson. 

SoMEKViLLE was detached from Charlestown and char- 
tered as a town March 3, 1842, and was made a city 
April 14, 1871. Population, 14,685. It is three miles 
north-west from Boston, with which it is connected by 
the Eastern, the Boston and Maine, the LoweU, and the 
Fitchburg railroads, and by a horse railroad. The Mystic 
and Miller's rivers are navigable to the city for sloops, 
and piu-e water is supplied from Mystic Pond. 

There are seven eminences in the city, mostly covered 
with beautiful residences, but which were the scenes of 
some of the most stining events of the Revolution.! 

The McLean Asylum for the insane stands upon 
Cobble Hill, where Gen. Israel Putnam planted his 
cannon during the seige of Boston. 

The city has a good police force, an efficient fire 
depai-tment, and excellent public schools, with buildings 
of tasteful architectm-e. Brick-making is an important 
industry ; glass is made for lamps and table ware ; brass 
and copper tubes and spikes are also made. There is an 
establishment for printing caUco and delaines, with a 
capital of $100,000, ; and a well-edited paper, the 
" Somerville Journal." | 

The first church organized was the Baptist, in 1845. 
Ten other churches have since been established here. j 

John McLean (1759-1823), a merchant, by his will ; 
gave $100,000 to the Massachusetts General Hospital, 
and $50,000 to Harvard College. 

Col. R. H. Conwell, a noted correspondent, a vigorous 
writer and lectui-er, resides here. 

breastworks during the siege of Boston ; Ten Hills Farm, where the 
troops landed when they removed the powder to Castle William, and 
on which the left of the army rested for a season ; Mount Benedict, 
called in Revolutionary times " Ploughed Hill," upon which stands the 
ruins of the Ursuline Convent, but which has been nearly levelled to 
furnish better building facilities; Prospect Hill, which was fortified 
before Bunker Hill, on which was lighted the first beacon to inform 
the iuhabitants of the movements of the British on the morning of 
the memorable April 19, 1775; Spring Hill, where some of the m- 
trenchments still remain ; and Central Hill, surrounded by the other 
eminences, and now surmounted by some of the finest buildings in the 
city. 



JNLASSACHUSETTS. 



Newton is a flourishing city in the south-east part of 
the county, with a population of 12,825. It was incor- 
porated as a town Dec. 15, 1691 ; originally Cambridge 
Village, then New Town. Incorporated as a cit3' Oct. 14, 
1873. The B. & A. R. R. accommodates the northern, 
and the N. E. R. R. the southern portions. The surface 
is exceedingly varied, and the soil is under a high state 
of cultivation. Many beautiful subm-ban residences are 
located upon the various eminences, while the pictur- 
esque Charles winds through the cit3", furnishing abund- 
ant water-power at the Upper Falls, where it plunges 
over a rocky descent of upwards of 20 feet ; and also at 
the Lower Falls. Several small streams and ponds, 
among which may be mentioned Baptist and Hammond's 
ponds, each covering about 33 acres, add much to the 
scenic beauty. Chestnut Hill, partly in this city, sur- 
mounted by the reservoir, is one of the most sightly and 
beautiful localities within easy reach of Boston. 

The principal manufactures are cotton goods, paper, 
hosiery, hoUow ware, machineiy, musical instruments 
and furniture. Agriculture is an^important industry, the 
fertile soil being especially adapted to market gardening. 

The city consists of the several villages of Newton, 
very compactly built ; Newton\'ille, with the high school 
and many elegant residences ; West Newton ; Aubm-n- 
dale, the seat of Lasell Seminary ; Newton Centre, 
largely upon elevated ground, and the seat of the Theo- 
logical Seminarj- ; Newton Upper and Newton Lower 
Falls, industrial villages on Charles River ; Chestnut 
Hill ; and Newton Highlands, each with charming loca- 
tions for suburban homes. There are 53 public schools 
and two academies ; a lyceum, an horticultural society, 
and two papers, the "Journal" and the " Repubhcan." 
A library and reading-room, established in 1869 at a cost 
of $55,000, and maintained at an annual cost of $4,000, 
circulates 40,000 vols, yearly. 

The first church was organized May 5, 1664, and Rev. 
John Eliot, Jr., the first pastor, was ordained soon after. 
The second minister. Rev. Nehemiah Hobart, was or- 
dained in 1674. Rev. John Cotton, gi-eat-grandson of 
the celebrated Rev. John Cotton of Boston, was ordained 
as the third minister in 1714. The fourth and last min- 
ister of the whole town was Rev. Jonas Memam, ordained 
in 1758. This church, the Congregational Church at the 
Centre, has had a succession of pastors to the present, 
Rev. D. L. Finber, D. D. Of these, Rev. Jonathan 
Homer, ordained in 1782, and Rev. Wm. BushneU, 
closed their pastorate by their death. At present there 
are nearly thirty churches in the city, some of very 
pleasing design. 

The Revolutionary record of Newton is excellent. 



The minute-men were at Lexington on April 19, 1775, 
in command of Lieut. Michael Jackson, and pursued the 
British to Lechmere's Point. Diu-ing the war 23 men 
were officers. The town showed a good record during 
the late Civil war. A handsome monument has been 
erected to the honor of those who fell. 

Newton Centre is the seat of the Newton Theological 
Institution, incorporated February, 1826, under the care 
of the Baptist denomination. It has alreadj' had as its 
professors some of the most noted biblical scholars in 
the countrj', among whom maj' be mentioned Horatio B. 
Hackett, D. D. Its present faculty, with Rev. Alvah 
Hovey, D. D., as president, enables it not only to occupy 
a commanding position in its own denomination, but to 
take rank with any other in the entire countr}'. 

The Lasell Female Seminary, located at Aubumdale, 
is the only institution for the higher education of ladies 
in New England, under the care of the Methodists. It 
was built by Prof. Edward LaseU of Williams College, 
who died soon after its completion. 

Newton has produced a large number of noted men. 
Capt. Thomas Prentice, bom in England in 1620 or 
1621, was one of the influential earlj' settlers, and a cap- 
tain in King Philip's war. William WUliams and Jo- 
seph Park were noted clergj'men. Col. Ephraim Wil- 
liams was a commander in both French wars. Roger 
Sherman (1721-1793) was oue of the signers of the Dec- 
laration of Independence. Col. Joseph Ward was one 
of Gen. Ward's staff during the Revolution. William 
Jenks, D. D., LL. D., was the author of a commentary 
upon the Bible. WiUiam Jackson (1783-1855) was 
twice a member of Congress. Rev. S. F. Smith, D. D., 
was one of our best sacred lyric poets, a writer of some 
note, and author of the national hymn, " My countr}', 
'tis of thee." Alexander H. Rice, born 1818, an emi- 
nent merchant, has been a member of Congress and gov- 
ernor of Massachusetts. 

Waltham, ten miles from Boston, on the Fitchburg 
Raikoad, and one of the pleasantest of subui'ban towns, 
was separated from Watertown and incorporated Jan. 4, 
1737. It has a population of 9,065, thu-ty public schools, 
including a high school, and an incorporated academy. 
The town is built upon both sides of the Charles River, 
which stream pursues a de\ious coxu-se through the 
town, and furnishes good water-power. Stony Brook 
and Beaver Brook are tiibutaries — the latter the outlet 
of Means Pond. 

The land near the river is very fertile, but away from 
it, uneven and rocky. There are two ponds near the 
village, the larger — Mead's — being a mile in length 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



and more than talf a mile in breadth. The Waltham 
Cotton and Woollen Blanufacturing Company was incor- 
porated in 1812, and the Boston in the following year. 
These establishments have by superior management 
always proved highly profitable. The cotton-miU has 
40,000 spindles and employs 700 hands. There are also 
two foundries, cmploj-ing 175 hands ; a bleacheiy, hosiery- 
mill, caipct-lining factory, and six large machine shops. 
The American Watch Company here commenced the man- 
ufiicture of watches and chronometers by machinery, and 
their success has led to similar establishments in other 
parts of the country-. Their fine main building is more 
than SOO feet long. They employ about 800 hands, 
mostly females, and make 44,000 watches per annum. 
Dehcate machines, invented in this country, make everj- 
part of the watch, and the most perfect order is maih- 
tained everj^where. 

The town has three able journals, the " Sentinel," 
" Free Press," and the " Olive Branch" ; a literary as- 
sociation called the Rumford Institute, a farmers' club, 
a savings bank, seven churches, and a public librarj' of 
7,000 volumes. 

Cyrus Pierce (1 790-1860) , was a distinguished teacher ; 
Jonathan B. Bright, born in 1800, a merchant, was the 
author of " The Brights of Suffolk" ; and Oliver S. Le- 
land, died in 1870, was an author and critic. Gen. Nathan- 
iel P. Banks, ex-govemor and late member of Congress, 
is a resident of the town. He was first elected to Con- 
gress in 1853, and remained until 1857, and became 
major-general in the armj' during the RebeUion. He has 
been speaker of the House. 

M^VKLBOROUGH, the Indian Okamakamesit, was settled 
in 1C54, and was then a part of Sudlimy, from which it 
was separated and incorporated in IGGO. Among the 
early settlers were John How, Edmund Rice and Thomas 
King. The first minister was Rev. Wilham Brimsmead, 
who commenced preaching here in IGGO. John Ruddocke 
and John IIow bought the land for the first meeting- 
house in 1GG3, of Anamaks, an Indian. 

On March 20, 1676, during King Philip's war, the 
town was attacked by Indians, and nearly destroyed. 
After this the inhabitants left then- farms until more 
peaceful times. 

The place was one of the seven "praying towns" 
inhabited by natives, under the care of Rev. John Eliot. 
Daniel Goolrin, in 1674, thus describes the Indian settle- 
ment: "This village contains about ten families, and 
consequently about 50 souls. The quantity of land 
appertained to it is 6,000 acres. It is much of it good 
land, being well husbanded, and yieldeth plenty of corn. 



It is sufficiently stored with meadows, and is well 
watered." Thus early, Ehot's labors bore good fruit. 

Tlie town now contains 8,474 inhabitants. The Marl- 
borough branch of the B., C. & F. R. R. furnishes 
communication with Boston. The land is varied with 
hills, covered with fine farms, and valle3-s, beautified with 
streams and lakes, and the soil is fertile, producing a fine 
and varied flora. Spoon HiU, in the north, overlooks a 
beautiful sheet of water, covering 250 acres, with Fort 
Meadow Brook for its outlet. Indian Head HiU is con- 
spicuous in the east. Ockoocangansett Hill was the 
Indian " planting-field," and its northern slope was their 
burying-ground. Sljgo Hill is the highest eminence in 
town, and commands a charming prospect of the villages 
of tliis and neighboring towns. The elegant mansion of 
Samuel Boj-d, one of the leading manufacturers of the 
place, stands on Fair Mount, near the centre of tlie 
town. 

The town has always been noted for a thri\'ing farming 
community". But latterlj', the introduction of the manu- 
factm-e of boots and shoes has stimulated rapid growth 
and material prosperity. There are two well-edited 
papers, a public librarj' of 3,000 volumes, two banks, a 
good fire department, and seven churches. The town lost 
89 men in the RebelUon, and has erected a fine monu- 
ment to their memory. 

WoBUEN, a pleasant town in the eastern part of the 
county, ten miles from Boston, has a population of 
8,560. It was first settled as Charlestown Village, the 
gi-ant being made to Charlestown by the General Court, 
May 24, 1640. It original!}- included Winchester, Wil- 
mington and Burlington. A committee was chosen, 
Nov. 4, 1640, to set the bounds of the town, and the 
town records commence with their doings in that year. 
Edward Convers' house, near Convers' bridge, was im- 
doubtedly the first built in the town. The date of incor- 
poration was Oct. 6, 1642, and it was the twentieth in 
the Massachusetts Ba}' Colony. The most important of 
the earlj' settlers were Thomas Graves, the three Rieh- 
ardsons, Edward Convers and Edward Johnson. The 
last named, a very prominent citizen, wrote a somewhat 
tedious history- — but valuable for the facts preserved — 
called "The Wonder Working Providence of Sion's 
Sa-\-ior in New England." 

The First Congregational Church was gathered, after 
much difficult}- in finding a minister wilhng to settle so 
far inland, Aug. 24, 1642, and Mr. Thomas Carter or- 
dained by the elders of the church, Dec. 2, 1642. The 
date of the building of the fii-st meeting-house is not 
known; the second was built in 1672, and the third in 



ISlfSliSB'P^ 



PUBLIC LIBRARY BUILDING, WOBURN, MASS. 
For this beautiful edifice, the town is indebted to the generous bequest, of nearly $180,000, by Charles Bowers Winn. 




MASSACHUSETTS. 



1752. Mr. Carter was succeeded by Eev. Jabez Fox, 
ordained in 1679. He was succeeded bj' his son, Rev. 
John Fox, ordained Nov. 17, 1703. There are at present 
se\en churches 1q "Wohum. 

The suifaco of the town is uneven, and there are three 
bold eminences, — Whispering Hill, Zion's Hill, and 
Horn Mountain (the last has a reservoir) , — thus afford- 
ing beautiful scenery, while two branches of Blystic 
Eiver afford good drainage. The Lowell Railroad passes 
along the eastern part of the town, and sends a branch 
to the centre, and the Mystic Vallej^ Railroad will also 
pass through Wobum. Horn Pond, with an area of 
ninet^'-one acres, a noted resort, is well stocked with 
fish, and furnishes the town an abundant supply of pure 
water. 

Manufacturing is the principal interest. There are 
establishments In different parts of the town, emplojing 
large capital, for tanning, making glue, clothing, enam- 
elled leather, chemicals, boots and shoes, shoe stock and 
mechanics' tools. The town has a bank, two journals, 
a lyceum, town hall, and a superior high school, with 
an excellent building. The town furnished 775 men for 
the last war, and has erected a fine monument, costing 
$10,000, surmounted by a bronze soldier by Milmore, to 
the honor of the 82 who died. 

Warren Academj-, a flourishing institution, was founded 
in 1828, and has a fine building. 

Samuel Blodget, an eminent inventor, was born at 
Wobum in 1724, and died in 1817. Gen. James Reed 
(1724-1807) was one of the oflicers at the battle of 
Bunker Hill, and did good sendee later in the Revolu- 
tion. Jeduthan Baldwin (1732-1788) was an able 
engineer, and laid out most of the towns in Middlesex 
County. Col. Loammi Baldwin (1745-1807) was a 
noted survej'or and a prominent officer in the Revolution. 
Roger M. Sherman, LL. D. (1773-1844), was a noted 
jurist. But no one of the sons of Wobum has been 
more noted than Benjamin Thompson, born in 1753, and 
died in 1814. He early gave promise of especial interest 
in natural laws, and, when a mere lad, went to Concord, 
N. H., where he made a number of important experi- 
ments. He afterwards went to England, and first demon- 
strated the law which now forms the basis of the theory 
of " conservation of force." He was honored by the title 
of Count Rumford. 

Maxden is a prosperous town of 7,367 inhabitants, 
in the eastern part of the county, four miles from Boston, 
with which it has connection by the B. & M. and the 
Saugus Branch railroads. The southern part of the town 
is low and marshy ; the northern, a range of high hLUs. 



A small outlet to Spot Pond in Stoneham flows from 
Mekose, and broadens into Maiden River, na^-igable for 
boats to the centre. Edgeworth, Maplewood, Glendale 
and Linden villages are fine places for suburban resi- 
dences. 

Many of the inhabitants are business men of Boston, 
but the town has establishments for the manufacture of 
dress trimmings, metallic pipes, britannia ware, chemi- 
cals, patent leather, lasts, perfumery, pahn-leaf hats, and 
rubber goods. The d3'e-house has been long celebrated, 
and tanning and brick-making are important industries. 
The public buildings of the place possess much architect- 
ural beauty. A high school house, costing $30,000, a 
model building, was dedicated in 1872. Water is sup- 
plied from Spot Pond, and the town is Ughted with gas. 
There are two banks, seven churches, and two pubUc j 
journals. 

The place was originally a part of Charlestown, but | 
was incorijorated Ma^- 2, 1649. A church was organized 
the same year, and in 1682 a town bell was placed on 
"Bell Rock." Eev. Michael Wigglesworth was ordained 
in 1656, and remamed until his death, in 1705. He was 
a noted poet, and a metrical version of the passages of 
Scripture, relating to the final judgment, called "The 
Day of Doom," and published in 1GG2, went through 
nine editions here, and two in England. In 1702, 
" John Sprague was appointed schoolmaster for the year 
insuing, to learn childi-en and youth to read and wright ; 
and to refmetick, according to his best skiU ; and he is to 
have £10 paid him by the town for his pains." 

Jacob Green (1722-1790) was an able divine, a noted 
scholar and a patriot. Daniel Shute, D. D. (1772-1802) , 
was a distinguished clergjTnan, and author of some works 
of temporary value. Peter Thacher was a celebrated 
jurist, and John Bigelow, born in 1817, was author of 
"Jamaica in 1850," and other works, and has been editor 
of the "New York Times" since 1869. Adoniram 
Judson, D. D., born here in 1788, died in 1850, has a I 
world-wide celebrity as the fli-st missionary to Bimnah. 

Natick is a flourishing town in the south-west part of 
the county, with a population of 6,404. The name is of 
Indian origin, signif^-ing " a place of hills." It is con- 
nected with Boston by the B. & A. R. R. 

The Charles flows through the town, winding along a 
valley so beautiful, as to draw from Washington the 
exclamation, "Nature seems to have lavished all her j 
beauties here ! " Pegan Hill, in the south-east part of 
the town, commands a view of at least sixteen A-illages, 
and enables the observer to distinguish Bunker HiH 
Monument, nearly 17 miles distant. Broad's, Tom's and 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



Fisk's hills are also fine eminences, the latter command- 
ing a charming view of Lake Cochituate, -with its broad 
expanse. 

About 1830, the manufacture of brogans for the South- 
em trade was commenced in tliis town. Soon machinerj- 
was introduced, and, under the leadership of such men 
as the Messrs. Walcot, Hon. Henry Wilson and Isaac 
Fe.ch, the business increased, and gave a new impetus to 
the place. Now there are elegant residences, six hand- 
some churches, a high school, a public library, with a 
building erected by means of a bequest by the late 
Miss M. Morse ; a sha<led jiark and a beautiful cemetei v ; 
and the value of the 
boots and shoes made 
yearly is upwards of 
one million dollars. 
The town has a flour- 
ishing society of nat- 
ural history, and a 
public journal, the 
"Natick Bulletin." 

The first Indian 
church was estab- 
lished here in 1660, 
by John Ehot, the 
"Apostle to the In 
dians." Three yc ii 
later, his Bible in tin 
Nipmuck language 
was printed at Cam- 
bridge, with the un- 
pronounceable title, 
" Mamusse Wunnee- 
tupanatamwe Up Bi- 
BLUM God. Nanees- 
we NuKKOKE Testa- 
ment Kah Wouk Wasku Testament," a work that no 
living person can read. His church had fifty members 
in 1670. The oak-tree where Eliot preached still stands 
at South Natick, and a momunent has been erected to his 
memorj', with the inscription " Up Biblum God." 

The late Hon. Henry Wilson, for many years United 
States senator, was a resident of this town. He was 
elected vice-president in 1872, and died before his term 
of office expired. William Bigelow, born here in 1773, 
graduated at Harvard 1794, died 1844, was an editor, 
poet, and historian of the town. Calvin Ellis Stowe, 
D.D., celebrated as a professor at Andover, and a writer, 
was born here in 1812. 

Medfoed is one of the oldest, and perhaps the oldest 




town in the county, as it was settled previous to 1630. 
The name, originally Meadford, signifies the great mead- 
ows. The first grant of land was made to Gov. Winthi'op 
in 1631, and he induced Matthew Craddock to build a 
substantial house of brick, still standing, and supposed 
to be the oldest house in the State. The date of incor- 
poration cannot be definitely detennined. 

The town contains 6,717 inhabitants, and comprises 
three villages, — East Medford, Medford Centre, and 
West Medford. The eastern and central portions are 
connected to Boston by a branch of the Boston and 
Maine Railroad, and the Boston and Lowell has three 
stations to accommo- 
d ite the western por- 
tion, while the Mystic 
\ lUey road is to pass 
through the entire 
length of the town. 
Ihe Mystic, the out- 
let of Mjstic Pond, 
flows thi-ough the 
town, by a devious 
course, and the town 
IS pleasantly built 
along its banks. The 
central village stands 
upon rising ground, 
md the two portions 
lie connected by a 
budge containing a 
diaw. These eleva- 
tions furnish as manj- 
fine views as can be 
lound in any place 
nt ar Boston, and in 
the ■\dcinity of Rock 
Hill, Walnut HUl, Pine Hill, and the hiUs near Maiden, 
the scenery is exceedingly picturesque. 

The town has a public library, with a fine building, 
the gift of Mr. Thatcher Magoun ; a high school, a 
journal, — the "Medford Chronicle," — a town hall, 
a sa\Tngs bank, and ten fine chui'ches. Rev. Aai'on 
Porter, ordained in 1712, was the first minister. 

Tufts College, under the auspices of the Universalist 
denomination, is located on Walnut Hill, and consists of 
thi-ee elegant and commodious buildings. The surround- 
ing scenery cannot be surpassed for beauty. 

The citizens of Medford have been but little interested 
in manufactures, except in making brick. Nearly the 
whole town is underlaid with fine claj-, and the working 
of this has long been an extensive industry. Ship- 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



building was commenced as early as 1631. Between 
1800 and 1855, 513 vessels were built in the town. The 
first fisheries in the Colony were established here as 
earlj'as 1G30. Distillation, commenced about 1735, has 
been a prominent industry. 

Oak Grove Ccmeterj-, on the road to Winchester, was es- 
talilished in 1852, and is bcautifiill}- ornamented with paths 
and drives. A nionumont to the honor of the soldiers who 
fell in the late war, stands opposite the entrance. 



Feamingham, a pleasant town of 4,968 inhabitants, 
consists of three distinct villages, — Framingham, South 
Framingham, and Saxonville. The Boston and Albany, 
Boston, Clinton and Fitchburg, and Lowell and Framing- 
ham railroads, atford easy communication with sur- 
rounding towns. The surface is undulating, with 
several eminences. The Sudbui-y River flows through 
tlie town, affording good water-power at Saxonville. 
Stony Broolf is its largest tributary'. Farm Pond, area 




SrAlE NORMAL SCHOOL, FK^■1II^GHAM 



Many distinguished persons have been residents of 
Medford. Dr. Simon Tufts (1700-1747), was an emi- 
nent physician ; John Tufts was noted as a divine, and 
was an author of some eminence ; died in 1750. Samuel 
HaU (1740-1807), was a noted editor. The "Essex 
Gazette," "Salem Gazette," and "Massachusetts Ga- 
zette," were founded by him. Samuel McClintock, D.D. , 
was a noted divine. John Brooks, M. D., LL. D. 
(1752-1825), was a soldier in the Revolution, a states- 
man and governor of the State for seven years ; Rev. 
Charles Brooks (1795-1872) was influential in develop- 
ing the present sj-stem of education in the State. Lydia 
Maria Child has won renown as a writer. 



168 acres, Shakum Pond, and Learned Pond, all well 
stocked with fish, add much to the beauty of the town. 
The first, together with Lake Cochituate, which lies on 
the southern side of the town, furnishes a part of Bos- 
ton's water supply. 

The soil is fertile, and many of the inhabitants are 
engaged in farming. At SaxonvUle, there are extensive 
woollen-mills, where blankets are manufactured. South 
Framingham has three large straw-hat manufactories, 
employing about 150 persons, a carriage-wheel and a 
box manufactory. 

Harmony Grove, on the shore of Farm Pond, has 
long been a noted picnic-ground, and a camp-ground on 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



Mount "Wait and a State parade-ground add to the 
valuation of the town. 

The first church was organized Dec. 8, 1701, Rev. 
John Swift, pastor. The town was incorporated June 
25, 1800. The churches of the present town are nine 
in number. 

The State NoiTnal School is situated on Bare Hill, and 
is most beautifully surrounded. 

Feb. 1, 1676, a partj- of Indians, under Netus, sur- 
prised the house of Mr. Thomas Eames, killed Mrs. 
Eames and three of the children, and destroj'ed all the 
property'. 

Gen. John Nixon, Col. Thomas NLson, Col. Jonathan 
Brewer and Col. William Buckminster, natives of the 
town, were all officers in the Revolution, and the last two 
were wounded at Bunker Hill. Moses Hemenwa}-, D.D., 
was an able clergjTuan and author. John Reed, D. D. 
(1751-1831), was a member of Congress for six j'ears. 
CjTus Eaton was a successful teacher ; and Charles R. 
Train, was, untU recently, attorney-general of the State. 

Stoneham, originally a part of Charlestown, was made 
a separate town Dec. 17, 1825. Population, 4,573. 
It was settled about 1645, bj- thi-ee brothers named 
Holden, though a man named How probably built one 
house pre\Tiousl3'. The first meeting-house was built in 
1726, and Rev. James Osgood was ordained in 1729. 

The surface of the town is very uneven. Spot Pond, 
with an area of about 220 acres, is a broad and clear 
sheet of water, 143 feet above sea level. It contains 
several beautiful islands, and its wooded shores are a 
noted jjleasure resort. Many fine residences border this 
pond. 

The town has a savings bank, a town hall, a free 
public library and two public journals. There are five 
churches, the Congregational, the original first church, 
being organized in 1739. The town sent 404 men to 
suppress the Rebellion, and has erected a beautiful 
monument to the memoiy of the 49 who perished. 

HoPKiNTON, * incorporated in 1715, contains 4,419 
inhabitants. It is about 30 miles from Boston, by 
tlie Boston and Albany and Hopkinton and Milford 
railroads, and is located upon rocky and elevated lands, 
which form the source of the Charles, Blackstone aud 
Sudbury rivers. The latter flows from Whitehall Pond, 
a beautiful sheet of 620 acres in the west part of the 

* The town was purchased of the " Praying Indians " of Magunco, 
with the Hopkins fund of Han-ard College, and rented to tenants at a 
penny per acre until 1823. A company from Londonderry, Ireland, 
located here. 



town, and furnishes good water-power. North Pond, of 
81 acres, is formed by Mill River. Both these ponds 
abound in fish. There are three large swamps covered 
with cedars, and several quarries of good building stone. 
Mineral springs, discovered in 1816, containing carbonic 
acid, carbonate of lime and ii-on, are found in the west- 
ern part of the town. 

The principal employment is farming, though many 
are engaged in making boots and shoes. The town has 
a good sj'stem of schools, a savings and a national banlc, 
and four churches. The first church was organized 
Sept. 2, 1724, and Samuel Barrett ordained. He was 
succeeded in 1772 bj^ Rev. Elijah Fitch, author of 
"Beauties of Religion." The third minister was Rev. j 
Nathaniel Howe, ordained in 1819, and the original of 
"Rev. Mr. Pendexter" in Longfellow's " Kavanagh." 
An Episcopal church, established about 1750, was en- 
dowed with a glebe of 170 acres by Roger Price, rector 
of King's Chapel, Boston. 

Capt. Daniel Shays, the leader of Shays' rebellion, 
was a native of the town. He was an ensign at Bunker 
HiU, and afterwards became captain in the army. He 
died at Sparta, N. Y., Sept. 29, 1825. Dr. Appleton 
Howe, an eminent physician of WejTnouth, and John 
Barrett, a teacher, and author of an English grammar, I 
were also natives of this town. Hon. Lee Claflin, a man 
of great probity and benevolence, was long a resident of 
this place, and died here. His son William, the ex- 
governor and present member of Congress, is a native of 
the town, f 

Watektowx. — This town is one of the oldest in tlio 
State, having been settled in 1630. Its Indian name 
was Pigsgusset. It is eight miles from Boston on a 
branch of the Fitchburg Railroad, and the Charles River 
is navigable to the dam. Its area is small, yet it includes i 
several eminences upon which some of the ^finest resi- 
dences in the State ha\e been erected. The population 
is 4,326. The inhabitants are engaged in market garden- 
ing, and in manufacturing paper, woollens, drugs, dye- 
stuffs and iron castings. | 

The U. S. arsenal, established in 1816, occupies about 
43 acres, and employs 600 or 700 persons manufacturing 
arms and munitions of war. The Union Cattle IMarket 
is also located here. There are also national and 
savings banks ; a public library, a fine higli school ; a 
paper, the " Free Press" ; and five churches. 



t Hopkinton was once the seat of a magnificent mansion erected 
and owned for many years by an English nobleman, Sir Henry 
Frankland. See a poem by Oliver Wendell Holmes, entitled 
" Alice." 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



The first church was organized in 1630, and Eev. Geo. 
Phillips was pastor. The Pro^■incial Congress met in 
'V\'atertown at the breaking out of the Revolution, and 
Gen. Joseph T^'arren presided. He left the assembly for 
the battle of Bunker Hill. The " Boston Gazette " was 
removed to Watertown and published from June 5, 1775, 
to the evacuation of Boston. 

Benjamin R. Curtis, LL. D., and George T. Bigelow, 
LL. D., both eminent jurists, George T. Curtis, the 
author of the "Life of "Washington," and the distin- 
guished sculptress, Haniet G. Hosmer, were all born in 
"Watertown. 

Groton. — This handsome town is situated in the 
north-west portion of the county. The scenery is di- 
versified, and Gibbet 
Hill in the centre, 
Chestnut Hills in the 
north, Bear Hill and 
the Throne, are eon 
spicuous eminences 
The principal ponds 
are Martin's, near the 
centre, Whitney's and 
Baddacook ; — these 
with the Squannacook 
and Nashua rivers, 
and James, Gratuity, 
■Wrangling, Cowpond 
and Unkety brooks, 
render the soil well 
watered, and furnish 

great variety of scenery. The inhabitants, 3,584 in num- 
ber, are principally engaged in farming. There are sev- 
eral paper manufactories, a farmers' club and three 
churches. 

Groton was settled soon after Concord, granted to 



* The Lawrence- family has been one of the leading families. John 
Lawrence settled as early as 1663. Col. Wm. Lawrence, his son, occu- 
pied prominent positions in the town. Dca. Samuel Lawrence was an 
offlcer of the K.cvolution, and his hat was pierced by a ball at Bunker 
Hill. Amos Lawrence, who died in 1S52, was an eminent merchant. 
Abbott Lawrence, LL. D., was minister to England from 1S49 to 1S52. 

The following anecdote not only illustrates a family ti-ait, but withal 
the promptness with which the men of the Revolution responded to the 
call of their country :— 

At the beginning of our War of Independence Maj. Samuel Law- 
rence, the father of Boston's two great merchants, Amos and Abbott 
Lawrence, lived in Groton, Mass. He was the commander of a com- 
pany of "minute-men," who held themselves ready to march against 
the enemy at a moment's notice. 

The major was engaged to be married to Miss Susanna Parker. The 
lady's mother suggested that in view of the uncertain fortunes of war, 
the marriage should take place forthwith. 




L\WRFVCE \C\nFM 



Deane "Winthrop and others, and incorporated May 29, 
1GG5. Being a frontier settlement, it suffered much 
from the Indians, was destroyed in King Philip's war, 
March 13, 1C76, and again suffered in King William's 
war, July 27, 1G94. The first meeting-house was built in 
1GG6, and the second, to replace the one burned by the 
Indians, in 1G80 ; the third, in 1730 ; and the fourth in 
1754, which still stands. The first church was gathered 
July 13, 1GG4, and Mr. Samuel Willard ordained. He 
was afterwards pastor of the " Old South," Boston, and 
vice-president of Harvard. The next minister was Rev. 
Gershom Hobart, who accompanied the settlers whpn 
they rebuilt the town in 1678 ; and Dudley Bradstreet 
succeeded him. 

The Lawrence Academy was foimded as Groton 
Academj- bj- subscrip- 
tions from the inhab- 
itants, amounting to 
£o25, in 1793, and 
Henry Moor of Lon- 
donderrj-. New Hamp- 
shire, a graduate of 
Dartmouth College, 
was the first prin- 
ipal. Mrs. Hannah 
Brazer, at her death, 
left the trustees about 
$2 000. In 1846, the 
name was changed, 
m honor of munificent 
donations from Wm. 
and Sam'l Lawrence.* 
At present, the in.stitution has a commodious building 
for school purposes, well furnished and possessing good 
apparatus, and a boarding-house for students. 

Col. William Prescott, the commander at Bunker Hill, 
was bom in 1726 and died in 1795. Samuel Dana was 



I's widow," she said, " t 



forlorn 



" Susie had better 
damsel." 

Susie and the major being willing, the parson was called in. While 
he was tj'ing the nuptial knot, a mounted orderly interrupted the cere- 
mony by handing sealed orders to Maj. Lawrence. They directed him 
to march his men immediately to the headquarters of the American 
army. 

The major delayed obedience long enough to complete the ceremony, 
and then, giving the bridal and the farewell kiss, assembled his men 
and marched. 

On reporting himself to his commanding officer he was compli- 
mented upon his promptness. Learning the circumstances under 
which the major hiid marched, the offlcer procured him a furlough. 
For a few days the major enjoyed a honeymoon, and then returned 
to duty. 

TIio major lived to see fifty years of American independence, and to 
raise an honored family. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



a member of Congress ; lion. George S. Boutwell, LL. 
D., has been member of the U. S. Senate and Secre- 
tary of the U. S. Treasury. 

AVakefield. — Population, 4,135. This is a prosper.- 
ous and beautiful town 10 miles from Boston, on the B. 
and M. Railroad. The surface is undulating. Green- 
■n-ood ]Mount and Round Hill are rocky eminences in the 
southern part. The beautiful Quanai^owitt Pond, with 
an area of 264 acres, is the source of the Saugus River, 
and CiTstal Lake is a beautiful sheet of water in the 
centre of the town. There are two villages, handsomel3- 
and compactly built, — the Centre and Greenwood. The 
town is largely engaged in agriculture, but there are also 
several shoe manufactories, a foundrj' and a shop for 
making mechanics' tools. The large establishment of 
the late Cyrus Wakefield, for making rattan into furni- 
ture, baskets, carnages, &c., is the most extensive 
industrj-, and employs 1,000 persons. The town has a 
splendid town hall, given by Mr. AVakefield ; a bank, a 
public library, three papers, and six churches. 

Wakefield was settled prior to 1640, by persons from 
Lynn, and called Lynn Village. These purchased the 
land from the Indian sagamores George and Quana- 
powitt. The first church was organized Nov. 5, 1645, 
and Rev. Henry Green became pastor. The place was 
incorporated as Reading May 29, 1644, as South Read- 
ing Feb. 25, 1812 ; and the name was changed to Wake- 
field June 30, 1868. 

Cyrus Wakefield, for a long time the leading citizen, 
was born in Roxbury, N. H., Feb. 7, 1811, and died 
Oct. 26, 1873. He built up a large fortune by his own 
industry, gave Harvard College $100,000 for a hall 
which bears his name, built the Wakefield town hall, and 
gave largely towards the Memorial Hall erected in honor 
of the 47 who died in the Rebellion. 

Melrose, a beautiful town seven miles from Boston, 
on the B. and M. Railroad, contains 3,414 inhabitants. 
It was separated from Maiden and incorporated May 3, 
1850. The village lies in a pleasant valley surrounded 
by high lands. L Pond adds much to the beautj' of the 
centre, and an outlet of Spot Pond dashes down through 
the village. Shoes to the value of $300,000 are manu- 
factured each year. 

The town has a public library, a high school, and a 
paper, the " Melrose Journal." The churches, eight in 
number, were all organized during the present century, 
the oldest being the Methodist (1815). 

Phineas Upham, who resided in what is now Melrose, 
was an active officer in King Philip's war, and was 



wounded at Narragansett Fort. Hon. D. W. Gooch, 
and the popular lecturer, Mrs. Mar}' A. Livermore, are 
residents of the town. 

Hudson, incorporated March 19, 1866, is a new and 
flourishing town, with a population of 3,399. It was 
formerly known as Feltonville. The Assabet River fur- 
nishes considerable water-power. The principal indus- 
tries are the manufacture of shoes, lasts, children's toys, 
and iron-work. The town has a public librar}-, a 
farmers' club, a savings bank, a high school, and four 
churches. 

Arlington was formerly a part of Cambridge, and 
known as Menotomy. It was made a separate town, 
Feb. 27, 1807, and called West Cambridge, and the 
name was changed April 30, 1867. It is five miles from 
Boston, with wliich the Middlesex Central Railroad fur- 
nishes easy communication, and contains 3.261 inhab- 
itants. The laud is level in the southern part, bat in 
the northern is undulating, and Arlington Heights fur- 
nishes an extensive prospect of all the surrounding 
country. Spy Pond is a popular pleasure resort, and 
supplies large quantities of ice. Market gardening is a 
prominent industiy. The town consists mainly of one 
long, wide and beautiful street, and has a bank, a public 
libraiy, a high school, and a good public journal. 

The First Chm-ch, now the Unitarian, was organized 
in 1733. There are four other churches in the place. 
The town was the location of many of the stirring 
events of April 19, 1775, the famous Black Horse Tav- 
ern standing here. Five beautiful granite monuments 
were erected in 1878 to mark historic spots. 

HoLLisTON was originallj' a part of Sherborn, but was 
detaclied and incorporated, in honor of Thomas HoUis, 
the benefactor of Harvard, Dec. 3, 1724, Population, j 
3,073. The surface is uneven, divided into upland and | 
meadow ; and Long Hill, near Ashland, and Mt. Hollis t 
and Powder-house Hill, at the centre, are handsome ele- j 
vations. The soil is rockj', but fertile, and agriculture 
and the production of milk are the leading industries. 
There are also manufactories of boots and shoes, pumps, 
nails and wrenches. The town has a library, two 
banks, a high school, and four churches. The first 
church was organized Nov. 20, 1728, Rev. James Stone, 
pastor. 

Concord was one of the first inland towns settled in 
the old Ba}- Colon}-. It is in the central part of the 
county, and is "one of the quiet country towns whose 



RESIDENCE OF EDWIN S. BARRETT, CONCORD, MASS. 



This residence, of the Elizabethan or Colonial order of aniiitcetiire, stands upon historic ground, it licing tlic scene of the " Concord Fight." Col. James 
Barrett, wlio commanded the Americans, was tlie great-great-grandfather of tlic present occupant, and his son, Capt. Nathan Barrett, commanded a company 
of militia, and was wounded. Mr. Barrett has in his possession five commissions of the last-named ancestor, from ensign to colonel, dating from 1766 to 1781 ; 
also his sword rarried on that eventful day. 

Capt. Barrett came into possession of Maj. Pitcaim's pistols, and afterwards presented them to Gen. Israel Futnam, and, quite recently, one of the descend- 
ants of Gen. Putnam gave the pistols to the town of Lexington. They are now placed with other Revolutionary relics in the town hall. 

Mrs. Barrett also comes of Rcvoliitionary stock, her grcat-great-grandfathcr, John Ilayward. being first lieutenant of Capt. Isaac Davis's company of Acton 
minute-men, and having command after Capt. Davis was killed. James Hayward, who was killed hy a British soldier at Lexington, and who killed his adver- 
sary at the same moment, was of this foniily. 




MASSACHUSETTS. 




OLD NORTir BRIDGE 



charm is incredible to all but those who, by loving it, 
have found it worthj of love." Its Indian name was 
Musquetequid, meaning "grassy brook." It was in- 
corporated Sept. 

2, 1635. Pres- 
ent population, 
2,412. 

The land is 
generally level, 
but Annursnack, 
Punkatasset and 
otherhills,addto 
the scenic beau- 
ty, while Bate- 
man's Pond in 
the north. White 
Pond in the 
south, and Wal- 
den's Pond, are 
beautiful sheets 
of water. Con- 
cord River, joined by the Assabet, moves through the 
town. Upon the plains, the soil is sandy ; along the 
rivers, the meadows furnish abundance of hay. Farminp; 
is the principal em- 
ployment. 

The town has an 
elegant town hall, i 
public library, an 1 
a high school V 
memorial hall hi^ 
been erected to thi 
honor of the thut\ 
four who penshc tl 
in the late ^ii 
Mr. Wm. Munioe 
has given an ck 
gant fire-proof li 
brary building, co^t 
ing $75,000. Then 
are three churchc- 
— Unitarian, Con 
gregational and Ru 
man Catholic. 

In 1774, the Pro- 
vincial Congress met here, and the town was the object 
of the expedition of the 19th of April, 1775. At that 
time, the property of the town was damaged to the 
extent of £274, and Capt. Charles Miles, Capt. Nathan 
Barrett, Jonas Brown and Abel Prescott, Jr., were 
wounded. Two British soldiers, killed at the bridge, 




OLD UANSE, CONCOBD 



the scene of the principal fight, were buried on the spot, 
and their graves marked bj- rude stones. On the monu- 
ment which marks the spot of the fight, on the right 
bank of the Con- 
LOi 1 River, is the 
( lljwinginscrip- 



'II(i-c, on the 

I Hhof April, 1775, 
IS made tbe first 

r rcil le resistance 

t ) BufisU aggrcs- 

n On tliooppo- j 

( bank stood tho 

Vmciicaii militia. 

I I ro stood the iu- 
\ ling army; ami i 

thisspotthefirst ' 

t the enemy fell ' 

the war of the 

Ki\olatiou, which 

give independence 

to these United 

States. lu gratitude to God, and in the love of freedom, this 

monnmcnt was erected, A. D. 1836." 

Among the many noted sons of Concord may be mcn- 

tioned Samuel Wil- 

lard, president of 
Harvard, Jonathan 
Hoar, colonel of a 
provincial regiment 
in 1755, Timoth}' 
Farrar, chief justice 
of New Hampshire 
in 1802; and the 
following noted au- 
thors : Benj. Pres- 
cott, born in 1G87, 
died in 1777; Wil- 
liam Emerson, Nath- 
aniel Wright, John 
A. Stone, William 
Whiting, natives ; 
and Heniy D. Tho- 
reau, Ralph Waldo 
Emerson, Nathaniel 
Hawthorne, and A. 
B. Alcott, residents. Louisa May Alcott, tlie well- 
known writer, also resides here. E. R. Iloar, born here 
in 1816, is a distinguished jurist. 

Reading originally included Wakefield and North 
Reading, and was known as Lynn Village. It was 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



incorporated Maj' 29, 1644, and is twelve miles from 
Boston, by the B. and M. R. R. The land is uneven, 
but fertile and well adapted to farming. The principal 
industries are shoe and cabinet making, with an organ 
factorv, and an establishment for making neckties. The 
town has 2,664 inhabitants, a public journal, a good 
high school, and five churches, the " Old South" being 
organized Feb. 21, 1770. Among the several noted 
men born here may be mentioned Aaron Bancroft, D. D., 
author of a Life of Washington ; Jacob Flint, Timothy 
Flint, Charles Prentiss, noted authors ; and Daniel Tem- 
ple, a missionary. 

Chelmsford is an ancient town Mng between par- 
allel ranges of hills, with Lowell on the north. Between 
these flow several streams, furnishing considerable water- 
power, the most important of which are Stony Brook 
and River Meadow Brook. Agriculture is the leadin<? 
industry. Some granite is quarried, and considerable 
capital is employed in various manufactures. The place 
has five churches and a population of 2,374. The Ind- 
ian name of the town was Pawtucket. It was incorjio- 
rated May 29, 1655, and Rev. John Fiske settled as 
minister. Benjamin Pierce (1757-1839) was an officer 
of the Revolution, and governor of New Hampshire in 
1827. Jeffries Wj-mau, M. D., a distinguished anato- 
mist, and John C. Dalton, a noted physiologist, were 
natives of the town. 

Everett. Population, 2,220. This beautiful and 
flourishing town was separated from Maiden, and incor- 
porated March 9, 1870. Its nearness to Boston has 
given it a rapid growth. From the highest points, the 
views of surrounding towns are delightful. The town is 
supplied with Mystic water, has a high school, a public 
journal, and four churches. Woodlawn Cemetery, a 
beautiful bui-ying-ground, lies in the north part. 

Lexington, famous as the spot dyed with the first 
blood of the Revolution, now contains 2,277 inhabitants, 
and is tea miles from Boston, on the Middlesex Central 
Railroad. The land is undulating, and the elevated 
ground near the centre is the water-shed between the 
Charles and the Shawshine. Farming is the leading 
employment. The v-illage at the centre contains manj' 
fine residences, has a new town hall, in which are a me- 
morial tablet to the men lost in war, and two finely- 
j executed memorial statues, —one of a soldier of the 
Revolution, and the other of 1861, — a library, a high 
school, and a spirited paper, the " Minute-Man." 
The town was originally settled as Cambridge Farms, 



and John Bridge and Herbert Pelham had grants here 
as early as 1642. It was incoiporated March 29, 1712, 
but the church was gathered Oct. 21, 1696, and Rev. 
Benjamin Estabrook ordained. 

John Hancock, father of the patriot, and Theodore 
Parker, an able and noted divine, were bom in Lex- 
ington. 

AsHiAND. This town, containing 2,186 inhabitants, 
is on the B. and A. Railroad, about midway between 
Boston and Worcester. The inhabitants are mostlj- 
engaged in farming, but there are several shoe manufac- 
tories, a last manufactorj', box, planing, shoddy, and 
woollen mills, and the Dwight Print Works. 

The ^'illage was formerlj' called Unionville. It was 
granted to Hon. William Crowne, for services rendered 
in England, and by him sold to Savill Simpson, a 
cordwainer, of Boston, July 4, 1687, and the Indian 
title released Dec. 20, 1693. 

Magunco, where Eliot had a native church, is a wooded 
eminence on the west. A Congregational church was 
organized Jan. 21, 1835. There are two other churches 
in the place. The town was incorporated Blarch 16, 
1846. Wildwood Cemetery occupies a beautiful grove 
on the right bank of Sudbur}' River. There was an old 
Indian burial-place near the residence of Mr. Andrew 
Valentine. 

SuDBUET, an ancient town, possessing many spots of 
historic interest, was incorporated Sept. 4, 1G39. Its 
early settlement and exposed position rendered it espe- 
ciall3' liable to attack from the savages. A monument 
of granite now marks the spot where Capt. Wadsworth's 
company, coming to the assistance of Sudbury, threat- 
ened by the Indians, was surrounded and cut to pieces, 
and bears the inscription : "This monument is erected 
by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and by the town 
of Sudbury in grateful remembrance of the sen-ice and 
suffierings of the founders of the State ; and espeeiallj- in 
honor of Capt. S. Wadsworth of Milton, Capt. Brockle- 
bank of Rowlej', and Lieut. Sharp of Brookline, and 
26 others, men of their command, who fell near this spot 
on the 18th of April (an error for the 21st of April), 
1676, while defending the frontier settlement against the 
allied Indian forces of Philip of Pokanoket. — 1852." 

The inhabitants are engaged in farming, in making 
leather-board, zinc nails and tacks, and confectionery. 
The town has a public library, founded by a bequest of 
Mr. J. Goodnow, who designated $2,500 for a building, 
§20,000 for books, and three churches. The old " Waj-- 
side Inn," or How Tavern, first licensed in 1666, and 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



immortalized by Longfellow, is in a secluded locality, 
about three miles from the centre. Population, 2,091. 

Dracdt was incorporated in 1701, and then contained 
25 families. The population is now 2,078. The first 
church was organized March 29, 1721, and the Paw- 
tucket church Aug. 31, 1797. Two sons of Samuel 
Vanium were shot by Indians, during Philip's war, while 
crossing the Merrimac. Capt. Peter Colburn, and a 
company of Dracut men, were in the battle of Bunker 
Hill, and Gens. Joseph B. and James M. Varnimi were 
prominent officers during the entire war. 

The town is separated from Lowell by the Merrimac 
River, and is connected with the city by a bridge. 
Beaver River flows into the Merrimac below the falls, 
and furnishes good water-power for the Merrimac wool- 
len mills and the paper-mill of the Lowell Wadding 
and Paper Company. There are three Congregational 
churches in the town. 

"WiNCHESTEE, a town possessing many fine residences, 
eight miles from Boston, was originally a part of "Woburn, 
but was incorporated April 30, 1850. The Mystic River 
flows through the centre. Wedge Pond, in the centre, 
is noted for the abundance of water-lilies. A large por- 
tion of the residents are Boston business men, but there 
is considerable capital employed in manufactures. The 
town contains a high school, and four churches. Pop- 
ulation, 2,045. 

TowNSEND, in the north-western portion of the county, 
has a population of 1,962. Besides farming, the coop- 
ering business is carried on extensivcl}', some 2,000 to 
3,000 barrels being made daily. Tlie town was formerly 
a part of Turkey Hill, and was named and incorporated 
June 29, 1732, in honor of Viscount Charles Townsend, 
one of the king's privy council. 

Tewksbury (Wamesit) , originally a part of Billerica, 
was detached and incorporated Dec. 23, 1734. Popula- 
tion, 1,944. The State Almshouse is located upon a 
commanding site near the centre of the town. 

Pepperell, named for Sir William Pepperell, and 
originally the " Second Precinct " of Groton, was incor- 
porated April 6, 1753. The Nashua River and its 
tributaries furnish considerable water-power, and the 
manufacture of paper is the most important industr}'. 
Population, 1,842. 

The town was settled early. The first church was or- 
ganized Jan. 29, 1747, and Rev. Joseph Emerson was 



ordained February 25. He went to Cambridge with his 
parishioners, and offered the first public prayer in camp 
in the Revolution. William Prescott, LL.D., a noted 
jurist, and father of William H. Prescott, the historian, 
was born here, Aug. 19, 1762. 

Billerica, the Indian Shawshine, was named from 
BiUericay, Eng. It is in the north-east part of the 
county, and contains 1,833 inhabitants. The Concord 
and the Shawshine flow through the town, nearly parallel, 
and along their borders there is excellent meadow laud. 
The town has two woollen and one logwood mill, a ma- 
chine-shop, a chemical, a cabinet, and a soap manufactory. 
It also contains a well-endowed academy, the "Howe 
School," named for its founder, Dr. Zadoc Howe, a 
lyceum, and five churches. 

The territory was granted to Cambridge in 1641, and 
first settled about 1653, by John Parker, John Kittredgc, 
John Rogers, Rev. Samuel Whitney, and others. The 
first chui-ch was built in 1660. Aug. 5, 1695, the Indians 
entered the town during the night, and killed John 
Rogers, and captured his son and daughter. They also 
killed Capt. Thomas Rogers and his son, and the entire 
family of John Levistone. The first person killed at 
Bunker Hill, was Asa Pollard, of this town. Gov. 
Thomas Talbot, the present efficient chief-magistrate of 
INIassachusetts, is a resident of Billerica. His energy 
and liberality have largely aided in the material anil 
social improvement of the place. 

Stow, situated in the western part of the count}-, 
30 miles from Boston, has 1,813 inhabitants. Farming 
is the principal occupation, though there are some shoe 
manufactories, and a woollen-mill employing 90 persons. 
The town was incorporated May 16, 1G83, and Rev. John 
Eveleth, settled in 1700, was the first minister. 

Westfoed, a farming town of 1,803 inhabitants, has 
a public library, an academy, incorporated 1793, and two 
churches. Originally a part of the Chelmsford grant, it 
was incorporated as a town Sept. 23, 1729. Thomas 
Church BrowneU, D.D., LL.D., bishop of Connecticut, 
and first president of Trinity College, was born here in 
1779. 

Shirley, a town of 1,451 inhabitants, was separated 
from Groton, and incorporated Jan. 5, 1753. The name 
was given in honor of Gov. William Shirley of Groton. 
A settlement was commenced about 1720, and the first 
meeting-house erected in 1754, and the second in 1772. 
The town is largely engaged in manufactures, and there 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



are four cotton-mills, two paper-mills, and other indus- 
tries. Besides the Unitarian church mentioned above, 
the town has three other churches. There is a village of 
Shakers, founded b^' Elijah Wilds, in the town. Mother 
Ann Lee first taught her doctrines in this town. 

Belmont was incorporated March 18, 1859. Fresh 
Pond, containing 175 acres, the source of Cambridge's 
water supply, lies principally in the town. Population, 
1,513. 

Acton contains 1,393 inhabitants, and the several aH- 
lages of Acton, South Acton, West Acton and Ellsworth. 
The centre is upon an elevated site, and is very beautiful. 
The Monument House, a good hotel located here, is 
named from the granite monument to Capt. Isaac Da^-is, 
killed at Concord, April 19, 1775. The town lies entirel}' 
within the limits of ancient Concord, and was granted to 
the early inhabitants " for feeding." The settlement was 
made as early as 1G56, bj'the Shepard and Law families. 
It was incorporated in 1735, and the first minister. Rev. 
John Swift, was ordained in 1 738. 

Rev. William G. T. Shedd, D. D., an eminent divine, 
an author, and professor in Andover and Union the- 
ological seminaries, was born here June 21, 1820. 

Weston, a beautiful town of 1,2G1 inhabitants, was 
incorporated Jan. 1, 1712. There are in the town some 
rough ledges, and a romantic gorge, the " De-vdl's Den," 
near Waltham. The first minister was Rev. William 
WiUiams, settled 1709. 

Sheeborn is an old farming town, with a population of 
1,062, in tlio southern part of the county, and was incor- 
porated May 27, 1674. There are several noted emi- 
nences. In Peter's Hill, there is a chasm 50 feet deep in 
a mass of sienite, called the "De-vars Cartwaj'." The 
first minister was Rev. Daniel Gookin, settled about 16S1, 
and died in January, 1718. He was an intimate friend of 



the apostle Eliot, and often preached to the Indians at 
Natick. The Indian name of the place was Boggestow. 
The old Sanger mansion, where Washington took break- 
fast on his way to Cambridge, to take command of the 
army, July, 1775, stands near the centre. The new 
women's prison is located within the limits of the town. 

Wayland (population, 1,240) was detached from Sud- 
bury, and incorporated as East Sudbur3-, April 10, 1780. j 
The name was changed in honor of Francis Wajiand, 
March 11, 1835. The first free public library in the 
State was established here. Lydia Maria Child, a very 
popular writer, is a resident of the place. 

Ayeu, named in honor of Dr. J. C. Aj-er of Lowell, is 
a new and promising manufacturing town of 1,872 
inhabitants. It was separated from Groton, and incor- 
porated Feb. 14, 1871. Its fine town hall is the gift of 
Dr. Ayer. 

Matnard, named after the leading manufacturer in the 
place, was taken from Stow and Sudbury, and incor- 1 
porated April 19, 1871. Population, 1,965. 

The remaining towns of Middlesex Countj- are, for the 
most part, of an agi-icultural character. Their respective 
dates of incorporation and population are as follow:; : , 
Ashby (1767, 994) ; Bedford (1729, 849) ; Boxborough | 
(1836, 338) ; Burlington (1799, 626); CarUsle (1780, 
569) ; Dunstable (1673, 471) ; Lincoln (1754, 791) ; 
Littleton (1715, 983) ; North Reading (1853, 942) ; 
Tyngsborough (1789, 629), and Wihnington (1730. 806). 

Timothy Walker, LL. D., an able jurist; Sears C. 
Walker, a noted astronomer ; and Joseph Rej-nolds, M. D., 
an author, were natives of Wilmington. Bedford is the 
native town of Rev. Samuel IL Stearns, father of the late 
President Stearns of Amherst College. Samuel Hoar, 
LL. D., a distinguished lawyer; and John Farrar, 
LL. D., an eminent philosopher, were born in Lincoln. 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



NANTUCKET COUNTY. 



BY ARTHUR ELWELL JENKS. 







On the south-easternmost coast of New England is an 
island, of an irregular triangular form, about fifteen 
miles long, east and -nest, with an average breadth of four 
miles, and which, together with the small islands of 

Tuckanuck, Muskcget and 

the Gravel Islands, lying in 
the Atlantic Ocean, make up 
the county of Nantucket. 
The principal island, Nan- 
tucket, has a level surface 
to the south, and is hillj- in 
the north. The soil is gen- 
erally fertile, and much of 
the land has been held in 
common. One hundred and 
fifty acres of these islands 
are said to be fresh ponds, 
and about 750 peat swamps. 
The stratum of peat is from 
one to fourteen feet deep, of 
a good qualit}-, and much 
used for fuel. The climate 
is mild and healthy. On the 
south-east of the principal 

. , , ., ,, , MAI' OF CAPE COD, NANTUCKET, AND MARTH 

island are the well-known 

Nantucket Shoals, about 50 miles long by 45 wide, on 

which manj' vessels have been wrecked. 

It may be added that the ofl:ieers of the county are 
identical with those of the town of Nantucket, — the 
selectmen of the town having the powers and performing 
the duties of county commissioners, — the treasurer of 
the town also serving as treasurer of the county. Popu- 
lation in 1855, 8,064 ; 1870, 3,201,— nearly all included 
in the town of Nantucket. 

The records of probate proceedings date from 1706. 
The first registrar of probate was Peter Folgcr ; the last 
(1869), Samuel Swain. The one longest in office was 
Elcazer Folger (1707-1754), though his immediate suc- 
cessor, Frederick Folgcr, served 36 j-cars. The first 
judge of probate was James Coffin; the last (1873), 
Thaddeus C. Defriez. The judge longest in office was 
Jeremiah Gardner (1744-67), his immediate successor, 






however, Grafton Gardner, nearl}- equalling him, serving 
from 1767 to 1789. 

The capital of the county is the town of Nantucket, 
situated on the north side of the island (latitude 41° 16' 
56" north, longitude, 70° 00' 
12" west), 50 miles south- 
east from New Bedford, and 
105 miles south, or a little 
east of south, from Boston. 
This island town has a deep 
and secure harbor, formed 
b}- two projecting points of 
land, on one of which is a 
light-house, with an entrance 
about one-fourth of a mile 
wide. The bar, however, at 
low water, has only seven 
and one-half feet of water, — 
a shallowness imposing on 
many of Nantucket's whaling 
voyagers, in those days when 
the whale fisheries were so 
prosperous, the necessity fre- 
quentlj' of sailing from, or at 
least of discharging their car- 
goes at other ports. The village of Siasconsct, at the 
south-cast extremity of the island, seven miles from the 
town of Nantucket, is a noted watering-place, and is 
much resorted to in the summer b}- invalids. 

The history of Nantucket township dates back to the 
earlj' part of the seventeenth century. At the time of 
the -s-isit of Gosnold in 1602, the island was densely 
covered with oak trees, and was inhabited by natives, 
known as the Eastern and Western tribes. These dwelt 
together amicably, until 1630, when the only war of 
which there is any mention, seems to have been the 
occasion of the deadliest hostilities between them. 

In 1659, the whole island, — save one-tenth, together 
with Maisquatuck, familiarh- known as Quaise, — was 
deeded by' Thomas Majliew to ten purchasers, for a con- 
sideration of £30, and two beaver hats. Maj-hew's 
right to sell rested in a deed which had been conveyed 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



to him eighteen j-ears previouslj-, bj' Lord Sterling of 
England. 

The Indians could laj' prior claim to every portion of 
the island, having been most accurate in its divisions and 
boundary lines. Yet the original settlers, although hav- 
ing as good a claim to the teiritory as a deed from an 
English earl's patent could confer, decided to buj- desir- 
able land-portions of their Indian brethren. 

It was in this year (1659), that the good Thomas 
Macy of Salisbury, a man of great courage, and of j 
strong humanitarian impulses, to escape persecution for \ 
having shielded from a tempest a 
few Quakers, took refuge, with his 
famih', and one Edward Starbuek, 
on our shores. One year elapsed, 
when the latter visited the town of 
Salisbur3-, and returned to Nan- 
tucket with eight or ten families. 
Four years afterwards, Peter Fol- 
ger moved to the island, receiving 
half a share of land (the island was 
divided into 27 parts, or shares), 
on condition that he would serve 
as miller, weaver, interpreter and 
land-surveyor. The occupation of 
the islanders was fishing, alternat- 
ing with farming. The inhabitants 
being generally illiterate, Mr. Fol- 
ger, * very naturally-, was a won- 
derful man among them. 

The 27 shares into which the 
island was divided, excepting the 
reserve given to llayhcw, were 
stocked with sheep. This stock- 
ing privilege of the proprietors, al- 
lowing 720 to the share, amounted 
to 19,440 sheep. When Macy wrote his " History of Nan- 
tucket," the " Commons" included about 11,000 acres, 
and pastured 10,000 sheep. Becoming more numerous, 
they invaded the quiet of the town limits, foraging upon 
private gardens and flower-beds until the resulting an- 
noyance was such as to occasion the erection of the 
high fences which one sees to-day. This public nuisance 
at once started a Proprietor's Argument, or " Sheep 



• In correspondence and memoranda placed in the hands of lion. 
Samuel H. Jenks, editor of the " Nantucket Inquirer," as early as 1S34, 
wc find the following relating to the family of Peter Folger, grandfather 
to Dr. Benjamin Franklin, whose mother was a native of Nantucket ; 

Peter Folger, whom Theodore Parker once said was the greatest man 
America ever produced, married Mary Merrill, the mother of Abiah 
Folger, who was the wife of Josiah Franklin. Among these very valu- 
able papers, there is a long letter from Peter Folger to his Bon-in-law, 




Question," which created the bitterest family feuds before 
a decision was reached in 1848, that no more sheep stock 
should be allowed to run at large on unenclosed grounds. 
This overstocking of the land destroyed all the timber ; 
in consequence, firewood and lumber are now imported 
from the main land. In 1G65, King Philip -visited the 
island, and, during the year following, the Jirst mill for 
grinding corn was built. 

In the year 1671 the town was incorporated, and 
named Sherburne f one year later bj* order of Gov. 
Lovelace of New York. In 1676, the county not onlj' 
embraced the town, but the fish- 
ing villages of Sesacacha and Sia- 
sconset. The site of Sherburne 
was upon the well-known " Trott's 
Hills," but it was afterwards 1 
changed to its present desirable 
locality. i 

In 1693, at the request of the 
rightful owners, the island became j 
a part of Massachusetts. It had | 
been up to that date a portion of 
New York. 

The Wicde Fishery. — Nantucket 
was once the rival of every Ameri- 
can seaport in the matter of the 
whale fishery. Nantucket whale- 
men, if not the first to sail away 
for the huge leviathan, were pio- 
neers in tlie establishment of a 
great maritime industry. From 
a period before the time generally 
accepted as the first venture from 
the shore in boats (1673), down 
to the last lone bark that sailed in 
1870, no adequate conception of 
the magnitude and importance of this business can be 
realized by the rising generation. 

It was a Proviucetown man who gave the islanders 
their first insight into this most productive labor. Small 
sloops were fitted out, and whales caught in the Atlantic 
ocean near the coast ; but energy, daring and enterprise 
were soon enlisted, and large vessels were despatched to 
far-off seas. Wharves and store-houses for oil were 



Joseph Pratt, dated Nantucket, March 6, 1677-S. This letter is full of 
moral instruction ; the seed, doubtless, of that stamina, and proverbial 
stability of character which have been the imperishable inheritance of 
Nantucket's sons and daughters ever since ! The letter concludes with 
this remarkable sentence: "Do not lay these lines where you may 
never see them more ; for you may have occasion to look ou them when 
I may be far enough from you." 
t In 1795 the name of the town was changed to Nantucket. 



QrADY, THE I.A.>!T INDIAX ON KANTICKET. 



MASisACHUSETTS. 



built, and as earl}- as 1723 the first pier, now known as 
Straight Wharf, was constructed. 

For man}- years the town increased greatlj- in wealth. 
Its prosperit}- was marked. The North and South At- 
lantic oceans, the coasts of Brazil and Africa, and the 
most distant waters were visited bj' our vessels. * 

The sperm-whale fisherj- was then the chief business 
of Nantucket, of which industry indeed, as already' inti- 
mated, she had come doubtless to be the leading mart in 
the world. As if by magic, candle factories, and re- 
positories for oil sprung up on ever}- hand. Remnants, 
memorials of these centres of marine traffic, f are now 
A-isible in various localities of the town, whose thorough- 
fares once resounded with the fl3-ing feet of honest, in- 
dustrious laborers, with the noise of track and dray, and 
withal, with a more glorious than Patrick Gilmore's 
anvil chorus — the sound of coopers' hammers ! 

At the time of the breaking out of the war of the Rev- 
olution, there were not less than loO vessels afloat belong- 
ing to this island, and engaged in this business. And it 
is an interesting fact, that after that warliad closed, it was 
first at the mast-head of a Nantucket ship that the flag 
of the new republic was seen flying on the Thames. 



• These hardy sci-rovcrs h.id a taste for specimens, for rare and sug- 
gestive mementos of the remote and barbarous clinics they liad visited. 
Jlcanwhilc, Massachusetts can hardly boast, I think, a finer private 
museum than is to be seen at the residence of tlio widow of tlie late 
Capt. Robert MeCleave, another respected and prosperous seaman. In 
this rare cabinet are many hundred varieties of shells brought from 
every part of the globe! In addition to a collection of the coins of dif- 
ferent nations visited by Capt. JlcCleave, are beautiful specimens of 
Japan wares and Chinese handiwork. Many families in town have 
more or less of these unique relics, and descriptions of their history 
would fill a volume. 

t As late as ISJo the town contained seven establishments for the 
manufacture of oil and sperm-candles, producing 970,828 gallons whale, 
and 67,516 gallons sperm oil, value $768,529, and 142,450 pounds of 
sperm candles, value $17,405. 

In 1855 the receipts of sperm oil were 175,700 gallons, value $251,572; 
of whale oil, 261,739 gallons, value $140,049; of whalebone, 81,752 
pounds, value $32,306. There were 44 vessels employed, with a ton- 
nage of 14,266, and a capital of §1,432,600. 

I In the comfortable home of one of our oldest and most fortunate 
voyagers, Capt. Nathaniel Cary, 1 have seen a portrait of one of his 
ancestors, Samuel Cary. This picture has a rare historical value, .ind 
I venture to call attention to it, in this connection, as a most interesting 
Revolutionary relic. Mr. Cary was an ardent patriot, living in Boston 
at the time that town was in possession of the British. lie was com- 

I pelled to leave his home quite summarily, one day. escaping through the 

j back door of house, as his pursuers came in at the front. It was an 
escape as narrow as the door-way ! Mad at their discomfiture by 

I the Yankee foe, they thrust their swords through the portrait that now 
hangs upon Capt. Cary's wall. The sword-cuts were repaired in an ar- 

, tistic manner ; but the scars of the Britons arc to be clearly distinguished 
now, giving the portr.".it an intensely dramatic interest. 

§ One of the descendants of the Starbuck family, now living, has 
embodied this fact in a beautiful poem called, " An Idi/l of the Sea." 
Thus the form and errand of the fearful foreign frigate, like the " Pi/- 



Meanwhile, during this war, this town J was constantly 
subject to alarms. The people, the majority of whom 
were Quakers and non-resistants, were apprehensive of 
the capture of tlieir whalers bj' the British men-of-war 
prowling around in our waters. 

An alarm was occasioned, especially b}- a British in- 
vasion of tlie town in 1779, when the soldiers complete 1}^ 
riddled the stores, and impoverished the citizens. With 
the Sound swarming with English cruisers, provisions 
were cut off, although not a few blockade-runners plied 
to and fro from tlie Cape, exchanging oil and fish for the 
actual necessities of daily living. 

Truly patriotic, j-et crippled in resources, it was 
deemed expedient, on the part of the town, to declare 
neutrality, which resulted in the issue, )jy the British, 
of an order i^rohibiting all armed vessels of the crown 
from interfering with our island, or her legitimate com- 
merce. Even after this, an English sloop-of-war hovered 
like a vulture at the bar, frightening our home residents 
with fear for the safety of their inward-l)ound vessels. § 

Passing safely, comparatively speaking, through the 
war of 1812, Nantucket pushed along the bighwaj' of 
lucrative employment. In 1815 the olden energy re- 

ffrirr. Ship," are embalmed in poesy. We quote a few verses from Miss 
Starbuck's historical poem : 

'Twas near a hundred years ago — 

The time, the date, is past recall — 
When through the town a deadly fear 

Crept to the heart of one and all ; 
For just without the harbor bar, 

Where moaned the tide with stifled breath, 
There lay at forced anchorage 

A British frigate armed with death. 
In vain the people planned defence, 

No bulwarks walled the Quaker town, 
Kg battlements, no ancient keep, 

No strength to beat invaders down. 
They saw the captain's stern command 

To "man the boats," and well they knew 
No mercy for their hearths and homes, 

Would harbor with the hostile crew. 
But stay ! A passing gleam of hope ! 

The wind was blowing from the shore; 
All safe until its breath should change; 

Then from each sad and anxious heart, 

From linary sire and maiden fair. 
There rose, uiiclieckcd by form of words, 

An earnest bui'st of sobbing prayer. 
A prayer to Him who rules the winds, 

And holds the waters in His hand. 
To s.ive them in their island home, 

And keep the wind from off the land. 
And then from Heaven the answer came. 

The gale, unchanging, day by day, 
Swept out to sea defiantly. 

And held the dreaded foe at bay. 



And iiovir once a cliange of sky. 
Gr.jwn tired at length of power denied. 

And hopeless watching of the prey. 
With miiltered curse it raised the siege, 

And from the harbor sailed away. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



vivccl, and ships were agnin fitted for sea. The fleet 
steadily enlarged. Eor thirty j-ears the business was 
pursued successfullj'. But, finally, the sudden fall in the 
price of oil damaged the whale fishery beyond the power 
of recover}'. 

A spasmodic efTort was made, after the "gold fever" 
had taken to California large numbers of able-bodied 
men, to fit ships for the North Pacific, where "right 
whale" oil and whalebone offered munificent returns to 
the adventurers. But long voj'ages, successive dis- 
asters, and large expenses, at last finished the precarious 
business of whaling ; and it was finall}' abandoned.* 

The decline of the whale fishery f naturally involved 
the destruction of Nantucket's great industrial pursuit — 
her sole dependence — her whole - - 

support. It is to be hoped, how- 
ever, that some other remunerative 
activity may jet offer its aid, and 
that the hum of thrift accordingly 
may be once more heard in her 
streets. 

Nantucket Clinrches. — Nothing of 
historical importance relative to re- 
ligious observances on the island, du 
we find in our researches prior to 
1704, at which time there were, per- 
haps, 700 white inhabitants. We 
learn that the Indians, having the 
New Testament translated into their 
own language, had four meeting- 
houses, and had become earnest 
Christian believers under the whole- '^"^ °^° windji 

some influence of the Mayhews. It was during the year 
1704 that the " Friends' Societ}-" J was formed. 

The Congregationalists are the oldest religious organi- 
zation in town. As long ago as 1711 the First Congre- 

» The discontinuance of the whale fishery released, of conrse, a large 
number of men from maritime pursuits, and involved, to the same ex- 
tent, the ncecssity of these same devoting themselves to other avoca. 
tions. It is no uncommon thing, therefore, in all our larger New 
England coast towns and cities, to find men engaged in the various oc- 
cupations common to all communities, who were formerly sea captains, 
who, in other days, sailed from Nantucket, masters of their several 
CKifts; who, indeed, wiU be found to be personally familiar with all the 
maritime gcogiaphy of the globe, and who are, doubtless, as truly as 
any that sail to-day, accomplished, practical navigators. 

t The complete history of this industry has been admirably written 
by Mr. Alexander Starbuck of Waltham, Mass. 

t The Hick-ite (Quaker) meeting-house was erected in 1832. The 
Fair Street (Quaker) meeting-house was built in 1S38. 

§ By one of its Inte pastors, that scholarly and Christian gentleman 
and friend. Rev. Samuel D. Hosmer, now of Natick, Mass., I am in- 
formed that Rev. Timothy White preached as early as 1732, in June ; 
that he was bom in Haverhill, JIass., was a gr.aduate of Harvard 
in 1720, and came from the Vineyard to teach school in Nantucket ; 




gational, or North Church, was built. The names of its 
original membership, or of its ministers, are unknown, 
as its church annals do not extend farther back than 
1799. § 

This truly ancient meeting-house was framed out of 
the rugged oak trees that grow in the island soil, and 
was erected on land westward of the North burial- 
ground. It was subsequently removed to Beach Hill, 
where it novy stands, and was rebuilt in 17G5, — the 
original plate, bearing the date of its erection, being 
still seen upon the old gallery. 

In 17G1, Rev. Joseph Mayhew succeeded Mr. White, 
preaching until 176G.|| 

In 1795 the old North Tower was raised. Fifteen 
j'cars from the dismissal of Rev. 
^ Jas. Gurney, the new North Church 
" was built. The ministerial succes- 

M sion is perfect down to the present 
^B incumbent. Rev. L. H. Angier. 
i The Second Congregational, or 

Unitarian Church, was formed in 
the year 1809. Rev. Seth F. Swift 
was the first pastor. Many able 
divines of the Unitarian faith have 
graced its pulpit, and its line of 
pastors is an honorable one. 

Above the church building is the 
I old tower, ^ a pleasing rendezvous 
for visitors. It is reached by climb- 
ing up a dusty, winding stairway, 
past the quaint belfry with its Span- 
LL, NA.XTLCKET. jgij bcll,* * to the brcczy lookout. 

The view is enchanting. You look down upon queer old 
streets ; upon roofs of the quiet town ; awaj- to the silent 
wharves, off towards the beacons on Brant Point and 
Great Point, and across the harbor, far out at sea. 

that he married here in 1728. From the establishment of the North 
Church in 1711, until 1781, there was but one settled clergyman on the 
Island. 

II The white population, 3,220; Indian, 358. An Indian plague swept 
off a lai-gc number of the natives, leaving but 136. Thus were their 
ranks decimated, until 18.54, when, with the death of Abram Quady, a 
once powerful race became utterly extinct. 

II This church tower is the eyrie of the town-crier, one of the most in- 
dustrious and important men in our midst. It is his observatory. 
Here he daily heralds the arrival of the incoming steamers. The 
musical bell that keeps its wekd place below, has a history of its 
own. 

• • It was brought from Lisbon, and bears an Inscription m Portuguese. 
Translated, it reads : — 

" To the good Jesta of the Mount. 

"The devotees of Lisbon, in fulfilment of their vows, offer to Him 
this one to complete a chime of six bells to call the people to adore Him 
in His sanctuary." 

Jose Donimques Dc Costa made it in Lisbon, A. D. 1810. 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



Landward, j-ou gaze over miles of brown pasture lands 
that remind one of the Scottish moors. 

The Episcopal Church on Nantucket has a romantic 
origin. Rev. Moses Marcus, of New York, came to the 
island in 18 — , to marry his son, who, years before, had run 
away from home to try his fortune on board of a whaleship. 
His quarters at a sailor boarding-house, however, not 
being in accord with his early home associations, he 
abandoned the sea, and, by advice of ]Mr. S. H. Jenks, 
sought an appointment to teach school in Polpis, one of 
the outl^-ing villages. 

The visit of Rev. Mr. Marcus was opportune. With 
the favor of ]Mr. Jenks, he formed a society after the 
Episcopal order. The first meeting was held in Ath- 
enaeum Hall. 

The old Quaker church building was hired for their 
worship, and Rev. Mr. Marcus was invited to preach. 
After a while it was voted to purchase the building, with 
the one in the rear. The site was on Broad Street, east 
of the Ocean House. 

The building was of solid oak frame, 42 feet long, and 
50 or 60 wide, the whole presenting the appearance of a 
granite Gothic structure. * 

Trinity Church was consecrated to the rights and 
usages of the Protestant Episcopal Church, on Wednes- 
day, the 21st day of August, 1839, by Right Rever- 
end Alexander V. Griswold, D. D., bishop of the 
diocese. 

St. Paul's Church was organized September 3, 1846. 
On the nth of October, 1846, Rev. Ethan Allen reported 
the name of the church to be " Messiah." It was sub- 
sequently changed to " St. Paul's." The church applied 
for admission to the convention of the diocese, held in 
Boston, June 9, 1847. 

At pi-esent the church is flourishing under the accept- 
able ministrations of Rev. I;evi S. Boyer. 

The York Street Baptist Church was recognized 
May 24, 1831. 

The Nantucket Athenaeum, which was destroyed bj' 
fire, was built as a Universalist church. Rev. Hosea 
Ballon, the great apostle of Universalism, preached here 
several times. As there were but few of that faith upon 
the island, the society soon waned, and has no representa- 
tion at present in the town f 

• In the great fire of 184G', I stooil .and snw Trinity Clnircli burn to 
t;;-: ground. It was an irreparable loss to Nantuclict. Altliough but a 
boy then, I can now hear the ceolian music of the Gothic tower, and see 
tlie spirals of cruel flame as they closed about the stately structure. 
This snd picture is apostrophized by Mrs. Martha W. Jenks, in her 
poem published in " Seaweeds from the Shores of Nantucket." 

1 Three hundred and fifty buildings were destroyed, valued, with their con- 
tents, at $900,000. 



Tlie Metlwdist CJnirch. — The earliest Methodist preach- 
ing in this place was by Jesse Lee, Joseph Snelling, and 
George Cannon. The Methodist society was organized 
July 25, 1799, by Rev. Wm. Bcauchamp, with 19 mem- 
bers, in a dwelling-house. The progress of the society 
was rapid. In 1819, some 282 members were reported ; 
five years later, 417. In 1843, under the pastorate of 
the late Dr. Patten, there were 410 members. From 
that time the church has necessarily shared the drooping 
fortunes of the place. The present number of members is 
IGO. The first church edifice was dedicated Jan. 7, 1800, 
and was called the Fair Street M. E. Church. The 
present building, whose seating capacity is 1,000, and 
which under the pastorates of Drs. Patten and Wise was 
filled to its utmost capacity, was dedicated in the fall of 
1823, sermon by the famous John N. Maffit. This 
season was marked by an extensive revival. The 
church, notwithstanding the times, is still prosperous. 
During the palmy days of Nantucket, no other church 
probably drew such congregations as the Methodist. In 
1850 there were nine churches on the island. 

Societies and iHstitiitions. — From the 3-car 1800 to 
1823 the academy was incorporated, the Pacific Bank 
and insurance offices established, the " Social Libraiy" 
instituted, and the " Columbian Library Association." 

In 1820, " The Nantucket Mechanics' Social Librarj- 
Society" was established. In 1823, "The Columbian 
Libraiy Society " was formed. In 1827, these two associ- 
ations were united, and called " The United Library 
Association." 

In 1836, Mr. Joy proposed to join Mr. C. G. Coffin, 
in giving to the society a lot of land on Main Street, 
which was to sell for $1,800. BIr. Coffin agreed to this, 
and the land was offered on conditions that the socict}' 
would raise $3,500, and erect a suitable building for 
library, lecture and curiosity rooms. They raised $4,200, 
each subscriber of $10 having an equal right with all 
other donors. Finding the lot too small, they exchanged 
it with the proprietors of the Universalist church, and 
fitted that up and the society was incorporated as " The 
Nantucket Athenaeum." The present building was erected 
with money obtained from the insurance on the first build- 
ing, which was burned in 1846. 

In 1827, public schools { were established, and the 

t This denomination, however, has an able preacher in Rev. Mrs. 
P. A. Hanaford, who is a native of N.-mtucket, and a woman of 
rare intellectual endowments. Mrs. Hanaford was ordained and in- 
stalled pastor of the First Universalist Church, iu Ilingham, in 1S6S, 
and hers is the honor of being the first woman ordained for the Chris- 
tian ministry in Massachusetts. 

t The high school was opened in 1837, Cyrus Pcirce, principal. Mr. 
Pcirce was one of the best educators in Massachusetts. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



Coffin School built with a fund given by Admiral Sir 
Isaac Coffin.* 

Education on Nantucket has ever been a notable fea- 
ture of its history. Its schools have ranlced among the 
best in the Commonwealth. They have furnished some 
of the most accomplished teachers in the United States, 
and their names add a brilliant lustre to the historical 
record of the island. Hon. S. H. Jcnks was foremost 
in the permanent foundation of public instruction ; he 
was a firm, enlightened advocate of education, and pos- 
terity will accord to him the lasting credit which is his 
due.f 

Cemeteries. — The first recorded death on the island is 
that of Jane, wife of Richard Swain, who died Oct. 31, 
1CG2. Tradition says she was buried by her hu^lnnd 
under the door-stone. Jethro, son 
of Edward Starbuck, and a son o*" 
Thomas Macy, died earl3' after 
the settlement. A careful examm- 
ation of early records may bnng 
to light when the ancient buiial- 
gi-ound, as such, was established 
It was probablj', at an eailj' pi - 
riod, set apart by authontj- fc i 
that purjiose. Early officials bui u d 
there were Eichard Gardnci, Si , 
who died Jan. 28, 1688, and hib 
brother, Capt. John Gardner, who 
died May 6, 1706. They had both 
been chief magistrates undei the 
New York government. Also, 
Joseph Gardner, who died in 1701 ; Peter Folgor, 2d, 
register of probate, who died in 1707; William Gaj-er, 
Esq., who died in September, 1710 ; Eleazer Folger, Sr., 



• It -was during the year 1826 that the Admiral, Sir Isaac CoflBn, vis- 
ited the island. Mr. Jenks took his British guest to Si.isconsct, and on 
the way out he made known the object of his visit. Full of the enthu- 
siasm and zeal with which he had so long been excited on the subject of 
schools, Mr. Jenks replied thus to the Admiral's questions, " Shall I 
build a church, or raise a great monument, or purchase a ship for the 
town's benefit ? " 

"If you raise a monument. Sir Isanc, it will not be looked at by more 
than a hundred people once a year ; if you build a church, as 3-ou are 
an Episcopalian, it will neither be supported nor attended, for there is 
scarcely one besides myself of that order in the place ; and as to the 
purchase of a vessel, if done at all, it should be for the purpose of nau- 
tical instruction. The best thing you can do— the deed that will make 
you forever remembered in the island — is to establish and endow a free 
school." The Admiral, having kinsfolk upon the island, adopted the 
\>ise suggestion of Mr. Jcnks, and the original fund of £2,500 was 
granted for that purpose. The act of incorporation came under the 
heading of " Admiral Sir Isaac Coffin's Lancasterian School," whose 
purport was " to promote decency, good order and morality, and to 
give a good English education to youth who are descendants of the late 
Tristram Coffin." Under the charge of Mr. E. B. Fox, its present 




THE COFFIV SCHOOI,, ^A^T^CK 



who died in 1716 ; Hon. James Coffin, who died in 
1720, and probably several other officials of an early 
date, under the goverrmaents of New Y'ork or of Massa- 
chusetts Ba}- Colonies. Jonathan Coffin, Esq., and wife, 
who died in 1773, are said to be the last of English an- 
cestrj- wlio were interred in this most ancient burial-place. 
The Friends' First Burial-Ground seems to be a neg- 
lected and forgotten spot. Probablj- it was set apart for 
a burial-ground in 1711, when their first meeting-house 
was built. In it were interred Mary Starbuck, in 1717 ; 
and Nathaniel, her husband, in 1719; Nathaniel Bar- 
nard, and Nathaniel, Jr., Stephen Ilussey, James Gard- 
ner, and Sarah, his mother; probablj- also, James Coffin, 
Jr., and most of the Friends who died between 1711 
•ind 17'^ 2, when Charles Clasby was bui'ied in the 
Fiiend^' present burial-ground, he 
being the first buried therein. 

The first person buried in " the 
Gaidners' Burial-Ground " was 
Abigail, wife of Nathaniel Gard- 
iHi, Si., and daughter of Hon. 
J Lines Coffin, judge of probate. 
She ditd in 1709. Her husband 
diLd m England in 1712 or 1713, 
■nhile o.i a religious visit, he be- 
ing a minister among Friends. 
Fachaid Gardner, Jr., Esq., judge 
of piobate, was buried there in 
1728. According to "Franklin," 
they were buried in the south-west 
part of said ground. The first per- 
son buried in the Unitarian, now " Prospect Hill Cem- 
etery," was John Hazleton Bailej", in 1811. 

Newspapers. — In 1816, the first Island newspaper 

principal, this private institute of learning is second to none in all New 
England. 

t Hon. S. H. Jcnks was the " sole origmator and early and most 
ardent advocate for both the Coffin and the town's public schools in 
this isolated community." 

From a letter to a personal friend and honored citizen of the town, 
Hon. Wm. R. Easton, I learn that in the year 1S19 Mr. Jcnks adopted 
Nantucket as a residence. Educated as he was under the free-school 
system of Boston— a system made universal (with only one exception) 
throughout the State, by long standing and positive legal requirement 
—ho was astounded and grieved to find th.it Nantucket, with a popula- 
tion of some 10,000, should have set at naught the laws requiring every 
ton-n to furnish instruction, without cost, to children of all classes, 
lie sought to arouse the people through newspapers, and at town 
meetings, to a sense of their duty, and of their legal liabilities. He 
met with repeated rebufis. Nor was it until he threatened to pros- 
ecute the to«Ti for misdemeanor that a small sum was voted, which 
served for a beginning; and thus originated the excellent school 
of Nantucket. The pride of our island is, that her sthool- 



sy 

teachers are sought after, and ably fill the highest 

United SUtes. 



all over the 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



was printed, styled the "Nantucket Gazette," Tonnatt 
& Tapper, publishers. It was of a few months' dm-a- 
tion. Then the " Kantuckct Inquirer" was started b}" 
Joseph Melcher, and continued under different publish- 
ers — Samuel II. Jenks, Charles Bunker, Esq., George 
F. Bemis, and again under the veteran editor, S. H. 
Jenks. In 1840 he relinquished the publication of the 
paper, having received an appointment as postmaster 
under President Harrison. It was conducted by his son, 
■\Villiam A. Jenks, for a period ; then by E. W. Cobb, 
and others, until 1865, when Messrs. Hussey & Robin- 
son, of the "Nantucket Mirror," merged it into the 
" Inquirer and Min-or." The " Nantucket Journal " was 
published between the years of 1827 and 1830, by John 
Thornton. In 1840, the " Islander" appeared, managed 
b}' Charles C. Hazewell, now of the Boston " Traveller." 
"The Telegraph" followed, A. ]'.. Robinson, iiroiiriotoiv 
and his was tlio first 
oflice on the island 
that ever issued a 
daily. Just prior to 
the great fire of 1846, 
" The AVarder " came 
forth, S. H. Jenks 
its vigorous editor-in- 
chief. The "Nan- 
tucket Mirror" was 
published, in the year 
1840, by John Mor- 
rissey, Esq., contin- 
ued by him until 1 849 , 

when it was purchased by Messrs. Ilussey & Robinson, 
of the "Inquirer and Mirror" of to-day. These en- 
terprising gentlemen have recently moved into a new 
publishing house on Main Street, and their local paper 
is a familiar, ever-welcome face in the homes of the 
islanders. It is a singular fact, that its present cir- 
culation far exceeds that when Nantucket was in her 
prime, and numbered ten thousand inhabitants. In 
1874, the "Island Review" was launched upon the 
wa^e of patronage, growing steadily from a very small 
sheet to a journal of fair size among its fellows. 

Biograpliical. — The name of Walter Folger is one of 
the brightest among America's master mechanics and 
philosophers. He was born on Nantucket in June, 1 7C5. 
His opportunities for education were very meagre. The 
district school was his only college. He mai-ried a 
Nantucket woman in 1785, and was the father of ten 
children, the eldest of whom now bears his name. 
Walter Folger was a busj- man. Apprenticed to his 
father, he worked at tin-plating, alternating with clock- 




STCDIO OF EASTMAN JOHNSON, NANTTCKET, 



making. His great knowledge of figures, and of astron- 
omy, learned nobodj' knows where, coupled with famil- 
iarity with all the sciences, th.oroughly furnished him 
for the work of his astronomical clock. This clock is 
now in the possession of one of his sons, Mr. Edward 
R. Folger, and is to-day a marvel of workmanship. 
Mr. Folger began its construction in 1788, and on the 
4th day of July, 1790, like Galileo, he exclaimed, " /« 
moves I " 

When a boy, my father took me to see the old clock- 
maker, and I remember how much amazed I was, while 
looking at its rising sun in a mimic sky ! 

" There is one wheel in the clock, m}' little fellow," 
said ho, "that turns round once in a hundred years! 
Perhaps j'ou may live to see it." 

I can behold the face of that great man now ; but I 
litfl" tliMivjr'^f lint 1 should ever write a biogi'aphic.al 
sketch of his life. In 
J addition to giving the 
^^^^^^ hour of the day, like 
i:^m any ordinary clock, 
it gives the dates of 
the months and the 
years as they roll. 
The sun and moon 
rise and set, with 
their solar compan- 
ions, and the latter 
has its phases, in 
perfect accord with 
its sister planet. To 
keep the motion of the moon's nodes in the ecliptic re- 
quires 18 years and 225 days. The wheel that carries 
this ingenious appliance is as many j-ears in its revolu- 
tion, movnig all the while. 

Jlr. Folger was also the maker of telescopes of con- 
siderable power. But the most famous one, now on 
exhibition in the Nantucket Athenaeum, he finished in 
1821. It has superior magnifying power, and when 
first used, was admitted by the scientists of that time to 
be the finest in America. Spots on planets have been 
discerned by this telescope that have not been seen 
through Herschel's. Even among all modem inventions, 
it now occupies a distinguished place. 

Hon. Walter Folger was once a student of law, and at 
one time a practitioner ; was a representative ; served 
two terms in Congi-ess ; six j-ears as senator ; was 
also chief justice of Nantucket's courts of Common 
Pleas and Sessions. What he aecomphshed else would 
fill a vohune. His observations upon the comet of 
1811, ho forwarded to Harvard College, and ehcited 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



from the Cambridge savans a cordial and emphatic 
recognition. 

Nantucket has given to the world one of tlie noblest 
women of the nineteenth centuiy,— the venerable Lucre- 
tia Jlott, — who is a native of the island. 

Nathaniel Barney, a Quaker gentleman and philanthi-o- 
pist, was bom on Nantucket, Dec. 81, 1792, and died at 
Poughkcepsie on the 2d of September, ISCO, in the 77th 
3-ear of his age. Nantucket was one of the first battle- 
fields for the defeat of the slave power, and among "the 
most influential and imwearied coadjutors thereon was 
Nathaniel Barne_y. To him, after an eventful, stormy 
campaign of anti-slavery meetLr>gs on the island, was 
addressed, as its numerous readers will remember, that 
most effective and startling little anti-slaverj' pamphlet, 
by Stephen S. Foster, with its terrifj-ing title, 'The 
Brotherhood of Thieves ; or a True Picture of tlie Ameri- 
can Church and Clergj-.' In that trying period, when 
the dark cloud of slaverj' overshadowed the whole laud ; 
when the slave-masters of the South were as completelj- 
the masters of the masses of politicians, clergjincn, 
church members, merchants and scholars in Northern 
society- as of the negroes on their own plantations ; when 
mobs and martjTdom attended the anti-slavery move- 



ment, Nathaniel Baniej- was one of its conscientious, 
steadfast supporters. Such he has continued to be 
through the inter\'ening jcars of progress to the dav of 
liis death, and the hour of a weU-nigh completed vic- 
tory." 

In 1820 he was mairied to Eliza, daughter of Joseph 
Starbuck of Nantucket, with whom he lived a long and 
useful life, in liappv associations, and a union of interest 
and labor in all the beneficent reforms of the age, and in 
the work of life. A son and daughter, and the wife 
and mother remain to carrj- forward his life's work, and 
to bless and honor his memory. 

To conclude : " Nantucket," saj-s a late writer, " will 
yet be to New England what the beautiful Isle of Wiglit 
is to Old England — a delightful sanitarium and summer 
resort. The place is beautiful for situation, with a har- 
bor of good capacity, and one can hardly doubt that 
there is a bright and prosperous career for tliis town in 
the future. Charminglj' located, thirty miles out at sea, 
wdth the blue canopy of heaven above, and the waters of 
the bay and the broad Atlantic encircling it, the salubri- 
ous climate, society of noted refinement and culture, and 
schools of the best class, this town makes one of the best 
simamer resorts in the country-." 



KOEFOLK COUI^TY.* 



BY HENRY O. HILDRETH. 



The county of Norfolk, as first incorporated, in- 
cluded all the original territory of Sulfolk, except the 
towns of Boston and Chelsea. May 10, 1G43, the 
Colony of Massachusetts Bay was di\"idcd into four 
counties; ^■\z., Esses, Middlesex, Sutfolk and Norfolk, 
the latter comprising the towns of Haverhill, Salis- 
bury, Hampton, Exeter, Dover and Portsmouth. The 
four last-named towns having been set off to New 
Hampshire on its separation from Massachusetts in 
1G80, the remaining towns were set back to Essex 

, • The total population of the county iu 1875 was 88,321. The total 
] amount of capital invested in manufactures was §10,056,442, and the 
' value of goods made and work done, §26,905,040. The value of 
farm property was §12,006,443, and of domestic and acrricultural pro- 
ductions, $2,059,435. In 1S78, the toul valuation of the real estate and 
personal property was §85,078,891 . 

t AVithiu the present century the following important changes iu the 
rcl.it ion of the to\\-ns comprised in Norfolk County, at the time of its 
incorporation, have taken place : Canton set off from Stoughton, in 
1797 i part of Dorchester annexed to Boston, (1804) ; part of Dorchester 



Feb. 4, 1680, and the original county of Norfolk ceased 
to exist. 

An act re-incorporating the count}' of Norfohi was 
approved by Gov. Hancock March 26, 1793. 

The towns thus set off from Suffolk Countj- were Bcl- 
lingham, Braintrco, Brookline, Cohasset, Dedham, Dor- 
chester, Dover (then a district), Foxborough, Franklin, 
Ilingham, Hull, Medfield, Medway, Milton, Needham, 
Quincy, Randolph, Roxbury, Sharon, Stoughton, Wal- 
pole, Weymouth and Wrentham. t At the June session 

annexed to Quincy, (1814) ; Thompson's Island set off from Dorchester 
and annexed to Boston, (1S34) ; Dover, formerly a district, incoi-poratcd 
as a town, (1S36) ; Roxbniy chartered as a city, (1343) ; West Roxbury 
set off fi-om city of Roxburj', (1351) ; part of Dorchester annexed to 
Boston, (1355) ; Roxbury annexed to Boston, (13GS) ; Hyde Park set 
off from Dorchester, Dedham and Milton, (ISSS) ; Dorchester anr.c-cd 
to Boston, (1870) ; Norfolk set off from Wrentham, Fran'.Llin, Med.vay 
and Walpole, (1870) ; part of Brookline annexed to Boston, (1G7C) ; 
Noi-wood set off from Dedham and Walpole, (1872) ; Holbrook set off 
from Randolph, (1872) ; and West Roxburj' annexed to Boston, (1874). 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



of the legislature of the same year, the towns of Hing- 
hani and HuU were set back to Suffolk County, where 
they remamed until their incorporation into Plymouth 
Count}'. 

Of the towns thus brought together, Weymouth was 
the oldest, having been settled in 1G22, being the second 
settlement of white men in New England. 

The following-named towns were set off from the 
original territory of Dorchester : Milton, part of Wren- 
tham, Stoughton, Sharon, Foxborough, and Canton. A 
portion was also set off to Dedham in 1739, and por- 
tions were set off to Boston in 1804, and again in 1855. 

Dedham, settled in 1G36, included tlie territories after- 
wards set off to the following-named towns : Medfield, 
Wrcntham, Needham, Medwaj', Bellingham, Walpole, 
Franklin and Dover. The ten-itory also included the 
present town of Natick, and a portion of the town of 
Sherborn. 

Braintree was occupied by Capt. WoUastou in 1625, 
but no permanent settlement was made until 1G34. This 
territor}' included the towns of Braintree, Quincy and 
Randolph, from which Holbrook has since been set off. 
Brookline was settled the same year with Boston. 

The militar}' service rendered by the people of these 
towns from their earliest settlement down to the war of 
the Rebellion, was not surpassed by that of any other 
section of the countrj*. 

The first actual outrage of Philip's war was committed 
in Dedham woods, where a white man was found shot 
through the bod}'. During the war, nearly every man 
capable of bearing arms was called into sen'ice. Feb. 2 1 , 
1G75, Medfield was attacked b}- a band of 300 Narra- 
gansett Indians, led by King Philip, and 18 persons 
were killed, and upwards of 50 dwellings burned. In 
the early part of the following j'ear, eight houses were 
burned by the Indians at "Weymouth. In April, 1G76, 
Capt. Samuel Wadsworth of Milton, at the head of a 
companj' of 80 men, raised in that vicinity, marching 
to the defence of Sudbury, was ambuscaded by the 
Indians, and Capt. Wadsworth, Lieut. Sharpe of Brook- 
line, and 65 men, were slain. 

Attacks upon Medway and Wrentham were repulsed ; 
at the latter place the Indians suffering considerable loss. 
Pomham, the leading sachem of the Indians under Philip, 
was killed by a party of Dedham and Medfield people, 
July 25, 1676, and 50 of his band were made prisoners ; 

Note. — From Koxbury emigrated the origin.il founders of Dedbam 
in 1G35 ; Springfield, in 1636 ; New Roxbury, now Woodstock, Conn., 
in 1683; Lambsto^vn, now Hardwick, in 1686; Pomfret, Conn., in 1687; 
Dudley, in 1731; Bedford, N. H., in 1732; Warwick, in 17«; 
Worcester, Colrain and Oxford, besides others chiefly settled by her, as 
Scituate, Braintree, Newbury, Sec— Drake's IHslory of Roxbury. From 



but he, refusing to be taken alive, " Was slain, raging 
like a wild beast." 

In the ill-fated expedition to Canada in 1690, these 
towns were largely represented. In the disastrous attack 
upon the Spanish West Indian settlement in 1741, for 
which Massachusetts furnished 500 men, a large majoritj' 
were from Dorchester, Roxbur}', Dedham, Braintree and 
Weymouth, and noarlj' all perished. These towns also 
sent a large number of men with the famous Louisburg 
expedition in 1745, and many were engaged in the sub- 
sequent French wars. 

Resistance to the oppression of the mother country was 
earlj" developed in these towns of Norfolk, then Suffolk. 
On the IGth of August, 1774, as Bancroft informs us, 
" a count}' congress " of the towns of Suffolk, which then 
embraced what is now Norfolk, met at the Dot}"^ Tavern, 
in Stoughton, now Canton (a building now standing at 
the base of Blue Hill). At this meeting, Joseph Warren 
was present, and, after grave and deliberate discussion of 
public affairs, the congress decided to call special meet- 
ings in every town and precinct iu the county, to elect 
delegates, with full power, to appear at Dedham on the 
first Monday in September. On the 6th of September, 
1774, the county convention assembled at the house of 
Richard Woodward in Dedham (in this house, not now 
standing, Fisher Ames was born), everj- town and dis- 
trict in the county being represented. Their business 
was refen-ed to a committee, of which Joseph Warren 
was chairman. The convention adjourned to meet on 
Friday, Sept. 9, at the house* of Daniel Vose in Milton, 
where were presented the famous Suffolk Resolves, which 
were unanimouslj' adopted. The Resolves attracted great 
attention. They were sent by special messengers to our 
delegates in the Continental Congress, where they were 
read with delight. Joseph Galloway, a loyalist, at 
one time a member of the Continental convention, in his 
"Historical and Political Reflections of the Rise and 
Progress of the American Revolution, London, 1780," 
said those "Suffolk Resolves" "contain a complete 
declaration of war against Great Britain." 

The battle of Lexington found the people not un- 
prepared for war. Dedk-Jira had five companies of militia, 
and an association of veterans who had done service in 
the war against the French, who met the Britisii on their 
retreat near Cambridge, where also were companies from 
Dorchester, Needham, and other towns. In a letter to 

Dorchester, the first settlers of Windsor, Conn., iu 1635 ; Dorchester, 
S. C, in 1696; and Medway, Ga., in 1752. From Dedham, the settlers 
of Deerfield, in 1663. From Braintree, the settlers of New Braintree, 
in 1713 ; Braintree, Vt., in 1780. From Weymouth, the first settlers of 
Ashficld, in 1736. 
• This house is still standing at Milton Lower Mills. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



Hon. Harrison Graj' Otis, dated " Roxbury, April 21, 
1798," Gen. Heath sajs, " The first company of minute- 
men raised in America in 1775, preparatory to tlie defence 
of their inalienable rights and libei-ties, was raised in this 
town (Roxbmy) , and that companj-, with others, distin- 
guished itself in the battle of Lexington, on tlie 19th of 
April, 1775." Three companies of Roxbury minute-men 
responded to their countrj-'s call on the 19th of April, and 
did good sen-ice. Heath, Warren and Greaton were 
actively'' employed during the daj' in assembling the scat- 
tered guerilla parties of minute-men, and posting them 
advantageously, the former, on account of his rank, 
exercising command. 

During the time inten^ning between the battle of 
Lexington and the evacuation of Boston, the men of 
Norfolk showed special activity in the countiy's ser\'ice. 
In the organization of the army under Washington, and 
in the protracted siege of Boston, and its subsequent 
rescue from the British armj-, Roxbuiy and Dorchester 
were positions of great importance, and the landmarks, 
rendered famous in the gi-eat struggle, thickly strew the 
soil of those ancient towns. 

In the war of the Revolution, the war of 1812, and in 
the last great contest for the supremacy of the govern- 
ment, the same heroic spirit was manifested, and thou- 
sands of her sons laid down their lives on the altar of 
the countiy, 

Norfolk County claims the honor of initiating manj' of 
the leading enterprises and branches of manufacture, 
which have since grown to such large proportions. The 
first canal in the country was cut in Dedham in 1639, 
and the first railroad constructed in America was at 
Quincy in 1826. The first wator-mill in New England, 
and probably in the country-, was built on the Neponset 
River, at the Lower Mills, in Dorchester, in 1634, and 
the first iron-forge at Quincy in 1643. The first powder- 
mill was located at the Lower Mills, in Milton, in 1675, 
and the first slitting-mill was erected in the same town 
in 1710. The first paper-mill in the countrj' was built 
at Jlilton in 1728, and the first chocolate-mill in the 
same town in 1765. The manufacture of glass and the 
qimrrj-ing of granite were both commenced in Quinc}'- in 
1752, and, in 1789, the ship " Massachusetts," then the 
largest vessel ever constructed m the country, was 
launched in that town. The first copper works in the 
country were established bj' Paul Revere at Canton in 
1801. 

For many years Norfolk County has been regarded as 
the garden of New England. In no portion of the wide 
country can be found greater beauty of natural situation, 
or more tasteful and scientific cultivation. From the 



almost mountain tops of the Blue Hills of Milton and 
Canton, from Moose Hill in Sharon, and Fox Hill 
in Dedham, and from the beautiful, verdure-covered 
heights of Brookline, Milton, Quincy and Dover, are to 
be seen landscapes that vie with those celebrated in both 
the New and the Old World. The rock-bound coast of 
Cohasset, famed for its rugged beauty, and the picturesque 
and indented shores of Quincy and We3mouth, are the 
pride of the dweller and the admiration of the stranger, 
while to the appreciative taste of tlie artist and the lover 
of nature, the quiet and rural loveliness of the interior 
towns is not less attractive. On every hand are to be ' 
seen ancestral homes, many of which are connected by 
historical associations with every stage of the country's , 
progress, and within whose venerable walla were bom 
successive generations of men and women eminent in 
every walk in life. 

From its first settlement, the towns comprising the 
county of Norfolk, as incorporated in 1793, have been 
noted for their productive farms and fine gardens, and in 
no section of the country have agriculture, horticulture 
and pomology made greater progi-ess. Prominent among 
the agriculturists and hoi-ticulturists of the county were ! 
Lowell, Quincy, Walker, Dearborn and Wilder, the 
last-named of whom, by his lifelong labors in horti- ' 
culture and pomology, has well earned the position of the 
leading American authority in those departments, and 
who now, at the advanced age of more than eight}' j-ears, 
still takes the deepest interest in everything pertaining to 
his favorite pursuits. I 

The educational advantages enjoj'ed by the citizens of 
NorfoUv, are not surpassed by those of any other section 
of the State. Of the higher institutions of learning, the 
most prominent are Welleslej' College at Needham, in- 
corporated in 1870, for the purjDose of giving to young 
women opportunities for education, equivalent to those 
usually provided in colleges for J'oung men, and wliich, 
at its opening in 1873, entered upon a career of almost 
iniprecedented success; Dean Academy at Franklin, 
Adams Academy- at Quincy, and Thayer Academy at 
Braintree. 

By the last report of the State Board of Education, 
there were in the comity, in 1878, 22 high schools, and 
397 other schools. 

Biographical Notes. — Rev. John Allin came from 
England and settled in Dedham in 1637, and, after a 
niinistiy of 84 years, died in 1671. In the words of 
Cotton Mather, "He was a man of sweet temper, a 
genteel spirit, a diligent student, of competent learning, 
a humble man, and sincere Christian." Maj. Eleazer 
Lusher came to Dedham with Mr. Allin. During the 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



whole of his useful and honored life he was the leading 
man of the town, and directed its most important affairs. 
He was, for many years, a deputy to the General Court, 
where he took a leading part. He died Nov. 13, 1672. 
His eulogium in the " Wonder-Working Providence " is, 
that "he was a nimble-footed captain, a man of the right 
stamp, and full for the country." Capt. Daniel Fisher, 
admitted to the Dedham church in 1639, and, until his 
death in November, 1683, much employed in public 
business, was, for many years, deputy to the General 
Court, speaker of the Assembly, and assistant, in which 
ofBce he died. His very spirited conduct in defending 
the infant Colony 
against the mach- 
inations of Ran- 
dolph, the agent 
of King James, 
nearly caused his 
being carried to 
England to an- 
swer' for alleged 
high crimes and 
misdemeanors, — 
Capt. Dan'l Fish- 
er, son of the old 
patriot, inherited 
his father's spirit, 
and of him the fol- 
lowing incident is 
related : " When 
Sir Edmund An- 
dros was captured 
on Fort Hill, by 
the people of Bos- 
ton, in 1689, he 
surrerdered, and 



THE OLD FAIRBANKS HOI 



father, John Dwight, brought him to this country in 
1635, was an active and public-spirited citizen, and a 
deputy to the General Court. He was the ancestor of 
the Dwight family in this country, the late Dr. Timothy 
Dwight, president of Yale College, being one of his 
descendants. He died Jan. 31, 1717, and the last of his 
six wives was buried on the same day with himself. His 
gravestone may be seen in the Dedham Cemetery. 

Michael Metcalf, the emigrant ancestor of the family 
in this country, and one of the first settlers of Dedham, 
came here in 1637, and died 1664, aged 78. 

Among others of the first settlers of Dedham, may be 
mentioned Rich- 
ard Evered, an- 
cestor of the Ev- 
erett familj', in- 
cluding the late 
Governor Edw'd 
Everett, whose 
father was born 
in Dedham; John 
Ellis, John Par- 
ker, John Fair- 
banks,! Deacon 
Francis Chicker- 
ing, John Bul- 
lard, Nath'l Col- 
bum, and others. 
The Dexter 
Family. — Rev. 
Samuel Dexter, 
born in Maiden 
Oct. 22, 1700, 
was graduated at 
Harvard Univer- 
sity in 1720, He 




went unarmed to Mr, Usher's house, where he remained , was settled in Dedham May 6, 1724, where he con- 



under guard. When the news of the event reached 
Dedham, Capt, Daniel Fisher, the j'ounger, a stout, 
strong man, possessing his father's hatred of the tyrant, 
and his resolute spirit, instantly set out for Boston, and 
came rushing in with the country people, who were in 
such a rage and heat, as made all tremble again. Noth- 
ing would satisfy the country party but binding the 
governor with cords and carrj-ing him to a more safe 
place. Capt. Fisher was soon seen among the crowd, 
leading the pale and trembling Sir Edmund by the collar 
of his coat, from the house of Mr. Usher, back to Fort 
Hill."* 

Capt. Timothy Dwight, who was a child when his 

• Worthington's History. 



tinued until his death, Jan. 29, 1755. Oneof his daugh- 
ters married Rev. Jason Haven, his successor in the Ded- 
ham church, who was settled Feb. 5, 1756, and, after 
a ministry of forty-eight years, died May 7, 1803. Mr. 
Dexter's son, Samuel, resided for many years in his 
native town. He died at Mendon in 1810, During 
his residence in Dedham, he was a man of much in- 
fluence, and held many offices of trust in the town and 
church. He was the father of Hon. Samuel Dexter, 
eminent for many j-cars as one of the most distinguished 

t The house hnilt by Mr. Fairbanks, probably fixjm about 1640 to 
1650, is still standing in an excellent state of preservation. It has never 
been out of the family, and is now occupied by the eighth generation, 
in regular descent, from John, the first settler. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



lawj-ers and statesmen in the country, having been a 
member of both branches of the national Congress, secre- 
tary of war, and of the treasury, during the administration 
of tlie elder Adams, and who died in 181G. 

Fisher Ames was born in Dedham April 9, 1758, and 
died there July 4, 1808. He was graduated at Harvard 
University in 1 774, having entered college at the age of 12. 
He early disjolayed great power as an orator and political 
writer. After serving for a brief time in the State legis- 
lature, he was elected to Congress, against the competi- 
tion of Samuel Adams, and continued in that body during 
the whole of TVashingtou's administration (1789-97). 
His able speech on the British treaty, April 28, 1795, 
was regarded then as the greatest ever made in Congress. 
He was the most eloquent debater in the House, and was 
the author of the address of that body to Washington on 
his retiring from the Presidency. He was chosen presi- 
dent of Harvard University, but declined on account of 
ill-health. He died at the age of 50 j-ears, and was 
buried in the cemeterj- of his native town. 

Maj.-Gen. Richard Gridle3', a distinguished soldier, was 
born at Canton in 1711, and died there June 20, 1796. 
He had great reputation as an artillerist; was chief 
engineer in the reduction of Louisbui-g in 1 745 ; again 
entered the army as chief engineer and colonel of infan- 
try in 1755 ; was engaged in the expedition to Crown 
Point in 1756, under Gen. Winslow ; and planned the 
fortifications around Lake George. He served under 
Amherst in 1758, and, with Wolfe, ascended to the 
Plains of Abraham, and fought the French at the capture 
of Quebec. For his sen-ices the British government gave 
him Magdalen Island, with half-pay, which was to con- 
tinue to him during his life. He espoused the patriot 
cause with ardor in 1775, and was appointed chief engi- 
neer and commander of the the artillery of the Colonial 
army. He it was that laid out so skilfully the works on 
Bunker's Hill the night before the battle of June 17, 
1775. In that engagement he was exposed to the 
severest fire of the enemy, and was wounded. He was 
active in planning the fortifications around Boston ; com- 
missioned major-general by the Provincial Congress, 
Sept. 20, 1775, and commander of the Continental 
artillery, but was, in November, superseded by Knox. 

Tlie Dudley Family. — Thomas Dudley, second gov- 
ernor of Massachusetts, was the son of Capt. Roger 
Dudley, who was " slain in the wars." He early devel- 
oped great intelligence, courage, and prudence, which 
qualities procured for him, at the age of twenty-one, the 
captaincy of an English company, which he led at the 
siege of Amiens, under Henry of Navarre. A Pui'itan, 
* He was the first native of New England to sit in that body. 



he, with four others, undertook, although then flftj- years 
of age, the settlement of the Massachusetts Colony, and 
came over with the charter as deputy -governor in 1630. 
He first settled in Newton, but soon removed to Roxbury. 
lie was governor in 1634, 1640, 1645, and 1650. He 
died July 31, 1653. 

His daughter, Anne Dudley, who married Gov. Brad- 
street, was celebrated as a poet, and among her descend- 
ants are Oliver AVendell Holmes and Richard II. Dana. 

Joseph, son of Gov. Thomas Dudley-, was born in 
Roxbuiy Julj- 23, 1647. He was educated for the niinis- 
trj', but earlj' turned his attention to public affairs. He 
was commissioner for the United Colonies from 1677 to 
1681 ; chief justice of the Supreme Court in 1687 to 1689 ; 
and a member of the British Parliament* in 1701. He 
finally closed his long official career as governor of 
Massachusetts from 1702 to 1715. He died at Roxbuiy 
April 2, 1720. 

Paul, son of Gov. Joseph Dudley, born in Roxbury in 
1675, and a graduate of Harvard C'ollege, was an emi- 
nent jurist. He died Jan. 25, 1751.t 

William Heath was born in Roxbury, March, 2, 1737, 
on the estate settled b}- his ancestors in 1636, and was 
bred a farmer. His fondness for military exercises led 
him, in 1754, to join the Ancient and Honorable Artil- 
lery Companj-, which he commanded in 1770, having 
previouslj- been made a captain in the Sufl!blk regiment, 
of which he became a colonel in 1774. He engaged with 
zeal in the Revolutionarj' contest ; was a delegate to the 
Provincial Congresses of 1774-75 ; and was a member of 
the committees of correspondence and safety. Before 
the close of 1776 he had risen to the rank of major-gen- 
eral in the Continental army. He rendered great service 
in the pursuit of the British troops from Concord, April 
19, 1775, and in organizing the rude and undisciplined 
army around Boston ; and, with his brigade, was sta- 
tioned at Roxbury during the siege of Boston. He was 
the first judge of probate of the county, in which office 
he died Jan. 24, 1814. 

Increase Sumner was born in Roxburj- Nov. 27, 1746. 
Graduating from Harvard College, he studied law with 
Samuel Quincy, and was admitted to the bar in 1770. 
He was chosen, in 1782, to a seat in Congress, and was 
soon after appointed associate justice of the Supreme 
Judicial Court. In 1797 he was elected governor of 
Massachusetts, and was re-elected for two successive 
terms, the last time by an almost unanimous vote. Gov. 
Sumner died on the 7th of June, 1799, " mourned and 
lamented by the whole people." 

Ebenezer Seaver, born in Roxbury July 5, 1763, and 

t Drake's History of Roxbury. 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



a graduate of Harvard College, was a prominent and 
respected citizen. He was a member of Congress ten 
years. He died March 1, 1844. 

Henrj' A. S. Dearborn, the son of Gen. Henry Dearborn, 
of the Revolutionary army, was born in Exeter, N. H., 
in 1783. He was educated at the college of William 
and Marj-, and entered the profession of the law. In 
early life he became a resident of Eoxbuiy. He was for 
manj' years collector of the port of Boston ; a member 
of the Massachusetts Senate and House, and of the 
executive council ; and member of Congress in 1831-3. 
To his public spii'it and fine taste in rural pursuits, the 
public are mainly' indebted for their beautiful resting- 
places for the dead, Mount Auburn and Forest Hills. 
He died July 29, 1851. 

Eobert Williams, the emigrant ancestor of one of the 
most prolific families in America, came to Roxbiuy from 
Norwich, Eng., in 1638, and died at a great age in 1G93. 
Among his distinguished descendants were Col. Ephraim, 
founder of Williams College ; Rev. Elisha, president of 
Yale College ; William, governor of Connecticut, and a 
signer of the Declaration of Independence ; Col. Joseph, 
of the Revolutionarj' army, and others. 

Rev. Nathaniel Emmons, D.D., was born in East 
Haddam, Conn., May 1, 1745, and was graduated at 
Yale College in 1767. He was settled in Franklin, then 
the second precinct in Wrentham, April 21, 1773, and 
there continued until May 28, 1827 ; a period of nearly 
54 years. He died Sept. 23, 1840, in his ninet^'-sixth 
j-ear. He was one of the most distinguished theologians 
in the country, and during his long life exercised great 
influence throughout New England. 

Alexander Metcalf Fisher was born in Franklin July 
22, 1794, and was graduated at the head of his class 
from Yale College in 1813. In 1817 he was chosen pro- 
fessor of mathematics and natural philosophj' in that insti- 
tution. Desirous of familiarizing himself with European 
methods of instruction, he sailed from New York for 
Europe in the ship " Albion," which was lost off the 
coast of Ireland April 22, 1822. So strong an influence 
had he made upon his contemporaries during his brief 
but brilliant career, that the whole country- mourned his 
loss. 

Jabez Fisher was born in Franklin Nov. 19, 1717. 
He received only a common-school education, but from 
his early years was distinguished for ready and strong 
common sense, intuitive perception and inflexible in- 
tegrity'. He was a representative to the General Court 
under the provincial charter for many jears, and a mem- 
ber of the house of delegates that assembled at Salem 
in October, 1774, and formed themselves into a Provin- 



cial Congress. He was one of the famous twenty-oiglit 
councillors elected upon the disannulment of the State's 
allegiance to Great Britain to exercise the executive 
powers of the government, exerting in this important 
and responsible position a great influence. He subse- 
quently held high official positions, and died Oct. 15, 
1806, in his eight3--ninth year. 

Horace Mann was born in Franklin May 4, 1796. He 
graduated from Brown University in 1819, at the head 
of his class. After a thorough course of legal study he 
commenced the practice of law in Dedham, and soon 
took a leading position. In 1827 Mr, Mann was chosen 
representative from Dedham to the legislatiu-e by the 
Whig party, and at once became a prominent and influ- 
ential member, retaining his place by successive elec- 
tions until he removed to Boston in 1833. While in the 
legislature he took strong grounds in favor of the eleva- 
tion of the public schools and in support of the then 
feeble railroad interest. He was an earnest advocate of 
the cause of temperance ; instituted and carried through 
the bill for establishing a State lunatic hospital, and was 
chairman of its first board of trustees. 

In 1834, Mr. Mann was chosen State senator for 
Suffolk County, which office he held for four years, dur- 
ing the last two of which he was president of the body. 
He was also chosen with Judge Metcalf to edit the 
Revised Statutes, for which he wrote the marginal notes 
and references and judicial decisions. 

But the great work of Mr. Mann, and upon which his 
great fame rests, was that in behalf of the common- 
school system, which had long held a leading place in 
his thoughts and studies. On the election of the board 
of education in 1837, he was chosen its first secretary, a 
position -which he continued to occupy for eleven years. 
While holding this office, on the death of John 
Quincy Adams, in 1848, he was, by a very large majority 
of the popular vote, elected to fill that statesman's place 
in Congi-ess ; a position to which he was twice re-elected. 
In 1852, he received the nomination of the Free Soil 
party for governor, and on the same day was chosen 
president of Antioch College at Yellow Springs, O. He 
failed of an election as governor, but accepted the presi- 
dency of the college, which he retained until his death, 
Aug. 2, 1859. 

Theron Metcalf was born in Franklin Oct. 16, 1784, 
and was graduated at Brown University in 1805. Ad- 
mitted to the bar, he removed to Dedham in 1809, where, 
with eminent success, he practised law for more than 
thirty j-ears. For a season he edited the "Dedham 
Gazette." In 1828, he opened a law school, the lectures 
delivered in connection with which being subsequently 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



published in a volume entitled " Principles of the Law 
of Contracts as applied hy Courts of Law." In 1839, 
he was chosen reporter of the decisions of the Supreme 
Court, and removed from Dedham to Boston. His 
reports have been called ' ' the model and the despair of 
reporters," and have been cominended bj' high authoritj- 
for their great precision, terseness and pmity of style, 
combined with accuracj', clearness, completeness and 
condensation of statement. 

In 1848, Mr. Metcalf was appointed associate justice 
of the Supreme Court, which office he held until I860, 
when, at the age of 80 he resigned, after seventeen j-ears 
of eminent usefulness and fidelity'. He received the degree 
of LL. D. from Brown and Harvard universities. He 
died in the full ijossession of his faculties in Boston Nov. 
13, 1875, at the age of 91. 

Dr. Nathaniel Miller, for many 3'ears one of the most 
distinguished surgeons in the State, was a native of 
Swansea, where he was born April 23, 1771. He set- 
tled in Franklin in 1799, and until his death, which 
occurred June 10, 1850, occupied the foremost rank 
both as a phj-sician and a surgeon. Two of Dr. Miller's 
sons, both natives of Franklin, became noted surgeons ; 
viz., Dr. Lewis Leprellette Miller, for many years presi- 
dent of the Ehode Island Medical Societj-, and Dr. 
Erasmus D. INIiller, who settled in Dorchester. 

Gen. Sj'lvanus Thaj'er was born in Braintree June 9, 
1785. He was graduated at Dartmouth College in 1807 
with the highest honors of his class. Before his gi-adua- 
tioa he received an appointment as cadet to the West 
Point Military Academy. In 1817, he was appointed 
superintendent of that institution, where he remained 
seventeen j-ears, and, by his zeal, energj' afid unwearied 
efforts, raised it to a high degree of efficiency. For 
several years he was employed in superintending the 
erection of the fortifications in Boston Harbor. He died 
Sept. 7, 1872. In 1877, at the request of the West 
Point cadets, his remains were disinterred from their first 
resting-place in Braintree, and removed to West Point, 
where they were buried with military honors, near those 
of Gen. Scott, his life-long friend. At West Point a 
fine life-size portrait of Gen. Thayer adorns the walls of 
the academy. Gen. Thaj'er received the title of LL. D. 
from four colleges, including HaiTard University. He 
was a member of many of the leading scientific societies 
in this and other countries. He lefb nearly $300,000 to 
his native town, and a very large sum to Dartmouth 
College. 

John Hancock was born in Braintree (now Quincy), 
Jan. 12, 1737. He was the son of Rev. John Hancock 
of Braintree, after whose death he was educated bv his 



uncle Thomas, a wealth^' merchant of Boston, whose large 
fortune and extensive business he inherited. A mem- 
ber of the Prc'','incial Legislature from 17G6, he warml}' 
opposed the measures of the British ministrj-, and, to- 
gether with Samuel Adams, was exempted from pardon 
in Gov. Gage's proclamation. Chosen president of the 
Provincial Congress, in October, 1774, he was sent to the 
General Congress at Philadelphia in 1775, of which body 
he was president, being the first to sign the Declaration 
of Independence. Feb. 6, 1778, he was appointed 
first major-general of the Massachusetts militia, and in 
August took part in Sullivan's expedition against Rhode 
Island. He was member of the State Constitutional 
Convention of 1780, and governor of Massachusetts 
from 1780 to 1785, and from 1787 to his death, Oct. 8, 
1793. 

John Adams, second jsresident of the United States, 
was born in Braintree, now Quincj', Oct. 19, 1735. He 
was graduated at Harvard Unive»sitj' in 1755. He com- 
menced the practice of law at Braintree in 1758, and 
soon took high rank as a lawyer and writer on the excit- 
ing political topics of that day. He moved to Boston in 
1768, drafted the instructions to its representatives, and 
in 1770 was chosen to the General Court, and from this 
time became the chief legal adviser of the patriots, and 
a leader among them. He was chosen a delegate to the 
Congress of 1774, and to the Provincial Congress. In 
the Continental Congress of 1775, he exercised gi-eat 
influence, and first proposed Washington for the chief 
command. Placed on the Committee on the Declaration 
of Independence, and also on that on Foreign Relations, 
he bore the brunt of the three days' debate, and secured 
the adoption of that immortal instniment. He was com- 
missioner to France in 1778, minister to Great Britain 
in 1779, ambassador to Holland in 1782, and the same 
year, with Franklin and Jay, negotiated a treaty of 
commerce with Great Britain. In 1785 he was sent as 
minister to the Court of St. James. Recalled in Febru- 
ary, 1788, on his arrival home he was reappointed a del- 
egate to Congress, but did not take his seat, having been 
elected vice-president of the United States, receiving 
the next highest number of votes to Washington in the 
first presidential election. He was chosen president bj' 
a small majority over Jefferson, for the terra beginning 
March 4, 1797, but was defeated at the next election, 
and his subsequent life was passed in retirement at 
Quincj'. He lived to see his son president, and died 
July 4, 1826 in the ninety-first year of his age. 

John Quincy Adams, sixth President of the United 
States, was born at Braintree, now Quincy, July 11, 
1767. After graduating at Harvard with distinguished 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



^m^-'.i 



honor, he studied law with Theophilus Parsons, and prac- 
tised at Boston, where he gained distinction as a politi- 
cal writer. From 1794 to 1801, he was successively' 
minister to Holland, England and Prussia, receiving, in 
1798, a commission to negotiate a treaty of commerce 
with Sweden. From 1803 to 1808, he was United States 
senator. From 1806 to 1809, he was i^rofessor of rhet- 
oric at Har\-ard College. He was one of the commis- 
sioners to negotiate the treaty of Ghent iu 1814, after 
the signing of which he, with Gallatin and Claj-, nego- 
tiated, at the Court of St. James, a commercial treaty 
with Great Britain, signed July 13, 1815. From 181 7 to 
1825, he was secretary 

of state to President j^,' ^, 

Monroe, and was elect- ,-i* 

ed president in 1825, ^^ _, . 

holding that office four /-t^*?:-— __^ 

years. In 1831 he was "^'^^KIESq 

elected as a representa- 
tive in Congress, where 
he remained by succes- 
sive re-elections, until 
his death, Feb. 23, 
1848. 

TJie Quincy Family. 
— Edmund Quincj-, the 
first of the name in this 
colony, came from Eng- 
land with the Rev. John 
Cotton, and arrived in 
Boston iu September, 
1C33. In 1635, the 
town of Boston granted 
lands at Mount "Wollas- 
tou to "William Codding- 
ton and Edmund Quincy, who took possession of them 
in the following year. Edmund Quincy died soon after 
at the age of 33. 

His only son, Edmund, was born in England in 1627. 
He inherited and settled on his father's estate at Mount 
WoUaston, became a magistrate of the county, and lieu- 
tenant-colonel of the Suffolk regiment. He died in 1697, 
having had two sons, Daniel and Edmund. Daniel, the 
eldest, died before his father, leaving one son, John, 
born in 1G89, who became one of the most distinguished 
men of that period. He held the office of speaker of 
the House of Representatives longer than any other per- 
son, during the charter of William and Mary; and 
served as representative from the town of Braintree, and 
as member of the Executive Council of the Pro\'ince for 
forty successive years. His paternal estate became the 



«mi-«i 



:sfc» 



THE HOME OF JOHN QUINCT ADAMS, QUINCY 



property' of his great-grandson, John Quincy Adams, 
who was named for him. From him the town of Quincy 
also derived its name. He died July 13, 1767, aged 78 
j-ears. 

Edmund, the youngest son of Edmund Quincy, was 
born in Braintree, in October, 1681, and was graduated 
at Harvard College in 1699. He was representative 
from the town and afterwards member of the Executi-^e 
Council. He was judge of the Supreme Court of the 
Colony from the year 1718 until his death. He died of 
small-pox in England, Feb. 23, 1 738. He left two sons, 
Edmund and Josiah. Edmund, the eldest, was born in 
Braintree in 1703, and 
1^ was graduated at Har- 

~' vard College in 1722. 

He was for many years 
a merchant in Boston, 
and died iu July, 1 788. 
His brother Josiah was 
born iu Braintree in 
1709, was graduated 
at Harvard College in 
1728, and entered into 
business as a merchant 
in Boston. He retired 
from business in 1756 
and resided in Braintree 
until his death in 1784, 
at the age of 73. He 
was an ardent patriot, 
and enjoyed the person- 
al friendship of Wash- 
ington, Adams, Frank- 
lin and other eminent 
men of that time. 
Edmund, Ms oldest son, was born in Braintree in Oc- 
tober, 1733. He was graduated at Harvard College in 
1752, and entered into business in Boston. He took a 
deep interest in political affairs, but died at sea while on 
a voyage to the West Indies, in March, 1768. Samuel 
Quincy, the second son, was graduated at Harvard Col- 
lege in 1754, and became eminent as a lawj-er. He was 
appointed solicitor-general of the Province under the 
crown, and held the office until the Revolution, when he 
espoused the cause of the mother comitr}-, and on the 
termination of the siege of Boston in 1776, with other 
loyalists, left the country. He was appointed attorney 
for the crown for the Island of Antigua, which office he 
held until his death in 1789. The j'oungest son, Josiah, 
was born in Boston, Feb. 23, 1744, and was graduated 
at Harvard College in 1763. He studied law, and soon 



HISTOEY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



rose to distinction, botli in his profession and as a writer 
on political topics. Having been abroad in the interests 
of the patriot cause, he died in sight of his native shores 
at the early age of 31. No name connected with the 
Revolutionary struggle has been more tenderly cherished 
than that of Josiah Qumc}', Jr. 

Josiah Quincy, the only son of Josiah Quinc^-, Jr., 
was born in Boston, Feb. 4, 1772, and was graduated at 
Harvard College in 1790. He studied law and began 
practice in Boston in 1 793. He was a member of Con- 
gress from 1805 to 1813 ; mayor of Boston from 1823 to 
1829, and jjresident of Harvard University from 1829 to 
1845. He died at Quincy July 1, 1864, at the age of 
92 years. 

Josiah Quincy, the oldest son of Josiah Quincy, 
was born in Boston, Jan. 17, 1802, and was graduated 
at Harvard College in 1821. He was major of Boston 
three years. It was during his mayoralitj' that the 
Cochituate water was introduced into Boston. For manj' 
j-ears his summer residence has been at Quincy. 

Edmund Quiucy, j'oungest son of Josiah Quincy, was 
born in Boston, Feb. 1, 1808, and was graduated at Har- 
vard College in 1827. He early identified himself with 
the Abolition partj-, and was a frequent contributor to the 
leading literary periodicals and political newspapers of 
the day. He was one of the most finished writers of 
the countrj', and his memoir of his father is regarded 
as a model biography. He died suddenly at his resi- 
dence in Dedham, in May, 1877. 

Towns. 
Dedham, the shire town of Norfolk County, was in- 
corporated Sept. 8, 1G3G. The Indian name was Tiot, 
and on its settlement, in 1G35, it was called Content- 
ment. Its present name was derived from Dedham, 
Eng. The town is watered by Charles Eiver on the 
north, and Ncponset River and Mother Brook on the 
east. Buckmaster and Wigwam Ponds are beautiful 
sheets of water, from which there are outlets to the 
Charles and Neponset rivers. Mother Brook, by means 
of which about one-third of the water of the Charles is 
diverted to the Neponset River, the first canal cut in the 
country-, was opened within ten years of the settlement 
of Boston. It affords important motive-power, and 
enters the Neponset at Hyde Park. Two large woollen- 
mills are located on this stream, and there are several 
other manufactories in the town. The soil is light and 
sandy, but highly productive vmder good cultivation. 
The streets in the main village are shaded by beautiful 
American elms, many of which were set out nearly a 
centui-y ago by the eminent statesman, Fisher Ames, a 



native of the town. The public buildings are commo- 
dious and elegant structures. The court-house, origi- 
naUj' built in 1826, and subsequently enlarged, is built 
of Medfield granite, with four massive columns on each 
front. The Dedham jail is a fine building of hewn 
Quincy stone. The town hall, a spacious building of 
Dedham granite, was erected in 18C7 as a memorial 
of the sons of this town who fell in the war of the 
Rebellion. St. Paul's Episcopal Church, consecrated in 
1858, is an elegant granite structure, surmounted bj- a 
solid stone spire. The village cemeterj-, one of the 
oldest in the State, is the resting-place of many men 
who were eminent in their daj' and generation. Within 
the past two years, Brookdale cemetery, beautifully 
situated in the eastern portion of the town, has been 
laid out. 

Dedham is connected with Boston, ten miles distant, 
by two branches of the B. and P. R. R. There are four 
villages : Dedham A'^illage, East Dedham, West Dedham 
and Islington. There are eleven churches, a high 
school, and twenty-nine other schools, a public library 
of 6,500 volumes, a national and a savings bank, and a 
local newspaper. Population, 5,756. 

Brookline, incorporated Nov. 13, 1705, was origi- 
nally a part of Boston, and bore the name of Muddj- 
Ri\ er Hamlet. Its incorporated name was derived from 
the fact that two brooks formed a part of its boundary'. 
It is foiu- miles south-west of Boston, and the Boston 
and Albany and the western division of the N. Y. and 
N. E. railroads pass through the town. Brookline is 
remarkable for its varied surface, the high state of culti- 
vation of its farms and gardens, its elegant villas, its 
countr\--seats, its excellent roads, and its rich and pic- 
turesque scenery. The views obtained from its many 
hill-tops are almost unrivalled in beauty and extent, and 
the reservoir connected with the Boston water-works 
adds its charm to the beauty of the landscape. For 
many j'ears Brookline has been the favorite residence 
of manj- of the most opulent merchants and professional 
men of Boston, and has beoe noted for the large num- 
ber of elegant estates witliin its borders. Many of its 
public buildings are fine specimens of architectural 
beauty, among which maj- be mentioned the town hall, 
built of Dedham rose granite, at an expense of $150,000, 
the principal hall of which will seat 1,200 persons; 
the public librarj', built of brick, with an interior 
finish of butternut, and containing a choice library 
of 20,000 volumes ; the Harvard Church edifice, 
built of stone, at an expense of more than $100,000 ; 
and two Episcopal churches. Brookline has an elab- 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



orate system of water- works, the supplj' for which is 
taken from Cliarles River, a savings bank, and a local 
newspaper. It has nine churches, a high school and 
twenty-nine other schools. Population, 6,675. 

Distingulshtd J!fe«. — Zabdiel Boylston, F. R. S. 
(1680-1766), a physician, eminent as the first to inocu- 
late for the small-pox in America ; William Aspiuwall 
(1743-1823), a celebrated pliysician, and prominent in 
public affairs; and George ^^ 

Sewall Boutwell (1818 — ), 
governor of Massachusetts 
in 1851-52, secretary of the 
board of education, secre- 
tary of the treasury, and 
member of both houses of 
Congress. 

QuiNCT was formerly the 
north precinct of Braintree, 
and named in honor of Col. 
John Quincy. It was in- 
corporated Feb. 23. 1792. 
The surface of the town is 
varied, a portion being wild 
and picturesque, and that 
section bordering on the bay 
being indented with many at- 
tractive promontories, from 
which fine sea views are ob- 
tained. Squantum, Hough's 
Neck and Germantown have 
been for many years noted 
places of summer resort. 
The famous granite quarries 
of this town have furnished 
material for the construction 
of an immense number of 
public buildings and ware- 
houses, and the stone busi- 
ness continues to employ a 
large number of men. A considerable amount of cap- 
ital Is invested in the manufacture of boots and shoes. 
Formerly much attention was gi\-en to shipbuilding, the 
ship "Massachusetts," then the largest vessel in the 
country, ha^-ing been launched at Germantown, as long 
ago as 1 789. A large area of land is devoted to farm- 
ing and the dairy. The Old Colony Railroad runs 
through the town. 

Quincy is especially rich in its historical associations. 
Here were born two presidents of the United States, 
and here, with their wives, are they buried. Here, also, 




was born John Hancock. It was also the home of the 
Quincys. During the Revolution it took a leading part, 
and in later times manj^ of the most prominent men 
in the country have made it their residence. Adams 
Academy, amply endowed by the first President Adams, 
ha^•ing a fine building of stone, was opened for pupils in 
1872, and is one of the most flourishing schools in the 
State. Prominent among the public buildings are the 
Unitarian Church and the 
town hall, both constructed 
of Quincy granite. The 
National Sailors' Home, and 
the Sailors' Snug Harbor, 
both charitable institutions 
for seamen, are located in 
this town. 

Quincy has two national 
banks , one savings bank , and 
a public library of more tlian 
fifteen thousand volumes. 
There are twelve churches, 
one high school and thirty- 
seven other schools. Popu- 
lation, 9,155. 

Weymouth. — Incorpora- 
ted Sept. 2, 1635 ; Indian 
name, Wessagussot ; first 
settled in 1622, and named 
for Weymouth, England, 
from which town some of 
the first settlers came. The 
surface is agreeably diversi- 
fied, and the shore scenery 
is picturesque and attrac- 
tive. There are four laige 
villages : Weymouth Land- 
ing, accessible by Weymouth 
Fore River to vessels of con- 
siderable size ; East Wej'- 
mouth, where there are extensive iron and nail works ; 
North and South Weymouth. The manufactm-e of boots 
and shoes is the leading business of the town, and 
gives employment to about two thousand persons. Wey- 
mouth is one of the most thriving towns in the State. 
The Old Colony Railroad affords good business facil- 
ities, the main line running through the southerly, and 
the South Shore branch through the northerly portion. 
Weymouth has two national banks, three sa^dngs banks, 
and one newspaper. There are fifteen churches, two high 
schools and forty-three other schools. Population, 9,819. 



CIIURCn, BKOOKLDJE. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



Eminent Persons. — Gen. Solomon Lovell (1733- 
1801), a distinguished officer in the Revolutionary War ; 
Abigail Smith (1744-1818), wife of John Adams, and 
motlicr of John Quincy Adams ; William Cranch (1769- 
1855), an able judge ; and Joshua Bates (1788-1864), a 
distinguished financier, for many j-ears a member of the 
firm of Baring Brothers, London, and a leading ben- 
efactor of the Boston Public Libraiy. 

Needham, incorporated Nov. 5, 1711, was once a part 
of Dcdham, and named for Needham in England. It 
has four villages, Needham, Wellesley (formerly West 
Needham) , Grant- , ^^_^ 

ville, and High- -_'" ^^^^^^ - "" 

landvillc, andisl2 
miles distant irom 

Boston by the B ~ 

and A. and N. Y. 
and N. E. rail- 
roads. The sur- 
face is agreeabl} 
diversified, affoid- 
ing elegant build- 
ing-sites, man} of 
which have been 
occupied bj' spa- 
cious and beautilul 
mansions. The es- 
tate of Mr.. H 
II. Hunnewell, m 
Wellesley, of about 

400 acres in es tent, is one of the finest in the 
country, and far excels in beauty and elegance 
any private giounds in New England The " 

famous Ridge IIill faim of William E Bikci, 
which is also in this p ii t of the town, furnishes 
a popular resort foi thousands of Msitors during the b^u.- 
mer months. Wellesley College, mainly the creation of 
Mr. Henry F. Dm-ant, whose gifts to the institution 
already largely exceed a half a million of dollars, and 
intended for the collegiate education of young ladies, 
occupies a situation of unrivalled natural beauty. The 
college building is on an elevated plateau, overlooking 
Lake Waban, and giving charming and extended views 
of the surrounding country. In architectural beauty, 
both of the exterior and interior, it is without a rival in 
the country. Since the opening of the college, it has 
been filled with students from all parts of the country, 
and elaborate and costly additions are in process of 
erection. 

Charles River, which forms 14 miles of the boundary 




of Needham, with its tributaries, furnishes extensive 
water-power. A large amount of capital is invested in 
manufactures, including paper, hosiery, shoddy, machin- 
ery, paints, boots and shoes, and hinges. There are 
nine chm'ches, two high schools and 24 other schools. 
Population, 4,548. 

Htde Pakk, incorporated April 22, 1868, from parts 
of Dorchester, Dedham and Milton, was named for 
Hj-de Park in London. This town is remarkable for its 
rapid growth, all made within the past 18 years ; for 
much of which it is indebted to its excellent railroad 
connections with 
Boston (distance 
seven miles), by 
means of the Bos- 
ton and Pro\'i- 
denee, and the N. 
Y. and N. E. rail- 
roads. Read%4Ue, 
so well-known du- 
ring the war, is 
m this town, the 
I elebrated camp- [ 
grounds being half j 
in H3-de Park and 
half in Dedham. | 
Mother Brook, | 
which conveys a 
large portion of the 
water of Charles j 
River through East 
Dedham, unites at 
Hyde Park with 
- - — — ^^ the Neponset, and 

supplies, With that 
11. er, ..x^^lkiit watei-pv^-n^r. The well-known Tileston 
and Hollingsworth paper-mills are located on the Nepon- 
set, and there are also in the town two large cotton-mills, 
the foundry of the American Tool Compaii}-, and the 
Brainard Milling Company. 

The scenery of the town is fine, the manj- hills afibrd- 
ing delightful views. There are seven churches, a high 
school, 24 other schools, a public library of 6,000 vol- 
umes, a savings bank, and a newspaper. Population, j 
6,316. 

Braintree, incorporated May 13, 1640, settled in 
1625, was called b}' the first settlers Mount Dagon, 
MeiTj' Mount, and Mount WoUaston. Its incorjjorated 
name was taken from Braintree, England, from which j 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



town some of the first settlers came. It formerly 
included the territory now contained in the towns of 
Quincy, Eandolph and Holbrook. It is distant ten 
miles from Boston, with which it is connected by the 
Old Colony Railroad. Good water-power is supplied bj' 
the Monatiquot River. The leading mechanical industrj- 
is the manufacture of boots and shoes, but there are also 
two manufactories of woollen yarn, two of paper, and 
one of tacks. Excellent granite is quarried in the town, 
the material of which King's Chapel, Boston, was con- 
structed, having been obtained here as early as 1752. 
It has a spacious and convenient town hall, and a public 
library situated in a beautiful brick building, the gift of 
the late Gen. S3-lvanus Thayer. The Thayer Academj- 
in this town was also endowed by Gen. Thaj^er. The 
building is an elegant and commodious edifice of brick, 
with stone trimmings, and cost about $60,000. It was 
opened for the reception of pupils in 1877. 

There are five churches, a high school, and 16 other 
schools of a lower grade ; and one savings bank. Popu- 
lation, 4,156. 

Hon. Ehenezer Thayer (1746-1809), the first sheriflT 
of Norfolk County, and the son of Hon. Ebenezer Thayer, 
held all the leading town offices, and was a State senator, 
member of the executive council, and brigadier-general 
in the militia. 

Stodghton. Incorporated Dec. 22, 1726. This town 
was detached from Dorchester, and then embraced the 
present towns of Canton, Sharon, and a part of Fox- 
borough. It was named in honor of Lieut.-Gov. William 
Stoughton of Dorchester. 

The leading manufactures are of boots and shoes, in 
which a large amount of capital is invested, and of wool- 
len goods. A large area is devoted to woodland, and 
considerable attention is given to agriculture. There are 
seven churches, three schools, and a public librarj' of 
2,500 volumes. Population, 4,842. 

Gen. Benjamin Tupper (1738-1792), a distinguished 
officer in the Revolution, and subsequentlj^ judge in 
Ohio, was a native of this town. 

Canton, formerly the northern part of Stoughton, was 
incorporated Feb. 23, 1797. The Indian name was 
Ponkipog, and its incorporated name was derived from 
Canton, China. It is 14 miles south-west of Boston, 
and on the Una of the B. & P. R. R. Blue Hill, 635 feet 
above the level of the sea, and which is the first land 
seen by mariners approaching the coast, is situated 
partly in this town and parti}' in Milton. From its 
summit, which is a few rods from the Canton line, there 



is a magnificent view of Boston and vicinity, the islands 
in the harbor, the ocean beyond, and also of the serpen- 
tine courses of the Neponset and Charles rivers. The 
Fowl Meadows, the largest portion of which are in Can- 
ton, extend seven miles in length, with varying breadth, 
and contain peat of excellent quality. Ponkipog Pond, 
a beautiful lake of 208 acres, which lies in the northern 
part of the town, has an outlet in the Neponset River. 
York Brook and Steep Brook, which also flow into the 
Neponset River, furnish valuable motive-power at South 
Canton. 

The manufactories of Canton are, one copper-works, 
one cotton-mill, six fancy woollen mills, two iron foun- 
dries, one twine factorj-, one manufactory^ of shoe tools, 
one of fish lines, one of stove pohsh, one of paper 
boxes, and two of cotton-spinning rings. There are five 
churches, 18 public schools, a national and a sa\ing3 
bank. Population, 4,192. 

Medwat, incorporated Oct. 24, 1713, was set oflTfrom 
Medfield ; it is supposed to have derived its name from the 
Medwaj' River in England. The Charles River, which 
forms more than one-half of the boundar\- line, gives ex- 
cellent water-power at Medway village, and several mill- 
streams in other portions of the town are utilized for manu- 
facturing purposes. There are four postal villages, viz., 
Medway, East Medway, West Medway and Eock^'ille. 
The principal manufactures are cotton and woollen goods, 
straw goods, boots and shoes, boxes, bricks, paper, bells, 
chui-ch organs, canned fruits and vegetables. West 
Medwaj' is extensively engaged in the manufacture of 
boots and shoes, and has grown rapidly within the past 
few years. 

Sanford Hall, the gift of Milton Sanford, a native of 
the town, and used as a town hall, is a neat and commo- 
dious edifice. There are six churches, nine schools, a 
sa^•ings bank, and a public library of 2,000 volumes. 
Population, 4,242. 

Joel Hawes, D. D. (1789-1867), an able preacher and 
writer, was born here. 

Randolph, incorporated March 9, 1793, and origi- 
nally the south parish of Braintree, was named in honor 
of Pej-ton Randolph of Virginia. The principal busi- 
ness of the town is the manufacture of boots and shoes. 

The public library, of 4,000 volumes, is located in a 
beautiful granite building, both the gift of the heirs of 
the late Col. Royal Turner, a native and resident of the 
town. The town hall, a commodious building of wood, 
was the gift of the late Amasa Stetson, a native of the 
town, who left a liberal endowment for the Stetson High 



HISTORY OF KETT ENGLAND. 



School. There are thi-ce churches, 18 schools, two 
banks and a newspaper. Population, 4,064. 

CoHASSET, formerly the second precinct of Hingham, 
was incorporated April 26, 1770. Its name was derived 
from the Indian Connohasset, which signifies a fishing 
promontory. It is twenty miles south-east of Boston bj- 
the South Shore Railroad, and is bounded on the north- 



Cohasset, with its r< 



east b^- Massachusetts Bay 
coast, is one of the most beautiful 
seaport towns in New England, 
and has loug been a favorite sum- 
mer resort, commanding, as it 
does, a magnificent view of the 
ocean, and affording every facil- 
ity for gunning, fishing and sail- 
ing. The Cohasset rocks, so 
beautiful and picturesque in fair 
weather, have been the scene of 
many fatal shipwi-ecks. The iron 
light-house on Minot's Ledge was 
swept away, with its two keepers, 
in the great gale of April 16, 
1851. A stone light-house, since 
erected on the same spot, renders 
efficient senice in warning mar- 
iners off the dangerous coast. 
Farming and fishing constitute 
the chief business of the town. 

FiAe chui'ches, 13 schools, and 
a savings bank, are among the 
institutions of the place. Pop- 
ulation, 2,197. 

Joshua Bates, D. D. (1776- 
18.54), minister of Dedham and 
Dudley, president of Middlebnry 
CoUege, Yt. ; Joshua Flint Bar- 
ker (1801-1864), surgeon and 
medical writer ; and Benjamin 
Pratt (1710-1763), jurist, and chief justice of New 
York, were born in Cohasset. 

FRA>.-KLn«. IncorporatedMarch2, 1778. Formerly the 
western part of Wrentham, and named in honor of Dr. 
Benjamin Frankhn. There are several woollen and 
shoddy mills, wMch do a large business ; and the value of 
the straw goods manufactured amounts to more than 
81,000,000 annually*. The town is steadily increasing in 
wealth, population and manufactures, and may be re- 
garded as one of the most prosperous communities in 
New England. The town has good railroad advantages. 




TH£ MOiOT'S I.E13GE LIGBTBOUSE, COHASSST 



the N. Y. and N. E. E. R. passing through the centre, and 
the Mass. and R. I. R. R. connecting it with Providence. 
The Dean Academy was founded in 1865 by Dr. Oliver 
Dean, a native, and for many years a resident of the 
town, and who gave nearly S300,000 to the institution. 
The first building erected was burned in 1872, but was 
at once replaced by another edifice of similar propor- 
tions, which was dedicated in 1874. The building has a 
fr.int of -2-20 feet. The architecture is Gothic. The 
internal arrangements are not sur- 
p I'.sed by those of any other edu- 
tioiial institution in the State. 

The Oilhodox Church, erected 
in 1871, and Grace Church (Uni- 
\(rsalist), erected in 1873, are cle- 
\] ^ mt structures. 

)vj The nucleus of the present pub- 
lic Ubrary, which now contains over 
3 000 volumes, was the gift of Dr. 
Fianklin, who, in acknowledgment 
of the compUment bestowed on 
him in the naming of the town, 
si nt a well-selected library of 500 
volmnes, some of which are still 
m existence. 

Franklin has six churches, 15 
public schools, two banks and 
one newspaper oflice. Population, 
2,933. 

The centennial celebration of 
the incorporation of the town of 
Fianklin took place on the 17th 
of June. 1878. 

MrLTOx. Incorporated May 7, 
1()C2. Formerly a part of Dor- 
chester, and called bj- the Indians 
Lnquetey or Uncataquisset, and 
named after Milton in England. 
It is one of the most beautiful towns in New England. 
The Blue Hills form oue of the most striking features of 
the eastern coast of Massachusetts, and afford a -view 
of one of the finest landscapes in the country. Less in 
extent, but not inferior in beautj-, is the famous pros- 
pect from Milton Hill. Scores of beautiful country- 
seats and villas, with elaborate and highly ornamental 
grounds, present a rare combination of rural and arch- 
itectural beauty. 

The great natural advantages of Milton have, within a 
few years, placed it in the front rank of New England 
towns in point of wealth, and among its leading citizens 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



are to be found many of the prominent men of the east- 
em section of the State. 

Milton has a beautiful and commodious town hall, and 
a public library of 7,000 volumes. Its manufactures 
consist of paper, chocolate, leather-dressing, and con- 
siderable gi-anite is quarried. Two branches of the Old 
Colony Raih-oad connect the town with Boston. There 
are three churches and 14 schools. Population, 2,738. 
Benjamm Wadsworth (16G9-1737) , son of Capt. Samuel, 
who was killed by the Indians at Sudbury in King 
j Philip's war, clergj'man and 
president of Hai-vard College ; - 

Joseph Vose (1738-1816), 

colonel in the Revolutionary ^ ^ 

army; Peter Thacher (1752- '^' 

1802,) an eminent Congrega- 
tioualist clergyman and politi- 
cal writer, and Edward Hutch- 
inson Robbins (1758-1829), an 
able jurist, were born here. 

I HoLBROOK was incorpoTatod 
Feb. 29, 1872. It was formerlj 
the east parish of Eaudolpb, 
and was named in honor of 
Elisha N. Holbrook, a natnf 
and resident of the town. At 
the incorporation of the 1own 
in 1872, Mr. Holbrook, -nlio 
was a wealthy shoe manufic 
turer, gave, in ackuowledg nit nt 
of the honor confeiTed upon 
him, the sum of 850,000, to be 
expended in the construction 
of a town hall, and the found- \ 
ing of a pubUc library. The 
fine building erected in com- 
pliance with the terms of the gift, and the valuable 
library contained therein, were destroyed by fire in 1878 ; 
but a new hall has since been built, and was dedicated in 
1879. The leading industry is the manufacture of boots 
and shoes, in which a large amount of capital is invested. 
Holbrook has two churches and ten schools. Popula- 
tion, 1,726. 

Medfield, incorporated May 23, 1651, and formerly 
a part of Dedham, derives its name from the extensive 
meadows which border on Charles River. It is one of the 
most beautiful rural towns in the State, the river and 
meadows affording views of rare beaut3- and loveliness. 
Feb. 21, 1675, the town was attacked by the Narragan- 




WTl»THBOP 



set Indians under King Philip, and eighteen persons 
were killed, and about fifty dweUings burned. 

Cheneiy Hall, a fine brick building, for the use of the 
town and for the pubUc librarj-, was the gift of the late 
George Chenery, a native and resident of Medfield. 

Though the leading industry is agriculture, there is in 
the place a first-class manufactory of straw goods. 

There are four churches and sis schools. Population, 
1,163. 
Hannah Adams (1755-1831), historian of the Jews, 
author of numerous works ; and 
Lowell Mason (1792-1872), 
distinguished as a musical 
teacher and composer, were 
natives of this town. 

FoxBORorcH was incorpo- 
rated June 10, 1778, from 
parts of Wrentham, Walpole, 
Stoughton and Stoughtonham 
(Sharon). It was named in 
ho"or of Charles James Fox, 
the great defender of the Amer- 
icui Colonies in the British 
P 11 [lament. The Neponset 
Rner takes its rise in this 
towQ, and flows into Walpole 
on the north. The leading in- 
du-itiy of the town is the man- 
ul icture of straw goods, the 
1 iiion Straw Works being the 
1 (ijjest straw manufactoiy in 
the country. The Boston and 
Piovidence Railroad passes 
thiough the eastern, and the 
northern division of the Old 
Colouj' Railroad through the 
central, portions of the town. Memorial Hall, a hand- 
some building of stone, erected in memory of the soldiers 
from Foxborough who fell in the war of the Rebellion, 
contains the public library of 2,500 volumes. 

There are four churches, one savings bank, and 18 
schools. Population, 3,168. 

Seth Boyden, a noted Inventor, was bom here in 1788, 
and died in 1870. 

Foxborough celebrated the centennial anniversarj' of 
its incorporation, June 29, 1878, at which an historical 
oration was given by Hon. Erastus P. Carpenter, a 
native, and one of the leading citizens of the town. 
Addresses were also made by Hon. Otis Gary, president 
of the day, Hon. Alexander H. Rice, governor of the 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



State, Hon. Henry W. Paine, Hon. Marshall P. Wilder 
and others. 

Weentham. — Incorporated Oct. 15, 1673. Formerly 
a part of Dedham. The Indian name was Wollomono- 
poag, and its present name was taken from Wrentham, 
Eng., whence came some of the early settlers. 

Wrentham Centre, with its fine dwellings, and broad 
and well-shaded streets, is one of the pleasantest villages 
in the eastern section of the State. Two beautiful sheets 
of water, known as Archer's Pond and Whiting's Pond, 
Red-brush Hill, 456 feet high, and Joe's Rock, 486 feet 
high, are among the many natural attractions of the 
town. The principal manufactures are straw goods, 
jeweh-y, and shoddy. There are four churches. Popu- 
lation, 2,395. 

James Mann (1759-1832), eminent as a surgeon and 
medical writer; Enoch Pond (1791), an able Congi-e- 
gationalist preacher and wi-iter, and for nearly fifty years 
connected with the Bangor (Me.) Theological Seminary, 
of which he is now, at the age of eighty-eight, the active 
president, were born in this town. 

Norwood. Incorporated Feb. 23, 1872, from the part 
of Dedham called South Dedham, and a small portion of 
Walpole. The N. Y. and N. E.R. R. afl'ords good raikoad 
accommodation. The town is watered by the Neponset 
River and its tributaries. There are two large tanneries 
and leather-dressing establishments, and an iron foundry ; 
printing-ink, oil-carpets, pasteboard, and carriages are 
also manufactured. The extensive machine and repair 
shops of the N. Y. and N. E. R. R. which are located 
here, give employment to a large number of men. 

There are four churches, nine schools, and a public 
library of 3,000 volumes. Population, 1,749. 

Sharon. Incorporated June 20, 1765, formerlj- Stough- 
tonham, the second precinct of Stoughton. Its scriptural 
name was doubtless suggested by the beautiful and pic- 



turesque scenerj' for which the town has long been noted. 
Sharon occupies the summit of land between Massachu- 
setts and Nan-aganset bays. Moose Hill, in the westerly 
part of the town, commands a magnificent prospect, and 
was taken as a station in the trigonometrical survey of 
the State. Massapoag Pond has long been a favorite 
place of resort, and its outlet, Massapoag Brook, aflfords 
valuable water-power. Sharon is connected with Bos- 
ton, 22 miles distant, by the B. and P. R. R. It has 
more than 5,000 acres of woodland, from which large 
quantities of wood, charcoal and bark are annually 
sent to market. The principal manufactures are cot- 
ton-duck, cutlery, boots and shoes, and carriages. There 
are four churches, and eight pubhc schools. Popula- 
tion, 1,330. 

Walpole. Incorporated Dec. 10, 1724, foi-merly part 
of Dedham, and named in honor of Sir Robert Walpole, 
then prime minister of England. The N. Y. and N. E., 
and the northern division of the Old Colony railroads 
intersect at the centre, affording excellent transportation 
facilities. The Neponset River, with its tributaries, fur- 
nishes good water-power. The leading manufactures 
consist of cotton and woollen goods, paper, iron castings, 
machine-cards, and boots and shoes. At South Walpole 
is located the Alden Emery Mills. There are four 
churches, eleven schools, and a public library of 1,500 
volumes. Population, 2,290. 

Phillips Payson, D. D. (1736-1801), an active patriot 
of the Revolution, a fine scholar and distinguished clergy- 
man ; SethPayson (1758-1820), a clergj-man, a brother 
of Phillips, and father of Dr. Edward Payson of Port- 
land, Me., and Eleazer Smith, a distinguished inventor, 
were natives of Walpole. 

Bellingham (incorporated in 1719), Norfolk (1870), 
and Dover (1836), are mainlj^ agricultural towns, but 
they have some manufactures. Thej" have a respective 
population of 1,247, 920, and 650. 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



PLYMOUTH COUI^TY. 



BY REV. CHARLES W. WOOD. 



Plymouth County being a part of the original Plym- 
outh Colonj^ its history dates back to the landing of the 
Pilgrims in 1620. The more important events of this 
early history are given elsewhere under the Colonial 
History of Massachusetts. 

The old Colony embraced the territory now included 
in the three counties of Plj-mouth, Barnstable and Bris- 
tol. It was a separate Colony until the appointment of 
Sir Echnund Andros, governor-general, in 1685. In 
this year it was divided into the three counties above 
mentioned. In 1692, it was permanently united with 
the Colony of Massachusetts. 

Plymouth Countj- lies in the south-east part of the 
State, and is bounded b}' Norfolk Count}' and Massacliu- 
setts 'Bay on tlie north-west, bj' Massachusetts Baj' on the 
north-east, b^' Barnstable County and Buzzard's Bay on 
the south-east, and b^- Bristol County on the south-west. 
It contains an area of about 720 square miles. It re- 
ceived its name from Plymouth, its shire town, and the 
place of its first settlement.* The north-west boun- 
dary is nearly the original line between the Colonies of 
Plymouth and Massachusetts Bay, the onlj- difference 
arising from the fact that Hingham and Hull originally 
belonged to Massachusetts Bay, and were annexed to 
Plymouth upon tlie formation of Norfolk County. 

The shores of Plymouth County had been visited by 
Europeans, but no permanent settlement had been made 
until the landing of the Pilgrims. Some years before 
this a shipmaster. Hunt, enticed some twenty of the 
natives here on board his ship, carried them away and 
sold them for slaves. One of these, having been liber- 
ated by a Spanish monk, was brought back by Capt. H. 
Dermer and restored to his native land ; and afterwards, 

* It is generally thought that the name Plymouth was given to the 
first settlement of the Pilgrims because Plymouth in England was the 
last town they left at the Ijeginning of their voy.ngc, and they had re- 
ceived many liinJnesses from the Christians tlicrc. But it would seem 
that tlic name was given to this region some years before. In Davis's 
edition of " New England's Memorial " it is said, " Capt. Smith explored 
the coast from Penobscot to Cape Cod in 1G14, and gave the country the 
name of New England. His description of New England was published 
in 1616. In his map of the coast we find the name of Plymouth applied 
to this place. It is one of the few names given by that distinguished 
navigator that remains unchanged." 



from the knowledge of the English language which he 
had acquired, furnished valuable aid to the Pilgrims in 
their intercourse with the Indians. 

The Plymouth colonists being deceived, as is believed 
by some, by their captain, failed, providentially, to 
reach their expected destination; but instead, found 
themselves in the present roadstead of Provincetown, 
from whence, after some explorations they sailed to 
Plj-mouth and began their settlement Dec. 21, 1620. 
The sevcrit}- of winter exposures, with food inadequate 1 
in quantity and quality, threatened utter failure to their 
enterprise, if not the extermination of the Colony, nearly 
one-half of their number succumbing to their hardships in 
about four months. It was a most fortunate circum- 
stances that there were very few Indians to molest them, 
the whole region having been depopulated a year or two 
before by a most fatal plague. For two or three years the 
colonists suffered much from the failure of their crops, so 
that upon the visit of some friends to the governor " the 
best dish he could present them with was a lobster or 
piece of fish, without bread or anything but a cup of fair 
spring water." 

In the summer of 1623 the colonists were reduced to 
great extremities, suffering more than at any previous 
time. Tlie last distribution of corn, which, it is stated, 
consisted only of a single pint, gave to each person fi\e 
kernels, which were parched and eaten. To keep this 
fact in memory, it has been customary at the dinner in 
commemoration of the landing of the Pilgrims, to place 
upon each plate five kernels of parched corn. These 
are to be eaten first, that all may be reminded of the 
privations our forefathers endured that their descendants 
might have enough and to spare. 

In May of this year an unusual quantity of corn had 
been planted, and we may well imagine that they went 
forth weeping to cast that into the earth which seemed 
so necessary to meet the immediate wants of their fami- 
lies. A vessel with supplies had been expected for 
months, and they looked in vain for its arrival. The 
absence of rain for six weeks, in an oppressively hot sea- 
son, made the earth as ashes, and threatened the entire 
ruin of the crops. In this extremity they tm-ned to the 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



God of heaven for relief. On an appointed daj- thej' 
continued eight or nine hours in fervent pubHc praj-er 
and worship. During the daj- the sky was perfectly 
clear ; at night, however, the clouds gathered, and the 
next morning showers descended and continued at inter- 
vals for fourteen daj-s. The corn revived, the grass 
sprung up afresh, and an abundant harvest followed. 
From this time the condition of the colonists rapidlj' 
impro^'ed, until Bradford could send to his friends the 
information that the countrj- was producing vegetables 
and fruits in abundance, and in nearly' as great variety as 
was found in the mother country- ; and that the comforts 
of life were rapidly taking the place of their former want. 

The prosperity of the Colon}- was greatly impeded by 
the war with King Philip. The loss of men and monej- 
imposed a verj- heavj- tax upon their limited resources. 
Many public enterprises were necessarily abandoned or 
suspended until time should be given for recovery from a 
war most fearful in its results, though terminating in the 
complete overthrow of the enemj'. 

Plymouth was invaded at Eel Eiver, a garrisoned 
house there being burned, and eleven persons killed. 
That part of Plymouth which is now the town of Hali- 
fax, suffered the loss of eighteen houses and seven barns. 
Middleborough was burnt and abandoned. In Scituate, 
twelve houses, with their barns, and one saw-mill, were 
consumed. Bridgewater was attacked, but was bravel^- 
and successfully defended. 

Besides the losses inflicted by the direct attacks of the 
savage foe, the men and money required in the prosecu- 
tion of the war, constituted a burden which none but 
such brave men as the colonists could have borne. Thej- 
were far, however, from yielding to discouragement, but 
addressed themselves manfull}-, not only to the recover^' 
of what had been lost, but also to an advance along the 
several lines of enterprise to which thej' had already so 
hopefully put their hand. 

In 1G92 the union of the Old Colony with Massachu- 
setts Baj-, terminated its mdependent existence which 
had continued for 71 years. 

The people of Plj-mouth County, after their imion with 
Massachusetts and down to the present time, have mani- 
fested in a good degree the spirit of their fathers, and 
have performed well their part in promoting the interests 
of the Commonwealth. In the French and Indian wars 
they joined heartily with their brethren in maintaining 
the integrity and honor of the English nation, and they 
were one with them also, in resisting the encroachments of 
the British government upon the rights of the Colonies. 

The first company which appeared in Boston for the 
expedition against Louisburg, was enlisted in Plj-mouth. 



The town of Pembroke was the first in the Colonies to 
rebel against the British crown, having in 1740 adopted 
a resolution to adhere to their rights and privileges ' ' anj- 
roj-al instructions of his majestj' to the contrary notwith- 
standing." In May, 1776, Plj-mpton voted unanimously 
in favor of independence of Great Britain, thus preced- 
ing the National Congress in their proclamation of liberty 
to the world ; while Pl3-mouth instructed the town rep- 
resentatives in the Provincial Congress: "That j-ou, 
without hesitation, be readj' to declare for independence 
of Great Britain, in whom no confidence can be placed, 
provided the honorable Continental C'ongi-ess shall think 
that measure necessary, and we, for our part, do assure 
you that we will stand by the determination of the Con- 
tinental Congress in the important and, as we think, | 
necessary measure, at the risk of our lives and fortunes." ] 

This language was expressive, not onlj' of the senti- ' 
ments of this town, but of those also of the other towns 
of the county. And through all the war of the Revolu- 
tion the people of this countj- bore well their part in 
furnishing men and means to cany to a successful issue 
the struggle for independence. 

Shays' rebellion received here no support or coun- 
tenance. The courts were not interrupted, as they were 
in other parts of the State. The county furnished mate- 
rial aid to the authorities for the suppression of this or- 
ganized resistance to the government. 

In the war of the Rebellion the record of this county- is 
a brilhant one. In the language of Judge Russell, " It 
was once the boast of the Halifax Light Infantry that 
they received their charter from the hands of John Han- 
cock. It was now their prouder boast that on the mid- 
night call of John A. Andrew, they mustered with full 
ranks at dawn of day. Manj' an Old Colony town shared 
in the gloi-y of that night and day. I dare not say how 
many towns Capt. Harlow visited to summon his men, 
but I do dare to saj' that when the tramp of Lis horse 
roused the slmnbering villages of Pl3-mouth County, 
Bradford and Carver, Brewster, Standish and Winslow, 
looked down and rejoiced over the approaching triumph 
of liberty." 

Military Affairs. — From the very first the able-bodied 
men of the Old Colony from sixteen to sixty j'ears of 
age, were formed into companies for military drill. In 
1653 a council of war, consisting of eleven persons, was 
established, to whom all mihtary matters were to be en- 
trusted. In 165i sixty men, to be commanded b}- Miles 
Standish, were enlisted to act against the Dutch at New 
York. In 16 75 it was ordered that every person attend- 
ing meeting on the Sabbath should be ai-med with mus- 
kets, with a good supply of powder and balls. 



JL4SSACHUSETTS. 



Many a battle was fought with the Indians under the 
leadership of Standish. The Colony was well represent- 
ed at the great victory at Narraganset, and its young 
men were ahnost decimated in the disastrous expedition 
of Capt. Peirce. 

lu 1C90 a body of troops was raised in the towns of 
j Plpnouth, Duxbury, Scituate, Marshfield, Bridgewater 
I and Middleborough, to march under Capt. Church against 
! the Indians ravaging the frontier in Maine. 

In the French and Indian war everj^ town was prob- 
ablj' represented. Plymouth sent one whole company ; 
Scituate furnished nearly a hundred men. These towns 
did not probably very much exceed others in proportion 
to their population. Capt. John Winslow of Marshfield 
led the Kew England troops in the first captiu-e of Louis- 
burg. In the Revolution the town of Bridgewater, con- 
taining less than a thousand men capable of bearing 
arms, furnished for the Continental service more than 
400 soldiers. Other towns were not less patriotic. In 
some of them almost everj' man able to do militarj' duty 
was in the sei-vice for a longer or shorter time. 

In 1786 the authorities of the county were ready to 
aid in the suppression of the insurrection instigated by 
Daniel Shaj-s, although there were individuals who had 
some sympathy with the insurgents. Gen. Nathaniel 
Goodwin marched at the head of a large detachment of 
militia gathered from the different towns of the county, 
to oppose the insurgents gathered at Taunton for the 
purpose of preventing the sitting of the court at that 
I place. rift3--four of these soldiers were from Korth 
Bridgewater, now Brockton. The result was the total 
dispersion of the lawless gathering, and a session of the 
i court without molestation or bloodshed. • 

In the war of 1812 the town of Halifax furnished a 
companj' under the command of the so-called Tall Cap- 
tain — Capt. Asa Thompson, who measured six and a 
half feet. Most of the towns furnished companies, or 
parts of companies to defend the seaports exposed to 
I attack bj' the enemy. 

In the Great Rebellion the county sustained its former 
reputation for earnest devotion to the national flag, many 
towns furnishing a much larger number than was de- 
manded bj' the government. The oldest company in the 
State, chartered I13' John Hancock in 1792, belonging to 
Halifax, the same organization as the one mentioned 
under the war of 1812, was one of the very first to re- 
spond to the call of the president, April 16, 1861. A 
whole company from Abington, as well as the one from 
Halifax, was on its way to the defence of Washington 
within twenty-four hours after the first call of 75,000 
men. Between 5,000 and 6,000 soldiers and sailors 



were furnished during the war, of whom about 800 were 
lost. 

Towns aitd Population. — For the first ten years, the 
colonists were confined almost wholly to the town of 
Plymouth, and at the end of that period numbered 
only three hundred. A few persons resided at Mano- 
met, in the present town of Sandwich. Ten years 
after this, there were eight towns in the Colonj", of which 
four only were within the limits of the present county, 
viz. : — Pl^-mouth ; Duxburj-, incorporated in 1637 ; Scit- 
uate, incorporated in 1636 ; and Marshfield, incorjio- 
rated in 1640. Bridgewater was added in 1656, and 
Middleborough in 1669. At the incorporation of the 
county, in 1685, it consisted of the above-mentioned 
towns, and Accord Pond Shares, and Ford's Farm Plan- 
tations, embracing parts of Scituate and Hanover, and 
the whole of Abington. The population is estimated to 
have been about 4,000. It would have been much 
larger had not so many removed to other places, beyond 
the limits of the county. 

From time to time new towns were formed from the 
common territorj-, as Rochester in 1686, Abington In 
1712, Wareham in 1739; and others were formed from 
portions of the older towns, as from Plymouth, Plymp- 
ton in 1707, Kingston in 1726, Carver in 1790, a part of 
Halifax in 1734, and a part of Wareham in 1739 ; from 
Duxbury, Pembroke in 1711, Hanson in 1820; from 
Scituate, Hanover in 1727, South Scituate in 1849 ; from 
Bridgewater, Brockton in 1821, West Bridgewater in 1822, 
East Bridgewater in 1823 ; from Rochester, Marion in 
1852, Mattapoisett in 1857, and a part of Wareham in 
1739; from Middleborough a part of Halifax in 1734 ; 
from Abington, Rockland in 1874, and South Abington 
in 1875. Hingham and Hull were annexed to the county 
in 1793. The present number of towns is 27. The 
population of the county in 1776 was 29,113 ; in 1875, 
69,362. 

Ecclesiastical History. — The first church in New Eng- 
land, founded at PljTnouth in 1620, was a part of the 
chiu-ch which went from England to Holland, where it 
had remained for eleven years. It was founded upon 
the belief that the Church of Christ has the exclusive 
right of self-government in matters of religion, account- 
alile onlj^ to the great Head of all Christian churches ; 
that the inspired Scriptirres only teach with authority the 
true religion, and nothing is binding in faith or worship 
but what is taught in them ; and that every man has a 
right to judge for himself what the Scriptures teach. The 
officers of the church were the pastor, ruling elder to help 
the pastor, and deacons, who were to take care of the treas- 
ury- of the church. This church frequently sent out its mem- 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



bers, who planted other churches in different towns and 
settlements. One of the fli-st things sought in every new 
settlement was the establishment of a church. As one 
of the objects of the emigration of the Pilgrims to this 
country was the conversion of the natives to Christianity, 
we find them early presenting the gospel to the Indians, 
and gathering them into churches. At the commence- 
ment of Philip's war, there were tliree Indian churches 
within the limits of Middleborough, and a number in 
other parts of the Colony. Besides the members of 
these chm'ches, there were many Indians connected with 
other churches, until the number, at this time, was esti- 
mated to be fifteen hundred. The spirit of indepen- 
dence in the Colony soon showed itself in the formation 




FIRST NORMAL 



IILDINO, BKIDGE\\ATEK, 



of other churches than those of the established order, 
various religious denominations having from time to 
time spnmg up and become more or less prosperous on 
the territory. There are now in the county 114 churches. 
Congregational, 8G ; Methodist, 20 ; Baptist, 16 ; Uni- 
tarian, 11 ; Universalist, 8; Catholic, 6; Episcopal, 4; 
New Church, 4 ; Friends, 2 ; Christian, 2 ; Lutheran, 1 ; 
Advent, 1 ; Union, 1 ; Independent, 1 ; Free, 1. 

Education. — The people of Pljinouth County have 
always manifested a deep interest in the cause of educa- 
tion. Instruction before 1663 was given in famihes and 
by private teachers. In 1 6 70 a free school was established 
at Plymouth. The profits of the fisheries at Cape Cod, 
and a portion of the public lands at Agawam and Sip- 
pican, were early appropriated to free schools. In 1677, 
towns of fifty families, after receiving a portion of the 



Cape Cod money, were to be taxed for the support of 
schools, while those of one hundred families were to 
have a master able to fit youth for college. We read 
early of " school- gate money," which was doubtless 
money taken at toll-gates. 

In 1672, the General Court earnestly recommended a 
liberal contribution for Harvard College. 

The earlj' settlers were many of them well-educated 
men, having been in good circumstances in England. 
The hardships they had to contend with prevented them 
from giving as good an education to their children as 
they themselves had received. It was their desire that, 
as soon as possible, the privileges of their children here 
might be equal to what they had themselves enjoyed in 
the old country. Academies were 
early estabUshed in different parts of 
the county-, as at Bridgewater, Mid- 
dleborough, Hingham and Duxbury, 
and the public schools have been im- 
proved until the need of academies is 
not now very much felt. 

When the State made provision for 
the establishment of Nonnal Schools, 
Plymouth County was the first to 
ajiply for the location of one within 
its limits, and the board of edu- 
cation voted to grant the application. 
There was delay, however, in com- 
plying with the required terms, and 
in consequence normal schools were 
dliened at Lexington and Barre a few 
months before the school at Bridge- 
water ; but these schools were soon 
removed, while the one estabUshed 
at Bridgewater has retained the loca- 
tion in which it was first planted. 

The whole number of public schools in 1875 was 263, 
with 509 teachers, and an attendance of 12,700. The 
value of iJublic school buildings and other property was 
$521,395. The value of property of academies and 
private schools was 845,435. 

Surface. — ^The smface of this county is quite level, 
and the scenery unattractive, yet there are elevations 
presenting widely-extended prospects of gi-eat beauty. 
The views of laud and sea from Coleman's HiU in Scit- 
nate, from Prospect Hill in Hingham, from Captain's 
HiU in Duxbmy, from Biuial Hill and Manomet HiU in 
Plymouth, are exceedingly fine. Alden's HiU in Lake- 
ville presents a charming scene of lake, meadow and 
woodland. 

Bays, Rivers and Ponds. — The sea-coast, about fortj^ 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



miles in length, and the shores of Buzzard's Baj', afford 
a mnnber of harbors of sufficient depth for vessels 
engaged in the fisheries and in the coasting trade. Of 
these are Scituate, Duxbury, Pl3'mouth and Kingston, 
on Massachusetts Bay ; and Wareham, Marion and Mat- 
tapoisett, on Buzzard's Baj^ Tlie Taunton River and 
its tributaries drain the western part of the countj', and 
furnish important mill-privileges, and from the earliest 
times have, from their alewife and shad fisheries, added 
to the resources of the county. 

In the northern part of the count; , the 
North River, uniting with the South Ri\ er, 
enters Massachusetts Bay, furnishing, es 
pecially in fonner times, many facilities 
for ship-building. In the southerly piit 
of the county are the Weweantic, the 
Wanliinlvo and the Agawam rivers, fui- 
nishing valuable water-power. The coun- 
tj- is noted for the large number of its 
lalves and ponds, which are objects of 
great beauty, and are withal very useful 
in moistening the atmosphere, fertilizing 
the soil, and supplying healthful food 
and large motive-power. The most iin 
portant of these are those in Middle 
borough and Lakeville — Assawampsi. t , 
Long, Pocksha and Great and Little 
Quiticas. These are all connected, and 
constitute the largest collection of fiesh 
water in the State, making an ana of 
about five thousand acres. These ^^ itcib 
were a favorite resort of King Philip md 
his chiefs for purposes of hunting and 
fishing. Other ponds are Billington Sea 
in PljTnouth, Momponset in Halifax, 
Snipatuit in Rochester, Tispaqnm in 
Middleborough and Silver Lake in Ph mp 
ton, which has become a noted place of 
popular resort for the summer moni hs 

Soil and Productions. — The soil of the county is 
generally light and sand}', and inferior to that of most 
other parts of New England ; yet in many places 
there are productive farms. The farms, about 3,600 
in number, are owned by their occupants, and though 
most of them are small, 100 of them contain more 
than 200 acres each ; 30 of them contain 500 acres 
each ; five over 700 acres each ; and one contains over 
1,000 acres. The value of farm property is $10,580,- 
704. Over 30,000 bushels of corn, 30,000 tons of hay, 
160,000 bushels of potatoes, and over 360,000 pounds 
of butter are produced by these farms. 



Trees and Forests. — The forests of PljTnouth Countj' 
in the early days of its history furnished every kind of 
wood needed for domestic use, and much for exportation. 
Ship-building from native timber has been a very impor- 
tant branch of business. The ship-yards of the North 
River were numbered by the score, and have been famous 
for the education of shipwrights, who have estabhshed 
their business along the whole New England coast. The 
first ship which visited the north-west coast was built 
here. Although the primeval forests have been felled, 




^ ^«.krX 




imm^^'*^' 



J-Mii^'*^^^- 



^rVTE NOHMVL SCH 



and but little ship-timber rL-mains, yet in the more 
than 100,000 acres of woodland, there are found a great 
many kinds of trees, valuable not only for fuel, but for 
many other useful purposes. The area of woodland has 
been increasing for the last 30 j'ears, and, in certain por- 
tions of the county, the traveller may pass through many 
miles of unbroken forest almost as wild as when fii'st 
visited by the Pilgrims. 

Manvfactures and Commerce. — The manufactures of 
the county are extensive, producing a great variety of 
goods. In 1875, there were 1,007 establishments, having 
a capital of $7,224,521, with a product of $20,590,132, 



HISTOEY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



e.mploj-ing 51,571 persons. The iron business was im- 
portant in the early history of the county, the bogs and 
ponds fiu-nishing large quantities of ore. The anchors 
of " Old Ironsides" were forged here, and more recently 
some of the heaviest work in the world has been turned 
out. But the most important manufacture is that of 
boots and shoes. There are 1C3 establishments, with a 
capacitj' of §1,805,703, making goods to the value of 
$10,945,924. 

Sixty manufactories of metallic goods, with a capital 
of $2,479,840, show products amounting to $3,978,210. 
In 1875, 46 vessels were engaged in the fisheries with a 
product of $149,009, and 18 A-essels were engaged in com- 
merce with a tonnage of 3,475, valued at $178,000. 

Bailroads and Telegraphs. — The county is well accom- 
modated by the Old 
Colony Eaih-oad and its 
branches, and the Fair- 
haven branch of the 
Boston, Clinton and 
Fitehburg Railroad 
The Old Colony road to 
Pl3Tiiouth was opened 
in 1845 ; the road from 
South Braintree to 
Bridgewater about the 
same time ; another soou 
after from Bridgewater ' I 
to jMyricks to meet there 
a road from Fall Eiver. ^ 
In 18G4 these were all ^ 
united under the name 
of the Old Colony and 
Newport Railroad. The 

Plymouth division passes through Abington, South Abing- 
ton, Hanson, Halifax, Plympton, and Kingston. The 
main line bj' w.ay of Bridgewater accommodates Brock- 
ton, the Bridgewaters, Middleborough and Lake^•ille. 
The South Shore branch passes through Scituate, Marsh- 
field and Duxburj' ; the Hanover branch through Rock- 
land to Hanover ; and the Fairhaven branch from Ware- 
ham through Marion and Mattapoisett. The roads 
extend over 90 miles in length. Telegraph lines extend 
along these railroads, giving rapid communication with 
ahuost every town. 

Towxs. 
Brockton, formerlj- North Bridgewater, and the larg- 
est town in the county, is 20 miles from Boston on the 
Old Colony Railroad. It was formerly a part of Bridge- 
water, but was set ofi" as a parish in 1738, and incorpo- 




rated as a town in 1821. It is remarkable for its enter- 
prise and rapid growth, increasing in ten years from 
6,332 to 10,578. It is engaged chiefly in the boot and 
shoe business. Micah Faxon, the first manufacturer, 
carried his goods to market on horseback. There are 
now 71 establishments with a capital of $835,629, 
making goods in 1875 to the value of $5,587,465. It 
has nine handsome churches, a high school and 40 other 
public schools, a bank, public library and music hall. 
There are two newspapers, "The Brockton Gazette" 
and " The Brockton Advance." It has three principal 
villages, — though they are rapidlj- becoming one, — the 
Centre, Campello and Sprague Village. The last was 
named from the late Chandler Sprague. Its main street 
is one of the finest a^-enues in this part of the country. 
Union Cemetery is a 
spot well adapted by 
nature to its purpose, 
and rendered very 
beautiful by art. Cam- 
pello embraces quite a 
population of emigrants 
fiom Sweden. The 
builrbng of their church 
was materially aided b^- 
the celebrated Nilsson, 
who gave a concert in 
Its behalf. 

Dr. Peter Bryant, the 
1 Uher of Wm. C. Bry- 
ant, the poet, and Eev. 
EhphaletPorter, D.D., 
an able clergyman, were 
'^^'"'- born here. 

MmuLEBOROUGH, — one of the old towns of the Col- 
ony, interesting in its early history, visited bj' white men 
some years before the landing of the Pilgi-ims, inhabited 
bj' powerful Indian tribes, its fii-st settlement burnt in 
Philip's war, a resting-place of the Pilgi'ims in their way 
to aud from Mount Hope, — was incorporated as a town 
in 1669. It is 35 miles from Boston, and has direct rail- 
road communication with Boston, the Cape, Fall Eiver 
and Taimton, by the Old Colony Railroad and its 
branches ; has manufactures of straw, iron and woollen 
goods, and of boots and shoes ; eight churches, and an 
elegant town hall, a newspaper, a sa\-ings bank, a pubUc 
librar}' ; Peirce Academy, which has been one of the 
most popular in the State ; a well-known family school, 
a high school, and some 25 other public schools. 

Luke Short died here aged 116. Cephas G. and 
Jerome B. Thompson, the distinguished painters ; Oliver 



IVIASSACHUSETTS. 



Shaw, a noted musician 
! Tom Thumb, and her sis- 
I ter, Minnie, who died in 
1878 ; Deacon L. Porter, 
noted for his liberalitj-, 
especially to Hol^-oke Fe- 
male Seminary ; Z. Eddy, 
a distinguished lawyer ; 
Ezra Samijson, author of 
"Beauties of the Bible" ; 
Peter H. Peirce and Levi 
Peirce, successful mer- 
chants, were born here. 
Population, 5,023. 

Plymouth, the most 
interesting town of the 
county to the historian, is 
37 miles from Boston. It 
is built upon a declivitj- 
about two miles in length 
and a half-mile in breadth. 
It contains the court- 
house, — a verj- handsome 
building, — the jail, Pil- 
grim Hall, the Samoset 
House, several chm-ches, 
two national and two sav- 
ings banks, a newspaper, 
thirtj- public schools. 
It has an excellent 
water supply from 
South Pond. There 
are iion and cotton 
mills, and boot and 
shoe establishments. 
Eight iron- works pro 
duced goods worth 
SG78,394 in 1875 
Fifteen vessels aie 
engaged in the fibh 
cries, whose products 
are §35,193. Tht 
view from Burial IIill 
is one of rare beaut\ 
Leyden Street, e\ 
tending from nea" the 
" Rock " to Buual 
Hm, was the first 
street laid out A 
part of the " Rock" 




public 



the wife of Gen. | has been transferred to PUgrim Hall. Over the re- 
mainder a beautiful stone 
canopy has been erected. 
A grand national mon- 
ument commemorative of 
the virtues of the Pilgrim 
Fathers stands upon Mon- 
ument Hill. The Cush- 
man monument, a granite 
obelisk 27 feet high, is an 
Imposing object. 

Col. Benjamin Church, 
of Indian war memory, 
Gen. James Warren of the 
Revolution, Charles T. 
Jackson, M. D., geologist, j 
Oakes Ames, member of 
Congress, and Hon. Thos. ' 
Russell, were natives of 
this town. Population, 
6,370. 

Hekgham, a fine town 
about 17 miles from Bos- 
ton, has three postal cen- 
tres, — Hingham, Hing- 
ham Centre, and South 
Hingham. Its harbor ad- 
library and about | mits sloop navigation, engaged in fisheries and the cany- 

ing trade. A mag- 
nificent prospect of 
sea and land is given 
from Prospect Hill, 
an elevation of near- 
ly 250 feet. The 
town has bands of 
music, a newspaper, 
a national bank, a 
sa^dugs bank, an in- 
surance company, a 
public libraiy , a town 
hall, nine or ten fine 
churches, and a cem- 
etery tastefuUj' deco- 
rated, containing the 
remains of the la- 
mented Gov. An- 
drew. 

Derby Academy 
was incorporated in 
1797, deriving its 



I-ETDEN STREET, PLYMOUTH. 



-.--/^ 




HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



name from Madam Derby, l\y Tvhom it was endowed. 
It has the oldest meeting-house in New England, oc- 
cupied from 1682 un- 
til the present time. 
During Philip's war, 
three forts were erect- 
ed within its limits. 
A monnmont in the 
cemetery in( soi\( '-the 
names of 70 soldui-- 
and sailois lost in thi 
late war. Population, 
4,G54. 

Says Nason's "Ga/ 
etteer of Massachu- 
setts": " This lo\\u 
has given to the i^ oild 
Colonel John Otis, 
an able law^-er and 
judge ; Noah Hobart, 
a learned minister ; 
Ezekiel Hersey, a fa- 
mous physician ; Gen. 
Bcnj. Lincoln, a verj^ 
distinguished Revolu- 
tionary ofHcer, secre- 
tar}- of war 1781-4, 
collector of Boston ; 
Levi Lincoln, acting 

governor : Andrews Norton, an eminent scholar and 
writer; Henry Ware, D. D., an able cltTgyman, 1794; 



ogist ; Winekworth Allan Gay, a fine landscape painter ; 
Charles Henrj- Bromedge Caldwell, an efficient captain 
~ft United States Navy ; 

••' Richard Heniy Stod- 

dard, a prolific writer 
5 and popular poet, and 1 

"% Hon. Solomon Lin- 

, .^- coin, an able writer." 

r Brtdgewater, one 

H-i _, of the pleasantest 

towns of the county, 
-'7 miles from Boston, 
(Ml the Old Colon}- 
K iilroad, was origi- 
n illy a plantation 
_i mted to Duxbury 
b^ the Indian chief 
Massasoit. It was 
tin first settlement in 
llu interior of the Col- 
on} H.ajward, Wil- 
li',, Bassett, Wash- 
bum, Ames, Mitchel, 
Keith, and Edson, 
•weio names of early 
sc ttlers, and main* of 
then descendants re- 
main, bearing the 

same names. The town contains some ven,- fine farms. 

but is noted for its iron manufactui-es. Small-arras and 










John Ware, a distinguished physician and author, 17£»j- 
18G4 ; William Ware, an author and clerg3Tnan ; Joseph 
Andrews, 1806-73, one of the best line engravers in 
the countrj-; James Hall, 1811, New York State geol- 



camion were made here at the commencement of the 
Revolution, supposed to have been the first ever made 
in the country. Quite a number of vessels were early 
built here, and launched upon the Taunton River. The 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



Bridgewater Iron Manufacturing Company is the most 
extensive of any in the State, making some of the 
hea\'iest work in the world. The forgiugs of the cele- 
brated " Monitor," were done here. Bridgewater Acad- 
emj' was incorporated in 1799. A State normal school 
was estabhshed in 1840. The town sent a surj^lus 
of 60 men above its quota to the late war, of which 
27 were lost. Popu- _- — -^ 

lation, 3,969. 

Abington, 20 miles 
from Boston, on the 
Pl^-mouth branch of 
the Old Colony Rail- 
road, was, before its 
recent division, the 
most populous town 
in the count}'. Its 
present population is 
3,241. Its Indian 
name was Manamoo- 
skeagin, — many bea- 
vers. The first grant 
of land was made, in 
1648, to Nathaniel 
Souther, the first sec- 
retary of the Colony, 
and one was given to 
Peregrine White, the 
first white man born 
in the Colony. Set- 
tlements were made 
in 1668. It was in- 
coriDorated in 1710. 
The land is somewhat 
elevated, forming the 
water- shed between 
the North and Taun- 
ton rivers. Thisi^lace 
was early the great 
"lumbering region" for the surrounding country. The 
frigate " Constitution" was built, in large part, of oak 
from this town. The town was noted for the manufac- 
ture of church-bells as early as 1769, and cannon and 
shot during the Revolutionary war. It is affirmed that 
Paul Revere was taught, by one from the manufactory 
here, to mould and cast his first bell. The town is some- 
what noted for the manufacture of tacks, but its principal 
business is the making of boots and shoes. There were 
17 establishments in 1875, with a capital of $276,200, 
making goods to the value of $1,098,712. 




THE MILES BTANDISH 



The citizens of Abington, and the new towns of Rock- 
land and South Abington, have never fallen behind in 
the demand made upon them in the different emergencies 
of the country. They manifested their patriotism in 
colonial times, in the Revolution, in 1812, and especially 
in the war of the Rebellion ; when, having lost more 
than a million of dollars in debts at the South, they 

_ furnished more than a 

regiment of soldiers 
for the war. In part- 
ing with portions of its 
territorj^ to form the 
new towns of Rock- 
land and South Abing- 
ton, it lost 6,659 in 
populatio,n. 

Rockland was a 
part of Abington un- 
til its incorporation in 
1874. It constitutes 
a large and flourishing 
town, engaged cliicflj' 
in the boot and shoe 
business, in which 
there are nine estab- 
lishments, producing 
goods, in 1875, to the 
amount of $1,180,- 
728. The central vil- 
lage contains many 
elegant public and pri- 
vate buildings, and is 
accommodated bj' the 
Hanover branch of 
the Old Colony Rail- 
road. Its history is 
connected with that 
ofAbington. Popula- 
tion, 4,203. 

Ddxbcky, one of the oldest towns, is six miles north 
of Plymouth. It received its name from Duxbury Hall, 
of the Standish family, in England. Of the early settlers 
were Miles Standish and John Alden. An imposing 
monument to the memory of Standish has been erected 
on Captain's Hill. The terminus of the Atlantic Tele- 
graph is here. The landing of the cable was effected 
July 23, 1869. Population, 2,245. 

East Bridgewater, taken from Bridgewater, was in- 
corporated in 1823. It is 25 miles from Boston, on the 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



Bridgewater branch of the Old 
Colony Railroad. Its Indian 
name was Satucket. 

The first machines for card- 
ing, roping and spinning cotton, 
and the first nails bj' machinery, 
were made here. Population, 
2,808. 

Hon. Nahum Mitchell, an able 
lawj-er and musician, joint au- 
thor with B. Brown, Esq., of the 
Bridgewater Collection of Church 
Music, and Ezekiel "Whitman, a 
Judge and member of Congress, 
were born here. 




SocTH Abington, taken from the "old oaken i 

Abington, was incorporated 1875. It forms a very pleas- 



^"^% 



ELCKET," BCITUATE. 

from 
j ant town, well furnished with railroad faciUties, and | of U 
j promises to incn ise 

rapidl}' in popul ition 

and wealth. It has 

13 boot and shoe es- 

tabhshments, makmg 

goods to the value of 

a milhon and a quar- 
ter annuallj- ; se\er'il 

tack factories, one < f 

which is 183 b^ J^ 

feet, with an L 8 t 

by 67 feet. Popul i 

tion, 2,456. 

Wareham, at the 

head of Buzzard's 

Bay, 50 miles from 

Boston, on the Cape 

division of the Old 

Colonj' Railroad, was 
j incorporated in 1739. 

Its Indian name was 
j Agawam, frequently ^ 
j mentioned in earlj' ^. 

colonial history-. It ^ 

has four churches, a 

national and savings 

bank, and extensive 

iron-works, making 

goods in 1875 to the value of $749,391. Population, 2,818 

"West Bridgewater, the mother of the Bridgewaters 



and Brockton, is 25 mUes from 
Boston. It has some of the very 
best farming land. The How- 
ard school-house, recentlj- built 
by the liberaUty of one of its 
former citizens, now deceased, 
is one of the finest in the State. 
Incori^orated in 1822. Popula- 
tion, 1,756. 

SciTUATE derives its name from 
an Indian word meaning cold 
brook. It is 25 miles from Bos- 
ton, on the South Shore Railroad. 
It was one of the most important 
towns in the early historj' of the 
Old Colony. Settled bj' men 
the county of Kent, Eng. "V\'"ilUam Cushing, judge 
S. Court; Samuel "Woodworth. author of the "Old 
Oakeu Bucket" ; and 
K( ^ Chas. T. Terry, 
^\ere natives of this 
town. Incorporated 
m 1636. Population, 
2,463. 




Mabshfield, — so 
mmed from the na- 
me of a considerable 
jrtion of its soil, — • 
N IS incorporated in 
11 41. By the South 
Shore, it is 30 miles 
from Boston. It is 
noted as ha%'ing con- 
tained the fine old 
mansion of Daniel 
"Webster, which was 
recentlj' burnt. The 
Winslow burial-place 
holds the remains of 
the first child of the 
Pilgrims, the first 
mother, the first bride, 
and the first native 
governor of the Col- 
ony. The population 
numbers 1,817. 
Kingston, about four miles from Plymouth, named 
from the Duke of Kingston, was a part of Plymouth until 
its incorporation in 1726. It is distinguished for the 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



large number of its college graduates, and other educated 
professional men. Population, 1,5G9. 

Hanover is 26 miles from Boston, on a brancli of the 
Old Colonj' Eailroad. It is the birthplace of Col. John 
Bailey, conspicuous in the campaign against Burgoj-ne, 
and of Joseph Smith, rear-admiral of the U. S. navj'. 
Population, 1,801. 

Mattapoisett, on a harbor of Buzzard's Bay, formerly 
a parish of Rochester, was incorporated in 1857. It is 
six miles from New Bedford by the Fairhaven Eailroad. 
Population, 1,361. 

Hull lies in the extreme north-west comer of the 
count3', nine miles bj* water from Boston. It was incor- 
porated in 1644, when there were in it but 20 dwelling- 
houses. It is the smallest town in the county, and the 



smallest in the State, with the exception of Gosnold and 
Gay Head. Population, 316. 

Plympton, a farming town of 755 inhabitants, 30 miles 
south-east from Boston, was incorporated in 1707. 
Deborah Sampson, who ser\'ed three years in the Revo- 
lutionar}' war, and afterwards received a pension, was 
born in this town. 

Rochester, one of the old towns of the countj', 
received its name from a town in England. It is a farm- 
ing town, 50 miles from Boston. Incorporated in 1G86. 
Population, 1,001. 

Pembroke, incorporated in 1711, Hanson (1820), 
Cancer (1790), Lakeville (1853), Marion (1852), and 
Halifax (1734), are farming communities, with a respective 
population of 1,399, 1,265, 1,127, 1,061, 862 and 568. 



SUFFOLK COUNTY. 



BY REV. Z. A. MUDGE, A. M., 
Author of "Views from Plymouth Kock," "Witch Hill," "Foot-Prints of Roger Williams,' 



The di-vision of the Massachusetts Colony into counties 
was made b}- the General Court in 1043. They were four 
at this time, and were called Essex, Middlesex, Suffolk, 
and Norfolk, after the shires of the same name in Eng- 
land. 

Suffolk contained Boston, Roxburj-, Dorchester, Ded- 
ham, Braintree, Weymouth, Hingham and Nantasket 
(Hull), This county at present contains Boston, Chel- 
sea, Winthrop and Revere ; but Boston, the court town, 
embraces South Boston, East Boston, Roxbuiy, Boston 
Highlands, West Roxbury, Dorchester, Brighton and 
Charlcstown. 

On the 12th of June, the "Arbella," the ship of John 
Winthrop and his company, arrived in Salem. 

Gov. Winthrop, with a select few, at once visited the 
region about the junction of the Charles and Mjstic 
rivers, with a -v-iew of finding an eligible place for a set- 
tlement. The explorers, reporting favorablj- of Charles- 
town, which the Indians called Mishawum, the "Arbella" 
conveyed all the Winthrop company there July 1st. 
During this month the greater part of the fleet which left 
England with Winthop, arrived in Boston Harbor. 



The colonists immediatelj' commenced building 
though manj- for some time lived in tents and wigwams. 
But even before their care to secure homes, was their 
concern for stated religious sei-vice. They immediately 
organized a church, and chose John Wilson, a devout 
minister of their companj-, as their pastor. 

In August of this year occurred the first election of 
officers, and John Winthrop, Esq., was chosen governor. 

The court being organized, the first law enacted had 
reference to the support of their pastors. It was ordered 
that houses should be built for them at the public ex- 
pense, and their salaries paid in the same way. 

Though the leading men had resolved to build their 
chief town at Charlestown, a prevailing sickness there 
had caused much uneasiness among the people, who be- 
gan to express a wish for another locality. In the mean- 
time the Rev. William Blackstone, an eccentric and lone 
dweller on the peninsula known to the Indians as Shaw- 
mut, now Boston, became acquainted with their distresses 
and made them a \'isit. He afforded such aid as lay in 
his power, and seeing that good water was one of their 
needs, he invited them to remove across the river to 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



Shawmut. He assured them that they would find a good 
spring there and a cordial welcome.* 

By the 7th of September many had removed to " Tri- 
monntain"t (Shawmut), its three prominent hills sug- 
gesting the name. | 

A great blow fell upon the Colony on the 30th of 
September, in the death of Isaac Johnson, whose wife 
had died in Salem a month before. § 

Johnson had been one of the first to remove to Boston, 
and had made further advancement in the improvement 
of his selected place of residence than any others. His 
lot included what is now the King's Chapel burying- 
ground, in the upper end of which lot, at his request, he 
was buried. 

The first General Court held in Boston met October 19. 
At this court a regulation was established requiring that 
a man to be eligible for the rank of a freeman, " must be 
joined in fellowship with one of the churches." 

In consequence of scarcity of provisions, and of con- 
tinued sickness, great distress was felt. Capt. Pierce, 
of the good ship " Lyon," had accordinglj- been sent, at 
the commencement of the pressing need, to England for 
supplies, and to his return they looked for reUef. In the 
meantime a boat was sent to the Indian settlements to 
trade for corn, which was quite successful. But by the 
5th of February, 1C31, the Colony was reduced to de- 
pendence on mussels, ground-nuts and acorns ; and even 
these, the snow and frozen earth rendered hard to be 
procured. Under these circumstances a fast was pro- 
claimed. But the day before it was to be observed, 
Capt. Pierce arrived at Nantasket with a sliip-load of 
provisions. The mourning was turned into joy, and 
their purposed fast-day into oue of thanksgi\'ing. 

Among the passengers in the "Lyon" at this time was 
Roger Wilhams. 

Boston has had a sad experience with fires. Its first 
one was "a great fire" measured by the people's circum- 
stances. It occurred March 16, 1631, just as they be- 
gan to revive from the prostration of famine and sickness. 
March 23, 1631, an old chief named Chickataubut ap- 
peared before the governor, coming not only with his 

• Just when, and where, and why, Mr. Blackstone had come to Shaw- 
mut is not known ; but he had a cottage and a garden, and appeared to 
have been there seven or eight years. 

t Beacon Hill on the west, witli its several spurs, towered above the 
rest. Copp's Hill, on the north-west, and Fort Hill, on the east, com- 
pleted the Tri-mountain system. The original peninsula of Boston was 
quite a small piece of land, the highest estimate of its acres of fai-m- 
ground being 1,000, the lowest 600. At present these hills have been 
levelled or lowered, the many coves encompassing the peninsula filled 
up, the Back Bay turned to solid earth ; so that we may safely consider, 
says Mr. Drake, in his " Old Landmarks of Boston," that her original 
limits have been trebled. 



braves, but with their wives, lie came moreover with a 
hogshead of corn and friendlj- words. The governor, 
with becoming respect for his distinguished guests, and 
a due regard for so important a state affair, provided a 
dinner for the whole company. It is not strange that 
after this good cheer at the headquarters of the white 
strangers, Indian visits were thereafter more frequent. 

In November, 1631, Capt. Pierce of the ship " Lj'on," 
ever the bearer of good to the Colony, arrived. He 
brought 60 passengers, among whom were Mrs. Win- 
throp, the governor's ladj-, his oldest son, John Winthrop, 
Jr. , and others of his children ; and, not the least wel- 
come, John Eliot, subsequentl}- so famous as the teacher 
of the Indians. He was immediately engaged by the 
Boston church to take the place of Mr. Wilson, who had 
recently returned to England. The following March, 
1632, Mr. Wilson himself returned, accompanied by his 
wife. The same month was remarkable for the erection 
on the most easterly hill of the town of a fort. It was 
thenceforth known as Fort Hill. 

The Indians grew annoj'ingly familiar as well as fre- 
quent in their visits. In August, 1632, the chief Mian- 
tonomo, later so famous, came with his wife and twelve 
attendants. At about this same time, a windmill was set 
up on the hill in the north part of the town, whose 
capacity for grinding their corn, a chief article of food, 
must have made an era of progress. The hill (now 
called Copp's) thus became known as Windmill Hill. 
Another important event of this month was the erection 
of a meeting-house, the settlers having previously wor- 
shipped in private houses. The people being now pros- 
perous, they raised, by voluntarj' offerings, £120 for a 
church and parsonage. The former is described as a 
rude structure, with "mud walls and a thatched roof." 
This edifice stood on what is now State Street. 

Sept. 4, 1633, was a day of joy. The ship "Griffin" 
arrived from the mother country, bringing 200 passen- 
gers. Among these were Messrs. Cotton, Stone and 
Hooker, ministers, besides manj' laymen "of good 
estates." The coming of these men, especially of Cotton, || 
mark an era in the history of the Colony. 

X The General Court, however, the second session of which met at this 
date, voted that Tri-mountain be called Boston, and that Mattapan be 
known as Dorchester, and the town on the Charles River be named 
"Watcrtown. 

{ The latter was the Lady Arbella, in compliment to whom the ship 
" Arbella " was named. She and her husband were from Boston, Eng., 
and it is thought by some historians that Boston received its name, as a 
mark of respect to them. 

II Rev. John Cotton, born in Derby, Eng., in 1585, graduated at Trinity, 
Cambridge, at the age of 21, and received, soon after, the appointment 
of head lecturer, dean and catechist of Emanuel College. While 
holding this honored position, Mr. Cotton became convinced of the 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



The court at this time attempted Lj- law, strangely, to 
regulate the price of wages and merchandise.* There 
was a custom adopted this year, 163.3, among the minis- 
ters, of meeting in each other's houses for the purpose of 
discussing questions of importance. These meeting;? 
are regarded as the origin of the "Boston Association 
of Congregational Ministers." 

Early in March, 1634, the court ordered the provision 
of a market-place. The market day was to be Thursday, 
— lecture day. At the same time, the first tavern was 
opened, and the first trading-house built. Hitherto, the 
private houses had been used as both places of enter- 
tainment and trade. 

As the principal officers of the government lived at 
Newtown, the court, after the election in 1634, met there. 
The election took place in Mr. Cotton's meeting-house 
in Boston, and he preached the election sermon, which 
was the beginning of the i^ractice which has come down 
I to the present daj'. 

The first book ofrecords begins in September, 1634. It 
! gives a hint that, even so early as this date, a select 
j number of the freemen were intrusted with the affairs of 
the town for the ycr.r. From this practice, doubtless, 
came those historic officers, the selectmen. 

In April, 1G35, the case of Roger Williams came 
I before Gov. Dudley and his assistants. On his arrival 
! in Boston, in February, 1631, Williams had been gi-eeted 
; kindlj' by the Boston church, and elected teacher ; but, 
not agreeing with them in some opinions concerning 
their foiTner relations to the Church of England, had, 
after a few weeks, been released, when he removed to 
Salem. The occasion of the consideration of his case 
by Gov. Dudley and his associates was this : He had 
maintained that to administer an oath to a wicked per- 
son, or "an unregenerate man," was in itself a wicked 
act, inasmuch as it caused such a person to " take the 
name of God in vain." After repeated hearings, and 
protracted debates, on the part of the authorities, Wil- 
liams still continuing obdurate, he was sentenced bj^ the 
court to depart out of its jurisdiction within sLs weeks, — 
a sentence which was rigorouslv» not to say mercilessly, 
executed. Among the distinguished persons arriving at 
this time was Henry Vane, afterwards governor. 

In April, 1636, the General Court ordered that a cer- 

necessity of a deeper spirituality, and also of the " errors of the 
Established Church." Too honest to smother his eonvictions, and 
too candid to conceal his change of views, the avowal of his prin- 
ciples, of course, cost him the friendship of many whom he sincerely 
loved. Yet such was his personal influence, and his happy way of 
conciliating, while opposing, the sentiments of others, that he was 
elected vicar of St. Botolph's Church in Lincoln, he being yet only 27 
years of age. So able were his ministrations, and so kindly his bear- 



tain number of persons be chosen magistrates for life, 
and at the next election, three — Winthrop, Dudley, and 
Vane — were chosen to be magistrates during their 
lives. This movement seemed to be inspired b}- a desh-e 
on the part of some of the leading men, to induce bj' 
the prospect of such position, certain men in England of 
aristocratic birth, whose attention had been drawn towards 
the Bay, to emigrate. This movement was plainly not in 
the line of the sympathies of the people, whose visions of 
popular rule were constantly enlarging. The life office 
soon disappeared. 

In May of 1G36, Henry Vane was chosen governor. 
Vane was a J'oung man from a familj' of distinction, and 
is said to have left the proffered preferments of the royal 
court for a larger religious libertj' in the New World. 
He seemed to have been from the first a favorite of the 
people of Boston and its vicinity. 

In the summer of this year, the people of the Bay 
thought the)- saw a cloud of war arising on the south- 
west of them. Capt. Oldham, one of their conspicuous 
traders, was murdered at Block Island bj- some Narra- 
gansct Indians. This tribe being neighbors to Roger 
Williams, he immediately interjiosod his mediation with 
the authorities of Boston, to save a general Indian war. 
He moved the Narraganset chiefs — Canonicus and 
INIiantonomo — to make all possible search for the 
murderers. This brought about a conference between 
these chiefs and a deputation of leading men from Bos- 
ton. The negotiation was a success. 

But Boston was not satisfied to leave the Oldham 
affair without further action. They immediately sent 
ninety volunteers, under the general command of ex- 
governor Endicott of Salem, to put to death the men of 
Block Island, " to spare the women and children, and 
bring them away." This order was faithfullj' executed, 
so far as the Indians could be caught, fourteen only 
being seen after their flight ; their corn and wigwams 
were destroyed. The expedition then wantonlj' attacked 
the Pequots along the banks of the Pequot River, now 
the Thames, killing two Indians, burning wigwams and 
destroj-ing cornfields. This done, they returned to 
Boston, not having lost a man, and having only two 
wounded. But their victory, if such it might be called, 
was not worth even this cost. The Pequots, who prob- 



ing, that he held this important and influential vicarage nearly 22 years. 
About a month after his arrival in Boston, Mr. Cotton was chosen 
"Teacher" of the " First Church," and Thos. Leverett was chosen deacon. 
• The reason given for reducing the wages heretofore paid was, that 
by such high wages men could eani enough in four days to support 
them a w;eck. Tliis, they thought, in leaving two days of idleness, 
induced the use of tobacco and liquor, and such use " was a great waste 
to the Commonwealth." 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



ably had no responsibilitj- for the murder of Oldham, 
were naturallj- exasperated b3' Endicott's attack upon 
their undefended homes. The following winter the}' 
■wreaked their vengeance on several towns of Connecti- 
cut, twenty of whose men had joined Endicott's force. 
Their able sachem, Sassacus, then put himself at the 
head of an embassy of his best men and visited the 
headquarters of the Narragansets, and appealed elo- 
quentl}' before a council of the two nations for an Indian 
league against the white men. His forcible words had 
nearl}' prevailed when Roger Williams appeared at the 
council fireside. Gov. Vane and his advisers had seen 
the dark war-cloud gathering in the Pequot countr}', and, 
in the hour of his people's peril, had sent to request the 
good offices in their behalf of their banished brother, 
Roger Williams. He could not have responded more 
promptly and cheerfully had he received only special 
favors from his brethren in the Bay. 

In consequence of Williams's negotiations, the Narra- 
ganset ambassadors were invited to Boston by Gov. 
Vane to officially arrange the treat}-. In response to this 
call, the junior chief, Miantonomo, with two sons of 
Sassacus, one other chief and twenty attendants, went, 
on the the 21st of October, 1G36, to Boston. They 
were received with the honor due to the ambassadors of 
a nation, militar}' escorts and salutes being given them ; 
and when the treat}' was concluded they were dismissed 
with the same distinction. 

Wliile these negotiations were going on, the Pequots 
continued to attack the settlers in Connecticut, killing a 
trader from the Bay, with many others. So Boston sent 
a company of men, under the command of Capt. Under- 
bill, and Hartford sent men under Capt. Mason. These 
forces met at the mouth of the Connecticut River, and 
in conference with Capt. Gardiner, commander of the 
fort there, arranged the campaign. The victory on the 
part of the whites was complete. 

The annual May election, accompanied this year 
(1637) with unusual excitement, was held in Newtown. 
The Winthrop party prevailed, electing him governor, 
Dudley deputy governor, and Endicott a standing coun- 
cillor. 

To the conflict of arms with Indian foes, and polit- 
ical altercations, Boston added, in some respects, the 
more serious disturbance of a religious dissension. We 
refer to the Antinomian controversy, in which Mrs. 
Anne Hutchinson acted a chief part, aided by the 
great influence of Mr. Cotton, ex-Governor Vane, and 
her brother-in-law, Mr. Wheelwright ; and resulted 

• It was not at first an artillery company ; but, in 1657, they began to 
use a field-piece, and so received that designation. " Ancient and Hon- 



in the banishment of the heroic but misguided female 
agitator. 

In August, 1637, Mr. Vane, having remained in the 
Colony as long as he had purposed to do when he left 
England, returned, leaving behind many warm friends. 

In February, 1638, an association of men were, at 
their request, incorporated into a military company, yet 
"to be subordinate to all authority." This was the 
origin of the Ancient and Honorable Artiller}- Company, 
which continues to this day and is one of the antiquities 
of the county.* 

In June, 1638, there occurred a no less memorable 
event than an earthquake. It came with the noise of 
continued thunder, subsided into a rattling like that of 
coaches over street pavements, and was presently gone. 
It shook the ships in the harbor, and all the islands, 
and extended as far as Connecticut. The noise and the 
shaking continued about four minutes, and the earth was 
unquiet at times for twenty days after. 

In September of this year, their faithful officer in the 
Pequot war, Capt. Underbill, being about to join Wheel- 
wright's settlement in New Hampshire, called upon the 
authorities of Boston concerning a matter of business. 
He reminded them of a promise that they had made him 
of three hundred acres of land for his military ser^^ces. 
But the court, instead of giving him land, called him to 
account for certain alleged offences against their honora- 
ble body. He was charged, on the testimony of "a 
godly female," with having spoken against some of them 
" when he was in the ship lately." The offensive words 
were, "that they were as zealous here as the Scribes and 
Pharisees were." Besides, the court remembered just 
now that he had affiliated with Mr. Wheelwright in the 
Antinomian trouble ; and, not being satisfied with his 
explanations of these several matters, they first im- ' 
prisoned, and then banished him. j 

Early in 1639, the Boston people began to agitate the ' 
project of a new house of worship. After much debate 
as to its location, the church at length chose a commit- 
tee of five, with Gov. Winthrop as chairman, and gave 
them full power to select the site. The new house was 
finally erected on what was called Harding's ground, 
which is the lot now occupied b\' Joy's Building, on 
Washington Street, near the head of State Street. 

Nov. 5, 1639, the Boston post-office was virtually 
instituted, the court having fixed upon the house of 
Richard Fairbanks as the place to which all letters from 
beyond the seas should be sent for deliver}-. 

Soon after the election in 1640, the people gave Mr. 

orable " first occurs in their records in 1770. They were disbanded in 
the Revolution, but revived in 1789. 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



Winthrop a substantial proof of their good-will, £500 
being contributed to relieve his financial embarrassments. 

A " great training " was held in Boston in 1642, which 
lasted two dajs. The number of men who appeared 
under arms is put down at 1,200. The number of 
lookers-on were, of course, a great multitude ; yet it is 
affirmed that none were drunk, none swore, and there 
was no fighting ; and the general remark is made b}- 
another writer, that " Profane swearing, drunkenness, 
and beggars are but rare in the compass of this patent." 

The civil war, which prevailed in England in 1643, 
embarrassed manufacturing interests, and the supplies of 
the Colonies ran low. So Boston and other towns " fell 
to a manufacture of cotton, whereof thej- had store from 
Barbadoes, and hemp and flax." Thus was stimulated 
an earlj^ beginning of an essential interest. 

The court, in passing a law giving a more definite form 
to its public schools, give as a reason for general public 
education, that the stronghold of Satan consisted in men's 
ignorance; and that, for this reason, all means possible 
should be adopted to spoil this specialtj- of "the old 
Deluder." 

The first execution for witchcraft which took place in 
the Colon)', occurred at Boston in June, 1648.* The 
unfortunate woman was hanged, and the record solemnl)- 
adds, that, " the same daj- and hour she was executed, 
there was a very great tempest at Connecticut, which 
blew down many trees." 

Until the year 1648, there had been but one " meeting- 
house." A move was now made for a second. Its 
foundation was laid the next year, at the head of what is 
now North Square. The first sermon was preached on 
the 5lh of June, 1650. Samuel Mather, a son of Rev. 
Richard Mather of Dorchester, was its first pastor. It 
was called the " jMather Church," as its hi-^tory inti- 
mately connects with that most remarkable familj'. 
This second church became known as the North Church, 
and, in time, as the Old Norih. 

On the 26th of March, 1649, Boston was in mourning 
and the whole Colony sharing in its sorrow. Gov. 
Winthrop died on that day at ten o'clock, in the 62d 
year of his age. f 

The year 1652 was remarkable in the history of Suffolk 



"■ The person suffering hy this commencement of the furor of later 
years against witches, was a female by the name of Margaret, ^^-ifc of 
one Jones. 

t John AVinthrop was bom in Groton, Eng., Jan. 12, 1588. In his 
personal appearance, Mr. AVinthrop is supposed to have been erect; 
rather spare in flesh, though muscular; somewhat long- favored, or of a 
I'onntinance regularly oral ; blue eyes and dark hair, and about six feet 
in height. There are two ancient portraits of Winthrop ; one is still to 
be seen in the Capitol of the Commonwealth, and the other in the hall 
of the Antiquarian Society at Worcester. 



County for the commencement of the coinage of money. 
The paper-money question had been under discussion for 
some time, and the people concluded that thej^ did not 
want more, but less, of it. The)' declared that this kind 
of cuurency " was very subject to be lost, rent or coun- 
terfeited, and other inconveniences." So an ingenious 
silversmith of Boston, John Hull, entered into a contract 
with the authorities to make their hard money. J 

Another death occurred in the Colony which caused a 
general sorrow scarcely less than that caused b)' the 
departure of Mr. Winthrop. The Rev. John Cotton died 
Dec. 23, 1652. He was in his sixtj'-eighth year. 

The historian Hubbard, as quoted b)- Drake, elo- 
quentl}-, and no doubt truthfully, says of him: "He 
was a famous light in his generation, a glory to both 
Englands ; one in whom was so much of what is desira- 
ble in a man, as the consciences of all that knew him 
appealed unto, is rarely to be seen in any one conversant 
upon earth." 

In Jul)' of 1654, the thirty-first day, Mr. Dudley died, 
and thus another breach was made in the ranks of the 
founders of Boston. He was in the seventy-seventh j'ear 
of his age. His prominence for a long time in the Colony 
as governor, deputy-governor, and in the management of 
all its chief interests, cause<l him to be greatly missed. 
His fidelity to the trusts committed to him, and his great 
capacity for business, were conceded by all. His intol- 
erance seemed to grow out of the spirit of the times rather 
than the inherent spirit of the man. 

The election of 1655 placed Mr. Endicott in the 
governor's seat, and Mr. Bellingham in that of deputy, 
which positions the}' occupied for ten successive j'ears. 
The court required from this time that the governors 
should reside in Boston, or within five miles of the town, 
so Mr. Endicott took up his residence for his remaining 
3'ears on what is now Tremont Street, in the neighbor- 
hood of Pemberton Square. 

In the summer of this year the Quakers appeared in 
Boston. The authorities, in theLf well-meant efforts to 
keep away those the)' deemed heretics, found the bad 
business increasingly difficult. The new comers had been 
ashore but a few days when they were arrested and 
brought before the magistrates. They had a good supply 



% It has been thought str.ange that the home government should hare 
allowed tliis step of the Colony towards independence to go unques- 
tioned, it being directly in the face of st.atate law. But the reason 
plainly was, that its civil wars were quite as much as they could man- 
age. It is a significant f^rct, apparent in this transaction, and appearing 
from the formation of organized society in this region, th;it the autliuri- 
ties did not so much as ask, when making laws, what is the Eugll.-h 
law, but what they could do safely. They needed hard money of tlieir 
own coinage, and they believed the home rulers could not stop their 
mint, and so they set it in operation. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



of books ill their possession wliich set forth their peculiar 
views, whieli their honors caused to be burned in the 
market-place, and their owners sent to prison. After a 
confinement of a few weeks they were sent awaj- bj' 
ship. As the number of the Quakers increased, the laws 
in reference to them were made more stringent. Not 
only was there a severe penalty for these alleged heretics, 
but for those who brought them, and for those who 
received them into their houses. The crime of entertain- 
ing them seems to have been esteemed one of the great- 
est, for, if such acts of hospitality were persisted in, the 
offender was to have one of his ears cut off, and, if 
repeated, he was to lose the other ear. 

Earl}' in 1057, a move was made for the erection of a 
town house, which, after some delay, was secured. It 
was built of wood, and occupied the site where the Old 
State House now stands, at the head of State, then 
Market Street. 

Boston's troubles with the Quakers increased until late 
in the fall of 1660, when the news of the fall of the Com- 
monwealth, and restoration of Charles the Second, caused 
the authorities to pause in their high-handed course. 
They expected that, under the return of old rulers, 
Boston would be brought to account, and the expectation 
was realized when they received a mandate from the 
king, which required that "all their laws should be 
reviewed, and such as were contrarj- or derogatorj- to the 
king's authority should be annulled ; that the oath of 
allegiance should be administered ; that the administration 
of justice should be in the king's name." 

On the 5th of April, 1604, Mr. Norton died. He had, 
on coming to the country, taken charge of the church in 
Ipswich, but, at Mr. Cotton's dying request, and the 
choice of his bereaved people, he had removed to 
Boston. * 

March 15, 1665, Gov. Endicott, the most independent 
of the Puritan fathers, died. Though unhappilj- his was 
not always the independence which religiously regarded 
the rights of others, yet, such as it was, it was acted. As 
honest as he was resolute and capable. Gov. Endicott was 
admirablj- adapted to the rude pioneer work in the settle- 
ment of New England, which fell providentiall}- to his lot. 

About two j-ears after the death of Endicott, Rev. 



• If his new friends were .is warm in their attachment to Iiitn as the 
Ipswich friend referred to in the followini; story, they must have been a 
liappy people: "A godly man in Ipswich, after Mr. Norton's going 
to Boston, -would ordhiarily travel on foot from Ipswich to Boston, 
which is about thirty miles, for nothing but the weekly lecture there, 
and he would profess that it was worth a great journey to be a par- 
taker in one of Mr. Norton's prayers." 

t Its origin, according to Mr. Drake, is traced to a synod held in 1662, 
and appointed mainly to settle, If possible, who were the proper subjects 



John Wilson died, Aug. 7, 1668, in the seventy-ninth 
j-ear of his age. He had filled an influential place in 
Boston from its first settlement, and his weiglit of charac- 
ter was felt throughout the county and Colon}-. 

The year 1668 is remarkable as the starting-point of 
the Third Congregational Church of Boston, known in 
history as the Old South, f 

Over this new enterprise, Mr. Thomas Thatcher was 
installed, Feb. IG, 1670, J and was continued the pastor 
of this church until his death, a period of nearly nine 
years. 

The dark war-cloud which gathered soon after this 
period over all New England, and resulted in what is 
known as King Philip's war, began now to be seen. In 
1670, while Philip and the Plymouth people were having 
a serious misunderstanding, the politic chief came in 
person to Boston. He was cunning enough, if he was 
going to fight, not to want to fight both Colonies at once. 
He plainlj' did not understand the league the Colonies had 
entered into in reference to such cases, and he wished to 
stand well with the Bay. But he found its officials little 
inclined to hear his side of the story without the presence 
of the Plymouth representatives, and he departed dis- 
satisfied. 

In 1672, England being at war with the Dutch, Bos- 
ton was thrown into so great alarm, lest she might be 
at any time bombarded by the enem}-, that she built a 
fortification, consisting of a wall 20 feet wide and 15 
feet high, extending from a point now known as India 
Wharf to the bottom of Fleet Street, a distance of some 
2,200 feet. No ship of the enemy, however, having ever 
passed the castle, this great undertaking came to naught 
and the fortification soon fell to decay. 

Though the Dutch did not trouble Boston and its 
vicinity, the Indians, inspired by King Philip, did. 
The long-expected war between him and the English 
began in June, 1675. When the news of the outbreak 
reached Boston the drums were beat, " and in three 
hours' time 110 men were mustered." In the same 
spirit Boston and its vicinit}- supported the conflict until 
the death of Philip, in August of the following year, at 
which time the war was ^•irtually ended. 

The heavy loss in treasure and men caused by the war. 



of baptism. A new pastor was to be chosen by the First Church — sue. 
cesser to Mr. Wilson. Many were strongly in favor of Mr. John 
Davenport of New H.-iven. But ho was thoroughly committed against 
the majority opinion of the late synod. The church accordingly became 
divided on this issue — into synod and anti-synod parties. A division 
finally ensued, and a new church was formed ; and thus originated the 
South Church. 

X He was considered an eminent and learned divine ; learned also in 
mechanics and medicine, the latter of which he skilfully practised. 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



■was followed three months later in Boston bj' the great- 
est fire wliich had j-et befallen it. In three or four hours 
46 dwelling-houses, one meeting-house and many other 
buildings were consumed. But for a copious rain which 
continued to fall while the flames were raging, a much 
greater loss of property would have occurred. The 
meeting-house referred to was that on North Square, 
— the "Mather Church," in which Increase Mather 
preached at the time, and which was rebuilt the next 
year. He lost about one hundred out of his library of 
a thousand books, by the burning of his house.* 

Not long after this occurrence, the postal arrangement 
of the Colony was enlarged and put in a more sjstematic 
order. Thus improvements in the town went forward in 
spite of obstacles. Even the spirit of intolerance grad- 
ually gave way, and the Baptists, who had quietly 
erected a meeting-house, coutrar3' to a law forbidding 
them, began to worship regularly and peaceably in it. 
The rulers had all they could well do to look after their 
rights under the charter, as they claimed them, which 
the king of England by his agents was constantly threat- 
ening. When, in the spring of 1686, news arrived that 
James the Second had been proclaimed king, and that 
the charter was vacated, the town felt that all their 
sacred rights for which thej' had suflTered banishment to 
the New World were imperilled. The royal order to 
proclaim James king " was done at the townhouse with 
a sorrowful and affected pomp," in the presence of eight 
military companies. 

As the difficulties with the home government gave the 
Boston authorities so much to do that Baptists were left 
to worship unmolested in their humble meeting-house, so, 
the same j^ear, the restrained Episcopalians began to 
assert the right of religious freedom. At first their 
meetings were held in private houses. A society was 
organized in December (1686), and, being denied one 
of the three meeting-houses, whose use, when not inter- 
fering with other services, they had requested, the}- 
occupied the town house. But Andros, a royal governor, 
had come to rule in the king's name, and in March of 
the next year the Episcopalians entered the South 
Church under his authority. But the Episcopal society 
entered at once upon the enterprise of a place of worship 
of their own. A house was finished in July, 1689, cost- 

* There were no fire-engines in Boston at this time, and, of course, 
none in the Colony. This fire, however, prompted tlie procuring of one 
from Kngland ; it arrived early in 1679, in time to lie used at the great 
fire which occurred in August of that year, — a fire that laid waste the 
commercial part of tlje town in the vicinity of the dock, consuming 
vessels, warehouses and dwellings, causing a loss of £200,000. It was 
believed to be the work " of some wicked and malicious wretches who 
half-ruincd tho Colony." It obliterated old landmarks and caused the 



ing £284, being nearly paid for when dedicated. It was 
located on the present site of "King's Chapel," corner 
of School and Tremont streets, and was built of wood. 
About twenty years later, it was rebuilt and made twice 
as large ; a clock was given for it, and an organ, the 
first in Boston. 

Though the ro3al rulers in Boston did, in manj' re- 
spects, rule as tj-rants, j-et there came in 1687 an edict 
from the throne, of universal freedom in matters of 
religion. Boston was jubilant at the announcement. 
Increase INIather, a son of one of the strictest of the 
Puritan fathers, caused a vote of thanks to be sent to 
the king for his declaration of freedom of conscience. 
In the spring of 1G89 rumors came to Boston that the 
Prince of Orange had landed on the English shore, and 
that the hated dynasty of King James had fallen. Im- 
mediately on the arrival of this good news, armed men 
by thousands started up in Boston, Charlestown and all 
the vicinity, as if thej' came from the bosom of the 
earth. Their sudden appearance was a surprise to the 
patriotic leaders, as well as to Andros and his royal 
adherents. In less than forty-eight hours the English 
frigate l^ing in the harbor, the fort and the whole gov- 
ernment were transferred to the hands of the former 
rulers of the people. Not a shot had been fired, nor a 
life lost. A declaration in the behalf of the people was 
immediately read from the balcony- of the town house. It 
had the ring of the Declaration of Independence of 
1776. It was read in the presence of a great multi- 
tude of people, among whom were twentj' companies of 
soldiers, who had marched into town from the vicinity. 
A thousand more soldiers were in Charlestown who could 
not get over the ferry. Arrangements were completed 
to restore nearly all the old machinery of government, 
when news came. May 26, of the enthronement of Wil- 
liam and Mary in England. The news was offlciall}' 
proclaimed with civic and military parade, and an enter- 
tainment was given at the town hall. 

Things now returned to their former and wonted 
course. Suffolk County suffered in common with the 
people in general of that period in connection with the 
witchcraft delusion of 1692. t We give one case which 
occurred in Boston. 

It is interesting, meantime, to notice how tlie parties 

starting of the town anew in tho track of its ravages. The procuring 
of more fire-engines and the organizing of something like a fire depart- 
ment were a part of the immediate results of this calamity. 

t Four years before the f;rcat oiilbrcak in Salem, four children of 
John Goodwin, liviiif,' in iIk- ik.iiIi jiart of Boston, were generally believed 
to be bewitched. The party cluirgoil with bewitching them, the mother 
of the laundress of the family, was subsequently tried, convicted and 
hung. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



who were regarded as heretics, and persecuted as such, 
settled after a while into the quiet possession, in Boston, 
of their religious rights. We have noticed how tlie 
Episcopalians asserted theirs. The Quakers are spoken 
of in 16G5 as ha\-ing " their ordinary place of meeting." 
In 1694, they purchased a site on Brattle Street and 
built a brick house. The Quincy House now occupies the 
spot. This was the first brick meeting-house built in 
Boston. This was superseded, in 1708, by a brick 
meeting-house on Congress Street. Though left to an 
unrestrained development, their numerical strength never 
became great. 

Toward the close of the century (1698) Boston con- 




tained 1,000 houses and 7,000 people. The records 
pleasantly note the constant interest of the people in 
their schools and churches. About this time a new 
school-house was built for ''a writing school," and the 
venerable Master Cheever was given an assistant in the 
Latin school in the person of his gi-andson, Ezekiel 
Lewes. The special event of 1699 was the founding of 
the Brattle Street Church. The Rev. Benjamin Cole- 
man, a native of Boston, but at that time residing in 
England, was invited to become its pastor. Mr. Cole- 
man accepted the call, and, shortly after arriving in 
Boston, preached his first sermon, on the 24th of Decem- 
ber. The pastors of this church have been men of 
great eminence, among whom are such names as Joseph 
Stevens Buckminster, the precocious scholar and won- 
derful orator, who died at the age of 28, but not before 



he had filled the countrj- with the fame of his eloquence ; 
Edward Everett, the orator, statesman and scholar ; and 
J. G. Palfrey, the historian. 

The first church of this society was built of wood, and 
unpainted within and without. In 1772 a new one was 
erected. 

In 1700, a new free school-house was built at the 
North End, in which the A'oung people were taught " to 
write and cipher" ; and the next step in the same direc- 
tion (1704) was the erection of a new Latin school-house 
for Master Cheever. In the same year the " Boston 
News-Letter " was started, the first newspaper published 
in North America. Its proprietor and publisher was John 




Campbell, postmaster of Boston. It was a small, cheap 
affair, and was so poorly supported that it was not enlarged 
until it had been published 15 j^ears. But it lived, and 
grew in size and value until the war of the Revolution. 
In October, 1711, Boston was visited by another de- 
vastating fire. About 100 dwelling-houses were con- 
sumed, and 110 families made homeless. Many stores, 
stocked with valuable goods, were burned, together with 
the meeting-house of the first church, Rev. Benj. Wads- 
worth pastor, and the town house. Some saUors who 
had gone into the cupola of the church to try to save the 
bell perished in the flames. From School Street to Dock 
Square, including both sides of Cornhill, all the build- 
ings were destroyed. True to its histot'ic character for 
sj-mpathj- towards the suffering, the Colony, at a gen- 
eral fast, which was observed soon after, took up in all 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



the churches contributions for the sufferers by the fire. 
Some £700 were obtained. 

The " First Church " meeting-house was presently re- 
built at an expense of £4,000, the whole of which was 
raised by voluntar}' subscription. This, at a later 

; time, was known as the Old Briclv Church. Before the 
completion of this cdiflce. another society was formed 
at the North End, lo- 
cated at the corner of 
North (now Hanover) 
and Clark streets, by a 
company of thrifty me- 
chanics ; but their meet- 

! ing-house was not com- 

' pleted until 1714. The 
society made choice of 
Rev. John Webb, then 
chaplain at Castle "Wil- 
liam, Boston Harbor, as 
pastor. Until 1749, this 
societj-, as did most others 
of the country, support- 
ed their pastors by vol- 

j untary contributions, the 

I deacons standing up in 

j their places and receiv- 

I ing in boxes the offerings 

j of the people as they 
passed before them in a 

I specified order. But from 
this time the New North 
raised the minister's sal- 
ary by assessments upon 
the pews, a change wfiieh 
soon became general. 
In 1715 a new religious 

j societj^ was founded at 
the South End, and, to 
distinguish it from the Old 
South, was called the New South Churcl 



mer of 1722, the Episcopalians found King's Chapel too 
small for their increased numbers, and resolved to build 
another church. In December of the next year, the 
Chi ist Church on Salem Street was dedicated.* Eepairs 
have from time to time been made on this honored edi- 
fice, but its original architecture remains. 

In 1727 a Presb^-terian Church was established in Bos- 
ton. It was composed 
chiefly of Scotch emi- 
grants, who lived some 
time in Ireland. They 
had come with their pas- 
tor, the Rev. John Moor- 
head, to New England, 
for greater freedom of 
worship. After the Revo- 
lution they relinquished 
the Presbyterian regimen 
and embraced the Con- 
gregational order. The 
celebrated William Ellery 
Channing became pastor 
of this church in 1803. 

In 1734 the corner-stone 
of the Trinitj- Episcopal 
Church was laid ; the first 
sermon was preached in 
the completed edifice in 
1735.t In 1728 the South 
Church was taken down, it 
having stood sixty years, 
and the next j'ear the 
present brick church (the 
third meeting-house on 
the same spot) , which has 
become so interesting as 
an historic monument, was 
built. 

In June of 1732 the 
Its house of Holhs Street Church was dedicated. Its later years have 
worship, located at the intersection of Summer and Bed- been made famous by the pastorates of Rev. John Pier- 
ford streets, was dedicated on the 8th of January, 1717. pont, and the Rev. Thomas Starr King. 
In September, 1718, they called the Rev. Samuel Check- | The West Church was gathered on Jan. 3, 1736, and the 
ley, who was ordained in April of the next year. following May, Rev. Wm. Hooper became its first pastor ; 

The churches which have since become historic, sprung I Mr. Hooper was followed in June, 1747, by the Rev. 
up and developed rapidly from this period. In the sum- i Jonathan Mayhew, " a great light" of the Boston pulpit. 




THE OLD bOI TH CHURCH, BOSTON. 



• In 1744 this church was furnished with a " Peal of eight bells " ; 
they were the gift of generous friends. On one is the inscription! 
" We are the first ring of bells cast for the British Empire in North 
America." 

t It was situated on the comer of Summer and Hawley streets, and 
was a plain wooden structure, hairing neither tower nor steeple, nor 



windows in the lower story of the front. The interior was more archi- 
tectural, having an arch resting upon Corinthian pillars with carved and 
gilded capitals. Within the chancel were paintings, beautiful and im- 
pressive. In 1828 this building gave place to the granite edifice which, 
to the time of its destruction by the great fire of November, 1872, was 
one of the most substantial and artistic church buildings in Boston. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



In 1741, Rev. Samuel Mather, who had been about 
nine years pastor of the Old North Church, came off with 
about ninety members, organized a church, and built a 
meeting-house on the comer of Hanover and North Ben- 
nett streets. This house was of wood and was dedicated 
in the earlj' part of 1742. After ISIr. Mather's death in 
1785, it was purchased by the Universalists, and became 
the First Universalist Church of Boston.* 

The Second Baptist Church started in October, 1742. 
Their first meetings were held in the dwelling-house of 
Mr. James Bound, in Sheafe Street. They opened their 
meeting-house by a fli-st sei-mon in March, 1746 ; it was 
small, built of wood, and stood on the site of the since 
well-known Baldwin Place Church. Rev. Ephraim 
Bound (or Bond) was its first pastor. Rev. Thomas 
Baldwin became pastor in November, 1790, and soon 
after the house was enlarged. In 1809 it gave place to 
a new one, which was dedicated January first of the next 
year. 

The schools of Boston have ever been one of its most 
notable features. t By a report of a visiting committee 
in 1739, it appears that there were at that time five 
schools, containing 600 pupils. 

The committees of those daj's, being composed as now 
of the ministers and other prominent men, their visits 
and reports were regarded, even then, with great interest 
b}- all. Naturally connected with the progress of the 
churches and the schools, is that of the press. We have 
spoken of the '• News-Letter, " the first newspaper. Near 
the close of 1718, a second one was started, called the 
" Boston Gazette." The printer of it was James Frank- 
lin, brother of the subsequently famous Benjamin 
Franklin. About four years afterwards (1723) Mr. 
Franklin started a third paper, called the " New England 
Courant." The name indicates that he aimed to extend 
its range of ideas beyond Boston, and represent all the 
Colonies. It was, in fact, what would now be called a 
progressive paper. Dealing liberally with men and 
things, we are not surprised to learn that its editor and 
proprietor was betimes imprisoned. It was in this paper 
that Benjamin Franklin commenced his career as a writer, 1 
being at this time an apprentice to his brother James. 
A few years later, 1727, "The New England Weekly 



• Methodism was introduced into Boston by the Rev. Jesse Lee. Sat- 
urday, July 10, 1790, he entered the town, and on Sunday morning 
loolicd about for a place to preach. Finding none, he borrowed a table 
of some one living near, and carried it himself under the Old Elm on 
the Common. Standing on this he commenced a religious service. At 
the close of the sermon he had several thousand hearers. 

A church was gathered July 13, 1792, and the first meeting-house was 
dedicated in May, 1796. It was a small wooden structure at the North 
Eud, in what was long known as Methodist Alley, now Hanover Avenue. 



Journal " was staited ; this paper took decided interest in 
the sharp controversies of the times. Seven years later 
"The Boston Weekly Post Boj'" appeared. 

In September of 1739, Suffolk County, as well as New ! 
England in general, were moved by the arrival in Boston 
of George Whitefleld. Though onh- 26 years of age at 
the time, the fame of his wonderful pulpit power had i 
preceded him. He was met, on his approach to the 
town, by a large deputation of gentlemen. The next 
daj' he preached in Dr. Colman's meeting-house. Brattle 
Street, to a vast concourse of people. The next morn- 
ing he preached in the Old South, and, the number of 
people outside for whom there was no room, being great- 
er than those inside, he spoke to a great multitude in the 
afternoon on the Common. 

On the following Sabbath, in the same place, he 
addressed, as was estimated, from 8,000 to 10,000 per- 
sons. When about to preach, subsequentlv, in the New 
South, the house being densely packed, a noise was 
heard in the gallery, which some supposed to be a gi\'ing 
way of the timber which supported it. A panic im- I 
mediately ensued. Several were trod to death ; others 
were seriously wounded, some of whom died in a few 
daj's. Mr. Whitefield's farewell sermon on the Common 
was heard, it was believed, by 20,000 people. His many 
subsequent visits were attended by great crowds, and 
cordial welcome bj' man}', but not with the united S3Tn- 
pathy of his first visit. He came for the last time in 
1769, and died in November, a month after his arrival in 
Newburyport. 

The 3'ear 1742 is memorable for the completion and 
presentation to Boston of Faneuil Hall, the same being, 
for the most part, a present to the town b}- Mr. Peter 
Faneuil. The building was named Faneuil Hall in tes- 
timony of the town's gratitude. 

In November of 1747, an affair occurred in Boston 
which gave evidence of that same popular will in resist- 
ing aggression, from whatever source, which, a generation 
later, brought on the War of Independence. An Eng- 
lish commodore was in the harbor, in command of sev- 
eral ships. Some of his men having deserted, he sent a 
press-gang ashore, which constrained into the naval 
service and carried on board the ships a considerable 



t In 1720 a very unique school was established by the town. Emi- 
grants from Ireland, called Scotch-Irish, because their ancestors were 
from Scotland, had brought their spinning-wheels with them, for the 
manufacture of linen. Spinning-wheels at once became the fashion of 
the day with rich and poor. A large, handsome brick building was 
erected on Treraont Street near where Ilamilton -Place now is, in which 
the children of the town were taught the useful, l)ut now almost obso- 
lete, art of spinning. The special zeal, however, in this direction, was 
not of long c 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



number of sailors, ship's carpenters and apprentices, 
whom thej^ found about the wharves. Boston's resent- 
ment was swift and intense. A great mass of the peo- 
ple, unwisel}-, without the fonn of law, rushed together. 
They seized a lieutenant of one of the war-ships, and 
put him in confinement. Learning that other officers of 
the offending commodore were at the governor's house, 
the angiy mob attempted to seize them, but were pre- 
vented by the interposition of a sheriff. They then 
turned upon the sheriff himself, and put Mm in the 
stocks in front of the town hall. In the meantime the 
governor called out the military to quell the mob, and 
a remonstrance was sent to the commodore against the 
outrages of the press-gang. But the haughty sailor 
replied that he would draw up his ships and bombard the 
town, unless his officers who had been seized on shore 
should be allowed to return to the ships. To give effect 
to tills threat, sail was made on his vessels. All eyes 
were turned to these floating batteries, but nobody 
begged for quarter. The General Court, which was in 
session, voted to stand by the governor with their lives 
and then- estates. The armed military hastened to Bos- 
ton at the call of the commander-in-chief, the mob 
melted away, and legal force took its place, with a defi- 
ant spirit towards the commodore. Learning this state 
of affairs, and receiving the officers whom the mob had 
seized and confined, he returned the impressed men and 
sailed out of the harbor, to the joy of the triumphant town. 

In 1760, another great fire occurred in Boston. It 
commenced on Washington Street, not far from Water 
Street, burning east to Long Wharf, and clearing a gi'eat 
section of the town between State and Milk streets. 
Three hundred and forty-nine buildings — dwelUng- 
houses, stores and mechanics' shops — were burned, and 
a thousand people were bereft of their homes. The loss 
was estimated at £100,000. NewYork, Pennsylvania and 
Nova Scotia promptly sent relief ; a generous merchant 
of London sent £100, and Whitefield collected and sent 
£250. New England was, of course, ready with her gifts 
to the suffering capital, and the burned district was in time 
filled with brick instead of inflammable wooden buildings. 

Amid the din of religious controversj', and the intense 
pohtical excitement incident to the dawn of the Revolu- 
tion, the churches increased in numbers and in catholicity 
towards each other as differing denominations. The 
literarj' and educational interests of the town progressed 
rapidly.* 

The little peninsula on which Boston was built was, at 

* Drake says : " Booksellers flourished, newspiipers increased, and a 
circulating library of 1,200 volumes was established. The most e.xtcn- 
sivf bookseller of that day in Boston was the proprietor of this circu- 



the same time, becoming more closely connected with 
the distant as well as the near towns of the Province ; 
thus was her intense life more and more felt beyond her 
limits. 

On the 14th of August, 1765, occurred the memorable 
Stamp Act riot. Soon after the promulgation of the 
Stamp Act, a portion of the people, wild with passion, 
marched through the streets of the town, shouting, 
"Liberty and Property ; no Stamps" ; resorting, mean- 
while, to various acts of violence upon such persons as 
were in any way connected with the royal revenue ser- 
vice, — hanging in efflgj', and falling riotously upon the 
property, particularly, of a certain peculiarly odious 
stamp distributor, named Andrew OUvers. 

On the 26th another mob, more furious, if possible, 
than the former, and composed seemingly of the very 
lowest of the populace, gathered in State Street, and 
visited and utterly despoiled the houses of several emi- 
nent citizens, among which was the elegant mansion of 
Lieut. Gov. Hutchinson ; this they did not leave until 
they had ' ' destro3'ed, carried away, and cast into the 
street everj'thing that was in tlie house. They then 
demolished every part of it, so far as lay in their power." 
The governor's loss was estimated at £2,000, besides 
valuable papers, some of thein of great historic interest. 
The town was all night under a panic of fear on account 
of the mob, the governor himself being at the castle, and 
ignorant of what was transpiring. The next day an 
immense number of the citizens met at Faneuil Hall, and 
voted their detestation of the doings of the mob. Some 
of the known leaders in the lawless business were 
arrested. But law was powerless before the public 
furor, and none suffered its penalty for these riotous 
proceedings. The stamp law was a failure in Boston, 
and throughout the Colonies. Stamp officers resigned, 
and were applauded for so doing. Trade revived, and 
business activity succeeded stagnation. 

In 1768, two regiments of British soldiers, of 500 men 
each, had arrived in Boston harbor, in six ships. Two 
days later six more vessels arrived. The soldiers were 
landed and quartered upon the town. The ships 
anchored, broadside to the town, with guns shotted and 
matches lighted. This meant that the taxes, so hated 
and repudiated by Bostonians, were to be collected. 
The General Court remonstrated with their royal gov- 
ernor against this esteemed insult. But, instead of 
removing the soldiers from the town. Gov. Bernard 
removed the court to Cambridge. This, of course, in- 

lating library. A few months later (than Feb. 1764), his advertisement 
of books just imported covers an entke page of the ' Massachusetts 
Gazette," in which he says his stock comprised above 10,000 volumes." 



HISTOET OF NEW ENGLAND. 



creased the public irritation, and the soldiers themselves, 
more or less brutal and lawless, fvere intensely hated. 
Such was the state of feeling Ijlng back of what is known 
as the "Boston Massacre." The soldiers and the bo^s 
and rude men about the streets, were habitually taunting 
and provoking one another. The people were the more 
insulting, as it was understood that no officer was then 
in Boston of sufficient rank to be authorized to give the 
soldiers a command to fire upon the people, under any 
circumstances. The governor only, or the lieutenant- 
governor acting in his place, could do this. 

About a fortnight before the massacre (February 22), 
some boys set up a wooden head before the house of a 
merchant who had, contrary to agreement, sold some 
of the goods on which the heavy taxes were laid. They 
had nailed a board to the image, on which the merchant's 
figure was painted, and a hand pointing to his house. A 
man by the name of Richardson, an informer, and friend 
of the merchant's, tried to get some one to break the 
image down. He was soon in a wrangle with the boys, 
to whose company older persons attached themselves. 
The informer fled to his house, to escape the missiles 
hurled at him. The boys followed, and he fired upon 
them from his window, wounding several ; one of whom, 
a German boy eleven years of age, died the following 
evening. Of course the town was astir. The funeral of 
the boj- was attended bj' an immense concourse. The 
corpse was set down under the old " Liberty Tree." 
The pall was supported by six youth. Fifty boys pre- 
ceded, and two thousand people of all ranks walked 
in procession ; the streets on either side were crowded 
with spectators as it passed to the place of burial. 
Eichardsbn was tried and convicted of murder. But the 
chief justice, regarding it as a clear case of justifiable 
homicide, refused to sign his death-warrant. He lay 
in prison two years, and was then pardoned and set at 
liberty. 

The next incident provoking the massacre, was an 
altercation between the men engaged in a rope- walk, near 
to which one of the regiments was quartered. Silly and 
in-itating words, and more exciting blows had passed 
between them. The friends of each, to some extent, in 
their subsequent testimonj', blamed both. Passion, and 
not reason, ruled the hour. 

On the evening of the massacre (March 5, 1770), a 
clear moonlight glittered on snow-covered streets and 
buildings. " Two youth" attempted to pass a sentinel 
without answering his challenge. A scuffie ensued. 
Soldiers came to the rehef of the sentinel ; but the other 
side being re-enforced by a crowd, thej- retreated to then- 
barracks. The excitement extended through both regi- 



ments of soldiers and over the town, and finally con- 
centrated in King (State) Street. The main guard, 
which was quartered here, opposite the south door of the 
State House, was the object of the especial hatred of the 
mob. A sentinel was on dut^- at the custom-house, on 
the comer of the Royal Exchange lane and King Street. 
A boy pointed him out as one who had, a short time 
before, knocked him down with his gun. The mob 
shouted, "Kill him! knock him down!" The sentinel 
retreated up the steps, and tried to gain admittance into 
the custom-house, but failed to do so. The mob was all 
the while pelting him with bits of ice, snow-balls and 
sticks of wood. Thus pressed, the soldier loaded his 

gun. ' ' Fire and be d d ! " shouted the boys. ' ' Stand 

ofi" ! " said the sentinel, and shouted for help from the 
main guard. Capt. Preston, who was commander of the 
guard for the daj-, ordered them to turn out. A sergeant, 
with six men, started to relieve the sentinel. Preston 
soon ordered up six more. The crowd increased and 
pressed upon the guard, insulting them with oaths and 
jeers, and daring them to fire. Preston formed his men 
in a semi-circle on the custom-house steps, where, with 
fixed baj-onets, they endeavored to keep off the mob. 
Preston boldly stood between his men and those who 
were assailing them with clubs. One of the soldiers, 
receiving a severe blow, stepped back and fired. Preston 
turned to the soldier with words of reproof for firing, and, 
while speaking, pan-ied a blow aimed at his head. The 
noise and confusion became intense ; seven or eight 
soldiers fired and three persons fell dead, two others 
were mortally wounded and several more slightly. The 
bells continued to ring, and the people to flock to the 
scene of excitement. The Ueutenant-govemor and Col. 
Carr soon appeared at the head of the twent3--ninth 
regiment. Mam' of the prominent citizens united with 
these oflBeers in persuading the people to go to their 
homes. This, in a short time, they consented to do, and 
the soldiers returned to their barracks. Thus ended the 
Fifth of March, 1770.* 

The next morning a town meeting assembled in Faneuil 
Hall. It overflowed with people, and the meeting ad- 
journed to the Old South. A peremptory' demand was 
made upon the lieutenant-governor for the removal of 
the troops. So determined was the tone in which the 
citizens delivered this demand to him through their com- 
mittee, headed by Samuel Adams, that " his knees 
trembled, and his face grew pale." He hesitated, and 
hints were given of " ten thousand men to effect their 
removal," whatever the consequences. The troops were 

• Until after the Revolution, in Boston, the anniversary of the massa- 
cre was celebrated as a solemn patriotic memorial. 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



immediatelj' ordei-ed to Castle William. Saj's Bancroft : 
' ' The troops came to overawe the people and maintain 
the laws ; and thej- were sent as law-breakers to a prison 
rather than a garrison." 

Capt. Preston was tried and acquitted ; his counsel 
had the assistance of John Adams and Josiah Quincy. 
The soldiers were tried, and such as were proved to have 
fired, were convicted of manslaughter. 

But new cause of irritation was soon given by the crown. 
Castle William was given up by Gov. Hutchinson to the 
royal troops. The castle, by the terms of the charter, 
was owned by the Colony, was built and repaired by its 
people, and had been garrisoned bj' its militia and 
commanded by the civil governor. Now to have its 
guns in the hands of the king's soldiers, and the harbor 
a rendezvous for all the royal ships stationed in America, 
I stimulated in the minds of the people the thought of 
! revolution and entire independence. Saj'S Bancroft, 
'■ Samuel Adams continued musing till the fire within 
1 him burned." 

. Boston was soon afforded the occasion to assert the 
' right to liberty. The East Indian Company were author- 
ized to export their teas to America and collect on them 
a revenue : these teas were entirely duty-free in England. 
Ill November, 1773, the tea-shijjs were on their way to 
Boston. The country was moved at their coming. Tea- 
drinkers agreed to be total abstainers ; and under the 
pressure of the public opinion, dealers agreed not to sell. 
The consignees were besought to return the teas to Eng- 
land, and ship-masters were warned not to land their tea. 
The result is well known. On the evening of Dec. 16, 
i 1773, forty or fifty men disguised as Indians, took pos- 
session of three tea-ships which lay at Griffin's wharf. 
In three hours their entire cargoes, 340 chests of tea, 
being the whole quantity that had been imported, were 
thrown into the sea. No other property was injured. 
" All things," says John Adams, " were conducted with 
great order, decencj', and perfect submission to govern- 
ment." The crowds who were looking on, were so still, 
that the noise of breaking open the tea-chests was plainly 
heard. When the work was done, " the town became as 
still and calm as if it had been holy time." 

Boston and the Colonj'were subjected to one more test 
of their love of liberty before they entered upon war for 
independence. The Boston Port Bill became a law 
IMarch 31, 1774. The execution of it was given to Gen. 
Thomas Gage. In May of the same year he arrived in 
Boston Harbor with ships-of-war and troops. In due 
time they were in military possession of the city. The 
liberties of the people had been taken away \iy par- 
liament, and the councillors, judges, sheriffs and other 



civil officers, were no longer to be chosen by the people, 
but to be appointed hy the governor, who was himself an 
appointee of the crown. Only the annual town meetings 
could be held without the executive permission. Persons 
might be sent to other Colonies or to England for trial. 
To enforce such regulations Gage had come with a navy 
and army. Boston, the offending metropolis, was to be 
subdued first, that all other towns might fear and submit. 
June 1, 1774, as the clock struck twelve, the blockade 
of the harbor commenced. All the manufacturing and 
mechanical interests were stopped. Trade ceased. Com- 
merce was at an end. Men roamed the streets in en- 
forced idleness, while their families suffered for bread. 
All communication by water was forbidden. The fisher- 
man could not bring to the hungrj^ town his catch of fish. 
The boatman could not row from wharf to wharf. No 
scow could go to any island to land or take awa}' cattle. 
The ferry-boats could not carry to or from the impris- 
oned town the smallest parcel of goods. How Samuel j 
Adams, Joseph Warren and kindred spirits, first united [ 
all the towns of the Massachusetts Colony to make a com- 
mon cause of the resistance of Boston to such oppression ; 
how all the other Colonies, under the leadership of their 
historic men, made the fight of New England against 
such t^-rannj^ their fight ; how Gen. Gage did not con- 
quer Boston, but how his successor in command had to 
leave the city ; how a Continental Congrfiss was formed ; 
and how independence was declared and achieved, are 
famiUar to every intelligent reader. 

When the war of the Revolution had been brought to 
a successful close, and the blessings of peace and a free 
government were fully realized, Boston, in common with 
its vicinitj', developed rapidlj-. Long-talked-of bridges 
were built. The State House, which now crowns the 
summit of Beacon Hill, was completed before the close 
of the centur3-. Her ships visited every commercial port. 
The embargo which was laid upon the commerce with 
England preceding the war of 1812 crippled this com- 
merce, and was, as was the war itself, unpopular in 
Boston. Yet her citizens loyally supported the govern- 
ment. In May, 1822, Boston became a city. John 
Phillips was the first ma3-or. Mr. Drake in his " Old 
Landmarks of Boston," says, that when Josiah Quincy, 
Jr.,* became mayor, " He invested the sluggish town 
with new life, and brought into practical use a new 
watchword — Progress." 

In 1830, 200 hundred years from the landing upon the 
peninsula of the Winthrop company, the population of 
lioston was 61,000. During the war of the Rebellion, 

* The Quincy Market was commenced in 1824 and finished in 1826. 
It cost $150,000. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



the city of Boston contributed to the service of the 
country 5J6,119 men. 

The last and by far most disastrous of all Boston 
fires, still fresh in the memory of our readers, was that 
of Nov. 9, 1872. It may well be called "The Great 
Fire." When it was finally arrested, it had spread over 
sixtj'-three acres, and consumed one hundred million 
dollars' worth of property. Those who saw the burned 
district in its smoldeiing ashes will never forget the 
scene of fearful desolation ; and those who visit the 
same distiict to-day -niU wonder at the amazing energy 
and financial n -c nn . uliuh In-. (C)\ci( d it uitli Imsimss 



in 1835 by the opening of the Lowell road in June of 
that year. Its depot is on Causeway Street. Its pas- 
senger station is large and commodious, built of brick, 
trimmed with Nova Scotia freestone. 

The Worcester Railroad was opened onlj' a month 
later than the Lowell. It is now included in, and known 
as the Boston and Albany Railroad, with its station on 
Beach Street. 

The Providence commenced the same year, and the 
Maine was opened from Wihnington to Andover in 1836. 
The Eastern started in 1838, running to Salem ; the Old 
Colony in November, 1845 ; the Fitchburg also in 1845, 




SCENE Of TllE liU£A 



blocks of the most substantial character, and great 
beauty of architecture. 

During the early j-ears of its settlement, Boston com- 
municated with the main land oulj- by travel over the 
narrow strip of land on its southern end. Ferries, how- 
ever, were early established. The next pulslic convey- 
ances were the stage-coaches. In due tune the great 
bridges that now connect Boston with the various .adja- 
cent cities were completed.* 

The railroad communication with Boston commenced 

• The Charles River Bridge, the first of the kind established, was 
opened for travel in June, 1786, and gi'eat was the rejoicing at the com- 
pletion of an enterprise then considered the greatest nndertakcn in 
America. West Boston Bridge, to Cambridge, was completed in No- 
vember, 1793 ; Dover Street or Boston South Bridge, in 1805 ; Cragie's 
Bridge in 1809, from what was known as Barton's Point on the Boston 



and the Hartford and Erie in 1849, under the name of 
the Norfollc County road. 

The passenger station of the Boston and Providence 
road, on Columbus Avenue, is the most magnificent one 
in the city, and is probably not excelled in architectural 
beauty by any in the United States. It cost $800,000. 

The Boston, Revere Beach atid Lynn Railroad runs 
from East Boston, along the crest of Revere Beach, and 
thence over the salt marshes to Lj-nn. 

The horse cars commenced running in 1856. 

side to Lechmere Point in Cambridge ; the South Boston Bridge, from 
the foot of Federal Street to South Boston, was completed in 1828. The 
Western Avenue, or Mill Dam, was opened in July, 1821. Warren 
Bridge was opened in December of the same year. An iron bridge to 
South Boston was the last constructed. Steam-ferries were commenced 
in July, 1832. 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



No facts are, perhaps, more remarkable in the devel- 
opment of Boston than its water-supplj-. In August of 
1846, the ground was broken for the works connected 
with Lake C'ochituate, and in 184S the work was com- 




tributing pipes of this entire water-supplj- aggi'egate in 
length 335 miles. The gross expense of this water- 
supply, in round numbers, is thirty-two million dollars. 
The annexation of Charlestown to Boston gave Bos- 
ton the possession of the Mj-stic water-works. 
These supplj' the Charlestown district, the cities 
of Somerv'iUe and Chelsea, East Boston, and the 
town of Everett. The daily consumption of water 
in the city is thirtj' million gallons f 

The old burial-grounds of Boston cannot but 
arrest the ej-e of those inquiring what marks time 
has left of earlier days. The King's Chapel 
burying-ground was the first lot set apart by the 
fathers as the I'esting-place of their dead. Situ- 
ated near the corner of Tremont and School 
streets, it was at first, as well as now, in a por- 
tion of the town around which its busy life might 



BOSTON ANU PKOVIUENCE EArLHOAD DEiOl, OUL 



pleted. This laki.' is situated twenty miles horn Bobton, in the 
towns of Framingham, Wayland and Natick, and has a surface 
of about eight hundred acres. In addition to the lake, there 
are two ponds — the Dug Pond and Dudley Pond — which so 
connect as to become tributar^^ to it, ha^ ing 
an aggregate surface of one hundred and -_ _ 

twentj--five and one-half acres.* ^^J\__ ^ 

The cit^- was authorized, in 1872, to coii' 
nect the water of Sudbuiy River with that % 
of Lake Cochituate, and thus secure an 
j additional supply. The construction of the 
necessary conduits and reservoirs for thi-^ 
purpose is practically finished. Three dam-, 
on the river form storage basins, holding 
nearly nine billion gallons. A brick conduit 
conveys the water from the lower basin to 
Farm Pond, in Framingham, and from thence 
another conduit convej^s it to the Chestnut Kill reser 
voir — a distance of sixteen miles. The main and dis 




UU1^E OV IHL MVRRIN OF THE SMAXI. RESEKVOIB 



* The line of the water-works, from Lake Cochituate to the Brook- 
line reservoir, is 14j miles. This reservoir has a 119,583,960 gallons' 
capacit}'. There is a receiving reservoir in the Brighton district, at 
Chestnut Hill, 5J miles from the city hall, and one mile from the 
Brookline rcsciToir. It is divided hy a water-tight dam into two 
basins. Its entire capacity is 730,000,000 gallons. The Parker Ilill 
reservoir, on Parker Hill, Roxbury district, built for " the high service " 



be seen. It was, during the first thii't}' years of the town, 
the only repository of the dead. There are twent3--one 



supply, will hold 7,200,000 gallons. Beacon Hill reservoir, connected 
with the high service pumping-works on Parker Hill, is now used in 
case of fire, or other special cmert'cncics. It holds 2,G7S,9G1 gallons. 
The South Boston reservoir, cm the c:ist side of Tclcirmiih Hill, holds 
7,508,246 gallons. It is used in tlie same manner as that on Beacon 
Hill. The East Boston reservoir, on Eagle Hill, has a capacity of 
5,591,816 gallons. t See " King's Hand-Book of Boston." 



HISTOEY OF NEW ENGLAND. 




^. 



vaults beneath the chapel, and, exclusive of these, 
seventy-nine tombs within the j-ard. The first interment 
was that of Isaac Johnson, of the Winthrop company, who 
died a few weeks after 
the removal to Bos- 
ton. Around liim lie 
many of the eminent 
dead, both of his o^\ n 
and a later gonei- 
ation, including (.o\ 
John Winthrop, hib 
son, and grand&on, 
governors of Con- 
necticut. 

The Old Noit 
burying-ground uj) 
Copp's Hill was th' 
second one, thouiiii 
opened only a few 
years earlier than that 
known as the Gran- 
ary burying-ground, 

on Tremont Street, between the Park Street Church and 
the Tremont House. This second burial-place was opened 
for interments in November, 1660. Manj' changes have 
been made around the hill, but the dust of the dead has 
not been disturbed. Here is the tomb of the Mathers, — 
Drs. Increase, Cotton and Samuel, • — eminent ministers 
of the North End. 



-P 



W 



^}^ 



_i_ 




K1I4G*S CUAP£L, BOSTON. 

The third repositorj* of the dead, tlie Granarj' bmying- 
ground, was so called because, at the time when it took 
that name, in 1737, an old granary building had been 
moved to the present site of the Park Street Church. 
Its earlier name was the South burying-ground. Here 
is a monument over the tomb of the parents and other 



relatives of Benjamin Franklin. Eight governors of the 

early days were entombed here. Within this enclosure 

were deposited the remains of Robert Treat Paine, 

one of the signers of 

the Declaration of 

j' Independence, Judge 

:^ Samuel Sewall, Peter 

ii!^ Faneuil, and Paul 

I ' Revere. 

^„^ The Central bury- 

ing-gi-ound is that on 

'he Common, near 

I'Oylston Street. It 

was opened in 1756. 

It seems to have been 

used for the burial of 

strangers. 

Concerning some of 
the more important 
earlier residences, a 
word or two must suf- 
fice. The old Prov- 
ince House, the ancient abode of the royal governors, 
was one of the last relics of the Colony to disappear. It 
fronted that part of Washington Street formerly' known 
as ]\Iarlborough, nearly opposite the head of Milk Street. 
The once stately edifice was destroyed hy fire in October, 
1804. The Hancock house, a stone building, and one of 



I'SE, BEACON STREET. 




FRANKLIN S Bl 



the noblest private mansions of the Colonial period, as 
also long one of the unique features of the city, stood 
just beyond the State House on Beacon Street, facing 
the Common. It was demolished in 1863. 

The site of the birthplace of Benjamin Franklin 
awakens pleasant associations. On Milk Street, a short 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



distance from Washington Street, we see on the right 
hand, as we pass down, a large granite warehouse, be- 
neath whose cornice, in raised letters, is the inscription, 
"Birthplace of Franklin." This building occupies the 
lot on which stood the house in which the great man was 
born, Jan. 6, 1706. It was a three-story house, if we 
reckon the gable containing the attic as a stor}-, and was 
entered from a passage-waj-, the gable-end projecting 
into the street over the lower stor3-. It was built in the 
old coloniil di^s, and destiojcd b} file in 1810 

The building known as the Old Coiner Bookstore 



uary, 1763, James Otis delivering the re-opening address. 
In 1806 it was enlarged bj' doubling its width, making it 
eighty feet, and by adding a third story. The historic 
events which connect with this "Cradle of Liberty," 
would make an interesting volume. 

The Old State House, at the head of State Street, and 
oceupj-ing the site of the earlier town houses, was erected 
in 1748. It has been used as a town house, as a court 
house, as a State House, and as a barrack for soldiers, and 
WIS the fiist meichantb' exchange. The con\ tntion to 
ntiU the Constitution of the United Stitcs held its meet- 




is reported the oldest brick structure in Boston. The site 
is connected with a long and varied business history. 
The present building was erected in 1712. In a house 
standing upon this spot lived the famous Anne Hutchin- 
son, a leader in the Antinomian movement. 

The Old South Church, on the north comer of Wash- 
ington and ]\Iilk streets, is, perhaps, the most interesting 
old landmark of Boston. It was desecrated bj' British 
troops in 1775-6. A regiment of "Light Dragoons" set 
up a riding-school in it. The great fire of 1872 came 
near, but did not touch it. The smn required to preserve 
it as an historic monument is 8400,000, only a part of 
which has been raised. 

Faneuil Hall, origina% built in 1 742, was rebuilt in Jan- 



ing here before adjourning to the Federal Street Church. 
In its beginning, its west end was used a post-office, and 
again in 1858. In it met also the patriots of the Eevo- 
lution. It was at one time used as a city hall, but it 
retains the name of State House. Various alterations, 
adapting it to business purposes, have been made. 

In passing down State Street from Washington Street, 
there may be seen on the right, a few rods below the Old 
State House, a structure known as Brazer's Building. 
This is on the site of the First Church, — that humble 
house, with a thatched roof and mud walls, in which John 
Wilson and John Cotton preached. 

Passing from State Street to the Common, to the foot 
of Flagstaff Hill, we ma}' see the enclosure where, until 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



the wintry storm of 1876, stood the great elm. Its 
early days undoubtedly lay back of Blackstone's coining 
to the peninsula. According 
to a doubtful tradition, vie 
tims of the witchcraft delusion 
were hung from its liranches. 

Public Buildings. — The State 
House, on Beacon Hill, with 
its gilded dome, is the first 
to attract the attention of a 
stranger. It was first occu 
pied by the legislature in Jan 
uary, 1798. Its dome is 230 
feet from the sea level, and 
from the lantern that sur 
mounts it a magnificent view 
of the surrounding country is 
obtained. In front are the 
statues of Daniel Webster and 
Horace Mann. Within are am 
pie halls and business rooms 
a library containing 30,000 

volumes, marble statues, battle-flags of the State regi- 
ments, and other sacred and interesting memorials. 

The Custom-House 
on State Street, is 
a substantial building 
of the Doric order, 
built of granite, and 
costing a million dol- 
lars. It was opened 
in August, 1847. 

The Post Office 
Building, fronting on 
Post Office Square, 
will be, when com- 
pleted, architecturally 
grand, and will cost 
more than two mil- 
lions of dollars. The 
portion now finished, 
and occupied since 
1875, is less than half 
of the contemplated 
size. It is built of 
Rockport granite. 

The City Hall, in 
attractiveness of arch- 
itecture, is one of the 

- , 1 ., ,. . ,, THE hTATE li 

finest buildnigs in the 

city of Boston. It is built of Concord granite, in the 




style of the Italian Renaissance, and cost a half a million 
of dollars. It is situated on Court Square, fronting 
on School Street. Greenough's I 
statue of Franklin in front, | 
stands near the site of the j 
Latin school-house, where the ' 
philo'iopher attended in his 
bojhood. 

The Public Library Building 
on Boj-lston Street, fronting \ 
the foot of the Common, is 
built of brick, and is a large 
md elegant edifice. Its in- 
teiior arrangement is finely' 
adapted to the classification 
ind use of its two hundred 
thousmd volumes. 

The new English High and 
Latin School building, whieli 
the citj- of Boston is iww 
erectmg on the lot fronting 
on Warren Avenue, and Mont- 
gomery and Dartmouth streets, is a building of mag- 
nificent proportions and appointments. It is the largest 
structure in America 
devoted to educa- 
tional purposes, and 
the largest in the 
world used as a free 
public school. The 
building was begun 
in 1877 ; and that 
portion to be used by 
the schools will be 
completed in July, 
18^0, at a total cost 
of about $425,000. 

The Common and 
Public Garden. — Bos- 
ton Common is a eon- 
sjiicuous feature of the 
citj Curiously erro- 
neous notions have 
pit\ ailed in regard to j 
how this magnificent 
ik became public 
jiopertj', and the con- 
tiolof the city over it. 
It was originall}' set 
oil and used as a 
traiuing-field ou muster days. In 1640, in consequence of 




MASSACHUSETTS. 



a movement of certain citizens, discovered none too soon, 
looking toward a furtl 
a vote was passed h\ 
tlic town to tlie effect 
tliat no more land 
sliould be granted out 
of the Common. "It 
is solelj- bj' the pow ei 
of this vote," le- 
marks the author of 
"Boston Illustiated, ' 
"and the jealousy ot 
the citizens sustain 
ing it, that the Com 
mon was kept sacred 
to the uses of the 
people as a whole 
from 1G40 until the 
adoption of the citj 
charter, when, bj' the 
desire of the citizens, 
and hy tlie consent of 
tlie legislature, the right to ahcnate an^ poition of the 
Common was expressly withheld from the city govern- 
ment." This park, confronting the State House on 
Beacon Hill, contains some 48 acres of land, and is 




spanned by an iron bridge with granite piers, and of 
I (lesion. It-j (laiiitv flower-beds, plants, grass- 
plats, wide stretches 
of handsome lawns, 
and winding gravel- 
paths ; its fountains, 
statues of marble and 
bionze, and rustic ar- 
bois, present a scene 
of varied and almost 
unnvalled beauty. 

llomimeiUs, Stat- 
ues, &c. — The army 
and navj' monument, 
designed hj Martin 
Milmore, and erected 
bj the city of Boston 
m memoiy of her 
sons who fell in the 
cnil war, stands on 
the noted Flagstaff 
HiU in the Common. 
The ether monument, presented bj Thomas Lee to the 
city in 1868, located in the Public Garden, commemo- 
rates the discovery of the anaesthetic properties of ether. 



ornc- rosTo^ 




CISTOM HOLSE, II sT JN 

elaI)orately ornamented, abounding in lawns, walks 



shade-trees. 

The Public Garden, an improvement of comparatively 
recent date, is one of the most attractive spots in the 
citj'. In its midst is a pond, covering several acres. 



CIT-i HMI, BOSTON 

Among the more prominent statues which grace the 
city not hitherto mentioned, are the equestrian statue of 
Washington by Thomas Ball, said to be the largest piece 
of its kind in America, placed in the Public Garden ; the 
Edward Everett statue, designed by Story, also in the 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



Public Garden ; the Alexander Hamilton statnc, pie- 
sented to the city 1)3' Thomas Lee , the Chaik* Snmnei 
statnc, in the Pul)lic Garden, 
designed b3' Ball, and the 
John Glover statue, bj' Mil- 
more, presented to the cit} bj 
Benjamin Tjler Reed. 

The Josiah Quiney statue, 
designed by Ball, is now in 
process of erection in fiont 
City Hall. 

A statue to commcmonti 
the Act of Emancipation 1)\ 
Abraham Lincoln, and tin 
gift of Hon. Moses Kimbnil 
is about to be erected on Pai 1 
Square. 

Educational Institutions — 
Besides its public schools sup 
ported by the city, Boston is 
rich in its institutions of learn- 
ing supported by the State, 
or endowed by private munificence. The Harvard Med- 
ical School is on North Grove Street. It was removed 
from Cambridge to Boston in 1810, and entered its 
present quarters in 1846. The Har- 
vard Dental School is at 50 Allen 
Street. These schools have the ample 
educational jjrovisions and thorough- 
ness of instruction which eharacteiize 
Harvard University. 

Boston Universit}' was incorpoiated 
hy the General Court of Massachu- 
setts in 1867.* 

•At the present time (1879) it includes sit 
dep,ni-tmcnts : — I. The School of Theolog\ , 
formerly the General Methodist Biblicil Insti- 
tute, founded in Concord, N. H., in 1S47, re 
moved to Boston, and incorporated as tlic ' J lie 
Boston Theological Semin.ir.v," in 1807, tuns 
fcrrcd to the trustees of the Boston Uunii^ity 
in 1871. II. School of Law, opened in 1S72 
III. School of Medicine (first, orhomceopithic), 
1873. IV. School of Oratory, opened in 1873 
V. College of Liheral Arts, or Academic Depart- 
ment, opened 1873. VI. College of Music, 
opened 1872. The New England Female Med- 
ical College has been leased to the tru'.tics of 
the University, <ind will be merged mto the 
School of Medicine. Isaac Rich, Esq , be- 
queathed to the University more than a million 
of dollars. The whole number of professois, 
lecturers, and instructors is already 76. Se^ eial 
additional departments have been projected. 
The Kov. William F. Warren, LL. D., is pres- 
ident. — Xason's Mass. Gazetteer. 




OS COMMON 




Boston College was founded in 18G3 b}- the Fathers of 
the Society of Jesus It is located on Harrison Avenue. 
The value of its buildings and 
grounds is about $200,000. 
It has sixteen professors and 
other instructors. 

The Lowell Institute, en- 
dowed by John Lowell, Jr., 
with a legacy of $250,000, 
and opened in 1848, furnishes 
jearly free courses of scientific 
lectures. 

The Massachusetts Institute 
of Technology on Boylston 
Street, a few rods south of the 
Public Garden, was incorpo- 
rated in 1861, and has 40 in- 
structors. 

Homes for the Sick and 
Poor. — Boston is remarkable 
for its provisions, both public 
and charitable, for all classes 
of surtering humanity. The list of its hospitals, homes, 
asylums, almshouse and charitable organizations, is 
one of honoralile length, and embraces some of the 
most notalile eleemosynary institu- 
tions in the land, f 

t The following arc among the most prom- 
inent: The Massachusetts General Hospital 
was commenced in 1818, and incorporated in 
1829. It occupies a line granite building on 
Blossom Street. The Perkins Institution for 
the Blind is on Mt. Washington. It was in- 
corporated in 1839. The Home for the Aged 
Foor is on Dudley Street, corner of Woodward 
Avenue, Roxhury District. It was incorpo- 
rated in 1872 by the " Little Sisters of the Poor," 
a Catholic sisterhood. They now support 20,000 
old people. The CharlcstowTi District has its 
Winchester Home for Aged AVomen on Eden 
Street; and there is the Home for Aged Men 
on Springfield Street, Boston proper. Little 
AVanderers find tender Christian care at the 
Baldwin-Place Home.. Infants are cared for at 
the Massachusetts Infant Asylum, in the Ja- 
maica Plain District. There is a Consumptives' 
Home at Grove Hall, Dorchester District. Dr. 
C'lillis, the founder, has received from voluntary 
contributions, on which it depends, over $300,000 
since itst.artedinlS66; 1,700 consumptives have 
come under its fostering care. The city alms- 
house for girls is on Deer Island ; the House of 
Industry at South Boston; the almshouse for 
men on Uainsford Island ; a Home for the Poor 
on the Austin farm, in the West Roxbuiy Dis- 
trict; and an almshouse in the Charlestown 
District, on the north side of Mystic River, near 
the Maiden Bridge. 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



Modern Church Edi- 
fices. — Among the 
more elaborate and 
costly churches of the 
city of Boston of re- 
cent construction, are 
the new Trinity and 
the now Old South in 
the Back Bay section 
of the city, and the 
Cathedral of the Holy 
Cross on the corner of 
"Washington and Mai- 
den streets. Each of 
these is of magnificent 
proportions and ele- 
gant design. The im- 
posing Cathedral is 
the largest church in 
New England, seating 
nearly 3,000 persons. 
One of its towers, 
when completed, will 
he 300 feet in height. 

t'HARLESTOWN. — The Settlement of Charlestown proi 
may be dated from the arrival of Ralph 
S[)rague and his two brothers, Richard and 
William, and three others, who came from 
Salem, under the prompting of Endicott, 
in the summer of 1628. They found tlic 
place occupied by Indians, whose chief 
bade them welcome. Thomas 
"Walford, a smith, was the only 
white man. In 1629 the Rev. 




TRINITY CHTRCH, BOSTON 



turned to England the 
next year, but Mr. 
Graves left his im- 
press upon the early 
history of the town. 
He was an engineer, 
and was emploj-ed by 
the people to survey 
and layout their lands. 
Each settler was at 
first assigned a two- 
acre lot, " to plant 
upon, and all to fence 
in common. ' ' Mr. 
Graves, under the ap- 
proval of the govern- 
or, laid out the streets 
and form of the town. 
The people were en- 
gaged, in the mean- 
time, securing suit- 
able shelter for their 
families. While thus 
severe sick- 




ness was added to theh many hardships, and, by the fol- 
lowing April, 80 had died ; and to insufficient shelter and 
food, hard work and sick- 
ness, came Indian alarms. 
But the town had loss to 
fear from the Indians ni 
consequence of their fair 




Francis Bright, and Mr. Graves, agent of the company, 
ami about a hundred others arrived. Mr. Bright rc- 



NEW OLD SOUTH CUUKCll, BOSTON. 

dealing with them from the beginning. Tlieir right to 
the soil was recognized, and their claims satisfied, before 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



a foot of the land was surveyed and assigned to the 
whites. 

The summer of 1631 was short and wet, and the 
Indian-corn crop was light, so that it is recorded of the 
winter that followed, that it was verj- sharp and long. 

For two years after the removal of the Winthrop com- 
pany, with their pastor, Mr. Wilson, to Boston, the 
Charlestown members crossed the river and worshipped 
with their old friends ; but, Nov. 2, 1632, they formed 
a church on their own peninsula, 35 of them having 
been dismissed for that purpose. The Rev. Mr. James, 
who had been driven from England bj* his non- conformity' 
sentiments, was chosen pastor. The little flock soon lost 
the sjjirit of unity. This state of things continued until 
September, 1634, at which time the Rev. Mr. Sj-mmes 
arrived in town, and was promptl}- elected teacher. But 
the coming of the new shepherd was an occasion for more 
intense altercations. Mr. James gave great offence by 
divers speeches, for which he was dealt with by 3Ir. 
Symmes and the brethren. Then followed the calling in 
of the elders and messengers of the next churches ; then 
a council of ministers ; and in 1636, Mr. James's connec- 
tion with the church as one of its ministers, was dis- 
solved. 

Mr. Svmmes came into the country in 1634, in the 
same ship with Mrs. Anne Hutchinson. In the proceed- 
ings against her and her followers, in which there was 
intense party feeling, and concerning which the chm-ches 
of the Colon J", as well as the people at large, were 
seriously di-vdded, Charlestown took an active part. 
Their pastor was one of the leaders in the suppression of 
the heresj', as it was regarded, and its suj^portcrs. 

Prominent men, meantime, of Mr. Symmes's church, 
did not sympathize with him in his spii-it and measures 
in this conti-overs}'. Twelve of them signed a protest 
against the act of the General Court in banishing Mrs. 
Hutchinson and others of like belief from the Colony. 
But under pressure ten of them acknowledged theii- 
" sin " in signing it, and requested that their names might 
be crossed out. 

The next year after the removal of Mr. James, Rev. 
John Harvard was settled as a colleague of Mr. Sj-mmes. 
Although Mr. Har\-ard came to this, his first pastorate, 
in a time of intense controversial excitement, and became 
officially associated with one of its violent leaders, he 
seems to have quietlj' ignored the whole matter. John 



Harv.ard w.is interred on Unrinl Hill. Tr.idition s.iys, a gravestone 
the spot where bis remains were deposited, nntil tlie w.-.r of t'.io 
Revolution. It remained from that time an unlionorcd spot nntil the 
26tli of September, 1823, when a monument was raised on tlic Iiill to his 
memory, with appropriate Bcrviccs. It v.-as secured by 



Quincy Adams, almost two hundred years later, said of 
him : ' ' He was not distinguished among the divines of 
the age as a disputant ; he took a less beaten path to the 
veneration of after times, and a shorter road to heaven." 

Perhaps his declining health influenced in part this 
wise course. Though a young man, he came to the 
country evidently marked as the early victim of consump- 
tion, and died Sept. 14, 1638.* 

Soon after Harvard's death. Rev. Thomas Allen arrived 
in this country, and became a teacher in the First 
Church, wliich office he held for about eleven jears. 

The Town HiU was at first called WiudmiU Hill, a 
windmill having been built upon it in 1635. As earl}' as 
1646, the toT'fn voted that it should lie common to the 
town forever. It was at first much higher than now, 
large quantities of gravel having been taken from its top. 
The Training-Field was, about the same time, reserved 
for military purposes. 

The Old Burial-Ground seems to have been used for 
that purpose from the first settlement, and. not long 
after, "this beautifullj'-located hillock," and the road 
leading to it, was reserved, by vote, to the town for- 
ever. 

The first fen-y between Charlestown and Boston was 
where the Charles River Bridge is, and was put in opera- 
tion in 1631 hy Edward Converse, the court allowing him 
to have two pennies for a single person, and one penny 
each for more than one. f 

We have stated that the First Church, in their early 
history, worshipped in the Great House, which stood on 
what is now the Square. The next meeting-house was 
situated between the town and the neck, and was sold in 
1639 for £100, which sum was used, in connection with 
subscriptions, for the erection of the third house. This 
was located between the present town house and the 
entrance to Main Street. 

" The Great House," to which reference has so often 
been made, has a conspicuous place in the history of the 
Erst century of the town. It was earh' the governor's 
house, and the place where tlie court sat and the people 
assembled for religious service, and, about 1637, became 
an " ordinary," that is, a tavern, and was kept by one 
Long. ]\Ir. Long and his sons kept this tavern for nearly 
three-quarters of a century. 

Though schools were supported from the verj^ first 
settling of the town, no school-house was buUt until 



of the Hon. Edward Everett, and erected by the graduates of Harvard 
University. 

t This was called " The Great Ferry." The court soon charged rent, and 
the income was given to Harvard College. " Penny Ferry," the second 
one, was established in 1G40, and was where Maiden Bridge is now located. 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



1648, at which time one was erected, by order of the town 
meeting, on Windmill Hill. 

Forts, and military organizations and drill, were 
among the necessities of this early period. The poor 
were cared for by being lioardcd from house to house, at 
the public expense. The population of Cliarlestown in 
1640 was about a thousand. 

Town meetings, and general election daj-s for colonial 
I officers, became earl^' important occasions, so the ques- 
tion of qualification for voting was a vital one. 
' The first ten years of Charlestown are claimed by 
early writers, and it would seem, with reason, as years 
giving occasion for special congratulation. A prosperous 
business had been commenced, whai-ves and warehouses 
built, and a shipyard established. "The people bad 
risen," says one writer, "from penury to plenty ; they 
had comfortable houses, gardens and orchards, so that a 
stranger wondered at God's blessing on their endeavors." 

The people of Charlestown manifested their interest 
from time to time in popular education. In 1644, it was 
voted that every family should give yearly to Harvard 
College, one peck of wheat, or twelve pennies in monej'. 
This thej' continued to do for many years. 

In 1679, the town voted to appropriate £50 for a free 
> school, and to erect a convenient house for the master. 
From this time, the cause of education steadily pros- 
pered. 

"Master Cheever" deserves special notice as one of 
the early teachers of Suffolk County. He came to Boston 
in 1637, and wont to New Haven, where he was an 
instructor of youth for twelve years. In 1650, he 
removed to Ipswich, where he taught eleven years. His 
next residence was in Chnrlestown, continuing nine 
j'ears. He then went to Boston, and became master of 
the Latin School, in which position he remained until 
his death, in 1708, aged 93. Many of his pupils became 
the great men of their generation. 

Mr. Symmes having been the only pastor for eight 
years, the church chose, in 1659, the Rev. Thomas Shep- 
ard as teacher. He was the son of an eminent minister 
of Cambridge, and was educated at Harvard College. 
He proved himself a good and great man, and, though 
he did not rise above the intolerance of the age in which 
he lived, was too kind-hearted to insist upon extreme 
measures towards assumed heretics. 

Charlestown had a famous contention with the Baptist 
"heresy," which commenced about four 3'ear3 before 
Mr. Shopard's settlement. It began in 1655, in the 
refusal of a member of the church, by the name of Gould, 
to offer his infant child in baptism, and resulted in the 
organization of a Baptist church, May 28, 1665 — the first 



church of that denomination in Charlestown. After 
having suffered much vexatious treatment at the hands of 
the authorities, this society at length, about 1675, re- 
moved to Boston. 

In 1675, Mr. Shepard, who had been sole pastor since 
Mr. Symmes's death, which, after a pastorate of nearly 
thirty j-ears, occurred in 1671, was given a colleague in 
the Rev. Joseph Browne. About two years later, Mr. 
Shepard visited one of his flock who was sick with the 
small-pox, caught the disorder, and died. He was in 
the meridian of life, being onl}' 43 years of age, and 
in the midst of useful labors. " The whole country was 
filled with lamentation on his decease." President Oakes 
of Harvard College wrote : 

" Next to the tears our sins do need and crave, 
I would bestow my tears on Shepard's grave." 

His daughter Anna married Daniel Quincj', and their 
son John was the person after whom John Quincy Adams 
was named. She was his maternal ancestor. 

Rev. Thomas Shepard, son of the former pastor, was 
settled over this church in 1G81, preaching his own 
ordination sermon. He has passed into history as a 
wonderful man in gifts, attainments and piety. His 
ministry, though brilliant, was brief. He died June 7, 
1685, four j-ears after his settlement, at a very early age. 
His successor, the Rev. Charles Morton, a man of emi- 
nence, was settled in 1686. 

A few of Charlestown's prominent citizens, who held 
high offices under the crown, opposed the return to 
popular government after the overthrow of Andros, with- 
out express sanction from England. Among those was 
Capt. Lawrence Hammond, a man of ability, and highly 
honored. His protests, in connection with others of lilcc 
spirit, against the popular movement, were so strong 
that they were considered seditious, and they suffered 
imprisonment, by confinement to their houses. However, 
the new home rule, under the Prince of Orange, soon gave 
its sanction to tho return of the people to their former 
liberties, and then Hammond and his friends fell into the 
established order, and quiet ensued. 

Charlestown had one especially memorable case of 
witchcraft, that of Jlrs. Nathaniel Csxry. Her husband 
was at the head of tho board of selectmen, and later a 
representative. The family was one of the most respected 
in town. Mrs. Cary fell under the accusations of the 
"poor afflicted" girls of Salem. The court would no 
doubt have hanged her, but she made a timely escape to 
Rhode Island, and from thence to New York. Her 
husband suffered a brief imprisonment at Salem, and 
seizure of goods on her account. 

The first almshouse of the town was built in 1728, and 




HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



was located in the Square. In 1734, a new court-house 
was built, which was also placed npon the Square.' In 
1 754, the old town house was repaired, and opened for a 
school." 



•'spinnm. 

The historj- of 
Bunker Hill Monu- 
ment, though one 
of general interest, 
yet has claims to a 
local sketch. The 

I first placed on the 
hill was erected by 

i the King Solomon's 

! Lodge of Charles- 
town, and was dedi- 

! cated with appro- 

: priate ceremonies, 
Dec. 2, ] 794. This 
monument stood a 

j few rods west of 

! the present monu- 
ment. It was a 
Tuscan pillar built 
of wood, 18 feet 
liigh, raised on a 

I brick pedestal eight 
feet square, and ris- 
ing ten feet from the 
ground, and cost 
about one thousand 
dollars. The Bun- 
ker Hill Monument 

, Association was ni- 
corporated June 7, 
182.3. Their pui- 
pose was — '■ Tht 
erection of an en- 
during monument 
to the memory of 
those statesmen and 
soldiers who led the 
way in the Amer- 
ican Revolution ' 

The corner-stone of BCTJkrii im 

the present monument ■ms hid June 17 ls_' ) IIil 

■oratory of Dan'el Webstei, who ga\e the addiess the 
in-esence of Gen. Lafayette, the nation's guest, the im- 
posing ceremonies, and the immense multitude which 

» The monnment was designed liy Solomon Willard. Its entire cost 
was $156,000. It is 30 feet in diameter at the base, about IS feet at the 
top of tlie truncated pait, and 221 feet in height. The cap-stone is a 



attended, made the occasion one of historic interest. 
The enterprise met with manj' obstacles. It was sus- 
pended until the spring of 1827, when the work com- 
menced and con- 
tinued to Januaiy, 
1829, caiTj-ing the 
pillar about 37 feet 
in height. The en- 
terprise was then 
delayed until June 
1834, when the 
work again started, 
and the monument 
was raised to the 
height of 82 feet. 
It was again de- 
layed for want of 
funds. The ladies 
then came to the 
rescue, and raised, 
by means of a fair, 
over $30,000 ; and 
.1 udah Touro and 
Amos Lawrence do- 
nated each $10,000. 
The work was re- 
commenced Ma}- 2, 
1841, and the last 
stone was raised 
July 23, 1842. On 
the 17th of June, 
1843, its comple- 
tion was celebrated 
bj a grand proces- 
sion, and an elo- 
quent oration from 
the same eminent 
oi itor, Daniel Web- 
ster, whose glow- 
ing and patriotic 
utterances at the 
n ing of the corner 
stone in 1823 had 
become historic. * 
Chiikstown wis annexed to Boston in October, 1873. 
Dorchester — Ihe " Mai> und John," which left 
England the 20th of March, 1()30, arrived in the Bay 
after a stormy passage of 70 days. Her ship's corn- 
single stone, i feet square at the base, and 3 feet 6 inches in height, weigh- 
ing 2i tons. Within the shaft is a hollow cone, with a curcular stairway 
winding round it to the summit, which enters a circular chamber at the top. 




MASSACHUSETTS. 



panj-,* numbering 140 persons, arrived at Nantasket 
Point, Hull, May SOtli. After some delaj-, and greatl^' 
to tlieir grief and scandal, they were obliged to effect a 
landing on the Sabbath daj-. 

Subsequentlj', an exploring company, having exam- 
ined the Mattapan region, now known as Dorchester, 
were impressed that it afforded good pasturage for their 
cattle, cspeciallj' that portion near and on the neck. 

The whole company' immediatcjly removed with their 
cattle to this place, selecting a spot on the main land 
near the south side of what is now South Boston, long 
known as Dorchester Neck. 

They began at once to put up tents and huts, keeping 
close together, as they had been instructed to do before 
leaving England. This precaution was, no doubt, 
prompted by a fear of Indian attacks. For the same 
reason, thej- built a fort near the shore. But the Indians 
proved friendl}-. 

The first summer was one of great toil. Having had 
no time to plant and gather, the winter was one of cold, 
hunger and sickness. Tlic}^ fasted and prated, and 
when relief came, b3' the arrival of provisions from 
England, they turned their fastings into praise. They 
planted and gathered a fair harvest in 1C31, besides 
improving their houses, and making preparations for 
greater winter comfort. The arrival of several ships 
during the 3-ear increased their numbers, thus adding 
to their strength and courage. 

In 1G35, Eichard Mather and a company of "godly 
people " landed in Boston, and soon after removed to 
Dorchester. This Jlr. IMather was the ancestor of the 
eminent ministers of the name, who have so large a 
place in the history of the county, as well, as of the 
Colonj' at large. On the coming of the Mather compan}' 
to Dorchester, one of its pastors, Jlr. AVareham, and 
about half of the church, removed to Windsor, in Con- 
necticut, " to make room for them." The church which 
remained, had Mr. Maverick and Mr. Mather as religious 
instructors, and worshipped in a humble meeting-house, 
erected the second summer of their arrival. This was 
located on Allen's Plain, near the corner of what is now 
Pleasant and Cottage streets, and was the first erected in 
the BaJ^ As fears were at the time entertained of attacks 
by the Indians, it was surrounded by a palisade, stored 
with munitions of war, and a guard set over it at night. 
This building answered its double purpose of fort and 
place for religious service for fifteen years. 

As earl}' as 1733, a bridge was built over Neponset 

• Previous to their departiu-c from Dorchester, Ens., they chose the 
Rev. Mr. M.avcrlck, and the Rev. Jlr. Wareliam, both ministers of the 
Episcopal Church, to be their religious teachers. 



River, a mill set up, and a fish-weir erected. Fish- 
ing was one of the specialties of the town in its early 
days. It was during this year that an order was adopted 
establishing the form of town government, the first iu 
the country. This led to the law of the General Court, 
passed in 1G36, and which is still in force. 

The next step in the way of public improvement was 
a cartway to' the mill. An arrangement was made, 
about the same time, for " a decent burving-place." 

The town was caused great sorrow by the death of one 
of its pastors, Mr. Slaverick, during the winter following 
the arrival. He left a good record as a minister and 
citizen. 

There is an early record of Dorchester's interest in 
common schools. It was voted, in 1609, to levy a tax 
for the maintenance of a school. It is believed that 
this was the first public provision ever made for a free 
school by a direct tax on the inhabitants of a town. 

The church, after the removal of both "Wareham and 
Maverick, seems to have had some difllculty in securing 
an associate in the pastorate for Mr. Mather. The 
Rev. Jonathan Burr, with his wife and three children, 
had arrived in town from England in 1G39, and imme- 
diatelj' united with the church. He preached to the 
general acceptance of the people, and was settled ; 
dying, however, in a little over a year, at the age of 37. 
No stone marks the place of his burial. 

The inhabitants, during these earlier years, were, 
naturally, to a greater or less extent, subject to alarms 
and panics on account of the Indians. 

In the 3'ear 1G45, a new meeting-house was built. It 
seems that a pressui-e was brought to bear upon the 
town in reference to this enterprise, for the town voted, 
earl}- in the year, that "for peace and love's sake there 
shall be a new meeting-house built." 

In 1G49, a coadjutor of Mr. Mather was found in the 
person of the Rev. John AVilson, Jr., the son of his 
friend. Rev. John Wilson, first pastor of the Boston 
church. Young Wilson, however, remained in Dor- 
chester only two years, and then removed to Mcdfield, 
where he preached 40 years. Mr. Mather's salary, 
in IG.'JO, was £100, a liberal compensation for those 
days. This sum was continued for many years. His 
parish, also, assisted in the support of the president and 
professors of Harvard College. 

In 1G62, Milton (Unquety) was incorporated as a 
township, having to this time been a part of Dorchester. 
In 1GG3, Mr. Mather's salary was made £95, ar.d he 
was relieved of a part of his duties by an assistant, Sir. 
Stoughton. 

In 1665 a pressing invitation was extended to Mr. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



Stoughtou to accept of a formal settlement as their 
junior pastor. This he modestly- declined without giving 
specific reasons for so doing. Six times was this invi- 
tation extended, through several years, but as often de- 
clined, though he consented to assist Mather by preach- 
ing, as before. He was esteemed as an eloquent and 
learned divine, and his praise was in all the churches. 
i But he was evidently, even at this time, being driven 
towards the more secular calling to which the most 
of his life was devoted. In 1G7G he wont to England as 
one of the agents of the Colony to settle s..me land 
claim, which had been made against it. He rose to the 
position of lieutenant-governor, and then of governor of 
the Province of Massachusetts. But it was perhaps as 
chief justice of its Supreme Court tl'it he secured a 
great, and, in one respect, a 
sad renown. He presiik d at 
the court in Salem in 1()0>, 
which tried and condemned 
the unfortunate persoub ac- 
cused of witchcraft. His 
honest convictions of their 
guilt, and the justice ot then 
execution, were intense at 
the time, and never subse- 
quently modified. He u- 
tired from the bench vith 
disgust, when he heaid of 
the reprieve of some ol the 
condemned. 

He died the 7th of July, 
1701, in the 71st year of mk.-tixo-hoi-si; i 

his age. He was never married. He was quite wealthy, 
and left bequests to tlie churches of Dorchester and Mil- 
ton, and to the poor also of each of those towns. He 
gave UberaUy while living to the cause of education, and 
left a large sum for Harvard College at his death.* 

In 16G9 Richard Mather, the eminent early pastor of 
Dorchester, died. He had ministered to the people in 
spiritual things for 34 years. He taught school before 
entering college, and graduating at Oxford, was ordained 
a minister of the Episcopal Church, and preached his 
first sermon when 22 years of age. He soon became 
known as one accepting opinions of non-conformity. 
This endangered the consummation of an intended mar- 
riage, for his lady's father did not like " non-con fonn- 



• Ilis house was at the north-east comer of the streets now known as 
Pleasant Street and Savin Hill Avenue. 

t The successors of Mr. Mather, until a quite recent date, have 
been as follows : — Ilcv. Josiah Flint, ordained 1670; died 1680; Kev. 
John Danforth, sole minister of the town for 47 years; Rev. Jonathan 




able Puritans." But he did mam- the daughter, and 
she proved an eminently good wife and mother. They 
had six sons. Four of them became distinguished min- 
isters ; two, Eleazer and Increase, the onlj- children born 
in America, were settled, the former in Northampton, 
and the last named in Boston. Their father came to the 
New World under the pressure brought to bear upon all 
known as non-confonnists. He stole away to escape 
arrest and imprisonment. He married for a second wife 
the widow of his friend John Cotton. Mr. Mather's 
death was sudden. While attending a ministerial coun- 
cil in Boston, April 16, 1CG9, he was taken sick, and 
returning home, expired a few days after. f 

The first meeting-house was built on Meeting-House 
Hill a 'spot no'v associated with so much of historic 
intdcst. A new house dis- 
placed the first one in 1G74, 
b( ing dedicated onl^' four 
da\s before the death of 
Ml Danforth, who had min- 
Kttred in the old house 31 
\cai3. In 1G93, pews were 
Imilt around the meeting- 
house, "except where the 
l)o\i did sit." The privi- 
k ^L of building a pew in 
the church was granted only 
' to meet persons." The 
thud edifice on this spot was 
built in 1741, and borned in 
1 744 . The fourth house was 
completed two years later. 
The belfry of this church was used during the siege of 
Boston at the oiiening of the Revolution, as a signal 
station. From it was waved the joyful news of the de- 
parture from the town of the British troops. The meet- 
ing-house being a conspicuous target, the British levelled 
at it their cannon, piercing it in several places, one 
ball passing through the belfry. This church was torn 
down in 1803. The present edifice was completed in 
June, 1804. The next year town meetings ceased to 
be held in the church, and a town house was imme- 
diately built. 

In 1698 the serious young men of the town formed an 
association for religious purposes. This society had an 
existence for 150 years. } 

Bowman, pastor for nearly U years ; Rev. Moses Everett, pastor for 
18 years ; and Rev. Thaddeus Mason Harris, whose pastorate continued 
43 years. 

X A part of their valuable library is in the keeping of the Dorchester 
Historical Society. 



n.L, DORCHESTER. 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



Ill 1798 the town erected a brick school-house on 
Meeting-house Hill. 

Until 1805 Dorchester had but one church. But the 
town had now increased considerably in population, and, 
under the ministry of Mr. Harris, there was a great want 
of room for the worshippers. A move for a new house 
was now made. A site was purchased at the corner 
of "Washington and Centre streets. The building was 
begun at once, and dedicated Oct. 30, 180G. The church 
was formed Jan. 1, 1808. The Rev. John Codman of 
Boston was chosen pastor, and was ordained Dec. 7, 
1S08. Mr. Codman was a man of decided ability and 
scholarly attainments, and of a wealthy and influential 
fomily. His ministry commenced under the most flat- 
tering auspices. But elements of division were abroad 
in the churches, and they found their expression in the 
Second Church of Dorchester. An influential part of 
the society sold their pews, 
and built a meeting-house in 
the south end of the town, 
known as Dorchester Lower 
Mills. It was dedicated Oct 
C. 181.3. The first pastor was 
the Rev. Edward Richmond 
The parish built a new house, 
of fine architectural propor- 
tions, in 1840, and dedicated 
it in October of the same 
year. The great gale of Sep- 
tember, 1815, so injured the 
old meeting-house of the First 
Parish, that a new one was built. It was dedicated in 
December, 181 G, and is the present edifice, which is well 
known for its fine proportions and beaut}- of situation. 

Dorchester was annc.ved to Boston, Jan. 3, 1870. 

RoxBURY.* — A narrow neck of land originall}' con- 
nected Roxbur}' with Boston. It was a mile long, and 
covered with trees. In its narrowest part, it was, in the 
da3"S of the first settlers, often overflowed hy the high 
tides. It was early improved by pavements and a 
dike. 

The general physical features of Roxbuiy are a good 
t^-jDO of those which characterize New England. It is 
uneven and rocky ; its prevalent stone is conglomerate, 
and in some places affords good quaixies for building 

* So called, probably, from tlic fact of its m.any rocks. It was an- 
nexed to Boston, Jan. 6, ISfiS. 

t In 1G42 Mr. Sannicl Hayhurnc made provisions in his will for the 
appropriation of a certain part of the yearly income from his property, 
to tlio good canse. This was followed by an engagement by some 60 
of the inhabitants, to pay certain sums yearly for the support of a free 
school. Ill 1G4(; they pledged their houses, liariis, orchards, and home- 




purposes. The carlj- chroniclers were favorably im- 
pressed with Roxbury. Wood, in his " New England 
Prospect," says of it in 1G34, "It is a fair and hand- 
some country town, the inhabitants of it being all very 
rich." 

•Roxbury was settled in IGoO. The settlers were 
mostl}' from London, a few coming from the west of 
England. They were a thrift}' class of people, many 
of them farmers, and " none of the poorer sort." Their 
moral tone, as the town appeared to an early eye-wit- 
ness, must have been excellent, for he writes: "One 
might dwell there from year to year and not see a drunk- 
ard, hear an oath, or meet a beggar." 

The first year was one of suffering, the cold being 
intense and fuel scarce. But few additions were made 
in 1G31. Tlie following year many came, and tiie year 
1G,j3, being a time of abundance, emigrants came 
— in gi cat numbers. The First 

Church was gathered in July, 
1(32, Thomas Welde being 
Iho pastor. John Eliot, the 
ipostle to the Indians, was 
chosen teacher in the No- 
vember following. A meet- 
ing-house was soon built. It 
stood where the house in which 
Di Putnam so long preached 
now stands, a very humble 
edifice ; it bad at first neither 
shingles without, nor pews or 
gidleries within. Samuel Dan- 
forth was settled as an assistant to Mr. Eliot, in 1643, 
Mr. Welde hr.ving returned to England. 

Roxbury, in common with the other towns of the 
Colony, gave early and generous attention to the estab- 
lishment of free schools, f 

Most fortunately for the schools of Roxbury, and of 
the Colony generally, Eliot was a wise and zealous pro- 
moter of their interests. The school at Jamaica Plain 
which bears his name, was founded by him, and he left 
in his will a valuable estate for its perpetual support. 

The first name connected with the early teachers of the 
" Free School in Roxburic " is that of " Father Stone " 
(1G48). Ward Chipman, a teacher in 1770, was subse- 
quently an eminent Canadian jurist. Among other in- 

steads, to the same objects. Twenty pounds per annum was voted as 
the salary of a teacher. The property given to the school from time to 
time, was, in 1789, put into the ch.-irgc of an incoi-poration, called, "The 
trustees of the Gnimmar School in the easterly part of the town of Ro.x- 
bury." The early teachers were at, times p:iid in corn. The town in 
16C3 set apart ten acres of hind from whidi their schoolm.aster might 
cut timber and wood " for his own use but not to sell." 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



structors of this school Tvho became eminent are Gen. 
Joseph "Warren, Gov. Increase Sumner, Judge William 
Gushing and Bishop Samuel Parker. 

In 1790 there were five schools, well located in vari- 
ous parts of the town, and having an aggregate of 225 
scholars. 

A new departure was taken in 181G in the text-books 
used. Previous to this the teachers used " such books as 
they liked," but now thej- were ordered bj- the committee. 

'1 he meeting-house of the Second Parish stood on 
Centre Street, near South.* ■ The present church was 
built in 1773. It was enlarged and beautified a few 
years ago. The late eminent Theodore Parker's earl}- 
ministry was in this house. 

The first meeting-houso of the Third or Jamaica Plain 
Parish Church, was dedicated in December, 1769. It 
stood on land given the town bj' Eliot. The present 
handsome clmrch, on the corner of Centre and Eliot 
streets, occupies the site of the first. The earliest pas- 
tor of the Third Church was Rev. AVilliam Gordon, who 
was installed in Jul}', 1772. 

At the corner of Washington and Eiistis streets is the 
first burial-gi-ound of Roxbury. The first interment was 
in 1G33. Hero the apostle Eliot, the Dudleys and War- 
rens were buried. 

A brief biographical notice of John Eliot, so con- 
spicuous in the car]y historj' of New England, belongs 
especially to the histor}- of Roxbury. He was born in 
Nosing, Essex, Eng., in 1G04, and was educated at 
Jesus College, Cambridge. He arrived in Boston, as 
we have noted, in November, 1G31, being but 27 j-ears of 
age. Here, in the absence of the pastor, Mr. Wilson, — 
on a visit to England, — he officiated for a short time. 
He was earnestly entreated to continue in this church as 
teacher, but declined the offer. He had promised some 
friends in England, that if the}- should remove to New 
England, he would be their pastor. They came the year 
after his arrival and settled in Roxbur}- ; and, immediately 
forming a church, they called Jlr. Eliot to be their 
minister, and he continued as pastor of that church 
nearly GO years. 

Eliot is speeiallj' known iu history for his devoted, 
wise and successful labors for the Indians. The year 
after his arrival in Boston he was man-ied to an earnestlj- 
pious 3"oung lady, to whom he had been some time 
betrothed, and who came to the country by appointment 
for that purpose. 

Eliot was an active promoter of the interests of com- 



* The first house of this society stood ( 
the south tlic old burial-ground, 
t .\nnexcd to Boston Jan. 5, 1S74. 



1 "Walter Street, adjoinini; 0:1 



men schools. At the Synod which met in Boston, he 
praj-ed that God would cause them to be established 
everywhere. He urged bis brethren of the ministerial 
council to encourage a good school in cverj- town. 

West Roxbury. f — West Roxbury was earh' known as 
Jamaica End and Spring Street. Within it lie Jamaica 
Plain and Pond, bordering on Brookline. Canterbury to 
the southj adjoining Dorchester, includes the two beau- 
tiful cemeteries of Forest Hills and Mount Hope. In 
the central part are the attractive settlements of Roslin- 
dale and Clarendon Hills. In the western portion are 
AVcst Roxbury Village and Spring Street. The highest 
elevation in Roxbury, known as Muddy Pond Hill, has 
lately taken the name of Bellevue. The citj' of Boston 
has placed on its summit an obscrvatorj', commanding 
an extensive view. 

AVest Roxbury was incorporated as a separate munici- 
pality in 18.51. 

The Bussej- Farm, a large tract hing between South 
and Centre streets, is a valuable propertj- belonging to 
Harvard Univcrsitj'. Benjamin Basse\', at his dea:h in 
1842, donated it to the university for the establishment 
of a seminary " for instruction in practical agriculture, 
useful and ornamental gardening, botanj" and such other 
'branches of natural science as ma}- tend to promote a 
knowledge of practical agriculture." The Bussey Insti- 
tute went into operation in 1871. It is built of Roxbury 
stone, with sandstone trimmings, and in the modern 
Gothic style. 

In the west part of the town lies Broolj Farm, famous 
for an unsuccessful experiment to form thereon a social- 
ist community. It was established in 1841, by the Rev. 
George Ripley, and conducted for a season by such 
literary gentlemen as Charles A. Dana, George William 
Curtis, Nathaniel Hawthorne and others. 

Forest Hills.X — The cemeteries in the suburbs of 
Boston are declared by those who have enjoyed ample 
opportunity for comparison as being, collectively, the 
most picturesque and beautiful resting-places cf the dead 
to which any city in this country can lay claim. The 
most attractive of all these, as well as the most artistic- 
ally embellished, is Forest Hills. The first impression 
one gains of the place is from the road which sweeps up 
through lawns and shrubbery to the main entrance, 
which, with its Gothic architecture clad in w-oodbine, is 
almost mediieval in its aspect. Ever}-wherc that im- 
provements have been made, the idea has been to set off 
the rugged beauty of the place, not to obscure it in a 

+ Consecrated June 2S, 1S4S. Its origin.tl area w.ns 104 acres. Its 
present area is 22G acres. This sketch of Forest Hills is condensed 
from the " Boston Herald " of a recent date. — Ed. 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



mass of embellishinents. On the left, as one passes up 
the main avenue, is the new receiving tomb, built of 
granite, with massive Gothic arches and tessellated floor. 
Grouped about are tropical plants, the dark green palms 
contrasting finely with the gray walls of the edifice. In 
front is a new fountain of simple yet artistic workman- 
ship. As the visitor ascends Consecration Hill his ej'e 
rests upon tlie monument of the Rice famil}-. Passing 
down Warren Avenue, near the grave of the hero of 
Bunker Hill, one comes to the bell-tower. 

On Roelc IMaple Avenue, is a new monument, erected 
by Curtis Guild of the " Commercial Bulletin." It is 
surmounted by an angel with uplifted hands, which is 
much bcj-ond the average mortuarj' statues in pose and 
treatment. Close b^', too, is a monument similar in 
appearance, recently erected by C. R. Ransom, Esq., 
entitled "Resignation." 

At the head of Lake Hibiscus is the " Rocker^-," con- 
taining a grotto, and planted with various vines and 
flowering plants. Little fountains spring up in unex- 
pected places, and a summer-house at the top, shrouded 
in trees, affords a grateful resting-place. On the south 
side of Lake Hibiscus is a bed, triangular in shape, con- 
taining 20,000 plants, principally geraniums, " mountain 
snow " and sweet alyssum. The south side of the ceme- 
tery possesses many fine monuments. Here is Commo- 
dore VVinslow's tomb, marked by a massive bowlder, 
which was brought from Jit. Kearsarge, and which is 
now clad in Japanese woodbine. 

A novelty in monumental art in this portion of the 
cemetery is a zinc shaft, erected bj' Rev. George Gan- 
nett, D. D., principal of the Gannett school in this city. 
Near L3' is a fine monument of Scotch granite, ordered 
by the Japanese government and placed over the grave 
of a student from Japan, wh > came to this country only 
to die. On Cjpress Avenue a monument has been 
erected to the memory of the noted physician, Edward 
H. Clark, M. D., bearing the appropriate text, "Be- 
cause I live 3"e shall live also." Near by, on the lower 
portion of Smilax Path, repose tlie remains of the great 
liberator, William Lloyd Garrison. Here, too, is the 
soldiers' lot, with Milmore's fine statue of " The Soldier 
at Rest." Passing back by the lake, the visitor ap- 
proaches the tomb built by Maj. Chadwick. It is of 
white marble, and ivas erected at an expense of §40,000. 

* Incorporated as .1 town in 1807, and annexed to Boston, Jan. 5, 1S74. 

t At the head of his regiment, of Middlesex, he was at the battle of 
Bunker Hill on the 17th of June, 1775. On the third attaelc of the Brit- 
ish forces, he advanced towards the rcdoulit, and on the way was struck 
by a ball which inflicted a mortal wound. Ho was borac to his home 
across the river, and died on the 3d of July. Washington had Uikcn 
command of the army at Cambridgo on the day previous to the death 



Close by. Judge Thomas, who stood so grandly against 
the rebellious South, is now buried. Other notable 
monuments in this vicinitj-, recently erected, are those of 
S. S. Rogers, John S. Sleeper and Moses Day. 

The Mount Hope Cemetery', consecrated June 24, 
1857, lies a little south of Forest Hills, partly in Dor- 
chester. It contains over 100 acres. It has a fine nat- 
ural location, and has been highly embellished by art. 

The Jamaica Plain division of West Roxbury has for 
many jears been a favorite summer residence of Boston 
people. Here are elegant country-seats and beautiful 
cottages. It is surrounded bj' sloping hills, forming a 
basin sheltered from the east winds. Its springs and 
brooks and lakes give it a picturesque appearance. 
Until a quite recent time its well-to-do farmers culti^■ated 
its rich soil, making it a market-garden for the metropo- 
lis. Originally called " Pond Plain," it received its 
present designation in 1GG7. Jamaica Pond, covering 
IGO acres, is, in some places, GO feet deep. 

BniGHTON.* — Among the early settlers of South Cam- 
bridge were those of the Champney, Dana and Spar- i 
hawk familes. Elder Richard Champney, of an old, dis- 
tinguished English family, came from Lincolnshire to 
Cambridge in 1G34-5. Ho purchased land on the soutli 
side of the river in 1G47, and his residence henceforth 
connected with what is now Brighton. He bequeathed 
40 acres of land on the south side of the river to Har- 
vard College "as an expression of his willingness to 
further the education of youth in all godly literature." 
His death occurred in 1GG9. Richard Dana settled in 
what is now Brighton in 1G40, and died in 1G90, from the 
effects of a fall from the scaflfold of his barn. He had a 
large estate bordering on the entire western side of Mar- 
ket Street, this street being laid out wholly through his 
estate in 1G5G. He was the progenitor of the Dana 
family, which has had on its family records more eminent 
names than any New England familj', excepting peihaps 
the Quincys. Richard Henry Dana, lately deceased at 
the great age of 91, one of the patriarchs of American 
literature, was a descendant from Richard. 

Another eminent name, that of Col. Thomas Gardner, 
is connected with South Cambridge. His estate, at the 
time of the war of the Revolution, was embraced in the 
now town of Brighton, and from his residence there, he 
went out to die for his country. f 

of Gardner, and among his first orders was the following: "July 4, 
1770. Col. Gardner is to bo Ijuried to-morrow, at three o'clock, p. m., 
with the military honors due to so brave and gallant an offlccr, who 
fought, bled and died in the cause of his country and mankind. His 
own regiment, except the company at Maiden, to attend on this mourn- 
ful occasion. The place of these companies in the line of Prospect Hill 
to 1)0 supplied by Col. Glover's regiment, until the funeral is over." 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 




Col. Gardner had been for some j-ears elected bj- his 
townsmen a member of the General Assembly ; he had 
also been chosen a member of tho Provincial Congress. 
By his carl3- death the cause of independence lost one of 
its ablest and truest friends. 

A church was organized on tlie Brighton side of 
Charles Eiver in 1730, and was the third in its founding 
of the three original precinct churches of the town of 
Cambridge. 

The Evergreen Cemetery, a beautiful ground, was 
opened in 18.jO. The address of consecration was de- 
livered by Rev. Frederick A. Whitney. It is contem- 
plated that a chapel may be erected within the enclosure. 

Brighton has a beautiful ^^^ 

public librar3' building, erect- -=^^ ^^^^ '^^ 

cd at a cost of nearly §70,000, 
and a monument of Quincy 
granite to the memory of the 
soldiers killed in the late war. 

By the bequest of Jlr. Jas. 
Ilolton, of an ancient family 
of the town, who died in 1SG3, 
the foundation was laid for a 
free public library. This Ilol- 
ton Librar_v is now the Brigli- 
ton branch of the Boston Pu' 
lie Library. 

Brighton has seven reliL;- 
ious societies, and excelkii 
graded seliools. 

This place has long been 
celebrated for its cattle-fair, 
which was commenced during 
the War of Independence.* 

South Boston. — Boston Neck (Mattapannock) seems 
to have been used until 1637, as the common pasture 
gromid for all the citizens owning cattle. After this time 
this privilege was granted to a limited number of per- 
sons who probably purchased it j'carly. The Neck was 
at times an island when the tides were high, connecting 
with the settlement on the main land "by a narrow cause- 
way. In 1 642 the lots sold on the Neck by tho town 
began to be enclosed, thus contracting the general pas- 



* The following statements concerning its recent business are taken 
from Nason's " Gazetteer of Massachusetts " : — 

"It is stated that the freight money upon the cattle transported from 
tho West and received at the Brighton station, amounts to the Uirge sum 
of about $2,000,000 in a single year, the Boston and AUiany Railroad 
accounting to the other roads between Boston and Chicago for their pro 
rata share of the amount received. 

"The sum of $400,000 has already been invested in the Abattoir, or 
the new Union Slaughtering Establishment of the Brighton butchers. 



tare land ; and thus began the development of highways 
and more pri\ate streets which changed Mattapannock 
from a mere pasturage to a town. 

As the town books, previous to 1770, were destroyed 
by fire, it is not certainly known by whom, nor when, the 
first house was built. It is believed, however, that it 
was erected by Deacon James Blake in 1660. In 1776 
there were only nine dwelling-houses and eleven families 
at South Boston. Among the early houses were several 
constituting "The Village," near the present site of 
Hawcs Place Church. Not far from the present location 
of Hawes Burying-Ground, stood the house of a Mr. 
Harrington, whose descendants are well known in South 
_^^ Boston at the present time. 

B^ ^^7 - ^B^ Neai-ly opposite of tho last- 

~ ~^ = ^^^^r named house, stood Deacon 

" Bhkc's, the first one built. 

^ One of the earliest of the 

eminent men of South Boston 
was John Foster. He was a 
giaduate of Harvard College, 
md "the ingenious mathema- 
t I un and printer," who had 
ii tamed, at the eavh- age of 
it which he died, consid- 
ilile distinction in the Colon}'. 
Another of the noted men 
of the early days was James 
Blake. He was the son of 
Dca. Blake, tho first settler. 
At his father's death, in 1732, 
ho bought out the rights of the 
other heirs, and became sole 
possessor of the old home- 
stead. Ho held the offices of treasurer, selectman and 
assessor for 25 j-ears, and that of town clerk for 24 3-ears. 
He was eminent as a survej'or, and his labors in this 
direction were extensive and gave excellent satisfaction. 
His " Annals of Dorchester" are aminutc history of the 
town for 120 years. He died in 1750, in the sixty-third 
jear of his age. 

The history of South Boston for more than a half 
centurv after Mr. Blake's annals close, i". verv Httle 



t establishment iifTords facilities for all the slaughtering in the 
of Bictou, and also for transmuting the refuse into valuable 



L^ 



TITl-TIOX rOR THE BLIND, SOt'TH 



The AVinship brothers, Jonathan and Frftncit 
the present century, large nurseries and flmal g; 
and later, J.imcs Lee, L. F. Warren, William I 
fullowcd in the same line of business, s > lli 



e3t.ablished, early in 
rdens. Joseph Brecl;, 
. Strong, and others, 
t the tree and floral 

culture has, next to that of the cattlc-marUet Inisincss, distinguished 

the to^vn. 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



271 



known. The part that the " Heights " called Dorchester 
Heights played in the commencement of the war of the 
Revolution, is well known. Here Washington made 
fortifications, and commanded Boston, which lay under 
his guns, and its approaches bj' water. In 1804, at the 
time of its annexation to Boston, the Neck contained 
but ten families. During the following year, the Dover 
Street, or South Bridge was completed, at a cost to its 
proprietors of fifty-six thousand dollars. 

But this bridge, though an immense improvement 
over the old boat communication with Boston, or the 
long travel to it over the causeway through Dorchester 
and over the Eoxbur}' Neck, was far from satisfying the 
South Boston people. After a long and heated contro- 
versj', and much delaj-, the free bridge from the foot of 
Federal Street to South Boston, was completed This 
! marked an era in the historj- of South Boston, and from 
; this time its development connects with that of the city 
proper. 

East Boston was early known as Noddle's Island. 
When the ships "Mary and John" and the " Arbella" 
sailed into the waters at the head of Massachusetts Bay, 
thej' found on this island a lone dweller by the name of 
the Eev. Samuel Maverick, an Episcopal minister, and a 
son of the Rev. John Maverick of Dorchester. The 
new-comers found this solitary occupant of the Island 
kind and courteous, and read}' alwajs to give them hos- 
pitable entertainment. Mr. Maverick seems, from the 
first, to have been regarded as a man of importance. 
Though a firm adherent of the Church of England, he 
became a freeman in 1632, and was subsequentlj' re- 
puted to have been one of the solid men of Boston. 

The jurisdiction of this island was given to the me- 
tropolis In 1G36. Later in its history it became, for a 
long period, the home of the vexed and hunted Quakers 
and Baptists. 

It was purchased in 1670 by Col. Samuel Shimpton 
for £6,000, in whose famil}- it remained for more than 
I one hundred and sixty years. 

In 1711, a j-ear memorable for the English expedition 
I to Canada, the British forces, while preparations were 
being made for this expedition, were landed, and, for a 
season, encamped on Noddle's Island. 

This and other islands in the vicinity, just previous to 
the Revolution, were the scene of frequent skirmishes, 
and even sharp conflicts, between small forces of the 
British and Americans, in which the latter were usually 
triumphant, each intent upon obtaining jiossession of the 
hve stock, beeves, hogs and sheep which in those days 
were allowed frcelj' to roam and graze there. 

March 25, 1833, the East Boston Companj- was incor- 



porated. Its object was the improvement of the island. ' 
The latter, containing some 6G3 acres, was now owned 
liy, and under the control of, the company.* Public 
officers of Boston first set foot on Noddle's Island, in 
their official capacity. May 4, 1833. 

The first year's operations gave assurance of the effl- 
cienc}' and final success of the company. In this time 
they perfected their organization, and streets, squares 
and lots had been laid out for dwellings, pubhc purposes, 
mechanical establishments, and wharves ; the East Bos- 
ton Wharf Compan}' had been incorporated, and had 
commenced operations ; a ferrj' had been established ; 
land had been sold on the island to the amount of 
eighty-six thousand dollars ; the subject of the Eastern 
Railroad had been broached, and vigorously prosecuted, 
while a series of imdertakings had been started which 
would ultimately develop the capabilities and resources 
of the island. A free bridge was completed in October, 
1834. The road which crossed this bridge was imme- 
diatelj- extended so as to connect with the Salem turn- 
pike, thus connecting the island with the populous towns 
east. 

On the 13th of December, 1856, the Meridian Street 
Bridge to Chelsea was completed. This costly bridge 
enterprise was aided by the city, and was of great 
importance everj' way to the two centres of population 
and business which it drew nearer together. 

The Eastern Railroad was another enterprise, stimu- 
lated b}', if not si)ringing from, the operations of the 
East Boston Company. The Eastern Railroad Companj' 
was incorporated in April, 1836. The ground was first 
broken in Jul}' of the same year, and the cars com- 
menced running to Salem the 27th of August, 1838. 
As is well known, it then ran through East Boston, 
across the ferry to its depot in Boston. On the 18th of 
July, 1840, the "Britannia" ocean steamer arrived at 
its wharf in East Boston, — the first of the Cunard line, 
connecting Liverpool, Halifax and Boston. Three days 
later, July 21, the "Cunard Festival" was held in a 
pavilion erected in front of the Maverick House. The 
solid men and orators of Boston were present, with 
many notables from abroad, and the occasion was one of 
great joy. Thus wonderfully did the material interests 
of East Boston expand from its new era in 1833. 

Meantime the educational and religious progress of 
East Boston has kept abreast of its secular welfare. 
Altogether, it may be safely said that the history of 
East Boston is one of the moet remarkable of Suffolk 
County. 

• The old mansion-house on the Samuel Maverick estate was the only 
house at this time on the island. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



Towns. 

Chelsea,* as late as 1846, embraced the territorj- 
now constituting nearlj- all the northern portion of 
Suffolk County. This locality was known to the first 
settlers about the bay as Rumney Marsh, and the Indian 
name, Winnisimmet. In 1G34, it was made a part of 
Boston. In 1635-6, the land was divided and allotted 
to citizens of Boston. Among those having land as- 
signed them at an early period, were John Winthrop, 
Henry Vane, Richard Bclhngham and Edmund Quincy. 
The first church was gathered in 1715. The fii-st meet- 
ing-house must have been built about this time. If so, 
as it is still standing, it is probalily tlie oldest place of 
worship iu Suffolk County. It is occupied by the First 
Church of Chelsea, and, with its modern improvements, 
which have not been, we judge, very radical, it looks 

fresh and endur- 

able. It is located . ^^^ _- 

at Revere, the old 
centre of Chelsea, 
and has contiguous 
to it, — after the 
ancient custom, — 
the burial-ground, 
where many of the 
original founders oi" 
the town were in- 
terred. 

Thomas Cheever. 
son of the historic 
' ' Master Cheever," 
was the first minis- 
ter of this church. 

Chelsea contains a town hall costing 825,000, a spa- 
cious and well-arranged high school building, and thir- 
teen religious societies. 

The United States Marine Hospital is located on an 
elevated site, commanding an extensive land and sea 
view. It was built in 1827. 

Powder-Hom Hill is 220 feet above the sea, and on its 
summit the Highland Park House was erected in 1873. 
The view from this house of the ocean and the inland 
cities and towns is very extensive. Chelsea is well sup- 
plied with Mystic Lake water. 

Revere, until 1846, was a part of Chelsea. It took 
the name, at its incorporation at that date, of North 
Chelsea. This name was officially changed to Revere in 
1871. "When the southern part of Chelsea commenced 

* Incorporated as a town, Jan. 11, 1738; made a city, April 13, 1857. 
It took its present name oi Clielsea at its incorporation in 1738. 




its rapid development about forty j-ears ago, under the 
stimulus of a railroad and steam-fen-y communication 
wiih Boston, its northern section, or old centre, became 
relatively' an inconsiderable village. But its advantages 
as a seashore resort have of late become recognized. 
Much of its eastern portion is a salt marsh and sandy 
beach. But west of these low lands, are fine elevations, 
commanding splendid ocean views. The Boston, Revere 
Beach and Lynn R. R. runs along the top of its beach to 
Pine's Point, and has thus opened a section of the town 
which affords sites for desirable summer residences. Its 
beach has fine batliing facilities, which attract thousands 
from the metropolis during the heated season. The East- 
ern R. R. also runs entirely through the eastern section. 
There are two church edifices, that of the old First 
Church, Unitarian, and that of the Congregational, 

Trinitarian, whose 

I societ}' was formed 

n ^^K=^ m the year 1828. 

Winthrop is a 
fivorite sea - shore 
resort. It is situ- 
ated on a pleasant 
peninsula, 10 miles 
north-east of Bos- 
ton. It has Revere 
on the north-west, 
and the water on 
all other sides. It 
early attracted the 
settlers of Boston, 
for in 1632 they 
voted that "it shall belong to Boston, and be enjoyed 
by the inhabitants forever." It is separated from Deer 
Island by a narrow channel of water, through which the 
tide at times rushes with great swiftness. The boats of 
the early fishermen were towed or pulled through this 
current, and so the peninsula was long known as Pullen 
Point. 

In 1G34, Dean Winthrop, son of Gov. Winthrop, was 
granted by the Court of Assistants, 120 acres of land at 
Pullen Point. James Bill, who came to the Ponit in 
1645, became owner in 1687 of two-thirds of the arable 
land. It is claimed in the history of Winthrop, lately 
published, that the residences of these two great land- 
holders. Dean Winthrop and James Bill, are still in 
existence as habitable dwellings. That of Winthrop is 
situated near the junction of the roads leading to Revere 
and Point Shirley, and is now occupied by Mr. Otis Floyd. 
The Bill mansion is owned by John Tewksbury, Esq. 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



Biographical Notes. — Samuel Sewall, whose name has 
a prominence in the earl_y history of Boston, was born 
in England in 1652, and died in 1730. He studied 
divinity, and preached for a short time. He came into 
the possession of great wealth by marriage, and entered 
upon a long and eminent career as a jurist. He was one 
of the judges in the witchcraft trials of 1692, and was 
made chief justice in 1718. 

Thomas Hutchinson, born in Boston in 1711, was the 
son of Thomas, one of Boston's wealthy and liberal 
merchants. The son graduated at Harvard in 1727, 
studied law, and earlj- became a prominent member of 
the General Court. He was afterwards a judge of pro- 
bate, councillor, lieutenant-governor, and chief justice, 
and became governor of Massachusetts in 1769. He 
commenced the publication of his " History of Blassa- 
chusetts" in 1764. He died in Brompton, near London, 
in 1780. 

Gen. Henry Knox was born in Boston in 1750, of 
Scotch and Irish Presbyterian parentage. He had a 
common school education, and was early a bookseller. 
Military science was a favorite study. He became a 
member of an artillery company, an officer of the city- 
grenadier corps, aid to Gen. Ward at the battle of 
Bunker Hill, commander of artillery in 1775, made 
brigadier-general Dec. 27, 1776, and was in command 
of the artillery of the main army during the Revo- 
lutionary war. Was made major-general in March, 
1782, and secretary of war for ten years. He retired 
late in life to a farm in Thomaston, Me., where he died 
in 1806. 

Harrison Gray Otis, a nephew of James Otis, was 
born in Boston Oct. 8, 1765. Graduating at Harvard, 
he commenced the practice of law in 1786. He was a 
member of the legislature in 1796 ; member of Congress, 
1797-1801 ; United States district-attorney, 1801 ; presi- 
dent of the State Senate, 1805-11 ; judge of Court of 
CommonPleas, 1814-18 ; United States senator, 1817-22 ; 
major of Boston, 1829-32. He was distinguished as a 
brilliant orator and able statesman. He died in Boston 
Oct. 28, 1848. 

Edward Everett, LL. D., scholar, orator and states- 
man, son of Oliver Everett, an eminent minister of 
Boston, was born in Dorchester April 11, 1674. (Har- 
vard University, 1811.) He was ordained a minister of 
the Brattle Street Unitarian Church, Boston, in 1814 ; 
accepted the chair of Greek literature Harvard Univer- 
sity in 1815 ; visited Europe, studied two years in Uni- 
versity of Gottingen ; travelled extensively ; returned in 
1819, and resumed the duties of his professorship; 
member of Congress, 1825-35 ; governor of Massachu- 



setts, 1836-40 ; minister to England, 1841-45 ; president 
of Harvard University, 1846-49; secretary of state from 
November, 1852, to March, 1853 ; United States senator 
from 1853 to the failure of his health in May, 1854. 
He was regarded as a peerless orator, and his writings 
are models of elegance of stjde. At the breaking out 
of the war of the Rebellion, his great influence was 
given earnestly to the preservation of the Union. He 
died in Boston Jan. 15, 1865. 

John Singleton Copley, painter, was born in Boston 
July 3, 1737. Like West, he was self-taught, and some 
of his pieces, executed, as he saj's, " before he had seen 
any tolerable picture," are thought to be equal, in artistic 
skill, to his later productions. After acquiring eminence 
at home bj- his portraits of Samuel Adams, Thomas 
Hancock, and others, he went to Rome by way of Eng- 
land, where he arrived in August, 1774. He returned 
to London in 1775. His historical paintings soon 
rendered his name famous, and procured for it, in 1783, 
the honorable addition of R. A. His first painting 
which attracted special attention was the death of the 
Earl of Chatham. He died in London Sept. 9, 1813. 

John Pierce, D. D., Congregational minister, was 
born in Dorchester July 14, 1773. (Harvard University, 
1793 ; tutor, 1796.) On March 15, 1797, he was settled 
as pastor of the First Congregational Church of Brook- 
line, of which he remained sole pastor for half a century. 
Was president for several years of Massachusetts Bible 
Society. Died in Brookline Aug. 24, 1849. 

Charles Sumner, orator and statesman, was born in 
Boston Jan. 6, 1811. (Harvard University, 1830 ; Cam- 
bridge Law School, 1834.) He lectured to the Cam- 
bridge Law School, 1835-7, and 1843 ; travelled in 
Europe, 1837-40 ; in 1851 succeeded Daniel Webster in 
United States Senate, of which he was continued a 
member to the day of his death. From March 4, 
1861 to 1870, he was chairman of the Senate Committee 
on Foreign Affairs. He died in Washington, D. C, 
March 11, 1874. 

Lucius Manlius Sargent was born in Boston in 1786. 
He studied law under Samuel Dexter, but early engaged 
in literarj' pursuits. He received an honorary degree from 
Harvard University in 1842. His writings in the inter- 
est of the temperance reform extended over 30 jears. 
His "Temperance Tales" had an immense sale, and 
one of them was published in manj- languages. He 
died in West Roxliury June 2, 1867. 

Samuel Finley Breese Morse, LL. D., one of the 
inventors of the electric telegraph, was born in Charles- 
town April 27, 1791. (Yale College, 1810.) Went to 
England with Washington Allston in 1811 ; studied 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



painting under Benjamin West ; exhibited his " Dying 
Hercules" at the Uoyal Academy in 1813, for a plaster 
model of which, made soon after, he received a gold 
medal. He returned to America in 1815, and had a 
successful career as a painter ; he went back to England 
in 1829, and remained there until 1832. On his passage 
home in 1832, the idea of a permanent recording tele- 
graph was suggested to him by his fellow passenger. Dr. 
Jackson. His invention was patented in 1837. It was 
further improved in 1840, so that, in 1844, the first 
electric telegraph in the United States was set up between 
Baltimore and Washington. In 1867, the principal 
European powers, assembled in Paris, presented Mi'. 
Morse with 400,000 francs as a recompense for his 
invention. He died in 1872. 



Population of Suffolk County from the census of 1875, . . 364,886 

Boston 341,919 

Chelsea 20,737 

Revere 1,603 

Winthrop, 627 



Public Schools and School Property of Suffolk County. 
Schools, 164, Buildings, $7,959,000; Property, $700,800. 



Cities and Towns. 


Schools. 


Buildings. 


Property. 


Boston, 

Cliclsea 

Revere, 

Winthrop 


151 
9 
2 
2 


87,500,000 
432,000 
15,000 
12,000 


$685,000 

15,000 

500 

300 



Manufactures and Related Occupatu 



Manufactubes. 



OCCUPATIOKS. 



Chelsea, 
■Winthrop,. 



o - 






1 


Value of 


1- 


Capital 


good. 


^- 


invested. 


made. 


s 






2,712 $51,914,414 

2,616 49,034,947 

92 2,265,267 

1 6,000 

S 8,200 


$116,620,259 

112,214,147 

4,366,612 

6,000 

84,500 



E .2 Capital 
^ •§ invested. 

I 



3,117 $5,702,288 $24,189,597 

3,033 I 5,567,013 23,717,357 

77 1 126,175 458,640 



WORCESTEE COUNTY. 



BY REV. ELIAS NASON, A. 



The County of Worcester was taken from parts of 
Middlesex, Suffolk and Hampshire counties, and incor- 
porated April 2, 1731. It is the largest county in the 
State, extending centrally entu-ely through it from north 
to south, and ha\'ing an area of about 1 ,500 square miles. 
It is bounded on the north hy New Hampshire, on the 
east bj' the counties of Middlesex and Norfolk, on 
the south bj^ Rhode Island and Connecticut, and on the 
west by the counties of Hampden, Hampshire and 
Franklin. It has in all 56 towns and two cities, Fitch- 
Inirg and Worcester, the latter of which is the capital. 
Its population in 1875 was 210,295, and its total valua- 
tion $142,592,028. The number of acres of land taxed 
was 910,106. 

The surface of the land is undulating, hillj', and 
broken. The scenery is for the most part varied and 
pleasing. The mountains are not lofty, but, rounded in 
form and generally isolated, thej- impart picturesqueness, 
if not grandeur to the landscapes. The most noticeable 
of them are Wachusett Mountain in Princeton, having 



an altitude of 2,480 feet above sea level ; Watatic Moun- 
tain in Ashburnham, rising to the height of 1,847 feet ; 
Asnebumsket Hill in Paxton, 1,407 feet; Hawes' Hill i:i 
Barre, 1.285 feet; Tuft's Hill in New Braintree, 1,179 
feet; Hatchett Hill in Southbridge, 1,016 feet, and 
Muggett Hill in Charlton, 1,012 feet. From these 
and other eminences the observer may obtain delightful 
views of lakes and streams, forests and glades, towns, 
villages and hamlets, and of some of the best cultivated 
fai-ms in the State. 

Tlie principal rivers of the county are the Nashua, 
flowing southerly' and easterly into the Merrimac River ; 
the Blackstone, flowing southerly into Narraganset Ba}- ; 
the French and the Quinnebaug flowing into the Thames ; 
the Quaboag, the Ware, and Miller's River i-unning west- 
erly into the Connecticut River. These streams, together 
with their numerous tributaries, furnish a great amount 
of motive-power which is used for propelling the machin- 
ery of a large number of manufactories situated in the 
valleys through which they flow. The lakes with which 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



the county abounds are now generally made to serve as 
reservoirs for holding back the water-flow until the time 
of need. The largest lakes are in Worcester, Webster, 
Leominster and Brookfield. The soil of the county, 
generally a mixture of loam with clay, or sand or gravel, 
is, for the most part, strong and moist, and well adapted 
to the growth of fruit and forest trees, the cereals and 
culinarj' vegetables. It is excellent for grazing, and the 
butter and cheese of this county command the highest 
prices in the market. The timber growth consists mainly 
of oak, chestnut, pine, birch, maple, spruce, hemlock, 
walnut, ash and poplar. 

The county is traversed by numerous i-aiboad and 
telegraphic lines, afl!brding ready communication between 
the different towns and the county seat, and the capi- 
tal of the State. Since the introduction of the manufac- 
ture of the textile fabrics into this county, or during the 
last half-centurj', the growth of the county in respect to 
population, wealth and intelligence has been rapid. The 
population in 1776 was 40,437, and in 1875, 210,295. 
The whole number of pubHc schools of the countj' (1875) 
was 586 ; the whole number of incorporated private 
schools was five ; the number of public libraries was 88 ; 
the number of newspapers published in the county was 
33, of which four were issued daily. The oldest of these 
publications is the " Massachusetts Weeklj'' Spy," estab- 
lished in Worcester in 1775. 

In Worcester County the manufacturing and farming 
interests are happily combined, and the diversity of em- 
ploj'ment tends to the mental vigor and enterprise of the 
people. 

The territory of what now forms the county was 
originally in possession of the Nipmuck and Nashaway 
Indians, who led a roving, or nomadic kind of life, yet 
still had favorite locaUties and subordinate tribes, each 
controlled bj- an inferior chieftain. The Nipmucks owned 
the lands along the Nipmuck, afterwards the Blackstone 
River, and the Nashaways held tlie temtorj^ on the 
Nashua River and its branches. 

These tribes of Indians, never ver}' numerous, sub- 
sisted mainly by hunting and fishing and the natural 
productions of the forest ; yet they culti\-ated with rude 
instruments a little maize, together with a few beans 
and squashes. They clothed themselves in skins and 
dwelt in huts, called im'gimms. Their implements con- 
sisted of gouges, axes, pestles and mortars, all made of 
stone ; their money being shells, called wampum, and 
their weapons the bow and arrow, scalping-knife and 
tomahawk. Their canoes were neatlj- made of osiers cov- 
ered with white birch bark. As early as 1 643 , the Indians 
of this region, represented by Nashoonan, put themselves 



under the protection of the Colony of ISIassachusetts, and 
seem to have given the English here but little disturbance 
until the breaking out, in 1675, of Philip's war. In 1644 
two sachems, Nasliacowarn and Wassamgin, near the 
great hill Wachusett, came, with others, into the General 
Coiu't, and desired to be received under the protection 
of the government. Having learned from the court the 
' ' articles " and the Ten Commandments, thej' iDresentcd to 
that bodj^ 26 fathoms of wampum, when in return it 
" gave each of them a coat of two yards of cloth and 
theu' dinner ; and to them and their men, every one of 
them, a cup of sac at their departure ; so they took leave 
and went away ver3' joyful." 

In 1074 the Rev. John Eliot had several Indian " pray- 
ing towns " within the limits of what is now Worcester 
County. At Manchage, now Oxford, there were about 60 
natives ; at Pakachoag, now Worcester and Auburn, 
about 100 ; at Chaubunagungamaug, now Webster, 
about 45 ; at AVeshakim, or Nashawaj-, about 75 ; at 
Wacuntug, now Uxbridge, a small number; and at 
Ilassanamisco, now Grafton, about 30 " baptized per- 
sons." An Indian by the name of James of this last 
place was bred a printer, and was of great service to Mr. 
Eliot in bringing out the Indian Bible. During Philip's 
war, the English, becoming distrustful of "the praj-ing 
Indians," most of tliese villages were deserted. Some of 
the Nipmuck Indians joined the forces of Philip ; some 
were removed to Deer Island in Boston Harbor, and a 
few acted as spies for the English. In order to ascertain 
the intentions of the Nipmuck IncUans, Capts. Hutchin- 
son and Wheeler, with a body of troops, went, July 28, 
1675, to meet the sachems at a certain tree in Quaboag, 
now Brookfield, which had been agreed upon as a place 
of rendezvous ; but finding no Indians there, they pro- 
ceeded as far as Wickabaug Pond, when a body of 
Indians rose from ambush, and fired upon them, killing 
eight and mortally wounding three, among whom was 
Capt. Hutchinson. About the same time Philip made an 
assault on Lancaster, during which ten of its citizens 
were killed. Again he entered the town, Feb. 10, 1676, 
and burned the house of the Picv. Mr. Rowlandson, con- 
taining 42 persons, only one of whom escaped. Mr. 
Rowlandson was then in Boston ; but his wife and chil- 
dren were carried into captivity. Of their sufferings 
Mrs. Rowlandson wrote an interesting narrative. 

Other towns in what is now Worcester County were 
more or less disturbed in this, as well as in the French 
and Indian wars that followed. Samuel Leonard, taken 
captive at Worcester in 1695, was with Mrs. Hannah 
Duston and Mrs. Mary Neff at Contookook, N. H., and 
assisted in slaying, on the night of March 31, 1697, their 



276 



HISTORY OF new: ENGLAND. 



ten captors in their sleep. Leonard was a mere stripling ; 
but having learned of an Indian how and where to strike 
a fatal blow, directed the two other captives how to 
wield the tomahawk ; and with such precision did they 
severally take their aim, that onl}' two of the savages, a 
woman and a boy, escaped. The}- then made their wa}- 
down the Merrimac River, reached their homes in 
safety, and received £50 from the General Court for 
their heroic deed. Descendants of the boy still reside 
in Worcester County. 

Bj' the act of the incorporation of the comity it was 
ordered, " That the Towns & Places hereafter named & 
expressed. That is to say Worcester, Lancaster, West- 
borough, Shrewsbury, Southborough, Leicester, Rutland 
& Lunenburg, all in the count}^ of Middlesex ; Mendon, 
Woodstock, Oxford, Sutton, [including Hassanamisco'] 
Uxbridge, & the Land lately- granted to several Petition- 
ers of Medfleld, all in the County of Suffolk ; Brookfield 
in the Count}' of Hampshire, & the South Town, laid out 
to the Narragansett Soldiers, & all other Lying within 
the said Townships, with the Inhabitants thereon, shall 
from & after the tenth Day of July, which will be in the 
year of our Lord 1 731 , be & remain one intire & distinct 
County, by the name of Worcester, of which Worcester 
to be the Countj- or Shire Town." The land granted to 
the petitioners from Medfield was subsequentl.y incorpo- 
rated under the name of Sturbridge, and the Narragan- 
sett lands under that of Westminster. 

Of the 14 towns comprised in the count}- of Worcester 
at the time of its organization, Lancaster was the oldest, 
ha\-ing been incorporated May 18, 1653 ; Mendon the 
next, incorporated May 15, 1667 ; and Worcester the 
next, incorporated Oct. 15, 1684. The others were 
organized in the following order : Leicester, Oxford and 
Rutland, 1713; Sutton, June 21, 1715; Weslborough. 
Nov. 28, 1717; Brookfield, Nov. 12, 1718 ; Shrewsbury, 
Southborough and Uxbridge, 1727 ; Lunenburg, Aug. 1, 
1728 ; and Dudley, Feb. 2, 1731. The first town organ- 
ized after the formation of the county was Harvard, June 
29, 1732; and the second and third were Sturbridge, 
from the Medfield lands, and Bolton, both of which were 
incorporated June 24, 1738. Division after division has 
been made in the original towns, until the number now is 
more than four times as great as at the establishment of 
the county. 

At that period several towns, as Mendon, Brookfield 
and Lancaster, had severally a population outnumbering 
that of Worcester, and consequently each contended for 
the honor of being constituted as the seat of justice. 
The proposition to make Lancaster a half-shire town was 
opposed by Joseph AVilder of that place, on the giound 



that, in such an event, the morals of the people would be 
corrupted. 

The courts were first held in the meeting-house, the first 
session of the Court of Probate being on July 13, 1731 ; 
of the Common Pleas and General Sessions of the Peace, 
August 10 ; and of the Superior Court of Judicature, 
September 22d following. The Hon. John Chandler was 
the chief justice. A court house, 36 feet by 26, was fin- 
ished and opened in 1734, when an address was delivered 
by Judge John Chandler, in which he styles it " a beauti- 
ful house." This building soon proving too limited, 
another, 40 feet by 36, was erected in 1751, and this was 
followed by another, costing about $20,000, opened 
Sept. 27, 1803. The following inscription was placed in 
one of the stones beneath the building : ' ' The corner 
stone was laid Oct. 1. 1801 by Isaiah Thomas, Esq, 
who with William Caldwell, Esq, Sheriff of the County 
& Hon Salem Towne were appointed a committee for 
building & completing this [now intended] Court House. 
The old Court House now stands two feet south east 
from this spot, 1801." The present court house, built of 
Quincy granite, and costing about $100,000, was erected 
in 1845. 

A jail was erected in 1733, prisoners, prior to this 
time, having been confined in private houses. A second 
jail, of wood, was constructed in 1753 ; but this proving 
insecure, a prison of stone, the second of importance of 
that material in the State, was erected in 1788, and 
demolished in 1835. The county house of con-cction I 
was first occupied in 1819, and subsequently used as ' 
a jail. John F. Clark was long the keeper. The 
lunatic hospital was in part erected in 1831. The agri- ' 
cultural society of the county has a commodious hall j 
at Worcester, in which its meetings are held and records 
kept. 

During the French and Revolutionary wars, the citi- 
zens of this county exhibited a patriotic spirit, and sent 
their full proportion of men into the service. 

During the insurrection of those disaffected in respect to 
the State government and the administration of the law 
in 1786-7, the county was the scene of much excitement 
and disorder. Had not the magistrates and military offi- 
cers exhibited great sagacity, as well as courage, blood 
would undoubtedly have been shed. In September, 1 786, 
about 200 of the insurgents took possession of the court 
house. At the time of the opening of the session of the 
Court of Common Pleas, Chief Justice Artemas Ward, 
at the head of the members of the court and bar, and 
attended by the sheriff, bravely advanced in front of a 
line of levelled muskets to the seat of justice, and, ad- 
dressing the rebels, said: "He did not value their 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



baj-onots ; the}- might plunge them into his heart ; but 
while that heart beat, he would do his duty." 

The soldiers- then advancing, pressed their bayonets 
against his breast ; yet he stood as immovable as a 
statue, and continued his harangue. 

Ilis self-possession served to intimidate them, so that 
no open act of violence was committed. The court then 
adjourned, and, moving through a file of the insurgents, 
repaired to the United States Arms Tavern. On the 
day following, the rebel force, which had now arisen to 
about 400, paraded through the streets of Worcester, 
bearing a pine-tree, as their standard, and sprigs of 
evergreen, instead of plumes, upon their hats. 

As the local troops could not then be relied on to sus- 
tain the court, it decided to adjom-n until the following 
term. The insurgents, who took upon themselves the 
name of " Regulators," and were at that time com- 
manded by Capt. A. Wheeler of Hubbardston, soon 
dispersed. 

But again, November 21-22, a body of insurgents, 
numbering about 160, took possession of the grounds 
around the court house in order to prevent the assem- 
bling of the Court of Sessions. The sheriff. Col. Wil- 
liam Greenleaf of Lancaster, read to them the proclama- 
tion in the riot act, to which they gave but little heed. 
On his referring to their grievances, one of them cried 
out, "Our greatest is the sheriff himself; and next to 
his person are his fees." " If j'ou think my fees exorbi- 
tant," he retorted, " I will hang you all for nothing, 
with the greatest pleasure." They then placed a pine 
branch on his hat, and compelled him, with the justices, 
to retire. 

They again mustered in force to prevent the session of 
the Court of Common Pleas, the first week in December, 
but were resolutely met by two Worcester companies 
under Capt. Joel Howe. Intimidated by this armed 
force, approaching with fixed bayonets, they retreated to 
a neighboring hill. On the 6th instant, Capt. Daniel 
Shays arrived with a reinforcement of 350 men, raising 
the number of insurgents to nearly 1,000. 

The town had then the appearance of a military camp, 
and the rebels were billeted on the different families, bj' 
whom, in general, they were kindly treated. They were 
objects of pity rather than of fear. Contenting them- 
selves with a declaration of what they esteemed to be 
their grievances, and learning that the State forces 
were mustering under Gen. Shepard, they soon with- 
drew from Worcester and prepared to make a demon- 
stration on the town of Springfield. The State troops, 
amounting to more than 4,000, entered Worcester 
Jan. 22, 1787; and the town was not subsequently 



disturbed by the unwelcome "Regulators." On the 
2d of February, however, a company was sent out to 
disperse a body of them who were making some dis- 
turbance at New Bramtree, when Dr. David Young and 
Mr. Jonathan Rice were wounded hy a volley of mus- 
ketry discharged from some of them concealed behind a 
wall that lined the highway. The companj' returned the 
next day to Worcester, bringing with them four- rebel 
IDrisoners. 

Thirty men from Worcester were in the expedition 
under Gen. Benjamin Lincoln, and were present, Febru- 
arj' 4th, in Petersham, at the final dispersion of the 
insurgents. 

These men, though poor and ignorant, had, without 
doubt, some show of reason for their rash and ill-con- 
certed insurrection ; but the good sense of the people 
saw a better wa}' to rectify the evils of the State, and 
law and order soon prevailed. 

On the 2d of July, 1778, the town, as well as the 
countj- of Worcester, was greatly moved bj' the execu- 
tion of William Brooks, James Buchanan, Ezra Ross 
[of Ipswich] and Mrs. Bathsheba [Ruggles] Spooner 
for the murder of Mr. Joshua Spooner of Brookfield. 
This tragedy formed a leading topic of conversation 
through the count}' and the State for manj' years. 

In 1775, Isaiah Thomas established the "Massachu- 
setts Sp3' " at Worcester, and afterwards carried on the 
printing and publishing business extensively in that town. 
At onetime no less than 16 presses were running here and 
in other places under his direction. In 1791, he brought 
out his folio edition of the Bible, with illustrations exe- 
cuted by Americans. It was the first folio edition of 
the Bible published in this country. He also published 
editions of the Bible in smaller tj'pe, and in 1800 the 
first American edition of the New Testament in Greek. 
In order to supply his presses, he established a paper- 
mill on the Blackstone River in 1796, which subsequently 
went into the possession of Mr. Elijah Burbank. In 
1786, he published " The Worcester Collection of Sacred 
Harmony," which was the first music printed with mov- 
able types in this country. The various publications of 
Mr. Thomas tended to elevate the taste, improve the 
morals and develop the intellectual energies not only of 
the citizens of the countj^ but of the State and nation. 
He was a public benefactor. 

In 1793, the Rev. Peter Whitney published a valuable 
" History of Worcester County," and in 1797 the county 
had, according to Dr. Morse, 50 towns, 53 Congrega- 
tional churches, 56,807 inhabitants, — mostly farmers, — 
and 207,430 acres of land under cultivation. 

As manufacturing interests began to engage the atten- 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



tion of the people, efforts were made to facilitate com- 
munication between the towns and the metropolis of the 
county, as well as that of 








It OI INDUSTBIAI, SCIENCE, WOBCESTEB. 



Towns. 
ity of Worcester, capital of Worcester County, 
and so named from Wor- 
cester, Eng., was incorjio- 
rated as a town, Oct. 15, 
1G84, and as a city, March 
22, 1838. It is -44 miles 
south-west of Boston by the 
Boston and Albany Eail- 
road. Its outlj-ing villages 
arc NortbviUe and Fair- 
mount in the north, Tat- 
nuck in the north-west, 
New Worcester in the west, 
and Quinsigamond in the 
south. The land is hilly 
and broken, and the nat- 
ural scener}- diversified and 
beautiful. The water-shed 



the Commonwealth. The 
common roads were greatl}' 
improved ; and the Worces- 
ter Turnpike was incorpo- 
rated in 1806, leading over 
Lake Quinsigamond into 
Boston. The Blackstone 
Canal, extending 45 miles, 
from Worcester to Provi- 
dence, was commenced in 
this State in 1826. It was 
considered in its day a great 
undertaking; but that was 
a day too late, for it was 
soon rendered useless by 
the opening of a railroad 

between the two cities. It was completed m 1.S28, and i is towards the south, and sends tributaries into both the 
cost about $750,000. It had 48 locks, the fall from I Blackstone and French rivers. Quinsigamond Lake 
Worcester to tide- I stretches for several 

The Providence and ^Aip-- k ^^d fonns a striking 

Worcester Railroad, fl feature in the natural 

completed Oct. 20, ^^^^^ '^ ffi ^'^- scenery. Millstone, 

1847, diverted the ' ^^^'f ,M ^^^ Winter, Tatnuck and 

and it soon ceased to mF^T ' ^ ' most prominent ele- 
be operated. — The _^^^^ B ^E' nations. Covered, as 
Boston and Worcester -^^P^ M, iffl^^ jl ^^^i ^'"^i ^ith well- 
Railroad was incoqjo ^^ ^^St "' ^m i^ m mm> 1^ cultiA ated farms and 

Norwich and Woices- ^JT^^^^U^M^^^B^^^^^I I ^^^^^^H^^ " ^^^^ "■ ""'^^^ pleasing 

ter Railroad in 1833 , ^^p^^^^H.=liIIl^^^^^^^^| f I^jj^^^Mffll contrast to the rich 

the Western Railroad, ^B #^Wy^^^^l ) r^=4^^ I \alle^s below. 

opening commumca- ^ilitoH B H IT ll Pf T itilf J^ ! ^ f f 1 f'l *.|^J^ "^^^ population of 

1833 ; the Worcestei ^^WM I^mI '^^^S'S'^^i' ^^"^^^^ ^^^ ^*'^'^'^^' ^"'^^ ^''^^^^ 
and Nashua Raihoad ^PIi^MB^ I' L=J11^^TCTaClQT.1^^^ J « ^ l^^^@!^ _iowth is due mainly 

cester and Fitchbuig ^^l ^^^^=^J'-^t^=jlJ^^^£^];;;^'^W^|!Ji0fe^ jf^ T^^^i Tiigl'SAM' ^tion, the introduc- 
Railroad in 1846. B> ^^Sk^^^^-A„ ^ "^^ '""^"^^^tJ^^^^^^^fe*. '"^" °^ varied manu- 

those lines concentrat '"^^ ^^^ISl^B^totkijlfilfltitfnfiliiri'iliirt "^^^C fictmmg interests, 

ing in the shire town ^''"^'**''***''^*^**^^^^^^^^^'°^ ind the facilities for 

and their various con- the pdelic high school, Worcester. transportation afford- 

nections, the county has ample faciUties for travel and ed bj' the different Unes of railway- radiating from this 



transportation at command, and its future growth in 
respect to wealth, intelligence and general prosperity, 
under these favorable conditions, seems to be assured. 



point. These are the Boston and Albanj-, the Provi- 
dence and Worcester, the Norwich and Worcester, the 
Worcester and Nashua, and the Fitchburg and Worcester 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



railroads, which afford di- 
rect communication witli 
almost everj- town in thf 
county, as well as with the 
great cities of the Union 

The new railroad depot 
constructed of granite in 
the most approved bt\le <> 
architecture, will conipin 
favorabh' with any hmldm. 
of the kind in the counti \ 

The manufactures of tli 
citj- are remarkably -v anc d 
embracing agricultural uii- 
plements, boots and 
shoes, blankets and 
satinets, beaver-cloth, 
cassimeres, clothing, 
steam-cars, envelopes 
and boxes, carpetmgs, 
chairs, fire-arms, gas, 
iron-castings, organs, 
car-wheels and rail- 
way iron, beltings, 
machines and machin- 
ery of many kinds, 
screws and wrenches, 
soap, wire -goods, ma- 
chinists' tools, woollen 
cloth, and woi-sted 
jarn. The nimiber of 
manufacturing estab- 
lishments of all kinds 
in 1875 was 481 ; cap- 
ital invested, SlO,- 
702,174 ; and the to- 
tal value of goods 
made, §20,524,836. 

The city has 34 
public schools, includ- 
ing an excellent high 
school ; a seminary for 
j-oung ladies, called 
" The Oread Insti- 
tute," the building for 
which is of stone and 
very beautiful ; an 
"Institute of Indus- 
trial Science." found- 
ed b}' the munificence 
of Mr. John Boynton 




of Templeton, and a State 
Normal School. It is also 
the seat of the College of 
the IIol}- Cross, established 
by the Roman Catholics ; 
of the American Antiqua- 
rian Societ}', founded b}- 
the liberality of Mr. Isaiah 
Thomas, and incorporated 
October 12, 1.S12 ; and of 
the State Lunatic Asylum, 
whose extensive buildings 
are erected upon an ele- 
vated range of land over- 
looking the beautiful 
Quinsigamond Lake. 
The churches are 
23 in number. Some 
of the church edi- 
fices, as St. Paul's, 
the Piedmont and 
Grace churches, and 
Trinity Church, are 
handsome buildings. 
Mechanics' Hall, on 
Main Street, has a 
seating capacity of 
about 2,500, and it 
is provided with an 
excellent organ. 

The public jour- 
nals are "The ..^Igis 
and Gazette," "The 
Evening Gazette," 
"The Daily Press." 
"The Weekly Press," 
"The "Worcester Pal- 
ladium," "The Mas- 
sachusetts AVeekh- 
Sp3'," established in 
1770, "The Worces- 
ter Daih' Spj-," "es- 
., tablished in 1845, 
^ and " Le Travail- 
f'< iciir," published in 
10 French language. 
The citj- has seven 
national banks, five 
1 lanks for sa^dngs, 
and eight insurance 
companies. It has 



PAUL'S CULECH, 



HISTOEY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



also a musical society-, a pulilic library, a horticultural 
soeiet3", and manj^ other social, ci^^c and literary organ- 
izations. 

The principal avenue through the city is Main Street, 
which is well shaded with ornamental trees, and flanlced 
on either side for more than two miles with elegant 
private and public buildings. From this great thorough- 
fare, cross streets extend up over the hills on either side. 
The streets are well lighted with gas, and the water 
supplj- from a reser\-oir on the high land at the west is 
abundant. As to beauty of situation, well directed in- 
dustries, educational, social and literary privileges, intel- 
ligence, temperance and enterprise, Worcester has no 
rival of its size in New England. 

The Indian name of Worcester was Quinsigamond, 
and the land was purchased July 13, 1674, of Solomon, 
alias WoonasTcocJm, sagamore of Tataesit, and John, 
alias Hoorrawannonit of Packachoag, for £12 of lawful 
money of New England. Six or seven houses had been 
erected here by the English as early as 1675, but the 
war of Philip broke up the settlement. The buildings, 
which had been deserted by the settlers, were destroyed 
by the Indians Dec. 2, 1675. In 1684 some of the 
planters returned and built a blockhouse on Mill Brook. 

In 1 703 or 1 704, Digorj* Sargent and his wife were killed 
by the Indians, and their children John, Daniel, Thomas, 
Martha and Mary carried into capti^■ity. Jonas Rice 
returned to Worcester Oct. 21, 1713, began again the 
settlement, and is considered the first permanent white 
inhabitant of the place. The second permanent settler 
was Gershom Rice, and the third Nathaniel Moore. 
The first white child born here was Adonijah, son of 
Jonas Rice, whose birth occurred Nov. 7, 1714. He 
died Feb. 2, 1802, aged 88 years. The Rice family was 
from Marlborough, the Moore family from Sudbury. 
Wolves and rattlesnakes were then numerous in the 
town. A company of Scotch-Irish settled here in 1718, 
introducing the potato and the spinning-wheel. Among 
them was John Young, who died June 30, 1730, at the 
remarkable age of 107 j-ears. During the French wars 
and the war of the Revolution, Worcester cvmced a 
noble spirit of patriotism, and furnished its full quota of 
men for the ser\'ice. It was visited b3- Gen. Washington 
Oct. 23, 1789, and by Lafaj-ette Sept. 2, 1824. During 
the war of the RebeUion, the city was true to its ancient 
record. 

A chm-ch was organized in 1716, and the Rev. Andi-ew 



• It has 223 industrial establishments, employing in all 2,535 persons. 
The principal manufactures are machinery, steam-engines, woollen 
goods, paper, cotton duck, chairs, clothing, mowing-machine knives, 
boots and shoes, and iron castings. The city is compactly and hand- 



Gardner was ordained as pastor over it in the autumn 
of 1719. He was followed by the Rev. Isaac Burr, or- 
dained Oct. 13, 1725. The Rev. George Whitefleld 
preached here on the Common to some thousands of 
people Oct. 15, 1740. The successor of Mr. Burr was 
the Rev. Thaddeus Maccarty, who was installed June 
10, 1747. He was followed bj' the Rev. Samuel Austin, 
D.D., installed Sept. 30, 1790. A second church was 
organized, and the Rev. Aaron Bancroft was ordained 
over it Feb. 1, 1786. 

Worcester is the birth-place of Col. Timothj' Bigelow 
(1739-1790), a patriot and member of Congress, 1774- 
75; Levi Lincoln (1782-1868), governor of the State; 
Charles Allen, LL. D., a statesman; William Lincoln 
(1801-1843), author of a History of Worcester, first 
published in 1837 ; George Bancroft, LL.D., an eminent 
historian ; Manton Marble (born, 1835), an able editor ; 
and of Dorothea L. Dix, a well-known philanthropist. 

FiTCHBUHG, a new and flourishing industrial city, has 
12,289 inhabitants, 18 pubUc schools, 9 churches, 3 
banks, and a public library. It has also two well-con- 
ducted newspapers, "The Daily Sentinel," and "The 
Fitehburg Reveille." The post-offices are at the Centre 
and at West Fitehburg. The water-supplj- is excellent, 
and the location healthful. Situated on a branch of the 
Nashua River, a rapid stream rolling down between the 
hills, the city has a valuable motive-power which it has 
turned to various manufacturing purposes* 

The ph'.ce originallj' belonged to Lunenburg, and was 
called "Turkey HLll," from the wild turkeys attracted 
thither bj- the chestnuts and acorns which it produced. 
It was incorporated as a town Feb. 3, 1764, and named 
for John Fitch, one of its prominent citizens. It was 
incorporated as a citj-, March 8, 1872 ; since which its 
growth, due in a great measure to the late Alvah Crocker, 
M. C, has been rapid and permanent. 

A church was organized here in 1764, and Jan. 27, 
1768, the Rev. John Payson was ordained pastor. His 
successor, the Rev. Samuel Worcester, D. D., was or- 
dained in 1797, and continued here about five years. 

The Fitehburg cotton manufactory was incorporated 
in 1807, at which period the town contained about 1,500 
inhabitants. 

The Rev. Asa Thurston, missionar}- to the Sandwich 
Islands for more than 40 years, was born here in 1787 
(Yale College, 1816), and ched at Honolulu in 1868. 

somely built, and conspicuous among the buildings are the Fitehburg 
and the Rollstone hotels, the citj' hall, capable of seating 1,500 people, the 
Episcopal and the Rollstone churches, and several fine blocks of stores 
and offices. A handsome railroad depot has recently been constructed. 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



AsHBURNHAM, Ij'iug in the extreme north-eastern sec 
tion of the count}-, 61 miles north-west of Boston, by 
the Vermont and Massachusetts Railroad, is a farming 
and manufacturing town of 2,141 inhabitants. The soil 
is strong, but rock}'. Mount Watatic, rising to the 
height of 1 ,847 feet above the sea, is the highest emi- 
nence. The water-power formed by numerous ponds and 
tributaries of the Nashua River and Miller's River, is 
abundant, and is utilized for saw-mills, cotton-mills, and 
chair manufactories. The town has two churches, eleven 
public schools, and also a seminary founded by Thomas 
Parkman Gushing, a native of this place, who died in 
Boston Nov. 23, 1854. 

The place was originally called " Dorchester Canada," 
because granted to soldiers of Dorchester in the expedi- 
tion against Canada in 1690. It was incorporated Feb. 
22, 1765, and named in honor of John, second Earl of 
Ashburnham. The first church was organized, and the 
Rev. Jonathan Winchester settled over it, April 23, 1760. 

Athol,* a prosperous manufacturing and farming 
town, situated on Miller's River, contains 4,134 inhabi- 
tants, and is on the line of the Vermont and Mass. 
R. R. By the Athol and Enfield Railroad it has com- 
munication with Springfield and New York. The land 
is beautifully diversified by hill, valley and plain, and 
the soil is strong and productive. The principal emi- 
nences are Chestnut Hill, Round Gap, Pierce Hill, and 
High Knob. The water-supply is abundant, consisting 
of Miller's River, a rapid stream, and its tributaries, 
together with several pleasant ponds. The town owes its 
recent rapid growth to its manufactures, which for the 
year ending May 1, 1875, amounted to $1,214,018. 

The Indian name of the place was Poquaige, and it 
began to be settled by the English, who lived at first in 
garrisons, about 1734. Mr. Ezekiel Wallingford, while 
running to a garrison, was killed by the Indians in 
August, 1 740 ; and early in the year ensuing, Mr. Jason 
Babcock was taken captive by them. A chiu-ch was 
organized Aug. 23, 1750, and, on the 6th of March, 
1762, the town was incorporated, receiving its name 
from James ilurray, the second Duke of Athol and Lord 
Privj' Seal of Scotland. 

Charles H. Sweetzer, a brilliant journalist, was born 
here Aug. 25, 1841, and graduated at Amherst College 



in 1862. He published the "History of Amherst Col- 
lege," the " Tourist's Guide to the North-west," and 
founded the " Round Table" and other journals iii New 
York. His death occurred at Pilatka, Fla., Jan. 1, 1871. 

Bakre is a large town of 2,460 inhabitants, \jing in 
the form of a diamond in the westerly part of the count}-. 
It is accommodated by Ware River Railroad, opened in 
1873. An immense bowlder in the north-westerly part 
of the town, called " The Rocking Stone," is a natural 
curiosity. The land is broken and well watered by Ware 
River and its affluents, which afford valuable hj'draulic 
power. Though farming is the main business, there are 
manufactories of boots and shoes, cotton and woollen 
goods and machinery. The town has eleven public 
schools, five churches, a public library, a well-managed 
journal, — the " Barre Gazette," — and a handsome sol- 
dier's monument. 

The place was incoriDorated as the Rutland District 
March 28, 1753, and as the town of Hutchinson in June, 
1774; but in November, 1776, the name was changed 
to Barre in honor of Col. Isaac BaiTe, who favored the 
cause of America. 

A church was organized here in 1753, and the Rev. 
Joseph Frink was the first pastor. 

Col. William Buckminster, wounded at the battle of 
Bunker Hill, died here June 22, 1786. 

The Rev. David O. Allen, D. D., author of a histoiy 
of India, and father of Dr. Nathan Allen, was born here 
in 1804, and died in Lowell in 1863. 

Gen. Joseph B. Plummer, a graduate of West Point 
Military Academy, and a gallant officer, was bom here 
in 1820, and died at Corinth, Miss., Aug. 9, 1862. 

BROOKPiELD,t an agricultural and manufacturing town 
of 2,660 inhabitants, was originally, May, 1660, granted 
to a nimiber of the inhabitants of Ipswich, the tract 
being six miles square, and including the towns of North 
and West Brookfield. That they might have at once a 
just and undisputed right to the soil, the grantees pur- 
chased and took a deed of the natives. Quaboag, or 
Podunk Pond, from which flows Quaboag River, contains 
about 640 acres, and was a favorite resort of the Indians. 
It is connected by a canal with South Pond. The otter 
is still found in these ponds. 



• The principal articles of manufacture in 1875, were boots and shoes, t Brookfield is located on the Boston and Albany Railroad, about 
furniture, machinery, pocket-books, match-splints and mirror-frames, 55 miles from the city of Boston. It has five churches ; eleven public 

a free library, named, 



twine, cotton and carpet warp, cotton batting and caitiagcs. The town 
valuation was $2,687,910. Alhol has 11 public schools; a good public 
journal, called " The Athol Transcript," established 1871 ; five churches ; 
a handsome railroad depot ; two banks for discount, and a savings bank. 



schools ; a handsome town hall ; a free liljrary, named, from its liberal 
founder, the late Judge Merrick, " The Menick Public Library "; and 
pood hotel called the " Brookfield House." It has manufactories of 
boots and shoes, cotton goods, carriage-wheels, and boxes. 



IIISTOKY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



Brookfield, for a long time a solitaiy settlement, * 
was assaulted b}-thc Indians in 1C75, -ivhen they burned the 
meeting-house j and everj' dweUing-house but one. On 
the approach of the Indians, the inhabitants collected in 
' one house, which they fortified and defended for three 
days. The Indians then endeavored to send a cart, 
loaded with flax and hay, which they set on fire, against 
the building ; but a shower of rain extinguished the 
flames. At length Maj. Willard, with a troop of fortj-- 
eight light horse, appeared, and the enemy fled. 

The Congregational church of Brookfield (formerly- 
known as South Pai-ish) was organized April 15, 1756, 
and its house of worship was erected about the same 
time. In 1827, the "society" ha\'ing developed Uni- 
tarian tendencies, the "Orthodox," or evangelical por- 
tion of the church, was organized as a separate bodj' 
Aug. 24, 1827, erecting their first church edifice in 1828, 
and their present one in 1857. The history- of Congre- 
gationalism in this town has been rendered somewhat 
memorable in consequence of the controversy relative to 
churcli iDropertj", wliich occurred here, as between the 
"Orthodox" and Unitarians; Brookfield, indeed, hav- 
ing aflTorded, if we mistake not, the test, and decisive 
case; — the original " societj- " (Unitarian) claiming, 
and, by legal decision, securing, possession of the 
church propertj' and name. 

It is an interesting fact that lle\. Micah Stone, 
ordained and installed pastor of this church in 1801, and 
dying Sept. 21, 1852, in the 82d j-ear of his age; and 
Thomas Snell, D. D., pastor of the church at North Brook- 
field, and d^ing Ma}- 4, 1862, aged 87 ; and John Fiske, 
who as pastor of the church at West Brookfield, died 
March 15, 1855, aged 84, were contemporarj- pastors in 
the same township for over half a century. 

The town, named from its local features, was incorpo- 
rated Nov. 12, 1718. It has produced Dwight Foster 
(1757-1823), United States senator, 1800-3; Kiah 
Bailey (1770-1857), a noted clergj-man ; Col. Enos 
Cutler (1781-1860), a good soldier; William Appleton 
(1786-1862), a liberal merchant; Samuel Jennison 
(1788-1862), an antiquarian writer ; and Pliny Merrick, 
LL. D., an eminent jurist. 

Clixton, I a new and flourishing manufacturing town 
of 6,781 inhabitants, lies in the north-easterly section of 
the county. The Worcester and Nashua, and the Bos- 

* Situated about half way between the old towns on the Connecticut 
River, and those on the east, toward the Atlantic coast. 

t The first meeting-house stood on Foster's Hill, about a mile west of 
the present village. It was on the north side of the road, leading over 
the hill to " The West." The fortified house in which the inhabitants 
were besieged by the Indians in 1675, stood not far from the church. 



ton, Clinton and Filchburg railroads here intersect each 
other, affording fine facilities for trade and travel. The \ 
Nashua River, with numerous reservoirs, furnishes a great i 
hj'dranlic power, which is utilized for driving the ma- 
chineiy of several large manufactories. The principal 
goods made are carpets, wire-cloth, cotton-cloth and 
3-arns, loom-harnesses, combs, boots and shoes, ma- 
chinery and iron castings. The Lancaster Mills cover 
more than four acres. The Clinton Wire-cloth Companj' 
is said to be the first tliat ever wove wire-cloth by the 
power-loom. The town was detached from Lancaster, 
and incorporated, March 14, 1850, taking its name from 
DeWitt Clinton. 

The town owes much of its prosperity to the genius of 
Erastus Brigham Bigelow, LL. D., who was born in 
West Bojiston, in April, 1814, and who invented a 
machine for weaving coach lace, and in 1839 a power- 
loom for weaving two-ply ingrain carpets, which is now 
in extensive use. 

i 

Grafton, § a prosperous fanning and manufacturing j 
town of 4,442 inhabitants, has four postal villages, the I 
Centre, New England Village, Saundersville and Far- j 
numville, the last two being on the Blackstone River, 
which runs through the south-west corner of the town, 
and aflfords valuable motive power. It sent 359 soldiers 
into the late war, of wliom 59 were lost. To their mem- 
orj' it has erected a handsome marble monument. 

This place, called b}- the Indians Hassajiamisiit, was 
one of John Eliot's " praying towns," where, in 1674. 
there were 12 Indian families, under the ruler, Anawea- 
kin, having a meeting-house and " several good or- 
chards." Their burial-place still remains. The town 
was incorporated April IS, 1735. 

A church was formed here in 1731, the Rev. Solomon 
Prentice being the pastor. The Rev. Aaron Hutchinson, 
a good scholar, ordained June 6, 1750, succeeded him. 
The nest minister was the Rev. Daniel Grosvenor, 
ordained Oct. 19, 1774. "He left his pulpit and 
marched with his musket in a company of minute-men 
that went to Cambridge on the 19th of April, 1775." 
"The Grafton Herald" was established here in 1873. 

The town has produced the Rev. John Leland (1754- 
1841), an able writer; Rev. Henry A. Miles, D. D. 
(1S09-), author of "Lowell as it was, and is"; and 
William D. Andrews, an inventor (1818-). 

+ It has 8 pnblic schools, 5 churches, a memorial town hall, a public 
library, a bank of discount, and an ably conducted weekly journal, 
" The Clinton Courant," established in 1838. 

§ The principal manufactures are cotton-cloth, print-cloth, boots 
and shoes, and men's clothing. The town has 6 churches, 11 public 
schools, a free library, and two banks. 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



Lancaster,* very pleasantly situated on the Nashua 
River, contains 1,957 inhabitants. The central village, 
which is finely shaded with majestic elms, presents an 
air of quiet rural beautj-. The Indians called this place 
Nashawog. It was incorporated May 18, 1053, and in 
Philip's war, and afterwards, suffered greatly from the 
savages. Ten persons were killed by them, Aug. 22, 
1G75 ; and on the 10th of February following, riiilip set 
fire to the house of the Rev. Joseph Rowlandson, which 
contained 42 j ersons, only one of whom escaped. Sub- 
sequently the town was reduced to ashes bj' the enemy. 
In the summer of 1704, a force of 500 French and Ind- 
ians assaulted the town, killed four persons, and burned 
the meotmg-house. In October of the j-ear ensuing, 
Thomas Saw3'er, his son Elias, and John Bigclow, were 
carried away captives to Canada, where Mr. Sawyer 
erected the first saw-mill built in that eountrj^ The 
Rev. Joseph Rowlandson, the first settled minister, was 
ordained in 1G58. The Rev. John Whiting succeeded 
him, and was killed b^- the Indians in 1G97. Lancaster 
is the birth-place of Col. Al)ijah Willard (1722-89), a 
noted lojalist; Gen. John Whiteomb (1812), a Revolu- 
tionarj- patriot ; Miss Hannah Flagg Gould (1789-1856), 
a poetical writer; and Mrs. Caroline Lee Hentz (1800- 
1856), a popular author. 

Leominster, t a very busj- and thriving town, was 
incorporated, June 23, 1740, and has 6,201 inhabitants. 
It has a good water-power on a branch of the Nashua 
River and its tributaries. It sent 410 men into the late 
war, of whom 38 lost their lives. A church was organ- 
ized here Sept. 14, 1743, having the Rev. John Rogers 
(Harvard College, 1732) for its pastor. The Rev. Fran- 
cis Gardner (Harvard College, 1755) was ordained here 
Dec. 22, 1762, and died, June 2, 1814, in the 52d year 
of his ministry. 

Eminent Men. — Rev. Charles Stearns, D. D. (1752- 
1826), educator and author ; Walter R. Johnson (1794- 
1852), author; James G. Carter (1795-1849), educa- 
tor. David Wilder published a history of the town in 
1853. Daniel Adams, M. D., was once a resident of the 



• The town has 11 public schools, 3 churches, 2 banks, a free library, 
and a memorial hall costing $30,000, which perpetuates the memory of 
3S soldiers, lost in the late war. The State Industrial School for Girls 
is in the southerly part of the town. 

t The manufactures consist of combs, paper, pianofortes, paper boxes, 
carriages, furniture, and woollen goods, &c., to the annual value of 
$1,892,212. The town has 13 public schools, 5 churches, a public library, 
2 bunks, and ii good weekly journal, " The Leominster Enterprise." 

X The postal centres are Milford, South Milford and Hopedalc. The 
town has 6 churches, 20 public schools, including a good high school, a 
well-managed weekly paper, " The Milford Journal," established in 
1852, and a tasteful burial-place, called Pine Grove Cemetery. The 



town, and edited a weekly paper here called "The Tele- 
scope" (1800-02). A paper-mill was establishedin 1796. 

Milford, \ an enterprising and prosperous town of 
9,818 inhabitants, was incorporated April 11, 1780, and 
named from Mill River, which flows through Hopedalc, 
a pleasant village in the westerly part of the town. 
Charles River flows through the centre and affords val- 
uable moti\e i^ower. 

The Indian name of Milford was Wopowage, and the 
northerly part of it, bought of the natives, still bears 
filename of "North Purchase." The first church was 
established here July 15, 1741, and in 1743 the Rev. 
Amariah Frost was settled as the pastor. He was suc- 
ceeded in 1801 by the Rev. David Long, who died, 
March 13, 1850. 

A Fraternal Community was established at Hoj)edale 
about 1840, which is now extinct. 

The following natives of this town have obtained 
celebrity: The Rev. Stephen Chapin, D. D. (1778- 
1845), an able divine; Albert H. Nelson (1812-58), a 
good jurist ; William Claflin, LL. D., a governor of 
Massachusetts and member of Congress ; Gen. Adin B. 
Underwood, an officer in the war of the Rebellion ; and 
Mrs. Clara [Erskino] Clement, a popular writer. 

Oxford, § a pleasant town of 2,938 inhabitants, is 
intersected by the Providence and Worcester Railroad, 
and b}' French River, which affords power for manufac- 
turing purposes. The Indian name of the town was 
Mancliaug ; it was earlj' settled by 30 famiUes of French 
Huguenots, who built two forts on Fort Hill in the 
south-east part of the town. John Evans, John John- 
sou and his three children, were killed by the Indians in 
an assault upon the jolace in 1G96. It was incoqiorated 
in 1713, and named from Oxford, England. A church 
was formed here Jan. 18, 1721, and the Rev. John 
Campbell was soon afterwards ordained as pastor. 

Princeton, an agricultural town, noted for its beauti- 
ful scenery, contains 1,003 inhaliitants. Its Indian name 

principal business is the manufacture of boots and shoes, for which 
there are 21 establishments, and into them the most approved machinery 
has been introduced. Other manufactures are spindles and spinning- 
rings, machinery, furniture, clothing, boxes, straw goods, iron castings, 
leather-belting, and boot and shoe nails. The capital invested in boot 
and shoe making is $710,800, and to this branch of business mainly, the 
town owes its prosperity. 

§ It has 9 public schools, 6 churches, a bank, a free library, and two 
postal centres, Oxford and North Oxford. There are three other vil- 
lages : Lamed Village in the northerly, and Hodges' Village and Buf- 
fumville in the southerly part. The manufactures are carpet warp and 
twine, cassimeres, cotton and woollen goods, and shoes. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



was WacJmsett, and its incorporation as a town was ef- 
fected April 24, 1771, the name being given to it in hon- 
or of the Rev. Thomas Prince of Boston. The Boston, 
Barre and Gardner Railroad runs through the westerly 
section of the town, and the postal centres are Princeton, 
East Princeton, and Wachusett Village. The land is 
drained on the one side by tributaries of Still River, a 
branch of the Nashua River, and on the other side, b}' 
those of Ware River. The town has ten public schools, 
and two churches. The people are engaged principally 
in farming, lumbering and chair-making. 

The prominent local feature is Wachusett Mountain, 
which rises b}- a gi-adual ascent to the height of 2,480 
feet above sea level. There is a good hotel, " The Sum- 
mit House," on the top of the mountain, and also an 
observatory, from whicli a large part of the State from 
the ocean to the hills of Berksliire may be seen. 

Edward Savage (1761-1817), a portrait painter ; Da- 
vid Everett (1770-1813), a journalist, and Leonard 
Woods, D. D., a divine, were natives of this town. 

Rutland, in the central part of the county, is a good 
farming town, having 1 ,030 inhabitants. It has one Con- 
gregational church, organized June 7, 1720, a public 
library and ten public schools. It sent 102 men into the 
late war, of whom 1 7 were lost. 

The town was incorporated July 23, 1713, and named, 
it is supposed, from the county of Rutland, in England. 
The Indian name was Naquag, and the English began to 
settlehcreinor abouttheycarl71G. On the 14th of Au- 
gust, 1723 aMr. Willard, and two sons of Joseph Stevens, 
were killed by the Indians near the spot now occupied by 
the meeting-house. Two other sous of Mr. Stevens, 
Phineas and Isaac, were at the same time taken captive. 
Joseph Buckminstcr, D. D., an eloquent preacher, was 
born in this town Oct. 14, 1751, and died June 10, 1812 ; 
also Caleb S. Henry, D. D., a learned divine, was born 
here Aug. 2, 1804. 

Sheewsbukt is a good farming town, having 1,524 
inhabitants. The land is uneven, but fertile, and the 
farms are generally in good order. A part of Quinsiga- 
mond Lake Ucs in this town, and as seen from the hills 
around presents a beautiful aspect. The town has 
seven public schools, a handsome town house, a farmers' 
club, and a Congregational and a Methodist church. The 
currying business is carried on to some extent, and also 
that of boot and shoe making. 

The town was incorporated Dec. 19, 1727, taking its 
name, probably, from Charles, Duke of Shrewsbury. A 
meeting-house was erected here in 1 721 ; the first settled 



minister was the Rev. Job Gushing, installed at the or- 
ganization of the church, Dec. 4, 1723. He died in 17G0. 
Distinguished Afen. — -Artemas Ward, the first major- 
general in the army of the Revolution, was born here, 
Nov. 27, 1727, and died Oct. 27, 1800. Calvin God- 
dard, M. C, 1801-05, was born here, July 17, 1768, and 
died May 2, 1842. Andrew H. Ward, who wrote a his- 
tory of the town, was born here May 26, 1784, and died 
Feb. 18, 1864. Levi Pease, who introduced mail-staging 
into this country, was long a resident of Shrewsbury, 
and died here in 1824, at the age of 86 years. The 
town has erected a handsome monument in honor of its 
29 soldiers lost in the late war. 

SouTHBRiDGE has 5,740 inhabitants. It is intersected 
by the Quinnebaug River, which furnishes very valuable 
motive power. Hatchett Hill rises to the height of 1,016 
feet above sea level. Sandersville is a pleasant village 
on the river below the main settlement. Southbridge 
owes its growth and vigor to its manufacturing establish- 
ments. It was taken from parts of Sturbridge, Dudley, 
and Charlton, and incorporated Feb. 15, 1816. It grew 
out of a parish in Charlton, incorporated Feb. 28, 1801, 
and was for some time known as Honest Town. A 
meeting-house had been dedicated the preceding year, 
and a church was organized September IGtli of the fol- 
lowing 3'ear. The first settled pastor was the Rev. Jason 
Park, ordained Dec. 18, 1816. The town has now two 
good hotels, nine public schools, a public librarj-, two 
banks, a well-edited newspaper, "The Journal," and 
seven churches, one of which belongs to the French 
people. The town furnished 345 men for the late war. 

William L. Marcy, governor of New York, 1833-1839, 
was born in what is now Southbridge, Dec. 12, 1786, 
and died 3n\y 4, 1857. The house where he was born is 
still standing. 

Hon. Ebenezer Ammidown, a prominent citizen, was 
born in the territory now forming Southbridge, Nov. IS, 
1796, and died here Nov. 21, 1865. 

Spencer is a long and narrow township, having three 
postal villages, — the Centre, Hillsvillc, and North Spen- 
cer, — and 5,451 inhabitants. The land is broken, rising 
into several beautifully rounded hills, among which Green 
Hill and Flat Hill are quite prominent. The principal 
business is farming, and the manufacture of boots and 
shoes, wire, and woollen goods. The value of boots 
and shoes made in the j-ear ending Maj' 1, 1875, was 
$2,155,429. 

Spencer has a public library, 18 public schools, a 
well-conducted journal, "The Spencer Sun," and four 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



churches. The Rev. Joshua Eaton, ordained Nov. 7, 
17-44, was the first settled minister. The town was 
named, perhaiJS, from Spencer Phips, and incorporated 
Aprils, 1753. It was previously the second precinct 
of Leicester. It sent 265 men into the late war, of whom 
40 wore lost. 

Elias Howe, the inventor of the sewing-machine, was 
born here July 9, 1819, and died Oct. 3, 1867. His first 
machine was completed in the spring of 1845. 

Sutton, a large farming and manufacturing town, is 
accommodated bj' the Providence and Worcester Eail- 
road, and has four postal villages, Wilkinsonville in the 
north-west, Manchaug in the south-west, Sutton Centre, 
and West Sutton. There is another village called South 
Sutton. The surface of the town is pleasantl}' diversified 
by hill and valley, and motive-power is afforded by the 
Blackstone River at Wilkinsonville, and by the Mumford 
River at Manchaug. The town has 3,051 inhabitants, 
12 public schools, and three churches. 

There is in the south-easterly section of this town 
a wild and desolate spot called " Purgatorj-," which at- 
tracts many visitors. The gneissie rock is here cloven, 
as if by an earthquake, to the depth of about 70 feet 
for the distance of nearly half a mile. The chasm, in 
some places 50 feet in width, presents, with its ragged 
sides, a fearful aspect. It is said to be the haunt of 
rattlesnakes. A spring flows from it into Purgatory 
Brook. * 

The town was incorporated June 21, 1715, the land 
having been originally purchased of John Wampus, an 
Indian sachem. The north parish was incorporated as 
the town of Millbury, June 11, 1813. 

A church was organized in Sutton in 1720, the first 
minister being the Rev. John McKinstry of Scotland. 

Noted Men. —Gen. Eufus Putnam (1738-1824); 
Solomon Sibley (1769-1846), a lawj-er of distinction; 
Alden Marsh (1795-1869), a surgeon ; Gen. George B. 
Boomer (1832) , killed at Vicksburg in 1863. 

Stdrbridge occupies the south-westerly corner of 
Worcester County, and is about 60 miles by the New 
York and New England Railroad and stage south-west 
from Boston. The land is hilly, and the natural scenery 
picturesque. The Quinnebaug River furnishes consider- 
able motive power, which is utilized for the manufacture 
of cotton goods, augers, &c. The town has 2,213 in- 
habitants, 13 public schools, a public library', and three 

• The wife of the Rev. Prof. George Prentice, of Middetown (Conn.) 
University, fell from these rocks on the 7th of July, 1876, and died soon 
after, in consequence of injuries received. 



churches. A monument has been erected to perpetuate 
the names of 27 men lost in the late war. 

The Indian name of this place was Tantousque ; it 
was granted to persons from Medfield who gave it the 
name of New Medfield. This was changed to Stur- 
bridgc (from Stourbridge, Eng.), June 24, 1738, when 
the act of incorporation was passed. 

A church of 14 members was organized Sept. 29, 
1736, when the Rev. Caleb Rice was oi-dained as pastor. 
He died Sept. 2, 1759. 

The land embracing the plumbago, or black-lead mines 
in this town, was granted to John Winthrop, Jr., in 1644. j 
The Court record is: — "Mr. John Winthrop, Jr., is j 
granted ye hill at Tantousque, about 60 miles westward, 
in which the black lead is, and liberty to purchase some 
land of the Indians." These mines were once considered 
very valuable. A tract of 1,000 acres of land at Tan- 
tousque was given to the Rev. John Eliot in 1655. 

Men of Note. — Daniel Saunders, D. D., an author 
(1768-1850) ; Samuel Bacon, a lawj-er and preacher 
(1781-1820) ; Erasmus D. Keyes, a major-general 
(1811-) ; William Willard, a portrait-painter (1819-). 

Upton was taken from parts of Hopkinton, Sutton, 
and Mendon, and incorjDoratcd June 14, 1735. The 
Rev. Thomas Weld, first pastor of the church, was or- 
dained Jan. 18, 1735. Rev. Benjamin Wood, ordained 
June 1, 1796, served as pastor 53 years. 

Upton furnished 192 men for the war of the Rebellion, 
of whom 31 were lost. 

The Hon. Henry Chapin, son of Elisha Chapin (Brown 
University, 1835), mayor of Worcester, was born here, 
and died in Worcester in 1878. 

Upton, noted for the manufacture of straw goods, con- 
tains 2,125 inhabitants. It is reached bj' the Boston and 
Albany Railroad and stage-coach, and is 36 miles from 
Boston. Its postal villages are the Centre and West 
Upton. The land is uneven and rocky, but well adapted 
to the growth of fruit-trees and pasturage. The town 
has nine public schools, a public library, and three 
churches. For the year ending May 1, 1875, the value 
of straw-goods made was $800,000. 



UxBRiDGE, on the Blackstone River, which here affords 
valuable motive power, contains 3,029 inhabitants, most j 
of whom are engaged in manufacturing. Its postal vil- j 
lages are Uxbridge and South Uxbridge. It has four 
church edifices, 12 public schools, two banks, and a good 
public library. 

This place, called by the Indians Wacuntug, was 
taken from Mendon and incorporated June 27, 1727, 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



the name being given in honor of Henrj- Paget, Eaii of 
Uxbridge. 

The Rev. Nathan Webb was the first minister, having 
been ordained over the church at its formation in 1731. 

Noted J/eH. — William Baylies, M. D., M. C, 1805- 
09, was born here Dec. 5, 1743, and died June 17, 
1826 ; Nicholas Bajiies, a judge and author (1772- 
1846) ; Willard Preston, D.D., born here May 29, 1785, 
and died in Savannah, Ga., April 26, 1856. 

W.iRREN, on the Quaboag River, has 3,260 inhabi- 
tants. The land is fertile, the scenery varied and pic- 
turesque. The postal centres are Warren and West 
Warren, and there is a Congregational church at each 
of these places. The town has also a Methodist, a 
Universalist, and two Catholic churches. Its manufac- 
tures consists mainly of cassimeres, cotton goods, steam- 
pumps, boots and shoes, ink and bluing, and iron 
castings. 

This town, formed from parts of Brookfield, Kings- 
field and Brimfield, was incorporated under the name of 
"Western," Jan. 16, 1741, which title it bore until 
March 13, 1841, when it took the name of Warren, in 
honor of the patriot. Gen. Joseph Warren, killed in the 
battle of Bunker Hill. 

A church was organized here in 1745, when the Rev. 
Isaac Jones was settled as the pastor. 

Nathan Read, son of Maj. Reuben Read and M. C, 
1800-03, was born here July 2, 1759, and died Jan. 
20, 1849. 

Webster, a manufacturing town, on the French River, 
16 miles south of Worcester by the Norwich and 
Worcester Railroad, contains 5,064 inhabitants, and 
several large woollen and cotton mills. It has 6 pulilic 
schools, 7 church edifices, and a public journal, "The 
AVebster Times." 

Webster was taken from Oxford and Dudley, named 
in honor of Daniel Webster, and incorporated March 6, 
1832. The manufacture of cotton and woollen goods 
was commenced here by Samuel Slater, who died in 
Webster April 20, 1835. His sons still continue the 
business here. 

The scenery of Webster is varied and beautiful, its 
most notable feature being the Lake Chaubunagunga- 
maug, which covers an area of about 1,230 acres, and 
serves as a reservoir for the mills. 

Westbouough is a large and flourishing manufacturing 
and farming town, and contains 155 farms and 1,541 
inhabitants. The principal manufactures are boots and 



shoes, straw goods, and wagons and sleighs. The town 
has 16 public schools, 2 banks, and 6 church edifices. 
The State Reform School for boys is located here on 
a beautiful site, commanding a fine view of Chaunc^' 
Pond. The public and private buildings of this town 
are generally kept in good order, and the whole town 
presents an air of neatness and prosperity. " The West- 
borough Chronotype," a well-edited newspaper, is pub- 
lished here. This town has erected a marble monument 
in memory of the 25 men lost from the 313 it sent into 
the late war. 

This place, originally called "• Chauncj' Village," was 
detached from Jlarlborough, and incorporated Nov. 18, 
1717. A church was organized here Oct. 28, 1724, and 
the Rev. Ebenezer Parkman was then ordained as the 
pastor. He remained in this office 59 years, and died 
Dec. 9, 1782, at the age of 80 years. 

On the 4th of August, 1704, the Indians visited this 
place, and took four boys, one of whom, Nahor Rice, they 
killed, and carried the others away captives. One of 
them was suljsequentl^' redeemed, and the two others 
remained and grew up with the Indians. Of these, 
one, whose name was Timothy Rice, became an Indian 
chief, and lost the use of the English language. lie 
visited Westborough in 1740, and recollected the house 
in which he lived, and the field in which he was taken. 

Eli Whitnc}', inventor of the cotton-gin, which has 
exerted such an influence on the industries of our coun- 
try and the world, was born here Dec. 8, 17G5, and died 
in New Haven, Conn., Jan. 8, 1825. Hon. Horace 
Maynard, M. C, was born in this town. 

WiNCHENDON is a large and prosperous farming and 
manufacturing town in the north part of the county. It 
has five pleasant villages : Winchendon Centre, Winchen- 
don, Springville, Bullardville and Waterv-ille. Miller's 
River runs in a serpentine course tlu-ough the town, and 
furnishes power for manufacturing purposes. The land 
is hilly and generally fertile. The town contains 3,7G2 
inhabitants, and the principal manufactures are chairs, 
pails and tubs, cotton goods, bits and hammers, hay- 
rakes, and doors and blinds. The town has 10 schools, 
2 banks, a public librai'y, a weekly paper, "The Jour- 
nal," and 6 churches. 

This place was granted to Lieut. Abraham Tilton of 
Ipswich in 1734, and called " Ipswich Canada." In 1752 
it had ten families, some of whom then left through fear 
of the Indians. A church was organized Dec. 15th of 
that j'ear, when the Rev. Daniel Stunpson was ordained 
as pastor. The town was incorporated June 14, 1764. 

John ]\I. Whiton, author of a " History of New Hamp- 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



shire," was born here Aug. 1, 1785, and died Sept. 28, 
1836. William B. Washburn, ex-governor of the State, 
was born here Jan. 31, 1820. 

West Boylston, noted for its beautiful scener}', is, by 
the Worcester and Nashua Railroad, about eight miles 
north of Worcester, and contains 2.902 inhabitants. 
The land is hill.y, and from the eminences delightful 
views of the surrounding country are obtained. The 
singular depression of about four acres of land called 
" The Pleasant Valley" is tliought to have been caused 
by an earthquake. The Nashua River and a tributarj' 
called the Quinnepoxet River, afford valualile motive- 
power. The postal villages are West Boylston and 
Oakdale, in the northern part of the town. The princi- 
pal manufactures are cotton goods and boots and shoes. 
The town has five church edifices and nine public schools. 

The town was formed from parts of Boylston, Holdcn 
and Sterling, and incorporated Jan. 30, 1808. A church 
w.as organized here Oct. 11, 1797, and the Rev. William 
Nash was then ordained as pastor. He was dismissed 
in 1815, and followed by the Rev. John Boardman. 

The famous almanac-maker, Robert B. Thomas, died 
in this town May 19, 1846, at the age of 80 years. 
Erastus Brigham Bigelow, LL. D., inventor, and founder 
of the town of Clinton, was born here in April, 1814. 
The Rev. Dyer Ball, a missionary to China, was also a 
native of this town. 

Templeton has four postal centres, — Baldwinsville on 
Otter River, Otter River, East Templeton and Temple- 
ton Centre. Brooks village is in the westerly part. 
The town is accommodated bj' the Vt. and Mass. and the 
Ware River railroads, and is about 69 miles north-west 
of Boston. It contains 2,764 inhabitants. It has nine 
public schools, a savings bank, a public librarj- and five 
church edifices. The principal manufactures are chairs, 
furniture, tin and copper ware and toy wagons. The 
soil is deep, moist and fertile ; the scenery romantic. 

This place was originally known as " Narragansett 
No. 6," and was incorporated as a town March 6, 1762. 
It furnished 188 soldiers for the late war, of whom about 
50 were lost. 

The first settled minister of the place was the Rev. 
Daniel Pond, ordained over the church in 1755. His 
successors were the Rev. Ebenzer Sparhawk, 1761, and 
the Rev. Charles Wellin^on, 1807. 

There is a curious mine-cave in the southerly part of 
the town, supposed to have been opened in 1753. It is 
57 feet deep. 

George C. Shattuck, M. D.^ a philanthropist, was 



born here July 17, 1783, and died in Boston March 18, 
1854. William M. Goodrich, an organ-builder, was 
born here in 1777, and died in 1833. William Goodell, 
D. D., a missionary to Armenia, was born here Feb. 14, 
1792, and died Feb. 18, 1867. 

SouTHBOROUGH, in the extreme easterly part of the 
county, is accommodated by the B. & A. R. R. and b}- 
the B., C. & F. R. R. The land is of good quality, and 
the scenerj- pleasant. The Sudbury' River separates the 
town from Hopkinton on the south, and furnishes some 
motive-power. The town lias 1,986 inhabitants. It has 
two Congregational, and also Baptist and Episcopal 
churches ; a good town house, a public library, a ijrosper- 
ous farmers' club and nine public schools. The princi- 
pal villages are the Centre, Fayville, Cordaville and 
Southville. The central village has a very neat and 
inviting appearance. 

This town was taken from Marlborough and incorpo- 
rated Jul}' 6, 1727. A chrn-ch was organized Oct. 24, 
1730, when the Rev. Nathan Stone was ordained as 
pastor. His death occurred May 31, 1781. Of his 
successors the Rev. Samuel Sumner was ordained June 
21, 1791, and the Rev. Jeroboam Parker in 1799. 

The town furnished a company of soldiers, of which 
Josiah Fa}' was captain, for the Revolutionary war ; also 
206 men for the war of the Rebellion. In honor of the 
17 men lost in this war it has erected a fine monument. 

Waldo Irving Burnett, an eminent naturalist, was 
born here July 12, 1828, and died July 1, 1854. Joseiih 
Burnett, Esq., of this town is the founder of St. Mark's 
Chapel and School, and is noted as an agriculturist. 

West Beookfield, a pleasant farming town, 69 miles 
south-west of Boston, b}' the Boston and Albany Rail- 
road, has its principal settlement on the Quaboag River. 
The town is noted for its excellent butter and cheese and 
for the abundance of its fruit. The population is 1,903. 
The town has 7 public schools, a hotel, — called from a 
large pond " The W'ickaboag House," — a public hall, a 
Congregational and a Methodist church. This place, 
long known as the west parish of Brookfield, was incor- 
porated March 3, 1848. A church was organized here 
Oct. 16, 1717, when the Rev. Thomas P. Cheney was 
settled as pastor. 

Wickaboag Pond was a noted resort of the Indians. 

Mrs. Lucy Stone (Blackwell), a well-known lecturer, 
was born here in 1818 ; and the Rev. Austin Phelps, 
D. D., Jan. 7, 1820. 

Westminster, noted for the manufacture of chairs 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



and paper, has 1,712 inhabitants 12 public schools, 
a public library' and three churches, — Congregationalist, 
Methodist and Universalist. The postal centres are at 
Westminster Centre, Westminster Depot and at Wachu- 
sctt Village. Wachusett Pond, a beautiful sheet of 
clear water, extends from this last-named village into 
Princeton. The place began to be settled by the Eng- 
lish as early as 1737. It was long known as NaiTagan- 
sett No. 2. A church was organized with the Eev. 
Elisha Marsh as pastor, Oct. 20, 1742; and the next 
j-oar ten forts were constructed as a defence against 
the Indians. The town was not incorporated until 
April 26, 1770. 

Sterling is a farming town of 1,569 inhabitants. It 
has 11 public schools, a public librarj- and three churches, 
the Unitarian, organized in 1742; the Orthodox, June 
22, 1852; aud a Baptist church. The Methodists 
have here an extensive camp-meeting ground. There 
are three postal centres, — Sterling Centre, Pratt's Junc- 
tion and West Sterling. The land is moist and fertile, 
and much attention is given to the production of milk 
for market. The principal manufactures are chairs and 
earthenware. 

The Indian name of the place was Chocksett. A 
fight occuiTed in boats on one of the ponds during Phil- 
ip's war in which 36 Indians were either killed or taken 
prisoners. The town was incorporated April 25, 1781, 
and named, perhaps, from Sterling in Scotland. The 
Rev. John Mellen, ordained Dec. 19, 1744, and dis- 
missed Nov. 14, 1774, was the first minister. 

Henry Mellen, a lawyer and poet ; Prentiss Mellen, 
LL. D. ; the Rev. Martin Moore ; and William F. Hol- 
combe, M. D., were natives of this town. 

RoTALSTON, in the north-west comer of the county-, 
was incoporated Feb. 17, 1765, and named in honor of 
Col. Isaac Royal, one of the original proprietors. It 
has 1,260 inhabitants, most of whom are engaged in 
agi-icultural pursuits; 172 farms, and 10 public schools. 
The soil is strong and productive ; the local scenery, 
diversified and pleasing. Miller's River flows through 
the south-eastern section of the town, affording some 
motive-power. The town has four churches, two of 
which are Congregational, one Methodist and one Baptist. 
The postal centres are at Royalston and South Royals- 
ton. The chief manufactures are chairs and woollen 
goods. The town sent 1 22 soldiers to the late war, of 
whom 40 were lost. Their names are inscribed upon a 
tablet in the town hall. The first minister was the Rev. 
Joseph Lee, settled in 1768. and continued in the pastor- 



ate more than 40 years. His successor was the Rev. 
Ebenezcr Perkins, settled here in 1819. 

Royalston is the birthplace of Alexander H. Bullock, 
an ex-governor of the Commonwealth. He was born 
March 2, 1816, and now lives in Worcester. 

The remaining towns of Worcester County are Phil- 
LiPSTON (666), a i^leasant and mainly an agricultural 
town, incorporated Oct. 20, 1786, under the name of 
Gerrj', its first church being organized Nov. 16, 1788, 
and its first minister, Rev. Ebenezer Tucker, being 
ordained Nov. 5, 1788 : Petershasi, a fine agricultural 
town of 1,203 inhabitants, incoiporatcd April 20, 1754 ; 
the birthplace of the Rev. Peter Whitney (1744-1816), 
author of "History of Worcester Count}'"; the Rev. 
Samuel Willard, D. D. (1776-1859), author; Austin 
Flint, M. D., a noted physician; Lysander Spooner, 
author of " Deist's Reply," and other works : Paxton, 
a small, but good, agricultural town of 600 inhabitants, 
incorporated Feb. 12, 1765, its first minister being Rev. 
Silas Bigelow, ordained Oct. 20, 1 767 : Oakham (873) , 
incorporated June 11, 1762, its first church being organ- 
ized Aug. 28, 1767, and its first minister, the Rev. John 
Strickland, ordained at the same time : Northborougii, 
a pleasant town of 1,398 inhabitants, incorporated Jan. 
24, 1766, its first church being organized Maj- 21, 1746 ; 
its first minister, the Rev. John Martin, settled at the 
same date ; noted as the place where Miss Marj' Good- 
now was killed by the Indians Aug. 18, 1707,* and as 
the birthplace of John Davis, LL.D. (1787-1854): New 
Braintree| (606), Indian name Winimcsset, incorpor- 
ated Jan. 31, 1751, its highest elevation. Tuft's Hill, 
having an altitude of 1,179 feet, and its first church 
being organized April 18, 1754; noted as the pb.co 
where 11 men were slain by the Indians Aug. 2, 1676, 
and where the captive Mrs. Rowlandson buried her 
murdered child : Northbridge, J a prosperous manu- 
facturing town of 4,030 inhabitants, its chief manu- 
factures being cotton goods, machinery, and boots aud 
shoes; incorporated July 14, 1772; the birthplace of 
Rev. Samuel Spring, D. D. (1746-1819), a noted divine : 
North Brookfield, an enterprising town of 3,749 
inhabitants, incorporated Feb. 28, 1812, having an air of 

• The next day nine of these Indians were slain, and in the pacli of one 
of them was found the scalp of tlie unfortunate girl. 

t Charles Eames, a noted lawj-cr (1812-1867), and the Rev. Jonathan 
Fisher (1768-1847), author of "Scripture Animals," were natives of this 



X Cotton machinery is 
and 100 feet high 

The first minis 
in the year 1783. 



1 Whit 



• in two shops, 300 feet long 



of this town was the Rev. John Crane, ordai; 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



thrift and neatness, and the site of one of the largest 
boot and shoe manufactories (the Batchelders') iu the 
world, which estabUshment has a flooring of about three 
acres, and emplo3S about 1,200 persons, and the most 
improved machinerj' ; — Hon. Wm. Appleton ( 1 786-1862) , 
a liberal merchant, and Ebenezer S. Snell, were born 
here: Millbury,* a busy manufacturing town of 4,529 
inhabitants, owing its growth and prosperity largely to 
the hjdraulic power of the Blackstone River and its 
tributaries, which propels the machinery of several exten- 
sive cotton and woollen manufactories ; the principal 
manufactures being cassimeres, cotton goods, satinets, 
hosiery and 3"arn, edge-tools and carriages ; incorporated 
June 11, 1813 ; its first church formed in 1747, and its 
first minister, the Rev. James AVellman : Mendon, an 
old, and formerly a verj' large and prominent town, of 
1,176 Inhabitants, now ahiiost wholly agricultural ; in- 
corporated May 15, 1667 ; named from Mendham, Eng. ; 
destro^-ed by the Indians July 14, 1675, aud several of 
its people slain; the native place of Maj. Simeon 
Thayer (1737-1800), a brave soldier; and Alexander 
Scammell (1747-1781), an officer of distinction, and a 
friend of Washington ; Rev. Joseph Emerson, the first 
minister ; and the Rev. Caleb Alexander, a noted scholar 
and author, being settled pastor in 1786: Lunenbukg, 
a pleasant farming town of 1,153 inhabitants, incorpo- 
rated Aug. 1, 1728, and named in honor of George II. ; 
the scene of the capture of the family of John F. Fitch 
by the Indians in 1749; the native place of Asahel 
Stearns, LL. D. (1774-1839), professor in Harvard 
Universitj- ; Luther S. Cashing, jurist ; and Micah P. 
Flint (1807-1830), poet; its first settled minister being 
the Rev. Andrew Gardner, installed May 15, 1728: 
Leicester, a prosperous and healthful town of 2,770 
inhabitants, situated on high lands on the west of the 
city of Worcester; incorporated Feb. 15, 1713; the 
seat of Leicester Academj', founded in 1784 ; its princi- 
pal manufactures being cards, woollen goods, clothing, 
knives, satinets, shoes and shoddy ; its manufacturing 
villages being the Centre, Cherry Valley, Rochdale, and 
Greenville; the Rev. David Parsons ordained, in 1721, 
the first minister t ; the birth-place of Ralph Earlc 
(1751-1801), a painter; Pliny Earle (1762-1832), an 
inventor; St. John Honeywood (1763-1798), a poet; 
David Henshaw (1791-1852), a politician; Emory 



• This town has the honor of establishing the first lyceum (1828) iu 
the country. 

t He died in 1737, having ordered "his body to bo buried on his own 
farm, that it miff ht not mingle with the dust of his people," 

% The land of this town was bought of John Magus and Lawrence 
Nassowanno, sachems, in 168G, for £90 sterling. 



Washburn, ex-governor, and author of a history of the 
town ; William A. Wheeler, author of a " Dictionary of 
Noted Names of Fiction :" Hardwick, | a good fax-ming 
town of 1,992 inhabitants, noted for the excellence of its 
dairj-; incorporated Jan. 10, 1737; the native place of 
Dr. Jonas Fay (1737-1818), a statesman ; Moses Robin- 
son (1741-1813), United States senator; and Rev. 
Lucius R. Paige, D. D. ; its first church organized, with 
Rev. David White ordained pastor, Nov. 17, 1736. 
Holden § (2,180) , a farming and manufacturing town on 
high land in the central part of the county ; incorporated 
Jan. 9, 1740 ; its manufactures being cotton and woollen 
goods, leather, card and boxes ; its first church being 
founded Dec. 28, 1742, and the Rev. Joseph Davis being 
at the same time ordained as pastor ; the birth-place of 
the late Rev. Merrill Richardson, D. D., an able and 
popular Congregational divine ; named from the Hon. 
Samuel Holden, one of the directors of the Bank of 
England : Harvakd, long noted for a settlement of 
Shakers, an excellent farming town, having a population 
of 1,304, incorporated Jan. 29, 1732; the birth-place 
of Joshua Atherton (1737-1809), and of the Rev. G. 
W. Sampson D. D., an eminent Baptist divine; its 
church being organized Oct. 10, 1733, the Rev. John 
Secomb being ordained pastor: Hubbardston, a pros- 
perous farming town in the highlands of the county, of 
1,440 inhabitants, incorporated June 13, 1767, named 
in honor of Thomas Hubbard of Boston ; its first 
church formed June 13, 1770, Rev. N. Parker being 
ordained pastor: Gardner, a thrifty agi-icultural and 
manufacturing town of 3,730 inhabitants, incorporated 
June 27, 1785 ; named from Col. Thomas Gardner, who 
fell in the battle of Bunker Hill ; having a commodious 
public hall, and a good weekly journal, the " Gardner 
News"; its first church being organized Feb. 1, 1786, 
and the Rev. Jonathan Osgood ordained pastor in 1791 : 
Dana (760) ; incorporated Feb. 18, 1801 ; first church 
formed in 1824: Douglas || (2,202), an agricultural 
town ; incorporated March 23, 1786 ; named in honor of 
Dr. William Douglas, author of a history of New Eng- 
land, and a benefactor of the town ; its first church 
organized Nov. 11, 1747, with the Rev. William Phipps 
as pastor: Dudley1[ (2,653), manufacturing cassi- 
meres, iron castings and paper ; named in honor of 
Paul and William Dudley, and incorporated Feb. 2, 

5 Quinnepoxet River falls, in passing through the town, 3S0 feet, and 
furnishes valuable motive power. 

II It has an ancient tavern, said to have once entertained George 
Washington. 

H The Rev. John Eliot preached to a tribe of Indians here whose rela- 
tions to the English were always friendly. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



1731 ; its first church being organized the ensuing year, 
with Rev. Perley Howe settled in 1735 as pastor; its 
most eminent pastor having been Joshua Bates, D. D., 
installed March 22, 1843 : Charlton,* a pleasant agri- 
cultural town of 1,852 inhabitants, incorporated Nov. 
2, 1764 ; noted as the birth-place of Rev. Martin Ruter, 
D. D. (1 785-1838) , and of William T. G. Morton, M. D. 
(1819-1868), said to be the discoverer of ether as an 
anesthetic; its first church established Aug. 16, 1761 ; 
its first minister being Rev. Caleb Eustis, ordained Oct. 
15, 1761 : Berlin, a small farming town of 987 inhabi- 
tants, incorporated Feb. 6, 1812 ; the native place of 
the late Hon. Solomon H. Howe, a noted railroad man- 
ager (1821-1879) ; its first church formed April 7, 1779, 
and the Rev. Reuben Puffer ordained pastor Sept. 26, 
1781 : Bolton, a good farming town of 987 inhabitants, 
detached from Lancaster and incorporated June 24, 
1738 ; named in honor of Charles Pawlet, Duke of 
Bolton; first church formed in 1741, when the Rev. 
Thomas Goss was ordained pastor : Botlston (895), an 
agricultural town, incorporated March 1, 1786; named 



• From Nugget Hill, 1,012 feet high, near the centre of the town, 4 t 
States and 19 villages may be seen. seen c 



in honor of the Boylston family of Boston ; its church 
organized Oct. 6, 1743 ; and in October of the same 
3ear, the Rev. Ebenezer Morse ordained pastor ; 
he preached here until 1775, when he was dismissed 
for opposing the war with England : Blackstone, a 
prosperous manufacturing town of 4,640 inhabitants ; 
the Blackstone River, a fine, rapid stream, and its tribu- 
tary, Mill River, furnishing a great hydraulic power, 
utilized for the manufacture of cotton and woollen 
fabrics, and for saw and grist mills ; detached from 
Mendon and incorporated March 25, 1845 ; named from 
William Blackstone, the first white settler at Boston : f 
and, on the Worcester and Norwich Raikoad, Auburn, 
a small farming town of 1,233 inhabitants, five miles 
south-west of Worcester; incorporated April 10, 1778, 
under the name of Vf ard, which was changed to Auburn 
Feb. 17, 1837 ; its first church being organized June 
25, 1776, and the Rev. Isaac Bailey settled over it in 
1779 ; the native place of Jacob W. Bailey, a naturalist 
and inventor, born April 29, 1811, and died Feb. 26, i 
1857. 



1 remoTed into the wilderness about 1635. His grave may etill I 
1 the right bank of the river which perpetuates his name. 




CONNECTICUT. 



CONNECTICUT. 



BY HENRY P. GODDARD. 



The State of Connecticut derives its name from its 
most beautiful natural feature, the chief river of New 
England, which, entering its northern borders from 
Massachusetts, divides the State, east and west, into two 
unequal portions, and empties into Long Island Sound 
between the towns of Old Lyme and Sa3-brook. The 
river's name, in the original Indian tongue, was Quinni- 
tuk, which, as has been ascertained bj- that Connecticut 
scholar. Dr. J. Hammond Trumbull, who is the foremost 
authoritj- in this countrj' on Indian language, signified, 
"The long, tidal river." This river is at this da}- navi- 
gable for steamboats onl}- as far as Hartford, its capital, 
some fiftj- miles from its mouth, and it was onlj' to a 
point a short distance above Hartford that the first white 
explorers of the river attained. 

It was in 1614 that this first exploring expedition was 
made, under command of Capt. Adrian Block, commander 
of an Amsterdam ship, one of five vessels sent out from 
the New Netherlands, who, having entered Long Island 
Sound from the eastward, coasted along until he found 
the river, up which he sailed, as stated. Block Island, 
near the entrance of the Sound, still preserves the name 
of this discoverer, upon whose voj-age, most glowinglj- 
reported at home, the Dutch laid their claim to the terri- 
tory' now known as Connecticut. 

The English claim to this same land was based prima- 
rily upon a patent granted, in 1631, to Lord Say and 
Seal, Lord Brooke, Sir Richard Saltonstall, and their 
associates, by Robert, Earl of Warwick, who derived his 
title from the patent of New England granted by James 
I. in 1620. 

In 1633, the rival claimants each made their first 
lodgments on the soil of the State, the Dutch building 
a fort on the river at Hartford, and one William Holmes, 
of Plymouth Colonj-, a house at Windsor, some seven 
miles north. For a few years therc was contention be- 
tween the two nationalities, but ere long the Dutch 
j-ielded, sold out to the English, and retired. 

In 1635 and 1636, Rev. Thomas Hooker, who had 
won a reputation in England and Holland as one of the 
ablest of the non-conforming clergy, emigrated, with 



nearly his whole congi-egation, from Cambridge, Mass., 
where he had been settled, and founded the towns of 
Hartford, Wethersfield and Windsor. 

The motive for the wholesale emigration of Mr. 
Hooker and his church, including his associate teacher, 
Samuel Stone, and, a little later, John Haynes, who in 
1635, was governor of Massachusetts, has been a matter 
of some speculation. 

In 1635, also, John Winthrop the younger, son of 
the Massachusetts governor, built a fort at Sa3-brook 
under direct commission from the English proprietaries. 

It is a satisfaction to record that Hartford, then a 
tract of six square miles, was honorably purchased of 
the Indian tribes who inhabited it. 

In 1636, the first General Court was held at Hartford. 

In 1637, the new Colony found itself, in its very be- 
ginnings, involved in war with the powerful Pcquod 
Indians, — a war which threatened its very existence, 
but which ended in 1637 with the virtual extermination 
of the tribe, consequent upon two crushing defeats in- 
fiicted upon them by colonial troops led by Capt. John 
Mason. 

New Haven was settled in 1638 from Boston by Eng- 
lish settlers, headed by Theophilus Eaton and Rev. John 
Davenport. These adopted a constitution of their own, 
without warrant or sanction from England, and, pur- 
chasing the land from the Indians, proceeded to lay 
out the beautiful Elm City in regular squares, upon 
a plain as level as Runnymede, with a fine harbor 
opening into the Sound. The site was chosen with ref- 
erence to its facilities for trade and commerce, avoca- 
tions in which the settlers had been engaged in England. 
The inhabitants of this Colony were greatly anno3ed at 
the consolidation with Connecticut Colony by order of 
the crown in 1665, especially as in New Haven, suffrage 
had been restricted to church-members, a restriction that 
did not prevail in Connecticut. From 1701 to 1872, the 
legislature met alternately in Hartford and New Haven ; 
but, in 1872, the people of the State voted that Hartford 
should be the single capital, and a very large and hand- 
some State capitol building has just [1879] been com- 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



pleted and occupied in that city. It is built of marble, 
and cost $2,500,000. 

In 1G39, the people of the State adopted their first 
constitution, of which that ripe student of New England 
history, Dr. Leonard Bacon, of New Haven, has said 
that "It is the earUest precedent of a written constitu- 
tion proceeding from a people, and in their name, estab- 
lishing and defining a government." 

The first governor chosen under the constitution was 
John Haynes, who alternated in the oflBce with Edward 
Hopkins for many years ; for until 1659, it was not the 
custom to allow a governor to serve two consecutive 
years, although in the "off" years he might be, and 
gonerallj^ was, elected " deputj'-governor," an office 
equivalent to that of our modern lieutenant-governor. 

In 1G43, Connecticut joined the New England Confed- 
eration, — a creation, in the main, of Haynes and 
Hooker, for the purpose of combining the strength of 
the Colonies against Indian wars and Dutch aggression. 

In 1G57, ex-Governor Hopkins died in England, leav- 
ing handsome legacies to executors in the Colonies " for 
the breeding up of hopeful j-oulhs, both at the grammar 
school and college, for the public service of the countrj- 
in future times." These funds were the foundation of 
the present Hopkins grammar school, of New Haven, 
and the Hartford high school. In 1057, John Winthrop 
was elected governor of Connecticut, a position to which, 
after the year 1G58, he was annually re-elected until his 
death in 1G76. Few names in the New England annals 
are comparable to that of this gentleman, scholar, trav- 
eller and physician of note, whose name is preserved in 
manj' parts of the State, notably in New London, which 
he founded in 1G46. 

In 1GG2, Gov. Winthrop made a visit to England 
in the interests of the Colony. He found in Lord Say 
and Seal, the only survivor of the original p.atentees, a 
warm friend, thi-ough whose influence he was enabled to 
gain audience with Charles II. At this interview, 
Winthrop, with his wonted tact, first presented the king 
a ring that had been given by Charles I. to his grand- 
father, and then presented a petition from the Colony of 
Connecticut for a royal charter. This charter, freely 
granted by the Icing, can still be seen in the office of the 
secretary of state at Hartford, framed with wood from 
the Charter Oak. Based, as this instrument was, upon the 
colonial constitution of 1G39, it was indeed a royal gift, 
and proved of great value to the young Colony, as 
evidenced by the many subsequent attempts to revoke 
it on the part of the successors of Charles II. 

Upon the death of Gov. Winthrop, in 1676, Wil- 
liam Leete — who had served a term of six years as 



governor of New Haven Colony — was chosen his suc- 
cessor, Connecticut thus showing that the union with 
New Haven was complete and cordial. In 1C83, Maj. 
Eobert Treat succeeded to the gubernatorial chair on 
the death of Gov. Leete. He was a son of one of the 
original patentees of the Colony, and at the time of his 
election a resident of Milford. He was one of the few 
men in that section who dared to favor the union of New 
Haven with Connecticut, in face of the opposition of 
Davenport, and was instrumental, with Winthrop, in 
bringing about that union. Like his predecessor, Gov. 
Leete, he was one of those who helped to harbor, con- 
ceal, and assist the regicides, Goffe and Whallcy, during 
their concealment in New Haven Colony. He won his 
military rank during Iving Phihp's war in 1675-6, in 
course of which he distinguished himself in command of 
the Connecticut troops serving in Massachusetts. 

In 1687, during the administration of Gov. Treat, 
came the usurpation of Sir Edmund Andros, who, having 
been appointed governor of New England by James II., 
assumed sway over the Colonies until the news of the 
fall of his royal master reached America in 1689. The 
tale of Andros's futile efforts to get; the charter of Con- 
necticut, and of how it disappeared, to reappear after 
his downfall, has made the name and fame of the Charter 
Oak sj-uon3inous with that of the State, but cannot be 
dwelt upon here. 

In 1690, and again in 1693, the State furnished its 
quota of troops for the war against the French and 
Indians. 

In 1693, Gov. Fletcher, of the New York Colony, de- 
manded of Connecticut that its militia should be put 
under his orders, under powers conferred upon him by 
William and Mary. The assembly and the people de- 
clined to accede to this demand, and sent Fitz John 
Winthrop — son of the late governor — to England to 
remonstrate. He was successful in procuring a revoca- 
tion of the order, and was rewarded therefor by the 
assembly with a present of three hundred pounds ster- 
ling, and in 1697, was chosen governor. 

In 1701, the college was founded at Saybrook, that, 
17 j-ears later, was removed to New Haven, and chris- 
tened Yale College in honor of its first private benefac- 
tor, Ehhu Yale. 

During the reign of Queen Anne (1702-14), another 
futile attempt was made in England to force Connecticut 
to gi^•e up its charter, the failure of which was due, as 
in prior cases, to the cool-headed obstinacy of the 
colonists. 

In 1707, Fitz John Winthrop died while governor. 
He was succeeded by Rev. Gurdon Saltonstall, a gentle- 



CONNECTICUT. 



man of marked nobility of carriage and character, who 
left the ministry to become governor — an office to 
■which he was re-elected for 17 years. Diiring his 
administration, "election sermons were inaugurated, it 
being enacted by the legislature that, on the day ap- 
pointed by law for choosing rulers, the ministers of the 
gospel should preach to the freemen a sermon proper for 
their direction in the work before them." This custom 
was observed, almost without intermission, until 1830, 
when it was finally abandoned. A companion custom of 
baking " election cake" for the same ceremony, whose 
origin is venerable, but unknown, lasted until the aban- 
donment of spring elections in 1876. 

In 1 708, the " Saj'brook Platform " was adopted b3- the 
clergy of the State assembled in council at the College 
Commencement. This furnished a uniform standard or 
confession of faith for the churches of the State, and a 
guide for the instruction of the college which was then 
designed chiefl}' for the education of young men for the 
ministry. As all the churches first formed were Congre- 
gational, this platform was a matter of such importance 
that, when the churches had ratified it, the assembly 
passed a vote expressing its gratification thereat. 

In 1710, the Saybrook Platform was published in book 
form by Thomas Short, the first book printed in Con- 
necticut. Short soon died and was succeeded by Tuno- 
thy Greene, who settled in New London as State printer 
— a position held by himself and heirs till after the Rev- 
olution. The first newspaper in the State was the " Con- 
necticut Gazette," published in New Haven in 1 755 ; the 
second, the "New London Siunmarj'," was started b}' 
Greene in 1758, and the third, the "Connecticut Cour- 
ant," begun in Hartford in 17G4, has been continuously 
pul)lished there ever since, its principal editors at this 
date being Gen. Joseph R. Hawlej', and the equally 
well-known Charles Dudlej' Warner. 

In 1724, Gov. Saltonstall died, and was succeeded by 
Joseph Talcott, who, like his predecessor, was elected 
every year until his death in 1741. A touching incident 
of his gubernatorial career was the sudden death of his 
wife during the legislative session of 1738. Custom 
then required the presence of governor, or deputy gov- 
ernor, at all sessions of the assembly, and as the latter 
was absent from the city, and his wife had died after the 
morning session. Gov. Talcott was compelled to leave 
her dead body to preside over tlie afternoon session, 
which was, of course, made as short as possible. His 
conduct on this occasion is spoken of in an address of 
condolence made by the assembly, as betokening " great- 
ness and presence of mind." 

In 1750, the towns of Enfield, Suffleld, Woodstock 



and Somers, which since 1713 had been governed by 
Massachusetts, were returned to Connecticut. It is 
owing to a confusion that then occurred as to the correct 
boundaries of the town of Suffield that a tract of land 
of two miles square on the west of that town, and east 
of Granby belongs to Massachusetts, making that queer 
jut that appears on the northern boundary of Connecti- 
cut. As the Southwick ponds, projecting well into Mas- 
sachusetts, cover most of this space no recent attempts 
have been made to rectify the line. 

In 1751, Gen. Roger Wolcott, who had won his rank in 
the French war, became governor. A scion of a family 
that had held office in the Colony from its first settlement, 
he was the first to attain the chief magistracj', an honor 
afterwards held by his son, Oliver, in 1796 and 1797, 
and grandson, Oliver 2d, from 1818 to 1827 ; while his 
daughter, Ursula, who mamed Gov. Matthew Griswold 
(1784), and was the mother of Gov. Roger Griswold 
(1811), was related and connected with twelve govern- 
ors and thirty-two judges, as shown by an interesting 
paper prepared by Prof. E. E. Salisbury of New Haven, 
for the " New England Genealogical Register." 

In 175G, Connecticut furnished 2,000 men for opera- 
tions against Canada in the English war against the 
French, and 5,000 more after the disaster at Fort William 
Henry. It was in this war that Israel Putnam and Ben- 
edict Arnold won their first laurels as Connecticut sol- 
diers. 

In 1763, a small band of Connecticut emigrants settled 
the beautiful Wyoming Valley in Pennsylvania — a sec- 
tion of country over which Connecticut claimed jurisdic- 
tion under its original patents— a claim disputed, how- 
ever, by Pennsylvania. The settlers suflTered much an- 
noyance from the disputed proprietorship, but maintained 
their position in the valley, although in 1778, during the 
Revolution, a band of 400 British and 700 Indians over- 
ran the valley, the latter putting to the torture so many 
of its inhabitants, that the "Massacre of Wj-oming" has 
passed into history and legend as an example of barbanc 
cruelty. The title to the land was finally awarded Penn- 
sylvania, to whose government the Connecticut colonists 
then submitted. 

When in 1765, the "Stamp Act" went into force, all 
Connecticut was ablaze with indignation, and Jared In- 
gcrsoll of New Haven, the stamp-master appointed by the 
crown, was forced to resign the post, in peril of his life, 
by a body of some 500 farmers, all tearing staves, wlio 
overhauled him in the streets of old WcthcrsCcld, as he 
was on his way to Hartford to put himself in communica- 
tion wilh Gov. Fitch (himself of Tory proclivities), 
and the assembly. The clergy of the State, headed by 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



that earnest patriot, Eev. Stephen Johnson of Lyme, 
were active in inciting the people to opposition, and when 
in October Gov. Fitch, despite the earnest remonstrance 
of two-thirds of his council, took the oath to enforce the 
Stamp Act, seven of the eleven councillors — among 
whom were two of his successors in the executive chair — 
Jonathan Trumbull and Matthew Griswold, left the room 
rather than witness the humiliating spectacle. The as- 
sembly and people endorsed this protest and, in the en- 
suing flection in 1766, replaced Fitch, the Tory, with 
William Pitkin, the patriot, with Trumbull as deputy- 
governor. 

In 1769, Jonathan Trumbull, who was the famed 
"Brother Jonathan" of the Revolution, was promoted 
to be governor, a post to which he was annually re-elects 
cd till 1784, when, at the age of 73, he refused further ser. 
vice, after having held one pubUc office and another in the 
State for 51 years. The friend and counsellor of Wash- 
ington, who bestowed upon him that name, "Brother 
Jonathan," that has since come to be applied to the 
United States as a nation, the honor of having been the 
great war governor of the Revolution belongs to Trum- 
buU, as did a similar honor to his townsman Wm. A. 
Buckingham, in the war of the RebeUion. As in the 
case of Wolcott, a son and grandson of Trumbull be- 
came governors of the State. 

In 1774, Connecticut prepared for hostilities, ordering 
New London fortified, and the towns to la^' in ammui- 
tion. 

In 1775, the assembly commissioned David Wooster a 
major-general, and Israel Putnam, a brigadier. With the 
first news of Lexington, Putnam rode post-haste to Cam- 
bridge, whither he had ordered his troops to join him. 
In the words of Bancroft, who is no partisan of Putnam, 
" He brought to the service of his country, courage which 
during the war was never questioned, and a heart than 
which none throbbed more honestly or warmly for Amer- 
ican freedom." From all over Connecticut volunteers 
were pushing for the seat of war, when the assembl}- 
voted to raise six regiments of 1,000 each. The total 
number of men raised by the State during the whole war 
was 31,959, out of a population of 238,141, a larger 
number than were enlisted in any other State except 
JIassaehusetts, although Connecticut was but seventh in 
population of the Old Thirteen. At Bunker Hill Gen. 
Putnam was certainly present, and useful, however the 
question of who held command maj' be settled. 

At the disastrous repulse of the Revolutionary' troops 
at Quebec, Arnold, who had been in service from the 
outbreak of the war, was in command, with Montgomery, 
and had his leg shattered. 



In June, 1776, the assembl}- instructed its representa- 
tives in Congress to " give their assent to a Declaration 
of Independence." The Connecticut signers of the great 
document of July 4th, 1776, were Roger Sherman, Sam- 
uel Huntington, William Williams and Oliver Wolcott, 
two of whom, Huntington and Wolcott, were afterwards 
governors of the State. 

In August, 1776, Putnam commanded the Americans in 
the battle of Long Island, a defeat for which the latest 
and most careful writers on the subject, acquit him of 
the responsibUity. 

It was soon after this that Nathan Hale, a gallant 
young officer of a Connecticut regiment, a nati\e of 
Coventry, but 21 years old at this time, met the sad fate 
of a spy, owing to his capture by the British, while re- 
turning from their camp on Long Island, whither he had 
been sent by Washington to procure intelligence and 
plans of the enem}''s works, in wiiich he had entirel}- 
succeeded. The story of his brutal execution, denied 
both a Bible and clergj-, and of these memorable words 
of his, " I onlj' regret that I have but one life to lose for 
my country," has enrolled his name among heroes as the 
3'oung martyr of the American Revolution. 

In April, 1777, Gov. Trj-on, Tor}' governor of New 
York, raided into Connecticut, burned a portion of Dan- 
bury, and, when his troops were attacked on their re- 
treat by Gen. Wooster with a small force, repulsed their 
assaults. Gen. Wooster being shot and killed. Arnold, 
who commanded another detachment of Americans, nar- 
rowly escaped a similar fate, his horse being sliot under 
hhn ; j-et he succeeded in harassing Tryon's retreat to 
such an extent that the latter lost 170 of his men, killed 
and wounded. 

May 21st, Col. Meigs, with 200 men, retaliated for 
Tr3-on's visit bj- a raid in boats from New Haven to Sag 
Harbor, Long Island, where they burned 13 British ves- 
sels, captured 90 prisoners, and returned scathless. 

This j'ear Arnold was made a major-general, and did 
splendid scr\-ice at the battle of Saratoga. 

In Februar}-, 1 779, Tryon made another raid over the 
border. Putnam tried to stop him, at Greenwich, with a 
few old field-pieces and sixty men, but seeing that his 
position could be easilj' flaulved, galloped off to Stamford 
for reinforcements, taking the famous ride down the rug- 
ged hill of Ilorseneck, the centennial anniversary of 
which has but lately been appropriately celebrated at 
Greenwich. 

July 5th, 1799, a British fleet landed 3,000 troops at 
the entrance of New Haven harbor, who after a stern 
resistance from the few patriots that could hastilj' be 
gathered, burned a number of stores and private houses. 



CONNECTICUT. 



pillaged others, murdered several prisoners, and insulted 
and stabbed Eev. Dr. Daggett, president of Yale Col- 
lege, who was onlj- spared at the intercession of a Torj' 
guide of the British, who had been an old pupil of the 
Doctor, who, for his part, told his captors that he should 
take arms against them whenever opportuuit}- offered. 
The British embarked on the Gth, but on the 8th landed 
at Fairfield, where thej plundered and burned the vil- 
lage to ashes, inflicting the same fate on Norwalk on the 
11th. 

In 1780, Benedict Arnold turned traitor to his country, 
and in September, 1781, appeared off New London with 
a British fleet of 24 ships. Capturing the city and Fort 
Trumbull, on the Gth of September, with little difllculty, 
a portion of his force attacked Fort Griswold, on the 
Groton bank of the Thames Eiver, which was most 
bravely defended by Col. Ledyard and the Americans 
under his command. Overpowered at last by the greatly 
superior number of the enemj', who were pouring into the 
fort, Ledj'ard surrendered, but was brutally murdered with 
his own sword by the British officer to whom he gave 
it up. Eighty-five Americans were killed in the assault, 
whose bravery is commemorated bj- a handsome granite 
monument 127 feet high, which was erected close by the 
fort in 1830. In New London, 65 dwellings and 80 
other buildings were destroyed by fire, and damage done 
to the extent of $500,000. 

A native of Norwich, which is but 14 miles from New 
London, it is not to be wondered at that Arnold has 
ever been especiallj' execrated in Connecticut, that once 
had high hopes of him. 

This was the last action of the Revolution on Con- 
necticut soil, and the State eagerly welcomed the honor- 
able peace and independence that followed the surrender 
of Cornwallis in October, 1781. 

Connecticut came out of the Revolutionarj' war with 
an untarnished reputation, and, as appears from the 
Silas Deane correspondence, in the files of the State 
Historical Societj-, and other sources, with the reputation 
of having a model governor, and a constitution that was 
" superior to anj- other," and which served a high pur- 
pose in furnishing a pattern for that soon adopted for 
the nation. 

At the convention that formed the Constitution of the 
United States, in 1787, the Connecticut delegates were 
Roger Sherman, Oliver Ellsworth (later chief justice of 
the United States) , and "William S. Johnson. Originally 
a poor shoemaker, Roger Shennan won such a reputa- 
tion as a statesman, that it is his statue, with that of 
Jonathan Trumbull, that Connecticut has put up in the 
national Capitol, " as the two of her deceased citizens 



illustrious for their historic renown, or for distinguished 
civil or militarj- services " ; while, as 3"et, these are the 
onlj" two statesmen whose statues also ornament the new 
State Capitol at Hartford. So successful were Sherman 
and Ellsworth in their- efforts at harmonizing and com- 
promising the varied and dissenting elements in the 
convention that adopted the constitution, that no less an 
authority than John C. Calhoun has said that it is to 
these two men and Judge Patterson of New Jersej' that 
" we are indebted for the National Government." Con- 
necticut ratified the constitution in January, 1788. 

Gov. Trumbull, who retired in 1784 and died in 1785, 
was succeeded as chief magistrate by Matthew Griswold, 
who had been lieutenant-governor for fifteen years. He 
in turn was succeeded in 1786 by Samuel Huntington, 
one of the signers of the Declaration, who governed 
until 1796. It was during these administrations that 
national parties began to take fixed shape throughout 
the country, the masses of Connecticut folic and the 
governors being stanch Federalists. 

In 1796, Oliver Wolcott, Sr., became governor, to be 
succeeded in 1798 by Jonathan Trumbull, a son of 
" Brother Jonathan," who continued to be chosen till 
his death in August, 1809. Early in that year President 
Jefferson called uiiou Gov. Trumbull to designate special 
officers of mihtia, upon whom the United States customs 
collectors could rely for aid in carrjing out the Enforcing j 
Act, which was designed to put in force the celebrated | 
" Embargo," of Jefferson's administration. The governor 
declined to comply, on the ground that Congress had ■ 
overstepped its authority, and called a session of the j 
Legislature, which adopted a protest to Congress against 
the embargo, which contributed greatly to the repeal 
thereof in February, 1809. 

In 1812, Roger Griswold, a son of the first Gov. 
Griswold, who was then governor, adopted a similar 
course when called upon to furnish detachments of the 
State militia to Maj. Gen. Dearborn for service in the 
war just declared against Great Britain. He based his 
non-compliance with the President's request upon the 
grounds, that the constitutional contingency in which the 
militia of the State could be called into the Feder.nl 
sersdce did not exist, and, moreover, that the militia 
could not be constrained to serve under other than their 
own officers, exce|)t under the President of the United 
States personally in the field. Gov. Griswold's position 
was sustained by his council, and by the large Federal 
majority- in the State. 

In 1813, Commodore Stephen Decatur, with his little 
fleet of American vessels, was blockaded in New Lon- 
don Harbor and the river Thames, and so closely watched 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



bj' the British that, in his vexation at being unable to 
get out at sea, the commodore charged that "blue 
lights" had been burned bj- the Federalists on the shores 
of the harbor to advise the enemy when he sought to run 
the blockade, compeUing him to abandon the project. 
This story was long used to stigmatize the anti-war 
party as "Connecticut blue-light Federahsts"; but 
neither the gallant, but hasty sailor, nor any one since 
his day, has been able to substantiate the charge. 

April 7, 1814, a detachnient of 200 sailors and marines 
from the British fleet off New London, made an expedi- 
tion up the Connecticut Eiver to Essex, where thej' 
burned some 25 vessels, destroj-ing some $200,000 of 
property. 

On the 9th of August, Capt. Hardy of the blockading 
fleet, with five of his vessels, began a bombardment of 
Stonington, which continued some 48 hours, but was 
so bravely resisted by a small force of militia, gathered 
behind a little battery of three guns, that he finally' 
retired with damaged ships, and a loss of 75 men killed 
and womided, while the Americans had none killed, and 
only six wounded. 

Dec. 15, 1814, the New England discontent with the 
war came to a focus in the "Hartford Convention," 
whereat 26 delegates, appointed by the New England 
legislatures, assembled together. After a session of 20 
days, the convention adjourned, having adopted a report 
making a respectful protest against certain acts of Con- 
gress in originating and carrying on the war. This 
protest was adopted by the legislatures of Connecticut 
and Massachusetts, but was rendered useless by the 
conclusion of peace Feb. 17, 1815. 

The return of peace not only put an end to the dis- 
satisfaction with the war, but, in a short time, to the old 
Federal party that had held continuous swaj' in the 
State ; and in 1817 Oliver AVolcott, 2d, son of the last 
Gov. Wolcott, was elected governor b}' a combination 
of the opposition elements. In 1818 the same combina- 
tion elected a legislatm-e in favor of a constitutional 
convention, which was speedily called, met in August, 
and formed a constitution, which was ratified by the 
people in October. Under this constitution, with but 
few amendments, the State is still governed. It is no 
light tribute to the value of the charter obtained by John 
Winthrop, that the Colony and State had needed no 
other constitution for 150 j'ears, and that the present 
constitution is based in the main upon that old charter, 
but few changes being necessary even in the direction of 
wider religious toleration and suffrage. 

The most important of recent amendments to the con- 
stitution of 1818, beside such as conform to changes in 



the Federal Constitution, is that of 1875, extending the 
governor's term to two j-ears. Another amendment re- 
cently submitted to the people providing for biennial 
sessions of the legislature was defeated. 

In 1824, the institution now known as Trinity College 
was started at Hartford, under control of the Protestant 
Episcopal Church. In 1872 the college grounds were 
sold to the State for $000,000, as a site for the new 
Capitol building, and a new location, a mile south, pui- 
chased for the college, where fine buildings of Portland 
freestone have been erected for its use. 

In 1831, Weslej-an University, the oldest and best 
known American college under control of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, was organized at Middletown, where 
it now occupies a number of handsome buildings on a 
commanding knoll. 

In 1847, Connecticut furnished a companj' for the New 
England regiment in the Jlexican war, a regiment of 
which Thomas H. Seymour of Hartford returned as 
colonel, having distinguished himself in the war. He 
was subsequently (1850-54) governor of the State. 

Connecticut continued greatl3' to increase and prosper 
until the outbreak of the war of the Rebellion in 18C1. 
This event found in the governor's chair William A. 
Buckingham of Norwich, who, like his great prototype, 
Tnunbull, was a native of Lebanon. Fortunate it was 
for the State that this courtlj', Christian gentleman, of 
devoted patriotism, undeviating integrity , great generosity 
and large wealth was at its helm. It was in great 
measure owing to him that Connecticut was among the 
first to get her troops to the front, that her regiments 
were, as a rule, admirabl3' otHcered, that her soldiers never 
lacked attention from the State during his term of 
oflSce, as the writer can testify from personal experience. 
The total number of men credited to the State during the 
whole war was 54,882, which, reduced to a three j-oars' 
standing (the tenns of enlistment varj-ing a little), 
equals 48,181, an excess of 7,000 over its quota, of whom 
but 203 were drafted men. As Trumbull was the friend 
of Washington, so Buckingham was a tried and trusted 
friend of President Lincoln. 

The Connecticut troops raised during the war of the 
RebelHon consisted of 28 regiments of infantry (two 
colored) , two of heavj- artillery, a regiment and squadron 
of cavalrj', and three light batteries. These were so dis- 
tributed among the different Union armies, that there was 
hardly a battle of moment during the war in which Con- 
necticut troops were not engaged, and some of the 
infantry regiments, notably the 7th, 8th, 10th, 11th, 14th, 
ICth and 21st, had a list of battles to show at its close 
rarely ever equalled in the same space of time. To 



CONNECTICUT. 



enumerate these battles, or to specify instances where 
Connecticut men distinguished themselves therein, would 
be to write a historj' of the war for which we have no 
space. In the navy, too, which was presided over during 
the wliolo contest by a Connecticut man, Gideon Welles, 
who was throughout Mr. Lincoln's administration secre- 
tary of the navj', Connecticut won new glory and 
renown. 

A few of the more prominent officers of the army and 
navy who were sons of Connecticut, who lost their lives 
in the contest, were Gens. L3'on, Sedgwick and Mans- 
field, Admiral Foote and Capt. Ward. The following- 
named attained distinction and the rank of general 
officers in the volunteer service, in nearly everj' instance 
winning their rank by h.ard and gallant field service : 
II. G. Wright, J. A. Mower, A. II. Terry, R. O. Tyler, 
II. W. Birge, H. W. Benham, J. R. Hawley, R. S. 
Mackenzie, II. L. Abbot, Alex. Shailer, A. S. Williams, 
J. W. Ripley, Daniel T3-ler, W. S. Ketchum, O. S. 
Ferry, H. W. Wessells, II. D. Terry, Edward Ilarland, 
II. B. Carrington, A. C. Harding and L. P. Bradloj'. 

At home the State nobly sustained its grand and good 
governor, and its legislatures never faltered in voting 
men and money in response to every call he made upon 
them. 

In May, 1866, Gov. Buckingham's last term expired, 
he refusing longer service now that the war had ende'd. 
He was succeeded as governor by Gen. Joseph R. 
Ilawle}', who had won his way up from captain to general 
in the volunteer service, and has, since the war, won a 
reputation as one of the leading Republican statesmen of 
his day, and as president of the Centennial Commission 
of 1876. Gov. Buckingham was elected a U. S. senator 
from Connecticut in 1868, and died while holding that 
office in 1875. Gov. Ilawlej-'s successors in office have 
been James E. English, Marshall Jewell, Charles R. 
Ingersoll, Richard D. Hubbard, and the present incum- 
bent, Charles B. Andrews. To Gov. Hubbard, con- 
fessedly one of the first statesmen and law3-ers, as he is 
one of the first orators in the country, is due the credit 
of manj' reforms in the legislative and legal practice of 
the State, all in the line of retrenchment, reform and 
simplification of methods. As he served but a single 
terra of two years, much of the work that he began falls 
upon his successor, who, although of another political 
party, has shown such zeal and judgment in the same 
direction, that it is clearlj- evident that in Gov. Andrews, 
the State has added another to its long list of distin- 
guished and able governors. 

Connecticut has an area of 4,7.30 square miles. Its 
population in 1870 was 637,454. It is bounded on the 



east by Rhode Island, north by Massachusetts, west bj- 
New York, south by Long Island Sound. Its climate is 
changeable but healthful ; its soil, especiallj' in the valley 
of the Connecticut River, good, but, as a whole, best 
adapted for grass growing. Its woods are abundant and 
valuable, while its fruits are excellent and plentiful. To- 
bacco is extensively raised, especially in Hartford County 
along the Connecticut River, and has in years past been 
a most profitable crop, though at the low prices which 
have prevailed since 1873, it has been much less so than 
of old. 

The mineral resources of the State are varied and 
extensive, the most valuable quarries being those of red 
sandstone or freestone, found in abundance at Portland 
on the Connecticut. At Canaan is found the white 
marble of which the new State House is built ; at Bolton, 
a micaceous slate, useful for flagging ; while at Salisburj- 
and Kent, iron ore is found in such abundance, that iron 
production has become the chief interest of that section 
of the State. Granite and limestone are also abundant 
in various sections, and of excellent qualitj' ; while cobalt, 
feldspar and copper are found in lesser quantitj', with clay 
in abundance for bricks. 

But it is in manufacturing that the State is pre- 
eminent, the proverbial ingenuity of the Connecticut 
Yankee, which has been satirized in the mj-thical wooden 
nutmeg, winning most of its triumphs in this sphere of 
action. The reports of the patent office for 1872 showed 
the proportion of patents granted to Connecticut to be in 
excess of those of anj' other State, being one to every 
829 inhabitants. Clocks, India-rubber goods, and car- 
riages have been for j'ears among the principal produc- 
tions. The total amount of capital invested in manufac- 
tures in 1870 was over $95,000,000, woollen goods, 
cotton goods and carriages being the chief productions. 
Insurance and banking emplo}' much of the capital of the 
State, Hartford being especially interested therein, and 
famed all over the world for the number and strength of 
its life and fire insurance companies of large assets. 

The common-school S3'stem of the State has been per- 
fected in recent years to such an extent that 95 per cent, 
of the children of the school age are school attendants, 
and, as a result, but 19,680 of its inhabitants were 
reported as illiterate in 1870. 

The State possesses a "school fund" of $2,019,000, 
the principal of the fund being derived from the sale of 
its so-called ' ' Connecticut Rescr\'e " in the northern por- 
tion of Ohio, in 1786, for $1,200,000. This "Reser\-e" 
consisted of 3,300,000 acres of land, received by Con- 
necticut at the time of its cession to the general govern- 
ment of its share of vacant lands in the unoccupied 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



territory of the West. The State granted 500,000 acres 
of this reserve to such of the citizens of New London, 
Groton, Fairfield, Norwalk and Danbury as had suffered 
from British depredations during tlie war, and sold the 
balance. " The high schools of most of the larger towns 
and cities fit pupils for college or business life, while the 
universities within its borders send forth graduates all 
over the world. 

In literature, theology and science the State has always 
maintained a high reputation, giving to the world, or 
claiming as residents, such poets as Trumbull, Pcrcival, 
Brainard, Ilalleck and Stedman ; such philologists as Noah 
Webster and J. Hammond Trumbull ; such theologians 
as Horace Bushnell, Leonard Bacon and Noah Porter ; 
such antiquarian students and historians as C. J. Hoad- 
hy ; such writers on educational topics as Henry Barn- 
ard ; such political economists as Theodore Woolsej-, 
D. A. Wells and W. G. Sumner ; such writers of fiction 
and essaj-ists as Harriet Beecher Stowe, Charles Dudlej- 
Warner, Donald G. Mitchell and Samuel L. Clemens 
(Mark Twain) , and many others ; and in science, the 
elder Silliman, Clarence King, and many more. 

In legal circles such names as Ellsworth, Walte, (the 
present chief justice is of Connecticut birth), Gould, 
Goddard, Storrs, Seymour, Waldo, and many others 
have been famous ; while at the bar, a verj- long array of 
men of talent could be named. Of living members of 
the profession who have attained more than local fame 



are Hubbard and Robinson of Hartford, Harrison and 
IngersoU of New Haven, Seymour of Litchfield, and 
Halsey of Norwich. 

Of orators there is also a long array, including such 
names as Sherman, Griswold, Baldwin, Deming, Stuart, 
Harrison and Hubbard. 

In art. Col. John Trumbull of Connecticut was the finest 
painter of the Revolutionary era, and Fred. E. Church 
ranks among the first to-day. But to enumerate the dis- 
tinguished sons of Connecticut is beyond our limits. 



The early settlers of Connecticut were men of educa- 
tion and enterprise, as well as of character and piety. 
Hooker at Hartford, and Davenport at New Haven, 
meant to implant free commonwealths of God-sen'ing 
people. The seed thej' planted brought forth such fruit 
that the distinguishing name of the State has long been 
" Land of Steady Habits." 

Its State seal, which has been in use with but slight 
modification since 1G56, bears, "Argent, three vines 
supported and fruited ; " with the legend, " Qui transtulit 
sustinet" — "He who transplanted will sustain." In 
this faith the citizens of the State have seen their grand 
old Commonwealth increase and prosper j-car by j^ear ; 
in this faith they fought French and Indians, Mother 
England herself, and treason against the Union. So long 
as loyaltj' to this motto inspires her people, so long may 
they hope for prosperitj-. 




CONNECTICUT. 



FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



BY WILLIAM KNAPP. 



It was six years" before the landing of the Pilgrims at 
Pl3-moutli Rock, 19 j-ears before the first frame house was 
erected at "Windsor in Connecticut, and about 23 j'cars 
before we have any knowledge of Europeans setting foot 
on the soil of the State west of the Ilousatonic River in 
what is now Fairfield County, that the adventurous 
Adrian Block, a Dutch explorer, sailed into Long Island 
Sound from the little settlement of his own countrj'men 
on Manhattan Island, comprising only about four houses, 
in his ship of state, the " Restless," and made the dis- 
coverj' of the shores of Fairfield County ; first observing 
the Norwalk Islands, which he named the Archipelagoes, 
and then sailing to the mouth of the Ilousatonic River, 
its eastern boundary', which he named the river of the 
Red Mountain ; and thus, as early as the year 1014, this 
county and the Connecticut River, and the entire coast 
of the State, for the first time became known to a 
race of beings different from the aborigines. The 
first knowledge of the desiralile situation and great 
natural advantages of this county for future settlements 
was obtained bj- the English colonists while pursuing 
the retreating Pequot Indians westward to the " great 
swamp " in the present town of Fairfield, where, Julj' 
13, 1G37, a decisive battle was fought. In a short 
period of time thereafter the formation of settlements 
and towns first commenced. 

In 1G39, Mr. Ludlow, an eminent lawj'cr of Windsor, 
who was at the Indian swamp fight about two years 
before, when he became most favorablj' impressed with 
the locality, commenced a settlement at Fairfield, called 
Unquowa by the natives. He brought about ten families 
with him, and settlers joined them from Watertown and 
Concord, Mass. The territorj' was generallj- purchased 
of the natives ; and the settlers soon fonned a township 
and came under the jurisdiction of the Connecticut 
Colony. The same year Mr. Fairchild came from Eng- 
land and purchased a plantation at Stratford, comprising 
Pcquonnock and Cuphcag, as thej' were known b}" the 
Indians, situated between Fairfield and the Housatonic 
River ; and settlements were commenced immediately, 
although William Judson is said to have settled here in 
1G3K, and to have erected a stone house. John and 



William Eustice and Samuel Hawley came from Rox- 
bmy, and Joseph Judson and Timothy Wilcoxson from 
Concord, Mass. A few years later Samuel Wells came 
from Wethersfield, and others from Boston. The first 
clergyman at this place was Adam Blackman, an eminent 
and greatly ])eloved preacher, formerly of the Church of 
England, who came directly from Derbyshire. Many of 
his admirers followed him to these shores, declaring that 
" th}' people shall be our people and thy God our God." 

On this earlj' settled territory, and within a compara- 
tively recent period, Bridgeport, the third city in size 
and importance in the State, has sprung into existence. 
The exact date of the commencement of the settlement 
in this latter localit3' seems to be in doubt ; but, in 1650 
it is evident that a few families were residing in this 
section on Toilsome Hill, where Capt. David Sherman, a 
leader in matters of church and state, was born and 
resided ; and that, although the population has changed 
in locality, this was the germ of the future citj-. In 
1094 a parish was formed named Fairfield Village. In 
1701 Fairfield Village was named Stratfield by the Gen- 
eral Court ; and, after a period of 75 years contained 
only about 1 ,000 inhabitants. With the gradual increase 
in population, the business began to centre at the head 
of tide-water, and down the harbor or river east of 
Golden Hill, and somewhat on the east side of Pcquon- 
nock River in the town of Stratford, when it was named 
Newfield. In 1705 the present Main Street of the city 
was merel3' a cart-path, and there was a small forrj' 
to the point on the east side of the harbor. In 1820 
Newfield proper contained only aliout 800 inhabitants. 
This place became an incorporated borough in the year 
1800, and was then named Bridgeport, although, as a 
town, it had no legal existence until 1821, when a tract 
of territorj' of about ten square miks on the harbor and 
river was organized as a town, then containing not far 
from 1,700 inhabitants. The borough was organized 
under a city charter in 1830, wth a population of about 
3,400. 

The next section of the county occupied by whites, 
after the territory covered by Fairfield and Stratford, 
was Stamfonl, tlic Indian name of whirli was Kipi)owams. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



Capt. Nathaniel Turner made the purchase of the place 
of the Indians for the New Haven Colon}', for the con- 
sideration generally of a dozen each of coats, hoes, 
hatchets and knives, two kettles and four fathom of white 
wampum. In the latter part of 1641 about 35 families 
had made this their place of residence ; and the next 
year, John Whitmore and Mr. Mitchel were admitted 
members of the General Court of the New Haven 
Colony, from the new plantation, when it received its 
present name. The first minister at this place was 
Eichard Denton. 

The town of Greenwich was purchased of the n.atives 
in the year 1G40 by Robert Feaks and Daniel Patrick, 
with the expectation that it would adhere to the New 
Haven Colonj- ; but New Amsterdam, in the New Neth- 
erlands Colony, was so near, and its influence so potent, 
that the purchasers bctraj-ed the confidence of the 
Colonv, and commenced the settlement under the Dutch 
government, in which the inhabitants seem to have 
acquiesced. The unfriendly relations between the In- 
dians in these parts and the Dutch, and their intrasions 
upon the settlers, 'whose lands were their frequent and 
bloodj' battle-fields, were undoubtedly the chief reasons 
why, in the j-ear 1657, the}' freely yielded to the juris- 
diction of the New Haven Colon}'. The dividing line 
between the States of New York and Connecticut, as 
fixed in 1664, brought the plantation of Rye into the 
Colony of Connecticut, and that town was admitted to 
the jurisdiction in 1665 ; but in 1C83, the dividing line 
between the two colonies at Greenwich was so changed as 
to leave it nearly as it is at the present time. 

The first authentic settlement of Norwalk was in the 
year 1651, although it is quite probable that there were 
some scattering inhabitants here the year before, and 
mo~t likely some in 1640, after Mr. Roger Ludlow of 
Fairfield purchased the eastern part of the place of the 
Norwalk Indians on the 26th of February of tliat year, 
as worded in the deed, " from the sea a day's walk into 
the country." In April of tiie year 1640, Capt. Patrick 
purchased two islands and the meadows and uplands on 
the west side of the Norwallc River "as far up in the 
country as an Indian can go in a day from sun rising to 
sun setting." In June, 1650, Nathan Ely, Richard 
Olmsted and others, obtained liberty from the Connecti- 
cut Colony to commence a plantation at Norwalk, and 
secured a deed of the territory from the Indians Feb. 15, 
1651 ; and in September, 1651, the General Court organ- 
ized it into a town. Thomas Hanford was tlie first min- 
ister at this place. The name of tiie town was derived 
from the Norwalk River, althougli tlicrc is a common 
tradition that it was taken from the day's •• North- walk" 



which fixed the northern boundary in the Indian deeds. 
The surnames of Benedict, Raymond, Fitch, Loekwood, 
Betts and some others of the first settlers, are quite 1 
common in the city and town at the present day. Nor- ' 
walk was made a borough in 1836, and the village of 
Old Well, named from an ancient well where vessels 
were supplied with water, was incoq)orated into a eitv 
in 1868, and named South Norwalk two years after- 
ward. 

In 1684, a settlement at Danbury called Pahquioque by 
the Indians, or Paquiage in the Colony recoitls, was 
commenced. The jiioneer settleis were Thomas Taylor, 
Francis Bushnell, Thomas Barnum and others, who were 
mostly from Norwalk. Dr. Wood and Josiah Starr 
came from Long Island, and Joseph Mygatt came soon 
after from Hartford ; and men of the name of Picket, 
Knapp and Wildman were among the earliest settlers, ! 
many of whose names are still quite common in the 
town. Tlie settlement was called Danbury, from a vil- 
lage in Essex, Eng., and it was laid out six miles square. 
The town patent, from the General Court, was given in 
1702, and it was made a borough in 18-22. Tlie Rev. 
Seth Shove, probably ordained in 1696, was the first 
minister. 

The next section occupied by the English settlers was 
at Pootatuck, the Indian name of Newtown. In IMay, | 

1708, several persons petitioned the General Court, or I 
Assembly, as it began to be called, for a committee to 
sm-vey the land and consider what number of inhabitants 
the tract would accommodate, and determine where the 
settlement should be ; and in 1711, the town was incor- 
porated. 

The town of Ridgefield was purchased of the Indians j 
in 1708 by John Baldwin and others, and a second pur- j 
chase was made of the natives in 1715. In October, 

1709, Maj. Peter Burr of Fairfield, John Copp of Nor- 
walk, and Josiah Starr of Danbury reported a sur- 
vey of the tract to the General Assembly, and the 
grant of the town was then made ; but the patent was 
not signed till tlie year 1714. After the Assembly, in 
1714, gave the inhabitants of the town the right to settle 
an orthodox minister, it is probable that the Rev. Thos. 
Ilawley became the first settled minister at this place. 

Several inhabitants of Fairfield secured a grant of 
the present town of New Fairfield in 1707. The terri- 
tory was purchased of the natives in 1729, but it does 
not appear to have been settled initil the next year. It 
was organized as a town in 1740. The boundary line 
between New York and Connecticut on the western limit 
of tliis town was settled in 1731, when, for lands on the 
Sound, the section known as Oblong was granted to 



CONNECTICUT. 



New York. The first minister was the Rev. Benajah 
Case, ordained in 17-12. 

In 1761, a township which is said to have been named 
Reading, after Col. John Read, one of the early settlers, 
was incorporated and talven principallj- from the old town 
of Fairfield. 

Weston, originall}' a parish in tlie town of Fairfield, 
was granted town pri^^leges in 1787, aliout 50 j-ears 
after the localitj- was first settled. 

Brookfield, originally a part of New Milford, Dan- 
biny, and Newtown, and known as the society of New- 
bury, was incorporated as a town in 1788. It is said 
to have been named after its first minister, the Rev. 
Thomas Brooks, who was ordained Sept. 28, 1758, when 
the church was formed. 

Huntington, comprising the parishes of Ripton and 
New Stratford in Stratford, was created a town in 1789. 
The Rev. Jcdediah Mills, ordained in 1724, was probably 
the first clergyman. 

Trumbull, a part of the old town of Stratford, was 
organized in the j-ear 1798. 

New Canaan was formerly Canaan parisli in Norwalk 
and Stamford, and was made a separate town in 1801. 
The parish had existed since 1731, when the Rev. John 
Eells of Milford became the first minister. 

Sherman was made a town in 1802, and was formed 
from the north part of New Fairfield ; and Wilton was 
also incorporated the same j^ear, having formerly been a 
societj- in Norwalk from the j'ear 1726. 

The 3"car before Bridgeport was given town privileges, 
Darien, in the year 1820, was taken from Stamford and 
made a town, having before been known as the Middle- 
sex parish. 

Monroe, formerly the parish of New Stratford in 
Huntington, was formed into a town in 1823. 

AVestport, on tlic Saugatuck River, was foiinerly a part 
: of Fairfield, Norwalk and Weston, and was granted town 
! powers in 1S35. 

1 Easton, formerly a parish ^^ith Weston in the town of 

Fail-field, was taken from the eastern part of Weston, 

I and made a town in 1845 ; and Bethel, the 23d and the 

last town formed in the county, was incorporated in 

1855, having been a portion of Danbury. 

The county was constituted in the year 1G6G, and 
Fairfield was made the shire town. Bridgeport, however, 
was given that honor about the jxar 1854. Danbur}- was 
created a half shire town in Mav, 1784. 



extinction of the race of red men here. At the time of 
the first settlement of the countv, the principal tribes 
within its borders were the Paugussctts, who inhabited 
Stratford, Huntington, and the adjoining towns, and the 
Norwalk tribe, which was nearlj' a clan ; but there were 
some considerable clans at Newtown, New Fairfield, 
Ridgefield, Greenwich, Stamford, Fairfield and Bi-idge- 
port. They were more numerous, however, along the 
sea-coast, at the mouths of the rivers, and along their 
courses ; and the inland tribes visited those on the coast 
and were treated to oysters, clams, and other sea food, 
who returned their civilities^ to secure lamprey-eels and 
indulge in better hunting. In 1659, eighty acres of land 
at Golden Hill, Bridgeport, -were made a reservation by 
the General Court for the Pequonnock Indians ; and it 
was ordered that when they desert their land it shall 
revert to Stratford plantation, which shall paj' Fairfield 
one-half of the consideration which was received for the 
land. All the Indians residing within the limits of this 
county were, with the exception perhaps of those living 
at Greenwich and Stamford, friendl}- to the early set- 
tlers, who always made honorable purchases of their 
lands before attempting to take possession ; but the 
natives and first settlers were greatlj- harassed b}- the 
fierce and very powerful Iroquois or Mohawks, the mere 
rumor of whose appearance created the wildest alarm. 
Coming annualh' to collect tribute of the natives, their 
natural ferocity was exercised in killing and destroying 
on every hand, if their demands were refused. Thej- were 
defeated, however, eventually (1047) bj- the Paugussetts 
in one battle, while attempting to take the fortress, near 
the mouth of the Ilousatonic River. The war with the 
Pequots closed with the fight at Sasco swamp, near 
the sea-shore, in the town of Fairfield, about two years 
before the county was permanently settled, when 700 
warriors were killed and captured ; and as this tribe 
then became broken and discouraged, thej' were not a 
source of danger to the early inhabitants. 

The Fairfield County Indians participated iu a war 
which sprung from selling intoxicating liquors to an 
Indian by some Dutch traders of New Amsterdam in 
1G42. The Indian, while intoxicated, killed two whites ; 
and, in retahation, by consent of the Dutch governor, 
some eighty natives were slain. Several tribes on the 
Hudson River having been defeated by the Mohawks, 
the remnant fled to New Amsterdam for jjrotection, but 
the governor again had his revenge, and about 100 



The Indian history of the county, though not as of them were killed. In 1643, the Indians on Long 
thrilling, perhaps, as the history of the great savage Island, on the Hudson and in Connecticut, arose to 
tribes living to the east and north, in interesting, how- j avenge their wrongs, and the teriitory of Greenwich and 
over, as showing the complaints, struggles, and gradual ] Stamford was the theatre of many bloody conflicts. A 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



united body of more than 1,500 warriors had their 
encampment on this territorJ^, and the tomahawlt did its 
work of massacring women and children as well as men. 
Even animals were driven into buildings and destroyed 
by fire. In February, 1644, a battle was fought at 
Strickland's Plain, in this county, between the Dutch 
and Indians. After a tedious march, the former came 
upon the Indian village in the light of a brilliant full 
moon, after a heavy snow-storm, when, after a fierce 
conflict of an hour, a -victorj' was achieved, and the blood 
of ISO warriors crimsoned the snow. This put an end to 
the war, and in April, the Indians consented to a peace ; 
liut there were some murders of settlers in Greenwich 
and Stamford after this time.* 

This county has sustained its share of the loss of life 
and treasure in the colonial wars as well as in those of 
later times. 

With the early settlers the ti-ain-band of independent 
military companies was as much of a necessary in- 
stitution in each town as the church, and was compelled 
to be on the watch at all times, and to train one day in 
the first week of March, April, Maj', September, October 
and November. 

In 1709, the militia was made more effective, and a 
committee of war for Fairfield Count}' was appointed 
to provide for the defence of the frontier towns in the 
county. In the French and Indian wars this county 
furnished about 3,000 men to maintain the honor of the 
mother countrj'. The war of the Revolution, however, 
called forth all the patriotic ardor of its people, and al- 
though not having the war-spirit at the Lexington alarm 
in April, 1775, as had the counties nearer Boston, on ac- 
count of its nearness to New York, with which was its 
principal trade, j-et 50 men marched from Fairfield and 
58 from Greenwich for the relief of Boston at that time, 
and 33 also went from Stamford to defend New York. 

There were three regiments formed from this county- 
in 1776 and its quota was kept up during the war. 

» There were said to be 2.5 wigwams on Golden Hill, Bridgeport, 
in 1710 ; and only three women and four men remained in 1705. Tliey 
were ejected from their reservation in 1700, and after it was restored to 
them, they gave it all up for 30 bushels of corn, bLinlcets worth £3, 
12 acres of Land on the west bank of the Pequonnock River, and 8 
acres of woodland on Rocky Hill. About the year ISIO their lands 
were sold; and the fund eecured, in 1842, amounted to $1,175, of which 
sum $500 was used to purchase a house and 20 acres of land in Trum- 
bull. In 1S50 there were two squaws and si.K half-breeds living. 
Their family name was Sherman. 

In 177-t there were 35 Indians in Stratford, Monroe, Huntington, 
Trumbull and Bridgeport, only 8 in Greenwich, 9 in Norwalk and 
St:uuford. It is quite probable that the Pootatuck clan in Newtown, 
had many years before joined the tribe in Southbury, and afterwards 
the ■Wcantinogucs at the Great Falls on the Housatonic River in New 
Milford. 



L3'ing on Long Island Sound, the county was partic- 
ularly exposed to the incursions of the enemy. On Sun- 
day, the 27th of April, 1777, a force of more than 2,000 
of the enem}', under command of Gov. Tryon of New 
York, arrived in Danbury for the purpose of destroying 
the large quantity of military supplies stored there. 
The few American troops in the place being forced to 
withdraw, the supplies, and all the dwellings and build- 
ings belonging to the patriot inhabitants but one or two, 
were destroyed by fire. The indi\-idual losses were 
estimated at more than £16,000. The town records 
were burned, but the probate records were saved by 
being taken to New Fairfield. Gen. David Woostor 
took command of the few American troops at his dis- 
posal, and followed the enemy to Ridgefield, where he 
was mortally wounded. Gen. Arnold took immediate 
command, and followed them to the mouth of the river, 
where they re-embarked. The only real fight was where 
the gallant Wooster was fatally shot ; and, on the evi- 
dence of an ej-e-witness, 16 British and 8 Americans 
were killed and several wounded. Several dwellings, and 
other houses at Ridgefield, were burned and plundered. 

July 8 and 9, 1779, Gov. Trj-on's troops plundered and 
burned 212 houses, barns and stores, 3 churches, and 2 
school-houses. The court-house at Fairfield, and Green's 
Farms were also consumed. The Rev. Dr. Daggett was 
one of the wounded. The loss of the British was about 
80. Tryon landed at Norwalli in the evening of July 
11, and destro3"ed the vessels in the harbor, magazines, 
and stores, with the whole village of 190 dwellings. 
Gen. Putnam was stationed with his army at Reading in 
1779, to support the garrison at West Point if attacked, 
and also cover the Sound, and while here quieted a dis- 
content in his arm}' by a short, sharp speech. Green- 
wich became famous as the town where he made his 
celebrated plunge down a steep precipice at "Horse- 
neck" to save his life, one shot of the many going 
through his hat. On Sunda}-, Julj' 22, 1872, at Daiicn, 
the British troops, made up of Tories mostly, residing in 
this neighborhood, took Moses Mather, D. D., and his 
congregation, prisoners. Thus this count}', from its 
situation, suffered heavily during the war, but was amply 
compensated for its losses pecuniarily by the State, 
which, in 1792, granted to those in this and New London 
Count}', whose property was destroyed by the invasions 
of the British, in addition to what they had already re- 
ceived, 500,000 acres of land of the western part of the 
Reserve in Ohio known as the Fire Lands. 

During the war of 1812, the county furnished its full 
proportion of troops to defend the State, and a small 
fort erected at Black Rock Harbor, Fairfield, was manned 



CONNECTICUT. 



by a small force of militia, to protect the coasting trade 
of the Sound, whieh was almost eutirclj- suspended by 
the partial blockade of the ports. A British privateer 
captured the sloops "Minerva," Capt. Baldwin, and 
" Victriss," Capt. Pennoj-er, both of Bridgeport, packets 
pl3nng between this port and Now York. Whale-boats 
of light draft were used in the trade between New Yoik 
and Bridgeport. Commodore Isaac Chauncey of Black 
Eock commanded our forces on Lake Ontario ; and the 
privateer " Scourge" of Stratford, commanded bj- Capt. 
Nichols, took so many prizes in the North and Baltic 
seas that two English frigates attempted to capture her, 
but unsuccessfully. One afternoon, towards the close of 
the war, Bridgeport was startled by the appearance of 
two British men-of-war coming to anchor in the harbor, 
with port-holes open, and great acti^^ty on board, as if 
intending to immediately shell the town. The inhabi- 
tants remembered the burning of neighboring towns 
in the Revolutionary war, and there was no sleep that 
night. The church bells were rung, valuables and the 
money in the bank were removed to a place of safety ; 
the miUtia were called out, and messengers sent for 
rc-enforcements, and the wildest alarm prevailed ; but 
long breaths were taken in the morning when it was 
known that the war-ships had disappeared. 

During the war of 1861, this county furnished about 
8,000 men. 

The first church of Bridgeport was formally organized 
in 1695, and Rev. Charles Chauncey, a grandson of the 
president of Harvard College, became the first minister. 
In 1706, the Rev. George Murison, an Episcopal mis- 
sionary in the town of Rye, and the Hon. Caleb Heath- 
cote made a tour from Greenwich to Stratford, where 
about 24 persons were baptized. The next year they 
[ were organized into a piirish. The first Episcopal 
church edifice in the Colony was erected here, and 
opened for divine service on Christmas Daj-, 1724. 
From this beginning Episcopacy soon spread to Fair- 
1 field and other towns. The Rev. Samuel Seabury, 
consecrated in 1784, in Scotland, the first bishop of Con- 
necticut, formerly under the jurisdiction of the Bishop 
of London, made his first visit to the church at Strat- 
ford. There are now 34 Episcopal parishes in the 
count}'. 

Stratford is also the parent of Methodism, not only in 
this county but in the State. It was here that, in Sep- 
tember, 1789, the first societ}' was organized ; the second 
one was established at Reading. At the town of Wes- 
ton, in this county, "Lee's Chapel" was the first house 
of worship erected by this denomination in New England. 
This building stood until 1813. There are now nearly 



50 Methodist churches in the county, within the jurisdic- 
tion of the New York East Conference. 

The first Baptist church in the county was constituted at 
Stratfield, now Bridgeport, in the year 1751. There are 
at present 15 churches of this denomination in the 
count}'. 

From about 1830 to 1840, the Roman Catholic Church 
commenced organizing in the county, and, in 1838, the 
first service was held at Danburj'. From these begin- 
nings it has increased till there are ten churches in the 
most central places in the county. A Sandemanian 
church was formed at Danbury in 1765, by Robert 
Sandeman, a native of Scotland, who was buried at this 
place in 1771, and in 1798 there were three of these 
churches in the town. , 

The early settlers seemed to be as desirous of promot- 
ing the cause of education, as of establishing the church, 
and it may be said that the school and state were as 
united, nearly, as church and state. In many of the 
petitions of the settlers in this county for church 
privileges, their needs of a school were also set forth. 
A little more than 33 years after the first settlement of 
the county, 600 acres of land were granted by the 
General Court to Fairfield County, as well as the others, 
for a grammar school, to be established at the county 
town forever, which should be maintained so as to fit 
young men for college, which, it is believed, was accepted 
by this county ; so that, in those early times, the people 
had not only the advantages of the common schools in 
the county, but of a grammar or Latin school also. There 
are now 240 common and 47 graded schools in the 
count}'. 

In 1819 the Brookfield Union Library Association 
was organized, and since that time there have been ten 
of these institutions formed in the county. William 
Augustus White of Brooklyn, N. Y., who died in 1868, 
left $10,000 by will, in trust, for a public library at 
Danbury, and afterwards the old White homestead was 
deeded by Alexander M. and Granville White for the j 
same purpose. In 1876 they made a gift of about { 
$25,000 for the erection of a library building, which 
was commenced in 1877. 

There was an academy established by President Dwight 
of Yale College at Fairfield, which sustained a very high 
reputation, and was subsequent!}- a seminary for young 
ladies. Afterwards, such institutions were established 
at several other towns in the county, but they have been 
on the decline since our admirably perfected common- 
school system has become so popular. 

For the promotion of agriculture, manufactures and 
commerce, perhaps this county was more favoraI)ly 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



situated than some other portions of ths Colony, because 
of its nearness to New York. Near the beginning of 
the present conturj-, the Fairfield Count}' farmers com- 
menced improving their lands bj' sj'stematic drainage, 
Tvheu hundreds of acres of swamp lands, in the towns 
of Greenwich, Daubury, Westport, Ridgefield, and 
other towns were reclaimed and made vastlj' more pro- 
ductive than before. 

The farmers ha-v-ing become awake to the benefits of 
agricultural societies, four have been organized in the 
county, the oldest of which, the County Societj' at 
Norwalk, was organized about 40 years ago. In 18G9 
the first cattle show and fair of the Danburj- Agricultural 
Socict}' was held. 

Since the days of railroads, most of the grain comes 
from the West, and the only grain elevator on the sea- 
coast between New York and Boston, was erected bj- 
Messrs. Crane & Hiu-d, in 1871, at Bridgeport. The 
grain is transported by rail or water, and 1,500,000 
bushels have been handled in it in a year. 

The manufacturing industries of the countj' have grown 
up mainly since the Revolution. Hats were first manu- 
factui'ed at Danbury in 1 780 b}' Zadoc Benedict, who, 
with one journej-man and two apprentices, made about 
three in a day. About 1790, Messrs. Burr & White 
built the first hat-factory in the town, emplo3'ing 30 
hands, and producing 15 dozen per week. There were 
produced in 1800, at this place, 20,000 fur hats mostly, 
surpassing any other town in the United States in the 
annual manufacture. About 40 years ago there were 57 
hat-factories here, making about 270,000 annuall}', with 
a capital of about $200,000. There were 11 hat-factories 
at Norwalk 45 years ago, making about 3G,000 hats 
annually. Besides these there were numerous fiictories 
in other towns of the count}'. This county stands first 
in this branch of business, having manufactured nearly 
twice as many hats as all the other counties of the Slate. 
Machinery of all kinds, steam-engines and boilers were 
first made in the county at Bridgeport more than 50 
years ago. In 1792 a paper-mill was carried into suc- 
cessful operation at Danbury, which produced about 
1,500 reams annuall}' ; 50 years afterwards Fairchild's 
lilill at Bridgeport was the only one in the count}'. Car- 
riages were manufactured extensively at Bridgeport at 
an early day by Mott & Burr. Fifty years ago there 
were 14 tin-factories in the county, employing a capital 
of over $40,000. Combs were largel}- manufactured in 
Newtown in 1834 ; and, in 1845, there were 19 factories 
engaged in this business in the county. In the early 
part of the present century the boot and shoe liusiness 
gave employment to many men, and the most extensive 



business in this branch of manufacture in the county has 
been done at Norwalk. About 1830 there was over 
§20,000 capital employed in the manufacture of felt- 
cloth at Norwalk, and the business has been largely 
prosecuted since that time. For some 20 years the 
manufacture of rubber-belting has been earned on at 
Newtown on an extensive scale. In the early growth of 
Bridgeport the manufacture of saddles and harnesses 
was an important industry. 

Among the more recent manufacturing industries of 
the county has been that of patent leather. In 1845, 
Mr. S. J. Patterson commenced this business at Bridge- 
port, and soon after the Bridgeport Patent Leather 
Company was formed, which has done a heavy business. 
The first practicable machine for sewing was patented 
by Elias Howe, Jr., in 1846, and consisted, generally, 
of a needle with the eye in the point, and a shuttle to 
unite two edges in a seam, forming the stitch by inter- 
locking two threads. In 1862, he established his busi- 
ness at Bridgeport, and erected a large factory, where 
the Secor Company also have their works. In 1857 the 
world-renowned Wheeler and Wilson Sewing-Machine 
Company established their works at Bridgeport. One 
of the heaviest and most successful industries of Bridge- 
port has been the steel works, from which the Union 
Car-Spring Company of Jersey City, N. J., were supplied 
with bar steel ; but, about 1874, this company removed 
their works to Bridgeport, and both are now under one 
management in the making of car-springs not only for 
their own, but for foreign markets. The manufacture of 
cartridges of all kinds was commenced at Bridgeport in 
1860. The makers of the celebrated Sharpe's rifle 
located their armory here in 1875. 

In 1680, when there were but twenty-six towns in the 
Colony, the little commerce of this county was managed 
at Fairfield, where ships of about 300 tons burden could 
come into the harbor of Black Rock. The principal 
centre for the trade of the county for a long period prior 
to the rise of Bridgeport, was at Norwalk, from which 
place regular lines of passenger and freight sloops sailed 
to New York. The first incorporated steamboat com- 
pany in the county was formed at Norwalk in 1824 ; and 
soon after the first regular line of stearalioats made trips 
to the metropolis; and, about 1825, commenced to nm 
from Stamford. It was not, however, till 1832, that the 
first steamboat connection was made with Biidgeport and 
New York, and about ten years since with Port Jefferson 
on Long Island. For the past forty years Bridgeport 
has taken the lead as a commercial centre, and the com- 
merce has been confined mostly to the coasting trade, as 
the export trade is still in its infancy. This place was a 



CONNECTICUT. 



grain mart up to 1832 ; and extensive commerce was 
carried on from here with eastern and southern ports. 
Prior to 1840, the West Indian trade was vcrj' consider- 
able, and made good business for millers and coopers. 
Three ships were at one time engaged in the whale- 
fisheries from here, and a company' pursued cod-fishing 
on the banks of Newfoundland ; and, for the last few 
years, a large trade in ice has been developed. There 
are six light-houses on the coast of this countj-. The 
Penficld Reef light-house at Black Rock harbor, erected 
in 1873, has a flashing red light, with a fog-bell. The 
Bridgeport light-house, completed in 1871, has a fixed 
red light. 

The first board of trade formed in the count}- was 
organized at Bridgeport in 1875, for the purpose of giv- 
ing ever}- possible impetus to commercial and manufac- 
turing enterprises. 

In 1G87, roads leading from one plantation to another 
were first designated as king's highwa3-s 
or countr}' roads. The first road of this 
character in the count}' was laid out from 
Stratford over Golden Hill at Pequonnock, 
for horses and carts, which afterwards be- 
came a section of the regular stage-road 
and post-route through the county from 
New York to Boston. 

At the commencement of the present 
century, it took thirty hours to travel b}' 
the mail-stage on the route from Hartford 
through Danbury, the half-w.iy place, to 
New York, not including the time required 
to stop over-night at Danbury ; and the stage fare alone 
was $G.90, with 1-4 pounds of baggage, and a single fare 
extra, if it weighed over 100 pounds. In place of the old 
king's highway, the New York and New Haven Railroad 
Company, incorporated in 1844, and consolidated with the 
New Haven and Hartford Company in 1872, but which 
commenced business in this county in 1839, was a great 
stimulus to all kinds of industry in the towns along the 
sea-coast. The Housatonic Railroad, incorporated in 
183G, running through the western part of Connecticut, 
and fully opened for business in 1842, — the result of 
the great perseverance and energy of Alfred Bishop, — 
placed Bridgeport in as favorable a position as any 
other seaport town in New England in its railway con- 
nections with the West ; and was the germ of the rapid 
growth of the manufactures and commerce of that city. 
Hardly less important, however, has been the eflTect of 
the Naugatuck Railroad upon this part of the county, 
which, incorporated in 1845, to ran from Winsted to 
Bridgeport, and not fully operated till 1849, has opened 




up to this county, and to Bridgeport in particular, the 
advantages that flow from the extensive manufacturing 
interests of the Naugatuck Valley. From the time of 
the opening of the Danbury and Norwalk Railroad in 
1852, Danbury has grown rapidly in population and 
business activity. The New York and Housatonic 
Northern Company, chartered in 18G3, since 1870 has 
been run from Brookfield to Danbury by the Housatonic 
Company. The New Canaan Railroad commenced opera- 
tions in 18G8, and runs to Stamford. The New York and 
New England Railroad Company, chartered in 1873, 
was partially graded a few years since, and runs through 
Danbury from the west to Boston, and will become a 
grand trunk line through the county, making more direct 
communication with New England and the West. 

The first savings bank was organized at Bridgeport in 
1842, from which time there have been 17 monetary insti- 
tutions of this kind formed in the county, with deposits 
amounting to nearly §14,000,000. 

The first newspaper published in the 
county was the "Fairfield Gazette," 93 
years ago, at the county seat. The oldest 
newspaper published in the county is the 
" Republican Farmer," still a flourishing 
paper, with a large circulation. The 
"Farmer's Journal" was established at 
Danbury the same year (1790). The 
" Norwalk Gazette " was first brought out 
in 1818, and still maintains its leading posi- 
tion in the south-western part of the county. 
In 1829 the " Stamford Advocate " was 
first published. The " Republican Standard " of Bridge- 
port first made its appearance in 1842. The "Evening 
Standard" was the first daily paper published in the 
county ; its initial number was issued in 1854. The 
next daily paper successfully established was the " Even- 
ing Farmer," also of Bridgeport. In 1876 the " South- 
port Chronicle" came into existence; and the "South 
Norwalk Sentinel " was first issued in 1870. The world- 
renowned "Danbury News" was first established in 
1870, having grown out of the consolidation of the 
" Danbury Times " and the " Jeffersonian." The centen- 
nial issue of the "News," printed in blue ink, gave a 
graphic account of the great celebration in Danbury 
July 5, 1876, when the people rejoiced for the final vic- 
tory which was achieved over the torch of Gov. Tryon. 
There are now 21 weekly, and two daily papers in the 
county. 

The population of Fairfield County has increased, 
next to New Haven and Hartford counties, with greater 
rapidity than any other in the State. In 16G9, there 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



were only about 165 freemen in the county, which then 
comprised the four plantations of Stratford, Fairfield, 
Norwalk and Stamford, not including that of Rye. In 
the j-oar 1756, the population was 19,849; in 1870, 
95,370 ; and now the county has an estimated population 
Of 106,450. 

Towns. 

Bridgeport, most favorably situated on Long Island 
Sound, 58 miles from New York, has a population of 
about 25,000. This thri\ing city is in first-class rail- 
road communication with New York and Boston, with 
the West from Albany, and with the Naugatuck Valley ; 
and there are 70 arrivals and departures of trains daily 
at this point. Its facilities for commerce are unsur- 
passed, having within its limits the Bridgeport, and one- 
half of the Black Rock, harbors. That part of the city 
known as East Bridgeport is connected with the other 
part by five free public bridges across the Pequonnock 
River ; and there is an ample foot-bridge on the New 
York, New Haven, and Hartford Railroad biidge. 

A large portion of the population are skilled artisans, 
who are employed in a very great variety of manufactur- 
ing ; and among the long list of productions, which may 
be named to show the extent of this industiy, are 
machinerj', steam-engines, boilers, and castings of all 
descriptions ; cast-steel and car-springs, springs, perches 
and axles, brass ware, pumps, locks, hardware, cutlerj', 
Sharpc's rifles and sporting guns, bits and braces, 
silver-plated goods for carriages, saddlery and horse trim- 
mings, and electro-plating in gold, silver and nickel ; and 
sewing-machines, for which the Wheeler and Wilson Com- 
pany occupies four entire blocks, with a capital stock of 
81,000,000, employing 1,200 hands, with a monthly pa}-- 
roll of $100,000, and producing about 600 machines per 
day ; while the Howe Company, with a capital of $1,000,- 
000 also, and having a branch house in Glasgow, Scot., 
is doing an enormous business. There are here two 
patent-leather companies of $100,000 each, of which the 
Patent Leather Company handles and finishes about 20,- 
000 hides per annum, and the John S. Way «& Company 
produces russet grain leather to the amount of 35,000 
sides annuallj- ; and besides annually dresses 9,000 buffalo 
robes, running two factories and emploj-ing about 80 
men. Cartridges are also manufactured here, with $300- 
000 capital, and a working force of 450 men ; also per- 
cussion-caps, and paper and metallic shells, paper and 
paper boxes, carriages and coaches, coach-lace and 
coach-lamps, hats, furniture, shirts (employes number- 
ing about 300, with about 400 who take work outside the 
factory) , ornamental wood, wood-finishing goods, novel- 



ties and toys (emplojing several hundred hands), sad- 
dles and harnesses, cement, sewer and drain pipes, hav- 
ing branches in many places in western Connecticut; 
silk ribbon, varnish of a superior quality, soap, water- 
moters, jewelry of a cheap grade, boots and shoes, &c. 

The commerce of the city is mostly in the coasting 
trade. The business of the custom-house for the Fair- 
field district is located here. The Bridgeport Steamboat 
Companj- despatches two first-class steamers, the •' Bridge- 
port" and the "Laura," to New York daily. The monetary 
institutions consist of five national banks and a mutual 
fire insurance com|)any. There are nine most attractive 
public school buildings, one of which will accommodate 
over 1,000 pupils, a high school, a young ladies' semi- 
nary, and numerous private schools. The Bridgeport 
Library contains over 9,000 volumes. 

The city has two daily, two weekly, and three semi- 
weekly newspapers. Its water supply is ample. The 
streets and avenues are kept in a cleanly condition ; are 
well curbed and thoroughly lighted with gas ; the walks 
are mostly of stone and concrete, and the system of 
drainage is effected by over 18 miles of sewer pipes. A 
well-equipped horse railroad and its branches accommo- 
date the people from the centre to the suburbs of East 
Bridgeport and Fairfield, and to the cemetery and the 
parks. Mountain Grove Cemetery, on the extreme 
western limits of the city, covers about 80 acres. It is 
laid out with most exquisite taste, and is adorned with 
massive and costly monuments. This city cannot be 
surpassed for its favorite drives and popular pleasure- 
grounds. Seaside Park is a most charming place for 
recreation and pleasure. Here, in this most appropriate 
spot, has been erected an imposing and costly granite 
monument, adorned with marble statues and bronze 
medalUons, to the memory of the soldiers and sailors who 
fell in the late war. Washington Park in East Bridge- 
port, containing a fine grove of old forest trees, is also 
an attractive place. 

The city is not deficient in fine blocks of buildings and 
public edifices. Some of those that attract attention are 
the Bridgeport and People's Savings Bank buUdings, the 
City National Bank ; the court-house, built of freestone 
at a cost of $75,000 ; Wheeler's Block, which contains 
the public library ; the Standard Association Building, 
and two opera-houses, one of which is a fine structure. 

The churches of the city are 29 in number. St. 
Augustine's Roman Catholic Church is a massive Gothic 
edifice, built of granite at a cost of about $150,000. St. 
Mary's Catholic Church, in East Bridgeport, is of a strik- 
ing architectural design. St. John's Episcopal Church is 
of handsome Gothic design, and cost about $100,000. 



CONAECTICUT. 



307 




The First Prcsb} temn 
Church edifice is of a pecu- 
liarl)- novel design througliout 
It is of undressed bkic stone 
trimmed with light gianite 
■with a tower about 150 fett 
in height. 

Nathaniel Ilewit, D. D , an 
eminent pulpit orator and i o 
former, was born at Jse^" 
London, Conn., in 1788 Ik 
graduated at Yale College 
and studied law, which Ik 
abandoned for the ministn 
lie was installed ovei the 
Second Congi-egational Chui c h 
at Bridgeport in 1830 lud 
o\'er the First Presbj'tenan 
Church in 1853. He died in 
February, 1867. 

Hon. "William D. Bishop i 
native of Bridgeport, has been 
a member of Congress and 

commissioner of patents He wis a long time p"csuknt I Besides the Hige 
of the New York, New Haven anel Hartford Railroael | here, anel others. 
Company. ^^ _^_ 

Hon. P. T. Barnum, V- ~ - : iX Z^--- -"^"""^^^ , 

born in Bethel, Conn., 
in 1810, is not onl\- the ^ 
greatest showman of 
the age, but a good 
lecturer and a popular 
temperance ad\ ocate 
He has also been ma\ oi 
of Bridgeport. 

The City of Soitii 
norwalk, axi) tiif 
Borough and T()a\n of 
NoRWALK. — The clt^, 
situated on the west — 
side of Nor walk haibor, 
is one of the most iin 
portant st.ations on the 
line of the New 1 oik. 
New Haven and Hut 
ford Railroad. It h i 
an estimated population 
of about 5,000 The 
manufacturing interests 
at this point are quite 
extensive; its nearness whcelle^ hloc^ 




to the great metropolis, and its 
first class water and railway 
communication rendering it 
one of the most desirable lo- 
cations for carrying on the 
gi eat industries. Among some 
i the most important manu- 
1 letuies are locks, knobs and 
1 I onze ware ; steam-engines 
and the celebrated Earl's 
steam-pump at the Norwalk 
Ii on Works ; fine hats by five 

I Ikieiit companies, also straw 
I its , boots and shoes on an 

\tensive scale, and paper 
1 jxes There are also two 

II ge planing-mill companies 
)nig a heavy business. At- 

tuition is also largely given 
to shipbuilding. 

The situation of the city 

leneleis its commerce of great 

impoitance to its growth. 

numbei ot vessels built and owned 

engaged in the coasting trade, the 

transportation lines of 

-— - steamers are continuall}' 

engageel in a profitable 

business. White's Line 

— foi New York runs apas- 

'stngei and two freight 

b^ats Boats are also 

run by the Steam 

Freighting Company. 

The city is growing 
ripidh , having about 
doubled its population 
duiing the last decade. 
It has some fine blocks 
of builelings and church 
edihces and a hand- 
s me opera-house. The 
kool facilities arc ex- 
11 nt The religious 
II teicstsarerepresented 
h\ fl\e churches. The 
n itei works arc among 

the most complete in 

'fVN-^P N I w England. 

^ The borough of Nor- 

walk IS situated in the 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



centre of the town, on the river, nearly one and a, half 
miles north of the citj-. It contains about 7,500 inhab- 
itants, and has five banks, six churches, and several 
manufacturing establishments. There are two academies 
in the borough, and four newspaper offices. 

The town of Norwalk contains about twentj- square 
miles of territorj-, and has a population of some 15,000 
persons. 

Hon. Thomas Fitch -was boin about 1697 ; was deputy- 
governor of the Colony for four years from 1 750 ; governor 
for twelve consecutive years from 1754. He was a 
lawyer, distinguished for great abilities and large acquire- 
ments. He died July 18, 1774. 

Hon. Thomas Belden Butler was born Aug. 22, 1806 ; 
graduated at the Yale Medical School, and settled at 
Norwalk in 1829, as a physician, but on account of his 
nerA'ous temperament abandoned that profession, studied 
law, and was admitted to the bar in 1837. He was a 
member of Congress one term ; was elected a judge of 
the Superior Court in 1855 ; of the Supreme Court in 
1801, and was made chief justice in 1870. He resigned 
this office in 1873, because of ill health. He was the 
author of an elaborate work on the atmospheric system ; 
an inventor, and obtained several patents, and took an 
active interest in agriculture. He died June 8, 1873. 

Clark Bissell, LL. D., was governor of the State, and 
a judge of the Supreme Court of Errors from 1829 to 
1839. 

Hon. Orris S. Ferry was bom at Bethel, Conn., 
Aug. 15, 1823; graduated at Yale College, and settled 
at Norwalk in the practice of law. He was a member of 
Congress one term, and colonel and brigadier-general of 
volunteers in the late war. He took his seat as United 
States senator in 1867, and was re-elected in 1872 for a 
six years' term. He died in 1876. 

Danbury, the northern terminus of the Danbury and 
Norwalk Railroad, has a population of about 10,000. 
No town in the State manifests a more lively interest 
in education, and the ample school buildings and grounds 
are made most attractive. 

Although the central part of the town is not yet a city, 
it is an incorporated borough, containing a population of 
about 8,500, and is one of the most attractive, as it is also 
one of the most enterprising places in New England. 

The religious denominations are represented by eight 
churches. The newspapers, besides the "News," are 
the "Democrat" and "Globe," which are ably-con- 
ducted journals." The borough contains two national 
banks. 

One of the places of interest is Deer Hill, the location 
of beautiful residences. There are two delightful lakes. 



Neversink and Kenosha, the last of which is a fashionable 
resort for picnic and excursion parties, about two miles 
west of the centre, and is tlie source of Still River, which 
runs through the borough, and affords a good water 
power. The AVooster Cemeter3-, embracing an enclosure 
of about 100 acres, with its evergreens, tastefully laid 
out mounds, walks and drives, its artificial lake, and 
costly and attractive monuments, is a fit and pleasing 
place of sepulture. Near the entrance, on a sightly 
elevation, stands the monument erected to the memor3- 
of Maj. Gen. David Wooster. It is of freestone, and 
about 40 feet high. The coat of arms of Connecticut is 
carved on one side of the shaft : his deeds of valor are 
recorded ou another, and on the third, the fact of his 
having organized the first lodge of Freemasons in Con- 
necticut at New Haven. 

Rev. Ebenezer Baldwin, born July 3, 1745, and a, 
graduate of Yale College, was ordained at Danbury in 
October, 1770. He was a chaplain in the Revolutionary 
army at New York in 1770, and, amid the hardships 
of the camp in attending the sick and suffering, contracted 
the disease of which he died. He was a man of great 
talents and culture. lie died Oct. 1, 1770. 

Stamford has a population of about 11,000. The 
borough is situated on i\Iill River. The commerce is 
principally with New York. Palatial steamers make 1 
dail}' trips to and from New York, and the freight of 
the transportation companies is heavy. 

The manufacturing interests are somewhat varied, and 
among them ma}' be noticed the productiou of iron, brass 
and copper ware. A large busiuess is carried on in the 
manufacture of stoves, hollow ware, hot-air and cooking 
ranges and castings. There are also camphor refineries, I 
and dyewoods of all kinds are quite extensively manu- | 
factured, as are boots and shoes, edge tools and wire, i 
locks, carriages, woollen goods, billiard-tables, fire-brick, [ 
drain-pipes, marble, granite and flagging-stone. j 

This is one of the most popular localities for residences 
of the business men of New York, and those who wish 
to retire to live in wealth and luxurj- ; and the town is 
beheved to have more elegant private residences than 
anj- other of its size in the State. About 20 passenger | 
trains leave here on the N. 1'., N. II. and II. R. R., and 
18 arrive dail}' from New York. The town is one school 
district, having seventeen common, and several private 
schools. There are also four graded schools and two i 
academies. The religious interests are maintained by 1 
twelve churches. Some of the church edifices are models , 
of architecture. 

The town hall, of brick and Ohio stone, with a tower \ 
100 feet high, was built at a cost of $140,000. 



CONNECTICUT. 



"Woodland Cemeterj- is an attractive spot. Tlie drives 
in the vicinity of Stamford are cliarming, and tlie views 
of tlie Sound and the surrounding country from the 
adjoining hills are magnificent. 

Abraham Davenport, grandson of the Rev. John 
Davenport, the founder of the New Haven Colonj-, was 
a resident of Stamford. His true Christian integritv, 
vigor and uncommon firmness of mind, were prominent 
traits of character. In the legislature of Connecticut 
May 18, 1780, on the famous daxk day, which was 
thought to be the judgment day, on a motion to 
adjourn, he said : "I am against an adjournment. The 
day of judgment is approaching, or it is not. If it is 
not, there is no cause for adjournment ; if it is, I choose 
to be found doing my dutj-. I wish, therefore, that 
candles maj^ be brought." While sitting as chief justice 
of the Court of Common Pleas at Danbury, after being 
struck with death, he heard a portion of a trial, charged 
the jury, and retired for the night to be found with life 
extinct soon afterwards. 

Charles Ilawley, born June 15, 1792, gi-aduatod with 
honor at Yale in 1813, and opened a law office in Stam- 
ford about 181G. He left an estate probablj' larger than 
VLuy lawj'er has accumulated from his profession alone in 
the State, and stood in the first rank of the profession. 
He was lieutenant-governor from 1838 to 1842, and died 
Feb. 27, 1866. 

The remaining towns of Fairfield Countj' are : Green- 
wich* (population, 8,000), having several business cen- 
tres, whose local newspaper needs are served by the 
crisp and sprightly " Greenwich Observer ; " and is noted 
principally for its fine villas and residences of men doing 
business in New Yorfe. Fairfield f (5,000) , embracing, 
in its extreme south-western part, at the mouth of Mill 
River, Southport, which, lilce Greenwich, is a most 
charming suburb of New York, and has a small though 
deep and commodious harbor. NEWTOw>f, an agricultu- 
ral town, 3'et favored with the business of the New York 
Belting and Packing Compan}', the oldest manufacturers 
of vulcanized rubber fabrics in the country ; as also with 
the manufacture of car-springs, solid emeiy vulcanite 
wheels, antiseptic linen hose, rubber-lined linen hose, 
&c. Stratford (3,600), situated on Long Island 
Sound, at the mouth of the Housatonic River, a level 

* On tbo eastern limit of the town of Greenwich is the hill noted as 
the place of the daring feat of Gen. Putnam in the Revolutionary war. 

t In Ihc western and nppcr part of the town is Greenfield Hill, one of 
the most sightly elevations of the region. From the church steeple here 
23 church spires in Bridgeport, Stratford, Milford, Reading and other 
places can bo seen, also .about half a dozen light-houses from Stratford 
Point to the Norwallc Islands. A public avenue now runs over the cele- 
brated " Sasco Swamp " of earliest Indian warfare fame, near Southport. 



township for the most part, whose meadows at the 
mouth of the river are of \ery rich alluvial formation ; 
and its village is characterized by one long, fine street, 
pleasantly lined with elegant residences, and well shaded 
with a variety of ornamental trees. Westport J (3,500), 
a town noted, like several of the foregoing, for its 
beautiful residences of those still in business in New 
York citj', as also of those who have retired from active 
life. New Canaan (2,800), a mountainous, yet grow- 
ing town at the terminus of the New Canaan Railroad, 
whose manufacturing interests are in boots and shoes, 
and whose local paper is the well-esteemed "New 
Canaan Messenger." Bethel, an incorporated borough 
of 2,500 inhabitants ; a growing, prosperous place, 
whose leading industry is the manufacture of hats, and 
whose recently-completed water-works are justly the 
pride of the town. Ridgefield§ (1,900), lying in the 
western part of the county- bordering on New York, the 
principal street of whose village, with its lawns, walks 
and shade-trees, imparts to the place a wonderful home- 
like appearance, and whose newspaper, the " Ridgo- 
flcld Press," has deservedly an excellent circulation. 
Darien (1,900), a small township situated on Long 
Island Sound, a favorite resort for purposes of residence [ 
of New York business men, and withal of ger.tbmcn 
of leisure. Wilton, an agricultural town of 1,850 in- 
habitants. Reading, a sparsel}' settled, strictlj- agri- 
cultural township, with a population of about 1,600. 
Huntington (1,600), having quite extensive manufac- 
tures of silver ware and paper, and a growing place. 
TrumbullII (1,300), its people being largely given to 
husbandry, though shirts are quite extensively manu- 
factured here ; as also paper, at Beers' Mills. Monroe 
(1,200), an agricultural township, with an uneven sur- 
face, though quite productive soil. Easton (1,200), an 
irregular township lying north of Fairfield ; a farming 
and eminently "well-to-do" community. Brookfield 
(1,100), a farming town, though giving some attention 
to the manufacture of lime, luats, &c. Weston (1,000), 
which has an iron foundry and machine-shop at Valley 
Forge ; a plough and hay-cutter manufactor}', and a flour 
and plaster mill at Lyon's Plains. New Fairfield (800) , 
an agricultural town lying adjacent to the New York 
State line. Sherman (800), the most northern town in 



t On a bend of the river, at a point near the Sound, is the elevation 
known in Revolutionary history as Compo. 

§ Some parts of this township are so elevated, that a view can be had 
of Long Island Sound at a distance of M miles, and of East iind West 
Roek at Now Haven, and of (he Highlands of the Hudson. 

II Tashua Hill, in this town, is a signal-station of the United States 
Coast Survey, and is the first land visilile when approaching this 
coast. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



the count_v, wedged in between Litchfield Count}- and 
the State of New York, and whose people are nearl}' all 
farmers. 

All these towns have the usual complement of churches, 
quite all being of the so-called Evangelical order, the 
Congregatioualist and Methodist, perhaps, predominat- 
ing ; and of schools. 

Rev. Isaac Lewis, D. D., born Jan. 21, 1746; Y.ale 
College, 1765; settled at Greenwich Oct. 18, 1786; 
was a fervent Revolutionar}- patriot, and at one time a 
regimental chaplain. In the onl}- house left standing at 
the burning of Norwalk, he preached an appropriate 
sermon from Isa. Ixiv. 11-12, the inhabitants having 
assembled on the occasion for the purpose of fasting and 
praj-er. He died Aug. 27, 1840. 

Joel Lindsley, D. D. (1793-1868), was long the 
esteemed pastor of the Greenwich Congregational 
church. 

Hon. Gold Selleck Silliman, born at Fairfield in 1732 ; 
Y^ale College 1 752 ; a distinguished law3-er, and a briga- 
dier-general of militia in the Revolution ; was the father 
of the late Benjamin Silliman, LL. D., of Y'ale College. 
His death occurred Jul}- 12, 1790. 

Philo Shelton, A. M., fonner rector of Trinitj^ Church 
of Fairfield (1754-1825; Y'ale College, 1778), is be- 
heved to have been the first Episcopal clergj-man 
ordained in the United States. 

Roger Minott Sherman, LL. D., a native of Fairfield, 
one of the most eminent lawj-ers of his day, and son of 
Roger Shennan, one of the signers of the Declaration, 
was one of the judges of the Supreme Court of Errors 
of this State from 1839 to 1842. 

The Rev. Samuel Johnson, D. D., one of the founders 
of Episcopacy in Connecticut (1696-1772; Y'ale Col- 
lege, 1714), an author of note, a man of great talents 
and personal dignity, was settled at one time over the 
church in Stratford. 

Maj. Gen. Daniel Wooster, a native of Stratford 
(1711-1771; Y'ale College, 1738), having entered the 
military service, was captain of a companj- in the expe- 
dition against Louisburgh in 1745. He was a general in 
the French wars ; commander of the troops sent to guard 
New Y'ork in 1775 ; went to Canada, and was chief in 
command after the death of Gen. ISIontgomery. He 
was appointed major-general of the State militia about 



1776 ; and, in 1 777, learning that the British had landed 
at Compo, pursued them to Danbury, and was mortally 
wounded at Ridgeficld April 27, 1777. 

Hon. David Plant, a native and life-long resident of 
Stratford, a graduate of Y'ale in 1804, was a member 
of Congress from 1827 to 1829, and died Oct. 18, 
1851. 

The Rev. Jonathan Ingersoll, installed pastor of the 
Ridgefleld church Aug. 8, 1739, was a chaplain in the 
Colonial armj- on Lake Champlain. He died Oct. 2, 
1778, in the 65th year of his age, and the 40th of his 
ministry. 

The Rev. Samuel Goodrich, father of the renowned 
Peter Parley, was, for upwards of 25 years, the faithful 
pastor of the Ridgefleld church. 

The Rev. David Ely, D. D., settled at Huntington 
Oct. 27, 1773 (1749-1816; Y'ale College, 1769), was so 
zealous in the patriot cause during the Revolutionarv 
war, that the Tories in this section threatened to hang 
him, when the rebellion should have been crushed, on an 
oak tree in the public square. 

The Rev. James Beebe, pastor of the Congregational 
church at Trumbull for 38 years, took an active part in ' 
the capture of Ticonderoga during the French and Indian 
wars, and was very instrumental in stirring up the j 
enthusiasm of the people during the Revolutionary war. 

Mr. Samuel Staples, a noted man of his time, founded 
the celebrated academy in Easton, by giving a fund i 
which made it a free school, and a number of acres of i 
land for the benefit of the school. 

Rev. Samuel Sherwood (1730-1783; Y'ale College, * 
1749), was ordained at Weston Aug. 17, 1757. Espous- 
ing the colonial cause in the Revolutionary war with such 
zeal as to become obnoxious to the British and Tories, it 
was not deemed safe for him at one time to sleep in his 
own house. A pubUshed Fast-day sennon, delivered by ' 
him in 1774, was recently deposited in the library of 
Yale College. 

Rev. Maltby Gelston (17GG-1856; Y'ale College,] 
1791), was installed pastor of the church in Sherman ■ 
April 26, 1797, at a salary of £100, and a few cords of 
wood. He was proverbial for his wisdom, elevated piety, [ 
industrj- and punctuality. After an active ministry of j 
45 years in this town, where he always resided after his j 
installation, he died at the advanced age of 90 years. 



CONNECTICUT. 



HARTFORD COUKTY, 



BY WILLIAM I. FLETCHER. 



At the time of discovery, the Connecticut EiverVallej- 
was inhabited by several small tribes of Indians, allied 
to the Nan-agansetts and the Nehantics, and, like them, 
subject to the constant attaclcs of the more powerful and 
warlike Pequots. Thej' wore also in a condition of 
enforced vassalage to tlie mightj' Iroquois or Mohawk 
confederation, which bounded them on the west, and 
wliose warriors levied arbitarj- tribute upon the Connect- 
icut tribes, and in case of resistance devastated their 
villages. Many of the river Indians had been driven 
from their original homes and had migrated to eastern 
Massachusetts, where thej' were found by the Pl^-mouth 
settlers. Within the limits of Hartford County were 
several fortified villages, where the remnants of these 
tribes were entrenched as a protection against their 
numerous enemies. At Pyquag, now Wethersfield, Capt. 
Block held an interview with " Sequin," sachem of a 
tribe resident there ; and he also makes mention of a 
village a few miles farther north, inhabited by the 
" Nawaas " tribe. Upon the Tunxis River was located 
the tribe of that name, and the Podunks occupied the 
eastern shore of tlie Connecticut, opposite Hartford. 
Suckiage, the location of Hartford, had probably been 
seized bj' the Pequots, as the Dutch, who were first to 
make a purchase of land at this place treated with a 
Pequot sachem. 

In the spring of 1631 Wahquimacut, a sachem of one 
of the river tribes, e-vidently impressed with the idea that 
the English would prove powerful allies against his 
relentless foes, the Pequots and Mohawks, visited the 
Massachusetts settlements and invited emigration to his 
countrj', extolling its natural advantages and guarantee- 
ing reasonable terms for the land and bounties to actual 
settlers. Gov. Winthrop of Massachusetts Bay seems 
not to have been favorably impressed by the proposition, 
and took no action, but Gov. Winslow of Plj-mouth 
deemed the matter of suflicient importance to warrant a 
journey to the Connecticut. He was soon followed by 
other explorers, and projects for emigration were warmly 
discussed b}' the Massachusetts colonists. As tlie early 
settlers were anxious to remain near navigable water, 
the towns in the vicinity of Boston were already' com- 



plaining of overcrowding, and the Connecticut Valley 
was regarded with longing ej'es, although the govern- 
ment of Massachusetts Bay continued to discourage the 
proposed migration. But advocates of the measure 
were continuallv arriving from England, and the govern- 
ment soon found itself In the minority. 

In June, 1C33, Jacob Van Curter, an agent of the 
Dutch West India Company, purchased about twenty 
acres of land at what is still known as Dutch Point in 
Hartford, and erected thereon a fort and trading-house, 
which he named the " House of Good Hope." In 
October, 1633, Plymouth Colony, having in vain endeav- 
ored to secure the co-operation of Massachusetts Bay, 
despatched a vessel to the Connecticut Eiver, under com- 
mand of Wilham Holmes, who established, near the 
mouth of the Tunxis River, on the site of the present 
town of Windsor, a trading-post. 

During the summer of 1634 a companj' from Water- 
town settled at Wethersfield. It seems certain that a 
portion of this compan}' remained through the winter, 
thus constituting this tlie first actual settlement of Hart- 
ford County. June, 1635, the church at Dorchester, of 
which the Rev. John Wareham was minister, located at 
Windsor, near the trading-post established hy Holmes. 
The Plymouth government regarded this as an invasion 
of their rights, but took no active measures to dispossess 
the Dorchester people. The matter was compromised 
several years later hy a grant of land and the paj-ment 
of a stipulated sum of mone3-. Among the Dorchester 
emigrants was Roger Ludlow, lieutenant-governor of 
Massachusetts Bay, and several other men of distinction. 
During this summer the colony at Wethersfield was 
greatly strengthened by new arrivals. After erecting 
the necessary buildings, the Windsor settlers returned to 
Jlassachusetts for their families. October ITith a party 
of about 60 started from Dorchester to travel overland to 
their new home. Winter closed in luiusuall}' early, and 
the journey was accomplished with great difficulty, a 
portion of their live stock perisliing on the waj'. Before 
they reached their destination snow fell to a great depth, 
and the Connecticut River was covered with thin ice, 
rendering crossing extremely difficult. The}- had taken 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



but a limited stock of provisions, their winter's supply, 
together with their household goods, having been shipped 
by water. Manj- of the vessels were wrecked, while 
others were compelled to return to Boston. The situa- 
tion of the little band of colonists was truh- deplorable. 
The severity of the weather frustrated all attempts to 
obtain provisions, and thej- were destitute of the blank- 
ets, &c., necessar3- as a protection against the intense 
cold. Man}' of the settlers, after suffering incredible 
hardships, found their waj" through the wilderness back 
to Massachusetts, while those who remained in many 
instances were forced to subsist on nuts and acorns. But 
spring opened earlj-, and with the return of mild weather 
matters improved A-ery rapidlj-. Those who had been 
driven away by cold and starvation returned, bringing with 
them large reinforcements. A fort was erected at the 
mouth of the river, to prevent the encroachments of the 
Dutch, and the permanency of the Colony seemed 
assured. A third settlement was commenced at Sucki- 
age, and was named Newtown, the colonies at Wethers- 
field and Windsor, respectively, taking the names of 
Watertown and Dorchester. April 26, 1G3G, the first 
court was held at Newtown, Mr. Ludlow presiding. The 
present names of the towns were given by the General 
Court in February, 1637. The name of Hartford is 
taken from that of Hertford, Eng. 

During the spring of 1636 the Rev. Thomas Hooker 
and his assistant, the Rev. Samuel Stone, pastors of the 
church at Newtown, now Cambridge, Mass., headed a 
party of about 100 persons, including women and chil- 
dren, in an overland journey to the valley of the Con- 
necticut, and laid the foundation of the city of Hartford. 
At the close of the year 1636 the total population of the 
three settlements was about 800. 

The Pequots early manifested symptoms of hostility 
against those who had wrested from them their pos- 
sessions on the river, and had either restored these 
lands to their rightful owners, or had purchased them 
from such owners. Thej- A-iewed with alarm the rapi<l 
increase of the Colonies, and conceived the plan of 
uniting all the tribes in a common war upon the English. 
Fortunately they were but partially successful in this. 
During the winter of 1636-7, a number of the settlers 
were murdered by the Pequots, and in April, 1637, a 
large body of savages descended upon the outskirts of 
Wethersfield, killed nine persons, and carried two girls 
into capti-^-ity. The captives were subsequentlj- re- 
deemed by the Dutch, and returned to th(?ir foi-mer 
homes. At the General Court in May it was determined 
to wage a war of extermination against the Pequots, as 
the only means of self-preservation. A force of 90 men 



was raised, of which Hartford furnished 42, Windsor 30, 
and Wethersfield 18. The command of the expedition 
was given to Capt. Mason, an experienced soldier, and 
the Rev. Mr. Stone was appointed chaplain. The force 
was accompanied by 70 friendly Indians, under the 
famous sachem Uncas, and sailed from Hartford Ma}- 
10. The movement was entirely successful, resulting in 
the total rout of the Pequot tribe, with scarcely anj" loss 
to the colonial forces. 

The braveiy of Capt. Mason and his companions had 
saved the infant Colony, but its future prospects were far 
from flattering. The campaign had entailed a large debt, 
which it was but poorly prepared to meet, and had 
greatly augmented the effects of the prevailing scarcity 
of provisions. It had been found impossible to get the 
ground prepared the previous jcar in season to raise a 
sufficient supply of corn, as the colonists were almost 
entirely without ploughs or other agricultural implements. 
Many cattle had perished during the winter, and, the 
war having taken away a large share of the able-bodied 
men during planting-time, a famine seemed iuiminent. 
A supply of corn was fortunately- obtained from the In- 
dians farther up the river, and the subsequent winter 
was passed in comparative comfort, although the Indians 
continued troublesome, rendering necessary' the utmost 
vigilance. The " train-band " of Hartford, organized in 
1638, still exists as the Governor's Foot Guard. 

Up to this time the colonists upon the Connecticut had 
continued to submit to the authority of the Massachusetts 
governments, but, finding that they were outside the 
limits of those patents, it was detennined to form an in- 
dependent government. A convention of delegates from 
the three settlements assembled at Hartford, and on 
Jan. 4, 1639, adopted a preamble and constitution for 
the government of the Colony of Connecticut. For nearly 
two centuries this constitution remained unaltered, a 
monument to the wisdom and sagacitj- of its framers, 
and with the exception of a few months, when a ro^al 
governor claimed authority under protest, Connecticut 
has always been ruled by officers chosen bj- the ballots 
of her freemen. John Haynes was the first governor 
under the constitution. At the spring session of the 
General Court the towns were vested with authority to 
conduct their own affairs. 

In the autumn of 1 639 Gen. Mason conducted a second 
successful expedition against the Indians. Subsequent 
to this it does not appear that Hartford County suffered 
to an}' extent from the depredations of the savages, al- 
though for many 3ears the inhabitants dwelt in continual 
terror, and maintained a vigilant guard day and night. 
Having in all cases paid the former owners liberally for 



CONNECTICUT. 



the land taken, they secured, if not the friendship of the 
local tribes of Indians, at least a passive acquiescence in 
the rapid growth of the Colonies. During the later bloodj- 
Indian wars, manj- of the members of the river tribes 
disappeared, probablj- allying themselves with the various 
hostile tribes, with whom they perished. For a long 
period, however, the settlers in the western part of the 
Colony were harassed by occasional raids, and the terri- 
tory east of the Connecticut River was not deemed safe 
until about 1670. In the last mentioned year the Sims- 
bury settlers became so alarmed that they abandoned the 
settlement, and fled to "Windsor. Their buildings were 
burned, and when they returned, six j-ears later, they 
were unable to find the precise location of their former 
dwellings. The towns in Hartford County furnished a 
large number of men during King Philip's war, but were 
fortunatelj' spared the horrors of savage warfare in their 
own midst. Numbers of friendlj' Indians remained in 
the county for many years. The sachem Uncas was a 
powerful ally of the colonists, and greatly assisted them 
in subduing the Pequots. 

The members from Hartford County of the New Eng- 
land Confederation, formed in 1643, were men of great 
ability and influence. 

A settlement on the Tunxis River, in the western part 
of Windsor, was incorporated as a town in 1645, under 
the name of Farmington, which name was thenceforth 
also applied to the river. 

In 1654, England being at war witli Holland, the 
Dutch property in this section was formally sequestrated 
by the colonial authorities, thus ending the occupation 
of this region by the Dutch. 

In 1662, Gov. Winthrop, who had gone to England for 
the pur^jose, obtained from King Charles II. a charter 
for the Colonj^ of Connecticut, conveying ample pri\i- 
leges. Bj' the tenns of this charter, Connecticut ex- 
tended from the Narraganset River on the east to the 
sea on the west, and under this grant the Colonj' subse- 
quently laid claim to portions of New York and Pennsyl- 
vania, giving rise to protracted and bitter discusi^ions. 
Although this charter included New Haven Colony within 
the limits of Connecticut, it was not until 1665 that the 
former would consent to the union. 

Hartford County was constituted in 1665, its original 
i limits including all of Tolland County, and portions of 
j the counties of Litchfield and New London. Simsbur}-, 
the north-western part of Windsor, was incorijorated in 
1670, the Indian name of the settlement being Massacoe. 
The portion of Wethersfield lying east of the river was 
incorporated in 1690, under the name of Glastonbury. 

In October, 1687, Sir Edmund Andros appeared at 



Hartford, where the General Court was in session, de- 
clared that assembly dissolved, and demanded the sur- 
render of the charter of the Colony. Possibly to meet an 
exigency like this, a duplicate of the charter had been 
prepared, which was finally produced. The colonial gov- 
ernor protested against the authority of Andros, and a 
debate ensued, which was prolonged until dark. Candles 
were called for, and upon their arrival it was discovered 
that the copy of the charter had disappeared. It had 
been taken by Capt. Joseph Wadsworth, who conveyed 
it to the south part of the city, and concealed it in the 
hollow trank of a large oak, in front of the residence 
of Hon. Samuel Wyllys, where it remained until less 
troublous times. The tree which was pointed out as 
having been the depository of the precious document 
was one of the chief attractions of Hartford until Aug. 
20, 1856, when it was destroj-ed by a furious storm, 
while its name is perpetuated in various ways, Hartford 
itself being called, by common consent, the Charter Oak 
City. 

LTntil 1701, Hartford had been the sole capital of the 
united Colony, but in that year New Haven was made a 
semi-capital, and from that time until 1873, the sessions 
of the General Court were held alternately in the two 
cities. 

During the almost continual wars with the French and 
Indians from 1689 to 1763, Hartford County, being on 
the frontier so far as its western towns were concerned, 
was in a continual state of uneasiness, owing to the 
atrocities committed in New York and Pennsylvania. 
Fortified houses were erected at various exposed points, 
including four in Hartford, while the ferries at that place 
and at Windsor were placed in a condition of defence. 
In 1704 the General Court resolved that the frontier 
towns must be held, as a measure of public safety, and 
that the inhabitants of these towns must remain, under 
penalty of forfeiture of their lands. This county had 
her full proportion of men in the military service, and 
during the 100 years next preceding the war of the 
Revolution, many of her citizens were either killed in 
battle, or died of disease contracted in camp. In the 
successful expedition against Louisburg, in 1745, Roger 
Wolcott of Windsor, lieutenant-governor of the Colony 
commanded a brigade of Connecticut troops. The prin- 
cipal officers under Wolcott were from Hartford County. 
During the war, which began in 1755 and ended with 
the treaty of Ryswick in 1763, Hartford County had at 
various times from 500 to 2,000 men in active service. 

The first code of laws for the Colony was compiled in 
1650, and was composed almost entii'elj' of extracts and 
adaptations from the Mosaic code. The odium of the 



IIISTOEY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



so-called " Blue Laws," — if, indeed, there be any ground 
for such odium, — rests rather with the New Haven Colony 
than with the Hartford. 

The early history of Hartford County, like that of all 
the New England Colonies, must necessarily be some- 
what ecclesiastical in character. The settlements at 
Hartford and AVindsor were made under the guidance of 
the same faithful shepherds who had led their flocks 
across the sea in search of religious liberty, and a list of 
the early settlers of these towns is, in each case, an 
almost complete roster of the membership of some 
Massachusetts church. It is claimed that the First 
Church at Windsor is the oldest religious organization in 
New England. At first, under the ministrations of Rev. 
John Wareham, assisted bj- Ephraim Heuet as teacher, 
there was great harmony and prosperity in the church ; 
but Mr. Heuet died in 1644, and as Mr. Wareham was 
advanced in j'cars, he felt unable to perform the pastoral 
labor without a colleague, over the appointment of whom 
arose an exceedingly bitter and protracted controversy. 
Appeal was finally made to the General Court, which 
ordered that an election of assistant-pastor should be 
held. This was done, but the minority refused to 
acquiesce in the result, so that nothing was accom- 
plished. Mr. Wareham died April 1, 1670, and for 
many years there was no settled pastor. Rev. Samuel 
Mather was settled in 1682, and remained until his 
death in 1726. The dissensions culminated in 1694 in 
the organization of the Second Church, with Rev. 
Timothy Edwards as pastor, an office which he retained 
for the remarkable term of 64 years. 

The church at Hartford, upon the death of Mr. 
Hooker, in 1647, remained under the guidance of Mr. 
Stone, but he found it impossible to control a dissatisfied 
and controversial feeling which had sprung up in the 
church, and which rapidlj* increased. Several coun- 
cils of the neighboring churches were called, but to no 
purpose ; and several general councils, in which the New 
Haven and Massachusetts churches united, also failed to 
effect a reconciliation. But many of the disaffected 
members removed to other places, and comparative peace 
was at length restored. Mr. Stone died July 20, 1663, 
and was succeeded, by Joseph Haynes. A division of 
the church took place in Februarj-, 1670, Samuel Whit- 
ing taking the pastoral care of the Second Church. 

The Watertown people were not accompanied by their 
pastor in their migration to Wethersfield, but Rev. 
Henry Smith was settled soon after their arrival in their 
new home. This church, like its neighbors, soon became 
involved in disputes, and ver3' earl3" in its history sent 
out a colony to Milford. fpon the death of Mr. Smith, 



in 1648, the Rev. Jonathan Russell succeeded to the 
charge. Various disagreements finally led to an open 
rapture, and Mr. Russell removed to Hadley, Mass., 
taking with him a large number of the congregation. 
This seems to have ended the troubles in this church. 

A church was gathered at Farmington Oct. 13, 1652, 
with Rev. Roger Newton as pastor. Rev. Timothy 
Stephens was installed at Glastonbmy in October, 1693. 
The first minister at Simsbury was Rev. Dudley Wood- 
bridge, settled March 3, 1696. 

With the exception of a few Quakers, who were 
promptly banished, no dissenting sect made its appear- 
ance in Hartford County until more than 100 years after 
the first settlement. This countj* sent its due proportion 
of delegates to the convention which, in September, 
1708, adopted the religious constitution known as the 
Sa3-brook Platform, which, bj- subsequent legislative 
confirmation, became the rule of faith for the entire 
Colon}-. Under strict repressive measures the growth of 
so-called ■' Separatist" churches was but slow until after 
the Revolution ; and to-day Congregationalism is still 
the leading fonn of belief in Hai-tford County, although 
it has been much modified since the daj-s of Hooker and 
Wareham. 

When in 1715 to 1718 the proposed removal of Yale 
College from Saj'brook was under consideration, Messrs. 
Woodbridge and Buckingham, the Hartford Count}- 
members of the board of trustees, warmly urged its 
location at Wethersfield, and so dissatisfied were thoy 
with the action establishing it at New Haven, that at the 
time of the first commencement after the removal, thej- 
held independent graduating exercises at Wethersfield, 
and conferred degi-ees upon several undergraduates. 
Subsequently, however, these gentlemen became recon- 
ciled to the location of the college, and took part in its 
management. 

In consideration of the distinguished services of Gen. 
Mason and his soldiers the General Court made exten- 
sive grants of land to them. The location of these 
grants gave rise to heated controversies, resulting, in 
some cases, in actual conflict. Out of these land trou- 
bles arose the riot of Oct. 22, 1722, at Hartford. Capt. 
Fitch, a resident of Coventry, had been committed to 
Hartford jail, for refusing to satisfy a judgment against 
him. On the day mentioned, an armed party of about 
60 from Coventry and vicinity visited Hartford, forcibly 
entered the jail and liberated the captain. The party 
were pursued bj- Sheriff Whiting, with a posse, but made 
their escape, after severely beating the sheriff and his 
assistants. The ringleaders were subsequently fined £20 
each. In 1761 the town of Hartland. then in Litchfield 



CONNECTICUT. 



Countj-, having been adjudged to be the property of 
"Windsor, was annexed to Hartford County. 

During the first years of the eighteenth century, the 
limits of Hartford County, as defined by act of the 
General Court in 1665, were enlarged bj' annexing sev- 
eral towns which had been organized in the outlying dis- 
tricts. The portion of Windsor Ijing east of the Con- 
necticut River was incorporated in 1 768 as the town of 
East Windsor. At the commencement of the Kevolu- 
tion there were fifteen towns in the county, but its pres- 
ent territory was included within the limits of ten towns ; 
namely, Hartford, Windsor, East Windsor, Wethers- 
field, Glastonbury, Farmington, Simsbury, Enfield, Suf- 
field and Hartland. 

The inhabitants of Hartford County were firm in their 
resistance to the oppressive measures of the British gov- 
ernment, and when, in May, 176G, the news of the repeal 
of the Stamp Act was received at Hartford, the General 
Court, then in session there, appointed a day of general 
rejoicing. 

Although this county was spared the actual horrors of 
war in her midst during the Revolutionary sti-uggle, her 
citizens bore a prominent part in that conflict. Owing 
to the inland location of the county, on a navigable 
stream, and having an abundance of water-power, it 
became an important depot of supplies and prisoners, 
while arms, equipments and ammunition were manufac- 
tured in large quantities. Maj. Clarke's Farmington 
company, which passed through Hartford July 30, 1775, 
was entirely equipped bj' local industry. Farmington 
appears to have been thoroughly imbued with tke patri- 
otic fever, the Boston Port Bill being publicly burned in 
1774, by the common hangman "in the presence of a 
large number of respectable citizens." 

Early in the summer of 1774 the several towns held 
meetings and passed resolutions condemnatory of the 
action of the British government, and pledging a hearty 
support to the sister Colonies. The militia was immedi- 
ately reorganized, every person capable of bearing arms 
being enrolled, and during the winter frequent drills 
were held. Sept. 15, 1774, a county convention was 
held at Hartford, which adopted an agreement for the 
non-consumption of British goods, and appointed a com- 
mittee of inspection. 

The expedition for the capture of Ticonderoga, in 
May, 1775, had its origin in this county, and seems to 
have been first suggested by Gen. Samuel H. Parsons. 
April 26th, Capts. Noah and Elisha Phelps of Simsbury, 
and Epaphras Bull, William Nichols, Elijah Babcock, 
John Bigelow and Bernard Romans of Hartford, started 
for Vermont, where they met Ethan Allen. The party 



was subsequently joined by Capt. Edward Mott of Pres- 
ton, to whom the importance and feasibiUty of this 
movement had also occurred. The successful result of 
the exijedition was largely due to the sagacity and 
shrewdness of Capt. Noah Phelps. 

■WTien the news of the battle of Lexington was received 
in Hartford County, ten companies, numbering some 400 
men, were immediately raised and put in motion for the 
scene of action ; but their services were not immediately 
required. Five regiments of militia were located in this 
county. 

The county jail was soon filled with Tory prisoners, 
and many avowed sjTnpathizers with the British were 
kept under close surveillance at their homes. Prisoners 
of war were also continually a^•i^•ing, and it became 
necessary to provide a more commodious and secure 
place of confinement. This led to the use of the " New- 
gate of Connecticut," * as the prison at East Granby has 
always been termed. 

To more thoroughly disgrace the prominent Tories, the 
county committee of inspection, in Api-il, 1776, adopted 
the plan of publishing their names in large capitals upon 
the first page of the Connecticut "Couraut," as "enemies 
of their country." 

During the Revolution there were five military execu- 
tions in Hartford. March 19, 1777, Moses Dunbar was 
executed for high treason, in the presence of a " pro- 
digious concourse of people," to whom the Rev. Nathan 
Strong delivered a lengthy and solemn discourse, which 
was afterwards published in pamphlet form. It does not 
appear that the other executions were thus solemnized, f 

The defence of Hartford was not neglected, as the 
records show that on July 29, 1777, the selectmen ordered 
a cannon to be mounted, although it does not appear that 
it was ever used. Troops were occasionally quartered in 
the county during the war. In 1779 Gen. Gates's division 
was located in East Hartford for a time, and in Novem- 
ber, 1782, the French allies occupied the same camping- 
ground. 

When Count Rochambeau landed at Newport in Sep- 
tember, 1780, he proceeded directly to Hartford, where 
he met Washington and other prominent American officers. 



• This prison was an abandoned coppcr-minc, which was first discov- 
ered about 1707. The first use of the excavation as a prison appears to 
have been in 1773. In 1775 tlie mouth of the mine was enclosed in a 
palisade, and a blocli-house was erected, while the interior, to some 
extent, was partitioned into cells, a place of confinement suggesting the 
famed Bastille and the castle dungeons of feudal times. 

t March 21, 1781, Alexander McDowell, adjutant of Col. 'Welles's 
Connecticut regiment, having been foimd guilty of desertion, by a court- 
martial, was executed in the jail-yard, Gen. Washington, then in Hart- 
ford, having signed the death-warrant on the preceding day. 



fflSTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



September 26, the distinguished visitors were received 
with due honors. And thus Hartford, where was con- 
ceived the attack on Ticonderoga, at the very opening of 
the war, was also the scene of the formation of the final 
plans which carried the contest to a successful termina- 
tion. 

Immediately after the close of the war, Hartford 
County was reduced to nearly its present limits bj- the 
formation of Middlesex County on the south, and Tolland 
County on the east. Southiugton had been set off from 
Farmington in 1 779. In 1 784 that part of Hartford lying 
east of the Connecticut was incori^orated as East Hart- 
ford, and May 29 of the same year, the city of Hartford 
received its charter, the population within the citj- limits 
at that time being about 3,000. In 1785 the south- 
westerly parish of Fai-mington was incorporated as 
Bristol, and a new town, named Berlin, was formed from 
portions of Farmington, TVethersfiold and Middletown. 
This town included the parish of Kensington, which has 
retained that designation to the present time. Granbj- 
was formed from Simsburj' in 1786. Marlborough, incor- 
porated in 1803, included the south-eastern part of Glas- 
tonbury, and portions of New London and Windham 
counties. The northern part of Bristol was incorporated 
as Burlington in 1806, and the same year Canton was 
formed from portions of Simsbuiy and of Litchfield 
County. 

After the close of the war of the Revolution, Hartford 
County enjoyed a season of quiet, and her citizens 
devoted themselves to the development of her internal 
resources. June 28, 1784, the first city election was held 
in Hartford, Thomas Sej-mour being chosen mayor. 

In common with the rest of New England, Hartford 
Count}' was firmly opposed to the war of 1812. This 
county, however, was brought into especial prominence 
in connection with the war by the famous " Hartford 
Convention," which assembled in that city Dec. 15, 1814. 

The first fair in the county was held at Wethersfield, 
Oct. 22, 1784, and was repeated several succeeding 
years. The first exhibition of the Hartford County 
Agricultm-al Association was held at Hartford in 1817. 

To Hartford belongs the credit of sustaining one of the 
oldest newspapers in the country-, " The Connecticut Cou- 
rant," whicli was first issued Oct. 29, 1764, bj- Thomas 
Green, and has appeared regularly every week since that 
time, with the exception of four issues in December, 
1775, and January, 1776, which were omitted on account 
of the failure of the supply of paper. This want of 
paper led to the development of an important branch of 
industry- in East Hartford, where Mr. Green, in connec- 
tion with other parties, established a paper-mill. There 



was great difficulty in procuring the quantity of rags 
necessary to keep the mill in operation, and the early files 
of the " Courant" abound in urgent appeals to the ladies 
to furnish the necessary material. 

A miU for the manufacture of woollen cloth was estab- 
lished in Hartford soon after the close of the Revolution- 
ary war, and when Gen. Washington visited the city, in 
October, 1789, he inspected its operations. At his first 
inau^ration as president, he was dressed in an entire 
suit of Hartford manufacture. This mill was not the first 
established in the county, however, as one had been erected 
at Windsor Locks in 1768. In 1788 a bell-foundr}' was 
estabhshed at Hartford by Doolittle & Goodyear. It is 
supposed that the first manufacture of tin ware in the 
United States was bj' a Mr. Patterson, who settled at 
Berlin in 1740, and who peddled his ware from house to 
house in a basket. A powder-mill was built in East 
Hartford in 1775, believed to be the first in the country, 
and was a most important establishment during the { 
Revolution. The first cotton-mill in Connecticut was 
erected at Manchester in 1794. In 1797, or thereabouts, 
a steam locomotive was invented by Dr. Kinslej', and 
appeared on the streets of Hartford. A patent for a lever 
printing-press was issued to John I. Wells of Hartford in 
1819. 

As early as 1787, there were lines of packets, chiefly 
sloops, between Hartford and New York, but there was 
little certainty or regularity in their trips. In November, 
1818, the first steamboat constructed on the Connecticut 
was launched at Dutch Point in Hartford. It was a small 
propeller, intended for towing purposes, and was named j 
the " Enterprize." The Connecticut River Steamboat 
Companj' was incorporated in 1824, and soon after pur- 
chased the steamer "Oliver Ellsworth," which arrived at , 
Hartford on her first trip from New York, May 7, 1824. i 
The "Experiment" had plied between Hartford and 
New London during the summer of 1823, and was prob- 
ably the pioneer in steam navigation of the Connecticut. 
During the 3"ear 1824, work was commenced on the canal 
between New Haven and Fannington, and water was 
first let in in June, 1828. This canal was subsequently 
extended to Northampton, Mass. 

The navigation of the upper Connecticut, prior to the 
construction of railroads, was regarded as a measure of 
great importance to the citizens of this countj', and large 
sums were expended upon various projects for the im- 
provement of the channel of the river. Nov. 26, 1826, 
the little steamer " Barnet" left Hartford, and succeeded 
in going as far north as Bellows' Falls, Yt., returning the 
following week. The falls at Enfield were foimd to be a 
serious impediment to navigation, and in 1828 a company 



CONNECTICUT. 



was formed in Hartford, which dug a na\dgab]e canal, 
some five miles in length, avoiding the falls, and furnish- 
ing the valuable water-power at Windsor Locks. Steam- 
ers continued to pi}' between Hartford and Springfield 
until the completion of the railroad, and Charles Dickens, 
in his " American Notes," gives a graphic description of 
this short voj-age. 

Shipbuilding was carried on for many years at Hartford 
and Glastonbury, and in 1833 a packet of 600 tons bur- 
den was launched at the former place. 

In May, 1835, the legislature gi-anted charters for 
railroads from Hartford to New Haven, and also to 
Worcester. The following j'ear, the constmction of the 
New Haven road was commenced, and it was opened for 
travel in December, 1839. 

The New Haven and Northampton Railroad, which 
follows the route of the old canal, was opened for travel 
in 1848. The New York and New England Railroad 
Company in December, 1878, took possession of the 
Hartford, Pro-\'idence and Fishlvill line, which crosses 
the countj from east to west, and was completed in 
1853. In 1871, the Connecticut Western, running 
north-west from Hartford, and the Connecticut Valley, 
following the river south from Hartford, were opened for 
travel. In 1876, the Connecticut Central, from East 
Hartford to Springfield, was completed. In addition to 
the foregoing lines, there are branches of the New Haven 
road from Berlin to New Britain and Middlctown, and 
from Windsor Locks to Suffleld. The line from Man- 
chester to South Manchester is leased to the New York 
and New England company. The total number of miles 
of railroad in the county is about 190. 

March 2, 1854, occurred the most fatal accident with 
which Hartford County has ever been visited. Shortly 
after noon on that day, the boiler in the car-manufactorj' 
of Fales & Graj', where some four hundred men were 
employed, exploded with terrific force, nearly demolish- 
ing one of the large shops. Nineteen were killed, manj- 
of them heads of famihes, and about fortj' others were 
injured. 

The breaking out of the civil war in 18G1 found the 
inhabitants of this county engaged in the vigorous de- 
velopment of the manufacturing industries which have 
given to many of its towns a world-wide fame. The 
news of the attack on Fort Sumter summoned the bus}' 
workmen to the defence of their country, and, as in the 
olden time, Hartford County was prompt in sustaining 
the government. 

April 16, Gov. Buckingham issued his proclamation, 
calling for a regiment of volunteers. The next morning, 
Joseph R. Hawley, editor of the Hartford " Press," 



Albert W. Drake and Joseph Perkins met in the office 
of the " Press," and signed their names to an enlistment 
paper, as members of a rifle company for the first regi- 
ment. Many names were added during the day, and 
the company was completely filled up at an enthusiastic 
meeting held in the evening. George H. Burnham was 
chosen captain, and Mr. Hawley first lieutenant. The 
Hartford Light Guard, Capt. J. C. Comstock, also 
promptly volunteered, and a third company was also 
recruited under Capt. Ira Wright. In the first regiment, 
which rendezvoused at New Haven, in addition to the 
companies already mentioned, was a company from New 
Britain, under Capt. F. W. Hart, and a company com- 
posed of men from Windsor Locks, Enfield and Sims- 
bury, under command of Levi N. Hillman of Windsor 
Locks. The regiment left New Haven May 9, on the 
steamer " Bienville," and proceeded directly to Washing- 
ton, arriving there on the 13th, and going into camp at 
Glenwood, two miles north of the capitol. 

In addition to the various Connecticut organizations, 
Hartford County was represented in many regiments 
from other States, and also in the na^'}', Capt. Ward of 
Hartford being the first victim of the war in that branch 
of the service. Among the distinguished leaders of the 
army, this county had many notable sons. The names 
of Gens. Joseph R. Hawley, Theodore G. Ellis, Griffin 
A. Stedman and Robert 0. Tyler of Hartford, John 
Loomis and William O. Pierson of Windsor, and John 
L. Otis of Manchester, attest the honorable part taken 
by this county ; and Gideon Welles of Hartford, as 
secretary of the navy, was one of the President's most 
trusted counsellors. About 800 citizens of the county 
were killed in battle, or died in the service. And those 
who served their country at home during the long con- 
flict with signal ability — perhaps even more than if they 
had gone to the front — must not be forgotten. Prom- 
inent among these was J. Hammond Trumbull of Hart- 
ford, who, as secretary of state, was a most efficient 
assistant to Connecticut's noble war governor, William 
A. Buckingham. Many private citizens consecrated 
their wealth and their best energies to the equipment of 
the soldiers and the maintenance of their families. 
David Clark of Hartford contributed to these objects 
not less than $60,000, and his name is held in grateful 
remembrance by numerous widows and orphans. 

The series of religious meetings held in January, Feb- 
ruary and March, 1878, by the evangelists, Moody and 
Sankey, and Pentecost and Stebbins, were without a 
parallel in the history of Hartford. They were held in 
the skating-rink, which has a seating capacity of over 
three thousand, and which was filled twice ever}- da}- for 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



manj- weeks. These meetings resulted in large acces- 
sions to the churches, and their influence was felt 
throughout the couutj-. The religious interest was un- 
doubtedly deepened by the sad accident of Januarj- 15. 
On that da^-, a large number of excursionists from the 
towns along the line of the Connecticut Western Rail- 
road had visited Hartford to attend the meetings. The 
returning train, consisting of nine cars, and drawn by 
two engines, had reached the bridge over the Farmington 
River, just west of the Tariffville station, when the 
entire western span of the bridge gave waj-, precipitating 
four cars into the river. Fourteen persons lost their 
lives, and many were badlj' injured. 

In addition to the towns ah-eady mentioned, others 
have been formed, as follows: — In 1823, the eastern 
part of East Hartford was incorporated as Manchester. 
Avon was set off from the north end of Farmington in 
1830. The parish of Wintonburj-, in Windsor, became 
the town of Bloomficld in 1835. Rocky Hill parish, in 
Wethersfield, was made an independent town in 1843. 
South Windsor was incorporated in 1845. In 1850, 
New Britain was incorporated as a town, and in 1870 
received a city charter. West Hartford became a sep- 
arate town in 1854, and in 1857 the northern part of 
Windsor was incoiporated as Windsor Locks. East 
Granb^' was set off in 1858. Newington parish, in 
Wethersfield, was made a town in 1871. and Plainville 
in 1869, having been part of Farmington. The territory 
included in Hartford Count}-, which, at the close of the 
Revolution, was comprised within the limits of ten 
towns, is now divided into 27 towns and 2 cities. 

Towns. 

Hartford, a port of entry, the capital of Connecticut 
and of Hartford County, is situated on the west bank of 
the Connecticut River, at the head of sloop navigation, 
50 miles from its mouth. It is built for the most part on 
elevated ground, and its site is eminently picturesque 
and healthful. Main Street, a wide avenue, has manj- 
imposing business blocks, notably the large granite 
buildings of tlie Charter Oak and Connecticut INIutual Life 
Insurance companies, and the massive brownstone Cheney 
Block. Bushnell Park, a neatly laid-out enclosure of 40 
acres, lies in the central part of the city. The Park, or 
Little River, emptying into the Connecticut at Dutch 
Point, is spanned by several substantial bridges. Two 
bridges cross tlie Connecticut at this place, — one for the 
New York and New England Railroad, and the other a 
highway bridge. The river, at an ordinary stage of 
water, is about 1,000 feet wide. 

The new capitol, unquestionably one of the most satis- 



factory public buildings in the country, occupies an 
elevated site in Bushnell Park, in full view of passengers 
arriving in the city by railroad. The first state house in 
Hartford was erected in 1719. In 1783, during the cele- 
bration of the declaration of peace, it was damaged by 
fireworks, and was rebuilt in verj' modest st3le. The 
edifice now standing on Main Street, and which has just 
been vacated b}- the State, was completed in 179G, and 
is now the property of the city of Hartford. In 1871 
I the legislature made an appropriation for the erection of 
a new capitol. 

The building, now completed, at an expense, including 
the site, of more than $3,000,000, is in the modern secu- 
lar Gothic style, at once massive and ornate, and is con- 
structed of white marble, quarried at East Canaan, 
Conn. The extreme length of the structure from east to 
west is nearly 300 feet, and the average breadth 106 feet. 
It is two and a half stories in height, with a mezzanine 
stor}- between the first and second floors, and the roof is 
of the mansard pattern. In the centre of the building is 
a twelve-sided tower, surmounted by a dome, tenninating 
in an open lantern, on which stands a colossal ideal figure 
in bronze, b}' Randolph Rogers, representing the Genius 
of Connecticut. The total height from the ground to the 
top of the crowning figure is 257 feet. In tlie interior 
polished granite of different colors alternates with white 
marble, producing a most agreeable eflJect. The staircases 
and halls are ornamented with paintings and statues, 
including an original portrait of Washington by Stuart, 
painted in 1800. The legislative halls are veiy elaborately 
finished in gold and colors, and the various offices are 
replete with every elegance and convenience. 

In Bushnell Park are bronze statues of Israel Putnam, 
by J. Q. A. Ward, and of Dr. Horace Wells, by T. H. 
Bartlett. The statue of Bishop Brownell, by Hiram 
Powers, belonging to Trinity College, occupies a position 
in front of the capitol, but will ultimately be transferred 
to the new campus of the college. The new college 
buildings are situated on the summit of a rock}- ledge, 
about one mile south of the former location. The site is 
an admirable O'le, affording most attractive views in 
cither direction. The architecture is the early French 
Gothic, and the two structures already completed form 
the central portion of the western side of the main 
quadi-angle. The college grounds contain about 80 acres, 
and will be improved under tlie direction of Frederick 
L. Olmsted, well known in connection with the wonderful 
transfoi-mation of Central Park, New Y^ork. Trinity 
College was founded in 1826, and was originally known 
as Washington College. The faculty is composed of 15 
members, the Rev. Thomas R. Pynchou, D. D., being 



CONNECTICUT. 



president. The 
average number 
students is 100. 
The college library 
contains aliout IS 
000 volumes. 

The Theological 
Institute of Con- 
necticut ■will soon 
remove to its nev. 
buildings, now be 
ing erected a sboi t 
distance west ot 
the High School 
building. This 
seminaiy, first es- 
tablished at Ea^t 
Windsor in l.s.jJ, 
has taken high 
rank among simi- 
lar institutions, 
and through the 
liberalitj' of its 
friends, notably the late -_ 
James B. Hosmei, is lh i 
bled to gi-eatly exten 1 ii 
usefulness. 

The American As^l^]nl 
for Deaf-mutes is pU 
antly situated on whit i-- 
known as Loid's II ill 
near the principal nilu i 1 
station. It was found 1 
in 1817 by Re^ T II 
Gallaudet and Laui i t 
Clerc, and is the pmit 
of all similar institution^ 
in the country. The avei- 
age number of inmates is .^ 
230. V- 

The public schools i 
Hartford include i lii^li 
school and ten dibtiict 
schools, occupying in all 
15 buildings, some of 
which are unexcelled by 
anj' in the country. The 
high school, ■nhich has 
acquired an excellent rep- 
utation, occupies an impos- 
ing brick building, 




TKIMTY COLLEGL, 



H 



L 




-An m' 

If f S Ti 




L_r 'jn __r J" 


■♦t| 



^=1 with recent addi- 
tions, nearly $200,- 
000. The gram- 
mar school, found- 
ed by Edward 
Hopkins in 1657, 
and incorporated 
m 1798, and lim- 
ited to 35 pupils, 
foims the prepar- 
atorj- classical de- 
pirtment of the 
high school. 

A neat brick ed- 
ifice in the western 
part of the city is 
the headquarters 
of the Chinese 
Educational Com- 
mission, founded 
laigely through the 
exertions of Yung 
\\ ing, a graduate 
of Yale, and at present 
with the Chinese embassy 
at Washington. The ob- 
ILct of thib commission is 
the education of 30ung , 
men foi positions under 
the Chinese government. 
Ihe candidates are se- 
ll cted in China by com- 
petitne examination, and 
upon then arrival in this 
couiiti^, are placed in 
taiefull^ -selected families, 
ind enter the city schools, 
some of their number 
ive obtained the highest 
onors in the public schools, 
11 the face of severe com- 
petition. 

The Hartford Orphan 
Asjlum has recently re- 
iao\ ed to its spacious new 
iiiulding, a short distance 
west from the capitol. 
I his biulding is of brick, 
n the modern English 
>tjlc, and contains a me- 
moriil dining-hall, elabo- 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



ratel}' finished in oak. About one mile south of the 
c.apitol are located the admirable-adapted buildings of the 
Eetreat for the Insane, an institution which has had almost 
unparalleled success in the treatment of lunaej-. Near 
by is the Hartford Hospital, a model institution of the 
kind. 
I The Wadsworth Athenteum building, on Main Street, 
! contains the Watkinson Free Library- of Reference, having 
over 30,000 carefully selected volumes ; the Hartford 
Librarj', of nearlj' the same number of volumes ; the rich 
collections and library of the Connecticut Historical 
Soeietj-, and a valuable gallerj' of paintings and statuary. 

There are 36 churches in the city, maiij^ of thein 
models of tasteful architecture. The Church of the 
Good Shepherd, erected by Mrs. Samuel Colt as a 
memorial of her deceased husband and children, is re- 
garded as one of the finest ecclesiastical ediQccs in the 
countr\-. The Roman Catholic Cathedral, now being 
erected, ■will be au ornament to the city. The Catholics 
have several large schools, that connected with the con- 
vent of Mt. St. Joseph having an established reputation 
as an educational institution for j'oung ladies. 

The Hartford Female Scminarj- acquired great celebrity 
under Miss Catherine E. Bcecher, who was its principal 
for several years, and under its present management 
retains much of its former prestige. 

Hartford is a centre of the insurance business of the 
country, the various life and fire comiianies located here 
having an aggregate capital of nearly $9,000,000. There 
are 12 banks, with a capital of $11,000,000; a,nd also 
eight savings banks ard trust companies, with deposits 
of $15,000,000. Sixtj-'four manufacturing companies, 
representing a capital of $20,000,000, have their princi- 
pal offices in this cit}-, although many of their works are 
located elsewhere. 

The principal manufacturing establishment in Hartford 
is the works of the Colt's Fire-arms Manufacturing Com- 
pany. This extensive factorj' is situated on the river 
meadow, just south of the mouth of Little River. The 
site was subject to overflow from the river, and Col. Colt 
protected it by building an embankment or dilvc, about 
two miles long, enclosing some 1 20 acres of land, at a 
cost of $80,000. The buildings are of Portland stone 
and brick, and the floor contains an area of nearly seven 
acres. Feb. 5, 18C4, a large part of the works was 
destroyed by fire, causing a loss of $2,000,000 ; but 
they were immediately rebuilt. Portions of the shoijs 
are now leased to dilTcrent parties, and a varict}- of arti- 
cles are manufactured on the prcmis'js, including the 
celebrated Gatling gun, the invention of Dr. R. E. Gatling, 
a resident of Hartford ; the "Wardwcll sewing-machine. 



lawn-mowers, gold and stock indicators, conductor's 
punches, &c. In addition to the manufacture of Colt's 
improved fire-arms, the compan}- are also sole producers 
of Baxter's steam-engines. The works have a capacity 
for the employment of 1,500 hands. 

The leather-belting manufactory of P. Jewell & Sons 
is one of the most extensive establishments of the kind 
in the world, consuming wcekl}' the hides of a large herd 
of cattle. Smith, Bourn & Co. are extensive manufac- 
turers of harness, collars, saddles, &c. The Pratt &■ 
Whitne}' Manufacturing Companj' are manufacturers of 
machinerj', fine tools, &c. Near their establishment are 
the works of the Weed Sewing-Machine Company. The 
Plj-mpton Manufacturing Company has the contract for 
envelopes for the United States, testing the utmost 
capacity of a large factory, requisitions for several mil- 
lion envelopes being sometimes received in one day. 
The Cheney Brothers' silk manufacturing company ha\e 
a factory here, employing some 200 hands, in addition to 
their extensive works at South Manchester. The pub- 
lishing of subscription books is an important branch of 
Hartford industry, and several extensive printing estab- 
lishments are located here. That of the Case, Lockwood 
& Brainard Company is scarcely surpassed in the 
country. 

The main water supply of the city is from four reser- 
voirs in "West Hartford, which are fed from small streams 
and springs, having a total capacity of 1,200,000,000 
gallons. There is also a pumping-cngine on the ri\'er, 
which supplies the lower part of the city in times of 
cbrouth. The citj' has a paid fire department and a fire- 
alarm telegraph. Its railroad facilities are ample, it 
being on the thi-ough line from New York to Boston, and 
about midwaj- between the two cities. The New York 
and New England Railroad, now open to Waterbury, will 
probably be completed to the Hudson River during the 
present j^ear, giving Hartford a new route to the West. 
By its connections at Millerton and Canaan, the Connect- 
icut Western line aff"ords a convenient route to western 
Massachusetts and Albanj-, while the Connecticut Vallcj' 
brings the seashore within eas}- roach. The Connecticut 
Central furnishes a new route to Springfield. The New 
I'ork, New Haven and Hartford line has extensive con- 
struction and repair shops at this point. During the 
season there is a daily Ime of steamers to New York, 
and a tri-weekly line to Long Island ports. 

The Opera House is one of the most conmiodious and 
best-appointed places of amusement in New England, its 
seating capacity being equal to that of the largest metro- 
politan theatres. There are also several large halls, well 
adapted for lectures, concerts, &c. 



CONNECTICUT. 



Thcro arc manj- elegant private residences in the city. His son Samuel, born in 1632, died in 1709 ; graduated 
Annsmear, the home of Mrs. Samuel Colt, is surrounded from Harvard in 16.53, and was a magistrate from 1G54 
by extensive ar.d beautiful grounds, laid out with great | to 1684. Hezekiah, son of Samuel, was secretary of the 



taste, and ornamented 
witli statues and foun- 
tains. The conserv- 
atories are of great 
extent. 

Cedar Hill Ceme- 
terj-, incorporated m 
1865, lies about three 
miles south of the cap- 
itol, and contains 268 
acres. It is laid out 
upon the lawn s^'stem, 
without fences, and 
is rapidly developing 
into a beautiful " citj 
of the dead." Theie 
are many elegant and 
tasteful monuments 
in this cemetery, the 
most noticeable being 
that of Col. Colt. 




The estimated population of Hartford is 50,000. 
Assessed valuation, $48,527,506. Probablj' a fair esti- 
mate of the total wealth of the city, invested here or 
elsewhere, would be $125,000,000. 

Thomas Hooker, the first minister at Hartford, and one 
of tlie most prominent men in the early histoiy of Con- 
necticut, was born at Markfield, Eug., in 158G, and 
studied at Cambridge ; was a popular preacher in London, 
but espoused the Puritan doctrines, and was compelled to 
leave the countiy ; went to Holland, and thence to New- 
town, now Cambridge, Mass. ; accompanied the first set- 
tlers in Hartford, where he died July 7, 1047. In con- 
junction with John Cotton, he wrote a book on church 
discipline, and a number of his discourses were published 
in England. A selection from his works, with a memoir 
by the Rev. E. W. Hooker, was pubUshed in Boston, 
in 1849. 

. Edward Hopkins was born at Shrewsbury, Eng., in 
1600 ; settled in Hartford in 1639 ; was deputy-governor 
or governor of the Colony from 1640 to 1654 ; returned to 
England, where he died in 1657. By his will he devised 
£1,000 for the establishment of a grammar school in 
Hartford, which is still in existence as the preparatory 
classical department of the high school. 

George Wyllys, a native of Warwickshire, Eng., set- 
tled in Hartford in 1638, and was deputj^-governor and 
governor in 1641 and 1642. He died March 9, 1645. 



HAKTEE 0\K 

and attained the rank of colonel, 
appointed major-general of militia, 



Colon}' from 1712 to 
1 7 1 1, and was suc- 
ci(.d(_d by his son 
• rLOige, who gradu- 
itid from Yale in 
17_'0 He resigned 
m 1795, and was in 
turn succeeded bj- his 
son Samuel, who re- 
signed in 1809, mak- 
ing 98 years during 
iiuch the office of 
s tietaryhad contin- 
ued in this family. 
Samuel Wyllys was 
boin in Hartford Jan. 
15, 1739, and died 
theie Juno 9, 1823. 
During the Revolu- 
tionaiy war he served 
with marked ability, 
He was subsequently 
The Wyllys man- 



sion, in front of which stood the famous Charter Oak, 
was, until quite recently, one of the landmarks of Hart- 
ford. 

John Talcott, one of the original settlers of Hartford, 
was born in England; died at Hartford July 23, 1688. 
His son, Maj. John Talcott, held various positions of 
trust, and rendered distinguished service in the various 
wars against the Indians. Joseph Talcott, son of John, 
was governor of the Colony from 1725 to 1741. 

John Trumbull, LL. D., was born in Watertown, Conn., 
April 24, 1750, and graduated at Yale in 1767. In 17C1 
he located in Hartford, where, in 1782, he published his 
celebrated epic poetn of " McFingal." He was a clear 
and pungent satirist, and, in cor.jr.nction with Joel 
Barlow, Dr. Lemuel Hopkins and Col. Humphreys, wrote 
a series of essays entitled " American Antiquities," 
which attracted great attention. He was State attorney 
for Hartford from 1789 to 1795 ; a member of the legis- 
lature in 1792 and 1800 ; judge of Superior and Supreme 
courts fi-om 1801 to 1819 ; removed to Detroit, Mich., in 
1825, where he died May 10, 1831. 

Jeremiah Wads worth was born in Hartford in 1743. 
He was an intimate friend of Gen. Washington, and the 
first meeting between that officer and Count Rochambcau 
took place in Wadsworth's mansion. Ho was a member 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



of the convention for the ratification of the Constitution, 
and six years a representative in Congress. lie receiA'ed 
honorary degrees from Dartmoutli and Yale colleges. He 
died April 30, 1804. His son Daniel Wadsworth was the 
founder of Wadsworth Athenaeum, which occupies the 
site of the family mansion. 

Dr. Lemuel Hopkins, — born in Waterbury, June 19, 
1750, a graduate of Y"ale and a phj-sician of high repute, 
— was best known as a writer of poetrj- and humorous 
prose. He was one of the celebrated coterie of literary- 
men known as the " Hartford Wits." He died April 14, 
1801. 

Theodore Dwight, born in Northampton, JLass., 
Dec. 16, 1764, was a proUfic writer on political subjects. 
He was a representative in Congress in 1806 and 1807, 
and secretary of the Hartford Convention. He died 
June 11, 1846. His son Theodore, born March 3, 1796, 
killed by a railroad accident Oct. 16, 1866, was the 
author of a history of Connecticut, a gazetteer of the 
1 United States, and many other successful works. He 
i was a finished scholar, and a member of many learned 
societies. 

Isaac Toueey, LL. D., born at Newtown, Conn., 
Nov. 5, 1796, was for manj- j-ears State attorney for Hart- 
ford Countj- ; a representative in Congress from 1835 to 
1839 ; governorof Connecticut in 1846 and 1847 ; attornej'- 
general of the United States, in 1848 and 1849 ; United 
States senator from 1852 to 1857, and secretary of the 
nav}' during the administration of President Buchanan. 

Gideon Welles, born in Glastonbury, Conn., July 1, 
1809, like Mr. Toueey was for many 3-ears a leading 
Democratic politician. In 1826 he became one of the 
proprietors of the Hartford " Times," and assumed the 
editorial management of that journal. Being opposed to 
the extension of slavery, he identified himself with the 
Republican party at its organization, and in 1861 suc- 
ceeded his townsman, Mr. Toucej', as secretary of the 
navj^ a position which he retained until 1869, when he 
retired from public life and returned to Hartford, where 
he died Feb. 11, 1878. 

Thomas H. Gallaudet, LL. D., was born in Philadel- 
phia Doc. 10, 1787. He graduated at Yale in 1805, and, 
entering Andovcr Theological Seminary, was licensed to 
preach in 1814. He became interested in the education 
of deaf-mutes, and on his return from a visit to Europe 
in 1816, he was accompanied by Laurent Clerc, a deaf- 
mute, who had been a pupil of the Abbe Sicard, with 
whose aid Dr. Gallaudet established the American As3-lum 
at Hartford, the parent institution of the kind in the 
country. Ho remained in charge of the asylum until 
1830, when he was appointed chaplain of the Retreat for 



[ the Insane, which office he held until his death, Sept. 9, 
1851. He was the author of several religious books for 
the 3"ouug. Mr. Clerc retired from the asj-lum on a 
pension in 1858, and died July 18, 1869. 

Horace Bushnell, D. D., born in Litchfield, Conn., in 
1802, was pastor of the North, now Park, Congrega- 
tional Church in Hartford from 1833 to 1859. He was a 
preacher of great power and eloquence, and distinguished 
as an essayist, and was the author of numerous popular 
moral and religious works. He died Feb. 17, 1876. 
Three days before his death the common council of the 
citj' passed a preamble and resolution, giving to the 
public park the name of Bushnell Park, in recognition 
of his earnest efforts to secure this beautiful resort for 
the city. 
■ Lydia II. (Huntley) Sigourney was born in Norwich, 
Conn., Sept. 1, 1791. In 1814 she opened a select 
school in Hartford, and in 1819 married Charles Sigour- 
ney, a merchant of that citj'. She early manifested 
great ability as a writer of both poetry and prose on 
religious and moral subjects, and her name has become a 
household word throughout the entire country'. She died 
June 10, 1865. 

Samuel Colt, inventor of revolving fire-arms, was 
born in Hartford Julj- 19, 1814. When 15 j-ears old he 
ran awaj' to sea, making a voj^age to the East Indies 
before the mast. He took out his first patent for revolv- 
ers in 1835. In 1837, the Florida war having created a 
demand for revolvers, Mr. Colt laid the foundation of 
the immense works at Hartford, the capacity of which 
was gradually increased until 1,000 finished weapons 
were produced each day. He was also the inventor of a 
powerful submarine battery. He died Jan. 10, 1862, 
leaving a verj- large fortune. 

Thomas C. Brownell, D. D., born at Westford, Mass., 
Oct. 19, 1779, graduated at Union College in 1804; 
entered the ministry of the Episcopal Church in 1816 ; 
was consecrated bishop of Connecticut in 1819, and 
removed to Hartford. _ He was instrumental in founding 
Trinity College in 1824, and was its first president, 
resigning in 1831. He was also prominent in connection 
with literature. He died Jan. 13, 1865. 

J. Hammond Trumbull, LL. D., born at Stonington, 
Conn., Dec. 20, 1861, and graduated from Y'ale in 1838, 
is a distinguished philologist, especially in the aboriginal 
dialects of New England. He has published a work 
upon the Blue Laws of Connecticut, and is a frequent 
contributor to our best periodicals. His brother, II. Claj- 
Trumbull, now editor of the "Sunday School Times," 
was for many years a resident of Hartford, and occupied 
the position of Now England secretar3' of the American 



CONNECTICUT. 



Sunday School Union. He -n-on great distinction as 
chaplain of the Tenth Connecticut Regiment during the 
late Tvar. 

Joseph R. Ilawlej', born at Stewartsville, N. C, Oct. 
31, 182G, a graduate of Hamilton College in 1847, com- 

I monccd in 1850, the practice of law in Hartford. In 
1R')7, adopting the profession of a journalist, he became 
editor of the Hartford "Evening Press," an organ of 
the Republican partj'. An outspi ilccn and earnest oppo- 
nent of slaverj-, at the outbreak of the war in 18G1 he 
was one of the first to volunteer. He rendered distin- 
guished sernco, winning, meanwhile, rapid promotion to 

: thedifferentranks 

I of colonel, briga- 
dier-general and 

, brevet major-gen- 

' cralofvohmtccr'j. 
Jlr. Hawley was 
governor of Con- 
necticut in 18GG, 
president of tlie 
Republican con- 
vention at Chicago 

j in 18G8,andrepre- 
scntative in Cnii- 

I gress from \>^1- 

j to 1875. He wns 
president of the 

1 Centennial Com- 

I mission of 1876, 

I and to his exer- 
tions the great 
success of the Ex- 
l)osition was large- 
ly due. He was 
again elected to 
Congress in 1878. 

Other eminent names associated with Hartford are 

' Thomas D.ny (1777-1855), a distinguished jurist, and 
president of the Connecticut Historical Society ; John M. 
Nilcs (1787-185G), founder of the "Hartford Times," 
jurist and author, and at one time postmaster- general ; 
James H. Ward (1806-lSil), a naval officer; Horace 
■\Vells (1815-1848), the discoverer of nitrous oxide as 
an anaesthetic; Thomas H. Seymour (1808-18C8), a 
law3-er by profession, member of Congress, a gallant 
officer in the Mexican wax, governor of the State and 
minister to Russia ; William B. Franklin, a major-gen- 

' eral in the war of the Rebellion ; and Marshall Jewell, 
formerly govemor of the State, minister to Russia and 
pos' master-general. 



i/Mf^^ 




Prominent among the natives of Hartford, who have 
attained distinguished positions, may be mentioned 
Gens. Alfred H. Terry, Robert O. Tyler and Griffin A. 
Stedman ; Frederick E. Church, the artist ; and Thomas 
S. Preston, Roman Catholic prelate and writer. Many 
well-known literary people have resided in Hartford 
during a portion of their lives. Among these' may be 
noticed Dr. M. F. Cogswell, S. G. Goodrich, Noah 
Webster, George D. Prentice, John G. Whitticr, Lewis 
G. Clark, Catherine E. Beecher, Rose Terry Cooke, 
Robert Bonner, William II. Bradley, Mary A. H. Dodd, 
Jonathan W, and Tryon Edwards, Charles A. Goodrich, 
E. C. Stedman, 
Ci? S*-^^:-J "^-^s*''^*^?' I and Joseph Ti'uni- 

buU. The dircc- 
torj' of the cit^- 
at the present 
time includes the 
names of Samuel 
L.Clemens (Mark 
Twain), Charles 
Dudley Warner, 
Harriet Beecher 
Stowe and her 
husband. Prof. C. 
E Stowe, who are 
all pennanent res- 
idents. The Rev. 
Dr. Joel Ilawes, 
who was the pas- 
tor of the Cen- 
tre Congregation- 
al Church for 
nearl}' 50 years, 
IS widely- known 
^^vu^-, hautfoed. through his pub- 

lished "Lectures 
to Young IMen," which has reached a circulation of 
more than 100,000 copies. 

New BniTAiN, in the southern part of the county, | 
has a population of about 12.000. The city, which, was 
originally chartered as a borough, is about one mile 
square, and lies in the south-west part of the town, 
occupying a natural amphitheatre among the hills. The 
location is quite elevated, being about 130 feet higher 
than the track of the New Haven Railroad, two miles to 
the east. There are 7 churches, representing all the 
leading sects. The South Congregational Church is an 
elegant brownstone edifice, erected at a cost of $150,- 
000. The public schools occup}' ten buildings, and 
include an excellent high school. The State Normal 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



School is located here, and is in a flourishing condi- 
tion. 

The Tvatcr-supply of New Britain is probabl}- xniex- 
ccllcd bj' that of any other city in the country, and was 
secured at a comparativel3- small cost, by constructing 
a reservoir in an elevated meadow, some two miles south- 
cast of the cit3-. This reservoir has a capacity of 100- 
000,000 gallons. The distributing reservoir is situated 
in Walnut Hill Park, a beautiful diversified tract of 125 
acres, which was obtained by the town at a cost of onl}- 
$75,000. It is being improved according to plans by 
Frederick L. Olmsted, and will ultimately make a 
charming resort. The view from the reservoir bank is 
extended and picturesque. 

The city contains a national bank, and many tasteful 
and elegant private residences. The New York and New- 
England Railroad passes through the city. 

From the carl^- daj-s, when brass andirons were made 
here, and carried on horseback over the hills to Albany, 
and when the first tin-ware made in the countrj- was 
carried from house to house in a basket, manufactures 
have ever rendered New Britain a place of world-wide 
reputation. One can but admire the energj' and per- 
severance of those men who have converted a drear}- 
swamp into one of the most important industrial cities 
in the country. Foremost among the corporations which 
have made New Britain what it is, is the Russell and 
Erwin Manufacturing Company-, whose w-orks, mostly 
substantial brick buildings, cover nearlj- six acres, and 
have a capacity for 1,000 hands. They produce every 
variety of plain and ornamental hardware, and received 
the highest honors at the Paris Exposition of 1878. 

The Landers, Frar}^ and Clark IManufacturing Com- 
panj-, employing more than 500 hands, are proprietors of 
the ^tna Cutlery Works, and also of a largo manufactory 
of general hardware. Other leading manufactures are 
of cutlery, hardware, tools, wrought-iron goods, cast- 
ings, underwear, hosiery, wire-mattresses, umbrella 
stretches, jewelrj-, &c. The amount invested in manu- 
factures is about $5,000,000. 

Elihu Burritt, "the learned blacksmith," was born in 
Nqw Britain Dec. 8, 1811. Ho received only a common- 
school education ; but while devoting himself to his 
trade he acquired several ancient and modern languages, 
and became renowned as a scholar and reformer. He 
died March 7, 1879. 

Ethan A. Andrews, LL. D., was born in Now Britain 
in 1787, and graduated at Y'ale College in 1810. He 
studioc^ law, and practised for several years. In con- 
junction with Prof. Solomon Stoddard, ho published a 
Latin granmiar, which has passed through some seventy 



editions. He also issued several other popular works of 
instruction in Latin. He died March 25, 1858. 

John Smalley, D. D., born in Lebanon, Conn., June 
4, 1734, was settled over the First Congregational 
Church in New Britain, April 19, 1758, where he re- 
mained until his death, June 1, 1820. He was one of 
the most celebrated New England divines of his daj'. 

Enfield, population 7,000, lies in the north-east cor- 
ner of the county. The Connecticut River forms the 
western boundaiy, and the Scantic crosses the southern 
part of the town. A bridge over the Connecticut, 1,000 
feet long, connects the town with Suffleld. This bridge 
was originallj- erected in 1808, and was the first bridge 
across the river within the limits of this State. The 
principal village is Thompsonvillc, located in the north- 
western corner of the town. This thriving village has 
grown up around the works of the Hartford Carpet Com- 
pany, which emploj^ about 1,400 hands, and have an 
annual capacity of about 8,000,000 yards of different 
grades of carpeting. This village has four churches, 
and contains many elegant residences. At Ilazardville 
are the works of the Hazard Powder Company, among 
the most extcnsi\-e in the countr}-. This company occu- 
pies over one hundred buildings, covering an area over 
a mile long and half a mile broad, and is capable of 
producing upwards of $1,000,000 worth of powder an- 
nually. During the Crimean war it had an extensi\c 
contract with the British government, and furnished 
some 10,000 barrels, while during the civil war in this 
country the works were taxed to their utmost capacity. 
Several of the buildings have names suggested by the 
late war, as " Harper's Ferry," " Bull Run," and " For- 
tress Monroe." 

A tract of about 1,200 acres in the north-eastern cor- 
ner of the town is occupied bj- the Shaker communit}-, 
founded here in 1787. The societ}- is divided into six [ 
families, forming nearlj- a circle, with the central or 
church family as the radiating point. Their lands arc in 
a high state of cultivation, and their buildings present | 
the neat and thrift}- appearance common to this sect. 
Tho}^ are largely engaged in the cultivation of garden 
seeds, and also produce agricultural implements, &e., to 
some extent. 

The New Y'ork, Now Haven and Hartford, and Con- ■ 
necticut Central railroads pass through the town. 

James Dixon, United States senator from Connecti- 
cut from 1857 to 18G9, was born in this town, in 1814. 

SouTHixGTON is an important manufacturing township 
in the south-western corner of Hartford Count}'. The 
Quinnipiac River runs nearly through the centre of 
the town, frijm north to south, the New Haven and 



CONNECTICUT. 



Noi-thampton Railroad following ils course. The two 
villages of Soutliingtou and Plantsville are located on 
this river. Among the most important of the manufac- 
turing industries here carried on are tinmen's tools and 
general hardware, machine-forged nuts, carriage hard- 
ware, screw bolts of every description, tinsmiths' ma 
chines, sausage-fillers, paper bags and cutlery. There 
are seven churches, representing all the leading denomi- 
nations, and an academj-. At Hitchcock's Station, and 
at Marion, in the southern part of the town, are man- 
ufactories of bolts and of jewelry. Population, about 
5,000. 

Dr. Edward Robinson, the distinguished biblical 
scholar. Col. Charles Whittelse}-, a gallant soldier of the 
civil -war, and Rev. Levi Hart, for G9 j'cars minister at 
Preston, Conn., were born in this town. 

Bristol is in the south-western part of the county, 
eighteen mUes from Hartford. Good water-power ii 
furnished by the Pequabuc River and branches, which 
has been well improved. The principal or centre vil- 
lage is divided into two portions, the north and south 
villages. About two miles north of the north village is 
Polkville, and about the same distance to the east is 
Forestville. There are in all seven churches and twelve 
school-houses. Two of the schools are graded. Bristol 
has a national, and a savings bank. Tie most prom- 
inent industry' is the manufacture of brass clocks. 
Other manufactures are brass in all its A^arieties, spoons 
for plating, gray iron castings, trunk hardware, furniture 
laiobs, auger bits and stockinet fabrics. The population 
is about 5,000, of which over 1,100 are employed in the 
various manufactories. The town is traversed from east 
to west bj' the New York and New England Railroad. 

MANcnESTER, an important manufacturing town, lies 
next cast of East Hartford. The New York and New 
England Railroad crosses the northern part of the town, 
and is connected with South Manchester by a branch, about 
two miles long. Union Village, or North Manchester, is 
located at the railroad station on the main line. There 
are nine school-houses, including an excellent gi-adcd 
school at South Manchester, and seven chui-ches. The 
silk manufactorj' of Cheney Bros, at South Manchester 
(Cheney villc) , employs nearly 1,000 hands, producing 
dress silks fully equal to those of foreign manufacture. 
In fact, this companj- has rc\olutionizcd the silk trade in 
this country. The village of Chcneyville is a model of 
neatness and good taste, and in summer, with its abun- 
dant shade and spacious lawns unbroken by fences, is a 
most attractive place of residence. The Union Manu- 
facturing Company-, at North Manchester, produces an 
excellent quality of ginghams. Paper ij manufactured 



in large quantities in this town. The population is 
about 5,500. 

Glastonbury is the largest town in the county, being 
nine miles long, from cast to west, and six miles broad. 
An excellent water-power is furnished by Roaring 
Brook, which rises in the north-east corner of the town, 
and empties into the Connecticut a little north of South 
Glastonbury village. Good mill-privileges are also 
located on Salmon Brook, in the noithern part of the 
town. Granite of excellent quality is quarried in the 
town. This granite abounds in feldspar, and there are 
two mills for grinding this article for potters' use. 
There are eighteen schools, a private academ}-, and, in 
the various villages, eight churches. Perhaps the most 
widolj- known industiy of the town is the manufacture 
of soap, by J. B. Wilhams & Co., whose works are 
located cast of Glastonbury village. Nc.ir these works 
is Brodhead's tannery, one of the oldest in this region. 
The manufacturing establishment at Naubuc, formerly 
occupied by the Connecticut Arms and Manufacturing 
Co., is now vacant. On Salmon Brook arc located the 
satinet-mill of the Eagle Manufacturing Co , and also 
tlie Glastonbury Knitting Co., manufacturers of under- 
wear. At Buckingham Village is a manufactory of 
horse hoes and cultivators. On Roaring Brook are the 
paper-mills of Case & Co., and the Roaring Brook Paper 
Co., Pratt & Post's anchor forge, Hollistcr & Glazier's 
woollen-mill, Greene Bros.' cotton-mill, and a twine-fac- 
tory. Population of the township, 3,800. 

Glastonbury has acquired a national reputation 
through the determined resistance of the Smith sisters, 
Julia and Abbj', to the pajinent of taxes, tlic}"^ holding 
that taxation should earrj^ with it the right of suffrage. 
The^' have refused to pay their taxes for many jears 
past, compelling the town authorities to seize upon and 
sell personal property belonging to them. They have 
annually appeared before the legislature as petitioners 
for redress, and have been regular attendants upon 
woman's rights meetings. Miss Abby Smith died in 
December, 1878, leaving her sister to fight the battle 
single-handed. The surviving sister is a scholar of no 
mean reputation, having made a translation of the Bible, 
which has been favorably noticed. Not the least re- 
markable circumstance concerning this anti-tax demon- 
stration is the advanced age of the ladies concerned. 
The survivor is nearly ninety years old, and, although in 
feeble health, still wields a vigorous pen in defence of 
what she deems her political rights. 

Gideon Welles, secretary of the navy, was born in 
this town. (See Hartford.) Alonzo B. Chapin, D. D., 
a distinguished clerg^'man of the Episcopal church, was 



IIISTOKY OF NEW EXGLAM). 



rector of St. Luke's Church from 1850 to 1855, and was 
the author of a bi-ccntennial address in 1S53, a valuable 
contribution to the history' of the town. 

SuFFiELD is eminently an agricultural town, the onl}- 
branch of manufactures ever pursued to anj' extent 
being that of cigars and tobacco, for which the town at 
one time had an extended reputation. Here is located 
the Connecticut Literary' Institute, founded in 1835 un- 
der the auspices of the Baptist Education Societ3-. This 
institution occupies three large brick buildings, located 
on rising ground just north of the centre of the village, 
the most modern of which was completed in 187G. 
The present average number of students is about 100. 
Suffield village lies in the eastern part of the town, 
along a broad street, on elevated ground, affording fine 
sites for residences. There are throe churches in this 
village. The caual around Enfield Falls is mostl3- loca- 
ted in this town. At the west village are two churches. 
The estimated population is 3,000. 

Phincas Lyman, a native of Durham, Conn., and a 
celebrated ofiicer in the French and Indian war, was 
long a resident of this town. 

Among the natives of Suffield who have achieved dis- 
tinction may be mentioned Gideon Granger, member of 
Congress from New York, and postmaster-general ; S3I- 
vcstor Graham, vegetarian, and founder of the celebrated 
"Grahamite" system; Timothy Swan, musical com- 
poser, author of the favorite church-tune, " China" ; and 
George Tod, a distinguished lawyer and jurist of Ohio. 
This town has produced several clcrgj-men of note, 
among them Rev. S. Dryden Phelps, D. D., now editor 
of the " Christian Secretary" ; Eev. David N. Sheldon, 
who was excommunicated from the Baptist denomination 
for heresy, and afterwards became a Unitarian preacher ; 
and Ecv. Cotton M. Smith, who was settled at Sharon, 
Conn., from 1755 to 180G, 

East Hautfokb is a valuable agricultural township on 
the east side of the Connecticut River, opposite Hart- 
ford. It contains some of the finest river meadows in 
the State. The Ilockanum River passes through the 
central part of the town. The manufacture of paper is 
carried on at Burnside, and the Hazard Powder Compau}' 
have a branch mill near the eastern boundary of the 
town. The New York and New England Railroad 
crosses the northern part, baling two stations. Large 
quantities of tobacco are raised. The town contains six 
churches and a population of about 3,800. 

East Hartford has furnished two distinguished pro- 
fessors to Y'ale College, Denison Olmsted, the astrono- 
mer, and Anthony D. Stanley, the mathematician. 
■William Pitkin was one of the first settlers of this town. 



He held manv important offices, and was governor of the 
State from 17G6 until his death in 1709. 

East Windsor is a rectangular township, bounded on 
the west b^' the Connecticut River. The Scantic River 
crosses the town from north to south, and, with a tribu- 
tary. Broad Brook, furnishes good water-power. Al- 
though the surface of the township is somewhat broken, 
the soil is generally productive and well improved. The 
town contains several woollen manufactories, seven 
churches and twelve school districts. Population about 
2,500. The Connecticut Central Railroad passes through 
the eastern part of the town. 

John Fitch was born in East Windsor Jan. 21, 1743. 
He married unhappily, and, separating from his wife, 
went to New Jersey, where, during the Revolutionary 
war, he pursued A-arious avocations. In 1786 he success- 
fully- completed a small steamboat, which attained a speed 
of eight miles an hour. He was unalile to secure funds 
to carry out his projects, goveniment lands in Kentucky 
which he had pre-empted were taken b^' squatters, and 
he died in Bardstown, Ivy., July 2, 1798, in circumstances 
of poverty, leaving the advantages of his important 
invention to be reaped bj- others. ; 

Thomas Robbins, a noted Congregational divine and j 
historian, who was born in Norfolk, Conn., Aug. 11, ' 
1777, was pastor of a church in this town from 1809 to [ 
1827. During the later years of his life he resided in 
Hartford ; was one of the founders of the Connecticut i 
Historical Society, and for many years its librarian. ! 
Although his income was limited, he accumulated an ; 
exceedingly valuable library, which he bequeathed to the 
Historical Society.* He died in Hartford Sept. 13,' 
1856. His librar}- is particularly rich in earlj' editions of 
the Bible. 

Other natives of East Windsor were Oliver Wolcott, 
one of the signers of tlie Declaration of Independence ; 
John W. Barber, author of manj- historical works ; and 
Danforth Marble, the comedian, celebrated for his 
delineations of Yankee character. 

Windsor, or " Old AVindsor," as it is commonly called, 
is an irre.gulari3--shapcd township, lying on both sides of 
the Farmington River, and bordered on the east bj- the 
Connecticut. The river meadows arc largo and produc- 
tive, and the town also contains manj' valuable tracts of 
upland. At Poquonnock and Rainbow villages, in the 

• A wcll-authcnticated anecdote of Dr. Robbins is to the effect that 
when a young man he had begun the accuraula'.ion of his library, when 
the question of manlage was brought to his serious consideration. His 
income ivas so sraall that he thought it would be impossible to support 
a wife, and at the same time indulge his passion for books. He decided 
the question by the very simple method of tossing up a penny, an 1 
J a bachelor ! 



CONNECTICUT. 



north-west part of the town, are falls in the Farmington 
Eiver, which have been extensivel3- improved for manu- 
facturing purposes. Tlie main village is situated near 
the mouth of Farmington River, and runs along the 
Connecticut Vallej' for some distance, forming what is 
known as "Windsor Street," which is broad and well- 
shaded. There are many substantial residences, some of 
these, like the Ellsworth mansion, dating back to the 
Revolutionarj' period. Like manj' of the towns in the 
county, it is largel}' interested in the growth of tobacco. 
There are four churches and ten school districts in the 
town. The Hartford Paper Company has mills at Po- 
quonnock and Rainbow. Austin Dunham & Son, wool 
manufacturers, have two mills at Poquonnock, producing 
cassimeres and fancy cloths. At Rainbow are located 
the paper-mills of the Springfield Ptyper Compan}-, Hodge 
& Son, and House & Co. ; Hodge & Son making a 
specialty of tissue papers, and House & Co. of press- 
boards. Population about 3,000. The New York, New 
Haven and Hartford Railroad passes through the eastern 
part of the town. 

OUver Ellsworth was born in Windsor April 29, 1745, 
and graduated at the College of New Jersey in 17C6. 
He was a representative in Congress from 1777 to 1780 ; 
a member of the Council in 1780, and judge of the 
Superior Court in 1 784 ; was a delegate to the convention 
for framing a constitution, and United States senator 
from 1789 to 1795. In March, 1796, he was appointed 
chief justice of the United States Supreme Court. In 
1799 he was one of the envojs sent to France to adjust 
the differences between that government and the United 
States. In 1802 he again entered the Council, and in 
1807 was elected chief justice of the State, an honor 
which he however declined. He died Nov. 26, 1807. 

AVilliam W. Ellsworth, son of the preceding, was born 
at AVindsor Nov. 10, 1791, and graduated at Yale in 
1810 ; studied law, and was professor of law in Trinity 
College over 40 years ; member of Congress from 1829 
to 18.33 ; governor of the State from 1838 to 1842, and 
judge of the Superior Court from 1847 to 1861. He twice 
declined an election to the United State Senate, He died 
at Hartford Jan. 15, 1868. 

Henry L. Ellsworth, twin-brother of William W., 
graduated at the same time ; studied law at Litchfield, 
and practised for several years in Windsor and Hart- 
ford ; was appointed resident commissioner to the Indian 
tribes in Arkansas, and was commissioner of patents 
from 1836 to 1845. He devoted himself especially to the 
development of the agricultural interests of the country. 
On his retirement from office, he settled in Indiana, and 
engaged in real estate business. He died Dec. 27, 1858. 



Henrj^ W. Ellsworth, son of Henry L., was bom at 
Windsor in 1814; studied law. and was counsel for 
S. F. B. Morse in telegraph suits; removed to Indiana, 
and published a book entitled " Sketches of the Upper 
Wabash Vallej," and was a contributor to various 
periodicals. He died at New Haven in August, 1864. 

The ancestors of ex-President Grant, and of Pres- 
ident Hayes, at one time resided in Windsor. John 
S. Newberry, the geologist ; John M. Niles, postmaster- 
general ; Oliver Phelps, the enterprising purchaser of the 
Western Reserve ; and the Rev. Henry A. Rowland, the 
author, were natives of this town. 

Wetheksfield lies on the west side of the Connecticut 
River, next south of Hartford. Since Newington parish 
was made a separate town, in 1871, the area of Wethers- 
field is much contracted, and it now contains onl}- about 
eleven square miles. The village, which lies in the 
north-eastern part of the town, near the river, resembles 
most of the villages in the Connecticut Valley in having 
broad streets, lined with large shade-trees. There are 
four churches, one of which, the Congregational, was 
erected in 1761, and is one of the most ancient church 
edifices in New England. The town supports six dis- 
trict schools, and an excellent high school. The State 
prison, removed hero from Granby in 1827, is located at 
the north end of the village. The main buildings and 
walls of the prison are of Portland brownstone, and 
have recently been improved at large expense, making 
this the equal of any penal institution in the country for 
convenient arrangement and thorough ventilation. 

The leading industry of Wethersfield is raising and 
putting up garden-seeds for market. This business has 
been pursued for nearly a eenturj'. The onion crop, for 
which this town has always been noted, is much less 
than formerly, the farmers having turned their attention 
to tobacco and other crops. Messrs. S. M. & D. Welles 
are breeders of Ayrshire cattle, their herd being well 
known throughout the countr}-. Silas W. Robbins has a 
fine herd of Alderneys. The Hopson & Brainard Manu- 
facturing Company manufactures iron brackets and othei- 
light castings. Their works were destroyed by fire in 
November, 1878, but have been rebuilt. 

At Griswoldville, a small village in the south-westein 
part of the town, is a Congregational church, and a fac- i 
torj- which has been used for the manufacture of edge- 
tools. The Connecticut Valle}- Railroad passes through 
the eastern part of the town, and there is a steamboat- 
landing near the village. Population, 1,900. 

Silas Deane, a native of Groton, Conn., and one of 
the ambassadors to Franco in 1776, was for some years 
a merchant in AYethersfield. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



Calvin Chapin, D. D., born in Springfield, Mass., in 
1763, was settled over the Congregational church in 
Wethersficld from 1794 to 1847. 

Among the natives of Wcthersfield who have attained 
distinction may be mentioned John Chester, an officer of 
tlio Revolution; Stephen M. Mitchell, U. S. senator; 
Eliziir Goodrich, the astronomer ; Harvev D. Little, 
western editor and poet; Ashiir Robbins, U. S. senator 
from Rhode Island ; Royal Robbins, the historian ; and 
Gen. Samuel B. Webb, a distinguished hero of the 
Revolution. 

Canton is a largo township in the western part of the 
county. The Farmington River flows through the south- 
western part of the town. The principal village, Col- 
linsviUe, is situated on this river, and was formerly- 
partly within the limits of Bui'lington. This village is 
named from the Collins Company, whose extensive man- 
ufactory of edge-tools was established here in 1826, and 
gi\es emploj'mcnt to several hundred men. The axes 
produced by this compauy havo a world-wide reputation 
for superior quality and finish. A branch connects Col- 
linsville with the Canal Railroad at Farmington, and it is 
also a station on the Connecticut Western Railroad. 
Canton village, about one and a half miles north-cast 
from CoUinsville, was the location of the first settlement 
within the limits of the town. The town contains five 
churches and a population of about 3,000. 

Rev. II(jman Humphre}-, D. D., president of Amherst 
College from 1823 to 1845, and Rev. Hector Humphreys, 
president of St. John's College, Annapolis, from 1831 to 
1857, were natives of Canton. 

Farmington occupies a comparatively level valley, 
about four miles wide, and lies north of Plainvillc and 
west of West Hartford. There is much excellent farm- 
ing land in the town. Farmington River enters the 
township near the north-west corner, flows south-east to 
the centre, and then makes an abrupt turn to the north. 
At Unionville, where the river enters the town, there is 
an excellent water-power, which has been well improved. 
The principal manufacturers arc the Union Nut Company, 
the Plainer & Porter Paper Manufacturing Company and 
the Cowles Paper Companj'. This village is vcr3- neatlj' 
laid out, and contains several elegant residences. The 
main village is situated on an elevated plain, about 75 
feet above the river. The soil in its immediate vicinitj- 
is very fertile, and flowers and vegetables are grown in 
profusion. Before the completion of railroads Farming- 
ton was an important trading point, it being on the favor- 
ite route from Vermont and eastern New York to the 
seaboard ; and its trade in West India goods at one time 
exceeded that of Hartford. The village is substantially 



built, and contains many comfortable and attractive 
houses. Miss S. Porter's school for j'oung ladies is 
located in this village. It has a very high reputation, 
which, with its beautiful natural surroundings, has con- 
tributed to render it one of the most popular institutions 
of the kind in the country. Tlie Congregational Church 
was built in 1771, and is still in a good state of preser- 
vation, being, next to that at Wcthersfield, the oldest 
church in the county. The American Board of Commis- 
sioners for Foreign Missions was organized hero, and 
held its first meeting in the Congregational parsonage 
Sept. 5, 1810. There are ten school districts in the 
town, and six churches. Population, 2,800. The New 
Haven and Northampton Railroad passes through the 
central part of the town. The CoUinsville branch fol- 
lows the course of Fannington River, and has a station 
on the south bank, opposite Unionville. 

John Treadwell, governor of the State, and the first 
president of the American Board of Commissioners for 
Foreign Missions ; James Kilbournc, a member of Con- 
gress ; Rev. Philip Milledoler, D. D., the distinguished 
Dutch Reformed clergyman ; Rev. Asahcl S. Norton, D. 
D., one of the founders of Hamilton College, at Clinton, 
N. Y. ; Rev. Noah Porter, D. D., president of Yale 
College ; Rev. John Richards, D. D., a noted Congrega- 
tionalist clerg3Tnan, and editor; and Timothy Pitkin, 
a leading Federalist politician, — were natives of Farm- 
ington. 

Berlin lies in the soulhern tier of townships in Hart- 
ford County-. The Mattabeset River rises in the south- 
western corner, flows north and cast, and then turning 
south forms the eastern boundary. The New York, 
New Haven and Hartford Railroad runs through the 
centre of the town. Berlin village is about one and a 
half miles south-east from this station. Hero arc 
located three churches and an academy. Kensington 
village is a short distance to the west of the station. 
The works of the Hart ]\Ianufacturing Company, makers 
of coach and general hardware, are in this village. 
Hero arc two churches. East Berlin village has a sta- 
tion on the IMiddlctown branch. Hero are manufactories 
of corrugated iron and tinmen's tools. Population of 
the township about 2,500. 

Jonathan Hart (or Heart, as the name was originall}- 
spelled), a gi-aduatc of Yale in 17G8, a gallant soldier of 
the Revolution and in the regular army, killed in a severe 
battle with the Indians ; John Kilbournc, western author 
and publisher ; the Rev. John Eliot, for 30 years settled 
at East Hampton, Conn. ; James G. Pcrcival, the poet; 
and IMrs. Emma C. Willard, the celebrated teacher and 
authoress, — were natives of Berlin. 



CONNECTICUT. 



'Windsor Locks is a small township, lying about three 
miles along the Connecticut River. The \illage is sit- 
uated on the river in the north-east part of the town, at 
the locks b3' which the canal around Enfield Falls 
descends to the Connecticut, hence the name of the 
town. The surface is generally- hill}' and broken, most 
of the population being concentrated in the village, and 
omploj-ed in the various manufactories. There are four 
churches and two public schools. The town has a variety 
of manufactures, including paper, school furniture, spool 
1 silk, &c. ; and a population of 2,800. The New York, 
New Haven and Hartford Railroad passes through the 
eastern portion of the town, crossing the Connecticut 
River on a substantial iron bridge, one mile north of the 
village. 

SiMSBUKY is an irregularlj- shaped township, contain- 
ing about 28 square miles, and is intersected by a spur 
of the Taconic mountain range. The Farmington River 
runs northerly through a portion of the town, and is bor- 
dered b}' spacious meadows ; but, making an abrupt turn 
to the south-east, it breaks through the range of hills, and 
its course where it leaves the town is almost exactly the 
opposite of the first direction. Simsbury village is sit- 
uated in the broadest portion of the valley, near the 
centre of the township. It contains two churches, and 
tluj safety-fuse manufactory of Toy, Bickford & Co. At 
Tariffville, in the south-east part of the town, and at one 
time an active manufacturing point, are three churches. 
The Canal Railroad crosses the Connecticut Western Rail- 
road at Simsburj' village. Population about 2,000. 

Alexander V. Griswold, presiding bishop of the Epis- 
copal Church ; Hon. Greene C. Bronson, chief justice of 
New York ; and Anson G. Phelps, the philanthropic mer- 
chant, were natives of Simsburj'. 

"West Hartford is relatively one of the wealthiest 
towns in the State. The surface of the town is gently 
undulating or level, except in the western jjortion, where 
it rises into a considerable elevation, known as Talcott 
Mountain, separating it from Avon. There are three 



churches and eight school-houses. The New York and 
New En^;land, and the New York, New Haven and Hart- 
ford railroads pass through the south-eastern corner of 
the town. The manufacture of pottery is carried on at 
this point. Population about 1 ,800. Assessed valuation 
$2,070,911, or $1,150 per capita. The average valua- 
tion of the real estate is nearly $C3 per acre. 

Nathan Perkins, D. D., a native of Lisbon, Conn., 
was settled over the Congregational church in West Hart- 
ford from October, 1772, to his death in January. 1838. 
Among the eminent men born in West Hartford were 
Theodore Sedgwick, judge of the Massachusetts Supreme 
Court ; Harry Crosswell, politician, editor and clergj-- 
man ; Noah Webster, the lexicographer ; and Lemuel 
Haynes, the celebrated colored preacher. 

The remaining towns of the county are. South Windsor 
(population 1,800), Granby (1,500), Bloomfield (1,600), 
Plainville (1,800), Burlington (1,200), Rocky Hill 
(1,100), Avon (975), East Granby (850), Newington 
(850), Hartland (750), and Marlborough (450). Most 
of these towns are agricultural, but Newington, Granby, 
Plainville and South Windsor have some manufactures. 
Avon contains Talcott Mountain, upon whose summit, 
some 900 feet above the ordinary level of the Connecti- 
cut River, is a lake of great depth. Near this lake is a 
stone tower 55 feet high, from the summit of which an 
extensive view is obtained. 

A part of Massachusetts about two miles square pro- 
jects into the town of Granbj- ; this territory was long in 
dispute, but was finall}' ceded to Massachusetts in 1804. 

South Windsor is noted as the birth-place of the great 
metaphysician, Jonathan Edwards, who was born in a 
house on the river road, about one mile north of South 
Windsor village. 

Leonidas L. Hamline, a celebrated Methodist bishop, 
was born in Burlington. Walter Forward, secretary of 
the U. S. Treasury from 1841 to 1843, was a native of 
East Granbj'. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



LITCHFIELD COUNTY, 



BY WILLIAil KNAPP. 



The first white settlers of Litchfield County in the 
State of Connecticut, came from Stratford, on Long 
Island Sound, in the spring of 1C73, and took possession 
of the fertile vallc3' of the Pomperaug River, named after 
a chief of the Pootatuck tribe of Indians. Their emi- 
gration to this place resulted from ecclesiastical contro- 
versies between the Rev. Israel Chauncj- and the Rev. 
Zechariah Walker, ministers of Stratford. At length Gov- 
Winthrop advised JNIr. Walker and his church and people 
to remove to a tract of land which should be allotted to 
them for the settlement of a new town. In the spring 
of 1672, accordingl3', the General Court having granted 
to Mr. Samuel Sherman, William Curtiss and others, 
liberty to erect a plantation at Pomperaug, subsequently 
named Woodbur}', some of Mr. Walker's church-mem- 
bers came to the new town in the wilderness, and he, 
with most of his followers, removed there the next year. 
Following the Ousatonic River, formerl}' called the 
Pootatuck, tiU they came to a large river flowing into it 
from the north, thej' finally reached a sightly elevation 
overlooking the beautiful valley of their search. 

The increase of population at the new settlement was 
rapid, and a few 3'ears after it commenced, in 1686, the 
town was incorporated by the General Court, the first in 
the count}'. The new town was represented in the 
General Court for the first time, in 1684, by Capt. John 
Minor and Lieut. Joseph Judson ; while the first meeting- 
house built in the county was erected here in 1681. 

Col. Robert Treat, Thomas Clark, Jonathan Baldwin, 
and 110 others, chiefl}^ of Milford, Conn., by authorit}' 
of the General Court at the October session in 1703, 
purchased of the Colon}', at a cost of about $484, a tract 
of 84 square miles of land, called by the Indians Wean- 
tinogue, and situated in the south-western part of the 
present county on the Ilousatonic River, which was at 
that time named New Milford by the General Court. 

• This chief had his wigwara on a high bluff near the Great F.ills on the 
Housatonic River, near the present village of New Milford. The abrupt 
bluff at these falls is now known as Lover's Leap. The most authentic 
tradition of the origin of the name is, that the lovely daughter of the 
chief had given her affections to a wliite settler, while her father had, 
with great care, selected a brave warrior to receive her hand, whom 
she, however, did not love. One fine day, the lovers remained on this 



The first white person who came to this place, not a 
proprietor, was John Noble, in 1707, from Westfield, 
Mass. The town was incorporated in 1712, with a pop- 
ulation of about 70 persons, the first minister settled 
here being the Rev. Daniel Boardman of Wethersfield, 
the same ha^^ng been ordained over the Congregational 
Church and society in 1716. The second meeting-house 
built in the county was erected here in 1719. Col. John 
Read had studied for the ministry in his youth, and the 
first sermon the settlers heard here was preached by 
him. This town was first represented in the General 
Court, in 1725, hy John Bostwick and Capt. Stephen 
Noble ; and it ma}- be remarked that the first bridge built 
across the Housatonic River was erected here in 1737. 

When the first white people came to this county in 1672, 
the Indian tribes occupied the valley of the Housatonic 
River chiefly. Here they found congenial places for 
their wigwams and villages, and good opportunities for 
fishing, and for the culture of maize and beans, their 
chief vegetable food. At this time the Pootatucks were 
the most powerful tribe in the western part of the Colony, 
with clans in the present county at Nonnewaug, Bantam, 
Weantinogue, and on the Pomperaug River. Their prin- 
cipal seat, however, was on the north-east side of the 
Ilousatonic, just below the present line of this county, 
at Southbury, in New Haven County, with a central 
point at Woodbury. But this tribe soon commenced to 
migrate to the north and west, either to escape their 
enemies, or to find better fishing and hunting grounds, 
until they became absorbed in other tribes, and finally 
utterly disappeared. The chief Pomperaug was buried 
in Woodbury, as was his brother, a powwow, and the 
places are designated by heaps of stones. The last chief 
of the tribe was Mauquash, who died about the year 1758- ! 
and was buried in Woodbury. 

About the year 1735, Weraumaug, or Raumaug,* i 



cliff till long after sunset, and she successfully besought her father to 
allow her suitor to lodge at the palace that night, which so excited the 
jealousy of the warrior that, in the morning, he told her he would have 
the scalp of his rival before nightfall. The two lovers met again at the 
same romantic place, where they were found by the enraged warrior, 
and, to make a sure escape, ivith clasped hands, they leaped from the 
giddy height into the surging waters. 



CONNECTICUT. 



Pootatuck chief, and a greAt councillor at the principal 
council-fires of Ms people, was visited, during his last 
sickness, by the Kev. Mr. Boardman, who toolc great 
pains to instruct him in the doctrines and principles of 
the Christian religion. The great sachem died shortly 
after, and was buried in the Indian ground a short dis- 
tance from his residence. His grave is now plainl}' dis- 
tinguishable. His tribe has entirclj- passed awa}', and 
the only traces of its existence are the arrow-heads, 
pipes, and other relics that are verj^ often unearthed by 
the ploughshare, as is the case in other parts of the 
county where the Indians _ 

once lived. 

A tribe of Schaghticoko 
Indians, occupjnng an inter- 
val on the west side ol 
the Ilousatonic Eiver, came 
under the influence of the 
]Mora\ian missionaries aliout 
the j-ear 1742, and Gideon, 
their chief, was the first 
convert, and was baptized 
in 1743, as were 150 others 
very soon afterwards, and 
many hundreds still later.* 
At the time of the first 
settlement of Salisburj' there 
was an Indian village at 
Wcatog, the Indian name 
of the town, consisting of 
about 70 wigwams. Their 
trail through Cornwall to 
the Bantam clan at Litch- 
field was well known.f 

The lands of this count}' were generally purchased of 
the Indians by the settlers, together with the Colony 
title, as appears b}- the names of the chiefs appended to 
deeds on the records of many, if not all, of the earlier 
settled towns. The Indians were friendlj' to the first 
settlers, and supplied them with provisions in manj' 
instances, and defended them from hostile attacks. 

The next settlement bj' whites in the dense western 
woods of the county was at Bantam in 1720, by a grant 

* There are now about 54 who are considered as belonging to this 
tribe, scattered around in different towns, and are the only remnants of 
the red-men left in this county. Eunice, a grand-daugliter of their re- 
nowned chief, died in 1860, at the great age of 103 years. They now 
possess about 300 acres of land situated on Schaghticoko Mountain, and a 
fund of $5,000 ; and are under the ch.irge of an overseer appointed an- 
nually by the District Court in the county. 

t Chaugum, the last man of a small tribe in New Hartford, lived till 
near the close of the last century ; and his descendants iu the female 
lino kept up the council-fires till quite recently. The descendants of his 



UOUSATONIC RIVEtt— KAPIDS NEAB, WEUAU 



from the Colony to John Marsh of Hartford, and John 
Buel of Lebanon, and 57 associates, of a tract of land 
ten miles square, an<l named Litchfiekl bj' the General 
Court in 1719, and incorporated a town in 1724. None 
of this tract appears to have been purchased of the Ind- 
ians, and, in consequence, the earlj^ settlers had some 
experience of the ferocious native character of the red 
man. I ; 

Eev. Timothy Collins was ordained the first minister 
of the people here in 1723, and the first house of wor- 
ship, the third in the county, was finished in 1726. 

About the time that Litch- 
field was settled, three fam- 
ilies — one English, and i 
the other two Dutch — set- 
tled at Weatog, or Salis- 
bury, in 1720. In 1740, 
eleven English and five 
Dutch families settled in 
different parts of the town. 
In 1732, most of the town- 
ship was surs'ej-ed. It was 
sold by the Colony at Hart- 
ford in 1737, and the char- 
ter was given in 1745. 
The town took its name 
from a man named Salis- 
bury, who lived iu about 
the centre of the purchase. 
The Rev. Mr. Lee was their 
first settled minister, and 
a meeting-house was built 
about 1748. In this house 
there were two watch-tow- 
ers, with sentries placed in them on Sundays, to guard 
against the Indians. These first settlers came from the 
manor of Livdngston, in the Colony of New York. 

Harwinton, which derived its name from Hartford, 
Windsor and Farmington, was settled in 1 731 , was named 
a town in 1732, and was incorporated by the General 
Court in 1737. Their first minister was the Rev. An- 
drew Bartholomew, who was ordained about 1 736. John 
Watson and others came from Hartford in 1733, and 

married daughter are the only representatives of the race in Winchester 
and Barkhamstead. 

+ Capt. John Griswold, in 1722, was suddenly rushed upon, pinioned, 
and carried f;ir away into the thick -woods. While his enemies were 
asleep around a fire, however, he disengaged himself, and seized their 
guns, his arms still pinioned, and made his escape safely to his home. 
That same year, Joseph Harris, while at work in the woods, was 
attacked and shot by the Indians. There was a monument erected to 
his memory in 1830, in the town, not only to perpetuate his name as a 
martyred citizen, but to record the first death among the early settlers- 




HISTORY OF NEAV ENGLAND. 



settled at New Hartford, which was named and incorpo- 
rated a town that j-car. The Rev. Jonathan Marsh, 
their first minister, was ordained in 1739. It was in an 
evergreen region, whore there were extensive forests, 
called the "Green Woods." One of the seven com- 
panies of the inhabitants of Windsor that bought town- 
ships in 1732 was the Torrington Company, named after 
a hamlet in Devonshire, Eng. The patentees were 
Matthew AlljTi, Roger Wolcott and Samuel Mather, Esqrs. 
A suTA'ej' of the town was made in 1734, and there were 
three divisions of land. The last one was completed in 
1750, in which two hundred and twent}' acres were ap- 
propriated for schools. Ebenezcr Lyman, Jr., was the 
first permanent settler of the town, and came from Dur- 
ham about the year 1737. Torrington was made a town 
in 1740; and, becoming an ecclesiastical society-, the 
Rev. Nathaniel Roberts was ordained in 1741, when 
there were but fourteen families in the place. "Wolcott- 
ville maj' be said to have been commenced in 1751, when 
Amos Wilson purchased of the town the mill-privilege 
on the west branch of the Naugatuck River. Its great 
business prosperit}' vaay be said to date from about 1<S13, 
when manufacturing first began. 

A considerable area of territory on the Housatonic 
River was sold at auction at New London in 1738, and 
settled by John Franklin and others. The town was 
named Canaan by the General Court that year, and in- 
corporated in 1739. Their first clergyman was the Rev. 
Elisha Webster, ordained in 1740. The tract of land 
known as Kent was sold in 1738, and settled that year 
by Mr. Piatt and others from Colchester, Sir. Comstock 
from Franklin, and Mr. Slauson and others from Nor- 
walk. The town was named in 1738, and incorporated 
the following year. The first minister was the Rev. 
Cyrus Marsh. Goshen was settled, named and incorpo- 
I rated in 1738. The Rev. Stephen lieaton was their first 
minister. The territorj' of Sharon was purchased in 
1738, and settled and incorporated the following jear. 
The first settler was Daniel Jackson, from New Milford. 
In 1740, thirteen families moved into Cornwall from Mas- 
sachusetts, and from Colchester and Litchfield in this State. 
It was named in 1738, and incorporated two years after- 
ward. The Rev. Solomon Palmer was their first min- 
ister. Settlers from Windsor came to Norfollc in 1744. 
AVhen incorporated, in 1758, there were thirty-seven 
families within its limits. The Rev. Ammi R. Robbins 
was their first pastor. The first settler in the present 
town of Barkhamsted came in 174G, and was the sole 
inhabitant for more than ten years. The town was in- 
corporated in 1770. The Rev. Ozias Eels was their first 
minister. 



Winchester was incorporated in 1771, and the next 
year the Rev. Joshua Knapp was ordained minister. 
Ebenezer and Joseph Preston, and Adam Mott, from 
Windsor, were the first settlers. In 1799, there were 
only about twenty families within the present limits of 
Winsted. In 1832, the west village was incorporated as 
the borough of Clifton. In 1858, the two sections of 
Winsted became united, and the place has since been 
known as AVinsted. 

The first settlers of Colebrook came there in 1765, 
and others soon followed. The town was organized in 
178G, and the Rev. Jonathan Edwards, son of the re- 
nowned minister of that name, was their first pastor. 

The ecclesiastical society- of Northbury was organized 
in Waterbur^-, New Haven County, iu 1739, and was 
organized a town by the assembl}^ in 1795, named Plj'm- 
outh, and annexed to this county. The first settlement 
in Plj-mouth was made in the centre of the new town of 
Thomastou. In 1728, Henr}- Cook came there with a 
famil}' and settled. The first child born in Plymouth 
was Samuel How. 

The first settlement in Waterbury was in Wooster 
Swamp, as Thomaston and the western part of Plymouth 
were called. Many settlers preferring to locate on higher 
laud up the river, above the fogs and malaria of the 
swamp west of the river, the Northburj- communitj' was 
established. Roxbur^' was created a town iu 1801, and 
taken froin Woodburj- ; and Bridgewater Societ}' was 
taken from New Milford and made a town in 1S5G. 
Two years later. North Canaan was separated from 
Canaan. Morris, from the town of Litchfield, was in- 
corporated in 1859 ; and the twenty-sixth and last town 
iu the count}' was taken from Plymouth, made a town, 
and named Thomaston, in 1875. 

The increase of population and rapid colonization 
were such that in the jear 1751, after about ten years of 
agitation in town meetings and in the assembly, a new 
county was created and named Litclifield, with Litchfield 
as the shire town. The territorial area was the same as 
at present, with the exception of the towns of Ilartland 
and Southbury, and a portion of Brookfield, all of which 
then belonged to the county. AVatertowu and Plymouth, 
with Thomaston, have since been annexed. William 
Preston, Esq., of Woodburj', was the first chief justice ; 
Isaac Baldwin, Esq., first clerk. Samuel Pettibone, 
Esq., of Goshen, was chosen king's attorney, and Oliver 
Wolcott, Esq., sheriff. For nine years from 1774, the 
valley of Wyoming, Pa. , belonged to this county. 

It was declared by a convention held in this county Feb. 
11, 1776, and represented by most of the towns, that 
the Stamp Act was unconstitutional, null and void, and 



CONNECTICUT. 



that business should go on as usual ; and town meetings 
were held quite frequentl}' to consider the public safetj'. 
"When the war cloud burst, Litchfield Count}- was thor- 
oughly aroused for anj' emergencj'. At the time of the 
Boston alarm, Sept. 3, 1774, quite a number of soldiers 
went from Woodbur}-, where there was the most popula- 
tion, and joined companies from other towns. Col. 
Ethan Allen, claimed to have been born in three towns in 
the count}', and at all events to have been a native of this 
county, and Col. Seth Warner, a native of Roxbury, with 
nearly 100 volunteers, assisted in the capture of Fort 
Ticonderoga May 10, 1775. Col. Hinman of Woodbury 
commanded 1,000 men sent to garrison this fort and 
Crown Point. After the Lexington alarm a full company 
■was sent from Woodbury. The thirteenth regiment of 
militia was formed from that town, New Milford and 
Kent, at the commencement of the war. B}' an order of 
June 10, 1776, a draft was ordered, which, with former 
calls, had made such a drain upon the laborers that there 
was hardly sufficient provision to supplj' the people 
during the winter. Upon a sudden call for troops at 
Danbury in April, 1777, the militia of this count}- marched 
to the scene of conflict. Soldiers from this county 
participated in the battle of Bennington in 1777, under 
Col. Seth Warner, and others fought at Saratoga and 
White Plains. Woodbury being the oldest and largest 
town in the county, with a population of 5,313 in 1774, 
was represented on all the battle-fields of 1777. There 
w-ere eight companies of militia in the town ready to rally 
at a moment's warning. New Blilford furnished the 
next largest quota of men for the war. The old Indian 
warrior, Tom Warrups, a Sehaghticoke, and a resident 
of Cornwall in his early life, participated in the battle of 
Long Island. Gen. John Sedgwick of Cornwall, Cols. 
Canfield and StaiT of New Milford, Tallmadge of Litch- 
field, and many others, were brave officers in the war. 

There were, however, some Tories within the borders 
of the county ; and committees of inspection were formed, 
who summoned before them those who were suspected of 
disloyalty to the cause of liberty.* 

Party spirit ran so high in this county during the war 
of 1812, and the administration at Washington met with 
such opposition from the State-rights or Federalist party, 
that enlistments into the regular array were greatly dis- 
couraged ; and the conflict between the national and State 
governments, as to which should have the command of 
the drafted militia, caused riots in some places in the 
county, -where efforts were made to fling the State flag to 

• The Rev. John R. Marshal of "Woodbury was one of these, and was 
put on the limits. The riflemen, passing through the countj-, took a man 
in New Milford, made him walk before them twenty miles, and carry one 



the breeze, and to cut down the liberty-poles flying the 
stars and stripes. This opposition caused Congress to 
refuse the necessary appropriations and supplies for the 
maintenance of the militia of Massachusetts and Con- 
necticut for the year 1814, thus forcing these States to 
defend their own coasts from invasion, which resulted in 
the Hartford Convention of December, 1814, of which 
the Hon. Nathaniel Smith of Woodbury, and others of 
the most distinguished and upright characters were mem- 
bers. The whole number of men who served in t6e war 
from this county was probably about 2,000. 

At the commencement of the late Rebellion, volunteer 
companies were immediately formed at Winsted and the 
other larger towns in the county, which soon rendezvoused 
at New Haven. During the war the county furnished 
nearly 4,000 men. The nineteenth regiment, enlisted 
principally in this county, and reorganized into the second 
heavy artillery in November, 18C3, experienced some 
very severe service in the army of the Potomac ; and it 
was at the head of the assault at Cold Harbor, Va., 
June 1, 1864, that its gallant commander, Col. Elisha S. 
Kellogg, lost his life. 

Schools. — A short time after the close of the Revolu- 
tionary war in 1784, the first law school of any note in 
the United States was founded in the town of Litchfield. 
Its projector was Tapping Reeve of Long Island, a brother- 
in-law of Aaron Burr. There were then no professors 
of law connected with any American college, nor was the 
science treated as a liberal one. Judge Reeve, after 
having conducted the school from the commencement 
until his appointment to the bench of the Supremo Court 
of the State in 1793, then invited James Gould, Esq., a 
graduate of Yale College, who was in the practice of law 
at Litchfield, to take part in the instruction of the school. 
These gentlemen carried it on together, as partners, for a 
period of 22 years, when, on account of advanced age. 
Judge Reeve retired. Judge Gould continued the school 
until a few years before his death, when he associated with 
himself Jabez W. Huntington, afterwards a U. S. senator, 
and judge of the Supreme Court of the State. Prior to 
1833 there had been educated at this school men from 
all parts of the country, more than 1,000 in all, and 
as many as 183 from the Southern States. They num- 
bered fifteen United States senators, five cabinet officers, 
ten governors of States, fifty members of Congress, forty 
judges of the highest State courts, and two judges of the 
Supreme Court of the United States. This long list 
embraced the names of John C. Calhoun of South Caro- 



of his geese ; they then made him pluck his goose, and, after tarring and 
feathering him, drummed him out of the company, and required him to 
kneel and thank them for their lenity. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



lina, John M. Clayton of Delaware, John Y. Mason of 
Virginia, Judge Levi Wooclburj-, Marcus Morton, and 
many others of national renown. The school was dis- 
continued in 1833. 

As soon as the first settlement of towns in the count}- 
commenced, and a minister had been settled, attention 
was turned to the common schools. The ancient school- 

j house in this count}' was a very rude affair, consisting of 
one room with but little furniture. The writing-desks 
fronted inward from the sides of the house, and there 
was a large shelf in one corner for the use of the schol- 
ars. The teacher's table was made of rough boards. 

! The seats for the larger scholars were made of slabs 
supported with three or four legs of round wood. 

j Schools were carried on in the earlier times entirely 
under the district system. Afterwards for very many 

j-oars they were managed ^ , 

under the jurisdiction of ^ 
school societies, formed from ff- 
towns and parts of towns. 
In 18G9 the schools were made 
free b}' a general law, and 
since that time, in this coun- 
ty, the attendance and ap- 
propriations have gi-eatly in- 
creased. There has been \''y.". 
more uniformity of text- y, ' . 
books ; better school-housts 
have been erected ; the terms ; -; 

have been lengthened ; all pay --.:i--^-i-*.=-.4^- _-.--^ .„ 

their share of the taxes ; ""^'^ foreign mission school in the united states, 
wliile the improvements in the schools over the old 
method have been verj- great. There are now in this 
county 277 distiicts, and 275 schools, emploj-ing 625 
teachers. Among the first of the academics established 
in the county was one in the town of Morris, — then 
Litchfield, — in 1790, b}- James Morris. Afterwards 
two were opened in the town of Sharon ; and there have 
been many others since those early times. The first 
female seminary established at Litchfield in 1792, was 
the resort of young ladies from all parts of the countr}- 
for more than forty j-ears. The first foreign mission 
school in this countrj' was established in the county, 
at Cornwall, in 1817, to educate foreign j-outh to become 
missionaries, schoolmasters, interpreters and physicians 
among heathen nations. A farm was purchased and 
suitable buildings were erected; but the school was 
abandoned in 1827, because, after this time, the heathen 
could be educated at home, and also because of local 
opposition caused bj' two Cherokee Indians marrjing 
respectable white girls of the town. 



The Connecticut School for Imbeciles, located in Salis- 
bur}-, was incorporated in 18G1. 

Ecclesiastical. — For nearly 70 years after the first 
settlement of the county, the only churches within its 
limits were of the Congregational order, the result of an 
ecclesiastical statute of the C'olonj- that no church admin- 
istration should be set up contrary to the order already 
established; but finally, in 1708, and afterwards, acts of 
toleration were passed, till all religious denominations 
were put upon the same common ground of equality, 
although all were for some time taxed to support the 
regular order. The oldest church in the count}- of the 
established order is in Woodburv, and was organized in 
1070, at Stratford ; and the next oldest one is in New 
Milford, and was organized in 1716. The church at 
Litchfield was organized in 1 721 ; the church at Bethlehem 

: ^ in 1 739 ; and the churches at 

X Cornwall, Goshen and Shar- 
on in 1 740 ; and there are 
now 41 churches of this order 
in the county. 

The first Episcopal parish 
in the count}- was organized 
by the Rev. Mr. Beach of 
Newtown, in 1740. There 
are now 25 parishes with 
2,118 communicants. 

The first of the Baptist 
churches in the county were 
in New Milford and Cole- 
brook, about the j-car 1788, 
when a church was orgmized in the first-named town. 
There are very few churches of this denomination in the 
county at the present time. 

In 1790 a circuit of the Methodist Episcopal Church 
was formed at Litchfield, which then probably comprised 
the whole county and more, and Jesse Lee was appointed 
elder by the New England Conference. This circuit was 
travelled at this time by Samuel Wigton, Henry Christie 
and Freeborn Garritson. There was but little sympathy, 
however, between the Congregational and IMethodist 
denominations in the county in these early da}s. The 
circuit preacher discoursed against pitch-pipes, steeples, 
ribbons and all gay equipages, to say nothing of the 
" five points" of Calvinism. The denomination, during 
the nearly 90 years of its existence in the county, has, 
in number and membership, increased with great rapidity. 
The first Roman Catholic church in the county is 
believed to have been erected at Cornwall about the year 
1850, though there is no church there now. Public 



worship was instituted in Winsted in 1851 by the Rev. 



CONNECTICUT. 



James Lynch ; and in 1852, the Eev. Thomas Quinn com- 
menceil the erection of St. Joseph's Cathohc Church, 
and entered on his pastoral duties. The Rev. Thomas 
Hendrickon, since bishop of Rhode Island, came here in 
1854 ; and there are now five churches in the countj-. 

Minerals and Iron Manufactures. — This county is the 
only section of the State in which rich and productive 
iron mines are found. The ore is found in vast beds, 
principally in connection with mica slate, and exists in 
the towns of Sharon, Salisbury and Kent. The oldest 
iron mine is the Old Ore HiU in the town of Salisbury, 
and it has been worked over 145 years, and since the year 
1732. The site of this mine was purchased bj' a man 
named Bissell, several j-ears before the town was incor- 
porated. When this mine was first opened, Thomas 
Lamb bought fifty acres of land in the south-east part of 
the town, at Lime Rock on Salmon River, and erected the 
first forge in the county at that place as early as the year 
1734. In 17G2 Col. Ethan AUen, of Ticonderoga fame, 
Samuel Forbes and others, built the first blast-furnace in 
the county. During the Revolutionary war this prop- 
erty was taken possession of by the State ; and Col. 
Joshua Porter having been appointed agent, large quan- 
tities of cannon, cannon balls, shot and shells were man- 
ufactured for the government. John Jay and Gouverneur 
Morris, agents of Congress, came here frequently at this 
time to oversee the casting and proofs of the cannon. 
The war ships " Constitution " and " Old Ironsides " and 
the New York Battery were armed with the Salisbury 
cannon ; and this iron has been used since the war in 
the manufacture of guns and anchors for the na^y, and 
chain cables, and has also furnished material for the uses 
of the government armories. 

The never-failing resources of the mine, the facilities 
and means of smelting the ore, with its rich quality of 
40 per cent, of pig iron, have brought it into general 
demand for manufacturing purposes. Forty years ago 
there were in Salisbury four blast-furnaces, five forges, 
two puddling establishments, one anchor-shop and two 
cupolas for castings. Tliis mine covers an area of sev- 
eral acres, and there are six principal pits. For the 
first forty j-ears of this centurj^ the average amount of 
ore taken from this bed annually, was 5,000 tons; 
and its bottom has not been reached. There are also 
important iron mines in Sharon and Kent. Salisburj- 
iron was first used in 1840 for railroad purposes. Its 
great tensile strength, with its superior chilling proper- 
ties, soon led to the manufacture of car-wheels at Salis- 
burj-, which are now in general use, not only in the 
United States, but in most civilized nations. 

Spathic ii-on-ore, commonly known as silver steel, is 



found in this county at Mine Hill, in Roxbury, on 
the eastern line of New Milford, in a mountain about 
350 feet high, at the base of which runs the Shepaug 
River ; and it is the most remarkable deposit of the kind 
in the United States. The mine, however, has never 
been profitably worked. 

General 3Ianvfacturing. — The first mill in the county 
was built in Woodbury in 1674, for grinding flour, the 
mortar and pestle having been used for pounding the 
grain prior to this time. Fifty years since there were 
over 34 flour-mills in the county. The first wheelwright 
was Samuel Munn, who built a cart and cart-wheels for 
the Rev. Mr. Walker of Woodbury, in 1688 ; and the 
business of making coaches and wagons was carried on 
in the county after their invention, till there were as 
many as 40 of these establishments. In 1700, 44 in- 
habitants of Woodbury gave Abraham Fulford 10 acres 
of land to come there and comb wool, and weave and 
full cloth, and he accepted the offer. At this earl3' 
period some of the outer clothing of the people was 
made of the skins of deer and other animals ; and in 
1677, very large wooden shoes were made and used by 
the settlers. The first blacksmith came to this countj- in 
1706, and he was given 10 acres of land to remain and 
carry on the business. The tannery was one of the 
earliest industrial establishments of the county. Long 
since there have been as many as 50 of these, almost 
every town having its place for tanning leather. Boots 
and shoes were made b}^ the shoemaker, who, " whipping 
the cat," went around to the houses with his own tools 
and wax, depending upon his customers for leather, 
shoe-thread, and pegs. The saw and shingle mill were 
a very early necessity to the settlers, and there were as 
many as 1 9 in the county at one time ; but they have begun 
to disappear somewhat since the days of railroads. Over 
2,300,000 bricks were made annually in the county 37 
years ago ; and there were 1 7 hat factories and as jnany 
furniture establishments. Sixty years ago there were a 
ver}' large numlier of manufactories of distilled spirits ; 
169 in the county, and 26 in New Milford alone. Soon 
after the commencement of this century a discovery was 
made in the latter place of porcelain clay by a gold- 
smith. The bed covers an area of about 10 acres. Mr. 
Lyman Hine commenced the making of the common 
porcelain furnace and fire brick about the j'ear 1828 ; 
and these articles for stoves, furnace-linings in brass- 
kettle establishments, and puddling furnaces, enjoyed- 
a deservedly high reputation. From an early date, 
magnesian lime has been burnt from quarries in the 
county.' 

In 1792, Jenks & Bo3'd erected the first establishment 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



at Winsted, for welding, drawing and plating the scythe 
by water-power under trip-hammers, and grinding it on 
geared stones ; which before had been made b}' hand, 
wrought in smiths' shops, and ground on stones turned 
b}' hand. Before the year 1800, the first cementing steel- 
furnace in the county was buOt at Colebrook b}^ the 
Rockwell Brothers. 

The making of axes as a distinct trade was first com- 
menced in 1804 ; and about the year 1828, a factory was 
established at Winsted. The business of clockmaking 
commenced in a very small way at Thomaston, about the 
time Plymouth was annexed to the county. Eli Terry 
established himself at Plymouth, and commenced making 
the old hang-up wood clock with a foot-lathe, knife, and 
other hand-tools, and peddled them himself on horseback- 
In 1803, he had a shop with water-power ; and he started a 
shop at Iloadleyville, and made 4,000 clocks in two j-ears. 
In 1807, Riley Whiting commenced making wood clocks 
at Winsted, and made numerous improvements ,in them 
and in clock-cases. The manufacture of cutlery was 
commenced at Salisbury, and in 1852, at Winsted. The 
production of pins first began in the county at Winsted 
in 1852, and of plated-wave, coffin-trimmings, and car- 
riage-springs, within the past 12 j-ears. The manufac- 
ture of vegetable-ivory buttons, with new and gi'eatly 
improved machinery for mottling and coloring, com- 
menced in the county at New Milford about 10 j-ears 
ago. In 1834, the first eflbrt to make brass kettles in 
America, bj' the battery process, began at Wolcottvillc. 
The rolling process succeeded this in 1842. Meantime, 
with these new and greatly increased developments of 
manufacturing on the lines mentioned, there has been a 
corresponding decline in certain other branches ; notably 
in the manufacture of leather, and also of woollen goods. 

Agriculture. — From the time of the first settlement 
of the county when it was a dense forest of white oak, 
chestnut, and hickory, the general occupation of the 
people has been that of agriculture. The nature of the 
soil is such as to be quite well adapted to this, and 
particularly to the growth of Indian com, wheat, lye, 
and oats. Turnips, beans and pumpkins, were the prin- 
cipal vegetables ; and, for the first hundred years, potatoes 
were comparativelj- unknown. The cattle were generally 
small, brindle and brown colors being favorites, and the 

• The early settlers were, for many years, greatly harassed by the 
depredations of wild beasts, ravaging their crops and flocks, and putting 
themselves sometimes in personal peril. Wolves abounded as late as 
1786, and wolf-hunts were very common sports in the Indian-summer 
days. Bears and panthers were common also in those early times, and 
were not unfrequently shot by the settlers. 

The activities of agriculture, as well as of every other kind of 
business, were, at one time, materially impeded by the serious diffl- 



sheep were long-legged and hardy, with thin, coarse wool. 
The wood-plough, wooden-tooth harrow, and forks too 
heav}^ almost for men to lift, were samples of the 
farming tools of these early times ; and the kitchen-stove 
was unknown for j-ears. Noxious weeds, like the Canada 
thistle, had not been heard of, and most of the insect 
pests of the present daj- were unknown ; although as late 
as 1791, and the j^ear after, the orchards in some parts 
of the county, on all kinds of light diy soil, were ravaged 
by the canker-worm. 

Farming continued to be carried on in this primitive 
way, to a great extent, for more than 150 years after the 
settlement of the county — indeed until the railroad pene- 
trated our borders, and the era of labor-saving tools and 
machines was introduced, and the people began to or- 
ganize societies and clubs for the diffusion of agricultural 
and horticultural knowledge.* These sj-mbols of a more 
progressiv'e civilization have, meanwhile, almost if not 
quite revolutionized the principles of farming. In 1846, 
T. L. Hart and six others met and organized the farmers' 
club in Cornwall. Meetings were held quite often, ad- 
dresses delivered, and the public mind thus became bet- 
ter informed on the science of farming ; and other organ- 
izations of the kind have since been formed in the 
county. In 1851, the Litchfield County Agricultural 
Association was incorporated. Fairs have been held 
since that time annuallj' at the county seat. In 1859, 
the Union Agricultural Society was organized at Canaan, 
and the next j-ear societies were incorporated at New 
Milford and Woodbury ; and a like society has been 
formed at Torrington. 

In 1840, it is believed, the first crop of tobacco was 
raised in the county to anj- extent for the market. At 
present it is grown quite extensively, and there is prob- 
ably an annual average production of 1,800,000 pounds. 

The business of producing milk for the New York 
market has been carried on quite extensively for the past 
ten years, and has largel}- usurped the production of 
butter and cheese. 

Newspapers ayid Temperance. — In 1784 the first news- 
paper was established in the countj-. This paper, the 
" Weekly Monitor," was published at Litchfield b}- Thos. 
Collins for manyyears. In 1824 the "Litchfield Enquirer" 
was established ; and for about 30 years it was the prin- 

culties in the way of intercourse with the market towns — the roads 
being generally over steep hills, and along miry and untrodden bot- 
toms, and where the snow, in the winter, lay deep and drifted; while 
the means of communication were of the most primitive and incommo- 
dious character. The farmers saw but little money in those days, — 
taking their farm products annually to the trader at the distant village, 
and being supplied, in return, with whatever their necessities de- 
manded. 



CONNECTICUT. 



cipal paper in the county. The " Winsted Herald," 
established in 1853, has held a leading position among 
the influential papers of the State. 

There are now nine weekly newspapers of first-class 
character published in the countj-, including '' The Con- 
necticut Western News," " The Winsted Press," "The 
Wolcott^^lle Register," "The Winsted News," "The 
Housatonic Eay," and " The New Milford Gazette." 

As early as 1789, thirty-six persons signed a temper- 
ance pledge in the county, agi-eeing to discard the use of 
distilled liquors ; and among the number were Ephraim 
Kirby, Moses Seymour and Tapping Reeye. It is be- 
lieved that the first moilern temperance society was 
formed in the county at Salisbury, among the iron- 
laborers. The Rev. Dr. Porter delivend temperance 
lectures in Washington in 1806, and Dr. LjTnan Beecher 
delivered discourses and lectures on the same subject 
about 1812, and probably earlier, at Litchfield. Since 
then, societies to promote the cause of temperance have 
been very generally formed in the count}- ; and a societj' 
was organized at Torrington as earl}' as 1827. 

Centennial Celebration. — August 13th and 14th, 1851, 
the one hundredth anniversary of the organization of the 
county was observed at Litchfield, with appropriate cere- 
monies. "An oration by Hon. Samuel Church, LL. D., 
chief justice of the Supreme Court ; a poem by Rev. 
John Pierpont, LL. D., of Medford, Mass. ; a sermon 
by Rev. Horace Bushnell, D. D., of Hartford; and 
speeches by Hon. D. S. Dickinson, of New York, and 
many others, were among the interesting features of the 
occasion. 

Roads and Railroads. — Towards the close of the last 
century, the legislature auth(jrized the construction of 
turnpike roads, with power to erect gates at fixed dis- 
tances, and to collect toll from travellers for the main- 
tenance of the road, some of which yielded very good 
dividends. From the j-ear 1797, for a period of about 
forty years, there were some twenty-three charters of 
this character granted b)- the legislature for these roads ; 
and no portion of the State was more improved by them 
than this county. 

The Housatonic Railroad Company, incorporated in 
1836, built the first railroad that was operated in the 
county. It was completed to New Milford in the spring 
of 1840, and the first train of cars ran to that place in 
February of that year.* The Naugatuck Railroad, run- 



* The track was made of wood and ties laid upon sleepers, with thick 
strap-iron, spiked down, upon which the wheels ran ; and many fatal 
accidents occurred by the ends of the iron Ijecoming loose and spring- 
ing up and shooting over the wheels, when in motion, through the floor 
of the cars, when they were called " snake heads." 



ning from Bridgeport to Winsted, was the second built 
in the county, and was incorporated in 1845. Within 
ten years a branch road has been built from Waterbury 
to Watertown. The new impetus this road gave to 
manufactures in Winsted, Wolcottville, Thomaston and 
Plymouth was very marked. The Hartford, Providence 
and Fishkill Railroad Company was first incorporated in 
1849. The Connecticut Western Railroad Company was 
chartered in 1866. The first passenger train passed over 
the road from Hartford to Millerton, on the Harlem road 
in New York, Dec. 21, 1871. In 1866, the Shepaug 
Valley Railroad Company was incorporated, to run from 
Litchfield to some point on the Housatonic road ; and in 
December, 1872, trains were making regular trips over 
the whole line. 

Banlcs, Courts, &c. — Until the beginning of the pres- 
ent centurj', the people of the county had carried on 
their business transactions without the aid of anj- banking 
institution ; but, upon the incorporation of the Phoenix 
Bank of Hartford, in 1814, and within six months after 
it commenced to discount, a branch bank was started at 
Litchfield for the purpose of discount and deposit. The 
Iron Bank was established at Canaan in 1847, and was 
the first regular chartered bank in the county. All the 
banks in the county went into business under the na- 
tional banking law during the late war, and have since 
(there are now four) been eminent!}' prosperous. 

The courts in the county ha>-c gcnerall}- remained 
unchanged in the general organization, the Suijcrior and 
Supreme courts sitting at stated times at the countj^ 
town. 

Towns. 

Winchester and the Borough of Winsted. — The 
interval lands along the streams of this town are shut in 
by high hills and mountain ridges. The highest eleva- 
tion is in the old Winchester parish, where mountains in 
Massachusetts and New York can be seen. The town 
is situated in the green-woods district of the county, 35 
miles by rail from Hartford. Long Lake, extending 
from the Torrington line northerly about three and one- 
half miles, is the largest body of water. Its surface is 
150 feet above the centre of Winsted village near b}-. 
Still and Mad rivers are the principal streams. Lake 
Stream, running from the lake through a wild and nar- 
row ravine into Mad River, furnishes a water-supply for 
many factories. 

Winsted, situated on Lake Stream, Mad and Still 
rivers, is the largest place in population, and in the 
extent of its industrial interests, in the count}', and con- 
tains about 5,000 inhabitants. These three streams 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



afford a great supply of -water-power, which is used 
extensivelj- for manufacturing purposes ; there being, on 
:Mad River one dam, to about ever}- twenty rods in its 
course through the borough. A very large variety of es- 
tablishments are in successful operation, using both steam 
and water power. Among the manufactures are scythes 
and agricultural implements, brass clocks and cases, 
carriages, springs, undertakers' hardware and furnishing 
goods, bar-iron, railroad axles, pocket cutlery, pins, 
hardware and carpenters' tools, spool silk, machine 
screws, castings, mill gearing and pulleys, leather, &c. 
There are seven churches, a 
Catholic literar3- and theo- 
logical seminary, and a Cath- 
olic academy for young la- 
dies, with a parochial school 
and convent. The town has 
three flourishing banking 
institutions. Music Hall, a 
capacious brick and iron 
structure, contains a fine 
public hall. Another hall, 
now in process of construc- 
tion, will be used for town 
and borough purposes. Wa- 
ter for extinguishing fires, 
and for domestic purposes, 
is obtained from Long Lake. 
Park Place , a beauti ful green , 
is adorned with evergreens, 
maples and elms. 

James Boyd, a man of 
indomitable energy and perfect integrity, — who, with 
his partner and brother-in-law, Benjamin Jenkins, was 
the pioneer manufacturer of the place, — died Feb. 1, 
1849, aged 78. Solomon Rockwell, Esq., one of the 
founders of Winsted, and an active promoter of its busi- 
ness interests, died Aug. 1, 1838, in the seventy-fifth 
3-ear of his age. Wm. S. Ilolabird, a lawyer by pro- 
fession, was U.S. district attornej' for four years, and 
lieutenant-governor in 1842 and '44. He died May 22, 
1855, at the age of 61. Other prominent natives are 
Gideon Hall (1808-67), a judge of the Superior Court ; 
John Bojxl (1799-), for three j-ears secretary of state; 
George Dudley, Roland Hitchcock, and F. D. Fyler. 

New Milford, one of the most important towns in the 
county in the diversity of its industrial interests, is 
situated in the south-western part of the county, 90 miles 
by rail from Hartford. It has a population of about 
4,000, and is the largest town in the county. The 
Housatonic River is here spanned by five bridges. The 




township is mountainous, and its agricultural interests 
predominate largely in the production of milk and to- 
bacco. 

The principal centres of intercourse outside of the 
village are at Northville on the Aspctuck River, Gaj'lords- 
ville and Merwinsville in tlie north part of the town on 
the Housatonic, and Lanesville in the south part on Still 
River, where there is the best water-power in the town. ' 

The town has nine religious organizations, eighteen 
public schools and one academy. One national and one 
savings bank accommodate the business of the locality. 
The Housatonic Agricultural 
Societ}' occupy fine grounds 
near the village. Agricul- 
ture is not the entire occu- 
pation of the inhabitants, 
there being important man- 
ufactures of manilla and 
wrapping paper, vegetable- 
ivory buttons, plough cast- 
ings, iron fences and cast- 
ings, refrigerators, cigars 
and fire-brick. There are 
in the town seven saw-mills 
and five grist-mills. 

The \illage is one of the 
most beautiful and thriving 
in New England, having 
most of the conveniences 
of a city organization. 
There are two weeklj- 
newspapers published here. 
There are also nine tobacco-warehouses in the -Nillage, 
with several outside, emploj-ing about 400 men in the 
season of assorting and packing. There is an elevator 
in the village, and the business of suppl3-ing tlie sur- 
rounding towns with all kinds of grain, flour and feed, 
shipped from the West, is extensively carried on. 
The Housatonic R. R. runs through the town. More 
business is done from this point than at anj- other in the 
county on the road. The village is supplied with water 
from a reservoir on Cross Brook. Concrete walks, 
some of them eight feet wide, have been laid in the 
village. There are some fine buildings and resi- 
dences in the place, including the two bank buildings 
and the town hall, the latter standing on the spot where 
Roger Sherman once resided, and being a fine brick 
building, with high red sandstone basement, erected at a 
cost of about $45,000. 

Rev. Nathaniel Taylor, born Aug. 27, 1722, and a 
graduate of Yale, was ordained second pastor of the New 



\LL, NMT MILiORD 



CONNECTICUT. 



Milford Church in June, 1748. During his ministry he 
prepared many J'oung men for college. He died here 
Dec. 9, 1800, after having been ordained 52 j-ears. He 
was chaplain of a Connecticut regiment at Ticonderoga 
and Crown Point in 1759. 

Elijah Boardman, a successful merchant, was a United 
States senator at the time of his death, Aug. 18, 1823. 
His brother, Hon. David S. Boardman, a graduate of 
Yale in 1793, and chief justice of the county court, died 
Dec. 2, 1864, in the 96th year of his age. 

Eogcr Sherman, signer of the Declaration of Inde- 
pendence, came to New Milford on foot from Massachu- 
setts, with his shoemaking tools on his back, in 1743, 
when he was 22 j^ears of age. He was clerk of the first 
ecclesiastical society, and a deacon of the church for 
several years. He was admitted to the bar in 1754, and 
removed to New Haven in 1 761. 

Orange Merwin, one of the most Influential men of the 
town, and at one time member of Congress, died Sept. 4, 

is:)3. 

Perry Smith, a United States senator during the ad- 
ministrations of Jackson and Van Buren, di^'d in 1852, at 
the ago of 69 years. 

David C. Sanford, a native of the town, born in 
1798, and, at the time of his death in 18G4, a judge of 
the Supreme Court of Errors, was long a prominent and 
influential man. 

George Taylor, M. D., Rev. Charles G. Acly, a retired 
Episcopal clergjman, and Hon. A. B. Jlygatt, U. S. 
Viank examiner for Rhode Island and Connecticut, are 
among the distinguished and honored residents of the 
town. 

TonRiNGTON, one of the most regularlj- laid-out town- 
ships in the count}", with a hilly surface and fertile soil, 
is 45 miles from Hartford. The water-power is princi- 
pally on the east and west branches of the Naugatuck 
River. The business centres are the Hollow, New- 
field, Torringford, Wrightville, Burrville, Daytonville, 
and "Wolcottville, in the extreme southern part of the 
town. The latter is a place of about 2,200 inhabitants, 
and one of the most important manufacturing centres in 
ths county. The manufacturing industries are varied, 

• Peter Brown, his Pilgrim ancestor, came over in the " Mayflower," 
and lived near to Miles Standish, in Dtixbuiy, Mass., and most likely 
was one of his soldiers. Tlio Life of John Brnwii, wlio died as a 
martyr to American slavery, has been well writtru hy F. 1'.. Saiiboi-n, 
Esq., and incorporated as part of Orcott's "History of Turriiiston." 
Tlio house whcr; he was born is still stinding, an object of much inter- 
est to the curious. 

t Mr. Mills was the father of Samuel J. Mills, who was born in Tor- 
rington, April 21, 1783, and who died at sea in June, 1818, returning from 
Africa, whither he had gone to establish a site for a colony, in the inter- 
est of the American Colonization Society. Samuel, Jr., was one of the 



and among the goods produced are hardware, notions, 
American scissors, upholsterers' brass and iron goods ; 
black doeskins, ribbed and diagonal goods are also 
produced. Rolled and sheet brass and copper, for 
cartridges especially, brass, copper, and German-silver 
ware are extensively manufactured. The last-mentioned 
manufactures are carried on in buildings co\-ering not less 
than three acres. Two hundred and fifty men are 
emploj'ed here, and the annual aggregate of the business 
amounts to about $1,250,000. 

Sewing-machine needles, supplying the Wheeler and 
Wilson Company' with 150,000 needles per month, are 
also made. Skates, leather goods, iron and brass fer- 
rules, employ about 100 men. Carriage and furniture 
establishments are in successful operation* There are 
seven churches in the town, a savings bank, and a weekly 
newspaper. A new and beautifid granite Congregational 
church edifice has been erected at Wolcottvillo at a cost 
of $32,000. The Naugatuck R. R. runs through the 
town. This place is supplied with water from INIinc 
Brook. The reservoir has an area of five and one-half 
acres of surface, capable of holding 16,000,000 gallons 
of water. The whole population of the town, inclLidiug 
Wolcottville, is about 3,500. 

Prominent among the notable characters connected with 
Torriugton in times past maj- bo mentioned Gen. Russel 
C. Abernethj-, merchant, mauufaciurcr, and general of 
State militia ; Blr. Owen Brown,* a tanner, and the father 
of John Brown of Kansas and Harper's Feny (Vii.) fame, 
who was also born in Torrington in 1800 ; Dr. Samuel 
Woodward (Nov. 8, 1750— Jan. 26, 1835), a beloved 
physician, and an exceptionably noble man ; Rev. Samuel 
J. Mills t (May 17, 1743— May 11, 1833), pastor of the 
Torringford Church for 50 j-ears, and who, to rare humor 
and deep sensibility, imited great strength of intellect and 
originalit}' of miml ; William Battelle, Esq., an old-time 
successful mercliant, and Israel Coe, who established the 
batter}' manufacture of brass-kettles at Wolcottville, the 
first of the kind in the county, and who was justice of 
the peace after he was 80 years old. Hon. Lyman 
W. Coe is actively identified with the interests of the 
town. Rev. Samuel Orcott is the historian of Torring- 

immortal three yonng men (Gordon Hall and James Richards being the 
other two), students in Williams College, who, in the first year of this 
century, by the "Haystack" (where the monument now stands), 
prayed into existence the work of foreign missions, and consecrated 
themselves to it. A gi-adnato of AVilliams and of Andover, he united 
with Messrs. Judson, Newell and Nott, in 1800, in memorializing the 
General Association of Mass.achusetts on tlic suliject of missions, a step 
which resulted in the formation of the A. P.. C F. M. Wlicn tlir history 
of American missions to the heathen is written, his name imi.-t stjind 
first and foremost, and will live long after those of military heroes are 
forgotten. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



ton, to whoso work the writer acknowledges his indobt- 



Salisbury is of importance as being the locality of 
the celebrated iron of that name, and is also one of the 
best agricultural towns in the count}-. The north-western 
town in the State, having the llousatonic River as its 
eastern boundary, it has an area of about 58 square 
miles. The population is about 3,700. It has five 
churches, three graded and several district schools. At 
Lakevillc is a well-managed school for imbeciles. Lakes 
Washining and Washince are the largest and most beau- 
tiful sheets of water in the town. The business centres 
are at Salisburj-, Lakevillc, Lime Rock and Falls ^'il- 
lago ; the latter on the llousatonic River, where the 
extensive building and repair shups of the llousatonic 
Railroad Company are located. The business of manu- 
facturing cast-iron car-wheels is carried on here exten- 
sively. The foundry is at Lime Rock, and about 10,000 
railroad wheels are produced annually. There arc aljout 
600 men emploj-ed at the furnaces and the wheel factory. 
A fine town hall is in process of erection. There are 
extensive grounds at Falls Village, used for agricultural 
fairs. The Conn. Western R. R. runs through the town. 

Among the notables of Salisbury have been "William 
Ray, a naval officer and author ; Samuel Church, LL. 
D., (1785-1854), an eminent jurist; Rev. Jonathan 
Lee (1718-88), pastor in the town for 45 3-cars ; Gen. 
Elisha Sterling, a distinguished law3'er ; and Col. Elisha 
Sheldon, a Rovohitionarj' officer. Hon. AVilliam II. 
Barnum, formerly U. S. senator, Frederick Mills, M. C, 
and Hon. Alexander II. Holley, ex-governor of the 
State, are residents of the town. 

Litchfield, the shire town of tlie count}-, is 58 miles 
from Hartford, b}- rail, and has a population of about 
3,000. The township is on high land, with strong 
soil. Bantam Lake, the largest body of water in the 
county, is situated partty in this town. The village 
commands a beautiful and extensive prospect, and has a 
fine park in the centre, in which stands a monument to 
ccmmemorate the lives of those who fell in the late war. 
The prominent buildings arc the old court-house, with 
its turret and bell ; the jail, and a new Congregational 
church edifice costing about 830,000. "With its beautiful 
shade-trees, the village, at present, is a most delightful 
resort for thos6 in quest of pleasure and recreation. 
The Lakeviev.- House, capable of accommodatii g sev- 
eral hundred people, is a sightlj- place, and a fuvcrite 
resort for metropolitan guests during tha heated term. 
The city of New York, distant about 115 miles by rail, 
is reached l)y the Norwalk, llousatonic, Shepaug and 
Naugatuck railroads. The churches i;i the town are six 



in number ; and there are two banks, one newspaper, 
and 20 public schools. Manufacturing is carried on to .a 
greater or less extent at East Litchfield, Bantam Falls, 
Milton and Northfield. | 

Among the eminent men of Litchfield have been Oliver 
"Wolcott (1720-97), the commander of a company in 
the French war, first sheriff of the county, delegate to 
Congress in 1775, and signer of the Declaration of Inde- 
pendence, and governor of the State at the time of his 
death; Benjamin Tullmadge (1754— 1835), a colonel in 
the Revolutionarj- war, serving with distinction in many 
battles, several times a representative in Congress, audi 
instrumental in causing the capture of Mnj. Andre; 
Gen. Uriah Tracj- (1755-1807), congressman and U. S. 
senator ; Hon. O. S. Seymour, LL. D., former member 
of Congress and chief justice of the State; George c! 
Woodruff, formerl}- a member of Congress ; Gideon H. 
Ilollister, author of a standard histor}' of Connecticut; 
and Charles B. Andrews, governor of the State. 

New Hartford is a thriving mountainous town, 
containing about 3,500 inhabitants, and having five 
churches. There are in the place five saw-mills, while 
heavy duck and cotton goods, brass and iron casters, 
furniture casters, paper, carriages, coaches and sleighs, 
and carpenters' tools arc manufactured here. j 

Among the more prominent citizens of this place, past 
and jDresent, may be named : Hon. William G. Williams, 
an eloquent advocate, and connected with the distin- 
guished AVilhams family of Massaciiusetts (his father' 
being a nephew of Col. Ei)hraim AVilliams, the foundarl 
of Williams College) ; Roger Mills, Esq., a lawyer of 
note ; Hon. Jared B. Foster; John Richards, Esq ; and 
Hon. Edward M. Chapin. 

Chloe Lankton, the mart3r to disease, — still living, 
but dying a slow death, — has spent most of her life m\ 
New Hartford. She has been an intense sufferer, 
confinfid to her bed for 4G j'cars, thus furnishing in 
her life a pattern of long-suffering and patience, rival- 
ling Job, in that she is never known to murmur or com- 
plain. 

Sharon, situated on the west side of the Housa- 
tonic River, is 71 miles from Hartford, and contains 
about 3,400 inhabitants. The eastern part of the 
township is mountainous, while the western section 
is part of a large and beautiful valley. The soil is fer- 
tile, and agriculture is the principal occupation of thoj 
people ; the chief productions being grain, tobacco, and 
milk for the New York market. The three most thickly 
settled places are Sharon Valley, Sharon Village and 
nitc"ticock's Corner, all on the New York State line, and 
Ellsworth, in th3 south-eastern part of the town. The 

I 



CONNECTICUT. 



churches are five in number. There is a furnace for 
smelting the Salisbury ore at Sharon VaUe}-. 

Noted men : John WiEiams, town clerk for 40 years ; 
Rev. Cotton Mather Smith (1731-180G), pastor of the 
Sharon church for 62 years ; John Cotton Smith, LL. 
D., son of the foregoing, member of Congress, judge of 
tlie Supreme Court of the State, and governor from 1813 
to 1817; John Cotton Smith, son of the governor, a 
popular orator and author ; Anson Sterling, at one time 
a member of Congress ; and Gen. Charles F. Sedgwick, 
an able lawyer. 

Woodbury, 45 miles from Hartford, has a population 
of a little less than 2,000. The village is surrounded 
b}' high hills. The main street, running lengthwise of a 
charming and fertile valley, extends into Hotehkissville, 
so that the places are now really one. The localities of 
interest in the town are Weekeepeemee, Flanders, Nonnc- 
waug Falls, of more than 100 feet descent; Castle 
Rock, one of the Indian guarding heights ; Orenaug 
Rocks, near the lightning's play-ground ; Deer Rocks, 
Middle Quarter, and some others that still retain the old 
Indian names. Shot-bags, belts, cassimcres, shears anl 
cutlery are made in this town. The Masonic Hall, witli 
pillars around it, built on a bluif of trap rock, about 30 
feet above tlie street, is the best in the count}-, and is a 
prominent object of admiration upon entering the village. 

Eminent men : Jabez Bacon (1731-180G), a native of 
!Middletown, and a very successfid merchant ; Dr. Daniel 
Munn (1C84-1761), probably the first native physician 
of the county; Russel Abcriiethy, M. D. (1774-1851), 
a celebrated physician ; Judge Noah B. Benedict (1771- 
1831) ; Judge Nathaniel Smith (1702-1822), congress- 
man and judge of the Supreme Court of the State ; and 
Judge Charles B. Phelps (1788-1858), an eminent jurist. 

The remaining towns of the county, mostlj- devoted to 
agriculture, w ith their respective populations are Plym- 
outh (2,500); Thomaston (2,500), so called for Seth 
Thomas, the founder of the extensive manufactory at 

• Seth Thomas was bom about 1817, and came from Wolcott alx)ut 
1808 to Hoadleyville for the purpose of making clocks, and moved to 
Plymouth Hollow in 1812, where he began the clock-making business 
on a large scale. From this beginning a new era in the history of the 
town, which now bears his name, may be dated. 

t In the south part of the town is a wild and rugged chasm, about 600 
feet high, where a wonderful echo is formed. On tlie eastern side of Lake 
\Varamaug is a pinnacle supposed to bo the highest point in the State. 
Tlic lake just mentioned, romantically situated among the hills, is 
much frequented, during the heated term, by tourists and pleasurc- 
Ecckcrs. 

X The Honsatonic Falls, at this place, are 60 feet high. The 
whole descent, including the rapids, above and below the falls, is 160 
feet. 

§ There is In Cornwall Hollow a natural curiosity consisting of a 
remarkable rock weighing about 200 tons, perched upon two bowlders. 



that place of the clocks known by his name ; * Water- 
town (1,800), a favorite suimner resort ; Washington! 
(1,G00); Canaan (1,200); J North Canaan (1,800); 
Cornwall § (1,700), presenting, with its loft}- mountains 
and deep valleys, some of the most wild and romantic 
scenery; Kent (1,700) ; Norfolk (1,000) ; Barkhamsted 
(1,000) ; Goshen || (1,200) ; Colebrook (1,100), amoun- 
tain town ;Roxl)ury^ (900) ; IIarwinton( 1,000) ; Bridge - 
water (800); Bethlehem (700), like Bridgewater an 
agricultural hill-town ; Morris (050) ; and Warren 
(000). 

Rev. John Trumbull, an eminent divine, after a min- I 
istry of 48 years at Watertown, died Dec. 13, 1787. 

John Trumbull, son of the foregoing, born April 24, 
1750, educated at Yale, admitted to the bar in 1773, was 
the author of McFingal. He died at Detroit, Mich., in 
1831. 

Gen. John Sedgwick, an ofllicer of the war of the Rev- 
olution, and born in 1742, was a man of frank, familiar, 
and most estimable qualities. He died Aug. 18, 1820, 
aged 77 years. His remains repose in the Cornwall 
HoUow (-'eraetery. 

Major Gen. John Sedgwick was a native of the town 
of Cornwall, born Sept. 13, 1813, and graduated at 
AVest Point Military Academy with honor in 1837. He 
was engaged in the Seminole war in Florida ; was 
employed under Gen. Scott to remove the Cherokces to 
their western reser\'ation ; fought in Mexico under Gen- 
erals Worth, Scott, and Ta}-lor ; called to the Army 
of the Potomac, he fought at Fair Oaks, Antietam, 
Fredericksburg, and the battles of the Wilderness ; was 
killed near Spottsylvania C. IL, Va., May 9, 1804, and 
was buried in the Cornwall Hollow Cemetery. 

Rev. Joseph Eldridge, D. D , the settled minister of 
Norfollc for over 40 years, died in 1870, at about 70 
years of age. 

William W. Welch, M. D., an eminent physician of 
Norfolk, has been a member of Congress. 

about 4 feet apart, with room for a person to pass under it in an upright 
posilion. 

II It is an interesting fact that in one of the village streets of Goshen 
the rain-fall on the front roof of the houses is said to run into the Hous- 
atonic River, to the west, while that, on the back roof of the same 
houses, finds its way into the Naugatuck. 

H Roxbury is famous as having been the birth-place of Col. Seth 
Warner, who was bom in 1743, and with only a common-school ednca^ 
tion of the times, early became distinguished for his energy and per- 
severance. Ho was the commander during the contest of the Colony 
with New York, and although rewards were offered by the governor of 
Kew York for his arrest, be always evaded their vigilance. Ho was in 
command of the parly th.it took Crown Point, and was in several 
engagements in the war of the Revolution, but had to bo relieved on 
account of sickness. He was more than six feet tall, well proportioned, 
and was a gallant officer. He died Dec. 27, 1784. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



Hon. Truman Smith, born in Roxburj, graduate of 
Yale, was an eminent lawj-er, also U. S. senator, and 
argued a case in court in his 86th j-ear. He at present 
resides at Stamford. 

Rev. Joseph Beilam_y, D. D., born in Cheshire in 1 719, 
graduated at Yale in 1735, was ordained in 1740, and 



continued to ser\-e as pastor of the Bethlehem Church for 
50 jears. He was greatly- distinguished as a theological 
instructor, and as an educator of joung men. lie held 
high rank also both as a preacher and as a writer on 
theological subjects. 



MIDDLESEX COUI^TY. 



BY PROF. THOMAS EMMETTE. 



The legislature of Connecticut in Maj-, 1785, foi-med 
the county of Middlesex by taking the towns of Middle- 
town, Chatham, Haddam and East Haddam from the 
county of Hartford, and the towns of Saybrook and 
Killingworth from the county of New London. In 
May, 1790, Dui-ham, from the county of New Haven, 
was annexed to Middlesex. An English settlement was 
commenced in Saybrook in 1G35, in Middletown in 1650, 
and in Haddam in 1662, all on the west side of the 
Connecticut River. From these, in due time, proceeded 
the towns on the opposite side of the Connecticut. The 
settlement in Killingworth began in 1663, and that in 
Durham in 1698. 

The settlers, in some instances, came direct from Eng- 
land, but the greater number from older settlements in 
Connecticut and Massachusetts. 

This region was, in general, a wild, irregular tract 
of country, mountainous, and covered with forests, the 
alluvial soil being found on the banks of the river and on 
the shores of Long Island Sound. Some parts afforded 
comfortable means of settlement ; the rest afforded the 
Indian a place of retreat after he had sold his jiatrimony 
to the white man. 

The glory of the county is its noble stream. The 
granite formation begins just below the city of Middle- 
town, at a place called the Straits, where the river, 
hemmed in by bold hills, is only 35 rods wide, and runs 
nearly to the mouth at Saybrook. The scenery in this 
part is positively beautiful, green with wealth of trees in 
summer, and literally revelling in brilliant colors in the 
fall. This charming region is classic ground. During 
the profligate and unlicensed reign of Charles I., several 
gentlemen of distinction contemplated a removal to Amer- 
ica. They obtained from the Earl of Warwick, March 19, 
1631, a patent of all that territory " which lies west from 



Narraganset river, a hundred and twenty miles on the 
sea-coast ; and from thence in latitude and breadth afore- 
said to the South Sea." John Winthrop, son of the 
governor of Massachusetts, who was then in London, 
was appointed their agent, and was instructed to build a 
fort at the mouth of the Connecticut, and to erect houses 
for himself and his men, and for the reception of persons 
of quahty. To enable Winthrop to carry out their 
designs, they constituted him governor of Connecticut [ 
River, and of the harbor and places adjoining, for one i 
j'ear after his arrival. Thus commissioned and furnished 
with men and supplies he arrived in Boston on Oct. 8, 
1631, where he discovered that some people had just 
left Massachusetts and settled upon the Connecticut 
River within the patent granted by the earl of Warwick. 
Being assured by the governor of the Colonj- and the 
magistrates that the settlers should remove or satisfj- 
the patentees, he despatched his men to the mouth of the 
Connecticut and superintended their labors until the ex- 
piration of his commission. The level tract of ground 
west of the river known as Saj'brook Point was the place 
of the new settlement. On this several streets were laid 
out with some pretensions to a town, and the fortification 
was entrusted to the care of Mr. David Gardiner, an 
engineer whom the patentees had procui-cd for the pur- 
pose in England. The whole was secured by a pali- 
sade stretching across the landward side of the point, 
"In 1639 Col. George Fenwick, one of the patentees, 
arrived from England, and gave to the tract about the 
mouth of the river the name of Saj'brook, in honor of 
Lord Sa^' and Seal, and Lord Brooke, his principal asso- 
ciates." He governed the inhabitants until 1644, and 
then disposed of his jurisdiction to the Colony of Con- 
necticut, as hia associates in the patent had abandoned 
the idea of seeking a home in the wilds of America on ac- 



CONNECTICUT. 



count of the trouble to be apprehended from the Indians 
and the opposition in high quarters to their leaving 
England. Owing to this disaffection, the little colony 
was driven back on its original resources. These were 
strengthened by a few more arrivals from Hartford, and 
thus the nucleus of a river population was formed under 
the protection of the friendly fortification. The settle- 
ment at Sa^brook was intended as the residence of 
Oliver Cromwell, Pym, Hampden and Ilasselrigg, four 
of the great Commoners of the daj', and it-is said that 
they actually embarked in the Thames. Thej' remained 
at home to do a greater work than the narrow field 
of Saybrook afforded, but it would be well to ask, 
"Were not the early settlers of this count}' men of the 
Cromwell stamp? They were simply battling for the 
same cause under different conditions. 

These earlj* settlers did not escape the ferocities of the 
Indians. It was not long before the utility of the fort at 
Saj-brook was demonstrated. The Indians who roamed 
the territory in the vicinity' of the fort were subject to a 
warlike and powerful nation, known as the Pequots, who 
inhalnted the region of the mouth of the Thames. They 
were inveterate in their malignity against the English, 
and influenced other tribes against them. In 1634, thej' 
murdered Captains Stone and Norton with their crew, 
consisting of eight men, just above Saybrook Point, 
plundered the vessel, burnt and sunk her. Yet they held 
a treatj' with Winthrop, and conceded to the English 
their right to Connecticut River and the adjacent country. 
This was merely a cunning expedient to secure con- 
fidence, for all the while they meditated treacher}' ; for 
early in October, 1636, a band of Pequots concealed in 
the grass at Calves' Island, four miles north of the fort, 
surprised five men who went there to get the haj', caught 
one of them named Buttei-field, and put him to death by 
torture. The place was named from this circumstance 
Butterfield's Meadow. The rest escaped to their boat, 
one of them being wounded with five arrows. A few 
days after, Joseph Till}^ master of a bark, anchored off 
the island, and taking one man with him, went on shore 
for the purpose of fowling. A large number of Pequots, 
concealed as before, waited until he had discharged his 
piece, killed his companion, and captured him. They 
barbarously cut off his hands and his feet. In this tor- 
tured state he lived three days, exciting the admiration 
of his inhuman captors by his stoical endurance, not al- 
lowing a groan to escape him. This single but horrible 
incident demonstrates but too clearly the moral and 
physical courage of the settlers. The place has ever since 
been called Tilly's Point. The enemy still maintained 
his system of surprises. Within a fortnight, a force 100 



strong, suddenly attacked a house erected two miles 
from the fort, and held by six of the garrison. Three 
of them were fowling near the house, although the 
lieutenant had strictly forbidden the practice. Two of 
these were taken ; the third cut his Vfay through them, 
wounded with two arrows, but not mortally. During the 
ensuing winter the fort was in a constant state of siege, 
all their outl3-ing propertj' was destroyecf, and no one 
could leave the fort without hazard. The Pequots, em- 
boldened b}' their successes, became more troublesome 
as the spring advanced. In the month of March, 1637, 
Lieut. Gardiner with a dozen men went out to burn the 
marshes. Just as thej' had got clear of the palisades 
the enem3' killed three, and wounded a fourth, who died 
in the fort next day. Gardiner was slightly wounded, 
but was enabled to retire with the rest of his men. The 
Indians then surrounded the fort, till the guns, loaded 
with grape-shot, caused them to retreat. Their next 
exploit in their design of extermination was to attack 
a shallop with three men on board. Thej' shot one of 
them through the head with an arrow, who fell over- 
board ; they rii)ped the other two completely open, split 
their backs, and then suspended them on trees. One of 
the Indians concerned in this barbarity named Nepan- 
puck, a famous Pequot, for this and similar atrocities, 
was beheaded at New Haven in 1639. The Colon}- of 
Connecticut became ver}' apprehensive for the safety 
of the little band of settlers in the fort. The fort com- 
manded the river. It had already beaten off a Dutch 
war-sloop, and so far had checked the ravages of the 
Indians, but the Pequots were not only warlike, but 
numerous, and swaj'ed the neighboring tribes. Unless 
they could be subdued, it was quite evident that the set- 
tlement must succumb and the general safety be endan- 
gered. Capt. John Mason (a great colonial celebrit}-) 
was sent from the Hartford settlement with 20 men to 
re-enforce the garrison. He was strengthened by 20 men 
under the command of Capt. John Underhill, sent b}' 
the Colony of Massachusetts. On the 1st of May, the 
General Court of Connecticut Colon}-, seriously alarmed 
at the hostile attitude of the Pequots, resolved upon im- 
mediate and vigorous war. Massachusetts and Plymouth 
colonies, alive to the necessities of the occasion, resolved 
to aid the sister Colony. Capt. John Mason was ap- 
pointed commander of the Connecticut troops, 90 men in 
all, the whole number that Hartford, Wethersfield and 
Windsor could furnish. Uncas, sachem of Mohegan, 
his ally, contributed 70 men. The whole force embarked 
at Hartford, in three small vessels, and fell down the 
river for Saybrook fort. Arrived at what is now Chester, 
the Indians quitted the boats and proceeded on foot. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



They fell in with 40 of the enem}-, killed six, and took 
one prisoner, whom thej' murdered. 

In five da3-s from their departure they reached Say- 
brook fort, ha^ing been delayed several times by one or 
other of the vessels getting aground. Capt. Underbill, 
with 19 men belonging to the garrison, joined the expe- 
dition, and 20 of Mason's men were sent back to protect 
their friends up the river. An account of the expedition 
to the Pequot fort, and the subsequent extermination of 
the tribe, is elsewhere given. 

With the close of these hostilities, the importance of 
the fort began to decline. Lieut. Gardiner, who com- 
manded the garrison, removed in 1639 to Manchanoc, 
now Gardiner's Island, and became the first English set- 
tler in the State of New York. His descendants reside 
on the island to this day, the patent being granted by 
the crown. His son David was born at Saybrook, April 
29, 1636, and is supposed to have been the first white 
child born in the territory which now comprises Middle- 
sex County. In the year before George Fenwiek sold 
the jurisdiction of Sa3'brook, his wife. Lady Anne But- 
ler, commonly called Lady Fenwiek, died. The tomb, 
an unganily structure of brown stone, without inscrip- 
tion, isolated and neglected, remained until very re- 
cently. Capt. John Mason, at the request of the settlers, 
took up his abode at Saj-brook in 1647, and was ap- 
pointed to the command of the fort. He resided there 
for thirteen years, and then removed to assist in the set- 
tlement of Norwich. The country to the west of Say- 
brook became known to the colonists by means of the 
pursuit of Sassacus in that direction ; it opened up fine 
sites on the Sound, and these were speedily occupied. 
Other settlements were formed up the river in a few 
years, but Saybrook must be considered the parent town 
of Middlesex County, and its historical fort the preser- 
vation of all the country within its influence. 

The first inhabitants of Saybrook, who endured the 
trials peculiar to the early settlers, sat under the minis- 
trations of the Rev. John Higginson, whose teachings 
were "suitable, seasonable and profitable, according to 
the then present dispensation of Providence." He ar- 
rived in this country from England in 1629. After 
three or four years' ministrj' in Saybrook, he removed to 
Guilford. The first church was established there in 1643. 
He remained there untU 1660, and then removed to Sa- 
lem, and died on Dec. 9, 1708, in the 93d year of his 
age. The first church in Saybrook was organized in 
1646. Among the early inhabitants distinguished for 
learning and piety, or for some excellence, may be men- 
tioned the Hon. Robert Chapman, ancestor of tlie Chap- 
mans in Saybrook, East Haddam, and other parts of the 



State. He arrived there in 1636, and was a particular 
friend of George Fenwiek while he remained iu the 
country. He died in October, 1687. Mr. John TuUy 
came into the town a lad ; he was possessed with a mind 
original and ingenious ; became a teacher of arithmetic, 
navigation and astronomy, and published the almanacs 
of New England from 1681 to 1702. Mr. David Busli- 
nell, another genius, was the inventor of several ma- 
chines destined to annoy the British shipping in the 
Revolutionary war. He served during the war as a cap- 
tain in a company of sappers and miners. 

The first building in the county designed as a colle- 
giate school was erected here, since named Yale College. 
It was of one story, eighty feet long. Fifteen com- 
mencements were held here, and more than sixtj' young 
men graduated from it. Here, also, a confession of faith' 
was instituted, upon the principles of which the college 
was to be conducted. This was the origin of the famous 
Saybrook Platform in 1708. The college was removed 
from this place to New Haven. 

Encouraged by the security in which Saybrook seemed 
established, and by the Constitution of 1639, which was 
superseded by the more liberal charter of Charles II., a 
committee was appointed to explore the lands in the 
Indian territory of Mattabeset. Sowheag, its great 
sachem, who appears to have been a peaceable man for 
an Indian, ruled the tribes who dwelt within a considera- 
ble circuit on both sides of the river. His stronghold 
was a hill about a mile west of the river, — a position 
dominating the surrounding country. Before any settle- 
ment had commenced, Sowheag negotiated with Gov. 
Haynes for the sale of his territory. The Indian title 
did not, however, become extinct until about twelve 
years after, when certain chiefs, aware of the deed of 
Sowheag, for a further and full consideration disposed of 
all that land " to run from the great river the whole 
breadth east six miles, and from the great river west as 
far as the General Court of Connecticut had granted the 
bounds should extend " ; reserving a tract on the west 
side of the river for Sawsean forever, and three hundred 
acres for the heirs of Sowheag and Mattabeset Indians 
on the east side. 

On Oct. 30, 1646, the General Court appointed a Mr. 
Phelps to join a committee for the planting of Mattabe- 
set. Few settlers came at first, but more towards the 
close of 1651 ; for in Septemlwr of that year the Gen- 
eral Court ordered that Mattabeset should be a town. 
In 1652, the town was represented in the General Court, 
and in November, 1653, the General Court further ap- 
proved "that the name of the plantation commonly 
called Mattabesecfc should, for time to come, be called 



CONNECTICUT. 



345 



Middletown." The name was probably given to it on 
account of its Ijing between the towns up the river and 
Saybrook at its mouth. It has been considered that the 
name was taken from a place in England endeared to 
some of the settlers. This we consider as not very 
prgbable. Who the first settlers were we have not the 
means of ascertaining ; the first few pages in the town 
records are lost, and others are nearly obliterated. The 
number of taxable persons in 1G54 was thirty-one, and 

I sixteen years after they had only increased to fifty-two. 
The planters — as they were called in colonial phrase — 
came from the mother country, Hartford and Wethers- 

j field, and a few from Massachusetts. A large number 

I of the inhabitants of Middletown, at this day, are direct 
descendants from these planters. It may truly be said, 
that in a population of 10,000 persons, their names 
large 1}^ predominate. 

The occupation of these settlers was in fact that of 
planters ; they had no other source of living but the 
products of the soil ; they manufactured their garments 

I for the family ver3' imperfectly, owing to their deficient 
means ; thej^ were scantil}' supplied with fanning imple- 

; ments, and had but few mechanics in the community. 
They reserved a lot worth one hundred pounds as a 
temptation for a blacksmith to cast his lot among them. 
In September, ICGl, one appeared, who agreed to do the 
necessary smithing for the town for four j'ears. The 
condition of their lives never reached ordinary comfort 
for half a century. Trade was carried on by barter. 
In 1680, they only owned one small vessel of 70 tons ; 
onlj' one other was owned on the river, and that at Hart- 
ford, of 90 tons. Half a century later, two vessels 
only were owned here ; their united tonnage, 105 tons. 
There was only one merchant here in 1680, and only 24 
in the entire Connecticut Colony. They are mentioned in 
Gov. Leete's Eeport to the Board of Trade and Planta- 
tions in England, as doing but little business. Their 
condition must have been hard and difficult indeed, but 
they were neither better nor worse than the colonists of 
New England in general. The settlement was divided 
into two parts, with the Little Elver, a narrow stream 
falling into the Connecticut, between them. That por- 
tion to the north of the stream was called The Upper 
Houses ; that to the south. The Lower Houses. The 
Upper Houses of those days is now the town of Crom- 
well. On Feb. 2d, 1052, it was voted by the town that 
a meeting-house should be built; it was only " twenty 
feet square, ten from sill to plate, and was enclosed with 
palisades." In May, 1680, the second meeting-house 
was erected, "thirty-two feet square, and fifteen feet 
between joints." 



The population of the Upper Houses increased so 
much that in January, 1703, "the town agreed they 
might settle a minister and build a meeting-house, pro- 
vided they settled a minister within six, or at most 
twelve months from that time." In May of the same 
year, the Upper Houses were incorporated as a parish. 
By slow degrees, the inhabitants began to spread out 
over the neighboring country ; a settlement was begun 
in Middlefield in 1700, and in Westfleld in 1720. The 
former did not become a parish until 1744, and West- 
field not until 176G. On the east side of the Connecti- 
cut, now the site of Portland, no parish was formed 
until May, 1714, although the land was of good quahty. 
It was then called East Middletown. Middle Haddam, 
in the south-eastern part of the township, was not 
formed into a parish until May, 1749. It was mostly 
settled by people from East Middletown. East Hamp- 
ton, another settlement in the south-east corner of the 
township, was incorporated in May, 1746. 

The next township in the order of date, and that a 
very interesting one, is Haddam, settled in 1662. It 
covered that tract of country lying between the confines 
of Middletown to the north, and Saybrook to the south. 
Some nidividuals contemplated this settlement two years 
before. The legislature appointed a committee to pur- 
chase the tract from the Indians. This was completed 
in 1662 for the consideration of 30 coats, probably 
worth $100, the Indians reserving Thirty-Mile Island, so 
called from being that distance from the mouth of the 
Connecticut, as the river runs, and 40 acres at Patta- 
quonk, now Chester meadows ; also the right of fishing 
and hunting where they pleased, provided they did not 
injure the settlers. Twenty-eight young men settled 
upon these lands ; but they soon discovered that they 
were interfered with by their northern line encroaching 
upon the territorj' confirmed to Middletown, and a con- 
siderable tract to the south encroached on that claimed 
by Saybrook, owing, no doubt, to the loose manner in 
which the Indians held their original right. The legis- 
lature settled the difficulty, in 1668, by advising the con- 
testants to divide the disputed territory equall}^, and 
the division was made accordingly. The settlers do not 
seem to have been fully satisfied by this reduction of 
their purchase, for the legislature, in 1673, granted them 
as compensation all that tract of land on the east side 
of the river, now the township of East Haddam. They 
came from Hartford, Wethersfield and Windsor, and 
the descendants of most of them are in the town or its 
vicinity to this day. 

Town privileges were accorded them in 1668, and the 
settlement was called Haddam, after a place in England. 



IIISTOEY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



Shortly after this, Richard Walkley from Hartford, John 
Bates, William Sco^•ill and others joined the settlement. 
On Feb. 11, 1G86, a patent was granted to the town by 
the Assembly, confirming the settlers and their heirs 
forever in the possession of all the lands, appurtenances 
and privileges previously granted. The growth of popu- 
lation was exceedinglj' slow ; for 40 years the inhabi- 
tants were confined to the western bank of the river. 

The ancestors of the families of Dickinson, Hubbard 
and Ray settled here about the commencement of the 
last century ; and at later periods, those of the famihes 
of Lewis, Hazleton, Tjier, Higgins, Thomas, Knowles 
and Burr. The Indians appear to have had no specific 
name for the township at large ; the northern part they 
called " Higganompos," since changed to Higganum. 
The western part they called " Cockaponset," since 
changed to Punset. Thej^ remained on their reservation 
at Pattaquonk and Thh'ty-Mile Island for man}- years ; 
a few had a place of resort in a hollow on Haddam 
Neck, within the township on the east side of the river. 
Some were in existence within the memory of people 
who were living in the early part of the present century. 
With that due regard for the maintenance of public 
worship which ever distinguished the early colonists, 
the proprietors reserved one right for whoever should be 
their first minister, and another right for the support of 
the ministi-y forever. David Brainerd, the missionary, 
direct descendant of Daniel Brainerd, one of the ori- 
ginal settlers, was born in this town in 1716. His efl'orts 
to christianize the Indians in different parts of North 
America have been highlj' praised. In Great Britain 
he was considered a model missionary. 

In October, 1663, it was resolved by the legislature 
that the tract of ground to the west of Saybrook, known 
by the name of Hammonasset, should be formed into a 
township. Twelve planters moved into it the same 
month; in two or three j'ears they were joined by 16 
others, and the town was divided into 30 rights ; viz., 
one each for the settlers, one for the first minister who 
should be settled there, and the last for the support of 
the ministry forever. 

In 1667, the new township was called KenU worth, 
after the celebrated Kenilworth in England ; according 
to tradition, the first settlers emigrated from there. The 
name is so written in the earlj- records of the town and 
Colon}-. By coiTupt spelling or worse pronunciation 
the romantic Kenilworth has been changed into the 
unmeaning Killingworth. 

The Indians were very numerous in the southern part 
of this township ; they dwelt on the shores of the Sound, 
and on the banks of the small streams, immense masses of 



shells now indicating their places of resort. While Col. 
Fenwick lived at Saybrook he bought up most of their 
lands. On Nov. 20, 1669, Uncas, the Mohegan sachem, 
disposed of the remainder of his lands in the township 
to the settlers, resenang six acres on the east side of the 
harbor, and the usual liberty of hunting and fishing. 
They lived here in great numbers to 1730 or 1740. 

" On the 26th of January, 1686, the Assemblj- granted 
to the inhabitants of this town, the lands north of their 
bounds, and of the bounds of Guilford, and west of 
Haddam, up to Cochincaug swamps ; which, by agree- 
ment, were surrendered to the township of Durham in 
1708." 

Durham being an outlying section was very diflficult of 
settlement. The lands were purchased from the Indians 
by Samuel Wj-llys and others on Jan. 24, 1672. 

The colonists do not appear to have been verj- expert 
surveyors ; the grants from the legislature when measured, 
in some cases, encroached upon others, and in the case of 
Durham, the grant was not suflBcient, — a large tract being 
left out. The legislature granted many lots or farms 
in it to persons who had rendered distinguished services 
to the Colony, and in this waj' 5,000 acres became the 
property of people who were not resident there. The 
difficulty was ultimately adjusted by the patent granted 
by the legislature in May, 1708. 

The colonists soon manifested their maritime inclina- 
tions. It has alreadj^ been said that in 1730 only two 
vessels of small tonnage were owned on the river. 
Shipbuilding began on the eastern side of the stream in 
the neighborhood of Middletown and the settlement of 
Haddam. " The first vessel built in Chatham parish 
was launched in October, 1741 ; this was a schooner of 
90 tons," supposed to have been built at Lewis's yard, 
where manj- A-essels have since been built. 

Shipbuilding was begun at Churchel's yard in 1795. 
From the beginning of 1806 to the close of 1816, 12,500 
tons of shipping were buUt here. In this parish were 
built, during the Revolution, the "Trumbull" of 700 tons, 
36 guns, and the "Bourbon" of 900 tons. Other war 
vessels of large capacitj' were subsequently built. 

In the yards at Middle Haddam, 18 ships, 9 brigs, 11 
schooners and 1 sloop were built from 1805 to 1815, 
amounting to 9,200 tons. Shipbuilding appears to have 
been done on the west shore of the river, — at Middle- 
town, Higganum and Haddam. Out of this shipbuilding 
enterprise grew the West India trade. Prior to the 
Revolutionarj- war, the shipping was mostly employed in 
West Indian adventure. Several merchants at Middle- 
town embarked in the trade, exporting mules, cattle, corn 
and meal, and importing, in turn, molasses, sugar and 



CONNECTICUT. 



rum. This trade not only enriched the firms who were 
engaged in it but stimulated commerce in the county 
generally. By this time the best parts of the lands had 
been gotten under cultivation, the necessary stock could 
be raised for exportation, and the gi'owth of cereals was 
more than the inhabitants could consume. Ever3'thing 
favored the West Indian trade. Articles of the most 
useful description were brought to the doors of the 
colonists. Large numbers of families were maintained 
by the necessary labor to pursue the trade, — the county 
alone did not present a field large enough to consume 
the valuable imports, so by opening up the roads they 
carried the cargoes across the mountains to distant 
places in New England ; the merchants became their 
own carriers, and an ordinarily quiet agricultural com- 
munity soon became transformed into enterprising mer- 
chant adventurers. They were on the highway to wealth, 
and many attained it. 

The Revolutionary war suspended but did not destroy 
this trade. It was resumed with great vigor after the 
war, and did not finally decline till 1812. Small as the 
population of Middletown, Haddam and the other towns 
must have been at the breaking out of the war of inde- 
pendence, yet they appear to have contributed their full 
quota of men and means, and to have borne a most dis- 
tinguished part in the military achievements in which 
they were engaged. The passage of the Boston Port 
Bill by the British Parliament, and the arrival of Gen. 
Gage in May, 1774, to enforce it by stopping the trade 
of the town, caused the patriots of this county to rise in 
righteous indignation. On the 15th of June of the same 
year, 500 inhabitants of the township of Middletown 
assembled and passed ringing and patriotic resolutions. 

It is not known whether the other towns passed such 
resolves, but the evidence is sufficient that they shared the 
same sentiments, and were faithful in sustaining them. 
The delegates from Massachusetts on their way to the 
first Continental Congress, stopped at Middletown. Dr. 
Rawson, Mr. Alsop, Mr. Mortimer, Mr. Henshaw and 
others, called upon them to pay their respects. They 
assured the delegates that they would abide by the deci- 
sion of the Congress "even to a total stoppage of trade 
to Europe and the West Indies." Nothing could be more 
patriotic, as the gentlemen who made the assertion were 
very deeply interested in the West India trade. What- 
ever laws were passed by the Colonial Assembly for the 
safety or governance of the people, committees were 
immediately fonned to ascertain if they were attended to 
or to see their provisions carried into efiect. One thing 
they particularly did ; to see that the inhabitants took 
the oath of fidelity to the State, and the records of the 



towns of Middletown and Chatham, year after year, 
abound with such subscriptions. It was discovered, early 
in the war, that Washington required regular soldiers and 
not militia, and Continental battalions were ordered by 
the State. The towns of this county filled up their quota 
cheerfully ; they did much for the support of the families 
of the soldiers by assigning them to the care of com- 
mittees or of iniiividuals. Chatham and Middletown, in 
1777, voted that the selectmen distribute to the officers' 
and soldiers' families, the salt belonging to the town as 
they should think it needed. In 1779, Middletown voted 
that every man in the town that has a team, be desired 
to furnish the light dragoons with wood. 

Return Jonathan Meigs raised a company of light 
infantry in Middletown in 1774, and in 1775 he was 
appointed captain. Immediatel}' after the news of Lex- 
ington, he marched his company "completely uniformed 
and equipped," to the environs of Boston. Capt. Sage 
was there with his troop, and Capt. Silas Dunham with a 
military company from Chatham. At this time the miU- 
tia companies in Middletown and Chatham were formed 
into a regiment. In May, 1776, " large detachments of 
militia were ordered to hold themselves in readiness to 
march at the shortest notice, for the defence of any por- 
tion of Connecticut, or other adjoining Colonies." In 
June, seven regiments were ordered to join the anny in 
New York ; James Wadsworth, Jr., of Durham, was 
appointed brigadier-general, and among the seven colo- 
nels then appointed, was Comfort Sage of Middletown, 
who went with his troop at Boston the year before. Mid- 
dlesex County not being in the theatre of war, her inhab- 
itants never ceased in their efi'orts, military or commis- 
sary, to contribute their utmost to the common cause. 
The drafts of militia ordered to New York in August, 
included the militia of Middletown and Chatham. The 
brigades were commanded bj' Maj. Gen. Joseph Spencer 
of East Haddam, by Brig. Gen. James Wadsworth of 
Durham, and Samuel H. Parsons of Middletown. " They 
signalized themselves in all the achievements," and were 
distinguished as well for tlioir suflerings as their valor. 
So great was the strain upon the resources of the country' 
in 1776, that no less than five drafts were made upon the 
militia of the State. If we begin with the inquiry. 
Who went to the war from the towns in Middlesex 
County ? we would end by inquiring, Who did not go ? 

The towns of this county endured also their share of 
privation and captivity, and sufl'ered their proportion 
of loss in killed and wounded. The prisoners who were 
kept on board the horrible prison ships in New York, 
were largely from these towns. Many li\'ing on the Con- 
necticut River embarked in the tempting but hazardous 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAJCD. 



business of privateering. The sloop-of-war, " Sampson," 
built at Higganum, Tvas commissioned for this purpose. 
She was captured, and the officers and crew, 100 in 
all, were consigned to the old prison-ship "Jersey." 
The commander, Capt. Da\'id Brooks, Lieut. Shubael 
Brainerd, and several men died there. 

Middlesex County produced a distinguished soldier. 
Gen. Return Jonathan Meigs, bom in Middletown. In 

I 1775, he accompanied Arnold's expedition up the Ken- 
nebec to Quebec, and has left the best account of that 
perilous and ill-starred undertaking. He was taken pris- 
oner, and on being exchanged in 1777, was appointed 
lieutenant-colonel, with power to raise a regiment. He 
was then selected to undertake what proved to be one 
of the many dashing minor exploits of the war, no less 
than the surprisal and capture of a body of the enemy 
stationed at Sag Harbor, L. I. He crossed the Sound 
with 230 men in thirteen whale-boats, and arrived within 
three mOes of Sag Harbor at one o'clock at night. 

They attacked the enemy at five ditferent places. Hav- 
ing come within twenty rods of them in the greatest 
silence and order, they rushed upon them with fixed bay- 
onets and captured the whole ; another company mean- 
while securing the wharf and the shipping. Six of the 

j enemy were killed, 90 taken prisoners, twelve vessels 
destroyed and a large amount of forage and pro%'isions. 
Col. Meigs recrossed the Sound with his prisoners, and 
arrived at Guilford in twenty-five hours from the time he 
left it, without the loss of a man. Congress presented 
the brave commander with an elegant sword. He after- 
wards commanded one of the regiments which assisted 
in capturing Stony Point. It is worthy of mention, 
showing the spirit in which non-combatants supported the 
war, that the people of Durham sent two oxen to Gen. 
Washington at Valley Forge. They were driven through 
a country almost exhausted by the war, yet one of them 
weighed 2,270 pounds, after a journey of nearly 500 
miles. After the war the count}' greatlj- suffered from 
the depreciation and finally the total collapse of the Con- 
tinental scrip or paper monej'. The mercantile portion 
of the population returned to their West Indian trade, 
which flourished as ^-igorously as ever until the war of 
1812. 

Ship-building was carried on energetically, and the 
fisheries were extended ; farms began to midtiply, and 
the population soon repaii-ed the waste of war-. The 
numerous streams running into the Connecticut and the 
Sound were utilized as means of manufacture, and an- 

\ other interest destined in the future to assume large pro- 
portions was coming steadily into favor; viz., the Port^ 

j land quarries. The towns we have been describing were 



taken to form the county in 1785, just after the close of 
the war, Durham being added in 1799. 

Of the naval force employed by the United States in 
the war of 1812, the citizens of the river towns of Mid- 
dlesex County, contributed largely in men and material, 
and although the Connecticut was not within the field 
of general operations, it was the scene of a foray by 
vessels from the enemy's fleet then blockading New Lon- 
don. On the 7th of April. 1814, two of these anchored 
off Saybrook bar in the evening, and despatched two 
launches, each canying 9 or 12 pound carronades and 50 
to 60 men, and four barges with 25 men each, under the 
command of Lieut. Coote, thoroughly supplied with 
torches and combustible materials for the work of 
destruction the}- meditated, and which unfortunatel}- they 
accomplished. They were seen to enter the mouth of 
the river at 11 o'clock, and many of their men entered 
the old fort which was altogether abandoned and 
neglected. They rowed between five and six miles, and 
arrived at their destination, Pautapong Point, at four 
o'clock in the morning, when the work of conflagration 
was immediatel}' begun. Pickets of the enemy searched 
the houses for arms and ammunition, while the main 
force was busy setting fire to the vessels in the river and 
those on the stocks. At 10 o'clock, Fridaj-the 8th, Ihey 
retreated, taking with them a brig, a schooner and two 
sloops. The wind shifting directly contrai-y, they set 
fire to the brig and the sloops, and anchored the schooner 
a mile and a quarter from where they had taken her. 
Twenty-two vessels and other property, computed in all 
at §160,000, were destroyed. The British were all day 
in the river, and did not succeed in gaining their ship- 
ping until 10 o'clock at night. They were opposed by 
forces collected on both banks, but the opposition was 
only annoying and not efllectual. Had the fort which 
played such an important part in the early days of the 
settlers been mounted and properly garrisoned, the Brit- 
ish probably would not have undertaken the expedition. 

With the close of this war, the last remnants of the 
West India trade, which had been carried on so long and 
so prosperously, died out. The merchants principally 
engaged in the business at different periods of its rise 
and decline were, Richard Alsop, George Phillips, Mat- 
thew Talcot, Elijah and Nehcmiah Hubbard, Lemuel 
Storrs, George and Thompson Phillips, Gen. Comfort 
Sage, of Revolutionary renown, and Joseph W. Alsop, 
all of Middletown. The growth of the county from this 
period partakes of the growth of the age. Quarrying 
and carrying the brownstone of the celebrated Portland 
quarries became an immense business, quite a lai^e fleet 
until very recently being employed in it. Quarrying 



CONNECTICUT. 



another kind of stone at Haddam, largely increased the 
industrj- of the river. Small steamboats began to pl3- 
between Hartford and Saybrook. and a line of first-class 
Sound steamboats now 
maintains the traffic be- 
tween Hartford and Ne\\ 
York. The southern 
part of the count\ is 
cut b3' the Shore Line 
Railroad between New- 
Haven and New Lon- 
don, crossing the Con- 
necticut between Saj- 
brook and Lyme, I13 a 
magnificent bridge with 
a large draw in the cen- 
tre. The Valley Rail- 
road skirts the -western 
shore of the river from 
Hartford to Saylirook 
r.,iut. The direct Air 
Line Railroatl from New 
Haven to AVillimantic 
crosses the river at Mid- 

dletown over a magnificent structure constructed with ' England cities. It stands on a large bend of the Con- 

a diaw. I necticut, on its -western shore, and runs backward to the 

Churches, colleges, schnnls. nErricnltnrp and mannfar- i hill-tous for tlm di^tnnr-e of n milo. The traveller can 

tures flourish see but little 




HIGH STKFIT, MIDDLETOW^ 



in moments of -nctory or in periods of disaster. They 
contributed their utmost in material as -well as in men, 
and were never behind the larger cities in their efforts to 
promote the welfare of 
the national cause. Di- 
rect descendants of the 
earl J' settlers have laid 
their lives on the altar 
of Uberty in 1776, 1812 
and 1861 ; they have 
assisted in creating and 
sustaining other Terri- 
tories and States in the 
far West, true to the 
motto of Connecticut, 
that ' ' he who trans- 
plants still sustains." 



Towns. 

MiDDLETOWN, a half- 
shire town of Middlesex 
County, and a port of 
entrj-, is one of the 
most beautiful of New 



equal to the 
requirements if 
of the da}-. ^ 
The popula- 
tion of the 
county at the 
last census i .f 
1^70, was::' .- 
117. Mirldh- 

sox is but a 
small county 
in a small 
State, whirh 
has nobl}' an- 
swered to the 
calls of duty 
in all cases of 
national exi- 
gency, and 
especially' in 
the late civil 




of the city 

from any of 

:*- approach- 

Iv lanl 



jpl(t(h !>, 
It I mbosomed 1 
m till foliage [ 
of tin maple 
and tht elm 
which ha■^ 
iwin to It 
th. ^M\\ 111(1 
n 1 name of 
lli( Ioi.-.t 
(1 , "ol Ni« 
England. The 
population of 
the town is 
11,14.3. It 
was incorpo- 

war. The several towns sent their hundreds to the field of I rated as a city in 1784. Its colleges and schools, its 
honor, where thej- ever distinguished themselves whether numerous spires, its enterprising industries and numerous 



WESLETAN CNIVEBSITY, MIDDLETO-flTN. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



banks, all tell the stoiy of the collected wealth of two 
centuries. High Street, 180 feet above the river, is 
built up of costly and elegant residences, set in the 
most cultivated horticultural grounds. The arching 
sweep of the elms forms a superb vista of enchanting 
foliage. The view from this street is sui-jjassingl}' beau- 
tiful. The Wesleyan Universitj' fronts on High Street. 
The buildings which comprise it stand a little distance 
from the street, and in a straight line ; the intermediate 
space of lawn, trees and gravel walks forming a fine 
campus. The buildings are chiefly of brownstone from 
the adjacent quarries at Portland. The most modern of 
these, erected at the exj^ense of Orange Judd, Esq., is 
the Orange Judd Hall of Science. Its museum of 
natural history' and ethnology is very extensive and 
remarkably well arranged under the supervision of Prof. 
W. N. Rice. The Scientific Association of Middletown 
holds its meetings here once a month. The library' con- 
tains about 27,000 volumes, and is endowed with a fund 
for its continued increase. The Memorial Chapel is 
enriched with a graceful spire, which makes quite a 
landmark for miles around. The observatorj- is fur- 
nished with a splendid telescope by Clark. There are 
about 180 students and a large bod^' of professors. Dr. 
CjTus D. Foss, is the efficient president. 

The Berkeley Divinitj' School, on Main Street, is 
designed for the training of J'oung men for the ministr}- 
of the Episcopalian Church. The Right Rev. John Wil- 
liams, D. D., bishop of Connecticut, is the president 
and dean. Attached to the school is a beautiful Gothic 
chapel, the gift of Mrs. Thomas D. Mutter, as a memo- 
rial of her husband, in which ser^aces are held daily. 

Middletown has long been famous for her schools. 
The high school draws a large number of scholars from 
all parts of the county, and every year graduates a 
large class. The building is most convenient and sub- 
stantial, built of brick, with brownstone facings, and 
having two wings. The CathoUcs maintain a good par- 
ish school, wliich is well attended, and a most excellent 
convent school, under the charge of the Sisters of 
Mercy. The private schools of Middletown contribute 
tlieir share to the educational reputation of the city. 

The churches compare well with those of larger cities. 
The first church was established in 1661, and for a 
ceuturj' the people were chiefly Congregationalists. 
Other denominations gradually crept in, and at the 
present day, the leading religious orders are well repre- 
sented. The town is improved by fom- church edifices 
of considerable architectural pretensions ; one of them, 
the most modern, the First Congregational Church, — 
known as the North Church, — is as graceful and as 



imposing a church edifice as anj' in the State. Its spire, 
reaching to a great height, is beautiful in its proportions. 
The South Congregational, the Episcopal and the Roman 
Catholic chm'ches are also of fine architectural design. 

Middletown is the centre of the monetary institutions 
of the county, and contains seven banking institutions 
and two flourishing insurance companies. 

On a commanding eminence in the south-east part of 
the town, overlooking the river and city, and embracing 
a wide and varied prospect, stands the State hospital for 
the insane. No site could be more appropriate or better 
adapted for the humane puiposes of such an institution. 
The building, of Portland brownstone, is a most impos- 
ing one, and a conspicuous feature in the landscape for 
man}' miles. 

On an eminence in the western part of the town is 
another State institution : the Industrial School for Girls, 
established in 1870, designed for the care and education 
of homeless and neglected girls from 8 to 21 j-ears of 



The educational facilities of Middletown are consider- 
ably enhanced by the Free Russell Library, the generous 
gift of Mrs. Samuel Russell, in memory of her husband. 

Middletown has several cemeteries and old buiying- 
grounds. In an old cemetery' in the south part of the 
town the grave-stone can be seen of Capt. Return Jona- 
than Meigs and his family. In another is the tomb of 
Commodore McDonough, the hero of Lake Champlain. 
The principal cemetery, and one of the most beautiful in 
the State, is situated on Indian Hill. The prospect 
from the summer-house on the crest commands the amphi- 
theatre of hills which surround it at a distance of four 
miles. Above these can be seen the ranges of the more 
distant hills until they gradually lose themselves in the 
dim forms of Mount Tom and Mount Holyokc in Mas- 
sachusetts. A wide sweep of the river is in full view in 
the midst of a most charming pastoral country. The 
smoke of distant cities may be seen, and although Mid- 
dletown lies at its feet, nothing more than the spires are 
in sight, on account of the trees. The cemetery is 
beautifully laid out in gravel walks ; the monuments are 
elegant, and manj' of them verj' costly, several being 
made of the polished Scotch granite. There is a fine 
monument in memory of Maj. Gen. Mansfield, U. S. A., 
who fell leading his brigade at Antictam. A brownstone 
chapel, Gothic in design, which all denominations can 
use, is another of the gifts of the benevolent Mrs. Samuel 
Russell. 

Middletown has extensive and varied manufactures. 
Among the leading establishments may be mentioned the 
Russell Manufacturing Company, which makes heavy 



CONNECTICUT. 



cotton belting and hose for mill purposes, suspenders 
and webbing ; Messrs. W. & B. Douglas, the oldest and 
largest pump-makers in the world ; the Middletown Plate, 
the Victor Sewing-Machine, the Wilcox Lock Manufac- 
turing and the Stiles and Parker Press companies. Be- 
side these there are manufactures of silk, hardware, 
saddlery and harness trimmings, articles from bone and 
ivory, &c. 

The city is a central point for railroad communication, 
and has considerable coasting trade in coal, u-on, and 
other heavy materials. Staddle Hill, an outlying district 
of IMiddletown, contains the largest waterfall in the 
county, and several factories. ' 

Chatham, so called, from its shipbuilding, after Chat- 
ham in England, embraces the villages of Middle Haddam, 
Cobalt and East Hampton. It has a population of 2,771 . 

Cobalt takes itN 

name from a min- 
eral discovered I 

there in 1762. |^ 
East Hampton is 
the great seat of 
industry- of Chat- 
ham township. In 
this small place, 
nestled among the 
bold and rugged 
hills of the gran- 
ite formation, is 
made nearly ev- 
erj' sleigh-bell 
which now tinkles 
throughout North 
America. Those made in other places are manufactured 
by men from East Hampton. It was not until 1 743 that 
East Hampton was settled, the gi-eat attraction being the 
beautiful sheet of water known as Pocotopogue Lake, 
one of the prettiest in the State. In the same year a 
forge was established at the outlet of the lake. 

Iron was in great demand at this time for shipbuilding 
and for other purposes, and for the first forty years the 
business done at this forge was considerable. The village 
owes its importance, however, to the fact that William 
Barton moved hero in 1808, and introduced the manufac- 
ture of sleigh and hand bells. lie had worked with his 
father in the armory at Springfield during the Revolu- 
tionarj' war, and had acquired considerable experience in 
the casting of metals, to which he added great mechani- 
cal skill. The business he introduced expanded ; others 
shared the benefit of his industry, and thus the founder 
gave to East Hampton its pecuharlj- distinctive charac- 




&REAT LXCiVATIO 



ter. He died in East Hampton July 15, 1849. His 
grandson, WiUiam E. Barton, is now engaged in the 
same manufacture. It maj' be taken for granted that 
almost every house and hand bell and gong bell in use 
comes from this village. Toy bells are also made on a 
large scale. 

Pocotopogue Lake is resorted to in the summer months 
by many tourists, attracted by the fishing for which this 
sheet of water is famous. The landscape is grandly set 
oflFby a beautiful island in the centre of the lake, covered 
with a crown of foliage, and once a gi-eat resort of the 
aborigines, as shown by the numerous Indian relics which 
have been discovered there. W. G. Buel, a descendant 
of one of the earlier settlers, and proprietor of the Poco- 
topogue House, where he has been for 50 j-ears, has col- 
lected quite a museum of natural curiosities fi-ora the 
sun'ounding dis- 
^^r^^^S; trict and from 
all parts of the 
world. 

Middle Had- 
dam, a place of 
landing on the 
river, is a highly- 
respectable vil- 
lage, once the 
busy scene of a 
large shipbuild- 
ing industry. It 
formerly sent 
great quantities 
of cord wood to 
New York. 

Portland, with a population of 4,094, so called after 
Portland, Eng., on account of its famous quarries of 
brown sandstone, is invested with national interest. The 
township is mostly agricultural. Shipbuilding is carried 
on at Gildersleeve's Landing on the Connecticut, where 
many vessels of large tonnage have been constructed. 
Its world-renowned and um-ivaUed quarries are situated 
on the banks of the river, occupying a frontage of nearly 
two miles. They yield a hard and durable brown sand- 
stone, similar in grain and color to the stone quarried at 
Portland, Eng. There are three companies, whose 
property is contiguous. The Middlesex Companj', own- 
ing the quarry situated highest up the river, is the largest 
of the three, and does an immense business. The middle 
quarry is worked and owned by Brainerd & Co., and the 
quarry to the south of this is carried on by the Shaler 
& Hall Compan}-. These quarries have been in opera- 
tion for two centuries. The excavations, reaching iu 



IDDLESLX QUARRY, PORTLAND 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



many instances to a depth of 150 feet from the original 
surface, cover 40 acres. It was ascertained by means 
of the diamond drill that at a depth of 313 feet below 
the deepest point of excavation, the stone still ran down- 
wards. In seasons of ordinary trade, the three com- 
panies employ 1,500 men, work 250 cattle and 100 
horses, and, with their own and chartered vessels, make 
quite a fleet, which conveys the stone to all the principal 
cities on the Atlantic seaboard. The gravestones of the 
early settlers for miles round the country, and even on 
Long Island, were made of stone from these quarries. 
The oldest stone we know in the old liur\iii<;-tii-ouiiil of 




STRATA OF EOCKb IN 



AND CU S ULAKKi PUKTLAND 



The landscape is rugged and mountainous, but the 
wealthy growth of trees which covers the surface, even to 
the mountain ridges, gives it a most romantic and charm- 
ing aspect. The granite is quarried from the hill-tops, 
just a little below the surface, and, in busy seasons, is the 
principal source of wealth of many families. It is harder 
than the brown sandstone of Portland, and not so well 
adapted to the finer operations of the cliisel. It is in 
great demand for pavements and curbing, also for steps 
and other portions of buildings. Vessels in connection : 
with the quarry convey the stone to the different Atlantic ! 
ports. 

Haddam has long been noted for 
its academj"-, founded by one of the 
many Brainerds. It is a fine struc- i 
tuie of gray stone, and has done 
,uat service to the community in its 
time. 

Higganum, quite a large village in 
the township, enjoys great manufac- 
tuiiug facilities on account of the 
stieam of the same name which falls 
into the Connecticut. Here are made 
I lie jiloughs by the Higganuin Manu- 
1 Ktuiing Company, which have con- 
tiibuttd so much to the fame of 
\iueiican agricultural implements at i 
lume and abroad. The Russell Man- j 
111 ictuiing Companj- has quite an ex- 
tensi\e mill here, and Sco^-ille Broth- 
els make a hoe which has acquired 
some celebrity. Haddam Neck, a 
1 1 )untainous strip of land across 
(liL Connecticut, also belongs to this 
to^^nship. It was organized in i 



MidcUetown bears the date 1698, as clear and legible 
as when it left the hands of the mason. Portland stone 
resists the effects of atmosphere and fire better than any 
other building-stone. This was proved by the great fires 
of Chicago and Boston. 

Portland maintains veiy good schools and churches of 
the different denominations. The new Episcopalian 
church, built of the quarry stone, is one of the most com- 
plete and handsome in the State. 

John Stancliff was the first white man who lived among 
the Indians on the Portland side of the river. He took 
up his residence here in 1C90. 

Haddam, population 2,000, is the other half-shire town 
of Middlesex County. It possesses a very fine granite 
quarry, which has been in operation for several years. 



East Haddam i.-; a township of about 3,000 inhabi- 
tants, on the east side of the Connecticut, embracing the 
villages of East Haddam, Moodus, Leesville and Milling- 
ton. It is built on a high bank of the river, dense with 
foliage, and the village is consequently hid from the 
traveller on the river. It has two landing-places ; the 
upper landing to the north and Goodspeed's Landing to 
the south. The latter takes its name from a gentleman 
of most active business enteqmse, who has materially 
enlarged the influence of the town bj' his spirited under- 
takings. He is a principal proprietor in the line of 
steamboats running between Hartford and New York, 
maintained by three handsome and powerful Long Island 
Sound boats, Goodspeed's (in local parlance) being their 
headquarters. Mr. Goodspeed has erected a palatial- 



CONNECTICUT. 



looking structure on the landing. The surface of the 
township is rocli\', hillj' and romantic, being in the very 
heart of the granite formation. Tobacco is grown in 
large quantities. Luther Boardman & Son conduct a 
plated-spoon manufacture on a large scale, which fur- 
nishes emploj-mcnt to a great many hands. The vicinitj' 
of the landings is the central point for all the business of 
the town, the products of the interior being brought here 
for shipment. The Maplewood Seminar}- has attained a 
great and well-deserved degree of celebrity. Students 
from all parts of the Union come here to receive 
a thorough musical education. In connection with 
the seminar}' is an extensive opera- 
house. 

Moodus is quite a thriving manu- 
facturing village, and noted for its 
cotton-mills. Any sketch of this vil- 
lage vrould be considered incomplete 
without some reference to the loud 
noises proceeding from some, as yet. 
unexplained natural causes. Thi \ 
appear to issue from a mountain near 
the village, and have been heard more 
or less frequentl}' from the time of tlio 
early settlers. The Indians called the 
place Mackimoodus, meaning the place 
of noises. Mr. Ilosmer, the first min- 
ister of the town, saj'S in a letter to 
Mr. Prince of Boston, dated Aug. 13, 
1729: "I have mjself heard eight 
or ten sounds successively, and imi- 
tating small arms, in the space of five 
minutes." He states further that he 
has heard them by several hundreds 
within twentv years, some more or less 
terrible ; that thej- first imitate slow 
thunder, come nearer, and then exploding with a noise 
like cannon shot, " shake houses and all that is in 
them." 

Ordinary grumblings they called Moodus noises ; the 
heavier explosions of sound they called earthquakes. 
They were terrific in 1791, and since then appear to have 
gradually- subsided. 

Old Saybrook, the parent of the county, with a popu- 
lation of only 1,200, is the headquarters of the shad- 
fishery, the home of retired sea-captains and private 
families, and a great resort of excursionists and tourists 
in the summer. Its principal street is broad, and the 
houses indicate respectable and wealthy owners, which 
give the place a verj' retired, but very aristocratic air. 
The tomb of Ladj' Fcnwick, which has stood for two 



centuries on the point of Saj'brook, in the vicinity of the 
old fort, and which was visible from the river, has at last 
disappeared. It was removed, we believe, to make room 
for the railroad from Hartford, which has its terminus 
here, and a handsome modern monument was erected on 
another spot in lieu thereof. A company has built a very 
fine hotel on the point, called the Fenwick Hotel. 

A lighthouse is close to the mouth of the river, the bar 
which forms just outside being dangerous to vessels of 
heavy draught. The bar was a great source of danger 
and discouragement in the times of the early settlers. 

Essex, a riverside town, with 1,664 inhabitants, was 




formerly a parish of Saybrook. It enjoys considerable 
commerce, and has every convenience for coasting ves- 
sels and fishing craft laying up for the winter, bj- means 
of two large coves connected with the river. The strip 
of land between the coves is known as Pautopoug Point, 
the scene of the destruction committed b}- the British in 
the war of 1812. The spires of the churches built close 
together on the hill-top, which commands the town, are 
well-known objects to travellers on the Connecticut. The 
granite formation begins to lose itself here, and the 
scenery to change ; the wooded heights giving place to a 
more level landscape. 

Centre Brook, a village in the township, two miles 
inland, boasts a national reputation on account of its 
extensive and exclusive business in the manufacture of 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



articles in ivory. Cheney, Comstock & Co. employ a 
very large capital in the enterprise. The machinery 
used for cutting and preparing the ivory for work, and 
for executing the delicate processes of manufacture of 
which ivory is capable, is of the most costly and in- 
genious description. The glass sheds, with then- roofs 
sloping to the south, would extend the length of an ordi- 
nary city street. In these, the thin strips of ivory are 
placed for the purpose of bleaching in the sun. Both 
faces are bleached and also the sides ; this process alone 
is a work of time. The ivory is received direct from 
Africa by the importer in New York, and every tusk finds 
its way into this district. Chenej', Comstock & Co. run 
two extensive estabhshments, one for the manufacture of 
combs, and other small articles, such as billiard balls, 
fans, paper-cutters, rules, and such fancy ornaments as 
fashion may demand ; the other exclusively for the manu- 
facture of keys for pianos and organs, and also for the 
keyboard complete. With the trifling exception of some 
German hand-woi-k in New York, or articles of import, 
the ivory keys used all over America come from this little 
inland village of Centre Brook. 

Cromwell, a small town of nearlj' 2,000 inhabitants, 
lies to the north of Middletown, and was known as 
Upper Middletown until it was made a separate township 
in 1851. The strata of the Portland quarries, on the 
opposite side of the Connecticut, run under the bed of 
the river and crop out again in the centre of the village, 
where a large brownstone quarry has been excavated, 
and has materiall}' enhanced its interests. Toys and 
other hardware and lamps are manufactured here on a 
large scale. A private asylum for the insane has re- 
cently been established in this town. The first cotton 



goods ever shipped to China were made here by Henry 
G. Bowers, about the time of the second war with 
England. 

MiDDLEFiELD, a parish of Middletown, but recently 
formed into a separate township, contains a population 
of about 1 ,000. It is a verj" fertile part of the county 
containing largo level and undulating pasture-lands. 
Some of the best cattle in the State are bred here. 

In the more elevated parts of the town a laige reser- 
voir, secured by a dam of powerful construction, has 
been constructed to supply the city of Middletown with 
pure water. Clothes-wringers and other articles of 
wooden ware have been made here for years. The set- 
tlement of this part of Middletown began in 1700 by 
three settlers from the first or parent society. The late 
David Lyman of this town, was one of the earliest and 
most energetic projectors of the Boston and New York 
Air Line Railroad. 

Durham, adjoining Middlefield, has a population of 
1,000. It maintains a good academj' and several 
churches. A very respectable tin-ware manufactory 
furnishes employment to many ; but the pursuits of the 
community are mainly agricultural. The scenerj' is very 
pastoral, exhibiting long stretches of land under the 
most careful cultivation, and bears in manj- respects a 
similarity to the best husbandry in Old England. 

Killingworth, Chester, Deep River, Westbrooli and 
Clinton, the remaining towns of the county, have a 
respective population of 800, 1,000, 1,200, 1,000 and 
1 ,400. The oyster fisheries of the latter place have risen 
into importance. The town contains a fine high school, 
founded and liberally endowed by Mr. Morgan, a native 
of Clinton. 



NEW HAVEN COUNTY.* 



BY S. R. DENNEN, D. D., AND CARRIE R. DENNEN. 



New Haven County has special interest for its colo- 
nial history. It was the youngest of the four Colonies 
that formed the New England Confederation. The men 
who came hither acted under no commission and had no 

• The following is a list of towns in New Haven County, with date 
of incorporation and present population : — 

Bethany, incorporated 1832; population, 1,135. Branford, 1,644; 
2,488. Cheshire, 1780; 2,344. Derby, 1675 ; 3,168. East Haven, 1785 ; 
2.714. Guilford, 1639; 2,576. Hamden, 1786; 3,028. Madison, 1826; 



connection with any chartered company or commercial 
association in England or elsewhere. They felt at 
liberty to form for themselves such government as should, 
in their opinion, be best suited to the ends they had in 

1,814. Meriden, 1806 ; 10,495. Middlebury, 1807 ; 696; Milford, 1640; 
3,405. New Haven, 1639; 60,000. North Branford, 1831; 1,035. 
North Haven, 1786; 1,771. Orange, 1822; 2,634. Oxford, 1798; 1,338. 
Prospect, 1827"; 551 ; Southbury, 1786 ; 1,318. Wallingford, 1672 ; 3,676. 
Watcrbury, 1682 ; 10,826. Wolcott, 1796 ; 491. Woodbridge, 1784 ; 830. 



CONNECTICUT. 



view when thej' came to this country. The original 
Colony, or jurisdiction, embraced colonies beyond the 
present limits of the county, and indeed of the State. 
The Colony of New Haven was composed of six planta- 
tions, — New Haven, Milford, Guilford, Stamford, South- 
old (L. I.) and Branford. Of these the first three, 
and Branford, lie within the limits of New Haven 
Countj- and come under the notice of this narrative. 

The first three of these were tho fruit of a simultaneous 
exodus from three contiguous counties in England, — York- 
shire, Hertfordshire and Kent. The Yorksliire men came 
to New Haven, the Hertfordshire men to Milford, the Kent 
County men to Guilford. They came first to Boston in 
two ships ; thence to New Haven in April, 1638. Here 
they remained some fifteen months before the}- made any 
formal ci\'il or ecclesiastical organization. Tliese months 
were by no means dormant. The}- selected their lands 
and made purchase of them from the Indians. Each 
compauj' acted for itself, although they remained to- 
gether. The Indian deed of New Haven, at first called 
Quinnipiac, was made to Theophilus Eaton, Jolm Dav- 
enport and others, Nov. 24, 1G38; that of Milford to 
"Wilham Fowler, Edmund Tapp, Zechariah "Whitman 
and others. Fob. 12, 1C39 ; that of Guilford to Henry 
'Whitefield, Eobert Kitchell, William Leete and others, 
Sept. 29, 1639. Branford was not organized as a ci\'il 
community until much later, in 16-t-i. 

The New Haven Colony was the first to take posses- 
sion of its purchase and organize its political and eccle- 
siastical government. There seems to have been some 
sort of agreement entered into by those forming the 
Colony before coming to New Haven. This compact 
appears to have been entered into either before leaving 
England, or while tarrying at Boston. It is hardly 
supposable that men of such character and intelligence 
would have risked such an amount of capital, £36.000, 
and their own safet}- and welfare, without some articles 
of agreement binding them together. This compact 
they call the " Planters' Covenant." 

"Whatever it may have been, they seem to have been 
in no haste to be rid of it, for it was not until the 2oth 
of October, 1639, that a civil government was instituted 
and installed. A meeting was called June 4th (com- 
monly known as the meeting in Mr. Newman's barn) 
" to consult about settling civil government accortling to 
God, and about nominating persons that might be found 
of all fittest for the foundation work of a church." The 
result of that meeting, one of the most remarkable ever 
held in a barn, surely, is thus stated : First, the free 
planters without a dissenting vote, after fi'ee discussion, 
adopted this " Fundamental Agreement : " " tliat church 



members only shall be free burgesses — and they onlj- shall 
choose among themselves magistrates and officers to 
have the power of transacting all public, civil affairs of 
this plantation, of making and repeahng laws, dividing 
inheritances, deciding of differences that may arise, and 
doing all things and business of like nature." Secondlj-, 
twelve men were chosen to designate among themselves, 
or from others whom they should publicly nominate as 
candidates for that trust, the seven founders of the 
church and of the State. These seven, bj- this act of 
founding the church, became free burgesses of the com- 
monwealth, the nucleus of the ci^il organization. They 
were to choose other free burgesses " out of like estate 
of church fellowship." 

On the 25th of the following October, these seven 
men, " who were in the foundation of the church," viz., 
Theophilus Eaton, John Davenport, Eob't Newman, 
IMath. Gilbert, Theo. Fugill, John Punderson and Jereni}- 
Dixon, assembled to form the new government. This 
was to be permanent, and to supplant all former con- 
tracts. The term "Court" is applied to this body — 
these " Septem^-ires," as the old Romans would name 
them. Once organized, after most solemn praj-er unto 
God, they proceeded to ordain : — 

1st. " All former power, or trust, for managing an}- 
pubUc affairs in this plantation, into whose hands soever 
formerl}' committed, is now abrogated, and is hencefor- 
ward utterly to cease." 

2d. All those who have been received into the fellow- 
ship of this church since the first gathering of it, or who, 
being members of other approved churches, offered 
themselves, were admitted as members of this court." 
That is, became citizens of this commonwealth. Sixteen 
members were thus admitted. As these new members 
came in, they took the oath of allegiance "to the civil 
government here settled." Tlioy owned no allegiance as 
due to the king of England, or any other government on 
the footstool. This is worth remembering. 

The3-then proceed — after Mr. Davenport expounded 
to them two texts — Dent. i. 13 ; Ex. xviii. 21 : " Take 
ye wise men, and understanding, and known among 3"0ur 
tribes, and I will make them rulers over you ; " " More- 
over, thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, 
such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness, and 
place such overmen," — to nominate and elect officers. 
Mr. Theophilus Eaton — the chief man of the Colony, 
one answering the above description — was chosen 
magistrate for one j-ear. Four deputies were chosen. 
Each received a solemn charge on being inducted into 
office. 

Thus the commonwealth was launched. Their laws 



HISTOEY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



were all summed up in the simple enactment, " That the 
word of God shall be the only rule to be attended to in 
ordering the affairs of government in this plantation." 
This is further explained, later in their records, " as the 
judicial law of God, given by Moses, and expounded in 
other parts of Scripture, so far as it is a hedge and fence 
to the moral law, and is neither ceremonial nor typical, 
nor had any reference to Canaan ; this hath an everlast- 
ing equity in it, and should be the rule of their proceed- 
ings." All other systems of jurisprudence, ei^il or canon 
law, were excluded from this Colony. On this unique 
and model foundation thej- built their civil state. 

This " Fundamental Agreement," as it was called, 
continued, with small modifications, to be the organic 
law of the colonies, which, on Oct. 23, 1G43, were 
united under one jurisdiction. After the combination, 
the name magistrate disappears, and that of governor 
is substituted. The colonies of Milford, Guilford, Stam- 
ford, Branford and Southold sent delegates to the Gen- 
eral Court at New Haven. Besides this, they had their 
own magistrates and magistrates' courts. They had also 
a planters' court, corresponding to our police ard jus- 
tices' court. 

This same year, also, 1G43, a combination was formed 
between the four Colonies of Massachusetts, Plymouth, 
Connecticut and New Haven, called the '"United Col- 
onies of New England." This combination was entered 
into for purposes of mutual defence, and was of great 
value to the several Colonies, especially in King Philip's 
war, which threatened at one time to wipe out in blood 
and carnage all the English settlements. 

Under their simple government, built upon the Word 
of God, administered bj' wise, generous, good men, 
without charter or patent from an}' king or anj- bod}- 
corporate under heaven, they continued to thrive. As 
the two Colonies of Connecticut and New Haven, being 
contiguous and ha\'ing so many interests in common, 
grew, it became, to wise men in both of them, more and 
more apparent that their union under one government 
was desirable. Gov. Winthrop, of the Connecticut Col- 
onj-, went to England to procure a royal charter for this 
and other purposes. The charter was secured in 1662. 
The Connecticut Colony claimed that this charter cov- 
ered New Haven jurisdiction, and they, nolens volens, 
were part of Connecticut. This was stouth' resisted as 
absurd, as it was. No one had anj- authority to bargain 
them away, or put them under the control of an3body, 
against their will. After a few j^ears, it was clearly seen 
and felt, on all hands, to be best that the union should 
be consummated. This was done Jan. 5, 1065. The 
government of the Colonies was so modified as to fit this 



new relation. The modification was merelv technical, 
touching in no essential particular _ the "Fundamental 
Agreement " of the earlier colonists. The stoiy of this 
charter, and its presenation when Andros came to 
Hartford to secure and destroy it, will be told elsewhere. 

Would space admit, we should speak with real enthu- 
siasm of the government of New Haven Colon}'. So 
much ignorant aspersion has been cast upon it, that 
when the writer began this examination, he did so with 
much prejudice, expecting to find those blue laws that 
have haunted so many persons' brains. He found in- 
stead, laws that would seem somewhat strange to us, 
printed on blue paper, and so called "blue laws"; but 
the laws themselves were generous, and just adapted to 
the ends and times they were made to serve. One con- 
stantl}- marvels that a government so simple, so demo- 
cratic, so equitable, so efficient, and, on the whole, so 
humane and kind, should have been framed here in the 
wilderness, without a precedent to go b}-, or anj- guide 
but the Word of God. We read the record of their courts, 
on which ever3-thing is spread out, and marvel at the 
scrupulous fairness, and painstaking candor, and gentle 
firmness witli which their laws were administered. True, 
there were things punished as crimes which we should 
not think of punishing now. But we must not compare 
their times and legislation with our own, but with the 
times and governments that preceded them. We shall 
then find occasion to admire. 

No witches were hanged or burned here ; no man 
suffered persecution or punishment for his religious 
faith, if he kept the peace, and did not disturb the 
"settled order of things." They purchased all their 
lands, pajing a fair equivalent. Thej- protected the Ind- 
ians from the violence and rapacitj' of the settlers, and 
lived in peace with them all their days, — more than our 
government now does. No house was burned, no life 
taken b}- the reil-mcn of the forests. They limited, it is 
true, the right of suffrage, but only so far as to secure 
the ends for which they exiled themselves from their 
homes in the Old World. They fled from persecution, 
and meant only to secure and protect themselves against 
its repetition. It remains 3'et to be seen which com- 
mitted the greatest folly, they by narrowing, or we b}- 
extending, the right of suffrage. 

When the struggle for om- independence from England 
came on, the New Haven Colonies were found among 
the foremost and bravest. They furnished their full 
quota of men and means, and suffered all the privations 
and losses sustained b}' any of the thirteen Colonies. 
This has been eminentlj' true of them ever since. AVe 
have been called upon to bear no strain, or to endure 



CONNECTICUT. 



any loss or privation, that New Haven County has not 
stood nobly in her lot and place. 

This historical sketch would not be complete without 
some mention of the churches, which were the real nu- 
cleus of the commonwealth. The church was the first 
care of all the New England colonists. In some few 
instances, the church, as an organization, came along 
with them across the waters. Where this was not the 
case, one of their first cares was to found one, that the 
foundations of ci-\al and social order might be laid upon 
God's truth. They were godly men, seed-corn sifted 
from the very best. They came for liberty to worship 
and serve God as they pleased. The}' kept this end in 
\-iew at everj- step. 

The churches at New Haven and lUilford are supposed 
to have been formed on the same day. The method 
was the same in all the colonies constituting the New 
Haven jurisdiction. After some discussion between Sir. 
Davenport and Mr. Samuel Eaton, his colleague, on the 
nature of a "civil government in a New Plantation, 
whose design is religion," it was determined, on the 
14th of June, as we now reckon (on the 2d of June, 
old style), to hold a public meeting of "all the free 
planters" "for the purpose of laying with due solem- 
nities the foundations " both of church and state. This 
meeting was held in Mr. Newman's barn. The first 
church in this wilderness land, like its head, was born in 
a manger. The result of their deliberation and voting 
was to select twelve of their best and most approved 
men, who were to confer and consult together and select 
from their own number, or elsewhere, seven men who 
were " fit for the foundation-work of the church." The 
seven hewn pillars chosen were the same seven who laid 
the foundation of the state, — Eaton, Davenport, New- 
man, Gilbert, Fugill, Punderson and Dixon. These seven 
persons first covenanted together, and then received 
others into their fellowship. Thus the first church of 
New Haven was founded on the 22d of August, 1039. 

It is in place to say here, that although church and 
state are twin-children of the same womb, and have the 
same parents, they are entirely dist'nct. It was never 
the purpose of these men, who had fled into the wilderness 
from a state church and hierarchy, that the church should 
govern the state. Thej' never allowed that the church, 
as such, had any power to choose civil magistrates. In- 
deed, church officers were ineligible to civil offleo There 
was no confusion of church and state, and no purpose 
that the one should transact the business of the other. 
"Many could debate and vote in church-meeting who 
could have no voice at all in the government of the civil 
state." They affirmed and insisted that ecclesiastical 



and civil order must have different laws, different officers, 
and different powers. Though they may have the same 
ultimate end, they have different proximate ends, one 
the "preservation of human societ}-," the other "the 
conversion, edifieatinu and salvation of souls." Although 
the right of suliraiio was limited to church-members, and 
none could be freemen and eligible to office who were 
not members of some acknowledged church, there was 
no blending or confusing of the two. For this we have 
every reason to be grateful. 

Mr. Davenport, whose strong and marked impress is 
seen in all the ecclesiastical and civil framework and 
management of both church and state, a man to whose 
clear head and sound heart, and broad views and Chris- 
tian firmness, we owe so much for the cast and character 
of our government, our New England type of civilization, 
was the first pastor of this wilderness church. He con- 
tinued to serve both it and the state, when occasion called 
for it, until the Colony he had so much to do in planting 
and training became a part of the Commonwealth of 
Connecticut, much to his grief. 

He was followed in this office by a succession of men. 
who were distinguished alike for their scholarship and 
virtues, — Pierpont, Whittlesey, and Dana. 

One thing demands especial notice. Much denun- 
ciation has been lavished upon the New England fathers 
for the compulsory support of their churches, levying 
taxes to pay the salaries of their ministeis and other 
current expenses. The New Haven Colony, to its honor, 
is an exception to this evil rule. It should be remem- 
bered, to their credit, that for many years after the set- 
tlement of their Colon}-, the church was supported by 
voluntary contributions, which were made on every Lord's 
day at the close of service. Not as now by passing the 
contribution-box, but every one came up to the deacon's 
seat and deposited his own contribution, returning quietly 
to his place. It was not until a much later day, when 
perhaps men had become less godly and conscientious, 
that it was thought necessary to compel men, by assessing 
them, to support an institution so obviously for the public 
weal. 

It must seem strange to us in our quiet tranquil times, 
to recall the fact, that in all those early years the people 
never met for public worship without a complete military 
guard. We find in 1G40 this order upon their records : 
" Every man that is appointed to watch, whether masters 
or servants, shall come every Lord's day to the meeting 
completely armed ; and all others also are to bring their 
swords, no man exempted save Mr. Eaton, our Pastor, 
Mr. James, Mr. Samuel Eaton, and the two deacons." 
Seats were placed on each side of the front door for the 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



soldiers. A sentinel was stationed in the turret. Armed 
watchmen patrolled the streets. Twice before each ser- 
vice the drum beat from the turret and along the main 
streets. When the congregation came together the^' re- 
seml)led more a garrison than a congregation of wor- 
shippers. 

Yet how peaceful and sacred these Sabbaths. From 
evening to evening no noise, no business, the whole pop- 
ulation in church. Thus the j-ears went on with changes, 
trials, sorrows, death, until the fathers slept and others 
rose in their stead, upon whom their mantles fell and 
who stood in their places. 

The New Haven colonists were intense lovers of 
learning. Here the free school found a welcome and 
rose to prominence. For many years the people con- 
tributed annually to the support of Harvard College, 
sending up their wheat and wampum to keep it alive, 
and sending their sous to enjoy its privileges and bear 
away its honors. This, however, did not satisfy Mr. 
Davenport, who, during his later years, urged again and 
again upon the Connecticut Colonies the importance of 
founding a college of their own. He was a scholar and 
student himself, and early saw the necessity of education 
of every grade to the life and perpetuity of the common- 
wealth, as well as the Christian religion. Although he 
did not live to see a college founded, he certainly was 
father of the thought. The seed he sowed sprang up in 
later years, and bore fruit in the noble institution, with- 
out a rival, if not without a peer in our land. 

The Hopkins Grammar School, to-daj' one of the best 
preparatory schools in the country, is the oldest school 
in the State. The literary atmosphere of New Haven, its 
fine culture and excellent schools are no new things, but 
they have been true of it from the begiiming. May it never 
cease to be the home of learning, refinement, and real 
Christian worth and excellence. 

A few words of biography need to be appended to this 
sketch of colonial times. 

Foremost among the great names of the colonists is 
Theophilus Eaton. He was born at Stratford, Eng., 
1.591, and was the son of a clergyman. He came to this 
country, first to Boston in 1637, then to New Haven in 
1G38. He was chosen first governor of New Haven 
Colony, and remained in office imtil his death, Jan. 7, 
1658. Mather calls him "the Moses of New Haven." 
" He carried in his verj' countenance a majesty which 
cannot be described." He was a magistrate of strict 
impartiality and inflexible honor. He had clear views 
of civil government far in advance of his times ; he had 
a singular love of justice, and very decided opniions of 
the divine nature of human government as built on the 



Word of God. To him the New Haven Colony owed its 
existence, and to him and Mr. Davenport all those 
features which distinguish it from the other Colonies, its 
zeal for education, its impartial administration of justice, 
its freedom from frivolous and extravagant legislation. 
He was wont to say : " Some count it a great matter to 
die well, but I am sure it is a greater matter to live 
well." This is the key to his character, than which 
there is not a nobler in all our colonial history. 

John Davenport, one of the two chief men in founding 
New Haveu Colony, was born in Coventry, Eng., 1597. 
He was educated at Oxford ; became vicar of St. Stephen's 
Chui'ch, Coleman Street, London ; soon became a non- 
conformist ; resigned his benefice and fled to Holland, to 
escape the warrant that was out against him ; preached 
to the English Church at Amsterdam for a season ; became 
involved in difficulties about the indiscriminate baptisms 
of children, and resigned, when he emigrated to New 
England, reaching Boston on the 26th of June, 1637. 
The following spring he came with his company to New 
Haven. He and Mr. Eaton built their houses opposite 
each other on the same street, and became the leading 
spirits in the Colon}'. 

He continued pastor of the church, as well as a direct- 
ing and controlling power in the state, until near the 
close of his life. He lost hope somewhat when, against 
his decided opinion, the New Haven jurisdiction united 
with the Connecticut Colony. He saw a growing disposi- 
tion on the part of the state to get control of the 
churches, a most serious evil, from which Connecticut 
suffered for many long years. Just at this time came a 
call from Boston. He made up his mind that '• Christ's 
interests in New Haven Colony were miserabl}' lost." 
His roots were loosened, and he was readv to leave his 
home and the child he had done so much to rear. Be- 
sides this, the action of the synod in establishing what 
was called "the half-way covenant," he opposed with all 
the vigor and ardor of his. soul. The battle was to be 
fought in Boston. He wanted to be in the thickest of 
the fight. These considerations determined his removal 
to that city in 1668. thirty j-cars after his settlement in 
New Haven, when he was more than 70 3-ears old. The 
" dead line " was not quite so near in those days. The 
church in Boston was divided. The odious and mis- 
chievous "half-way covenant" prevailed. He died on 
the 11th of March, 1670. A fine scholar, an able 
preacher, a clear-headed, far-seeing man, his views and 
opinions found an ample vindication in subsequent ex- 
perience. The measures he maintained were just ; those 
he opposed proved disastrous in the extreme. 

Stephen Goodycare, from the organization of the gov- 



CONNECTICUT. 



emment until Ms death, was associated almost unifonnly 
with Gov. Eaton as lieutenant-governor. He was a fine 
business man, and of great service to the Colon j-. 

Thomas Greyson was another of the leading men, and 
was intrusted with much important public business. 

Francis Newman, whose barn figures so largely in the 
early records of the Colony, deserves mention. He suc- 
ceeded Gov. Eaton in oflace, the Joshua who came after 
Moses. 

Thomas Fugill, secretary' of state, John Punderson and 
Jeremiah Dixon were among the seven pillars, both of 
church and state; Master Ezekiel Cheever, the father 
of New England school-masters, shines in the colonial 
records. The boj's had good reason to remember him. 

Thomas Leete of Guilford, lieutenant-governor under 
Francis Newman, and first governor of the united Colo- 
nies of Connecticut and New Haven, was a man of wis- 
dom and executive abilitj'. 

Goffe and WhaUej-, commonly known as the regicides, 
from their participation in the execution of Charles the 
First, found a retreat and an asylum in New Haven. On 
the accession of Charles the Second, thej' were compelled 
to flee the country. Thej' came to Boston Julj' 27, ICCO, 
first, and resided for some time openly in Cambridge. 
Their situation there becoming too exposed, thej' fled to 
New Haven March 7, 16C1, and were concealed for 
awhile in Mr. Davenport's house. A roj-al proclamation 
was issued for their arrest. They were sought for bj- 
officers in New Haven, but could not be found. Fearing 
lest they should bring trouble upon their friend, Mr. 
Davenport, and others, thej- off'ered to surrender them- 
selves to Lieut.-Gov. Leete. He was in no haste, how- 
ever, to arrest them. After showing themselves openly 
in the streets of New Haven, so as to clear their friends 
from an}- complicit}' with their concealment, they fled to 
a cave near the summit of West Rock, known now as 
Judges' Cave, where thej' remained for awhile. They 
occupied another place near bj-, called the Lodge. They 
left New Haven and went (August 19) to Milford, and 
in 1CC4 to Hadley, where thcj' remained until they died. 
It is believed that their bodies were brought to New 
Haven and buried bj- Dixwell, their companion in exile. 

John Dixwell, the other regicide, came to New Haven 
in 1672 under the name of James Davids. He lived here 
in quiet security for 1 7 j-ears. The last years of his life 
he became verj^ intimate with Mr. Pierpont, the minister. 
There seemed to be a strange and wonderful friendship 
between them. At his death he revealed his true 
character, and requested that a plain stone should mark 
his grave, with the initials J. D., Esq., inscribed on it. 
This was done as he wished. 



Three avenues in the north-western part of the citj' 
perpetuate the names and memory of the regicides. 

Yale College. — This college was founded in 1700, and, 
traditionalh-, on tliis wise : ten eminent clergj-men, roused 
to the importance of pro^-iding some means for a more 
liberal and thorough education for their sons, and others 
who were to become leaders in church and state, met at 
New Haven to consult concerning a coUegiate school. 
At a subsequent meeting in Branford, these men brought 
forty folio volumes, and laid them down on a table with 
these words : "I give these books for the founding of a 
college in this Colony." This body of men, acting for the 
churches and ministrj- of the Colonj' of Connecticut, by 
this act founded the institution now known as Yale 
College. 

In October of the following 3"ear, a charter was ob- 
tained from the legislature. In November, the trustees 
met for the first time in Saybrook, and passed this order : 
" that there shall be, and hereby is, erected and founded 
a collegiate school, wherein shall be taught the liberal 
arts and languages, in such place or places in Connecti- 
cut as the said trustees shall from time to time see cause 
to order." 

Why found another college so near Han-ard ? It has 
been affinned that a distrust of the theological soundness 
of this college was the real root-cause of the founding of 
Yale. But when you recall that the number of the Con- 
necticut colonists was now 20,000, and also that the 
territorj- was an almost unbroken wilderness, the distance 
to Cambridge, and inconvenience and expense of travel 
were so serious, you will find the real reasons which moved 
these good men to found a college in their own Colony. 
This, and not bigotrj-, is the seed-thought of this noble 
university. The plan differed in some very essential par- 
ticulars from that of Harvard. It was more unique and 
original, having less of the European type. It was more 
indigenous, and more in accord with the spirit of the 
times. It was homogeneous, ha^-ing all its board min- 
isters ; though this last is a doubtful advantage, and 
gave rise to disaffection in later years. 

After a protracted and somewhat heated controversy, 
the new college was finally located in New Haven in 
1717. 

In 1718, came the great benefaction of Gov. Elihu 
Yale, a donation of books and other goods to the amount 
of £S00. As a compliment to him the new building, 
recently erected, was named for him. This name passed 
by degrees from the building to the whole institution 
in 174.5. The college passed through colonial times 
with various and alternating success. It came near 
extinction, however, during the Revolution. Its students 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 




NEW CHVPFL 



and officers were dispersed, and its functions, in a meas- 
ure, suspended. Tlic irregularitiesof the times, financial 
embarrassment, difficulties of subsistence, and the actual 
occupation, at one time, of New Haven by P^nglish 
troops, reduced the collec;e to tiie lo-vct p"''n* 

In 1792 a change took pi ice 
in the charter, which g u e it i 
new lease of life, and bi ought 
it more closelj- into s\ nip ith^ 
with the popular heait * Its 
prosperity was now assuitd 

Great changes ha.M ti iii^ 
pired in college custom-, ^iii 
those early Provinci d d i \ - 
It was a no uncommon thiiij; 
for derelict j-ouths tin n t > 
haA^e their ears soundly b< 
in the presence of the f k 
and students. The foim 
and respect at that tune dt 
manded on the part of pre m- 
dent and faculty, seems to us 
almost ludicrous. The freshmen in those earlier times, 
held an almost menial position, being mere errand-boys 
for the upper classes. With the incoming of more demo- 
cratic ideas, however, these Old Country notions and cus- 
toms have long since naturall}' and happily disappeared. 

From these small 
and adverse begin- 
nings, Yale College 
has grown to its pres- 
ent commanding po- 
sition. Its power in 
ever}- department, in 
church and state, sci- 
ence and art, in liter- 
ature and philosophy, 
has been wide imi 
beneficent. Itsgi:i 
untes are everj-nhc i ■ 
They nobly sustain 
and fulfil her prou( 
yet modest motto — 
'•Lux et Veritas." 

The first president, or rector, of Yale College was 
Abraham Pierson, son of Rev. IMr. Pierson, one of the 
first settlers and first minister of Branford. He grad- 
uated from Han-ard College in 1GG8. He was a good 
student, an able diA'ine, a wise, judicious man. He 

• This change consisted in the admission of laymen as members of 
the coi-poration. 




PKAH011T MU; 



instructed and governed the infant collegiate school, with 
general acceptance, from 17U1 until 1707. 

The subsequent presidents of Yale have been. Rev. 
Timothy Cutter, S. T. D., chosen 1719; Rev. Elisha 
Williams, 1720- Rev Thomas Clap, 1739; Rev. Naph- 
_ __ thali Daggett, S. T. D., 17G6 ; 

~~~ Rev. Ezra StUes, S. T. D., 

LL.D., 1777; Rev. Timothy 
Dwight, D. D., LL.D., 1795 ; 
Rev. Jeremiah Day, D. D., 
LL.D., 1822; Rev. Theodore 
D. Woolsey, D. D., LL. D., 
184G ; Rev. Noah Porter, 
D.D., LL.D, 1871. 

Presidents Stiles and Clap 
were men of exceptionally 
groat learning ; while Dr. 
1 )wight, a grandson of Jona- 
llian Edwards, was one whose 
powers as a thinker, gifts as 
a poet, and eloquence as a 
preacher, were surpassed only 
by tlie fervor of his piety and the urbanit}' of his con- 
versation and manners. 

The present incumbent of the presidential chair, 
Rev. Noah Porter, D. D., LL. D., was born in Fann- 
ington Dec. 14, 1811, and is considered to be one of 
the ablest of Ameri- 
can metaphj'sicians. 
Besides the presi- 
I "^^Vf^gs^- . \ dents there have been 

k ^~~^* -; I professors of world- 

» • ; wide fame and splen- 

did and varied acqui- 
sitions ; Dana, Fitch, 
Goodrich, Marsh, Sil- 
liman, Packard, Had- 
lej', and man}' others, 
have adorned their 
departments, and ad- 
ded to the power and 
fame of the college. 
Maiy of its graduates 
have filled the highest 
offices of trust and honor. No institution has exerted 
a wider and more positive influence upon the culture and 
pohtical character of the countr}'. 

The buildings are man}', and some of them of great 
excellence. Battcll Chapel is new and one of the finest 
buildings in design, materials and solid elegance, in the 
land, for that purpose. The Art School building, on the 



COLLEGE. 



CONNECTICUT. 



south-west corner of College Square, is one of consitler- 
able pretension and is admirable for its purpose. The 
Peabod3' Museum, named in honor of George Peabody 
of London, its most liberal benefactor, one wing of 
which is completed, stands on the corner of High and 
Elm streets, just across the street from the College 
Square. It is now an imposing building. When finished 
it will be one of the finest museums in the world. The 
various cabinets and specimens are among the best, as 
far as thej- go. 

The East and West Divinity halls, with Marquand 
Chapel between them, a gem in its line, the gift of the 
gentleman whose name it bears, are substantial and ele- 
gant buildings, affording fine accommodations for tlii« 
department of the universitj . The ShLtin 
School, an institution of great 
merit and thoroughness, found- 
ed by Joseph Sheffield, Esq , 
constitutes another department 
of the university, and has sub- 
stantial and commodious budd- 
ings at some distance from the 
College Campus, on the home- 
stead of Mr. Sheffield. The 
departments of law and medi- 
cine have accommodations in 
other sections of the citj-. 

Towns. 

New Haven, the chief seat 
of the New Haven jurisdic- 
tion, is situated on a plain 

Ijing between two ranges of hills, on the east and on 
the west, and is limited, partly', on the northern side, 
by two mountains, called East and West rocks, which 
terminate abruptly at this point and form a marked 
feature of the scenerj-. It is at the head of a shallow 
harbor, between West and Mill rivers, including also the 
neck between Mill Eiver and the Quinnipiac, where a 
part of the town called Fair Haven is situated. 

The town was originally laid out in nine squares. 
The central one is open and is styled the Green, the 
upper half of which is a beautiful slope, and was form- 
erl3' a bur3ing-ground ; but, in 1831, the monuments 
were removed and the ground levelled. The lower, or 
level half, is surrounded by stately elms. It is divided 
in the centre b3- Temple Street, on which the churches 
are situated. Magnificent elms on either side of this 
broad street form a perfect arch, and make it one of the 
grandest in the world. There are three churches and the 
Old State House on the Green. Altogether it is one of 



the finest spots in the United States or Europe. The | 
original squares, which cluster about the central square 
or Green, are divided each into four squares by streets 
running from north-west to south-east, and from north- 
east to south-west. The same general features have 
been measurably preserved in the extension of the 
modem city. 

The city and town have distinct organizations and 
separate officers, a feature which has come down from 
colonial times, a sort of two-headed concern, not at all 
satisfactory or equitable in its representation in the legis- 
lature. The administration of justice is in the hands of 
a city court, while other courts, both of the State and 
the United States, hold sessions in the city. 

The cit\ IS well supplied with schools of a high order. 
Manj-of the school-houses are 
commodious and elegant. The 
Hillhouse High School is one 
of great excellence. There 
arc various private schools, 
Tvhich, together with Hopkins 
Grammar School, the oldest in 
the State, and Yale College, 
ni its various departments, 
urnish the highest educational 
antages. 
New Haven is a port of en- 
try, and has considerable coast- 
wise and some foreign com- 
merce. Manufactures are the 
principal source of its pros- 
perity, and carriages, guns, 
builders' hardware, rubber-goods, articles from iron, 
clocks, &c., arc made. 

There are many fine public buildings. Among these 
are several church edifices, college and seminary build- 
ings, an elegant city hall and court-house, a commodi- 
ous and well-managed State hospital, insurance building, 
music hall and opera house. There are forty churches 
of all denominations. 

Many fine streets and elegant residences adorn the 
city. Hillhouse Avenue, Whitney Avenue, Prospect, 
Orange and Chapel streets are among the finest. The 
new, or lower Green, is a gem of beaut}-, surrounded 
with elegant houses. The old cemeterj-, on Grove 
Street, contains the ashes of Eaton, Clap, Stiles, Hum- 
phreys, Dwight, Eli Whitnej', and manj' others of world- 
wide and national fame. Evergreen Cemetery, on the 
banks of the West River, is one of more modern preten- 
sion, and is an ornament and honor to the city. 

Four daily papers, and nearly or quite as many weekly, 




HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



keep the people well-posted on current events. There .ire 
also several college papers as well as ponderous quarter- 
lies. 

New Haven is the largest city in the State, and the third 
in New England. Few cities in location, in historical 
interest, in educational institutions, in wealth, beauty and 
culture surpass it. 

Among the most distinguished residents here is Leonard 
Bacon, D. D., for 50 years pastor of the First Church, 
and now professor in the theological department of Yale 
College, a man of great culture, an able preacher, a fine 
debater, and thoroughly versed in the colonial and eccle- 
siastical history of New England. Ex-Governors English 
i and Ihgersol, also have their homes here. Mr. Sheffield, 
the founder of Sheffield Scientific School, is among the 
most honored citizens. 

Watekbury was viewed by a colony from Farmington 
with reference to a settlement in 1G73. Aug. 21, 1G74, 
! land was purchased, on both sides of the Naugatuck, of the 
' Indians " for £39, and divers other good causes." King 
I Philip's war put a check upon its immediate settlement ; 
j but after peace was established the settlers returned to 
their purchase and commenced work in earnest. In 
j 1G84, they made a new purchase of land from the Indians, 
I making in all a temtor^^ 18 miles in length and 10 miles 
in width, containing the present towns of Waterburj', 
Watertown and Plymouth, together with most of Middle- 
burj-, half of "Wolcott, and a small part of Oxford and 
Prospect. This large, fine territory was gravelj- reported 
to the General Assembly " as capable of supporting 30 
families." One wonders at the size of the families of 
those days, since the same territorj- now supports 20,000 
persons, or more, and is not half occupied. 

The original town was located on an eminence on the 
western banks of the rivet, about a mile from the present 
location of the city. 

For ten years the settlers were without a minister and 
the regular ordinances of religion. In 1689, Jeremiah 
Peck was settled among them, and remained until his 
death in 1699. Their first house of worship had no glass 
until 1716, a dark place in which to preach a gospel of 
light and life. 

Waterbury is located on the Naugatuck (which runs 
its entire length) and the JIad rivers, both of which fin-- 
nish fine water-power. Hills rise on either side, forming 
an amphitheatre, in which the present city is mainly 
located, although many fine residences are creeping up 
the slopes of the hills. It has extensive and widely 
celebrated manufactories, with a capital of more than 
$6,000,000, seven churches, some of them among the 
finest in the State, two national banks, besides other 



banking institutions, a fine city hall, a hall for public 
amusements that scats 1,400 people, and is altogether 
one of the thriftiest and most energetic communities in 
the State. The Bronson Library contains 18,000 volumes, 
the gift of Cyrus Bronson of New York. The water- 
works are among the best in New England. It has 
a handsome park and fine cemetery. There are also 
several schools of considerable note located here. St. 
Margaret's Diocesan School for young ladies, the Acad- 
emy of Notre Dame (Convent School) , and Waterbury 
English and Classical School for boys. It has one daily 
and two weekly newspapers. To such a goodly citv, the 
fifth in the State, has the wilderness settlement grown. 

Eev. Samuel Hopkins, D. D., of such wide fame and 
remarkable powers, was a native of this town. He began 
life as a farmer's boy. At the age of 15 he commenced 
his studies in Woodburj-. He entered Yale College at 
the age of 16, and graduated in 1741. After graduating 
he went immediatel}- to Northampton, Mass., where he 
studied theology with Jonathan Edwards. After he was 
licensed to preach, in 1642, he remained still at Northamp- 
ton, pursuing his studies and occasionally preaching. 
He was settled in several small towns in Massachusetts 
and Connecticut. In April, 1770, he went to Newport, 
R. I., where he remained until the war of the Revolution 
interrupted his labors. In December, 1776, when the 
British took possession of Newport, he retired to Great 
Barrington. In 1780, he returned to Newport, only to 
find his old church and congregation too much diminished 
to provide for his support. He, however, continued to 
preach for them for what they could collect b}' a weekly 
contribution and the aid of generous friends, until he 
died, Dec. 20, 1803. Few men more influenced the re- 
ligious thinking of his age. His writings were numerous, 
bold and forcible. He was author of a system of divinity, 
that bears his name and perpetuates his memory. 

Lemuel Hopkins, M. D., was also another of Water- 
burv's great sons. He was as renowned in medicine as 
Samuel in di\-inity. He was founder of the Connecticut 
Medical Society, and also the author of several poems of 
considerable note. 

Guilford was one of the colonies constituting the New 
Haven jurisdiction. The first settlement was commenced 
in 1639, the next j-ear after New Haven. The first set- 
tlers were Mr. Henr}- Whitefield, and several members 
of his church and congregation in England, to the 
number of about 40 persons. They were drawn to this 
spot from the resemblance it bore to the homes they left 
behind them in England. They secured the land In- 
peaceful purchase from the Indians. As a place for the 
security of all, a stone house was built, and is now stand- 



CONNECTICUT. 



ing, probablj- the oldest house in the United States. The 
first marriage in this town was solemnized in this build- 
ing. Tlie sumptuous marriage-feast consisted of pork 
and peas. The government was at first administered by 
four leading planters. When a Congregational church 
was formed in 1G43, all power and authority were foiinally 
passed over to it, and the church, as in so many New 
England towns, became the nucleus and germ of the 
town. The government was in nearly all respects similar 
to New Haven, church-members alone being freemen and 
allowed to vote. 

Guilford is situated 1.5 miles east of New Haven, on 
Long Island Sound, and on the Shoic Lino Railroail 
Farming and fishing are the puncipil puisuits Thtu 
are five churches and a fine stone school house. Sac Ik n 
Head, a picturesque point of land ^ ^_. _^ — _ _ 
reaching out into the Sound, is a 
favorite summer resort, as aie nian> 
other places in this nolile old tow n 
Off the coast is Leete's Islui 
named from Gov. Leete, one ot 11 
most distinguished men of coloiu 
times, and the first go\einoi ol 
Connecticut. His house on this 
island was set on flre dunng the 
Revolution. This place was iKo 
the home of the famous Chittenden 
family. 

Derby is situated 9 miles noitli- 
west of New Haven, at the conflu- 
ence of the Naugatuck and Hou^i- 
tonic rivers. About the j ear 1053, 

Lieut.-Gov. Goodyeare and others of New Haven pur- 
chased the land, and the year ensuing, some few settle- 
ments were made. 

It was incorporated in 1675, and the name changed 
from Paugassett into Derby. Derbj- Landing is at tlio 
head of navigation on the Housatonic River. Humplire^s- 
ville, four miles above Derby Landing, is famous as the 
home of Gen. David Humphreys, who established here a 
large wooUen-factory , one of the first in the United States. 
He was a warm personal friend of Gen. Washington, one 
of his aids, ambassador to France under Jefferson, and 
afterwards to the court of Portugal. The modern town- 
ship is divided into Derb^' Village, Birmingham and 
Ansonia, named from Hon. Ansou G. Phelps, of Phelps, 
Dodge & Co., who have largo iron-works hero. 

North Haven, on the N. Y., N. II. & Hartford R. R., 
was formerly a part of New Haven. It lies on both sides 
of the Quinnipiao River. The gardens of North Haven 
are celebraled for early vegetables and fine small-fruits. 




The extensive salt-meadows produce immense quantities 
of grass. 

The first settler of North Haven is believed to ha\e 
been William Bradlej-, who had been an officer in Crom- 
well's army. He lived here soon after IGGO, on land 
owned b}' Gov. Eaton. The settlement was slow, and 
for nearly forty years the people attended church and 
luiried their dead at New Haven. The women usuallj- 
went on foot, attended two long services, and returned, 
model pedestrians as well as model Christians. The 
Indians were numerous, but harmless, sen-ing only to 
frighten women and children, never to injure them. 
The fine fi'^hlng and hunting grounds about the rivers 
dKw thun into this legioii. They swarmed at times 
il il ti -ims, holding their " powwows," much to 

the teiror and disgust of the people. 

^™ North Haven is the birth pjace of 
l>(_^ Ezra Stiles, one of the most 
I kbrated of Connecticut's great 
liKu, and for more than h.alf a 
( ntuiy, the home of Dr. Benjamin 
1 1 umbuU, the historian of Connec- 
ticut He was born in Hebron in 
1735 , graduated at Yale in 1757 ; 
settled in North Haven in 1760, 
wheie he remained nearly GO j-ears. 
He wrote 4,000 sermons, published 
iblc essaj^s on the inspiration of 
the Scriptures, wrote a histoiy of 
Connecticut, and also of the United 
States. He received high honors 
fiom his alma mater, and was 
widely known and esteemed as an able divine and accu- 
rate historian. 

MiLFORD was one of the settlements of the original 
New Haven Colony. The purchase of land was made 
from the Indians about the same time as those of New 
Haven, and settled in 1G39.* 

The original settlers were fnjm the counties of Essex 
and York, and came over with Messrs. Eaton and 
Davenport's company, and remained with them one 3ear 
before making a permanent settlement. Thej- located 
themselves on cither side of Mill River and West-end 
Brook, for convenience of themselves and cattle. The 
town was named Milford in commemoration of their 
native town i;i England. 



• The purchase price paid for the land was six coats, ten blankets, 
and one kettle, toijcther with a number of hoes, knives, hatchets and 
glasses. The Indians, however, made a reservation of about 20 acres, 
wliich w.as snbsiqucntly bought in IGfil, for six coats, two blankets and 
two pairs of li"ccches. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



A court of five judges was directed to set out a meet- 
ing-house lot in such niauuer as thej- should judge most 
convenient for public good. The site was the one occu- 
pied by the present meeting-house of the First Society, 
where it stood until 1727. 

The first settlers being godly men and women, they 

formed themselves at once into a church, according to 

their peculiar views. It was formed in New Haven on 

i the 2d of August, 1639. Peter Pruden was the first 

minister. In 1741, 47 persons, being dissatisfied with 

' Mr. "Whittlesey's moderate opinions, declared their dis- 

■ sent from the estabUshed church, professing themselves 

to be Presbyterians, according to the Church of Scotland. 

I They were stoutly opposed by the First Church, having, 

I in this respect, a common experience with all new 

, churches in both the River and Sound colonies, and a 

protracted and bitter opposition, sometimes persecution 

even, followed. They were not invested with their full 

legal rights for 19 years. 

In 1 648 a famous battle was fought near the town be- 
tween the Mohawk and Milford Indians, resulting in the 
utter defeat of the former. In all the wars in which the 
county has been engaged, Milford has furnished her full 
quota of brave men. 

There is a quarry of beautiful serpentine marble in the 
eastern section of the town. The harbor, never deep, 
has been gradually filling up since the first settlement. 
Milford Island, containing ten acres, is about three- 
fourths of a mile from the shore. Milford Point, at the 
south-west extremitj- of the town, is a place of some note, 
and also a summer resort. 

There are five houses of worship, three Congregational, 
two Episcopal. The first church was organized in 1727, 
under Rev. Jonathan Merrick. The general intelligence 
I of the people is evidenced from the fact that it has fur- 
1 nished more J'oung men, who have been liberally edu- 
I cated, than anj' other town of its population in the State. 
Wallingford * formerly belonged to the original pur- 
chase made by Gov. Eaton and John Davenport, in 1638. 
The settlement was projected in 1669, and called New 



• One f the most remarkable tornadoes ever known yisited W.^lling- 
ford Aug. 9, 1878. A Large number of houses were caught up and 
whirled from their foundations, and crushed into fragments. One 
church was demolished, the upper story torn from the fine new high 
school house, and large trees were twisted and uprooted along the ti-ack 
of the whirlwind. Several persons were killed, others maimed for life, 
and much property destroyed. The scars of the terrible tornado still re- 
main. It will not soon pass from the minds of those who witnessed its 
power or looked upon its desolation. It awakened much interest in 
scientific circles, and a careful study of this strange and unusual phe- 
nomenon. 

t Beacon Mountain lies within the limits of this to\TOship, and pre- 
sents fine pictm-esque and geological features. 



Haven Village. The first minister was the Rev. Samuel 
Street. The houses were fortified during King Philip's 
war, and much anxiety felt for the safety* of the people. 
It is watered by the Quinnipiac River, and lies on the 
N. Y., N. H. and Hartford Railroad, 12 miles from New 
Haven. It contains four churches, fine schools, one 
hotel, extensive manufactories of britannia and silver 
ware, one newspaper, one boot-manufactory, and a ma- 
chine shop. 

The WaUingford Community, a branch of Oneida 
Community, was founded here in 1850, by John H. 
Noyes and Heniy Allen. It comprises 340 acres, 150 
of which is covered by a valuable water-power belonging 
to the Community. Their business is agriculture, horti- 
culture, job-printing, and book-making in all forms. 

Lyman Hall, one of the signers of the Declaration of 
Independence, was a native of this town. He graduated 
at Yale in 1747, and first studied theology, but after- 
wards medicine. He subsequently removed to Georgia, 
and was a delegate to the general Congress in 1775, and 
afterwards became governor of Georgia. 

The remaining towns of New Haven County are 
Bethany, t originally- a parish in the town of Wood- 
bridge, and famous for being the scene of the celebrated 
Dajton robbery, committed bj- a company of Tories from 
Long Island ; Branford, which owes its final settle- 
ment to a religious controversy and dissension at Weth- 
ersfield, beautifully situated on Lake Saltonstall, and 
hence much frequented as a place of summer resort J ; 
Cheshire, originally a part of WaUingford § ; East 
Haven, incorporated and taken from New Haven in 
1735, and noted as being a favorite place of resort of 
the Indians, as also on account of the first iron-works 
in Connecticut having been established here in 1655 ; 
Hampden, II also originally a part of New Haven, em- 
bracing several manufacturing villages, among them Whit- 
neysville, so named from Hon. Eli Whitney-, the inventor 
of the cotton-gin ; Madison, formerly a part of Guilford, 
and sharing in all the colonial glor}- of that old town — a 
favorite summer resort ; Meriden,^ a thrifty, enterprising. 



X Off the coast is a fine cluster of islands in the Sound called Thim- 
ble Islands, among which is Money Island, where Capt. Kidd is said to 
have concealed large sums of money. 

In this town also was once the home of Montowise, an early Indian 
chief. The place is the summer residence of several wealthy gentlemen. 

§ A religious society, with Rev. Samuel Hale as pastor, was formed 
in 1724. This town is the seat of an Episcopal academy, founded in 
1801. 

II Mount Carmel, one of the most elevated eminences in the State, is 
in the northern part of the town, and is visible far out on the Sound. 

H The famous regicides, Gofie and Whalley, are said to have stopped 
in their wanderings on the banks of the stream west of the churches, 
and gave it the name of Pilgrim's Harbor, — a name it still bears. 



CONNECTICUT. 



manufacturing town, — a city of ten churches, and well 
known, especially for its extensive manufactures of silver 
and plated ware ; Middleburt, in which town is Broak- 
Neck Hill, on whose summit the armj' of Gen. Lafaj-ettc, 
while on their way to the Hudson, is said to have en- 
camped ; North Branford, and Orange (so called for 
William, Prince of Orange, King of England), noted as 
the place where the British landed when they invaded 



New Haven in 1779; Orford, famous for its mineral 
spring, called the Pool, whose waters are said to heal 
salt-rheum and otiicr kindred complaints, and which are 
reported, moreover, never to freeze, even in the coldest 
weather, nor ever to foil in times of the severest drought ; 
SouTHEURT ; WooDBRiDGE,* named for the first minister, 
Benj. Woodbridge, settled here in 17*42; Prospect, and 

WOLCOTT. 



NEW LONDON COUNTY. 



BY ASI-IBEL VrOODWARD, M. D. 



New London County, as originally constituted hy the 
General Court in 1GG6, embraced territory extending 
from Pawkatuck River on the east, to the western bounds 
of Homonascet Plantation on the west, and from the 
interior settlements on the north, to Long Island Sound 
on the south. (Col. Rec. II., p. 34.) As now con- 
stituted. New London County is bounded north by Tol- 
land and Windham counties, on the east b}^ Windham 
Count}- and Rhode Island, on the south by Long Island 
Sound, and b}' the Connecticut River and Middlesex 
County on the west. Its average length from east to 
west is 26 miles, and it has a medium breadth of 20 miles. 

The face of the county is diversified by hill and dale, 
and is well supplied with streams of water. The soil is 
of varied fertility, but generally adapted to grazing and 
fruit growing, and moderately to general agriculture. 
Its na\'igable waters are extensive, and unsurpassed, for 
maritime purposes, by those of any section of equal 
extent upon the coast. 

Notwithstanding these natural advantages which ren- 
dered it an in\-iting locality for the early English settlers 
to improve, more than one-fourth of a century elapsed 
after the planting of a Colony at Plymouth, before an 
attempt was made by the emigrants to settle upon any 
portion of this domain. A principal cause of this delay 
was doubtless the fact that the territory was pre-occupied 
by the Pequots,t a tribe of Indians belonging to the 
wide-spread Algonquin race. This powerful tribe of 

• The regicides, Goffe and Wlialley, were concealed in several places 
in Woodbridge, the most famous of which is called the Lodge, or 
Hatchet Arbor, near an eminence which overlooks New Haven harbor, 
'viicre they were concealed for nearly six months. 

+ The Pequot wa8 originally an inland tribe, dwelling east of the 



savages had, by their cruelty, become the dread of the 
whites, far and near. It had, in fact, grown into a settled 
conv-iction on the part of the colonists, that it was only by 
their complete overthrow that eastern Connecticut could 
be colonized. This tribe inhabited a broad extent of 
territory, but their central seat was between the Thames 
and Mystic rivers in the eastern part of the present 
town of Groton. Their principal hamlets were over- 
looked and guarded by two fortifications, the one on 
Pequot Hill, and the other on Fort Hill. The Colony of 
Massachusetts had already- failed in her attempt at their 
subjugation. At this junctm-e a company of 90 men 
was raised in the vicinity of Hartford, and placed under 
the command of Maj. John Mason, to chastise and sub- 
jugate the offending tribe. He was accompanied by 
Uncas, the Mohegan chief, and friend of the white man, 
at the head of 70 warriors. After a circuitous and well- 
planned march, Capt. Mason reached their fortress on 
Pequot Hill on the morning of June 5th, 1637, undis- 
covered by the Indians till too late to make a successfid 
defence. The English won a decisive victorj- over their 
savage foes. Their fort was destroyed, their dwellings 
consumed, and half the entire nation slain. By this 
single contest, in the overthrow and annihilation of the 
Pequot nation, the fate of eastern Connecticut and the 
adjoining country was decided. Unlike what till then 
had taken place elsewhere, eastern Connecticut was 
obtained by conquest. 

Hudson, in the vicinity of Albany. It bclonscd to the family of abo- 
rigines termed Mohicans. Either by the might of the Iroquois, or per- 
haps to secure more ample hunting-grounds, this warlike clan, by a suc- 
cession of migratory movements, finally reached the seaboard, and 
there became established. : 



HISTOEY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



New London Couutj- was the arena of militav}' events 
scarcely less exciting during the Revolutionar}' period. 
On the Glh of Sept., 1781, a large part of the town of 
New London was laid in ashes by that infamous traitor, 
Benedict Arnold. The British troops burnt Go dwell- 
ings, containing 97 families, 31 stores, 18 shops, 20 
barns, and 9 public edifices, including the court house 
and several churches. 

Fort Griswold, on Groton Heights, after an obstinate 
resistance, surrendered to the enemy. The vali.nnt Col. 
Ledj-ard w^as, after the surrender, slain with his own 
sword. Seventy offi- 
cers and privates were 
also murderrd. _^ 

During the war of 
1812, the southern 
portion of the county 
was again menaced by 
the enemy. At this 
time the attack was 
made upon Stoninr:;- 
ton. On the 9th cf 
August, ISU, Sir 
Thomas Hardy, in 
command of Iho Brit- 
ish squadron, ap- 
proached Stonington 
and bombarded tl e 
place vigorouslj- fm 
several hours. The 
attack was renewed 
each day till the 12th, 
and then, as all th( ii 
efforts to burn th 
town had proved al )oi - 
tive, the encni}- \Mth- 
drew. 

In possession of 
rare maritime ad^an- 
tagos and railroad 
facilities, the count}- 

of New London has, during the past half century, greatly 
prospered, its population having increased from 35,943 
in 1820 to G6,570 in 1870. 

i Towns. 

New London, as originall}- organized, included all the 
1 territory extending four miles on each side of the " Mo- 
hegan River," reaching north six miles from the sea. 
I The Indian name of the prospective township was 
1 Pequot. (Col. Rec. I., 192-3.) A settlement was com- 
i 




menccd here in 1G46. The place v.as then known as 
Nameaug. In March, 1G48, the General Court recom- 
mended that the town from that date should be called 
New London, and the river named Thames. (Col. Rec. 
II., pp. 310, 313.) New London was constituted a 
town in 1649. 

The names of John "Winthrop, .Jr., Esq., Rev. Richard 
Blinman, Samuel Lathrop and Robert Allen were prom- 
inent among the early settlers. 

The town is situated on the west bank of the Thames, 
three miles from Long Island Sound. It is four miles 

^ _^ in length from north 

to south, and has an 
average breadth of 
three-fourths of a 
mile. New London 
WIS constituted a cit}' 
ni 1784. By the act 
of incorporation the 
entire township is in- 
cluded within the city 
limits. New London 
IS also a half-shire 
town and a port of 
entrj'. Owing to the 
uncvenncss of the 
sit", the cit}- is, for the 
most part, irregularl}- 
hid out. Tet it con- 
tan. s many handsome 
public and private 
stiuctures. Possess- 
ing as it does, one of 
the finest and most 
capacious harbors on 
the coast, it occupies 
a prominent rank 
among the commer- 
cial cities of New 
England. 

On the Groton side 
of tho harlior, a navy yard is in process of construction. 
The site is most eligible, and, if the project receives 
proper encouragement, the selection of the location v.ill 
prove to have been most judicious. 

The maritime surroundings of New London have had 
a marked iniluence in developing the business of the 
place. The whale and seal fisheries have at times con- 
stituted an important branch of commerce. 

The place is defended by Fort Trumbull, which stands 
upon the west side of the Thames, about one mile below 



CONNECTICUT. 



the citj'. It is situated on a rocky elevation, which 
extends eastward into the river. This fort is manned bj- 
U. S. soldiers. 

The population in 1870 reached 9,576. 

Eev. Simon Bradstreet, eldest son of the Hon. Simon 
Brad street, long time a governor of Massachusetts, was 
born in 1C38 ; graduated at Han-ard College in 1G60 ; 
began to preach at New London, Conn., in IGGG ; was 
ordained in 1G70, and died in 1683. His mother was a 
daughter of Gov. Thomas Dudley, and is best known as 
"Anne Bradstreet, the poetess." 

Gen. Jedcdiah Pluntington, son of Gen. Jabez Hun- 
tington, was born in Norwich in 1743, and graduated at 
Harvard in 1763, on 
which occasion he pro- 
nounced the first Eng- 
lish oration delivered 
in that college at com- 
mencement. He was 
colonel of a Conti- 
neiHal regiment at 
Cambridge in 1 775 ; 
and in Ma}', 1777, he 
was commissioned by 
Congress as a briga- 
dier-general, which 
office he filled during 
the war with honor 
and ability. He re- 
moved to New Lon- 
don in 1789, on re- 
ceiving from President 
Washington the ap- 
pointment of collector 
of customs for that 
port, an office which 
he continued to hold 
for 26 years. He 
died Sept. 25, 1818. His first wife, Faith, a daughter 
of the senior Gov. Trumbull, died at Dedham, Mass., in 
1775, while he was on his way to join the army at Cam- 
bridge. 

Richard Law, LL. D., son of Gov. Jonathan Law, 
was born at Milford, March 17, 1733 ; graduated at Yale 
in 1751 ; was admitted to the bar, and settled in New 
London, where he died Jan. 26, 180G. He held succes- 
sively the offices of representative, member of the coun- 
cil, judge, and chief justice of the Superior Court, 
member of the Continental Congress, judge of the Dis- 
trict Court and mayor of New London. This last muni- 
cipal office he held 22 years. 




THE ACADEMY, NORWICH. 



Rev. Gurdon Saltonstall, son of Col. Nathan, and 
grandson of Sir Richard Saltonstall, was born at Haver- 
hill, Mass., March 27, 1666, graduated at Harvard in 
1684, and was ordained, Nov. 25, 1691, minister at New 
London, where he continued to discharge the duties of 
his sacred office in a most satisfactory manner till elected 
governor of the Colony in 1708, which office he held 
until his death in 1 724. 

John "VVinthrop, F. R. S., son of Gov. Winthrop of 
Massachusetts, was born in Groton, Eng., Feb. 12, 1605. 
His fine genius was improved by a liberal education at 
the universities of Cambridge and Dublin, and by travel 
on the Continent. He first came to New England in 
1G31, but three 3-cars 
later returned to Eu- 
rope. While there, 
he was empowered liy 
Lords Sa3' and Brook 
to make a settlement 
upon Connecticut Riv- 
er, and was commis- 
sioned as governor of 
the plantation. On 
his return to the New 
World in 1635, he did 
not press his claim to 
the chief magistracj', 
but caused a fort to 
be built at Saj'brook, 
and otherwise gave 
aid to the settlers. In 
1645, acting under a 
commission from the 
General Court of Mas- 
sachusetts, he began 
the infant settlement 
at Pcquot, now New 
London, and the next 
year removed his family thither. 

The first settlers of Stonington in 1646 began their 
plantation under the direction of the j-ounger Winthroi). 
He continued to reside at New London, and was identified 
with the pubUe affairs of the town until elected governor 
of the Colony in 1657. Subsequently he resided in 
Hartford. He held the office of governor of Connecticut 
and of the united Colonies to the time of his death in 
1676. He not only took high rank as a magistrate, but 
was particularly distinguished in the science of medi- 
cine. 

Fitz John Winthrop, son of the preceding, was born 
March 14, 1639. In 1689, he was, with the rank of 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



major-general, commander of the armj" sent to operate 
against Canada. Subsequent!}- he was an agent of the 
Colonj- to Great Britain, and rendered such service that 
the legislature presented him with £500 sterling. In 
1G38 he ■was ekcttd governor of Connecticut, md wis 
I annudl} le-elccted to the ofRce till the tune of his death, 
No\. 27, 1717. In an enfccbkd state of health, he 




ST lATRICKb ClIVIlCll, NOU'WICH 

Visited Boston for medical aid, and died wtuie mere, 
greatly lamented by the people of Connecticut. 

Norwich. — The domain Ijing between the Yantic and 
Shetucket rivers was by the Indians termed " Mohegan." 
In May, 1G59, the General Court authorized the planting 
of a colony in the Mohegan countiy, and in the next 
month, Uncas and his brother "Wawequn, for the con- 
sideration of £70, ceded to the English a portion of their 
territoiy nine miles square, including within its limits 
the present towns of Norwich, Franklin, Bozrah, Lisbon 



and Spraguo, wilh portions of other towns. (Col. Rec, 
I., p. 33G.) In the spring of ICGO, 35 proprietors, 
under the guidance of Maj. John Mason and Rev. James 
Fitch, removed from Saybrook hither, and established 
themselves in the locality' now known as Norwich Town, 
ilie n ime Norwich \\as given to the settlement in 1CG2, 
m honor of ^oiwieh in England. In the old Saxon lau- 
guige it signifies North Castle, and the 
tow ering rocks found here might easih' 

-^ suggest the idea of battlements. 

The township has an average length 
from north to south of seven miles, and 
a medium breadth of tlu-ee miles. The 
suifuc is diversified bj* hills and plains, 
\\hKh give to the place a picturesque 
appear mce. The prevailing soil is dark- 
colored loam, which is generally feitile. 
Noi V, leh is favored with excellent water- 
pi mlcges. The Shetucket from the 
north-east, and the Yantic from the 
north-west (after dashing over high 
roeks at Norwich Falls, and rushing 
through a narrow, winding chasm in the 
co\e below), unite, and in their union 
b( eome the Thames. The entire length 
of the Thames, thus constituted, to Long 
I-^hnd Sound, is 14 miles. 

Norwich Town is situated about two 
miles above the navigable waters of the 
1 hames. This place, for two-thirds of a 
_, , ei nturv, was the principal centre of busi- 
^ ^ ! lies 111 the town. It was also the seat ' 
^-' ' of the courts till comparativelj'- a late j 
I d itc The buildings, though not modem 
111 fettle, are quite respectable in appear- 
iiue The location had good natural 
1(1 vantages for the planting of a town at 
til it d ite. Norwich City was incorpo- 
1 itc d IS such in 1 784. At an early day 
it w as known as Chelsea, or the Landing, 
being situated at the head of the Thames. 
Aiiuougu iiie locahij' possessed rare maritime and other 
advantages, they remained unimproved till about 1726. 
At first it required great labor to remove the rocks and 
ledges, and reclaim the low, swampy grounds before eligi- 
ble sites for the streets and for their buildings could be 
secured. But by unremitting effort these obstacles have 
been overcome, and now a pleasant, romantic city crowns 
these rugged hillsides. The public buildings include the 
court-house and jail, the free academy, and several 
elegant churches. Almost the entire distance from the 



CONNECTICUT. 



town plot to the city is studded with elegant and sub- 
stantial residences. 

The vast water-power of Norwich has, to a large ex- 
tent, been brought into use. The Shetucket has been 
dammed at Green%nllc, at Taftville, and at Occum, and 
large mills have been erected at each of these A-illages for 
manufacturing purposes. Greenville is pai-ticularly dis- 
tinguished for its mammoth paper-mills. The waters of 
the Yantic Eiver have been utilized at the 
Falls, and at other villages higher up the 
stream. 

The Yantic Cemeteiy , on the east bauli of 
the Yantic Eiver, was consecrated in 1844. 
It includes an extensive area of grounil. 
agreeablj' diversified, in a romantic section . 
and already contains man}- elegant and 
costly monuments. 

The ancient Indian cemetery was located 
at the head of the cove. It contains a gran- 
ite obeUsk that commemorates the name of 
Uncas. The eomer-stone of this monument 
was laid by President Jackson in 1833. The 
historj- of Norwich from its first settlement 
to the present time has been characterized 
by stead}- improvement. The population of 
the town and city in 1870 was 1G,G.53. 

Samuel Huntington, LL. D., born in 
Windham in 1731, was admitted to the bar. 
and settled in Norwich, where he soon rose 
to the front rank in his profession. In 
1775, having previouslj' held the office of 
judge of the Supreme Court, he was chosen 
a delegate to the Continental Congress, and, 
on the 4th of Jul}-, 1776, he appended his 
name to the Declaration of Independence. 
In 1779 he was chosen president of Con- 
gress, and was re-elected to the same office 
in 1 780. In 1 783 he was re-elected to Con- 
gress, and during the following j-ear he was 
appointed chief justice of the Superior Court. 
In May, 1786, he was elected governor of the State, and 
was annually re-elected until his death in 1796. 

Gov. Huntington, though not a graduate, had received 
honorary degrees from Dartmouth and Yale. 

Rev. Nathaniel "Whitaker, D. D., was born in 1710, 
gradu.ated at Ilan-ard in 1730, and was installed as the 
first minister of Chelsea, in Norwich, in 1761. As Mr. 
Whitaker was a man of fine talents, and of prepossess- 
ing appearance, and had also manifested a deep interest 
in the welfare of the Mohegan Indians, he was, in 1766, 
selected to accompany Occum in his mission to England 



and Scotland. The selection proved to be judicious, for 
the collections from this source amounted to more than 
£10,000. His publications were quite numerous, consist- 
ing of sermons, tracts, &c. He died in Virginia in 1795. 
Rev. James Fitch was born at Boking, Eng., in 1622, 
and came to New England in 1638. He was for seven 
years in Hartford under the instruction of Messrs- 
Hooker and Stone. In 1646 he was ordained over a 




nCH, NORWICH. 



chirrch at Saybrook, where ho remained until 1660, when 
he removed, with the bulk of his people, to Norwich, and 
in that town passed the remaining active days of his life. 
When the infirmities of age obliged him to cease from his 
pubHc labors, he retired to the home of his children in 
Lebanon, where he died Nov. 18, 1702. He became 
accjuainted with the language spoken by the Mohegan 
Indians in the neighborhood of Norwich, and often 
preached to them in their native tongue. For his second 
wife he married Priscilla, daughter of Maj. John Mason, 
by whom he had seven sons and one daughter. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



Benjamin Huntington, LL. B., was born in Norwich 
in 1736, graduated at Yale in 1761, and, being admitted 
to the bar, settled in his native town, and soon rose to 
eminence in his profession. He was a member of the 
Continental Congress from 1780 to 1784, and from 1787 
to 1788, and a representative to Congress from 1789 to 
1791. He was a judge of the Superior Court from 1793 
to 1797. Ou the incorporation of Norwich City in 1784, 
he was chosen its first ma3"or, in which office he seized 
until 1796. He died in 1800. 

Maj. John Mason, the mihtary leader of the early set- 
tlers of the Colonj' of Connecticut, was born in England 
about the year ICOO, and was bred to arms in the 
Netherlands under Sir Thomas Fairfax. During the civil 
disturbances in England in Cromwell's time, Fairfax 
requested him to join his standard, and assist those who 
were contending for the liljerties of the people, but he 
did not comply with the request. 

Mason arrived at Dorchester, Mass., in 1630, in com- 
pany wilh the Rev. John Wareham and others, and in 
1635, he removed to Windsor, Conn., and assisted in 
laying the foundation of a new Colon}-. The historj- of 
the part he acted in the Pequot war in 1637 is given in 
detail elsewhere. He removed from Windsor to Saj'brook 
in 1647, and from thence to Norwich in 1660, where he 
died in 1672. He was successively commander-in-chief 
of the militia of Connecticut, a magistrate from 1642 to 
1G60, and deputj--governor of the Colony until he retired 
from public life in 1670. He was wise and prompt in 
planning and energetic in executing whatever he deemed 
best for the general good. At the request of the General 
Court, he drew and published a brief historj- of the 
Pequot war, which has since been reprinted. 

Benedict Arnold descended from an honorable Rhode 
Island family, where one of his ancestors, bearing the 
same name, held the office of governor for 15 years. 
Two brothers of this family, — Benedict and Oliver, — 
removed from Newport to Norwibh in 1730. The elder 
Benedict, the father of the traitor, soon became engaged 
in business, and not long after his arrival in Norwich, 
married Mrs. Hannah King, whose maiden name was 
Lathrop. Benedict was born in Norwich Jan. 3, 1741. 
Earlj' in life he was apprenticed to Dr. Lathrop, a drug- 
gist in Norwich, with whom he remained during his 
minority. He subsequently embarked in the same busi- 
ness in New Haven, and while there became captain 
of a company of militia. After the battle at Lexington 
he made a hasty march to Cambridge at the head of his 
company, and volunteered his services to the Massachu- 
setts Committee of Safety. With the ranii of colonel in 
the Continental army he joined Ethan Allen and assisted 



in the taking of Ticonderoga. Having been wounded at 
Quebec and at Saratoga, and so rendered unfit for active 
field serv-ice, he was placed in command at Philadelphia, 
after that place had been evacuated b}- Carleton, in 1778. 
He was at this time a major-general in the Continen- 
tal army. While in Philadelphia, Arnold married the 

; daughter of Judge Shippen, a Tory. At his own earnest 
solicitation he was, in August, 1780, appointed by Wash- | 

j ington to the command of West Point. His eternally 
infamous act of treachery soon followed. Arnold re- 

} ceived from the British government the stipulated reward 
of his perfidy. He was made a brigadier-general in the 
British ser\-ice, which rank he held throughout the war. 
In childhood Arnold was quarrelsome, untruthful and i 
disobedient ; and in manhood was ambitious, perfidious, 1 
dishonest and revengeful. He died in disgrace at Glou- ! 
cester Place, London, in June, 1801. 

Ston-ixgton. — " Southerton, or Stonington, was for a 
time claimed by Massachusetts by virtue of assistance 
rendered to Connecticut in the conquest of the Pequots. 
And fui-ther, this place was supposed to be included in a 
grant to them by the Earl of Warwick and Council for 
British America, Dec. 10, 1G43, and was settled bj- per- 
sons* who went thither under John Winthrop, Jr., in 
1646. It was assigned to Connecticut by commission- 
ers of the United Colonies July 26, 1647. This order 
being revoked, the settlers at Southerton petitioned to 
JIassachusetts that they might be a township, which 
was granted Oct. 25, 1658, and they were united 
with Suffolk Count}-. They continued to sustain this 
relation, and entered into a voluntary compact on the 
SOth of June to govern themselves and conduct their 
own affairs. But after Connecticut obtained the Royal 
Charter in 1662, the town, being included in the grant, 
was re-annexed to Connecticut." (Felt's Statistics of 
Towns in Massachusetts, p. 24.) 

In October, 1665, the General Court gave to the set- 
tlement the name of Mystic. In May, 1666, the name 
was changed to Stonington. The Indian name was 
Pawcatuck. 

The water-privileges of the town, including the Mystic 
Eiver on the west, and the Pawcatuck on the east, with 
the several intermediate streams known as Copp's Brook, 
Stony Brook and Anguilla Brook, are cf great value. 
All these streams discharge their waters into the Sound, 
thus aflSording excellent manufacturing and maritime pi ivi- 
leges. Add to these natural advantages tlie "Point," 

» The principal planters were Samuel Cheeseborough, Capt. George 
Denison, Thomas Shaw, Thomas Stanton and Walter Palmer. Tlic 
first settlement was made at Wequetequock Cove, two miles north-east ■ 
I of Stonington. 



CONNECTICUT. 



with its harbor, breakwater and railroad, and it will 
be made clear how so many large and self-sustaining 
villages have grown up within the township. These are 
the Borough, on Fisher's Island Sound, which was incor- 
porated as such in 1801 ; Mystic Bridge, Greenmanville 
and Mj'stic on M3'stic River ; and Stillmanville and Paw- 
catuck Bridge, on the Pawcatuck River. These have in 
the past been largelj' dependent upon shipbuilding and 
other maritime interests for their prosperity, and have in 
turn been efficient nurseries for the production of an 
able body of seamen. The population in 1870 was 
6,313. 

Capt. Thomas Miner, born in England in 1608, came 
to New England in 1630, and was one of the original 
settlers at New London, being associated with Winthrop, 
in 1647. In 1653 he removed to Stonington and made 
that place his future home. He was for a long period 
engaged in civil affairs, and during King Philip's war 
rendered efficient service as a military leader. lie died 
at Stonington Oct. 23, 1690. 

Thomas Stanton, "The Indian Interpreter," came to 
this countrj' in 1636, and with almost unparalleled 
facility, acquired the masterj"^ of the dialects spoken b^' 
the aborigines in New England. In 1638 he was ap- 
pointed to the office of interpreter by the General Court 
of Connecticut. He also received the appointment of 
interpreter-general from the commissioners of the United 
Colonies. His peculiar qualifications as an interpreter 
rendered his services quite indispensable throughout 
New England. He was one of the early settlers of 
Stonington. His long-established residence was on the 
Connecticut side of the Pawcatuck River, where he died 
in 1678. 

William Cheeseborough, the first permanent settler 
of vStonington, was born in Boston, Eng., in 1594. 
He came to New England with Gov. Winthrop and 
first settled in Boston. In 1649 ho settled in Ston- 
ington. He held the office of first selectman of that 
town for a succession of years till his death in 1667. 

Capt. George Denison, born in 1618, came to New 
England in 1631, in company with the Rev. John Eliot, 
and settled first in Roxbury, Mass. In 1651 he became 
a resident of New London and there remained till 1654, 
when he removed to Stonington, where he became per- 
manently estabUshed. From 1671 to 1694, he repre- 
sented Stonington in the General Court. As a militar3' 
leader he became distinguished. He participated in the 
Narragansett Swamp fight in 1675, where he rendered 
important sendee. In March, 1676, he, with others, 
made an incursion into the Narragansett country and 
made Canonchet, the chief sachem, a prisoner. The 



savage, when offered his life on condition of living in 
peace said, " he chose to die before his heart grew soft." 
The prisoner was shot at Stonington by Oneco, son of 
Uncas. During the year 1676, Capt. Denison and his 
volunteers killed and took as prisoners 230 of the enemy. 
He died at Hartford in 1694, while attending a session 
of the General Court. 

Groton was constituted an ecclesiastical society in 
1703, from the section of Pequot country lying east of the 
Thames River. It was incorporated as a town in 1705, 
from territory' which originally belonged to New London. 
It was named in honor of Groton, Suffolk County, Eng., 
the birthplace of John Winthrop, Jr., the first governor 
of Connecticut after the union. The township is uneven, 
being hilly and abounding in rocks. A narrow tract 
extending along the Sound, and another extending up 
the Thames to a considerable distance from its mouth, 
are pleasant and fertile, but the remainder is difficult of 
cultivation. The town is watered b^' the Mystic and 
Poquonoc rivers, which discharge their waters into the 
Sound. 

There are five villages in the township, in each of 
which is a post-office, — Groton Centre on the north. 
Mystic River on the east, Noank and Poquonoc on the 
south, and Groton Bank on the west. 

Mystic River is navigable for vessels of 400 tons bur- 
den to Mystic Bridge. Shipbuilding has been carried 
on to some extent at the head of Mystic. 

A monument has been erected on Groton Heights in 
memory of those who were slain in Fort Griswold in 
1781. Its foundation stone is 130 feet above tide- 
water, and the monument itself rises 127 feet above its 
base. 

The population in 1870 was 5,124. 

John Ledyard, the distinguished traveller, was born 
in Groton, Conn., in 1751. He sailed with Capt. Cook 
on his third voyage of discover^', and witnessed the 
tragical end of the great circumnavigator at Owyhee. 
After extensive travel in the sparsely inhabited provinces 
of Europe and Asia, he was finally employed by the 
African Association, which had been organized under 
the direction of Sir Joseph Banks, to make a thorough 
exploration of the interior portions of the African con- 
tinent. He engaged in the service of this companj- with 
great enthusiasm and sailed from London on his tour of 
discovery June 30, 1788. After repeated delays at 
Cairo he died at that place greatly lamented, Jan. 17, 
1789. 

Col. William Ledyard, brother of the above, was also 
a native of Groton. In 1781 he was military commander 
of the district which included Fort Griswold on Groton 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



Heights. The fortress was not strong nor sufficiently 
manned to resist a large force. When a detachment 
of British troops, numbering about 900 men, under the 
command of Col. Eyre were advancing toward the 
heights, the brave Ledj-ard remarked : " If I must lose 
to-day honor or life, those who know me best can tell 
which it will be." With onl3- 150 men he made a 
brave but ineffectual resistance, for, overpowered by 
numbers, the fort was carried by assault with the bayo- 
net. Col. E^Te and Maj. Montgomery ha-sdng been 
slain, the command devolved upon Maj. Bloomfield, who 
inquired who coimnanded. Ledyard rephed, "I did 
command, sir, but you do now " ; and presented to him 
his sword. The ferocious officer instantlj- ran him 
through with his own sword. All the Americans in the 
fort, numbering about 70, were brutuallj' slain after thej- 
had surrendered. 

Silas Deane was born in Groton, Conn., graduated at 
Yale in 1758, and became a resident of Wethersfield. 
In 1774 he was chosen a member of the Continental 
Congress, and while acting in that capacity was ap- 
pointed as an agent from his own government to the 
Court of France to enlist the sympathies and secure the 
co-operation of the French people in our struggle for 
independence. He arrived in Paris in July, 1776. 
Through his influence Lafayette, Eochambeau and others 
were induced to aid the patriot cause. With Dr. Frank- 
lin and Arthur Lee, he was commissioner for negotiating 
treaties with foreign powers, lie died at Deal, in Eng- 
land, in 1789. 

SpRAGtiE was incorporated as a township in 1861, from 
the territory of Franklin and Lisbon. It is well supplied 
with streams of water, which afford extensive manufac- 
turing privileges. It is washed bj- the Shetucket the 
entire extent of its territorj' from the north-west to the 
south-east boundary. Little Eiver waters the eastern 
section of the town, and Beaver Brook the western. 
Sprague was organized principally as a manufacturing 
town. In the village of Baltic, in the central part of 
the town, upon the Shetucket River, is located the mam- 
moth cotton-miU of A. & W. Sprague. In the same 
village, are two woollen-mills on Beaver Brook, which 
there unites with the Slietucket. At the village of Han- 
over, two miles north-east of Baltic, is located a woollen- 
mill, on Little River ; and at the village of Yersailles, 
two miles south-east of Baltic, is another woollen-mill 
on the same stream. The population in 1870 was 3,463. 

Colchester. — The General Coui-t, in October, 1698, 
enacted that a township should be organized at or near 
the place called Jeremiah's Farm, on the road to New 
London. This locality was then in Hartford Count}'. 



In October, 1699, it was called Colchester, and an- 
nexed to New London County. Some of the names 
prominent among the original planters were those of the 
Rev. John Bulklej-, Samuel Gilbert, Michael Taintor, 
and Joseph Pomeroy. The face of the township is un- 
even. The soil is a gravellj- loam, of medium fertilit}-. 
The borough of Colchester was incorporated in 1824. 

The borough contains a pleasant village, centrally 
situated upon elevated gi'ound, of perhaps 50 or 60 
houses. Bacon Academy is located in this village ; also 
a Congregational church. The extensive works of tlie 
Hayward Rubber Company- are located a short distance 
east of the v-illage. Tlio population of tlie borough in 
1870 was 1,371 ; of the town, including the borough, 
3,383. 

Rev. John Bulkley, first minister in Colchester, was a 
son of Rev. Gershom Bulkier, who had been pastor of 
the churches in New London and Wethersfield. His 
mother was a daughter of President Chauncj' of Har- 
vard College. He graduated at Cambridge in 1699, 
was ordained in 1703, and died in June, 1731. He was 
regarded as one of the most ijrofound and learned men 
in New England. He was thoroughly versed in the- 
ology, law, medicine, and science in general. 

Griswold was constituted the North Society in Pres- 
ton in October, 1716. It was incorporated as a town in 
1815, and received the name of Griswold. The Indian 
name of the settlement was Pachaug. The surface of 
the township is uneven. The prevailing soil is a grav- 
elly loam, of medium fertility. Jewett City is the prin- 
cipal village in the town. It is located on the east side 
of the Quinebaug River, and contains about 1,000 in- 
habitants. The village has three cotton-mills, several 
stores, the Jewett City National Bank, and a Congrega- 
tional church. 

Hopeville is a small manufacturing village, situated 
on the Pachaug River, about 2J- miles east of Jewett 
City. 

Doanevillo and Glasko are two manufacturing villages 
located quite on the eastern border of the town. Glasko 
contains the Griswold paper-mill. 

The population in 1870 was 2.575. 

MoNTViLLE was Constituted the North Paiish in New 
London in May, 1714. It was incorporated as a town 
in 1786 from territorj' which originallj- belonged to New 
London, and received the name of Montville. 

Montville was originally the royal seat of Uncas, the 
Mohegan sagamore, and continued to be the residence 
of the royal family till it became extinct. In the east- 
ern pai-t of the town was located a large Indian reser\-a- 
tion, which was held bj'the Indians in common till 1790, 

I 



CONNECTICUT. 



when it was divided among tlio families Iw the legisla- 
ture of Connecticut. Since that period thoj' have been 
under the care of guardians. Their interests have been 
carefull}' guarded, and much has been done to improve 
their condition. Still, the tribe is -wasting, and but a 
remnant now remains. This resen'ation has for some 
3-ears been favored with a convenient church edifice. 
Though agriculture is the principal business of the in- 
habitants, there are jet two manufacturing villages on 
the Oxoboxo Eiver, in the southern part of the town. 
These are Uncasville and Montville, and each has a 
post-office. 

The population in 1870 was 2,495. 

"William Hillhouse was the son of the Rev. James 
Hillhouse of New London, now Montville, where he was 
born Aug. 25, 1728. He was for more than fiftj' j-ears 
a member of the legislature, and for forty years a judge 
of the Court of Common Pleas. From 1783 to 1786, he 
was a member of the Continental Congress. In 1792, 
he received the honorary degree of A. M. from Yale 
College. He died Jan. 12, 1816. 

James Hillhouse, LL. D., son of the above, was born 
in Montville, Oct. 21, 1754, and graduated at Yale in 
1773. He was an officer in the "War of the Revolution ; 
in 1791 was chosen a member of Congi-ess ; from 1796 
to 1810 was a member of the United States senate ; 
from 1810 to 1825 was commissioner of the school fund 
of the State; and from 1782 to 1832 was treasurer of 
Yale College. He died at New Haven, Dec. 29, 1832. 

Rev. Sampson Occum, an Indian preacher of the Mo- 
hegan tribe, was born in the present town of Montville 
in 1723, and received his education from the Rev. Dr. 
"Wheelock, the founder and first president of Dartmouth 
College. From a roving savage he became a humble 
Christian, and for about ten years was emploj'ed as a 
teacher among the natives on Long Island. In August, 
1759, he was ordained b}' the SufiFolk presbyterj-. In 
1766, he was sent on a mission to England by Mr. 
"Wheelock, to promote the interests of IMoor's Indian 
charity school. From February, 1766, to July, 1767, he 
preached nearlj' 400 sermons in various parts of Eng- 
land and Scotland, and everywhere immense throngs of 
people flocked to his meetings. Large contributions 
were made to the school, which was soon transplanted to 
New Hampshire, and formed the germ of Dartmouth 
College. He was often employed as a missionarj' among 
the different tribes of Indians. He died near Utiea, 
N. Y., in July, 1792. 

Uncas, sachem of the Mohegan Indians, was a Pequot bj- 
birth, and of roj-al descent. To the English he was uni- 
formlj- friendly from the first settlement of the country. 



The triumph of ]\Iaj. ]\Iason over the Pequot Indians in 
1G37 was largely due to the support of Uncas and his 
warriors, and to the information which he imparted. He 
was shrewd to plan, and brave to execute, and generally 
the victor. After a lapse of forty years from the victor}' 
on Pequot Hill, and at a time when all the Indian tril^es 
in New England were banded together under the leader- 
ship of King Philip for the utter extermination of the 
whites, Uncas, at the head of 200 warriors, accompanied 
Maj. Talcott to western Massachusetts, and rendered 
important service to the settlers. He died in 1683, 
probably not less than 80 years of age, and was buried 
in the royal Indian burj-ing-ground in Norwich. 

Lebanon. — ■ It was ordered by the General Court in 
October, 1697, that the new plantation situated west of 
Norwich be cajled Lel)anon.* Lebanon was originally 
constituted of four distinct proprieties, known as the 
five-mile purchase, the one-mile purchase, the Clark and 
Dewej' purchase, and the "Whiting purchase. These dif- 
ferent tracts were united by agreement, and in their union 
obtained an act of incorporation as a township in 1700. 
"\Yindham County, constituted in 1726, included Lebanon 
within its jurisdiction. It was annexed to New London 
County in 1824. Agricultiu-e is the principal business 
of the inhabitants. The town has three flourishing par- 
ishes, known as Lebanon Proper, Goshen and Exeter. 
These have church edifices of the Congregational order, 
and high schools. 

This historic town has given birth to six distinguished 
individuals, each of whom has risen to the rank of chief 
magistrate of a State in our Republic. Of these, five 
became governors of our own State, and the sixth of a 
State in the far "West as will appear from the annexed 
biographical sketches. The population in 1870, 2,211. 

Jonathan Trumbull, son of Capt. Joseph Trumbull, 
was born in Lebanon, Conn., in 1710, and graduated at 
Harvard College in 1727. Early in life he consecrated 
himself to the ministry, but the exigencies of the times 
called him to a different, if not to a higher sphere of public 
exertion, and consequently^ he sei"ved as governor of the 
Colony and State for 15 j-cars, commencing in 1769. 
He was the only governor of a Colony that-remained true 
to his people during the war of the Rc-\-olution. In 
Revolutionary times he was almost universallj' known as 
"Brother Jonathan," having been so called by "Washing- 
ton in token of his filial regard and confidence. He died 
Aug. 17, 1785. 

* At the original organization of tlio settlement a large cedar swamp 
was included within tbo southern boundary of tlio plantation. It has 
been said that this circumstance led the Rev. James Fitch, on the princi- 
ple of association, to suggest the name of Lebanon for the new toiraship. 



HISTORY OF KEW ENGLAND. 



Jonathan Trumbull, son of the preceding, was born in 
Lebanon, Conn., March 2G, 1740, graduated at Harvard 
College in 1759, and settled in his native town. From 
1775 to the close of the campaign of 1778, he was paj'- 
mastcr to the army in the northern department. In 1 780 
he was appointed secretarj- and first aid to Washington, 
in whose family he remained till the close of the war. 
In 1789 he became a member of Congress, and two years 
later was elected speaker of the House of Representatives. 
In 1 794 he was elevated to a seat in the Senate of the 
United States, and in 1798 became governor of Con- 
necticut, which position he continued to hold for eleven 
years. He died Aug. 7, 1809. 

Joseph Trumbull, LL. D., grandson of the senior 
Gov. Trumbull, was born in Lebanon, Dec. 7, 1782, 
graduated at Yale in 1801, w.as admitted to the bar in 
1802, and in 1804 removed to Hartford, where he became 
permanentl}'' established. He was a member of Congress 
from 1839 to 1843, and in 1849 was elected governor of 
Connecticut. He died in Hartford Aug. 4, 18G1. 

Clark Bissell, LL. D., was born in Lebanon in 1784, 
graduated at Yale in 1806, was subsequently admitted 
to the bar and became established at Norwalk, where he 
soon rose to eminence. He was a judge of th3 Superior 
Court from 1829 to 1839, governor of the State for the 
years 1847 and 1848, and professor of jurisprudence in 
Yale College from 1847 to 1855. He died in 1857. 

William A. Buckingham, LL. D., was born in Lebanon 
in 1804. Early in life he became successfullj' engaged 
in business in Korwich, represented that town in the 
State legislature, was for a long period mayor of the city 
of Norwich, and from 1859 to 1866 was governor of the 
State. From 1869 to the time of his death in 1875, he 
was a member of the L^nitcd States Senate. He was hon- 
orablj- known as the " War Governor of Connecticut." 

Kelson Dewey, son of John Woodward Dewey, was 
bora in Lebanon early in the present centurj'. Removing 
to the West, he became a resident of Lancaster, Wis., 
and, during the years 1849 and 1850, served as governor 
of his adopted State. 

WilUam Williams, son of the Rev. Solomon Williams, 
D. D., was born in Lebanon, April 8, 1731, and graduated 
at Harvard in 1751. In 1755 he participated in the battle 
of Lake George, being then a member of the staff of Col. 
p4)hraim WiUiams. After protracted senice in the legis- 
lature of his own State, he was, during the years 1 776 and 
1 777, a member of the Continental Congress, and as such 
signed the Declaration of Independence. He made great 
sacrifices for the cause of Ms country. He married a 
daughter of the elder Gov. Trumbull. Jlr. Williams 
died at Lebanon, Aug. 2, 1811. 



Preston. — Permission was gi-anted to Thomas Parke, 
Sr., and others, by the General Court in January, 
1686-7, to make a plantation east of Norwich bounds. In 
October, 1687, it was by the same court named Preston. 
Preston was incorporated as a town in 1786, just a cen- 
tury after its first settlement. The Indian name of the 
locality was Poquetannock. 

There are three villages in the township. Poquetan- 
nock is situated at the head of a cove of the same name 
about two miles east of the Thames. It contains about 
40 dwellings and several stores. Preston City is a village 
located in the eastern part of the town, which contains 
about 30 dwelling-houses and two churches. The other 
village is situated upon the south-bank of the Shetucket, 
opposite to the citj- of Norwich. Laurel Hill, situated 
near the junction of the Shetucket and Thames rivers, 
was, till recentl}-, included within the Preston limits. It 
now constitutes an inviting section in Norwich city. 

The population of Preston in 1870 was 2,161. 

Ltjie. — The General Court authorized the division of 
Sajbrook in May, 1649, the section east of Connecticut 
River to be known as East Sajbrook. It was first settled 
in 1663, and was incorporated as a distinct township with 
the name of Lyme in 1667. The Indian name of the 
locality was Nehuutic. The surface of the township is 
rocky, and parts of it hilly and mountainous. The soil 
is hard, and does not admit of a general cultivation of 
crops, but affords tolerable grazing. Farming is the 
principal business of the inhabitants. 

The principal vdllages in the town are at Hamburgh 
and North Lj-me. Both are situated upon Eight-Mile 
River. 

The population in 1870 was 1,181. 

Matthew Griswold, LL. D., was bom in LjTne, March 
25, 1714. After sening as a representative, member of 
the council, chief judge of the Superior Court, and lieut- 
enant-governor, he was from 1784 to 1786, governor of 
the State. In 1788 he was chosen president of the con- 
vention which adopted the Constitution of the United 
States. He died April 28, 1799. His mansion was 
located at Black Hall, near the mouth of the Connecticut 
River. 

Roger Griswold, LL. D., son of the above, was born in 
Lyme, May 21, 1762. He graduated at Yale in 1780, 
and being admitted to the bar, located in Norwich, and 
soon rose to eminence as an advocate. In 1811 he was 
elected governor of the State, having previouslj' held the 
officcsof judge of the Superior Court and lieutenant-gov- 
ernor of the State. He remained in office until his death, 
in October, 1812. 

East Lyme was constituted the East Parish in Lvme 



CONNECTICUT. 



in October, 1721. The Indian name of the locality was 
Neanticut. A moiety of the territory now constituting 
East Lyme was an Indian reservation for the Western 
Nehuntics, when the towns of New London and Lyme 
were incorporated. This reservation was afterwards 
claimed by each town, but by mutual agreement the 
ownership was decided by a pugilistic contest between 
two combatants from each town in the field. L3Tne be- 
came the winner, and the territory was annexed to that 
town. The surface of the township is diversified. Hills 
and rocks prevail in the northern portion, while on the 
Sound the grounds are low and marshj*. The ■\'illage of 
Flanders is located at the head of Niantic Eiver, while 
Naintic Village is seated at the mouth of the same river 
on the Sound. 

Population in 1870, 1,506. 

Old Lyme was re-incorporated as a township in 1855, 
wholly from the territorj' of Lyme. At first the new 
town was called South L3-me. This name was sulise- 
quently changed to Old Lyme. The settlement of East 
Saybrook, at the mouth of the Connecticut Eiver, prima- 
rilj' led to the early incorporation of the town of L^-mc. 
Agriculture gives emploj-ment mainly to the inhabitants. 

Lj-me Village is situated about 12 miles from the 
Sound, and one mile east of Connecticut River. The 
main street runs parallel with the river, and contains 
a Congregational church edifice and the LjTne post-office. 
Black ILill, the ancient seat of the Griswold familj', lies 
directly upon the Sound, near the mouth of the Con- 
necticut River. The population of Old Lyme in 1870 
was 1,362. 

Fkanklin was originally included in the territorj^ of 
Norwich. It was constituted the Second Ecclesiastical 
Society in Norwich in October, 1716, with the title of 
West Farms. Its settlement was almost coeval with 
that of the present township. In 1663 measures were 
taken to apportion the ten-itory within the present town 
limits to the original proprietors then residing at Norwich 
town. Soon thereafter settlements actually commenced 
on the hillsides aud up and down the streams, and shortly 
a thriving community occupied the most desirable por- 
tions of the new settlement. Among the early settlers 
are names that still honor the town, as Aj-er, Huntington, 
Kingsbury , Mason and Tracj'. It was incorporated as a 
town in 1786, and received the name of Franklin. Its 
population in 1870 was 731. The face of the township 
is diversified bj- hills and valleys. The soil is a loam, well 
adapted to grazing, grain-growing and fruit-culture. 

There is no village within the limits of the town, and 
but one church edifice, and that a Congregational. 
Agriculture has been the principal pursuit of the inhab- 



itants, which has been successfullj- conducted, but not to 
the neglect of more important interests. The common 
school has ever had the watchful, fostering care of the 
inhabitants, and to the credit of the community it maj- be 
said that, with a limited population, more than 40 of her 
sons have graduated with honor at the different colleges 
in our country. 

Rev. Samuel Nott, D. D., was born in Saj-brook, Jan. 
23, 175-4. He graduated at Yale in 1780, and was set- 
tled in the ministry at Norwich, now Franklin, May 13, 
1782, where he remained until the close of his long and 
useful life. His ministry covered a period of more than 70 
years. His death occurred May 26, 1852, from the effects 
of a biu-n. He published a large number of sermons. 

Hon. Uriah Tracj', born in Franklin, Feb. 2, 1755, 
graduated at Yale in 1778, read law with Judge Reeve 
of Litchfield, and settled in that town in the practice of 
his profession. He often represented Litchfield in the 
legislature, and in 1793 was speaker of the House. From 
1 793 to 1 796 he was a representative in Congress, and 
from 1796 to 1807 was a member of the Senate, and in 
1800 was president p?-o tem. of that body. He rose to the 
rank of major-general of militia. Gen. Tracy was a 
leader of the Federal party, and an intimate friend -of 
Hamilton, Ames, Morris, and their associates. He died 
at Washington, July 19, 1807, and was the first person 
interred in the congressional burying-ground. 

North Stonington was constituted the North Parish 
in Stonington, in October, 1720, and was by the General 
Court named North Stonington in May, 1724. The In- 
dian name of this locality was Wcquetequock. It was 
incorporated as a town in 1807, from territorj- which was 
originally a part of Stonington, It is an agricultural town, 
and is watered by the Shanock and Pawcatuck rivers, 
which afford sites for mills. 

The only village in the town is now known by the 
name of North Stonington. This place was anciently 
called Milltown. It contains about 30 dwelling-houscj;, 
half-a-dozen stores, and two churches. 

The population in 1870 was 1,759. 

Ledyakd was made the North Parish of Groton by the 
General Court in October, 1 725. It was then known as 
North Groton. It was incorporated as a town in 183G, 
and named from the hero of Groton Heights. Agriculture 
is the principal business of the inhabitants. A small 
remnant of the Pequot tribe of Indians still remains in the 
north-eastern section of tiie town. The principal village 
in the town of Ledyard is at Gale's Ferry, on the east 
bank of the Thames, which may consist of about 30 
dwelling-houses. 

The population in 1870 was 1,392. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



S.U.EM. — In May, 1728, a pai-ish was constituted from 
sections of the towns of Colchester and L3'me, to which 
the name of New Salem was given. This was incorpo- 
rated as a town in Ma3-, 1819, and received the name of 
Salem. There is no village in the township of magni- 
tude. There are three houses of public worship — Con- 
gregational, Methodist and Episcopal. Agriculture is 
the principal business of the inhabitants. The popu- 
lation in 1870 was 717. 

BozRAH. — Bozrah was constituted a society within the 
limits of Norwich in May, 1737, with the name of New 
Concord. It was incorporated a town in 1786, with the 
name of Bozrah. Among the earlj' settlers the names of 
Waterman and Hough and of Fox were prominent; 
names not uncommon at this date. The face of the 
township is generall}- uneven, consisting of hills and val- 
leys ; its geological character is granitic ; the soil is 
gravelly loam, moderatelj- fertile. 

Fitchville, located near the centre of the town, and 
Bozrahville, two miles above, are both manufacturins; 



villages, and both situated upon the Yantic River. The 
central part of the town is li miles fiom New London 
and 33 from Hartford. The population in 1870 was 984. 

Lisbon was originally included within the limits of 
Norwich. It was constituted the north-east parish of the 
parent township in May, 1718, and received the name of 
Newent in October, 1722. It was incorporated as a 
town in 1786, and given its present name. The Indian 
name of the locality was Shetucket. 

Agriculture is the leading business of the inhabitants. 
The population is eonsequentlj' scattered. The number 
of inhabitants in 1870 was 582. 

Waterford was incorporated as a township in 1801, 
including all the remaining territorj' of New London 
except the citj-. The Indian name was Tawawaug. A 
valuable quarry' of granite is extensively worked in the 
south-western section of the town. A small village, to 
which the name of Graniteville has been given, is located 
near the quarry. Agriculture is the principal business of 
the inhabitants. The population in 1870 was 2,482. 



TOLLA^'D COUXTY. 



BY MRS. EUNICE F. ANDERSON. 



ToLLAXD CouKTY, the j'oungest and the least in area, 
except one, of the Connecticut counties, was incor- 
porated by the General Court, at New Haven, in 
October, 1785, and included Tolland, Stafford, Bol- 
ton, Somers, Hebron, Willington, Union and Elling- 
ton. The act establishing the county was conditioned 
upon the building of a suitable court-house and jail 
in the town of Tolland. In May, 1786, the General 
Court re-enacted the act of 1785, and added Coventrj- 
to the lists of towns. This number of towns has 
been increased to thirteen bj- the creation of Vernon 
out of Bolton in 1808 ; bj- the transfer of Mansfield and 
Columbia from Windham Count3' in 1827, and b}- the 
organization of Andover out of Covcntr}' and Hebron in 
1848. All of the towns were settled long before the 
county was organized, and most of them were incorj^o- 
rated before its organization. 

About one-quarter of this county was bought of 
Indians — Joshua, a Mohegan sachem, and others. Some 
of it was sold bj- the Colony. The countj- lies, a small 



part of it, at the base, and a larger part among the hills 
which rise out of the Connecticut Valle}' about 12 miles 
east of Hartford, and extend beyond the eastern border 
of the count}-. 

I\Iany of the early settlers came from Norwich and 
vicinity, and from the Connecticut Valley, as those 
regions became more thickly populated. Among the 
earliest were many from eastern Massachusetts. The 
original settlers were of the Pilgi-im and Puritan stock, 
and brought with them the purpose to make their settlc- 
monts rehgious communities. Their first care, after 
finding habitations for themselves, was to establish the 
regular weekly worship of God, and to provide a house for 
this worsliip. The next public care was to open a school. 

The earliest industries of the count}- were prineipallj- 
farming — clearing tracts of land and getting the soil in 
proper condition to raise produce for the maintenance of 
the familv — and the manufacture in each home, of hand- 
spun and hand-woven woollen and linen cloth for the 
wear of the family-. 



CONNECTICUT. 



The streams of this county give numerous facilities for 
manufacturing, and, in later years, they have been 
utilized, and have furnished water-power for factories 
which have drawn to themselves that domestic manufac- 
ture which before was scattered over the hills, and gave 
activity to every household. It may be said of this 
county, as a whole, that it has well improved its manu- 
facturing facilities. In 1870 there were onl)- two counties 
— Windham and New Haven — that had a larger ratio than 
Tolland County of capital invested in manufacturing, in 
proportion to the total valuation of property. 

The brooks and rivers of the county gather a portion 
of the waters that unite at Norwich to form the river 
Thames. The Willimantic is the principal river in the 
county, and has contributed much to the support of the 
inhabitants. In early times shad and salmon were 
caught in large quantities up as far as Tolland, and prob- 
abty higher. 

Large tracts of heavy woodlands remained in this 
county 30 year? ago, especially in the eastern part of it. 
It is estimated that full one-half of the forest trees then 
standing have been since cut off. 

The New York and New England, and the New 
London Northern are the principal railroads in the 
count}'. The Boston and New York Air Line runs into 
the borders of two of the southern towns, and there are 
besides two or three short branch roads. 

There are now in Tolland County 22 Congregational, 
6 Baptist, 12 Methodist, 3 Episcopal and 3 Roman 
Catholic churches, and one of the Universalist denomi- 
nation. There are also in this county four national 
banks, four savings banks, and three weekly newspapers. 

AVhen the last census was taken there were 238 manu- 
facturing establishments. 

The people of Tolland County have always been 
law-abiding and orderly. There have been less crimes 
and fewer criminal trials than in any other county in the 
State. Only one person has ever been executed for 
murder in the count}', and only four capital trials have 
occurred from its organization to the present time. 
The first of these occurred about 38 j'ears after its incor- 
poration. The criminal was convicted of murder, and 
publicly hung in the presence of a vast concourse of 
people, who had come from every town in the count}' to 
witness so unusual a spectacle. The execution took 
place on an eminence near the county jail. 

The county in Connecticut has no legislative functions. 
It is empowered to establish roads, and to prosecute 
offences against the laws. As a county it has no rep- 
resentative in the General Assembly, and has no political 
life. The town is the unit, and it is not county-wise but 



town-wise that the people act as citizens of the Common- 
wealth of Connecticut. The history of the county is 
therefore to be found in the town records, and we turn to 
the towns for the history of the civil and religious life of 
the county. These were so much one in the colonial 
period, that any history of Connecticut would be partial 
and incomplete which should attempt to separate the civil 
from the religious history, and give one without the 
other. Indeed, the dominating religious purpose of the 
Colonies necessarily makes any faithful history largely a 
religious history. 

The population of the county in 1790 was 13,106. 
The present population is 22,000. 

Towns. 

Mansfield was originally a part of Windham. Settle- 
ments began to be made as early as 1690, several years 
earlier than in any other town in the county. From that 
time the inhabitants gradually increased in numbers 
until they began to petition the General Coui-t of the 
Connecticut Colony to make them a distinct town on 
account of the great difficulties and hazards to which 
they were exposed by reason of the " deep and danger- 
ous river" between them and the meeting-house in Wind- 
ham. In May, 1703, the Court granted the petition, 
and the town was incorporated. 

Among the original gi-antees are the names of Shubael 
Dimmock, Joseph Hall, Samuel StoiTS, Robert Fenton, 
Peter Cross, John Royce and Peter Crane, nearly all of 
whom have lineal descendants in the place at this time. 

Mansfield was incorporated on condition the petition- 
ers should settle over them an ' ' able and orthodox " 
minister of the gospel. Worship was regularly held and 
a pastor sought continuously until in 1710 Mr. Eleazer 
WilHams, son of Rev. John Williams of Deerfield, 
Mass., accepted a call to settle. The church was organ- 
ized and the pastor ordained the same day. The second 
pastor was Dr. Richard Salter, whose ministry extended 
into and through the war of '76, and who helped to give 
the tone of patriotism which distinguished eastern Con- 
necticut in the early days of that conflict. 

Mansfield was divided into two parishes — the north j 
and south — in 1737; and in the same year that Mr. 
Salter was ordained over the first church, Mr. William 
Throop was ordained the first pastor of the second 
church, Sept. 19, 1744.* 

• It is noteworthy that the second and third pastors of the second 
church were father and son, — Daniel Welch and Moses Cook Welch, — 
whose united ministry covered 70 years. It is an interesting fact that 
another member of the Welch family,— Moses Cook Welch,— a grand- 
son and namesake of the second Mr. Welch, has been in recent years a 
pastor of the same chiuch. lie sei-ved as chaplain during the late war. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



About the time that Mr. Salter and Mr. Throop were 
ordained Mansfield had its experience of the troubles 
produced bj' the Separatist movement.* A Separatist 
church -was organized in Mansfield, consisting in large 
part of members of the two established churches in 
town ; but as it was the first church of the kind in that 
section of the State, seccdcrs from the established 
cluirches in adjoining towns united with them, and Mans- 
field gained a certain notoriety as being the headquarters 
of the Separatists in that viciniij-. This church called 
itself Congregational. It was not in any sense an active 
protest against Congregationalism ; it was a protest 
against the want of tolerance in the colonial laws and in 
the spirit of the churches. But the protest, as is usual in 
such cases, was urged -with an intolerance which emu- 
lated the intolerance of which they complained. This 
Separatist Church maintained its organization an uncer- 
tain number of years, and was disbanded sometime 
before the end of the century. 

As early as 1793 there began to be Methodist services 
in town, and a Methodist meeting-house was built in 
1797, in the eastern part of the north parish. 

A Baptist society was organized in this town in 1808, 
and the societj' erected a meeting-house in the centre of 
the town the same year. 

Tolland County, together with the rest of eastern 
Connecticut, was profoundlj' stirred by the arbitrar}' pro- 
ceedings of the British Parliament in the Boston Port Bill 
and the Quebec Bill, and i^reviouslj- in the Stamp Act. 
In town meeting, October, 1774, the citizens of Mans- 
field expressed their affliction at the oppressive measures 
which threatened the inhabitants with total loss of lib- 
erty, and (le(;lared it to be their duty to oppose cruel and 
unjust measui'es, and to maintain freedom; and resolved 
that the}' would be faithful subjects of King George the 
Third, so long as the crown maintained inviolate the 
stipulated rights of the people ; and that they would 
defend with their lives and their fortunes their national 
and constitutional rights. 

As early as February, 1775, Mansfield directed her 

* This peculiar religious movement was the natui-al outcome of several 
causes, some of which lay far back in the history of the Colony. There 
had lirst been brought into the churches, gradually, through the half-way 
covenant, an element which loosened the discipline and led to decline 
ill the piety of the churches. Along with tliis, and perhaps a result of 
this, there grew a demand for a closer union of the churches, and 
some judicial authority outside of the individual church. This desire 
found expression in the Saybrook Platform, w hieh organized the Con- 
sociation. This ivas a court of judicature over Congregational churches. 
The General Court was in sympathy with this feeling and made the 
Platform the rule of the churches. Then came, in 1735, '-11 and '42, 
powerful revivals which awakened an eanust spirit of active piety 
mingled with a self-confident enthusiasm. New proofs of being in a 
state of grace were demanded, and censorious judgments were pro- 



representatives to move in the General Court that a 
proper number of men be levied aud equipped for the 
defence of the Colony- ; and in October they were directed 
to move the Court to dispose of lands belonging to per- 
sons inimical to the cause of liberty. 

Mansfield has been from a verj' early period a manu- 
factming town. There is record of a fulling-mill in 
1731, and of a spinning-mill in 1734. The early raising 
of silli-worms, principall}- \>y women and girls, and the 
manufacture of silk by hand, gave distinction to the 
town. In 1788, thirtj^-two persons of this town peti- 
tioned the General Court to be incorporated for the man- 
ufacture of siDc. The request of the petitioners was 
allowed, and silk-culture graduallj' became a leading 
industry in Mansfield. Nearly every farmer raised mul- 
berry' trees, aud his wife and daughters fed the silk- 
worms, and spun the silk. 

The introduction of machinery run by water-power, 
for spinning silk, made a revolution in domestic silk 
manufacture. The first experiments in this new method 
were made by Rodney Hanks, and his nephew, Horatio 
Hanks, in 1810, with machinery- invented hy themselves, 
and made with their own hands. The Hanks family, in 
several generations, has been noted for its inventive 
genius, which has, from time to time, produced vaiious 
new machines and implements for facilitating labor in 
different branches of industry. It was several j-ears, 
however, after the Messrs. Hanks began to spin silk bj- 
water-power, before a silk-factorj- of considerable dimen- 
sions was built in the town. Before that time, two cot- 
ton-spinning factories were erected in the western part 
of Mansfield, on the Willimantic River, and the women 
in the town were employed to take home the factory-spun 
yarn, and weave it into shirting and sheeting in hand- 
looms. After the use of water-power had become suc- 
cessfully established for weaving as well as spinning, the 
household manufacture of sewing-silk, and of woollen 
and linen cloth, gradually declined, and many of the 
girls left their fathers' houses, and worked in the mills. 
Then began a great change in the social life of the town.f 

nounced upon such church-members as were not in sympathy with the 
revival. Churches were divided into parties. The " New Lights," or 
promoters of the revival were disciplined. L.aws were enacted re- 
straining liberty of worship outside of the "established order." 
Many of the " New Lights " paid no regard to these laws, but with- 
drew from the established churches and organized churches of then: 

t When the girls began to leave the hillsides for the manufacturing 
villages, the young men and boys also sought business away from their 
homes, and few liesides the elderly \vn\Ac remained by the old liresides. 
Farms were less widely ruliivair.l ; ^i : - uliu; ' J .lined; tlie long- 
established churches dimiui>hr,l III 1 ii> I- 111! iv.altli.aud the inher- 
ited eustnms and old New Kii.-laii.l lial-u- m nr .. , .lianged as to forever 
separate the modern from the old New England life. 



CONNECTICUT. 



There arc now in Mansfield six silk- factories, — • two in 
Gurloj-v'ille, one on Hanks Ilill, one in Chaffeeville, one 
in Atwoodville, and one in Cor.ant\'illo ; one factorj' in 
Eagleville for the manufacture of cotton cloth, one in 
JIansfleld Hollow for the manufacture of cotton thread, 
and one stockinet factorj' at Morrow Station. 

The oldest burying-ground in Tolland County was laid 
out in 1696, in what was then called the Pondc-place, — 
now the first parish of Mansfield, — seven j'ears before 
Mansfield was made a distinct town. Here was buried 
Samuel Storrs, who came from England, and who was 
one of the original proprietors of the town, — the great 
ancestor, not onlj' of the families of Storrs in Mansficl<l, 
but of Rev. Mr. Storrs of Longmeadow ; Mass., of Dr. 
Richard Salter Storrs, of Braintree, Mass. ; and Dr. R. 
S. StoiTS, of Brooklyn, N. Y. In fact, he is the com- 
mon ancestor of nearly all of the numerous families of 
Stun-s ill the United States. 

The second parish of Mansfield, through the munifi- 
cence of Mr. Charles Storrs, of Brooklj-n, N. Y., has an 
unusually' large and beautiful cemeterj-, enclosed bj' a 
substantial stone wall. From the rear of this cemetery, 
which is the highest ground in Mansfield, a view is 
obtained such as few inland towns furnish.* 

In 1864, Mr. Storrs became desirous that a school 
sliould be established in Mansfield of a higher grajde 
than the district .school. Bj- his earnest solicitations 
and liberal aid, Mr. Edwin Whitnej-, of the Reform 
School in Providence, was induced to open a boarding 
and day school in the north parish in 1865. Mr. Whit- 
ney was well adapted for the work, and the school 
started with every prospect of success, but before the 
close of the first term it was broken up bj- a fire, which 
destroyed the principal's dwelling. Mr. Whitney built 
anew, but before the house was readj- to be opened for 
scholars he oflTered it, with the fann, to the State, for use 
as a soldiers' orphans' home. Mr. Whitnej- had been 
prevented bj- physical disqualification from volunteering, 
and said that, as he could not offer himself to his coun- 
trj', he must do something that should be of service to 
the common cause. The State accepted the gift, and so 
the Connecticut Soldiers' Orphans' Home was established 
in Mansfield. 

The present population of the town is 2,401. 

Vernon, incorporated in 1808. was first settled by per- 

* Rev. K. B. Gliddcn, who has written a valuable history of the (list 
church in Mansfield, says that perhaps no church in the State, according 
to its membership, has sent out more ministers of the Gospel than that; 
and he gives the names of twenty-two. Aside from these, quite as 
many more have been trained up for the ministry in connection with the 
three other churches in to^vn. And school-teachers, ahnost without 
number, have gone forth from Mansfield. 



sons from East Windsor and Bolton. The eastern part 
of the township is crossed by a range of mountains, 
f jrming the eastern boundarj' of the Connecticut Valley. 
The considerable streams are the Hockanum and the 
Tankerooson, which supply water to many mills and fac- 
tories. Rocki-ille, the principal manufacturing village, 
obtains its water-power from the Hockanum. It contains 
nine woollen-mills, throe cotton-mills, a silk-factory, 
machine-shops, and various other industrial establish- 
ments. 

A cotton-factory was in operation in this town shortly 
before the year 1800. In 1811, Peter Dobson erected 
machinety for spinning cotton in Vernon. He conducted 
the business of cotton manufacturing for 50 years, and 
in connection with his famil}-, for nearly 70 j-ears. Tlie 
business is still continued in the vicinity. 

The war of 1812 created a necessity foi- making cloth 
for soldiers. Our ports wore blocknd.Ml. uimI :i11 trade; 
outside the States cut off. A picci' of cloth fmrn a 
tailor's bench was shown Mr. Dobson. Closelj' exam- 
ining it, he found the warp cotton and the filling woollen 
3-arn. He then made a jack and jennj' for spinning wool, 
having soon similar machines in England. In a short 
time the facilities for spinning wool for filling, and cotton 
yarn for warps, produced a cloth called satinet. This 
cloth was blue mixed for soldiers' wear, and was made 
in a variety of colors. Satinets were made in Vernon 
from the first until 1841. The first cas=imores in Rock- 
ville wore made in the Now England mill, burned soon 
after its construction, and rebuilt in 1841-2. 

The population of Vernon is about 5,500. The town 
contains nine churches, four of the Congregational 
order. 

Stafford, on the Massachusetts line, and incorporated 
in 1808, was settled in 1719 by Robert White and Mat- 
thew Thompson from England, Samuel and John AVar- 
ner from Iladley, Mass., David and Josiah Blodget 
from Woburn, Daniel Colburn from Dodham, and others 
from towns in Connecticut and Massachusetts. The first 
minister, Mr. Graham, was settled in 1723. There are 
several minerals in the town, of which iron ore is the 
most important. The ore which is principally used is 
the bog ore, and is of an excellent quality. In 1779, 
John Phelps and others built a blast furnace on a large 
scale. Hollow-ware, cannon, cannon-shot, and a great 
variety of i^atterns for manufactures and description of 
of machinery were cast. In 1 796 another large furnace 
was erected, and from that time untU 1820, an immense 
business was carried on. Since the latter date the 
demand has been too great to be supplied from the ore- 
beds, and pig-iron has been used for machinery castings 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



ever3-where. The localitj- of the old furnace was called 
Furnace Hollow, and it is the post-office name to-daj-. 
But the blast furnace is gone, and also the business of 
former j-ears. Stafford Springs and Fox^-iUe contain six 
large factories, and several of lesser importance. The 
mineral springs in Stafford in former years acquired con- 
siderable celebrit}-. The Indians made the white settlers 
acquainted with the virtues of these springs, when in 
1719, this region was first settled. It had been their 
practice from time immemorial, to resort to the springs 
in warm weather, and plant their wigwams around them. 
It is said that in 17G6 the springs were carefully exam- 
ined by Dr. Joseph Warren, who then had thoughts of 
purchasing the land on which they rise, with a view of 
establishing himself upon it. Subsequent events trans- 
formed the physician into the soldier, and Dr. Warren 
fell in the first great struggle of the Revolution — the 
battle of Bunker Hill. Dr. Willard afterwards put the 
plan of Dr. Warren into operation, by erecting a large 
hotel for the accommodation of patients and others. 

Stafford Springs contains three churches and several 
banks. The New London and Northern Railroad passes 
through the place. About three years since a large reser- 
voir in the northern part of the town gave waj-. Dams 
and mills were destroj'ed, and at the Springs, six largo 
dwellings, a church, factories, stores, a bank, &c., were 
swept awaj-, and two men, standing on the steps of the 
church, were drowned. Stafrord\Tlle, Hydeville, and 
West Stafford, have important manufactures. The entire 
town has a population of about 3,500. 

Coventry was first settled about the j'oar 1700, by 
Nathaniel Rust and others. In the spring of 1709, a 
number of persons, principallj- from Northampton and 
Hartford, moved here, and two years later the town was 
hifDrporated. The township was origniallj- given by 
Jushua, sachim of the Mohegans, to a number of lega- 
tees in Hartford. These conveyed their right to William 
Pitkin, Joseph Talcott, William AVhiting and Richard 
Lord, to be a committee to lay out the township and 
make settlements therein. 

A stream called the Skunganug runs through the town, 
and, uniting with other streams, forms the Hop River. 
Lake Wangombog, two miles in length, is an important 
feature of the landscape. 

Coventry will ever be remembered as the birthplace of 
Capt. Nathan Hale, the patriot and martjT. He was the 
son of Richard and Elizabeth Hale, and was born June 
6, 1755, being the third in descent from Rev. John Hale, 
the first minister of Beverly, Mass. Nathan Hale grad- 
uated at Yale in 1773 with high honor, and for a brief 
period taught school at East Iladdam and New London, 



with gi-eat success. His parents intended him for the 
ministry, but, on the Lexington alarm in 1775, he wrote 
to his father, saj'ing that a sense of duty urged him to 
sacrifice everj-thing for his countr}-, and soon after entered 
the ami}' as lieutenant, but was soon promoted to be 
captain. He ser^'ed with credit in the vicinity of Bos- 
ton, and 'n September, 177G, when in New York, he with 
an associate, planned and effected the capture of a Brit- 
ish sloop, laden with provisions, taking her at night from 
under the guns of a man-of-war. After the retreat of 
the army from Long Island, when it was important to 
understand the plans of the enemj-, Capt. Hale answered 
Gen. Washington's application for a discreet and faithful 
officer to enter the enemj''s lines and obtain intelligence. 
Passing in disguise to the British camp, he made full 
drawings and memoranda of all the desired information, 
but on his return was apprehended and taken before 
Gen. Howe, bj^ whom he was ordered for execution the 
next morning. He was denied a Bible and the aid of 
a clergj-man ; the letters he had written to his father and 
sisters were destroj-ed, and he was hanged, sa3ing with 
his last breath : "I only regret that I have but one life 
to lose for my country." 

In November, 1837, an association was formed for the 
purpose of erecting a cenotaph that should fitly com- 
memorate the life and services of Hale. The day on 
which it was foraied was the anniversaiy of the evacua- 
tion of New Y^ork, and 20 Revolutionary soldiers were 
present. It was not, however, until 1846, that the mon- 
ument was completed. It is of Quincj- granite, and 
bears for one of its inscriptions the dying words of the 
youthful hero. 

A romantic and tender interest attaches to the last 
utterance of Alice Adams, to whom Hale was betrothed. 
She married William Lawrence of Hartford, and for 
many j-ears had in her possession a miniature of Hale, 
beside numerous letters and his camp book. She died 
Sept. 4, 1845, at the age of 88. The last words of 
Mrs. Lawrence were, "Write to Nathan." 

Coventry has produced manj' men of eminence. Among 
them may be mentioned Harlan Page. It has a popula- 
tion of 2,057. 

Hebron began to be settled in 1 704. Among the earliest 
settlers were Samuel Curtiss, Timothy I'helps, Stephen 
Post, Jacob Root, William Shipman and Benoni Trum- 
bull, who came from towns on the Connecticut River. 

Hebron was made a distinct town in 1707. The 
earliest church was organized in 1717. The first pastor 
was the Rev. John Bliss, who became the occasion of 
the establishment of an Episcopal church in Hebron, by 
his own conversion to Episcopacy in 1 734. 



CONNECTICUT. 



The second pastor of the Congregational church was 
the Rev. Benjamin Pomeroj' who, like many of the best 
ministers of the Colony in that day, was one of the 
" New Lights," or promoters of the re^avals that spread 
through Connecticut in the years immediately following 
his settlement in 1735.* 

The notorious Eev. • Samuel Peters, of Connecticut 
"Blue Laws" fame, was a native of this town and a 
Torj'. A mob of about 300 assembled in August and 
again in September, and made known their detennination 
to obtain from him satisfaction for bis published slanders, 
and the acknowledgment of his errors. He met them 
arraj'ed in official robes for protection. But the exasper- 
ated mob had as little respect for these as for the wearer, 
and seizing him violently, to the damage of his garments, 
they carried him to the Green where he was forced to 
make a confession previouslj' prepared for him, and then 
he was set at libert3-. After this he went to Boston, 
from whence he wrote to his mother, in a letter that was 
intercepted, that six regiments were now coming from 
England, and sundry men-of-war. " So soon as thej' 
come, hanging work will go on and destruction will first 
attend the sea-port towns ; the lintel sprinkled and the 
side posts will protect the faithful." A few daj-s later 
he sailed for England, where he published the famous 
history of Connecticut, which has served by its Mun- 
chausen stories to preserve the name of the author from 
oblivion. 

A second ecclesiastical society was incorporated in 
1748, and called Gilead. It was stated to the first pastor 
of the Gilead church, as an encouragement to settle there, 
that there was not a drunkard in the parish, and not a 
praj'erless family— the result of revivals under the minis- 
try of Dr. Pomernj'. 

There is a silk-mill at Turnerville, which was estab- 
lished in 1853 b}' Phineas W. Turner from Mansfield, 
from whom the place took its name. This part of Hebron 
has been greatlj' changed and improved since Mr. Turner 
commenced business there. This is the principal manu- 
facturing industry of Hebron. 

John S. Peters, M; D., LL. D., governor of Connect- 
icut in 1831 and 1832, was a native of Hebron. And so 
was William A. Palmer, at one time governor of Ver- 
mont ; and also Erastus Root, who was once lieutenant- 
governor of New York. 

• Mr. Poraeroy's activity in support of the rerivals brought him into 
many straits and diflitiillics. At one time arrangements had been made 
for him to deliver a lecture in Colchester. The minister in Colchester 
and Mr. Pomcroy ■were on friendly terms, and Mr. Pomeroy went 
expecting a fraternal welcome. But to his surprise the minister closed 
the house against liim. The people had gathered in large numbers and 
were eager to hear him ; and Mr. Pomeroy thought it his duty to 



Inasmuch as Hebron gave birth to tiie author of Peters' 
" History of Connecticut," it was fitting that the histori- 
cal balance should be restored by the production of 
another history of Connecticut bj' Rev. Benjamin Trum- 
bull, D. D., another son of Hebron, and one of her most 
honored children. 

At the commencement of the present centurjs Hebron 
was probably at the height of its prosperity. The popu- 
lation of Hebron in 1870 was 1,279. 

SoMERs, situated in the north-west comer of the 
county, was originally a part of Enfield, and both were 
comprehended within the limits of the ancient town of 
Springfield. The first settlers of Enfield were from 
Springfield. In May, 1683, these first settlers petitioned 
the General Court of Massachusetts for a new township, 
aslring that the limits of the town extend ten miles east 
from the Connecticut River. The grant inclosed the 
present town of Somers. These parties respected the 
Indian title, and i)aid the Indians £25 for the land covered 
by the grant. The Indian chief Totatuck alienated all 
right except that of hunting and fishing. This purchase 
was in 1688. 

The first settler of Somers was one Benjamin Jones, 
of Welsh descent. He adopted the Indian fashion of 
maldng Somers a summer residence, returning into 
Enfield to spend the winters. But for five j'ears he was 
alone, and singular in this way of living. In 1 713, others 
began to come in from Enfield to make permanent settle- 
ment. Among these first settlers were men bearing the 
names of Kibbe, Pease, Sexton, Root, Chapin, Parsons 
and Woods, nearly all of whom still have lineal descend- 
ants in Somers. Of those who were in Somers in 1730 
most were from Enfield. The remainder were from 
Springfield, Northampton, Longmeadow, Pomfret and 
Wallingford. In 1 734 the General Court of Massachu- 
setts incorporated the town by the name of Somers. It 
is said that Gov. Belcher asked that the town receive this 
name in honor of Lord Somers. It continued under the 
jurisdiction of ISIassachusetts until 1749, the j-ear in which 
the Connecticut court passed the resolution, declaring 
that the towns south of the Massachusetts line were 
entitled to the privileges of the Connecticut jurisdic- 
tion. 

Eight of the first settlers of the town were constituted 
a church, the 15th of March, 1727, and on the same day 

preach. By doing so he exposed himself to the penalty of the law 
which prohibited any minister from preaching in another's parish with- 
out the latter's permission. Because of this offence the clerk of the 
society was estopped from issuing an order for the legal collection of 
the parish rates, and Mr. Pomcroy was thus debarred from reecivinir 
his salary for seven years. But his people made it up to him by their 
voluntary contributions. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



the Rev. Samuel Allis was settled as pastor. Four years 
after a meeting-house w^s built, where all the inhabitants 
of the town could sit at once on the sills. 

The third pastor of this church was Mr. Charles 
Backus, who was ordained and settled in a pastorate 
which became distinguished, and was tei-minated by his 
death in 1803. Dr. Backus was, according to the testi- 
mony of Prof. Woods of Andover, who studied theology 
with him, one of the ablest extemporaneous preach- 
ers of his day. He became noted as au instructor in 
theology, and nearly fifty young men sought his instruction. 
Among them were Leonard Woods and Dudle}' Field. 

Somers was prompt, like all eastern Connecticut, to 
respond to the alarm of war in 1775. Newsof the battle of 
Lexington, June 19, reached the town the day foUowii^g. 
A Mr., afterwards Capt. Chapin of Somers, wrote in his 
diary that very daj' : " When the news of the fight 
reached Somers, the militia were ordered to meet at the 
meeting-house, and about fifty enlisted for the relief of 
their brethren in and near Boston. Emoiy Pease was 
chosen captain. Friday the 21st, at about 9 o'clock, we 
set out on our march to Boston by way of Wilbraham and 
Palmer." Capt. Pease's alarm company reached Cam- 
bridge and paraded on Monday at 4 p. m. 

Somers is mainly a farming community. The town 
lies for the most part at the base of the hills of Tolland 
Count}', and in the more level and fertile region of the 
Connecticut Valley. 

There has also been manufacturing of different kinds 
in the town. About 1830, Mr. Ebenezer Clark com- 
menced the manufacture of straw bonnets. It is said 
that it was the first establishment of the kind in the 
State. The braiding of the straw and the sewing of the 
braid into bonnets gave emploj-ment not only to many of 
the women and girls of Somers, but to many in adjoining 
towns. Not far from this time, another firm began to 
make straw bonnets and palm-leaf Shaker bonnets. The 
palm-leaf was put out into private famihes all over 
Tolland Countj', wh re it was woven into sheets. These 
sheets were returned to Somers, where thej' were cut up 
and made into Shaker bonnets, which were worn exten- 
sively' in New England, and were sent in large quantities 
to the South. 

There was in 1825 a small establishment for making 
satinet in Somers. About 1836 a satinet-factory was 
built iu Somers\'ille. This is the only factory in the town 
at the present time. 

L. E. Pease, a native of this town, and a descendant 
of one of the original settlers, was secretary of state of 
Connecticut for several j-ears. 

The population of Somers in 1870 was 1,247. 



Tolland has been the county-seat of the county of 
Tolland from its organization. In 1715, a petition of 
some inhabitants of Windsor to the General Court to 
make a town of what is now Tolland, states that " several 
families are alreadj' there." The petition was granted, 
and a town called ToUand incorporated the same jear. 

The historian of Tolland— Hon. Loren P. Waldo— says 
that this region was the summer resort of Indians whose 
home was nearer the sea-coast. Snipsic Lake contains in 
its name a memorial of the Indians. 

The names of Joseph Benton and Joseph Baker occur 
among the first settlers, and also of Nathaniel Grant, 
Joshua Loomis, Joseph Mather, Hezekiah Porter, Shu- 
bacl Stearns, Joshua Willes, Henry Wolcott, William 
Eaton, Joseph Slafter and Thomas Stoughton. 

Tolland bore her share in the defence of New England 
in the wars of the last centur3^ * 

The war for Independence was especiallj' generously 
supported. Like other towns of eastern Connecticut, 
Tolland began to enlist a company the same day that 
news came of the beginning of hostilities in 1775 at 
Lexington. A companj' of 98, was farmed which served 
near Boston. Judge Waldo, in his history of Tolland, 
saj'S : " Several times almost the entu-e active male 
population was absent in the army, and ordinary 
work on the farms was done by female hands. I heard 
a venerable lad}', daughter of one of the Revolutionary 
officers of Tolland, relate that she and her younger 
sisters frequently yoked the oxen, and har\'ested the 
crops with their own hands." 

The first church of Tolland was organized, it is sup- 
posed, and the first minister ordained, in June, 1723. 
This minister was Rev. Stephen Steel, who continued 
pastor until 1758. 

Rev. Nathan Williams, grandson of Rev. John Wil- 
liams of Deerfield inemor}', was second pastor of this 
church. He was its sole pastor for nearly 53 years. 

The fourth pastor of this church was Rev. Abram 
Marsh. He was installed in 1813 and continued in the 
pastorate until 1868. So for a period of 145 years the 
Congregational Church of Tolland had had but four 
settled ministers, and during all those years there had 
been but 14 months' vacation iu the oflSce. 

In 1791 the Methodists succeeded in establishing a 
church in Tolland, and in 1794 they built a house for 
public worship. 

In 1807 a Baptist church was organized. 

Satinet, cotton-batting, cotton-yarn and thread have 
formerly been to some extent manufactured in Tolland. 

* A company commanded by Capt. Samuel Chapman, Sr., was in the ex- 
pedition against Louisburg in 1745. Capt. Chapman died at Louisburg. 



CONNECTICUT. 



The business of tanning and currying Icatlier liad been 
carried on near the village for many years before 1810. 
About that time' Mr. Moses Undei-wood purchased this 
property and continued the business successfully for sev- 
eral years, when he and one of his sons engaged in 
manufacturing belts in connection Trith the business of 
tamiing leather. The Underwood Belting Company, 
formed in 1875, have increased this business and have 
erected more commodious and extensive buildings, fur- 
nished with expensive machinery. This is the only 
manufacturing business now carried on in Tolland. 

From about 1836 to 1845 , the manufacture of silver 
spoons and the frames for silver-bowed spectacles was 
succcssfullj' carried on in Tolland. 

Loren P. Waldo was born in Canterbuiy, Windham 
County, Feb. 2, 1802. Mr. Waldo was educated in the 
common schools of his native town, and commenced 
teaching in a common school before he was 15 years of 
age. He was admitted to practice in Tolland Countj' 
in September, 1825. He was State's attorney 12 years ; 
represented the first congi'essional district in Connecti- 
cut in the tMrt3--fii-st Congress of the United States ; 
two and one-half years was commissioner of pensions at 
Washington citj' ; and eight years a judge of the 
Superior Court of the State of Connecticut. It is doubt- 
ful if any other lawj'er has ever resided in the town o^ 
Tolland who wiU live longer in the memoiy of its sons 
and daughters and be held in more grateful affection bj- 
them than Judge Waldo, by reason of the deep interest 
lie has always manifested in their welfare, and because of 
his faithful " Earlj' History of Tolland," on which he 
spent much time and careful research. Mr. Waldo's 
home was in ToUand from 1830 to 1863. since which 
\' he has been a resident of Hartford. 

William Wallace Eaton, who is now a member of the 
United States Senate, was born and reared in the town 
of Tolland, and is a lineal descendant of William Eaton, 
one of the pioneer settlers of the town. 

Tolland was at its zenith of prosperity in the earlj- 
part of the present centur)-. Judge Waldo says : 
"These principal mail routes have been turned from 
Tolland in consequence of the building of the railroads, 
so that while other places have been benefited by those 
improvements, this town has been a sufferer." Its popu- 
lation in 1870 was l',216. 

WiLLrNGTON. — Early hi 1720 a company of eight men 

j from different towns in western Connecticut purchased a 

tract of land containing 16,000 acres of the colonial 

governor for £150. Tliis tract was called Wellington. 

' A Congregational church was organized, probablj' 

sometime in 1728, for on Sept. 11, 1728, Mr. Daniel 



Fuller was " ordained pastor of ye Church of Clirist in 
Wellington." It is quite probable that the church was 
organized the same day. They had no meeting-house at 
th.at time, and the ordination senices were held at the 
house of Mr. John Menick, one of the original settlers. 

Mr. Fuller died of small-pox in the thirty-first year of 
his ministiy and sixtieth year of his age. He was interred 
in the old bmying-ground on Willington Hill, which he 
himself gave to the town. 

Willington was not backward in doing its part for the 
defence and welfare of the Colonies during the Eevolu- 
tionary period. Thirty men went at once from Willing- 
ton on hearing of the Lexington battle. And early in 
the Eevolutionarj' war a company of 50 men went from 
the town under the command of Capt. John Parker. 

There were brave women as well as brave men in those 
days, in Willington. One fall, during the war, several 
soldiers returned to their homes to see about provisions for 
their families, and to cut and get up wood for the winter. 
A Mr. Sanger came home with two of his sons for this 
puipose, but his patriotic wife urged him to return at 
once with his boj'S to the arm}' and leave the care of the 
famil}' to her. He complied with her request ; and she 
and her daughters husked the com, threshed the rj-e, 
felled trees in the woods, j'oked the oxen and 
hauled to the door the winter's suppl}' of fuel for the 
fire. Mrs. Sanger was not an exceptional woman ; there 
were other wives and mothers in Willington as ener- 
getic and patriotic as she. 

An eleven-year old boj-, son of Rev. Gideon Noble, 
the second minister of the Congregational church, went 
as fifer in one of the militarj' companies from this town. 
It was thought that he would want to retui-n home by the 
time he had reached New York, and his friends expected 
that he would return ; but he continued with the com- 
pany throughout the war. lie was the pet of the sol- 
diers, and he was so small that they often carried him on 
their shoulders while marching. 

Abraham Weston, another Willington boy, went as 
drummer in the same company. He was only fourteen 
j'ears old. 

For many 3'ears after its settlement the business of the 
town was almost entirely farming, and has been mainlj' 
that always. About 60 years ago a glass-factory was 
built in the western part of the town, which was for 
a number of years a prominent industr}'. 

About 40 years ago Messrs. Dale & Co. erected a silk- 
mill on Fenton River, in the south-east part of Willing- 
ton, and a little %illage soon grew up around the mill 
which went and still goes by the name of Daleville. P'or 
a few years a large business was done there, but changes 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



occuiTed and the enterprise ceased. For a number of 
years that neighborhood was so nearly deserted that it 
strongly reminded one of "Goldsmith's Deserted Vil- 
lage." Within a few years this property has been pur- 
chased bj' another companj- who are now manufacturing 
beaver cloth in the old silk-mill, and the village again 
has the appearance of activity. 

Not far from the time that the silk-factory was estab- 
lished at Dale^-ille, Messrs. Elisha Johnson, .Origen Hall, 
Otis Dimmick and others fonned a company for the 
manufacture of cotton spool-thi-ead, in the south-west 
part of the town. It was one of the first estalilislniR'nts 
of the kind in the United States. For a iimnl.iT of 
j-ears the works had lain idle, when, at the euiuiuenee- 
ment of the late war, Gardiner Hall, Jr., & Co. pur- 
chased the property and commenced manufacturing thread 
again in the old mill. Mr. Hall was hardly more than 
a bo3' when he started this company, which has, through 
his indomitable perseverance and energy, built up a 
thriving business there, near the New London North- 
ern Railroad. This part of WiUington has been greatlj- 
changed and improved within a few j'ears. This village 
goes by the name of " South WiUington," and it is now 
altogether the most flourishing part of the town. Mr. 
Hall is the inventor of a press for printing the ends of 
spools. 

For manj' 3"ears after the organization of the town the 
Congregational church was the onlj- one in WiUington. 
But during the latter part of the second minister's pas- 
torate, a Baptist church was organized in the north part 
of the town, and a meeting-house was erected. 

Several years later another Baptist church was organ- 
ized on WiUington HUl. After the fourth pastor of the 
Congregational church — Rev. Hubbel Loomis — had filled 
the pastorate to the acceptance of his people twenty-four 
j-ears, his doctrinal views underwent a change, and he 
became a Baptist. Mr. Loomis was a man of educa- 
tion, talent and strong influence, and was greatlj' be- 
loved hy his people, and soon brought nearly one-half 
of the church and societ}- over to his views ; and so the 
Baptist church was formed on the hill, and a meeting- 
house was soon erected near the Congregational church. 
The Baptists in the north part of the toun united with 
this church, and worship in the old Baptist house was 
abandoned. Last year, 1878, this church celebrated the 
fiftieth anniversary of its organization. 

There has also been for many years a Methodist 
church in the north-east part of the town. 

The Congregational chm-eh estabUshed a Sunda}' 
school in 1815, which, it is said, is the oldest Sundaj' 
school in ToUand County. 



WiUington claims as one of its most distinguished 
sons, Rev. Jared Sparks, a Unitarian clergj-man, a 
voluminous historical and biographical writer, and pres- 
ident of Harvard College from 1849 to 1852. He was 
born May 10, 1789, and died at Cambridge March 1-i, 
1866. 

EUas Loomis, professor of natural philosoph}- and 
astronomy in Yale CoUege, and author of several valu- 
able text-books, is a native ©f WilUngton, and son of 
Rev. Hubbel Loomis. 

The population of WiUington in 1870 was 942 ; nearly 
one-third less than it was twenty' j-ears before. 

Columbia lies above the valle}- of Hop River which 
forms its northern boundar}-. It is bj- considerable 
climbing that one mounts from this vaUej' to the broad, 
level tract on which the village is situated. This is a 
very pleasant street and presents an agreeable picture 
of what the centre of an ancient farming-town becomes, 
where the chief and onlj- business is fanning, and there 
has come to be a cluster or street of farmers' houses 
more closely together than in other parts of the town, 
with the meeting-house, the house for the entertainment 
of traveUers, the store, the parsonage, and the doctor's 
office nestled among the white-painted, green-blinded, 
and sometimes \-ine-embowered dwelling-houses. 

For 88 3'ears after its separate organization as an 
ecclesiastical society, Columbia was a part of Lebanon, 
and was called the Second Ecclesiastical Society of 
Lebanon. This part of Lebanon went by the name 
of Lebanon Crank. This ecclesiastical society was con- 
stituted in 1716, and continued the second society in 
Lebanon until 1804, when Columbia became a distinct 
town. Although it remained in its minoritj-, so to speak, 
through the eighteenth century, it nevertheless became 
widely known as an ecclesiastical societ}', and its inde- 
pendent history reallj- dates back far bej'ond the time 
of its organization as a town. For, besides its due 
quota of fathers and sons and brothers given to the 
cause of national independence, the events of which 
Dr. Wheelock was the central figure and moving spirit, 
have given to Columbia an eminent name among the 
towns of Tolland County. 

In the Revolutionary war it counted only as a part 
of Lebanon in all its relations to the Commonwealth of 
Connecticut. At least 64 persons went into active ser- 
vice from this parish. And of these, 14 were kiUed or 
died in the army. The soldierly- spirit was not exhausted 
in this generation. During the war of 1812 the people 
of the town of Columbia were quick to respond to the 
caU for the defence of New London. There is an ac- 
credited tradition, the Rev. F. D. Avery of Columbia , 



CONNECTICUT. 



tells us, that as soon' as the news of the burning of New 
London reached the place, at the hour of some religious 
service, ]Mr. Brockwaj-, the pastor of the church, started 
off with his long gun and deacons and parishioners to 
assist in doing battle with the enemy. 

In the civil war eight of this town's soldiers died in 
the service. 

The Congregational Church, which has been from the 
first, to this daj-, the onlj- church in Columbia, was 
organized in 1720, and on the same day Samuel Smith 
was ordained pastor. 

The third pastor was Eleazer Wheelock, eminent for 
his activity and his sympathy with the Great Awakening 
of 1 742 and the following years, and for his interest in 
the education of Indian youth. 

This interest was awakened by the coming to him 
one day in December, 1743, a young Indian sachem 
] named Samson Occum, soliciting instruction. Occum 
proved so apt a scholar that Mr. Wheelock took up the 
j project of training Indian j-outh to become missionaries 
among their own people. To encourage this enterprise, 
] Mr. Joshua Moor of Mansfield, gave a lot of land near 
j the centre of the parish. A school-house was built, the 
I frame of which is still preserved in the frame of the 
present school-house on the green. 

The school was fairlj^ started in 1754. Indian youth 
from, the Delawares, Mohawks, anck other tribes, resorted 
hither to obtain an education. White students were also 
received into the school in numbers about equal to the 
Indians. Sometimes there were more than 20 in the 
school. Many of the Indians became teachers in their 
tribes. Occum only became an ordained minister. But 
several of the white students went to college and be- 
came missionaries among the Indians. And here in 
Lebanon Crank, says Mr. Avery In his centennial sermon, 
were ordained first in Connecticut, missionaries to the 
heathen. 

Mr. Wheelock's school was sustained and the mission- 
aries were supported by appropriations from the General 
Courts in Connecticut and Massachusetts, and by funds 
from England to the amount of £7,000, of which the 
king gave £200, and from the Scottish Societj- for prop- 
agating Christian knowledge. In acknowledgment of 
Mr. Moor's generous donation, Mr. Wheelock called the 
school " Moor's Indian Charity-School." 

Out of Samson Occum's application to Mr. Wheelock 
for instruction grew Dartmouth College ; for the gov- 

• One time a friend, for whom he was making a wagon, remarked 
that he wished that there could be some way contrived to fasten on the 
wheels without the use of linchpins. From that time Mr. Post gave 
himself no rest until he had invented and made a screw and washer 



ernment of New Hampshire invited Mr. Wheelock to 
remove to Hanover to establish a college in that place. 
He consented to do so, and in 1770 took his family and 
school to Hanover. The funds contributed in England 
to the Indian school were entrusted to a board, of which 
the Earl of Dartmouth was the president. And from 
this circumstance, although the earl himself was opposed 
to the removal of the school from Columbia, the new 
institution was called Dartmouth College. 

The situation of Columbia has made it for the most 
part a farming town. There has been, however, for over 
40 years, a cotton-mill at Hop River, which has grown 
in recent years under the proprietorship of W. Curtis 
Jillson, into its present thriving condition. It now goes 
by the name of the " Hop River Warp Manufacturing 
Companj'." It has been for several years the chief man- 
ufacturing industry of the town. Previous to this there 
was a carding-mill near that place. 

There was also in former years considerable business 
in the town in the manufacture of cheap woollen hats. 
Fur hats were also made here, at one time, on a small 
scale. 

Mr. Augustus Post of this town, now nearlj^ 90 years 
old, formerly did quite a business here in the manufacture 
of wagons and sleighs. He lived in Hebron in his earl}' 
days and commenced business there, and it is said that he 
made the first one-horse wagon ever owned in that town.* 

Hon. Dwight Loomis of Rockville, who was elected 
representative to Congress from the first congressional 
district of Connecticut, in 1859, and re-elected in 1861, 
was born and reared in Columbia. 

The population of the town is 891. 

Union. — The first settlement was made in 1727 by 
William McNall, John Lawson and James Shearer from 
Ireland. The town was incorporated in 1734. 

In 1738 the first meeting-house was erected in the 
town, and the same j-ear the Congregational Church was 
constituted, and the Rev. Ebenezer Wjman was ordained 
pastor. The ordination ser^'ices were held in a private 
dwelling, as the meeting-house was not suflScientl}^ com- 
pleted at that time for this purpose. It appears that the 
Puritan element was, almost from the first, well repre- 
sented bj' settlers who came from some of the oldest 
Puritan towns of New England, notwithstanding Union's 
pioneer settlers were Scotch-Irish from the north of Ire- 
land, and were probably Scotch Presbyterians of the John 
Knox and the Covenanters' stamp. 

and nut that securely fastened the wheel to the axle-tree. Like m-iny 
an inventor he was so intent on making his invention work that he 
gave no thought to what a fortune might accrue to him by securing a 
patent. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



Union ranks among the smallest towns, both in area 
and population in the county, — in fact in the State ; but 
its histoiT shows that it has contributed its full quota to 
j the advancement and prosperity of the republic : 146 
j persons from this town served in the war of the Revolu- 
tion ; and in 1774 the total population of Union was onlj- 
514. 

Union is chiefly a farming community, but the soil is 
hard to till and unproductive compared with some por- 
tions of the county. The thriftiest of pine and hemlock 
trees grow here. They are indigenous, and formerly 
they were to be found in everj' part of the town. It is 
said that Union has produced more pine and hemlock 
lumber than all of the rest of Tolland County. The 
lumber business has been, and still is an important in- 
dustry of the town. Thirty years ago, or more, the 
domestic manufacture of boots and shoes was carried on 
to a limited extent. 

Mashapaug Pond, covering 800 acres, with its clear 
waters overshadowed with evergreen trees, is an attrac- 
tive feature. 

The nearest railroad station to Union is at StaflTord 
Springs, about six miles from the centre of town. 

In recent j-ears a INIethodist house of worship has been 
built in the north-east part of the town. 

Among some of the distinguished men who originated 
in Union was Jesse Obiej- (1798-1872), at one time a 
popular school-teacher in Hartford, the author of a num- 
ber of valuable school-books, and for several j-ears 
comptroller of the State, and Rev. Charles Hammond, 
LL. D., widelj' known as the principal of Monson Acad- 
emy, Mass. Mr. Hammond was born June 15, 1813, 
and died Nov. 7, 1878. 

In 1870 the population of Union was 627. 

Bolton is situated on the western brow of the hills of 
Tolland County-. The scenery from some of the hiUs is 
exceedingly beautiful. 

Settlements began to be made in Bolton about the 
year 1717, hy two or three different parties, coming from 
Windsor, Wethersfield and Hartford. It was made a 
distinct town in 1720. As was the universal custom in 
the towns of the Colonies, immediatel}- after settlement, 
Bolton's first care was to establish the regular public 
worship of God. There is a record that Jonathan Ed- 
wards preached there in 1722, and received a call to 
settle. In November, 1723, the following record is en- 
tered, in his handwriting, upon the town records : "Upon 
the terms that are here recorded I do consent to be the 
settled pastor of the town of Bolton. Jonathan Ed- 
wards." Mr. Edwards's appointment to a tutorship in 
Yale College seems to have broken up this arrangement. 



Mr. Thomas White, the first settled pastor of this 
people, was ordained and installed in 1725, and the 
church was probably organized at the same time. 

Rev. George Colton, the second pastor of this church, 
was installed in 17C3. He died in 1812. Mr. Colton 
was distinguished for his eccentricity and pietj-. He is j 
said to have been six feet and seven inches in height, 
and he was familiarly called the high priest of Bolton. 
It is said that he published in rhyme, from his pulpit, his 
own marriage banns. 

Two companies went from Bolton on the Lexington 
alarm, in 1775, — one of thirtj--flve men, and one of 
twenty-eight. 

When Dr. Samuel Peters, rector of the Episcopal 
church in Hebron, was mobbed for being so outspoken i 
in defence of the arbitrary acts of Parliament, and for his 
false representations, a large number of Bolton men were | 
present and took part in forcing a recantation from him. 

From an early period in the present centurj-, the prin- 
cipal occupation of the town, aside from farming, has 
been the quarrying of flag-stones. The stone is a bright, 
light gray, a species of slate, and is very strong and 
enduring. More stones for flagging purposes have been 
sent out from these quarries than from any other in the 
State. About 1812 this stone was used considerablj' for 
gravestones. 

Fifty years ago, Mi^ Duthon Avery of this place car- 
ried on the cabinet-making business quite largely for a 
country town, and people from all the towns in the 
•^Hcinity used to go there for household furniture, coflftns, 
&c. Mr. Avery took in farmers' produce in exchange 
for his goods.* 

The late Hon. Julius L. Strong, a member of Con- 
gress in 18G9, was a native of Bolton. 

Hon. George E. Sumner, the present ma3'or of Hart- 
ford, was born in this town. 

There is one Congregational and one Methodist church 
in Bolton. 

The present population of the town is 576. 

• The following copy, from one of Mr. Avery's old day-books, ex- 
hibits the manner of trafficking in those days, and some of the old-time 
prices : — 

Phineas Carver, Dr. 

To a Coffin for your Child, G7 

Mother 4 50 

" " " Wife 4 50 

To Cambric for Shroud 60 

Credit. 
By a Saddle. 
" Mending wagon h.imess. 
" J day's work mowing. 
" forty-five and a half pounds of beef at 6e. 
" Eight pounds & six ounces clieese at 4c. 
" Making two wagon harnesses. 



CONNECTICUT. 



Andovek is the j-oungest town in Tolland Countj-. 
As a distinct parish, however, it is much older than the 
county, ha^'ing been incorporated as a separate ecclesi- 
astical society in lilay, 1747. The territory of the new 
parish was taken from the three towns of Iloliron, Cov- 
entry and Lebanon. This parish. Dr. Sprague thinks, 
was called Andover because the original settlers were 
from Andover, Mass. It consisted of 68 members, 
called "householders." 

At an early date it was voted that a committee of 
four " go forthwith and see out for a preacher to preach 
the gospel in this socictj-." Mr. Samuel Lockwood was 
ordained and installed as pastor of the church, Feb. 25, 
1749. 

His ministry continued till his death in 1791, and dur- 
ing the whole' of this period the parish seems to have 
been in a state of great and growing prosperity. In 
1790, the degree of Doctor of Divinity was confen-ed 
upon him bj- his alma viater, Yale College. This 
Congregational church of Andover had the common 
experience of long pastorates in the early period of 
Connecticut Congi-egationalism. "When its one hun- 
dredth anniversary came, its fourth pastor was then 
serving the twentieth year of his pastorate. 

Andover was not incorporated as a town until 1848. 
Its civil history previous to this j-ear is therefore in part 
that of Hebron. 



The chief manufacturing industrj- has been the making 
of paper. The business is now entirely farming, and 
has alwaj'S been chieflj' that. 

Among the sons of Andover was William B. Sprague, 
D. D., a distinguished minister, and an author of vari- 
ous works. 

The population of the town in 1870 was 461. 

Ellington was originally a part of the township of 
East Windsor, called the Great Marsh. It was not until 
about 75 years after the settlement began on the east 
side of the Connecticut Ri\cr, that anj- settlers located 
themselves in the part now called Ellington. The pres- 
ent town includes what was formerly known as " Equiv- 
alent Lands." This tract of 7,250 acres was granted by 
the General Court, in 1716, to the town of Windsor, as 
a recompense for a loss by that town of some 7,000 
acres of land in the adjustment of the boundary line 
between Connecticut and Massachusetts. 

Rev. John McKinstrj', the first minister of Ellington, 
was educated in Scotland, and settled herein 1730. 
The principal settlers came from Scotland and the north 
of Ireland. Ellington is largely a farming town, and 
tobacco is raised to a considerable extent. The west- 
ern section is well supplied with water-power. The 
Windermere factor}' produces cassimeres and broad- 
cloths. 

The population of the town is 1,452. 



W I I^ D II A M COUNTY.* 



BY MISS ELLEN D. LARNED. 



In 1726, ten towns in the north-east corner of Con- 
necticut, previously included in the counties of Hartford 
and New London, were erected into the county of Wind- 
ham. Union and Woodstock were subsequentl}' added ; 
Mansfield, Coventry, Lebanon, Union and Columbia 
taken away ; and several of the original towns divided. 
Sixteen towns — -Woodstock, Thompson, Putnam, Pom- 
fret, Brooklyn, Killingly, Sterling, Plainfield, Canterbury, 
Eastford, Ashford, Chaplin, Hampton, Windham, Scot- 
land and Voluntown — form the present Windham County. 

* The population of the several towns of Windham County was, in 
1S70, as follows: Killingly, 5,712; Windham, 5,413; Plainfield, 4,521; 
Putnam, 4,192; Thompson, 3,804; Woodstock, 2,955; Brooklyn, 2,355; 



Its average length is about 26 miles, and its breadth 
nearly' 19 miles. Its area comprises a little less than 
553 square miles. 

The greater part of this tract of country prior to Eng- 
lish settlement was included in Nipnet, — the Fresh-water 
country, — the inland region between the Atlantic coast and 
the Connecticut Eiver. It was sparsely occupied by 
scattered tribelets or families of Nipmucks or Nipnets,! 
although the land east of the Quinebaug was also claimed 
by Narragansets. The northern part of this contested 

Canterbury, 1,552; Pomfret, 1,488; Ashford, 1,242; Voluntown, 1,052; 
SterUng, 1,022 ; Eastford, 984 ; Hampton, 891 ; Chaplin, 704 ; Scotland, 648. 
t Pond or Fresh-water Indians. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



strip was Mahmunsqung, — the Wlietstone countr}-. Land 
now included in ttie towns of Sterling, Plainfield and 
Canterbiir}- was the Quinebaug countiy, and its residents 
were known as Quinebaugs. The tract west of the 
Quinebaug River, and north of the Quinebaug countr3', 
was Wabbaquasset, — the mat-producing country. 

Acquittiuiaug of Wabbaquasset is the first Windham 
County inhabitant of whom we have record. In the 
j winter of 1630-31, news came to this people that a com- 
panj- of Englishmen had come to the Bay, who were in 
great want of corn, and would pay a good price for it. 
The fertile hills and valleys of the future Woodstock 
were already noted for their large production of this 
aboriginal staple. With each a bushel or more of corn 
upon their backs, Acquittimaug and other Indians toiled 
through the wilderness to the infant settlement at Boston, 
and were joyfully welcomed by the needy colonists. 
Acquittimaug lived about 95 years after this incident ; 
and when, in extreme old age, he visited Boston, he was 
welcomed and generously entertained by some of the 
chief dignitaries of the Massachusetts Colonj-. 

The Windham County territory became known to the 
English with the first settlement of Connecticut. It lay 
directly in the route from Boston to Hartford, a part of 
that " hideous and trackless wilderness " traversed by the 
first colonists. A rude track, called the Connecticut 
Path, obliquely crossing what is now Thompson, Wood- 
stock, Eastford and Ashford, became the main thorough- 
fare of travel between the Massachusetts and Connecti- 
cut colonies. Yet for 50 years no settlement was 
effected within the limits of the count}-, and the aborigines 
remained in undisputed possession of Ihe territory. They 
were subject clans of little spirit or distinctive character. 
Their number was small. A few families (jccupied the 
favorable localities, while large sections were left vacant 
and desolate. Large tracts were burned over every year 
and kept open, to furnish pasture for deer. Game and 
fish abounded in wood, lake and river. The principal 
rivers, lakes and hills bore the names that still distinguish 
tliem. An Indian trail, known as Nipmuck Path, ran 
south from Wabbaquasset to the sea-shore. The Green- 
wich Path crossed eastward from the Quinebaug to Nar- 
raganset. A few rude forts were built and maintained 
in various localities. 

As the Mohegans increased in power, thej' laid claim, 
under various pretexts, to the greater part of this terri- 
tory. The timid and peace-loving Wabbaquassets readily 
acknowledged allegiance to Uncas, and " paid him hom- 
age and obligations and yearly tribute of white deer- 
skins, bear-skins, and black wolf-skins." With the 
Quinebaugs Uncas was less successful. His right to 



their allegiance was disputed by the Narragansets. 
Pessacus, alias Moosup, brother and successor to Mian- 
tonomo, asserted his right to the Quinebaug country, 
affixing his name to the largest branch of the Quinebaug. 
For man}- 3-ears the land was in contention, the distracted 
inhabitants yielding homage to whichever chieftain 
chanced to be in ascendancj-. Tradition tells of various 
bloody rencontres and one distinct battle between the 
natives. 

While the Indians east of the Quinebaug were thus 
contending, those on the west were yielding to better 
influences. The most noteworthj' incidents of Wind- 
ham's aboiiginal history were connected with the ministr\- 
of the great Indian apostle, John Eliot. Y'oung Indians, 
trained by him at Natick, went out as missionaries into 
the Nipmuck wilderness. The simple "and tractable 
Wabbaquassets hearkened willinglj- unto the Gospel j 
thus presented, and many were persuaded to unite in 
church estate, and assume some of the habits of civiliza- 
tion. They observed the Sabbath, gathered into villages, 
and built wigwams, the like of which were seen nowhere 
else in New England. Thirty families were gathered at 
what was called Wabbaquasset Village, now in the south 
part of Woodstock ; 20 families at Myanexet, on the 
Quinebaug, in or near the north part of Woodstock ; 
and 20 families of Nipmucks at Quinnatisset, now 
Thompson Hill. These villages and churches were 
under the care and guidance of Sampson, a hopeful, 
pious and active 3-oung man. In 1(;74 he was encour- 
aged and strengthened by a ^dsit from Mr. Eliot, who, 
with jMaj. Daniel Gookin, magistrate over the Praying 
Indians, came to confirm the churches, settle teachers 
over them, and establish civil government. Thej- found 
peace, order and a friendlj- welcome in each of the praj'- 
ing villages. Mr. Eliot preached in Myanexet, and gave 
them John ]SIoqua for their teacher. ' ' A sober and pious 
young man of Natick, called Daniel," was appointed 
minister for Quinnatisset. At Wabbaquasset, where he 
passed the night, Ehot was warmly welcomed b}- the 
teacher, Sampson, and entertained in the spacious wig- 
wam of the sagamore. On the following morning, Sept. 
IG, 1074, a great meeting was held in Wabbaquasset 
village. All the Praying Indians from the different vil- 
lages were there, and many others. An opening religious 
ser\'ice was conducted by Mr. Eliot, and then a '• court" 
was held by Maj. Gookin, establishing civil goveriunent 
among the natives. The teacher Sampson was approved 
as their minister, and Black James of Chaubongagum 
installed over them as constable. Having thus settled 
religious and civil institutions, Mr. Eliot and his friends 
bade adieu and journeyed homewards, greatly pleased 



CONNECTICUT. 



with the progress of C'hristianit3- and civilization among 
this traftaVile and friendl}' people. Sevent}- families had 
lii'en reehiirai'd from heathenism. 

These hopeful jDrospects were soon blighted. The 
NaiTaganset war swept away the results of j-ears of 
missionarj^ labor. The villages were destroj-ed, the 
churches broken up, and the Praj'ing Indians relapsed 
into savages. The Nipmucks east of the Quinebaug 
joined the Narragansets ; the terrified Wabbaquassets 
left their pleasant homes and planting-flelds and threw 
themselves under the protection of Uncas at IMohegan. 
No battle or skirmish occurred during the war within 
AVindham Countj' territorj', but it was repeatedly traversed 
and ravaged by scouting and foraging parties. Great 
quantities of corn and beans, stately wigwams, the like 
of which had not been seen, and the several forts were 
all demolished. The close of the war foimd the Nip- 
mucks almost annihilated. Those that were left sought 
refuge with distant tribes. The Wabbaquassets remained 
for a time at Mohegan. The aboriginal inhabitants of 
the future Windliam were scattered or destroj'cd, and 
their tcrritorj^ left to English occupation. 

The first English proprietor within Windham County 
territory was Gov. John Winthrop of New London, who, 
in 1G53, secured from Ilj-ems and Massashowett a grant 
of the Quinebaug countr3'. The validitj^ of this convej'- 
ance was extremely doubtful. The grantors were rene- 
gade Narragansets, exercising a delegated authority, 
with no legal title to the land convej-ed. The General 
Court of Connecticut, however, "allowed the governor 
his Indian purchase at Quinebaug, and gave him liberty 
to erect thereon a plantation " ; but the Indian troubles 
prevented settlement. After the restoration of peace, 
the Massachusetts government opened negotiations with 
the remaining Nipmucks ; and, Feb. 10, 1082, secured a 
deed of the whole Nipmuck countr}', allowing to the 
Indians a five-mile reservation. A full half of this reser- 
vation was immediately made over by them to Govs. 
Joseph Dudley and William Stoughton, who had served 
as commissioners in the transaction. Dudley's fine farm 
was laid out in the Quinebaug Valley, and was afterwards 
included in the towns of Thompson and Dudley'. Five 
thousand acres at Quinnatisset, embracing what is now 
Thompson Hill and its vicinitj', were convej-ed to Stough- 
ton, laid out in farms, and sold the following year to 
Robert Thompson and Thomas Freak of England. 
Tracts of land in Quinnatisset were also granted by the 
Massachusetts government to other proprietors. 

Connecticut's share of Windhara_ County territory was 
mostlj' appropriated by Uncas and his representatives. 
To his son Owanuco was assigned the whole Wabbaquasset 



countrj-, and rights in the Quinebaug country. This 
chieftain was a drunken, worthless fellow, of no stability 
or force of character. Swarms of greedy land-hunters 
now gathered around him, eager to obtain jiossession of 
his land upon any pretext. Conscious of his own 
inabilitj' to manage his great possessions, Owaneco 
j-ielded to the persuasions of his friends and accepted the 
3'ounger James Fitch of Norwich as his guardian. 

The whole Wabbaquasset country was formally con- 
veyed to him in 1G89. The landed interests of Windham 
County were thus to a great degree vested iu the hands 
of one individual, destined to play an important part iu 
its settlement and development. 

To-ivxs. 

The first white inhabitant of the present town of 
Windham was one John Cates, an English refugee, 
hiding, according to traditional report, from the spies of 
Andros. In the autumn of 1G88, he found his way into 
this desolate wilderness, and passed the winter in a cave 
or cellar, dug out by the hands of his faithful negro. 
With the restoration of peace and charter government in 
1G89, Cates came out of his hiding-place, and purchased 
a tract of land. The second reported settler was Jona- 
than Ginnings. He was soon followed hy Joshua and 
Jeremiah Ripley of Hingham, Mass. May 12, 1G92, the 
plantation was granted the liberty of a township, to be 
called Windham, and June 12, a town government was 
organized. Only 15 citizens were then reported, but 
their number increased rapidlj-. The great size of the 
town occasioned its first serious difficult}'. A controversy 
ensuing in regard to the location of the church, resulted 
in a division of the town in May, 1703, the north part of 
Windham being formally erected into the town of Mans- 
field. A church had previously been formed, Dec. 10, 
1700, and Mr. Samuel Whiting ordained as its pastor. 
A meeting-house in Windham Green was completed in 
1703. 

The first settler in the north-east section, now Hamp- 
ton, was David Canada, a reputed Welshman. Man}' 
sterling Massachusetts families settled in this vicinitj- on 
Appaquage Hill and River. The difficulty of attending 
public worship at Windham Green led these northern 
settlers to ask for society privileges, and in 1717 a 
religious society was there organized. This section was 
known as Canada Parish, and also as Windham Village, 
and a church was gathered there in 1723. A third 
religious society was set off in 1732, in the south-east sec- 
tion of the town, known as Scotland Parish, and a church 
organized in 1735. 

Windhaln Green continued to increase in iufluenco and 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



importance as the seat of town government and the busi- 
ness centre of a large section. A Court of Probate was 
established here in 1719, Capt. John Fitch judge. In 
1726, Windham was made the shire town of the newh' 
constituted Windham County. The first Court of Com- 
mon Pleas was held June 26. Timoth}- Pierce of Plain- 
field was appointed judge. A jail and state house were 
soon erected, and the town received a fresh impetus. 
Iron-works were now established at Willimantic Falls, 
and other manufactures. The First Chui-ch of Windliam 
was particularly flourishing at this time. A very remark- 
able religious awakening had been enjoyed during the last 
3-ears of Mr. Whiting's niinistrj-. His successor, Mr. 
Thomas Clap of Scituate, was a young man of uncommon 
administrative ability, who brought the whole population 
under stringent watch and discipUne. Every head of a 
household was connected with the church, either by pro- 
fession of faith or owning the covenant. Farailj- prayer 
was observed in every household, and ever}' child con- 
secrated by baptism. Profane swearing was but little 
known, and open violation of the Sabbath very rare. In 
1739 Windham was compelled to resign her distinguished 
minister to the presidency of Yale College. He was 
succeeded by Mr. Stephen White, a young man of very 
dissimilar character. 

It was about this time that Windham's famous " Frog 
Panic," more widely known than any event in its early 
history, occurred.* 

The military spirit for which Windham was alwa^-s 
noted found ample exercise dm-ing the French and Indian 
war. Many of its citizens served with distinction in 
numerous bloody campaigns. Public afl'airs and pohtical 
issues engrossed more and more of their attention. No 
people were filled with more patriotic fervor, and more 
ready to engage in the great struggle for American liber- 
tics. They responded to the first summons from Boston 
by renouncing the use of all imported articles not ab- 
solutelj- essential. At a fashionable wedding in 1768, 
bride and guests wore home-spun, and all the refresh- 
ments were home-made. As agitation went on, the 
Windham boj's were foremost in opposition to imposts 
and Tories. When the port of Boston was closed, 
Windham's instant offering of a small flock of 258 sheep 

• "War between England and France was imminent. Indians were 
alert and turbulent, ready to join in the first outbreak. One night the 
residents of Windham Green were aroused from then- slumbers bj- the 
most appalling and unearthly sounds — an indescribable hubbub and 
tumult, that seemed to fill the heavens and shake the earth. Some 
thought it an earthquake ; some thought the Day of Judgment was at 
hand. Others seized upon the more natural, but hardly less appalling, 
explanation that an army of French and Indians was marching upon 
them. Consternation and terror fell upon all, and the night was passed 
suspcubc, not to say frantic lamentation. The morning 



was the first succor received by the distressed Bostonians. 
Throughout the long Revolutionary struggle, she was 
equally read}- and faithful. Dyer, Elderkin and Wales 
served day and night in Connecticut's Committee of 
Safety. Gray and Elderkin made powder in their mills 
at Willimantic. Huntington made the first gun turned 
out of an American workshop, and repaired the wretched 
fire-arms carried by the common soldiers. Hundreds of 
brave men perilled their lives in camp and battle, sus- 
tained and encouraged b}' the prayers and sympathy of 
thousands of Windham women, as patriotic and devoted 
as themselves. 

With the establishment of independence, Windham 
entered upon a new era of growth and prosperitj', her 
citizens engaging with such spirit in various business 
enterprises that she was reported " to exceed anj- inland 
town in the State in trade and merchandize." A vast 
amount of produce was raised and sent to market. 
Special industries were developed in difi'erent neighbor- | 
hoods. Experiments were made in silk raising and 
manufacture. In 1791 Windham issued its first news- 
paper, "ThePhenix," or "Windham Herald," printed 
by John Byrne, which attained extensive circulation 
throughout the country. Before 1800, the first post- 
oflSce was opened, John Byrne postmaster. An academy 
had also been opened. The venerable Stephen White 
died in 1793, after a ministry of 52 years. He was suc- 
ceeded by Rev. Elijah Waterman, a young man of great 
energy, active in promoting new measures and pubhc 
interests. Foremost among Windham's public men of 
this generation was Zephaniah Swift, one of the ablest 
lawjers in Connecticut. 

In 1819, a bill was passed, transfemug the comts of 
Windham County to the town of Brooklyn. Windham 
had previousl}- lost more than half her original territory j 
bj- the formation of new towns. To the loss of prestige 
and position was now added a transference of business 
interests from the Green to the WilHmantic — the j-ounger 
settlement attaining leadership. 

PLAiNFiELD.f — Tlic Settlement of this town was con- 
temporaneous with that of AVindham. The beautiful 
valley of the Quinebaug, with its open hill-slopes and 
bountiful yield of corn, oSered great attraction to set- 
dawned at length, and brought a ludicrous solution of the mystery. 
The unearthly clamur and uproar had been produced by a chorus of 
frogs, excitrd in si nuc ijiystcrious w.ay to a preternatural activity. This 
story of Wiihlliaiii's tnigic alarm flew all over the country, with 
innumerable uaditiuns and exaggerations. It was sung in song; it was | 
related in history ; it served as a standing joke upon every native of 
■Windham. A letter to President Stiles fixes the date of this incident as 
prior to July 9, 1754. 

t Plainfield embraces within its limits the flourishing manufacturing 
villages of Central Village, Moosup and Wauregan. 



CONNECTICUT. 



tiers, especiallj' as its Indian inhabitants, though very 
numerous, were most tractable and friendly. 

Timothy and Thomas Pierce, Thomas "Williams, Ed- 
ward, Joseph and Benjamin Spalding were among the 
east-side settlers. Major Fitch, Samuel Adams, Elisha 
Paine and others settled on the west side. In 1G09, the 
Quinebaug Plantation was invested with town privi- 
leges. The governor, Fitz John Winthrop, gave the new 
town the name of Plainfield. The first care of the town 
was to call a minister, — Mr. Joseph Coit of Nor- 
wich, — who held religious services statedlj- in private 



In consequence of the difficult}' of crossing the Quine- 
baug River in winter, and during high water, for the pur- 
pose of attending meeting, the town, in October, 1703, 
was divided, the territory west of the river being erected 
into the township of Canterbury'. 

The tranquillit}' of Plainfield was most grievously dis- 
turbed by controversies growing out of the great awak- 
ening of 1740. A pleasing feature of the revival was 
its effect upon the surviving Quinebaugs, who were "not 
onlj- filled with knowledge of ye waj' of Salvation," but 
reformed in their ways of living, and abstained from 
drinking. Dissenting from some of the doctrines and 
practices of the established church, and espeeiall}' from 
the payment of the minister by rate or tax, the new 
converts, after a time, organized as a separate church. 
Mr. Coit was now old and infii-m. A majorit}' of the 
town refused longer to pay their assessments for his sup- 
port. The settlement of his successor was followed bj- 
a most bitter and protracted contest, demoralizing 
churches and town, and " separating very friends and 
brothers." After a generation of strife and contention, 
the churches finally happily' united in the choice of Rev. 
John Fuller of Norwich, all parties agreeing that the 
ministry should thenceforth be supported by voluntarj' 
contribution, without tax or coercion. This same con- 
troversy prevailed nearly throughout the county, dis- 
tracting and prostrating many of even the most pros- 
perous churches on the territorj-. 

Throughout the Rcvolutionarj- period Plainfield was 
active and prominent. 

Plainfield Academy was estabhshed during this period. 
In 1778, I^benezer Pemberton of Newport was secured 
as its rector. Scholars came in large numbers from 
Pro\'idence, New York, New London, and other places. 
For man}' years this academy enjoyed a high reputation, 
under such distinguished teachers as Dr. Pemberton, 
John Adams, Benjamin Allen, Zechariah Eddy, Tim- 
othy Pitkin, Calvin Goddard, Eliphalet Nott, Rinaldo 
Burleigh, and many others. Dr. Joel Benedict, who 



succeeded Mr. Fuller in the pastorate at Plainfield, a 
man of high character and unconmaon attainments, and 
Dr. Elisha Perkins, one of the most noted physicians 
and surgeons of his generation, were among the distin- 
guished citizens of this town. 

Caxtekbtjex.* — The western part of the Quinebaug 
Plantation, when endowed with town privileges in 1703, 
had but few inhabitants, but these were men of character 
and position, well fitted to manage the affairs of the 
town. Maj. Fitch was long " the great man" of all the 
surrounding countrj', and his Peagscommek homestead a 
^ery noted establishment, a rendezvous for land specula- 
tors, civil and military officials, and hordes of idle Indians. 
Here courts were held, militarj- expeditions organized, 
and whole townships of land bartered awa}'. Maj. Fitch 
was for a time one of the most prominent men in Con- 
necticut, and had great personal and political influence ; 
but his immense land operations, and his own violence 
and laclv of judgment, involved him in ver}' serious com- 
plications and quarrels. The claims of Fitch and other 
large land-owners delayed the growth of the town. 
" All the good land upon the Quinebaug" had been mo- 
nopolized by these voracious "land-grabbers," and for 
a considerable period but few persons succeeded 
in establishing settlements. Town records are lack- 
ing till 1717. Previous to this date a meeting-house had 
been built, a church organized, and Mr. Samuel Esta- 
brook ordained as minister. Mr. Estabrook remained 
in charge of the Canterbury church till his death in 
1727. 

Canterbury was the scene of a remarkable ecclesiasti- 
cal controversy, gi'owing out of the memorable great 
awakening, to which reference has already been made. 
A majoritj' of the church had become what were termed 
New Lights — opponents of the established or " standing 
order" church. The Rev. James Cogswell, a candidate 
for settlement over the Canterbury church, was stren- 
uously opposed to the new measures. The civil and 
ecclesiastical authorities, professing to have become 
alarmed at the ungovernable fanaticism of the revival- 
ists, determined upon the revolutionary, unconstitutional, 
uncongregational, and hence utterlj- unauthorized meas- 
ure of setthng the candidate of the minority-. This fla- 
grant violation of the rights of the majority not unnatu- 
rally excited wide spread indignation, while the bold and 
persistent championship on the part of the latter of the 
rights of the majority and of pure Congregationalism, in 
opposition to the arbitrary measures and assumptions of 
the authorities, elicited much admiration and sj'mpathj', 

• Packerville is located mainly in Canterbury. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



and was the occasion of the organization of many soci- 
eties on an entirely independent basis.* 

After the lapse of many j-cars, and the discontinuance 
of this exciting and distracting controversy, these " sep- 
arate" societies either became extinct, or were finally- 
resolved into regular Congregational churches. 

Mr. Cogswell remained in charge of the Canterbury 
church till 1771. Among many pupils received into his 
family were Naphtali Daggett, afterwards president of 
Yale College, and Benedict Arnold. The western part 
of Canterbury was incorporated as Westminster Society 
in 1770, and a church organized the same year. Rev. 
John Staples was ordained as its pastor in 1772, and 
continued iu charge till his death in 1807. 

The most noted citizen of Canterbury during the Rev- 
olutionary period was Moses, son of Capt. Aaron Cleve- 
land, who entered early upon the practice of law, and 
also engaged in extensive business enterprises. He 
was agent for the Connecticut Land Companj-, that 
settled the Western Reserve, Ohio, and selected the site 
of the citj- of Cleveland, which was named in his honor. 

"Master John f Adams," a very successful teacher, 
principal for many years of Phillips Academy, Andover, 
was another noted son of Canterburj^, and won his first 
laurels in his native town, where he opened a high school 
in 1796. Among many Canterburj- j-outh, distinguished 
iu after life, who were pupils of Master Ada:ns, was 
John Hough, professor at Middlebury College. Ebene- 
zer Fitch, first president of Williams College, was also a 
native of this town. 

In 1833, Canterbury was brought verj' prominently 
into notice, in connection with the colored school opened 
by Miss Prudence Crandall. Under the patronage of 
leading men of the town, Miss Crandall had previously 
established a young ladies' school, which had been 
handsomely sustained. The introduction of a j'oung 
colored girl gave great offence to the parents of her other 
pupils, who threatened to withdraw their daughters. 

• The persecution visited upon lliis mnv iiKivmn ni ■;_ n il. .mil-, indi- 

cates tlio temper of tlic ti;iirs. i'.lisha :iiiil N..1 ..i I , , ii lo- 

linowlcdgcd leaders of the nvivMl ]iarty in ('.miirli, : mil 

imprisoned; their nephews, I'rom Yale C(illr,:,'r, lor ji... un.;:.., v, ;i.:. at 
home in vacation, to attend the religions services conducted by their 
uncles, were expelled. One Ohadiah Johnson, an old and respected 
citizen, when chosen a representative of the town to the General Court 
by a fair majority, was expelled from his seat in the House for being a 
member and officer of one of these separate or independent organizations. 

t Father of the present distinguished Dr. WilUam Adams of New 
York City. 

i Woodstoclc is becoming famous as a summer resort, vying with 
Broolilyn and Thompson in this regard. Elniwood Hall and Wood- 
stock Common are widely noted. Their publicity is mainly due to the 
enterprise and public spirit of Mr. Henry C. Bowcn, publisher of the 
New York "Independent," who, being a native of Woodstock, makes 



Finding that she could not instruct both white and col- 
ored together, Miss Crandall decided in favor of the 
latter, and, after counselling with friends in regard to the 
matter, threw open her school "for young ladies and 
little misses of color." Indignant at what thej- deemed 
a breach of good faith, the former patrons of Miss 
Crandall made use of "every argumentative effort to 
convince her of the injustice and improprietj^ of the 
proposed measure." But having decided upon it from 
supreme conviction of duty, nothing could change her 
resolution. Personal insults and violence and legal 
injunctions were alike ineffectual. At length a vehe- 
ment petition from Canterbury procured the enactment 
of the celebrated "Black Law," by which all persons 
were forbidden to establish a school for the instruction 
of colored persons not inhabitants of the State, or teach 
in anj' such school, or harbor or board any colored per- 
son attending such school, under ver3- heavy penalties. 
Undismayed by this opposition and persecution in most 
annoj'ing fonns, l\Iiss Crandall went calmly on with her 
school, supported b3' her own indomitable spirit, and tlie 
sympathj- and material aid of prominent Abolitionists. 
Arrested upon charge of breaking the newly enacted 
law. Miss Crandall suffered herself to be earned to jail 
for a night, to awaken public sympathy and indignation. 
A final trial was held before the Court of Errors, July, 
1834, when the court reserved its decision, and the suit 
was quashed for alleged defects of information. During 
all this time the greatest excitement raged in Canterbury 
and the -adjoining towns. Failing in their efforts to ' 
break up the school bj' legal process, the opponents of 
Itliss Crandall resorted to more systematic violence, and, 
after an ineffectual attempt to set the house on fire, 
broke in the windows with iron bars, and so seriously 
damaged it that repairs were deemed impolitic, if not 
impracticable. 

Woodstock. J — The first settlement within the limits 
of tlio present Windham County was made in Woodstock. 



it his summer home, and who has done much for its improvement and 
adornment. Through his efforts and liberality, and the generaus co- 
oper.ition of his fellow-citizens, the old Woodstock Academy is placed 
on an assured b.asis, with an elegant new academy building, and an 
ample endowment. His last and perhaps gre.itest achievement is the 
opening to the public of Rosclaud Park, a beautiful pleasure-ground on 
the border of Woodstock Lake. The old military and election parades, 
and other rollicking festivities of the olden time that formerly fmnished 
the chief diversion of the populace, have been outgrown. Mr. Bowen 
has proposed to meet the higher and more varied demands of the pres- 
ent generation by creating this delightful park, which, with its musical 
concerts and many provisions for innocent recreation, promises to be a 
place of great public resort. Woodstock has already surprised the world 
with its monster mass-meetings and unique Fourth of July celebrations, 
bringing together, on these occasions, some of the foremost men of the 
nation. 



CONNECTICUT. 



Bj- a mistake in the southern boundarj- line of the Bay 
Colonj-, the territory now included in Woodstock and 
Thompson was long held by Massachusetts. 

The first settlers of this town were emigrants from 
Roxburj', Mass., and hence its original name New Rox- 
bury. Among the settlers at Plain Hill were Thomas 
and Joseph Bacon, James Corbin, Benjamin Sabin, and 
Henry Bowen. 

When the French settlement at Oxford was destroyed 
by marauding Mohawks, its fugitives found refuge in 
the New Roxbury plantation. Great apprehensions were 
felt at other times of a rising of the Wabbaquassets. 
During these days of trial, the women and children might 
have been seen gathered into garrisons with but a single 
man to guard them and " hold the fort," while the other 
men under arms tried to carr}' on their out-door labor. 
In 1G90 the colony was accorded town privileges, and 
granted the name of Woodstock, and during the same 
3"ear Mr. Josiah Dwight of Dedham engaged in the work 
of the ministr}-. A meeting-house was completed in 
1694, and a church soon afterwards organized though the 
date cannot he ascertained. From an isolated frontier 
town, Woodstock developed into a flourishing business 
centre. The most prominent citizen during this period 
was Capt. John Chandler. All important commissions 
and negotiations were entrusted to him. He was the 
first and long the only representative sent to General 
Court, and was superintendent of the Wabbequasset 
Indians. No man was more concerned in the settlement 
of Windham County. He owned large tracts of land in 
Killingly, Pomfret and Ashford. Nearly everj' town 
in Windham County was laid out by him, and he was 
held in high repute t)^- the Connecticut government. 
When Massachusetts' south boundary- line was rectified 
in 1713, it was agreed that she should retain jurisdiction 
over the towns she had settled, an arrangement which 
for a time gave entire satisfaction ; but after the death 
of Col. Chandler and other town fathers, the new gene- 
ration were, led to desire transference to the government 
of Connecticut, where taxes would be lighter and greater 
privileges accorded. The change was subsequently made, 
and the first town meeting under the jurisdiction of Con- 
necticut was held on Woodstock Hill, Jul^- 28, 1749. 

During the Revolution, Charles C. Chandler, a rising 
lawyer, was verj' active on the Committee of Corre- 
spondence ; Samuel McClennan was much engaged in 
ci^■il and militarj- affairs, serving in the northern armj% 
leading out the militia again and again, and paying them 
from his own purse when the treasurj' was empty. After 
the close of the war he was made general of the fifth 
brigade. 



At the special request of Washington and Putnam, the 
church at Woodstock Hill yielded their beloved pastor, 
Rev. Abiel Leonard, LL.D., to officiate as chaplain of 
Putnam's own regiment. His eloquence and patriotism 
made him a great favorite in the army, and he continued 
to serve with much fidelitj' and acceptance until his most 
untimely and lamented decease in August, 1777. Another 
distinguished son of Woodstock, Gen. William Eaton, the 
conqueror of Tripoli, began his military career during 
the Revolutionarj- war in the company' of Capt. Dana of 
Ashford. 

With the restoration of peace and prosperity Wood- 
stock felt the need of greater educational privileges, and 
through the active instrumentality' of Rev. Eliphalet 
L3-man, successor of Mr. Leonard, an academy was 
estabUshed at Woodstock Hill in 1802. Its first pre- 
ceptor was Thomas Williams of Pomfret. He was suc- 
ceeded by an array of teachers more or less celebrated, 
under whom the Academy maintained a good reputation. 
Pomfret.* — The settlement of this town was closely 
connected with that of Woodstock. On May 1, 1686, 
15,100 acres of wilderness land were conveyed to several 
gentlemen from Roxburj', Mass. The first settler was 
John Sabin (June 22, 1691). This 8turd\- pioneer, 
during the Indian wars rendered most important service 
by " standing his ground," protecting the frontier, and 
engaging the surrounding Indians as allies of the Eng- 
lish. After the restoration of peace settlement began in 
earnest. Mrs. Esther Grosvenor took possession of her 
allotment in 1700. Philemon Chandler of Andover en- 
tered soon after upon a right purchased of Ruggles. Dea. 
Benjamin Sabin of Woodstock, with six sons, removed 
! to the Mashamoquet settlement in 1705. These settlers 
I experienced comparativelj- few hardships. The soil was 
good and easily suVjdued. Smooth hills, mostlj* bare of 
trees, yielded a coarse rank grass, so that cattle could 
forage for themselves through the winter. Woodstock 
afforded them mills, market, and religious privileges, 
men, women and children toiling over the rough ways 
ever}- Sunday to " Mr. Dwight's meeting-house." A 
grist-mill was set up on Bark-Meadow Brook by James 
Saw3-er in 1709. A militarj- company was organized in 
1710. In May, 171.3, town privileges were accorded, 
and it was also ordered " that the said Massamugget 
shall be called Pomfret." 



• Pomfret is one of Connccticat'n most charming eammer retreats, 
and many city families find delightful resting-places during the heated 
term under the grand old trees tliat shade the attractive residences. 
The pure air and pleasant surroundings of the breezy hill-top villages of 
Connecticut are coming yearly to fic more and more appreciated, while 
summer visitors from the metropolis are bringing to them, otherwise in 
a measure going to decay, new life and income. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAXD. 



, distinguished general, but 



A church was organized Oct. 26, 1715, and Mr. 
Ebenezer Williams of Roxbury was ordained its pastor. 

The most conspicuous event of Pomfret's early history 
was the destruction of that " old she-wolf," so famous 
in legendarj^ storj-.* 

The west part of Pomfret was incorporated as Abing- 
ton Society in 1749. A church was herein organized, 
Jan. 31, 1753, and David Ripley of Windham was 
ordained as its minister. A meeting-house was com- 
pleted the same jear. Pomfret was distinguished during 
this period for intelligence and intellectual activity, 11 
young men from this town being cotemporarj' collegiates 
in 1757-59. Not onl}- a mos 
manj' brave offlcers and men 
represented Pomfret in the 
Revolutionary struggle. 
Lieut. Thomas Grosvenorand 
a picked company of Pom- 
fret boj"s were among the de- 
fenders of Bunker Hill. 

Pomfret maintained a lead- 
ing position in the county IVn 
many 3-ears. Dr. Walil'i 
gained here a high reputa- 
tion for medical skiU. D3- 
ing suddenly' in 1794, he was 
succeeded in practice by a 
young pupil and fellow towns 
man, Thomas Hubbard, whu 
achieved even greater distinc- 
tion than his master ere he 
was called by Yale College 
to occupy a high place in 
her surgical department. His cotemporarv, Dr. Jona- 
than Hall, was also very noted and popular, and his sons 
and daughters were shining ornaments of that polite and 
cultivated society which distinguished Pomfret above_ 
her sister towns, and made her a favorite resort for 
Newport and Providence families. 

Richard Adams was the first white settler within the 



• Other Windham County wolves had saccnmbed to the prowess of 
hunters, but this " pernicious animal " found refuge in an almost inac- 
eessible ledge of rock and forest in the south part of Pomfret, and 
fe:isted at pleasure upon the richest flocks and herds of the county. 
Combination and private effort failed to effect her capture. Wary and 
wise she outwitted all her pursuers, and continued for many years an 
intolerable nuisance. A light snow-fall in the winter of 1743 enabled 
some hunters to trace her to the vicinity of her lair, and a dog belonging 
to Mr. John Sharpc trticked her into a den, or cave tunnelling between 
the rocks down into the depths of the earth, and engaged with her in 
fierce combat. A youns son of Mr. Sharpe followed on .and gave the 
alarm. People gathered from all the f^irms around and used every 
possible means to rout the wolf from her hiding-place. Ilcr first assail- 




limits of the present town. Isaac Allen and Edward 
Spalding soon followed. These settlers were left for 
some 3'ears unrelated to anj- town, a few isolated fami- 
lies surrounded b}' a wilderness. In 1724, Richard 
Adams granted a parcel of land for the setting up of a 
school-house, and Daniel Cadj' granted another tract for 
' ' a convenient place to burj- ye bodies of the dead among 
us." In 1731, parish privileges were accorded, and a 
society erected out of parts of Pomfret, Canterburj' and 
Mortlake. 

The Mortlake Society, as it was commonly called, 
organized a church and built a house of worship, and on 
Sept. 24, 1735, ordained Ephraim Averj- of Truro, for 
its minister. The Rev. Mr. 
■^- Avery was succeeded in the 
'-: pastorate of the church by 
Josiah Whitney of Plainfield, 
^ ho was ordained Feb. 4, 175G. 
I liL widow of Mr. Aver}-, after 
I second marriage and widow- 
hood, became the second wife 
< 1 Col. Israel Putnam. In 
1 707, Putnam removed from 
thi AV'iltshire farm-house to 
iiiooklyn Green, and opened 
I house of public entertain- 
111. nt Through all the Stamp 
\it igitation, and other pre- 
lu Nolutionarj' movements, he 
w di the popular leader ; and 
this Brooklyn tavern became 
one of the most noted ren- 
dezvous ill eastern Connecti- 
cut. As a private citizen he was equally alert and 
active, ever ready to serve town, church and parish in 
any capacity. 

During the whole Revolutionary period, Brooklj-n was 
conspicuouslj- prominent. Putnam was a host in himself. 
The opening of hostilities at Lexijigton called him from 
the plough to the saddle, and, until disabled by paralysis. 



ant was withdrawn from the cave badly disabled, and no other dogs 
would enter. Late at night it was remembered that a young farmer in 
Mortlake, one Israel Putnam, had a bloodhound of superior strength 
and courage, and the dog and his master were called to the rescue. 
His coming brought matters to immediate crisis. The oViscure young 
farmer of 1743 was very like the brave " Old Put " of '76. Not a 
moment was wasted. The wolf must be mastered at any hazard. If she 
would not come out to them they must go in to her. Dog and negro 
refused to go, but Putnam was ready for the onset. With a rope 
fastened round his body and a blazing torch in his hand, Putnam 
crawled down the black icy passage until he could see the glaring eye- 
balls of his adversary, and with one dexterous shot dispatched Pomfret's 
last wolf, and made himself famous. 



CONNECTICUT. 



he gave his whole time and energies to the patriot 
cause.* The town and parish sustained him hj constant 
co-operation and sjTnpatlij'. 

Brooklj-n was incorporated as a town in Maj', 1686. 
Various improvements were now set on foot, and the 
town took a leading position in all public affairs. The 
most important event occurring for many years during 
this period, was a controversy concerning the nature and 
persons of the Trinitj-, which resulted in church and 
societj' division, and the organization of the first Unita- 
rian church in Connecticut. Dr. "Whitney remained in 
charge of the Orthodox church, aided by colleagues, till 
his death in 1824, aged 93 j-ears. The secular energies 
of the town during this period were mainly devoted to 
the struggle for a change of count3--seat. After many 
_Years of sectional agitation, the civil administration of 
Windham County was transferred to Brooklyn Green, 
near the geographical centre of the count3-. 

The first bank in Windham Countj' was established in 
Brookl3-n in 1822. In various reforms and aggressive 
movements, Brooklyn now took the lead. Samuel J. May, 
the well-known philanthi'opist and reformer, pastor of 
the Unitarian church, was active in all reformatorj- move- 
ments. The Windham Countj' Agricultural Societj', 
formed in 1820, now held its annual fair at Brooklyn. 
In 1800, Brooklj'n Academy was incorporated and 
enjoj-ed fcfr many j-ears a large share of patronage. 
After 1840, newspapers and some other business inter- 
ests were transferred to Danielsonville ; but, though a 
little aside from railroads, Brooklj-n has maintained her 
energj' and vitalitj', and gains in wealth and popula- 
tion. 

Thompson. — This town was not incorporated till 1 785, 
l)ut its record begins more than a century before that 
date, when 20 families of " Praj-ing Indians" gathered 
on Quinnatisset hill-top and received a Christian teacher 
from Mr. Eliot. The first known white settler here was 
Richard Dresser of Rowlej'. Sampson Howe of Rox- 
bury followed the next year. Samuel Converse of 
Woburn, with five sons, purchased land south of Quin- 
natisset IliU in 1710. 

The first society meeting was held on Thompson Hill, 
July 9, 1728. A church was organized Jan. 28, 1730, 
and INIarston Cabot of Salem was soon after ordained 
its pastor. A Baptist church was organized in 1773, and 

• Gen. Putnam passed a serene and happy old age among his beloved 
kindred and townspeople, and his funeral in May, 1790, was made the 
occasion of the most imposing military and Masonic display ever wit- 
nessed in Windham County. 

t The Grosvcnordale manufactories, Mechanicsville, Wilsonvillc, 
Quinebaug and Quaddic factories, are all in Thompson, adding largely 
to the business and natural wealth of the town. 



a meeting-house built on what is now called Brandy Hill. 
The town was incorporated in Maj', 1785. 

The transference of travel from turnpike to railroad, 
greatly affected Thompson, with other hill-top villages, 
and carried business away to other centres ; but the town 
in general has maintained its early standing, and has 
ever been distinguished bj' thrift, order and public spirit.f 
The old Congregational church has been especially noted 
for the permanence of its ministry. The Rov. Daniel 
Dow, ordained April 20, 1796, celebrated the 50th anni- 
versary of his settlement in 1846, and continued to 
officiate till the day of his death, in August, 1849. 

KiLLiNGLY. — The first white settler within the limits of 
the future town was Richard Evans of Rchoboth, who in 
1G93, made a homo in the wilderness, three miles east from 
Woodstock. Peter Aspinwall, scut by Woodstock to cut 
through the cedar swamps to make a waj' to Providence, 
settled east of the Quinebaug about 1 700. James and 
Joseph Leavens of Woodstock, gathered tuq^entine for 
Woodstock traders in this section, and soon after joined 
the settlement, the latter raarrjing a daughter of Capt. 
John. Sabin of Pomfrct, she receiving a beautiful valley 
farm for her marriage portion. These early settlers 
were favored bj' government oversight and protection, 
and in 1 708 were allowed town privileges. 

Though emigrants now came in more rapidly, money 
was scarce. The border position of the town made it 
peculiarly accessible to tramps, vagabonds and roving 
Indians. The large number of roads made requisite hy 
the size of the town was very burdensome, especially as 
population was so scattered that nearly every household 
had to have a way of its own. J Meantime those diffi- 
culties of travel, in roundaliout ways, over rojks, and 
through swamps " to mill and to meeting," often became 
the occasion of societj' division. Hence the building of 
the meeting-house on Killingly Hill in 1746, the South 
Society occupying the house on Breakneck. 

Killingly Hill, after the building of the meeting-liouse 
in 1746, was recognized more and more as the head and 
heart of the large township, the place for town meetings, 
trainings and public gatherings. Among its early residents 
were Rev. Aaron Brown, Noah, son of Justice Joseph 
Leavens, § and Dr. Thomas Moffatt, the first known phy- 
sician of the town. John Felshaw, father and son, main- 
tained a popular house of entertainment at the northern 

t The religious character of this early population is manifested by 
the nature of their petitions concerning roads. The only apparent use 
for a road in those days was to travel, not so much to mill, as to 
meeting. 

§ Mr. Leavens, long the father of the town, died in 1771, aged 90 
years. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



extremitj- of the hill for more than half a centur}-. 
During the Revolutionar}- troubles many substantial 
families from seaboard towns found refuge in Kill- 
inglj-, and were numbered among its most valued citi- 
zens. 

A church was formed in West Killingly in 1801, and 
Westfield Parish organized. A thri-sing village grew up 
in this -x-icinity, which became a noted social and business 
centre. Its first physician was Dr. Hutchins. Rev. 
Eoswell Whittemore succeeded Rev. Gordon Johnson in 
the pastorate of the church in 1813, and retained the 
office for 30 years. Other villages givw up on Five-Mile 
River and Whetstone Brook, which furnished many man- 
ufacturing privileges. Though it declined somewhat in 
importance after the removal of the town centre, Kill- 
ingly Hill still furnishes a pleasant place of residence. 
Rev. Elisha Atkins served as pastor of the church from 
1784 to 1839, and was greatly esteemed. In 1855 the 
north part of Killingly was incorporated into the new 
town of Putnam. 

Among the most brilliant and promising of the sons 
of Killingly were the Rev. Joseph Howe, and Manasseh 
Cutler; one of the founders of the Ohio Company, very 
active and prominent in the opening and settlement of 
the North-west Territory. Through his influence some of 
the best of Killingly youth joined in the first emigration 
to the distant tcrritor3', and many substantial families 
sought homes in the far West. 

VoLtTNTOvrN. — The old town of Voluntown, which for 
many j-ears embraced what is now Sterling, was, with 
Killingly, part of the Whetstone country, and was 
granted about 1700 bj- the General Court of Connecticut 
to volunteers in New London County who had served 
during King Philip's war. The roughness and barren- 
ness of the l.iid discouraged settlement, and it was long 
feared that the scattered inhabitants would never be able 
to establish religious worship. Several families of Scotch- 
Irish Presbyterians, however, purchased volunteer's rights 
in 1721-22, and aided greatly in building up the town 
and establishing religious institutions. Town govern- 
ment was organized June 20, 1721. A meeting-house 
was erected near the centre of the long, narrow town- 
ship ; and, Oct. 15, 1723, a church was organized. Rev. 
Samuel Dorrance, a graduate of Glasgow University, 
licensed to preach by the Presbj-tery of Dumbarton, 
received a unanimous call to the pastorate, and after a 
strong opposition from dissenting inhabitants, who feared 
that Presbjlerianism was a cloak for Popery and heresy, 

• A dissatisfaction based chiefly on their opposition to church rates, 
and sympathy with the Separatist movement, 
t A large number of the best families of the town joined the Susq 



he was formally' ordained minister of the Voluntown 
church and township. i 

Mr. Dorrance remained in charge of the Voluntown j 
church till 1770, though suffering much from the dis- j 
aflfection* of his people, and the difficulty of obtaining a t 
comfortable support. He died November, 1775, aged 90 j 
years. The church was greatl}' weakened not only by 
dissension, but by emigration. f Presb3'terianism finally 
declining, a Congregational church was organized in 

79. 

Several cotton-manufactories have been put in opera- 
tion in the south-west part of Voluntown, greatly 
stimulating its development and improvement. 

AsHFORD, so called on account of the great number of 
its ash-trees, was first settled in 1710. John Mixer, the 
first emigrant to these parts, settled on Mount Hope 
RiA'er, on the site of the present Warrenville. The road 
from Boston to Providence passed near his residence. 
John Parr^- of Marlborough settled soon after near the 
site of the present Eastport Village. A town organiza- 
tion was effected in 1715. About this time WiUiam 
Ward was sent out in search of a minister, to serve for 
a quarter of a year, and was so fortunate as to secure 
one for a quarter of a century, — Rev. James Hale of 
Swansea, a most faithful and worthy man. 

At this date Ashford contained about 40 families. A 
church was organized Nov. 26, 1718. The first Baptist 
church in Windham County, now extinct, was formed in 
this town in 1743, and Thomas Denison ordained its 
pastor. 

Ashford's position on a great public thoroughfare of 
travel brought her prominence and prosperity, especially 
during the Revolutionary days, when soldiers and even 
armies traversed her highwaj's. " Clarke's tavern" still 
bears the name of many an illustrious guest upon its 
ancient windows. Washington spent at least one Sab- 
bath here. Man}' of her own sons distinguished them- 
selves greatlj- during the war. Thomas Knowlton and 
his brother Daniel, after gaining valuable experience in 
the French war, took the field at once in defence of 
American liberties. The regiment sent bj- Windham 
County upon the Lexington alarm, was placed under 
command of Thomas Knowlton. The sers-ices rendered 
by Knowlton at Bunker Hill, Boston, Long Island and 
Harlem, where his valuable life was offered up in sacri- 
fice, will never be forgotten by American patriots. 
Daniel Knowlton was equallj' brave and devoted, serving 
throughout the war. Capt. James Dana, second under 

hanna Company, and removed from their sterile farms to the beautiful 
valley of Wyoming. Many tliriving families in that vicinity trace their 
origin to this old border township. 



CONNECTICUT. 



Knowlton at Bunker Hill, ivas almost equally forward 
and meritorious. John Eoger, Daniel Marcv, — indeed, 
the thirty Ashford boys ivho fought at Bunker Hill, and 
saved the retreating provincials from destruction, — 
I deserve perpetual gratitude and commemoration. 

The opening of the Boston and Hartford Turnpike in 
1 798 increased business and travel through Ashford, and 
contributed to its growth and importance. These pros- 
perous days have been succeeded b3- isolation and deca}-. 
The opening of raUroads left the old town far from 
business centres and markets, with no great farming or 
manufacturing facihties. 

Eastford. — The incorporation of the eastern section 
of Ashford was delayed till 1777, when, notwithstanding 
the scarcity of men and means, society and church 
organization was initiated. Andrew Judson, pastor 
elect, Benjamin Sumner and others, united in church 
fellowship Sept. 23, 1778. Capt. Benjamin Sumner was 
long one of its most prominent citizens. The present 
Congregational house was erected in 1829, Benjamin 
Bosworth, Esq., purchasing the former building.* 

A woollen-manufactory was established in Eastford 
YiUage about the year 1826. In 1847 Eastford was 
made a town. 

Nathaniel Lyonf was bom at Ashford Jul}- 14, 1819. 
graduated at "West Point in 1841, and ser\-ed in the 
Florida and Mexican wars. At the outhreak of the civil 
war he was in command of the arsenal at St. Louis, and 
broke up a camp of secessionists established by the 
\ governor, C. F. Jackson. Jackson then assembled a 
force at BoonesviUe, where he was routed (June 17, 
1861) by L3-on, now brigadier-general of United States 
volunteers. In the battle of Wilson's Creek, while 
attempting to hold his position against the united forces 
of McCulloch and Price, after having been twice wounded, 
as he was leading into action a regiment whose colonel 
had just fallen, he was himself shot in the breast and 
killed on the spot, Aug. 10, 1861. His funeral at 
Eastford, where, b}- his own request, his remains were 
buried beside his honored parents, was the most remark- 
able ceremonial e^er witnessed in Windham County. 
Gen. Lyon bequeathed 830,000, nearlj- all his property, 
to the government, to aid in the prosecution of the war. 

PuTXAii is prc-eminentlj- the modeni town of V\' indham 
Count}-. Its central site and great water-privilege have 
indeed long been occupied. For 150 3-ears the Great 



• In remoring the old house from the hill-site, a chain snapped off, 
whereupon the workmen demanded " treat," which was refused hy 
Esquire Bosworth, who had just joined the new Temperance Societ;,-. 
Men and oxen at once " struck " and left the old meeting-house 
suspended, till Mr. Darius Matthewsou of Pomfret, president of the 



Fall of the Quinebaug has run its grist-mills, and car- 
ried on malting and d3-eing. In the da3-s of old Capt. 
Cargil (1700-98) these mills were very celebrated, and 
residents of the four adjacent towns resorted to them on 
needful occasions. When Rhode Island capitalists began 
to look outside their little State for cotton-factor3' loca- 
tions, a keen e3-e marked this spot, and active hands soon 
reared and put in operation the first successful cotton 
manufactor3' in Connecticut. 

It was at the opening of the Norwich and Worcester 
Railroad in 1839 that this place started on a new career 
of progress. The fine geographical position and great 
manufacturing facilities of the location were at once 
recognized, and people from all the surrounding towns 
hastened to take advantage of them. Great factories, 
stores, churches, and dwelling-houses, sprung up as if b3' 
magic, and soon the gathering population felt the need of 
town organization. 

In 1849 they asked for a distinct township, taking 
parts of Thompson, Killingl3-, Pomfret and Woodstock. 
Against great and determined opposition, the incorpora- 
tion of Putnam township was secured in Juh", 1855. In 
less than a quarter of a centur3-, the place has far out- 
stripped some of her more venerable elders, and won a 
place among the leading towns of Connecticut. With 
the spirit and resolution of her heroic namesake, she 
has grappled with ever3- obstacle. The great fire of 1877 
swept out her business centre, but the burnt district is 
alread3' filled up with more substantial buildings, and 
business is flowing on with redoubled briskness and 
energy. The junction of the two railroads passing 
through the county, and convenient access from all the 
neighboring towns, make Putnam the railroad and busi- 
ness centre for a large section of countr3'. New stores 
and warehouses are continually opening to meet the 
increasing demand. Yer3' man3- branches of manufacture 
are now carried on besides the mammoth cotton-factories 
that are ever in motion. The population of the vUlage 
increases at a rapid rate. 

Putnam has been remarkably fortunate in the high 
character and public-spuit of her leading business men, 
who have ever been read3- to aid in needful improvement, 
and labor earnestl3- for the best good of the town. Five 
school buildings have been erected, a:;d an admirable 
high school is in successful operation. " The Putnam 
Patriot," an enterprising weekl3- journal, was established 



County Temperance Society, came to the rescue with a band of good 
temperance men from Aljington, and accomplished its descent without a 
single drop of liquor. 

t The mother of Gen. Lyon was the daughter of Lieut. Daniel 
Knowlton. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



in 1872. The religious interests of Putnam have been 
carefull}- guarded. Baptist, Congregational and Method- 
ist churches, formed at an earlj' daj-, are accommodated 
with convenient and even elegant houses of worship. 

WiLLisiANTic. — The village of Willimantic owes its 
development to the establishment of cotton manufactories. 
Soon after 1820 several manufacturing companies were 
formed, and eligible pri-\-ilcges secured bj- Eliode Island 
capitalists and residents of tlie vicinitj-. Half a dozen 
well-conducted cotton-factories were soon in operation, 
and population quickly gathered around them. The site, 
like that of Putnam, formed the natural centre for a 
number of prosperous towns, and business flowed to it 
from a wide extent of countrj-. Baptist and Con- 
gregational churches were organized and provided with 
houses of worship before 1830. In 1833, the west part 
of Wintlham, on both sides of the Willimantic, was incor- 
porated as a borough. Its stead}-, healthy growth has 
been greatly quickened bj- the opening of the New Lon- 
don Northern and Hartford and Pro\-idence railroads, 
and still farther stimulated b}- the completion of the Air 
Line route, making it a place of much business and im- 
portance. Maintaining its connection with Windham, 
but reversing previous relations, it became in time the 
head of the mother town, administering the town govern- 
ment and probate office, and absorbing much of its busi- 
ness vitality. Its population has been drawn largely 
from its inmiediate vicinity. The energy and public- 
spirit of the citizens of Willimantic are attested by its 
convenient town building for the accommodation of 
public offices, its substantial school-houses, its numerous 
and handsome church edifices, its finel}- graded streets 
and costly bridges, its tasteful private residences, and 
general aspect of thrift and prosperity. Its various 
manufactories are carried on with much spirit. Its 
cotton, woollen and linen goods are well known in mar- 
ket, and Willimantic tlu'cad is sold throughout the civil- 
ized world. " The Willimantic Journal," established in 
18-18 by John Evans, has been sustained for over 30 
j-ears, and has greatly aided the development of the vil- 
lage. 

DAinELSONViLLE also owes its origin to manufactui-es. 
The Danielsonville JNIanufacturing Company was the 
second formed in Windham County, and the village dates 

• Hampton's semi-centennial commemoration, July 4, 1826, was a very 
memorable occasion. Forty-two Revolutionary soldiers formed iu line 



back to 1810. For many 3"oars its growth was limited j 
to the demands of the factory, until the opening of the j 
Norwich and Worcester Raih'oad brought quickening 
growth and expansion. From river to depot, and onward 
to Westfield village, and east, west and south into the 
surrounding countr}-, it was soon built up with houses, 
stores and public buildings. The three villages of West- 
field, Danielsonville and East Brooklj-n were united in 
1850 in the borough of Danielsonville, and instituted 
local government. It has gained steadily in business 
and population, and is now a wide-awake and flourishing 
■\-illage, its central position in the count}' giving it addi- 
tional influence and importance. "The Windham 
Count}- Transcript," established in 1848 under the skil- 
ful management of its present editor, J. Q. A. Stone, has 
done much in awakening county feeling, improving public 
morals, and stimulating growth and improvement in 
every direction. 

The remaining towns of Windham County are Chaplin, 
so called from its first settler, Benjamin Chaplin, Jr., 
incorporated in 1822 ; Sterling, named for Dr. John 
Sterling, who presented a public library to the town ; 
Hampton,* incorporated in 1786, and Scotland, whose 
first town meeting was held July 4, 1857. 

The most remarkable family reared in Scotland was 
that of Nathaniel Huntington. His sons, Enoch and 
Joseph, received collegiate education, and became distin- 
guished ministers. Jonathan, without scholastic educa- 
tion, filled an honorable position as physician and 
preacher. Samuel, during his apprenticeship at cooper- 
ing, studied law, and became an eminent lawyer, a signer 
of the Declaration of Independence, president of the 
Continental Congress, and governor of the State. He 
married the daughter of the Rev. Ebenezer Devotion, 
long the respected pastor of the Scotland church ; 
retained through life his affection for his early home, and 
left a bequest to the Scotland Society. 

Another noted son of Scotland was James L. Kings- 
ley, who filled for many years a professorship at Yalo 
College. 

Hon. Chauncey F. Cleaveland of Hampton, an able 
jurist and statesman, has been very active and influential 
in public life, and was for four years governor of the 
State. 

upon the Green, with the aged Abijah Fuller at their head, and marched 
up and down the street to the tunes of 76. 



KHODE ISLAND. 



RHODE ISLAND 



BY HON. FRANCIS BRINLEY. 



The annals of Rhode Island present to the thoughtful I 
reader, notwithstanding the circumscribed territory and 
necessarily limited population of the State, interesting 
revelations of deep piety, stern morality, political pre- 
science, liberal cVilture, glorious achievements on land and 
sea and of successful progress in the various arts of 
civilized life. 

It is the smallest State in the Union, its area, exclu- 
sive of Narraganset Bay, being but l,046Ta5- square 
miles. Its extreme length north and south is 47j miles, 
and its greatest breadth east and west 40 miles. It is 
bounded on the north and east by Massachusetts, south 
bj' the Atlantic Ocean, and west by Connecticut. Nar- 
raganset Bay, which extends north from the Atlantic 
Ocean 30 miles, and is from 3 to 12 miles wide, di\'ides 
the State into two unequal parts, which include five 
counties, — Bristol, Kent, Newport, Pro^'idence and 
Washington, — containing 36 cities and towns. Accord- 
ing to the census of 1870, the total population of the 
State was 217,363. 

On a certain vernal day of the planting season, in the 
year 1636, a frail shallop was cautiousl}' groping its waj' 
along on the still waters of the Seekonk. The prow 
chafes a point of land between that river and an upper 
inlet of Narraganset Bay, and Koger Williams and his 
live associates step on shore and repose from their toil 
on the enamelled margin of a refreshing spring. He 
devoutly honors his new and sequestered home in the 
wilderness by the name of Providence ; or, in his own 
words, " having a sense of God's providence to me in 
my distress, called the place Pro^^dence ; I desired it 
might be a shelter for persons in distress for conscience." 
Unfortunately but little is known of the earlj' life of 
Roger Williams. A native of Wales, born in 1599, 
educated at Cambridge, forced b3" the arrogance of Laud 
and the arbitrary exactions of the Englisli Church to flee, 
with many others, to the wilderness of the New World, 
only to in-vite, in Massachusetts, the proscription and ban- 
ishment entailed upon him in his native land, he bctoolv 
himself to the region of Narraganset Bay, and, together 
with associates, became the founder of a, new State. 



These pioneers were soon joined bj' others from Mas- 
sachusetts. Through his influence with the sachems 
Canonicus and Miantonomo, Williams obtained an ex- 
tended grant of land between the Pawtucket and Paw- 
tuxet rivers. He afterwards surrendered his title to his 
companions and such others as were admitted into fel- 
lowship with them. 

The doctrines promulgated by Mr. Williams were 
exemplified in the form of government established in 
Providence, which was a pure and simple democracy. 
The compact agreed upon b}' those political acol3-tes was 
as remarkable as that executed on board the " Maj'- 
flower": "We whose names are hereunder" (for so it 
reads), " desirous to inhabit in the town of Providence, 
do promise to subject ourselves in active or passive obedi- 
ence to all such orders or agreements as shall be made 
for the public good of the body, in an orderlj' way, b^- 
the major assent of the present inhabitants, masters of 
families, and such others whom thej' shall admit unto 
them, onli/ in civil things." 

This agreement or covenant limited the obUgation of 
the parties to the orders of the majority " in cinl things 
only," allowing complete freedom of conscience in re- 
ligious concerns, — a principle that may be traced, like 
a golden thread, running through all the historj' of the 
State. 

The Antinomian exiles from Boston were cordially' 
received at Providence bj' Roger Williams, who ad\-ised 
them to make their settlement on the island of Aquidneck 
near Rhode Island, as it was out of the limits of Plym- 
outh and Massachusetts. Bj' his influence with the 
Indians he obtained for these fugitives a grant of that 
island, and others in the bay, from the sachems Mianto- 
nomo and Canonicus. 

The first settlement on the island was at Pocasset, 
now Portsmouth, in 1637-8. At the head of the list of 
the nineteen of those who signed a compact at Provi- 
dence, and others settled at Aquidneck, is the name of 
William Coddington. The title was in his name, but, 
like Roger Williams, he relinquished it by deed to the 
other purchasers. Their compact was more of a reUg- 



HISTOEY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



ious than of a political character, for the settlers were 
strict Puritans. It has been called a "Church Cove- 
nant," and undoubtedly they purposed to establish an 
independent Colony, — a Christian State. They elected 
William Coddington judge and chief magistrate. 

As the settlement at Pocasset prospered, it was deter- 
mined to make a move to the southern part of Aquid- 
neck, and Newport was the place selected. Another 
settlement was made by a partj' with Samuel Gorton in 
AVarwick in 1642. They bought lands at Shawomet (its 
Indian name), south of Pawtuxet, of the natives, and 
considered themselves as constituting an independent 
communitj-. But there was a want of security against 
the Indians, and against the apprehended aggression of 
surrounding Colonies. 

The colonists of New England, in order to efficientlj' 
protect themselves from the hostile designs of the Indian 
tnbes, united in a confederacy for that purpose, and arti- 
cles of union were agreed upon in Boston on the 19th of 
Ma}', 1643, bj' commissioners from Plymouth, Massachu- 
setts Bay, Connecticut and New Haven. From this 
"Union of the Colonies of New England" Ehode Island 
was excluded for the alleged reason that she was without 
a charter. The increasing prosperitj' of the Colonies at 
Providence and on Ehode Island, their exclusion from 
the confederacy, and the declaration of their enemies 
that thcj' had no legal authoritj' for civil government, 
led the inhabitants to feel the great importance of obtain- 
ing a charter from the mother country. 

For this purpose Eoger Williams was appointed agent. 
In 1643 he embarked for England, and having success- 
fully accompHshed the object of his mission, he retui-ned 
to America and landed in Boston, Sept. 17, 1644, with 
the ro3-al patent for the incorporation of Providence 
Plantations in the Narraganset Baj' in New England, 
which he secured through the ^id of the Earl of War- 
wick, then chairman of a committee having charge of the 
Colonies. The charter is dated the 14th of March, 1644. 
For reasons not now full}' understood, there was no organ- 
ization under this charter until Maj- 19, 1647 ; in which 
3'ear the first General Assemblj' of Rhode Island was 
held in Portsmouth. It was then provided that there 
should be a president and four assistants, to be annually 
elected, to constitute the executive power, and a legisla- 
tive body, to consist of six commissioners from each 
town. A code of laws was also adopted. There is the 
same expressive silence in the code in regard to religious 
matters as marked the charter, which provided that the 

• He was bom in Lincolnshire, Eng. He came to America in 1630 as 
one of the magistrates of Massachusetts and became a rich merchant 
in Boston, and possessed a large real estate in Braintree. An ardent 



laws, constitutions and punishments for the civil govern- 
ment of the said plantation be conformable to the laws 
of England so far as the nature and constitution of that 
place will admit. This proviso conceded to the people 
the right of legislating for themselves and conferred sub- 
stantial independence in the Colony. It referred only 
to civil affairs, and was significantly silent as to those of 
a religious character. Freedom to worship God was left 
imdisturbed. 

The code ends with these golden words : " These arc 
the laws which concern all men, and these are the prin- 
ciples for the transgression thereof bj' common consent 
are ratified and established through the whole Colony, 
and otherwise than this which is herein forbidden all men 
may walk as their consciences persuade them, every one 
in the name of his God. And let all the saints of the 
]\Iost High, walk in this Colonj' without molestation in 
the name of Jehovah their God forever and ever." 

Some uneasiness had prevailed in the Colon}- in con- 
sequence of the course of Wilham Coddington, the 
founder of the settlement at the south of Rhode Island.* 
In March, 1639-40 there was a General Court of elec- 
tion held at Newport, when it was agreed that Newport 
and Portsmouth should be constituted one government, 
and an election resulted in the choice of Coddington as 
governor, the title of the chief magistrate having before 
that been judge. As he was an ardent RoyaHst he went 
to England and obtained a commission as governor of 
Aquidneck, which was thus separated from the rest of 
the towns under a new charter, and he was authorized to 
govern the islands of Rhode Island and Connecticut for 
life. Great discontent was soon manifested, and John 
Clarke and Roger Williams were sent to England in 
order to obtain a revocation of the powers granted to 
Coddington, and a confirmation of their charter. After 
long dela}' they accomplished the object of their mission. 
Coddington then gave up all concern in public affairs ; 
j'et he must have retained the regard of the people, in con- 
sideration of his earnest convictions and the great mate- 
rial interests he had sacrificed in behalf of the cause of 
soul-liberty, for he was subsequently called to the position 
of governor. He died Nov. 1, 1678, at the age of 78. 

Eoger Williams made every effort to unite the several 
towns, as contemplated by the order of the Council of 
State, and was so far successful that the towns appointed 
commissioners, who met on the 31st of August, 1654, 
and articles of union were agreed upon under the exist- 
ing charter. 

advocate of the views of Mrs. Anne Hutchinson, and hence at variance 
with the governor of Massachusetts and his supporters, he joined the 
emigrants to Rhode Island, to which ho removed April 26, 1638. 



RHODE ISLAND. 



At the first general election held on the following Sep- 
tember at Warwick, Roger Williams was chosen presi- 
dent of the Colonj", and he at once sought to prevent 
hostilities between the Indians and the colonists. He 
retired from the presidency in May, 1658, but such was 
the high esteem in which he was held, that he was 
repeatedlj' chosen to fill other high offices. He died in 
1G83 at the age of 78, and was buried with great solem- 
nity on his own land, in a retired spot of his selection. 

A fitting memorial to the founder of the State may be 
found in the words of Dean Stanlej', contained in his 
address of Dec. 16, 1878, before the Birmingham and 
Milford Institute, on the aspects of American life. He 
said : " Look at that singular eccentric enthusiast, Roger 
Williams, who found the bonds which the new Colony 
endeavored to lay upon him, not less odious than those 
which caused those Colonies themselves to leave their 
native eountrj', and himself wandering over wooded hill 
and valley, or threading his way in solitary canoe till he 
reached a point where he could at peace erect the banner 
of religious toleration, and to which, in grateful acknowl- 
edgment of the grace of God which had smiled on him 
thus far, he gave the name still immortalized in the State 
that sprang from his exertions, Providence." 

In the year 1C60, Charles II. was reinstated on the 
throne ; this restoration convinced the colonists that 
he would not recognize the acts of the Long Parlia- 
ment, and that their rights and liberties under the 
Parliamentary Patent were insecure. In this emergency 
they appointed the estimable and indefatigable John 
Clarke as their agent in England, with full power to look 
after and guard their interests. They directed him to 
plead their cause in such sort as they might not be com- 
pelled to exercise any civil power over men's consciences. 
" We do judge it," said they, " no less than a point of 
absolute cruelty." 

Their petition to Charles II. contained this loftj' 
aspiration: "It is much in our hearts to hold forth a 
lively experiment, that a most flourishing ci^^l state maj- 
stand, and best be maintained with a full libert}^ of 
religious concernments." The coveted charter was ob- 
tained July 8, 1663. Under its beneficent influence, for 
nearly 200 j'ears Rhode Island exhibited the model of a 
free, prosperous and happy Commonwealth. It enun- 
ciated this great doctrine : " No person within the said 
Colony shall be in any wise molested, punished, or called 
in question, for any difl'erences in opinion in matters of 
religion, who do not actually disturb the peace of our 
said Colony ; but that all and every person, and persons, 
maj' from time to time, and at all times hereafter, freely 
and fully have and enjoy his own and their judgments 



and consciences, in matters of religious concernments, 
throughout the tract of land hereafter mentioned, they 
behaving peacefully and quietly, and not using this liberty 
to licentiousness, nor to the civil Injury or outward dis- 
turbance of others." 

This gracious charter was formally received in New- 
port with intense satisfaction, and the people passed 
a vote of thanks " for the high and inestimable, yea, 
incomparable grace and favor of His Jlajesty the King." 
The freedom granted by the charter was repeatedly 
asserted bj' acts of legislation. Thus, at the regular May 
session of the first General Assembly in 1664, it was 
enacted, that no person should at any time tliereafter, be 
any ways called in question for any diflTerence of opinion 
in matters of religion. Again, in May, 1665, it was 
declared that liberty to all persons, as to worship of God, 
had been a principle maintained in the Colon}' from the 
very beginning thereof, and it was much in their hearts 
to obsen'e the liberty forever. 

There was reasonable harmony under this royal charter 
until the Colonies were subjected to a pro-\'incial govern- 
ment, by the revocation of the charters of all the New 
England Colonies by the bigoted King James. Rhode 
Island, following the independent example of Massachu- 
setts, arrested Chief Justice Dudle}' at Narraganset, and 
caused him to be imprisoned. Measures were taken at 
Newport for a government under the old charter. Soon 
after the accession of William and Mary to the throne, 
the General Assembly met, the charter was read, and an 
election of officers took place. Rhode Island from that 
time steadilj- advanced in prosperity until the occurrence 
of events which roused the spirit of resistance, and 
resulted in the American Revolution. 

It appears on investigation that so earl}' as the May 
session of the General Assembly in 1776, an act was 
passed to repeal an act, the more effectually securing to 
His Majesty the allegiance of his subjects in this Colony, 
and for altering the forms of commissions, writs, and of 
oaths prescribed bj' law ; an act which was considered to 
liave severed the connection between Rhode Island and 
the Crown. The delegates appointed at this session to 
attend the Congress united with the delegates of the other 
Colonies in the Declaration of Independence. Their 
action was approved by the General Assembly on the 
18th of July, 1776, when it was resolved that it approved 
the resolutions of Congress declaring the States to be 
free and independent, and that they would support Con- 
gress with their lives and fortunes. It might have been 
fairlj' expected that a Colony with such antecedents, and 
of such meagre limits as Rhode Island, would be content 
with its allotment, and expend little sympathy for other 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



English Colonics, whether near or remote, in their dis- 
putes with the home government. Khode Island, how- 
ever, manifested no such selfish disposition. The docu- 
mentary e^•idence is abundant to the effect that in no 
Colony, however noted for intelligence, patriotism, or 
power, was a more patriotic spirit displayed, or a keener 
appreciation entertained of the chartered rights of the 
people, and the multiplied aggressions of England ; 
aggressions which Ehodc Island was among the first to 
perceive, and was earnest to denounce and oppose. 

The militar}' historj- of Rhode Island during the Revo- 
lutionary war is of profound interest, and will not pale in 
comparison with the record of any sister State. The 
native State of Greene may well be proud of the ofHcers, 
soldiers and sailors she furnished to secure the independ- 
ence of the Colonies, differing in climate, population, 
■wealth and industrial pursuits, but united by the bonds of 
common sufferings and common political interests ; " dis- 
tinct as the billows, but one as the sea." 

Rhode Island, after much deUberation, her protracted 
delay growing in some measure out of pronounced dis- 
satisfaction with some of its features, finally adopted the 
Federal Constitution in 1790. Under the old royal 
charter, the people of Rhode Island had been generally 
united and contented, as they had also been enterprising 
and prosperous. Their harmonj', however, was some- 
what interrupted by unsuccessful attempts to overtlirow 
the charter, and to substitute a form of constitution to be 
established by the popular vote. These efforts for 
reform led to what is known as the Dorr rebellion, which, 
fortunately, was bloodless, but which was the means of 
obtaining the present constitution, similar in its essential 
features to those of the other States. 

Under the charter in force at the breaking out of the 
Revolution, the right of suffrage was restricted to the 
owners of freehold worth £40, or $134, or renting for 
40s., or $7 a year, and to their eldest sons. In process 
of time this property qualification caused much dissatis- 
faction. Various attempts to obtain reform from the 
legislature ha-^nng failed, suffrage associations were 
organized in the latter part of 1840 and the earlj- part of 
1841, which, at a mass meeting held at Providence 
on July 5 of the latter year, authorized their State com- 
mittee to call a convention to frame a constitution. 
Delegates were elected on August 28, and on October 4 
the convention assembled at Pro^•idence. A constitution 
was framed and submitted to the people on December 27, 
28 and 29. when, it was asserted, about 14,000 votes 



were cast for its adoption, being a majority of the adult 
male citizens of the State, — being a majority also, it is 
beheved, of those entitled to vote under the charter. An 
election for State officers under this constitution was held 
on April 18, 1842, when Thomas Wilson Dorr, the most 
prominent leader in the movement, was chosen governor. 
Attempting to organize his government and seize the 
reins of power, he was successfullj- resisted by the legal 
State government, arrested for high treason, and sen- 
tenced in 1844 to imprisonment for life, though he was 
subsequently (1847) released under an act of general 
amnesty, and, finally (1851), restored to his civil and 
political rights. In the meantime the legislature, on 
Feb. 6, 1841, called a convention to frame a new consti- 
tution. The delegates were elected in August, and in 
Februarj-, 1842, thej' agreed upon a constitution, which, 
however, was rejected b}- the people. In June, 1842, the 
legislature called another convention, which, November 5, 
agreed upon the present constitution, which was ratified 
by the people almost unanimously. It went into effect on 
the first Tuesday of IMay, 1843. 

The soil of the State cannot be claimed as of general 
fertility. Its agricultural interests, though not unimpor- 
tant, are inconsiderable, if compared with the more 
extensive and luxuriant of the larger States. The soil is 
of different qualities, and not of equal and easy cultiva- 
tion. On the main land it is tolerably productive, par- 
ticularly as to fruits, plants and vegetables which can 
resist the retarding and destroying effects of a saline 
atmosphere. The railroad facilities which have been 
created, give ready access to almost all parts of the 
State, while its steamship accommodations are admirable. 

Although, for various reasons, there was the want of a 
system of public education in the Colony, which lasted 
for manj- years, it is a noticeable fact that Newport can 
claim the merit of having established the earliest public 
school in New England. 

It required the exercise of not a little self-denial to 
close this rapid sketch of our State, without at least an 
attempt to describe the beauty of the scenery, both 
inland and on its coast, — its health-gi^-ing isles ; its trans- 
lucent ponds ; its sparkling streams, dotted with thrifty 
villages, and utihzed bj- manufacturing establishments of 
immense value, — as also, without recording the names 
of some of her illustrious sons, forming, truly, a brilliant 
intellectual constellation, which will never cease to fling 
its undiminished lustre on the page of Rhode Island 
liistory. 



RHODE ISLAND. 



BRISTOL COUNTY. 



BY REV. JAMES P. LANE. 



The charter of Rhode Island, granted by Charles II. 
the 8th of July, J.GG3, included the territory " extending 
castwardly three English miles to the east, and north- 
east of the most eastern and north-eastern parts of tlie 
Narraganset Baj', as said Bay extendeth itself from the 
ocean on the south unto the mouth of the river -which 
runneth to^^ards the town of Providence." But Plj'm- 
outh Colony, hy right of purchase from the Indians, and 
of conquest in King Philip's war, as well as b}' her 
charter from the English government, claimed, and had 
exercised, jurisdiction over this territory, and continued 
to do so, notwithstanding the charter from King Charles, 
until her union with Massachusetts Colony in 1G91 ; and 
I\Iassaehusetts Colony continued to exercise the govern- 
ment until the boundary question was settled in 174G. 

The right of Plymouth and of Massachusetts to this 
jurisdiction was contested b}' Rhode Island. A royal 
commission, to whom the matter was referred soon after 
the granting of the Rhode Island charter, confirmed the 
right of Plj-mouth under her patent, but subject to the 
will of the king. Awaiting decision b}' the king, tacit 
consent was given hj both parties to the judgment of the 
commission. No attempt was made to reverse this 
judgment until 1 740, when roj-al letters-patent were issued 
to fifteen gentlemen, five from each of the Provinces of 
New York, New Jersey and Nova Scotia, any five of 
whom should be a quorum, to sit and determine the ques- 
tion in dispute. Either party could appeal within three 
months after judgment issued ; but if no such appeal was 
then taken, the decision confirmed b}- the king should be 
final. All expenses to be equally' divided between the 
litigants. 

The commission met at Providence the 7th of April, 
1741. The judgment finally rendered was in accord with 
the Rhode Island charter, but interpreted as favorablj' as 
possible for the Massachusetts interest. It defined Nar- 
ragansct Bay to end at Bullock's Point. It gave to 
Rhode Island all the land within three miles of the shore 
south and east of a line measured three miles north-east 
from Bullock's Point, and designated five places to the 
south and east whence the three-mile lines were to be 
run, to define this eastern boundary. From the south- 



west corner of Bullock's Neck to Pawtucket Falls, high- 
water mark was to be the dividing line, and thence a due 
north line to the established southern line of Massachu- 
setts was to comjolete the boundary. 

This decision was not satisfactory to either party. 
Massachusetts objected to it in toto. Rhode Island 
accepted the territory assigned, but objected that a 
smaller territory and a more complicated line was given 
than was just. Both parties appealed. At length, after 
repeated hearings and re-openings of the case continued 
through several years, the judgment of the commission 
was confirmed by royal decree the 28th of May, 1746, 

Rhode Island took measures at once to organize this 
large accession of territory. A committee was appointed 
b}' the Assembly' to act with a committee to be appointed 
b}' Massachusetts, to run the boundary lino. Massachu- 
setts would do nothing about it. The Rhode Island com- 
mittee, therefore, ex parte completed the survey, and 
reported to the Assembly in session in January, 1746-47. 
The report was accepted, and five towns were incorpo- 
rated ; viz., Cumberland, Warren, Bristol, Tiverton and 
Little Compton. The laws of the Colony were extended 
over these towns, and a justice was appointed for each. 
Land-titles were confirmed, and the Massachusetts stat- 
ute of distributions upon estates yet unsettled was legal- 
ized. Elections necessary to perfect the town organiza- 
tions were soon after held, and the Assembly met in 
extra session to arrange the county jurisdiction. Two 
deputies from each town were present. Tiverton and 
Little Compton were annexed to Newport Countj". Cum- 
berland was annexed to Providence County. Warren 
(including the present town of Barrington) and Bristol 
were organized as a new county called Bristol, with 
Bristol as the shire town. The judiciary was made a 
co-ordinate branch of the government ; the Superior 
Court to sit twice a year in each county, and an Inferior 
Court of Common Pleas and a Justice Court, such as 
existed in each of the other counties, to be established 
in Bristol County. 

The territory embraced in Bristol County was origi- 
nally part of the possession of the powerful tribe of 
Wampanoags, whose dominion extended from Cape Cod 



HISTOEY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



on tlie east, to the NaiTaganset Bay on the west and 
the Atlantic Ocean on the south, to the southern boundaiT 
of the tribe of Massachusetts, who occupied the territor}- 
to the south and west of Boston. This tcrritorj-, together 
with parts of Swansea, Ruhoboth, Seekonlc and East 
Providence, was called Pokanoket. It was the rojal 
seat of the chiefs of the tribe, and tlie most denselj- 
jiopulated of their dominion. The name Pokanoket was 
also sometimes applied to the entire countrj' of the 
AVampanoags, and, from tliis fact, was often used as a 
synonjm for the name of tlie tribe. In the Pljmouth 
records reference is often thus made to the Pokanokets 
or "Wampanoags. The name was also used to designate 
the principal village or capital, also known as Sowams 
or Sowamsct, on the site of the present village of War- 
ren. Here, in 1G20, when the Pilgrims landed at Plym- 
ouih, the great sachem of the tribe, Ousamequin, better 
known as Massasoit , had his royal residence. The exact 
spot of his dwelling is identified within a few yards of 
the running stream which still bears his name. 

The Wampanoags, under Massasoit, numbered about 
3,000 warriors, and wore divided into several minor tribes 
or villages, each under the rule of a pettj' sachem. When 
not in conflict with other tribes, the3' were employed in 
hunting and trapping in the forests, fowling and tishing 
in the streams and bay, and raising corn and vegetables 
along their fertile banks. " The evidences which exist to 
determine the sites of their principal villages and camp- 
ing-places, are numerous. They are marked by their 
nearness to the centres where tish and fowl congregated, 
and by heaijs of shells taken from the rivers. The 
burial-grounds of the lesser tribes were near their vil- 
lages. Their implements of husbandly and domestic 
life, of war and of the chase, of fowling and of fishing, 
in the form of stone or iron, have been found in various 
localities, and the farmer's ploughshare often unwittingly 
disturbs the resting-place of the first proprietors of the 
soil. At Mattapo3-set, Towesit, Montop, Kickemuit and 
Sowams, vast quantities of oyster, clam and quahaug 
shells, either in heaps or scattered throughout the soil, 
not only mark their homes, but indicate the antiquity of 
these favorite resorts. 

AMien the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth in 1G20, thej' 
found a deserted country. It was not until four daj's after 
they had been on shore that they saw any living person, 
and there wore evidences that there had been great mor- 
tality. For three months they saw only occasionally a 
few straggling Indians, who seemed to fear and avoid 

• In 1605 this Squanto had been taken by Capt. George Weymouth 
and carried to England, where he remained several years, and became 
quite familiar with the Englii>h language. lie claimed to be a native of 



them. But, on the ICth of March, one came boldly 
advancing to their rendezvous, and cried out, '• AVelcome 
Englishmen ! welcome Englishmen ! " He was tall, 
straight, and of commanding mien. His face was 
smooth, but his jet-black hair hung down from his head 
behind in wavy tresses. His onl}' clothing was a leathern 
girdle about a span long. In his hand he held his bow 
with two arrows, the one headed, the other unhcaded. 

He was received with hospitulitv. A Norseman's coat 
was tkrown around him, and a simple meal of biscuit and 
butter and cheese and a piece of a mallard was set before 
him, of wliich he partook with evident Satisfaction. 

He had learned some broken English amongst the 
Englishmen that came to fish at Monhiggon, and knew 
bj' name most of the captains, commanders and masters 
that came there. He was ready to talk, and the Pilgrims 
were pleased to hear him. He informed them that the 
name of that place was Patuxet ; that the people who 
once occupied it and the adjacent countr}' were all swept 
off by a great plague four j-ears before, the ravages of 
which were so great that there was neither man, woman 
nor child remaining ; that he did not belong there, but to 
a country Ijiug hence a day's sail b^- agreat wind, and 
five days' journej^ by land. lie told them of the whole 
countiy ; of the vaiious tribes and their sagamores, of 
which he was himself one, and of their numbers and 
strength, but especially of the chief sachem, Massasoit, 
whose lands none could claim nor rightfully molest. Ha 
continued his discourse until night-fall. He lodged in 
the house of one of them, and was dismissed the next 
daj' with the request that he should come again with 
some of Jiassasoit's men, and bring beaver-skins for 
traflic. This Indian sagamore was Samoset, the strong 
friend and ally of Massasoit. 

The next daj- he returned with five other men. Every 
man had a deer-skin on him, and most of them had also 
a wild-cat's skin on one arm. But, as it was Sunday, 
the Pilgrims did not care to trade with them, but told 
them to bring more another day, and they would truck 
for all. Setting before them food, they partook of it 
%erv fully, and all left except Samoset, who stayed two 
or three dajs longer. On his departure they gave him a 
hat, a pair of stockings and shoes, a shirt, and a piece 
of cloth to tie al)out his waist. 

On tlie 22d of March Samoset came again, bringing 
with him an Indian called Squanto.* They brought a 
few skins with them for traffic ; also some red herrings, 
newly taken and dried, but not salted. It is said, that 

Patuxet, and the only one whom the plague of 1617 had spared, and 
his escape was owing to the fact that he was at that time absent from 
the country. 



RHODE ISLAND. 



at that time the herring so largelj- abounded, that, in its 
passage from the sea to the still waters of the lakes and 
ponds, the Intervening small streams were choked by 
them, and that the Indians annually' caught large quanti- 
ties, taking the fish from the water with their hands with- 
out the aid of nets or weirs. Those not used for food 
were used to enrich their planting-grounds, appljing one 
herring to each hill of growing corn. 

They reported that Massasoit, with his brother, Quada- 
quin, and a company of men, were near at hand ; and, 
within an hour, thej' appeared on the top of a hill in 
sight of the Pilgrims, — the royal persons having a 
retinue of sixtj' warriors. They were received with 
friendly salutations, and refreshments were set before the 
great sachem and his immediate attendants, while the 
others still remained at the top of the hill. After a 
parlej-, conducted with considerable cei'eraon}' and dig- 
nit^-, a treat}' was ratified which stipulated that " neither 
Massasoit nor any of his people should do hurt to the 
English ; and if the}- did, they should be given up to be 
punished bj- them ; and that if the English did any harm 
to him or an}- of his people, they would do the like to 
them. That if any did unjustly war against Massasoit, 
the English would aid him, and he would do the same in 
his turn." 

Massasoit was greatly pleased with this treaty, and it 
was applauded by his followers, he verbally adding that 
" he was content to become the subject of our sovereign 
lord the king, his heirs and successors, and gave unto 
them all the lands adjacent to them and their heirs for- 
ever." After this treaty was ratified, Massasoit and his 
company returned home. Subsequently he was duly 
visited by the authorities at Plymouth.* 

The way opened by the interchange of visits between 
Massasoit and the men of Plymouth became in time a well- 
beaten path. The products of the chase and Indian corn 
were exchanged for the implements of civilization used in 
husbandry and in hunting. Friendly relations continued 
without interruption for many years, and were alike bene- 
ficial to the Wampanoags and the settlers of Plymouth. 

* This was not the first visit m.-ulo to this chieftain hy white people. 
In the month of May, 1G19, Capt. Thomas Dcnucr came to Patuxet, 
when he alt-o had the kind offices of Squanto, whom he calls his savage. 

t In 1623 Massasoit was very sicli, and sent a messenger to Plymouth 
fur help. Mr. Winslow was despatched at once with some medicines 
and cordials. Hobbamock attended Winslow as interpreter, and an 
English gentleman from London, spending the winter at Plymouth, 
desiring much to see the Indian country, also accompanied them. 
Arriving near to Mattapoyset they were told that JIassasoit was dead, 
and buried that day. This report was shortly after contradicted, and 
they pushed on to Sowamset. They found him alive, surrounded by 
numerous friends greatly excited and alarmed. Massasoit was glad to 
SCO the men from Plymouth, who assured him of their sympathy and 



Squanto proved to be of great service to the Pilgrim 
Colony, but he lived only about two years, dying at 
Manamoyk, — now Chatham, — of a fever, in December, 
1G22. Just before his death he desired the governor to 
pray for him, that he might go to the Englishman's 
God. He also bequeathed " his things to sundry of his 
English friends as remembrances of his love." 

Hobbamock, one of Massasoit's sub-chiefs, was an- 
other great friend to the English. About the end of July, 
1621 , he went to Plymouth, where he was so much pleased 
with the white people, and they in turn were so much 
pleased with him, that a mutual friendship sprimg up that 
continued as long as he lived. He soon went to Plym- 
outh, and continued to reside there until his death. 

The friendship of Massasoit was confirmed by subse- 
quent acts of kindness on the part of the English, f 

In 1632 the Narraganscts, under their chief Canoni- 
cus, waged war against the Wampanoags ; but the Eng- 
lish joining forces with Massasoit, he was victorious, 
and the war ended in a short time with but little blood- 
shed. Massasoit deemed it fitting to commemorate the 
event by changing his name, as it was a custom among 
savages to commemorate important events in this way. 
From this time he took the name of Ousamequin. 

Of the year of Massasoit's death we are not certainly 
informed. It probably occurred in 1661 or '62, when his 
age exceeded fourscore years. He never swerved from 
his friendship to the English, and during all his life 
remained true to the terms of the treaty ratified at Plym- 
outh on the 22d of March, 1621 . "He was a remarkable 
man. He possessed an intrinsic dignity and eneigy of 
character which gave him unbounded influence over his 
subjects and inferior sachems. The native qualities of 
his intellect and his heart were so commanding and so 
peaceful that he gained the loyalty, controlled the extrav- 
agant passions and secured the personal confidence of 
his subjects, and for nearly half a century preserved 
peace and harmony between them and our fathers. He 
was highly valued and much respected by his English 
neighbors, and greatly beloved by his own people." | 

sorrow for his distress. They administered to him medicine and cor- 
dials and he soon began to revive. At length he recovered and expressed 
his gratitude in these words : " Now I sec the English arc my friends 
and love mc ; and whilst I live I will never forget this kindness they 
have shown mc." 

+ The veneration in which he was held found expression in the lament 
of Hobliamock when it was falsely reported that he was dead ; " My 
loving S.ichem ! many have I known, but never any like thee. While 
you live you will not meet the like of Massasoit among the Indians, 
lie was no liar, nor bloody nor cruel like others of his race. In anger 
and passion ho was soon reclaimed. Ho was easy to be reconciled 
toward such as had offended him. His reason was always open and he 
governed his people better with few blows than others did with many." 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



]\Iassasoit had two sons and one daughter, and prob- 
ably other children of whom we have no definite account. 
The name of the elder son was "Wamsutta, and of the 
other Motacom, or Pometacom. 

Wamsutta succeeded his father as grand sachem of 
the Wampanoags, and soon after, by his request, re- 
ceived from the English at Plymouth the name Alexan- 
der, which he retained till his death. About the year 
1G53, Weetamoe, the " squaw sachem of Pocasset," be- 
came his wife. He lived but a short time after he 
became chief sachem, his death occurring the same year. 
He always professed friendship for the English, although 
he was suspected of plotting with the Narragansets 
against them. 

Pometacom, -who had received at Ph-mouth the name 
Philip, succeeded his brother as chief sachem. Like his 
brother, he at first professed great friendship for the 
English, and made to them numerous sales of land, 
which thej' occupied unmolested. This policy continued 
until the territory of the Wampanoags was limited to 
the lands about Mount Hope, embraced in the town of 
Bristol as that township was first incorfjoratcd. The 
royal seat of King Pliilip was at the base of Mount Hope 
fronting the bay, near a Imng spring of water which still 
bears his name. 

Philip was killed near Mount Hope the 1 2th of August, 
167G.* 

In dealing with the Indians the Plj-mouth Colony 
acknowledged them to be the rightful proprietors of the 
soil, and, prior to King Philip's war, took no possession 
except by honorable purchase. Gov. Winslow, writing 
in May, 1676, said: "I think I can clearly saj' that 
before these present troubles broke out the English did 
not possess one foot of land in the Colonj- but what was 
fairly obtained by honest purchase of the Indian pro- 
prietors ; nay, because some of our people are of a covet- 
ous disposition and the Indians in their straits are easilj' 
prevailed with to part with their lands, we first made a 
law that none should purchase or receive by gift any 
land of the Indians without the knowledge and allowance 
of the Court." 

In 1641, the Rev. Samuel Newman and his associates 
purchased of Massasoit a tract of land about ten miles 



* " Never, perhaps," says Dr. Fowler in his history of Fall River, " did 
the fall of a wanior or a prince afford mere scope for solid reflection. 
Philip was certainly a man of great powers of mind, and his death in 
retrospect makes different impressions from what were made at the time 
of the event. It was then considered as the extinction of a virulent and 
implacable enemy ; it is now viewed asthcfallof a great warrior, a pene- 
trating statesman, a mighty prince. It then excited universal joy and 
congratulation as a prelude to the close of a merciless war; it now 
awakens sober reflection on the instability of empke, the destiny of the 



square — embraced in the present towns of Rehoboth, 
Seekonk, East Providence and Pawtucket — which was 
confirmed to them bj- the Ph-mouth Court in 1044, and 
they were constituted a town b}- the name of Rehoboth, 
a name taken from the Scriptures and selected bj' Mr. ; 
Newman. At different times inhabitants of Rehoboth 
made purchases of land contiguous to their town, and by 
act of Ph-mouth, the town government was extended 
over them. Subsequentlj-, from these various purchases 
other towns were partitioned oft'. 

In 1645, John Browne, Sr., a prominent man in Reho- 
both, who, with his son James Browne, had come into 
this plantation, purchased of the Indians for £15 ster- 
ling the north-western part of Barrington Neck, called 
Wannamoiset. 

1053, William Bradford, Thomas Prince, Edward 
Winslow, Miles Standish and others of Ph-mouth Colon}-, 
purchased of the Indians " Sowams and Parts Adjacent," 
which embraced Barrington Neck, called by the Indians 
Popanomscut, being the south-eastern part, and all the 
meadows around the various and several shores of Bris- 
tol, WaiTcn and New Meadow Neck. This territorj- 
was conve^-ed to the proprietors b}^ Massasoit, who was 
then known as Ousamequin, and his son Wamsutta, 
afterwards known by the name Alexander, in a deed still 
preserved on record. The consideration named in this 
deed is £35 sterling. The deed is dated 29th March, 
1653, and is witnessed by John Browne, James Browne 
and Richard Garrett. It is supposed to be the last deed 
which Massasoit ever signed. 

The lands thus jjurchased were divided into shares, 
and to each share was assigned a portion of upland, 
both timbered and cleared. Each share embraced two 
lots of about 80 acres each. The meadow lands adjoin- 
ing the creeks and rivers were divided into lots of ten 
acres each, as far as could be. In some cases the lot 
was in two localities, in order that an equal qnahty as 
well as quantity might be embraced. Certain lands 
were set apart for the " Minister " and the "School 
Teacher," and the remaining patches of iindinded lands, 
l_nng in parcels of a few acres each in different localities, 
were called " Common lots," subject at an}- time to the 
disposal of a majority of the proprietors, and the pro- 
aboriginal race and the inscrutable decrees of Heaven. The patriotism 
of the man was then overlooked in the cruelty of the savage, and httle 
allowance was made for the natural jealousy of the prince, on account 
of the barbarities of the warrior. Philip, in the progress of the Eng- 
lish settlements, foresaw the loss of his territory and the extinction of 
his race, and he made one mighty effort to prevent the catastrophe. 
Had his resources been equal to those of his opponents, their ruin would 
have been entire. This exterminating war would perhaps never have 
been knoivn to succeeding ages of civilized man." 



RHODE ISLAND. 



cecds to be for their common benefit. Fences were 
erected around the lots of individual proprietors, each 
proprietor being required to fence the one end of his lots, 
and thus secure the enclosure of the whole plantation. 
A common fence was thus erected as a boundary between 
this and the Eehoboth settlements ; also across Mount 
Hope Neck adjoining the lands still in possession of the 
Indians. Public roads were laid out for the convenience 
of the general travel, varj-ing in widtli from two to eight 
rods ; also, bj'-waj's somewhat narrower for private 
advantage. 

The original proprietors of these lands resided at 
Plymouth and the neighboring towns, and usually met at 
Plymouth to transact business relating to the di%ision 
and settlement of the territory. The liberal inducements 
offered led a number of persons to purchase and settle 
here. 

The treaties of the Indian chiefs Massasoit, Alexander 
and Philip with the Plymouth Colony, secured to them 
their rights to the land unless parted with by honorable 
purchase, but recognized the jurisdiction of the Colony 
under the English crown over the entire territory. In 
1669, the Plj'mouth Court granted 100 acres within the 
present hmits of Bristol to Mr. John Gorham, " if it can 
be piu'chased of the Indians," and the remainder to the 
town of Swanzea " for the promoting of a way of trade 
in this CoUonie." On the first of July, 1672, Mr. Con- 
stant Southworth, Mr. James Browne and Jlr. John Gor- 
ham were appointed b}' the Court " to purchase a certain 
p'cell of land of the Indians granted bj' the Court to the 
said John Gorum lying att Pappasquash Neck." After 
the close of Philip's war, on the l.jth of July, 1677, the 
Court " ratified, established and confirmed the aforesaid 
one hundred acres of land to John Gorum's heirs and 
successors forever." This land was north of the North 
Cemetery of Bristol, between the Necli Road and the 
Baj', and remained in the Gorham name and famOy for 
several generations, down to a quite recent date. 

In 1 680, the Plymouth Colonj- granted to John Walle}-, 
Nathaniel Oliver, Nathaniel Bjiield and Stephen Burton, 
four merchants of Boston, for £1,100, all that portion of 
territory not previously sold, included in the original 
township of Bristol. The whole of Pl3-moutli Colony was 
then settled except this territorj-, which was the last spot 
left uncovered in the western m.irch of English popula- 
tion. Mr. Oliver sold his share of this purchase to 
Nathan IlajTnan, another merchant of Boston. 

These gentlemen obtained from the Colony special 
privileges and made liberal provisions for the settlement 
of the plantation. Among the fonner were exemption 
from all Colon}' taxes for the term of seven years ; the 



privilege of sending deputies at once as other towns, 
according to the number of freemen ; a Commissioners' 
Court to try and determine all actions and causes under 
ten pounds, with liberty to appeal to the Court of 
Plymouth ; also, when sixty families were settled, the 
organization of a new county, with this as the county or 
shii'e town. Among the latter were the laying out of 
broad and regular streets, crossing at right angles and 
foi-ming large squares on street frontings, with building 
or " home" lots of convenient size on them ; the dona- 
tion of large tracts of land for the support of the min- 
istr}- and schools ; the reservation of a large and beauti- 
ful square in the central part of the town for a Common 
or public training-ground ; and the donation of 600 
acres for the common improvement of the settlers and 
designated as " The Commonage." The proprietors 
retained for themselves, each one-eighth part of the 
original purchase, and, with the above donations, put the 
balance into the market for sale at reasonable prices. 
The liberal inducements offered soon drew a number of 
families here, chieflj' from Boston, where the proprietors 
resided, and from Pljmouth Colony. The proprietors 
themselves also settled here with their famihes, and 
closelj' identified themselves with all the interests of the 
plantation. 

The towns of tills countj', as already' stated, were not 
originally embraced in the colony of Roger Williams, 
but of Plj-moutli. 

Barrington and Warren were orlginallj' comprised in 
the town of Swanzea, and their early history is therefore 
identified with that town. 

Swanzea* was founded by Baptists, associated with 
the Rev. John Myles, who was a leading minister of 
that denomination in the principaht}' of Wales in Great 
Britain, where he became pastor of the church in Swan- j 
zea in Glamorganshire, in 1649, the first j-ear of Crom- ] 
well's Protectorate. 

In 1662, two years after the restoration of Charles II., 
the Act of Uniformit}' was passed, bj^ which 2,000 of the 
most pious and useful ministers of England and Wales, 
not conforming to the requisitions of the established 
church, were ejected from the places thej^ had occupied 
during Cromwell's reign. Among these non-conform- 
ing ministers was the Rev. John Myles, who, imme- 
diately after his ejectment, came with several of his 
brethren to New England, bringing their church records 
with them. 

They probably landed first at Boston or Salem, but 
learning that there were men. of the Baptist faith in 
Rehoboth, they came hither, and at the house of one 
• Sec Swansea, p. 112. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



John Butterworth organized a now church, consisting of 
John Myles, pastor, Nicholas Tanner, James Browne, 
Joseph Carpenter, John Butterworth, Eldad Kingsley 
and Benjamin Alby. The organization of this church, 
and the setting up of a separate worship in the hmits of 
Rehoboth, without consent or authoritj^ from the Plym- 
outh Court, was regarded as an offence and prejudicial 
to the interests of the Rehoboth plantation. The mem- 
bers -were fined £5 each, ordered to desist from their 
meeting for one month, and were advised to remove to 
some other place where they might not prejudice any 
other church. They accordingly removed to Wanna- 
moiset, on the John Browne lands, not then included in 
anj^ town. Permission was afterwards given to Mr. 
Myles to purchase land and reside in Rehoboth, but their 
first meeting-house was erected at Wannamoiset, a few 
rods south of the Rehoboth line, and a little south of the 
main road now leading to Prowlence. This was the 
nucleus of a new town, which was not long after formed 
under the jurisdiction of Plymouth Colony. 

On the 30th of October, 1667, the PhTQouth Court, 
according to the encouragement previously given, made 
to the founders of this church, along with others, a grant 
of land to be called Swanzea, after the name of the 
church and town which Mr. Mj'les and his friends had 
left in Wales. This grant included all the district called 
AVannamoiset and parts adjoining, described in general 
bounds as embracing " all the lands between the salt 
water and river and the bounds of Taunton and Reho- 
both," to be held by Mr. Mj'les and his friends for their 
accommodation as an incorporated town, within which 
they were at liberty to exercise all their rights of con- 
science as members of a Baptist Church. The territorj' 
thus granted under the incorporated name of Swanzea 
then embraced not only what is now Swansea in Massa- 
chusetts, but also the present town of Somerset in the 
same State, and the present towns of Warren and Bar- 
rington in Rhode Island. 

These men were authorized by the Ph-mouth gi-ant to 
determine the conditions on which they would receive 
strangers as members of the town. They decided " that 
no erroneous person should bo admitted into the town- 
ship either as an inhabitant or sojourner ; that no man 
of any cvtI beha^-iour as a contentious person should be 
admitted ; and that none should be admitted that maj- 
become a charge to the town." It was not intended to 
restrict the privileges of settlement to Baptists alone, 
but to grant liberty of conscience, while the predomi- 
nating influence was for the Baptist faith. Capt. Thomas 
AViUet, one of the founders of the town, and a foremost 
man in it, was not himself a Baptist but a member of the 



Reformed Church of Holland, yet he cordially united in 
these conditions of settlement, as did many others. 

A peculiar measure earl}' adopted by this town (Feb. 
7, 1671), was the division of the inhabitants into three 
ranks or grades, to be entitled to certain privileges ac- 
cordingly ; a certain committee, or board of censors, 
having meantime been appointed, authorized to degrade 
or promote, from one rank to another, at their discretion. 

At a town meeting the 19th of December, 1G73, "it 
was voted and ordered that a school be forthwith set up 
in this town for the teaching of grammar, rhetoric and 
arithmetic, and the tongues of Latin, Greek and Hebrew ; 
also to read English and to write." This vote was passed 
unanimously. Forty pounds in current monej- was fixed 
upon as the salary' of the schoolmaster. Mr. John Myles, 
the pastor, was appointed schoolmaster, with authority- 
to appoint a suitable person in his place if he chose. 

Not long after the Indian war broke out, which over- 
whelmed Swanzea in the first blast of its rage, and left 
this thriving settlement in less than a week a desolation 
and a wreck. 

At the beginning of the war the church still worshipped 
in their first meeting-house, about a mile and a half west 
of Miles's Bridge, the place now known as BarneysAoUe. 
The ground occupied by the present village of Warren, 
though then a part of the Swanzea gi'ant, was still occu- 
pied by the remnants of the once powerful tribe of the 
AA'ampanoags. 

Although one-half of the dwellings in Swanzea were 
laid in ashes during the war, the inhabitants immediately 
after its close began to spread themselves in various 
directions, and some of them repaired to the site on 
which the village of Warren now stands. 

In a short time the eastern part of Swanzea became 
thickly settled, and, as there was no other place of wor- 
ship but the Baptist meeting-house before referred to, 
they began to agitate the question of securing a more 
central place for the accommodation of their wide-spread 
congregation. Accordinglj' the town voted, on the 29th 
of March, 1680, to assist the church in erecting a new 
meeting-house on the site of the old gravej-ard at Tyler's 
Point, just below Kelley's Bridge. This was done, and 
a house for worship was erected. At the same time 
a dwelling-house was built close bj- for the minister, 
which the town transferred to the Rev. Mr. Myles to 
indemnify him for money which he had advanced in de- 
fraying the expenses of the Indian war. Here Mr. Myles 
lived and labored until Februarj', 1683, when he died, 
deeply lamented. His grave is among the unmarked 
mounds on T3ler's Point, but his life-work, noble and 
grand, left an enduring impress upon the character of 



RHODE ISLAND. 



the people with whom he so long walked as teacher and 
guide. 

After the death of Mr. Myles, in 1685, Capt. Samuel 
Luther, who had sustained every office of honor and 
trust which the proprietors of the town could bestow, 
was ordained to the work of the ministry, and became 
pastor of this ancient church. He continued to serve in 
this capacity until his death on the 20th of December, 
1716. He possessed an ample estate, and resided on 
the west side of the Kickemuit Elver, one mUe east of 
the present village of Warren, and was buried in the old 
gravej-ard near his residence, where a tombstone still 
stands over his ashes. He had a large posterit3f, who 
settled in this ■\'icinitj', and has descendants living to this 
daj- in Barrington, Warrea and other places. 

The population continuing to extend northward and 
eastward into what are now the towns of Swansea and 
j Somerset, in Mass., in the course of twenty years after 
the meeting-house was built at Tyler's Point, it became 
necessarj', for the convenience of the large majority of 
the people, to remove it to a more central location. 
This was accordingly done, about the j'ear 1700, at a 
spot west of " Cornell's Tavern," in North Swanzea. 
Tradition says that it was moved across the Warren 
Eiver on the ice. Here it stood until 1717, when an- 
other was erected in its place. 

When, in 1692, Plymouth and Massachusetts were 
united under the new charter brought by Sir William 
Phips, a new order of things was instituted, which 
interfered somewhat with the ideas of this people on 
matters of religious liberty. Although the prevailing 
sentiment of the PljTiiouth Colony was decidedly Con- 
gregational, or Puritan, as in the Colony of Massachu- 
setts, they had allowed the existence of the Baptist 
church in Swanzea, and the rights of conscience had 
been maintained strictly according to the terms of the 
act of incorporation. The majority of the people were 
Baptists, and the Congregationalists among them readilj- 
acquiesced in the essential doctrines of liberty of the 
Rhode Island Colony. 

But soon after the charter of union, a warrant from 
the Court of Quarter Sessions required the town to 
choose a minister, recording to law. The town meeting 
at which this warrant was read and debated adjourned 
for one half hour. The church met and returned, by 
Lieut. Cole, the reply that " they had a minister that 
thej' apprehended was according to law, viz., the Elder 
Samuel Luther." 

The tithing-man had been an unknown officer in Swan- 
zea. At the adjourned meeting in October, the town 
conformed to the letter of the new requirement, and 



elected Elder Samuel Luther minister, and four tithing- 
men. But they were careful to select good Baptist 
brethren as tithers, who had no sjTnpathy with the law, 
and suffered it to fail in its execution. The voluntary 
system still continued to be maintained by the inde- 
pendent townsmen. 

During the ministrj' of Elder Luther, certain supple- 
mentarj^ notes were added to the original covenant with 
reference to baptism and communion, which were dis- 
tasteful to the Congregational element, and served to 
divide the hitherto united parties. The removal of the 
church edifice from New Meadow Neck seems to have 
been another element of division. These divisions, to- 
gether with the fact of the prevailing policy of Massa- 
chusetts, led to the earnest discussion of the question of 
establishing a new church of the Congregational order, 
and Anally to the organization of the town of Barrington. 

Towns. 

Barrington. — The dwellers on Phebe's Neck, added 
to those on New Meadow Neck, favored the organization 
of a new church. They saw no way to secure this object 
but by the establishment of a new town, wherein the 
tithes of the people, as in other towns in Massachusetts, 
should support the ministrj' of the ruling order. A peti- 
tion to the General Court in Boston, on the 30th of Maj-, 
1711, set forth the circumstances, and asked for the 
granting of " a township according to the limits of Capt. 
Samuel Low's militarj' Co. in Swanzea, thereby enabling 
us to settle and maintain a pious, learned and orthodox 
minister for the good of us and our posterity," so that 
"Godwin be glorified, Christ's kingdom enlarged, and 
will oblige your most humble petitioners ever to pray." 

On the 24th of October following, the Council passed 
the following order : " That this Court see no reason as 
yet to divide Swanzea into two distinct towns, but ap- 
prove the good and laudable inclination of the petitioners 
to encourage religion in that part, and recommend to 
them the establishment and support of a learned ortho- 
dox minister of good conversation, and to endeavor bj' 
subscription for his comfortable and honorable main- 
tenance." 

Again, in 1712, the petitioners renewed their efforts for 
a new town, and were again opposed and defeated. For 
the next five j'ears they sat down hj this defeat, and 
endeavored to establish a Congregational church in ac- 
cordance with the advice of the Court. The organization 
was probablj' at once effected, and public services insti- 
tuted at New Meadow Neck. But the new church did 
not flourish as its friends hoped, and on the 14th of May, 
1717, a petition was presented to the town, "to have 



IIISTOEY OF NEW EXGLAXD. 



six score pounds raised to support ye ministry-, or to 
have said town of Swanzea divided, or a precinct by 
some of the inhabitants on the west side of New Meadow 
River." 

The only answer of the town to this was, " that all the 
inhabitants of the town of Swanzea should enjoy their 
conscience libertj", according to the foundation settlement 
of the town, and are obliged to uphold, maintain the 
ministry and worship of God in the several churches or 
congregations where thej' respectively belong or assem- 
ble, and not obliged in anj- other church or congregation 
but where the}- partake of the teaching as it is expressed 
in said foundation settlement." 

The " troublesome body on the west end of Swanzea" 
made a third attempt to secure a division of the town hj 
petition to the Boston Court in November, 1717, and 
though again opposed as before, they were this time 
successful. On the 18th of November, 1717, Phebe's 
Neck and New Meadow Neck within the town of Swan- 
zea were legally erected into a township by the name of 
Harrington. 

The definite boiinds were soon established, and the 
new town was duly organized in March, 1718. The 
name Harrington was doubtless chosen by the petitioners, 
and in memory of a small parish of the same name in 
Somersetshire, Eng., from which place, it is supposed, 
some of the first settlers came. 

The town was established primarily on account of its 
religious necessities, and the management of ecclesiasti- 
cal affairs took a large share of pubHc attention. At 
the second town meeting, on April 21, 1718, the Rev. 
Samuel Torre}' was elected the town's minister, with £100 
as a settlement, and £70 a year as salary, "the said sum 
to be collected by the constable, paid to the town clerk, 
and by him to be paid to the Minister." On the -Ith 
of August following, Mr. Torrey signified his accept- 
ance of the call, and became the second pastor of the 
church in this place, the first pastor, the Rev. James 
Wilson, having left prior to the establishment of the 
new town. 

The third pastor was Mr. Peleg Heath of Roxbury, 
who continued to dwell here until his death in 1748, aged 
49 years. His widow survived, and their descendants 
to this day have resided in the town, an honorable and 
honored line, among the most valued of citizens. 



• His wife, Martha, died young, and he never married again. He is 
described as a man of spare frame, thin in flesh, with long, gray hair, 
bald head, and a large nose. His dress was plain ; in summer, a gay- 
colored chintz morning-gown, and a cocked hat and short breeches, with 
knee-bucliles ; in winter, a long coat and green small-clothes. At his 
death, he was laid out in a black broadcloth suit purchased by his 



Mr. Heath's successor, the Rev. Solomon Townsend, 
was born in Boston in 1715, graduated at Harvard Col- 
lege in 1 735, and commenced his labors in Barrington 
in 1743, continuing therein until his death, the 25th of 
December, 1796.* 

Next to the support of the gospel ministry, the care 
for public education claimed the attention of the citizens. 
In 1722, the selectmen were authorized to provide a 
schoolmaster for four months, " to teach to read, write, 
and arithmetic," the great work of religion and education 
thus together with other interests of the town, going on 
under the Massachusetts methods of management, until 
the transfer to Rhode Island in 1747. 

For thirty years from 1717, Barrington had had an 
honorable corjjorate existence. When transferred from 
the jurisdiction of the Massachusetts Bay Colonj' to that 
of Rhode Island, she was united with another portion of 
the ancient town of Swanzea, and her historj' for a time 
was merged in that of the new town. Meanwhile, hav- 
ing enjoyed the experience of a separate corporate ex- 
istence so long, the citizens did not take kindly to the 
new arrangement, especially as they saw the centre of 
trade drifting away from them, and the growing pros- 
perity of the new village on the other side of the river. 
Feeling awakened discussion, and discussion led to peti- 
tion and remonstrance to the General Assemblj- of May, 
1770, for dividing the town of Warren into two towns. 
Both parties plead earnestly, the one for division, the 
other for continued union. The petitioners for division 
succeeded in convincing the General Assembly of the 
propriety of their claim, and on the 11th of June, 1770, 
it was enacted that the town of Warren be divided into 
two distinct and separate towns, and that the bounds 
between them be as the river between Bristol and Rum- 
stick extends itself northerly to Miles's Bridge, and that 
the town so divided from Warren shall be distinguished 
and known by the name of Barrington. Thus the old 
town emerged from the eclipse of twenty-three years, 
obscured in name as well as in fame by the growing 
enterprise and prosperity of Warren. 

The time approaches which tried men's souls for the 
growing persecutions of Old England against her infant 
Colonies. In common with other towns in New England, 
Barrington prepared for war. They resolved and gath- 
ered their forces for action, and pledged their Uves and 



people, who revered " old Father Townsend," and cherished his 
with undying affection. He was frugal in his habits, and scrupulously 
economical. It was soon after his settlement that the ton-n became a 
part of Rhode Island, when the tomi system of tithing and church sup- 
port ceased, and the support of the minister was limited to the free 
contributions of the people, which were often meagre and insufficient. 



RHODE ISLAND. 



fortunes to those principles which so clearl}- foreshadowed 
the Declaration of Independence.* 

The Congregational Church, whose organization and 
earlj' history, as sketched above, were identified with the 
civil history of the town to the time of the transfer of 
territory' from Massachusetts to Rhode Island in 1746, 
continued to thrive under the system of voluntary sup- 
port, which has always existed in this State from the 
beginning. 

One of the most eminent pastors of the church here 
was the Rev. Samuel "Watson, a native of the town, son 
of Matthew Watson, Jr., and gi-andson of Matthew 
Watson, Sr., one of the carl}' settlers. He was a gradu- 
ate of Brown Univcrsitj' in 1794, and was ordained and 
commenced his ministry here in 1798. After his settle- 
ment he married Miss Martha L. Bicknell of Attle- 
borough, a young lady whom ho first saw in the congre- 
gation at Grafton on a Sunday when he exchanged 
pulpits with its minister. Attracted by her appearance, 
he sought an introduction, which resulted in a happj- 
marriage. He was a talented and able preacher, and the 
people were harmonious and united in his support. His 
ministry continued man}' j-ears, when he died, high in 
the esteem of all, and deeply lamented. 

The first meeting-house of this Congregational church, 
it is said, stood on Tj-ler's Point, just north of the bur}-- 
ing-ground. There is no record concerning it. The 
second house of worship, the first of which there is any 
authentic account, stood on the main road near Max- 
field's Corner. In 1734 this house was taken down and 
rebuilt on the site occupied by the third and present 
house, which was erected in 1805-G, and thoroughly re- 
modelled and repaired in 18G1. 

Until 1858 the Congregational was the only church in 
town. An Episcopal church, called St. Mark's, was 
organized that year. 

The interests of public education, which were so well 
cared for in the early historj- of the town, are fostered to 
the present day. With only occasional interruption, one 
or more schools, free to all the children of the town, have 
alwaj-s been maintained. 

In 1870, Mr. Isaac F. Cady opened at the Centre 
"Prince's HiU Family and Day School," designed to 
afford local facihties for pursuit of advanced liranches of 
study and to accommodate a limited number of boarding 
pupils. The buildings for the home and school were 
erected at a cost of about $8,000, and are admirably 
adapted to their purjDose. The school, under the direc- 

* A company from Barrington under the command of Capt. Matthew 
Allen, occupied the right of the American lines under Gen. Putnam at 
Roxbury and Dorchester Heights jr.st before the famous battle of 



tion of its founder and proprietor, has been ver}' success- 
ful, and is an honor to the town. Mr. Cady has been 
engaged in teaching longer than any other in the State, 
and stands among the first in the profession. 

For many j'ears the occupation of the people in Bar- 
rington, who were not engaged in maritime trade, was 
chiefly agricultural, but more recently persons doing 
business in the city of Pro^'idence have made this their 
permanent home. The beauty of its natural scencr}-, and 
salubrity of its climate, have also attracted many persons 
of wealth and culture, who have their summer residences 
here, while passing the winter in the city. The Provi- 
dence, Warren and Bristol Railroad, which passes through 
this town, affords an easy access to the city, and has 
doubtless helped the growth of the town in this direction. 

The Narraganset Brick Company, a very important 
manufacturing interest, is located in the western part of 
the town, near Nayatt Station. Brick were first made 
here in 1846, and the company was chartered the follow- 
ing year. The company is still flourishing, and has 
always found a ready market for its products, chiefly in 
the cit}' of Providence, where its office is located. 

Barrington is the most northern town of Bristol 
County. The town is well watered by the Warren and 
Ban-ington rivers, on the latter of which are extensive 
beds of oysters, and its south-western border is washed 
by the waters of the Narraganset Ba}'. The town 
adjoins East Pro\idence on the north-west, and is about 
seven miles from Providence. The population by the 
State census in 1875 was 1,185, and is annually in- 
creasing. 

Warren. — When the town of WaiTen was incorporated 
in 1747, its population chieflj- resided within the limits of 
the Barrington section. The town was named in honor 
of Admiral Sir Peter WaiTen, who, in June, 1745, com- 
manded the English fleet that, in conjunction with the 
colonial army of 4,400 men, under the command of Gen. 
William Pepperell, captured Louisburg and the Island of 
Cape Breton after a six weeks' storming and siege. By 
clearing the coast of French ships of war. Admiral 
Wan-en rendered a valuable sen-ice to tliis population, 
who were largely interested in maritime trade. 

The first town meeting was held on the 10th of Febru- 
ary, 1747, at the house of Mr. John Child, which stood 
on the north side of Market Street, in the present village 
of Warren. The number of freemen electors was 76. 

Prior to 1747 two public ferries had been in regular 
operation across the river which separated the two sec- 
Bunker Hill. His brother, Capt. Thomas Allen, afterwards general, 
commanded troops on Rhode Island and at Tiverton during the move- 
ments of the British by land and by sea in that quarter. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



tions of the town ; one near the present bridge leading 
from the main street in Warren village, and the other 
from the foot of Washington Street. After the incor- 
poration the population on the east side began to increase, 
and soon the chief seat of trade was withdrawn from the 
west side to this. The attention of the people was at 
that time almost whoUj- given to navigation and ship- 
building. 

The site of the present village of Wan-en was as early 
as 1671 named in the Swanzea town records as " Brooks' 
pasture." In 1679 this was surveyed by order of the 
town, and found to contain 300 acres ; convenient high- 
ways and house-lots were ordered to be laid out, and 
measures were taken for the settlement of this section. 
On account of the advantages of the deep water in the 
river, a portion of the population of Swanzea was drawn 
to this vicinity for the purposes of shipbuilding and navi- 
gation. 

In 1756 there were 20 dwellings in WaiTen v'illage. 
There was a blacksmith shop on Main Street, a school- 
house on Market Street, and one or two stores on the 
shore. At the same time there had been erected and 
were in use three of the present whai-ves. 

The town continued to grow in its population, and in 
the increase of its business. The chief dependence of 
the people was on maritime trade in its various forms of 
sliipbuilding, coasting. West India and foreign naviga- 
tion, and the whale fishery. In 1777 the population of 
Warren, bj' census taken per order of the town, was 
789. 

The people of Warren -VTllage usually worshipped with 
the Baptist churcli in Swanzea, of which manj' of them 
were members, until in 17G4 a colony from that church 
was organized as a separate church, and the ordinances 
of worship were here instituted. The organization of 
this church grow out of the circumstances in which 
Brown University originated, both being formed at about 
the same time, and mutuallj- connected in the agency by 
which they were established. 

For many j"ears there had been an earnest desire on 
the part of the denomination of Baptists to secure the 
foundation of a college which should more full}- satisf)' 
their needs than any institution then existing. The 
" rhiladelphia Baptist Association" took initiatory steps 
for the founding of such a college in Rhode Island, " in 
which education might be promoted and superior learning 
obtained free from" any sectarian religious tests." But 
to the Rev. Morgan Edwards, a celebrated Baptist 
clerg3'man of Wales, who, in 1761, left his native 
country, and, arriving in Philadelphia, became tlie pastor 
of the First Baptist Church in that eit}-, belongs the 



honor of putting forth the necessary energies which cul- 
minated in the foundation of this excellent institution of 
learning. Mainly through his efforts, seconded by those 
of other friends, monej- was raised at home and abroad, 
books obtained, and a charter secured, and the " Rhode 
Island College " was born. 

The Rev. James Manning, a graduate of the College 
of New Jersey, was chosen as the first president to 
organize the college in this village ; also to gather and 
organize the Baptist church of which he became the first 
pastor. The church was organized the 15th of Novem- 
ber, 1764, consisting of 58 members, 35 of whom were 
from the Swanzea church. Mr. Manning immediatelj' 
opened a prepai-atory Latin school, which prospered from 
the beginning, and, in 1766, the Hon. David Howell, a 
graduate of the New Jersey College of that year, was 
appointed the first tutor in the college. 

Shortlj' after the organization of the church and the 
college, a house of worship, about 44 feet square, was 
erected near the site of the present meeting-house ; also 
on the same lot a spacious mansion for the double pur- 
pose of a coUege and parsonage. 

The first commencement was held in the meeting-house 
Sept. 7, 1769, when seven J'oung men were graduated. 
Several others, graduates of other colleges, on this occasion 
received the houorarj' degree of Master of Arts. It was 
a glad occasion to the manj^ friends of the college, who 
felt assured that though its beginning was small, and it 
was still in its infancy, it was destined to grow and 
become a mighty power in the land. 

It soon attracted public attention far and near. As no 
public edifice was j-et erected for it, applications from 
various places came pouring in to the corporation for its 
removal and establishment among them, each holding out 
strong inducements in competition with this town for the 
honor of its location. Prov-idence and Newport were the 
two ablest competitors in this contest. 

At length, after an earnest discussion on the merits of 
the conflicting claims, the corporation, on the 7th of Febru- 
ary, 1770, decided by a vote of 21 to 14, "that the 
edifice be built in tlie town of Providence, and there be 
continued forever." 

Dr. Manning had been identified with the college from 
the beginning, and was the soul of its prosperitj-. He had 
also been identified with the church in Warren as its first 
pastor, was devotedly attached to his people, and they as 
devotedly attached to him. Now one or the other posi- 
tion must be given up. The alternative was hard to 
decide. Both the corporation of the coUege and the 
Warren parish urged their respective claims with strong 
pleas. At length he decided to resign his charge of the 



RHODE ISLAND. 



church, and in the following May, 1770, removed with 
his undergraduates to Providence. 

The grief of the church in the removal of their admired 
and beloved pastor, had its counterpart in the dissatis- 
faction and chagrin of the town in losing half of their 
territory the same year when Barrington was partitioned 
off and erected into a separate township. 

In connection with the founding of the college in 
Warren was formed the ' ' Warren Association," embrac- 
ing a number of Baptist churches in New England, who 
made this %dllage a place of resort and a general rall3'ing 
point for the denomination. Its annual meeting was 
connected with the anniversary of commencement, so that 
all who came from a distance might have the opportunity 
of attending on both occasions. This is the oldest Bap- 
tist association of the kind in New England, and has 
continued to thrive during all its historj', and is still one 
of the largest and most important in the denomination. 

After the removal of the college to Providence, and the 
consequent resignation of Dr. Manning as pastor of the 
Baptist church, the Rev. Charles Thompson, the valedic- 
torian of the first graduating class, became pastor, being 
ordained the 3d of July, 1771. He was then 23 years of 
age. His ministry of four j'ears was verj' prosperous, 
the church nearly doubling its membership during that 
time. 

On the breaking out of the Revolutionary war in 1775, 
Mr. Thompson was appointed a chaplain in the American 
army, which office he held till 1778, when, being at home 
on a visit, he was taken a prisoner by the English, and 
carried to Newport on the morning of the 25th of May. 
At the same time the meeting-house, parsonage, an 
arsenal and several private dwellings in Warren were 
burned by the enemy. In about a mouth he was released 
from imprisonment, and preached awhile at Ashford, 
Conn., but, in 1779, became pastor of the church in 
Swanzea. So great was the shock which this population 
sustained by the calamities of the war, that no pubUc 
religious meetings were held for several j'ears. The 
members who remained in town generall3' resumed mem- 
bership with their mother church in Swanzea, and were 
glad to unite with them in receiving as pastor one whom 
they had in the days of their prosperitj' loved and re- 
vered. The condition of this union was that they should 
have full liberty to be dismissed when the pro\-idence 

* In town meeting, assembled May 6, 1766, it was voted to employ 
suitable persons to make np powder and ball into cartridges, and all 
persons that possessed lead or balls were desired to bring them to the 
town treasurer; all the militia and alarm-men were also required 
to bring their guns, that cartridges might be made to fit them. A quota 
of ten men being called for by the State, the town voted, Sept. 16, 1776, 
to send twelve, and to pay every soldier who should equip himself com- 



of God should permit the Warren church to be re- 
organized. 

The period of the Revolutionary war was an exceed- 
ingl}' trying one to this community as well as to others. 
But Warren met the crisis, and unflinchingly did her part 
in the great struggle for American liberties.* 

On the 25th of May, 1777, the town was attacked by 
about 500 British and Hessian troops, who came up from 
Newport the night before by water, and landing at a 
place about half a mile south of Peck's Rocks in Bristol, 
advanced by the main road on Warren in the early 
morning, dispersed the inhabitants, disabled several 
pieces of cannon and then hurried on to the Kickemuit 
River, where a large number of boats had been collected 
b}' the Americans to facilitate a contemplated expedition 
against the enemy. These boats they piled up and 
burned, then returned to Warren, burned the Baptist 
church, parsonage, powder magazine and several other 
buildings, pillaged dwellings and took a number of the 
citizens prisoners and departed. 

Though during this period the sufferings and losses of 
the citizens of Warren were very great, they yet stood 
nobly by the cause and gave freely blood and treasure 
for American liberty. Business was almost entirely 
driven from the place. Besides the destruction of build- 
ings and militarj- stores, much valuable shipping belong- 
ing to the inhabitants of Warren was lost, and the 
population was greatly reduced. 

In the course of a few years after the Revolutionary 
war the business of the town revived and soon acquired 
a basis of permanent prosperity. Various branches of 
commerce were pursued, but chiefl}' that of shipbuilding, 
which became quite celebrated. The town has con- 
tinued to thrive to the present time, and is still growing 
in population and in business enterprise. 

After the close of the war, on the 5th of February, 

1784, the Baptist church, which had during this period 
been merged with the mother church in Swanzea, re- 
solved to build another house of worship on the same 
spot where their former house had stood, which was 
done dm-ing the following year. On the 29th of August, 

1785, a charter was obtained from the General Assem- 
bly and an ecclesiastical society organized, with a 
fund started for the support of the ministry. In Sep- 
tember, 1786, the former members of the church, with 

plete with gun, bayonet, knapsack, cartridge-box and blanket, twenty 
shillings. A '• test act " was adopted Oct. 14, 1776, by which every man 
was required to assert his principles. On Feb. 5, 1777, it was voted to 
raise an artillery company, of which Daniel Fisk was chosen captain, 
and Benjamin Cole lieutenant ; and on the 12th of the same month it 
was voted to purchase firearms and equipment for the only two men who 
were unable to equip themselves. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



others, were reorganized on the basis of their former 
covenant and plan of union ; and the next month the 
Rev. John Pitman became their pastor. 

The first Methodist church in Warren was organized 
in the autumn of 1792 by the Rev. Ezekiel Cooper, 
preacher in charge of the circuit. Until 1794 the societj' 
held their meetings in a spacious barn, fitted up and made 
convenient for their accommodation. That year a neat 
church edifice was erected which was the first belonging 
to the Methodist denomination in Rhode Island, and the 
second in New England, the first being in Lynn, Mass. 
It was dedicated the 14th of September, 1794, the ser- 
mon being by the Rev. Jesse Lee. 

In 1844 a fine new church was erected, one of the best 
in New England at that time. In 1869 extensive altera- 
tions and repairs were made on this edifice, greatly 
improving its appearance and convenience for the con- 
gregation. About 55 pastors in succession have served 
this church, and it is one of the most flourishing of the 
denomination in the State. 

The St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Warren was organ- 
ized on the 10th of November, 1828, at the house of 
Freeborn Sisson, Esq. This enterprise was promoted 
chiefly through the efforts of the Rev. Mr. Ilenshaw 
(afterwards Bishop of the diocese) and of the Rev. 
John Bristed of Bristol. A neat church edifice was 
erected in 1829. The first rector was the Rev. George 
W. Hathaway. The parish is prospering finely, having 
i about 150 communicants in its membership. 

The St. Mary's Catholic Church was begun here in 
1850, when a church ediflce was erected under the pasto- 
rate of the Rev. Father Tucker. 

The business interests of Warren for many years have 
been chiefly manufacturing. Several cotton-mills are in 
successful operation at the present time, giving employ- 
ment to a large number of operatives. The Warren 
Manufacturing Company was incorporated in 1847. It 
has three mills, four and five stories high, with 500 looms 
and 27,000 spindles. The machinery in all these mills is 
adapted to the manufacture of fine sheetings, although 
print-cloths are made to a large extent. The Cutler 
Manufacturing Company was organized in 18G9 for the 
manufacture of double and twisted yarns and knitting- 
cotton. Its mill has 16.000 spindles and employs about 
230 hands. The Mechanics' Machine Company was 
organized in Providence in 1871, but removed to Warren 
the following year. Its first building and contents were 
destroyed by fire in 1873. The company immediately 
rebuilt and continued the manufacture of machines until 
1876, when business was suspended on account of the 
depression of the times. The Inman Manufacturing 



Company was incorporated in 1866 for the manufacture 
of cotton braid. Its capital stock was $100,000, and it 
has done a large business. 

The firsti banking institution in Warren was the War- 
ren Bank, incoq^orated in October, 1803, with a capital 
of $85,000. There are five other banks in the town ; 
four for discount and one for savings. 

The first newspaper in Warren was " The Northern 
Star," started in 1826 by Messrs. Fowler & Randall, and 
continued as a weekly publication untill 1855, when it 
passed into the hands of Albert R. Cooke, who started a 
semi-weekly called the "Rhode Island Telegraph." In 
1859 the establishment passed into the hands of E. F. 
Applegate, who continued the publication about two 
}-ears, when it was discontinued. The " Warren Ga- 
zette," a weekly publication, was started in 1-866 by 
Capt. Barton. In 1876 it passed into the hands of the 
present proprietors, George II. Cooraer & Co. 

Warren is the central town of Bristol County, and 
contains more than 3,000 inhabitants. It has a fine 
harbor on the Warren River, which flows into Narragan- 
set Bay. 

Bristol was the last settled town of the territorj- em- 
braced in Bristol County, although it is the largest in 
population, and from the first has been the county seat. 
The proprietors of Bristol and their associates were fully 
imbued with the spirit of the Puritan and Pilgrim com- 
monwealths, and took early measures to secure an able 
gospel ministry. During the first year of the settlement 
they obtained the ser\-ices of the Rev. Benjamin Wood- 
bridge, son of the Rev. John Woodbridge of Andover, 
Mass., who continued labor about six years. There 
being some opposition to him, and consequent difficulties 
which interfered with his usefulness, he retired from the 
field. 

The first public religious service in Bristol was in the 
dwelling-house of Dea. Nathaniel Bosworth, a building 
still standing, and forming a part of the dwelling-house 
of the late James De W. Perr3-, Esq. Afterwards ser- 
vices were held in the " lower south room" of the min- 
ister's dwelling on Byfield Street, a house owned by 
Nathaniel Byfield, Esq. In this room the town also met 
for their civil business. 

On the 24th of October, 1683, at a town meeting, 
£250 were ordered to be raised to build a meeting-house. 
The house was built on " the Common," fronting High 
Street, on the spot where now stands the county court- 
house. There is no record of its exact dimensions, but 
it is described as " spacious, square in form, clapboarded 
inside and out, having double galleries, one above the 
other, with a cap-roof, surmounted in the centre with a 



RHODE ISLAND. 



cupola and bell, from which a rope was suspendocl, b}- 
which the bell was rung; a dormer window over the 
pulpit, and on all sides double rows of windows for the 
ingress of light." Square pews were constructed, from 
time to time, by citizens who obtained leave of the town 
to do so, and several j-ears elapsed before the floor was 
all covered. This "meeting-house" was used for both 
religious and civil purposes. For more than 40 j-ears it 
was the only sanctuar3' in town, and it continued to be 
the home of the First Church of Clii-ist for a hundred 
j-ears. 

The First Church was not formally organized until 
after the retirement of Mr. Woodbridge, although the 
ordinances of religion were regularly maintained from 
the beginning. The Rev. Samuel Lee, D. D., an English 
dissenting minister, celebrated as a man of ardent piety 
and profound learning, who had recently arrived in Bos- 
ton, accepted a call to the Bristol church, and began his 
labors April 10, 1687. 

Soon after Dr. Lee's settlement, on the 3d of Maj', 
1687, the church was formallj' organized bj' the mutual 
consent and agreement of the following persons ; viz., 
Maj. John Walley, Capt. Nathaniel Byfield, Capt. Ben- 
jamin Church, Nathaniel Reynolds, John Carey, Hugh 
Woodbury, Goodman Throup, and Nathaniel Bosworth, 
whom they elected deacon. Thus was the first church 
gathered in Bristol, the first of the Puritan or Congrega- 
tional order within the present limits of Rhode Island. 
At the organization, and for manj' years afterwards, it 
was known as " The Church of Christ in Bristol." In 
1784 it began to be called the " Catholic Congregational 
Church," and by this title was known until, in 1869, in 
order to hold and administer charitable funds given to 
its care, it was incorporated by the General Assembly as 
the " First Congregational Church in Bristol." 

The ministry of Dr. Lee in Bristol was eminently suc- 
cessful. He died in France in December, 1691. 

Dr. Lee was the author of several published works, 
which gave him wide celebrity. He was regarded as one 
of the most learned and pious men of his day, and was 
called " the light of both Englands." Cotton Mather 
wrote of him, that, "if learning ever merited a statue, 
this great man has as rich an one due him as can be 
erected : for it must be granted that hardl}- ever a more 
universally learned person trod the American strand." 

In 1688, the year subsequent to Dr. Lee's settlement 
in Bristol, the number of families in town, as appears 
from a record stiU preserved in Dr. Lee's own writing, 
was seventy. 

A commodious and elegant edifice of stone was built 
by this society in 1856. The church is one of the 



largest and strongest in the State. Its active member- 
ship is about 350. 

The congregation of St. Michael's Church (Episcopa- 
lian) was first gathered in 1720. A house of worship 
was erected on the site of the present church, at the 
corner of Church and Hope streets, upon land given by 
Col. Mackintosh, a wooden structure which served the 
church until its destruction by British soldiery in the war 
of the Revolution. In 1786 a new church edifice, simi- 
lar to the first, was erected on the same site, which gave 
way in 1833 to a much larger and more costly one. It 
was destroyed by fire in 1858, and was replaced by the 
present beautiful stone structure, at a cost of $37,000. 

The first minister of this church was the Rev. John 
Orem, an Englishman. The late Bishop Alexander B. 
Griswold was once the pastor of this church. 

The Methodist Church was organized in 1791 ; the 
First Baptist Church Aug. 22, 1811 ; the South Christian 
Church in 1833 ; the Second Advent Church in 1843 ; 
and Trinity (Episcopal) in 1875. The first edifice of 
the Roman Catholic Church in Biistol was dedicated in 
October, 1855. 

The citizens of Bristol have always taken a deep inter- 
est in the cause of public education. The first proprie- 
tors, who provided so liberally for religious institutions, 
also set apart lands for the support of a public school 
education, which lands continue to be held in trust for 
this purpose. The interest thus early manifested has 
continued unabated to the present time. The B3-ficld 
School, erected in 1873, is a very fine edifice. Its cost, 
mth furnishing, was nearly $45,000. 

From the beginning the commercial interests of Bristol 
held a high rank, and at one time it was among the first 
commercial ports of New England. Numerous vessels 
were owned here. An important branch of trade was 
that to Cuba, where many of the early merchants had 
sugar and coffee plantations. An extensive trade was 
also carried on with the Baltic and Mediterranean ports, 
and along the coast of the Middle and Southern States. 
This commercial trade has long since disappeared, and 
in its place has come the introduction of various manu- 
facturing interests, including cotton-mills, boat and yacht 
building, and an extensive manufactory of all kinds of 
rubber goods. There are also many excellent farms. 

The waters of Bristol are of unrivalled beauty. The 
harbor is in the form of a basin, capacious and safe, and 
of sufficient depth for the entrance of the largest sized 
vessels and steamers. The fisheries form an important 
branch of industry. 

The town of Bristol took a conspicuous part in the 
war of the Revolution, and was not a whit behind her 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



sister towns in sacrifices for the promotion of the Amer- 
ican cause. Tlie war was brought homo to licr very 
doors. British vessels were frequentl3- in the harbor of 
Bristol, and the town was threatened with destruction. 
All males from 18 to 70 j-ears of age were required to 
arm themselves for the protection of the town, and 
women and children were sent abroad for safetj-. Sev- 
eral companies of militia were formed, and the people 
were held in anxious suspense. On tlie morning of the 
7th of October, 1775, the British squadron under com- 
mand of Capt. "Wallace, that had been lying at Newport 
for several months, came up the bay and anchored 
abreast of Bristol. Soon a cannonading was commenced, 
wliich was kept up about two Lours, and threatened the 
entire destruction of the town. A parley was at length 
had, and hostilities ceased on the pledge of furnishing 
the squadron's commander with 49 sheep, which was 
punctually performed at 12 o'clock. The damage to the 
town was not so great as was at first feared, and onl}' 
two lives were lost. The Rev. Mr. Burt being confined 
to his house by the camp-distemper, felt compelled to 
leave for safety when the cannonading commenced, but 
was overcome with exhaustion and perished in a neigh- 
boring cornfield. A child of Capt. Timothy Ingraham, 
having been removed in the rain, died from exposure the 
next day. The guns of the vessels were elevated so 
high, that their contents, for the most part, passed over 
the town, landing on the rising ground in the rear. The 
British still continued to annoj' with threats and other 
demonstrations, and kept the people in constant sus- 
pense. At length, on the morning of May 25, 1778, 
about 500 British and Hessians under command of Col. 
Campbell, coming up the bay from Newport in a ship of 
war, landed above Poppasquash on the eastern shore, 
for the avowed purpose of destroying botli Warren and 
Bristol. After visiting Warren and doing there what 
injury they could, they returned by the main road to 
Bristol, and marched on through the town to the foot of 
Wallcy Street, plundering the inhabitants and takin' 
many prisoners, setting fire to and destroying the dwell- 
ings, and also St. Michael's church edifice, supposing it 
to be Parson Burt's meeting-house. Here they were 
checked by American troops, but fleeing before them to 
the ferry, they escaped on board a ship which had re- 
turned to this point to receive them. Bristol was thus 
left in a verj^ crippled and distressed condition, which 
continued until after the war, when many who had left 



town returned, and general business was resumed. A 
few years sufficed to bring back prosperity, and when in 
1812 another war broke out with Great Britain, Bristol 
had reached the zenith of its commercial renown and 
wealth. 

Immediatelj' upon the outbreak of hostilities her mer- 
chants turned their attention to privateering, and the 
" Yankee," " Montgomery," " Yankee Lass," and other 
vessels owned at this port, were very successful in cap- 
turing prizes, and yielded large profits. At the close of 
the war commerce soon resumed its accustomed channels, 
and all the varied interests of the town received new life. 

In 1857 the railroad connecting Providence and Bristol 
went into operation, and in 1867 a line of steamers was 
established between Bristol and New York. The mag- 
nificent steamers "Bristol" and "Providence," were 
built expressl}' for this line, and commanded bj' Bristol 
men, were run here until 18G9, when the brisk and 
ruinous competition compelled a compromise and they 
were transferred to the Fall River line. A line of steam- 
ers running dailj' between Fall River and Providence, 
and touching at this port, was established in 1830, and 
still continues. 

In the war of the Rebellion in 1861 Bristol contributed 
her full quota, and many of the battle-fields were stained 
b3- the blood of her choicest sons. 

The September gale in 1815, which was so disastrous 
in man}' places, was verj' destructive in Bristol, laying 
waste an immense amount of private and public property, 
and material!}- checking commercial interests. The gale 
of 1869 also destroyed much property. 

The population of Bristol at the present time does not 
vary much from 6,000. Manufacturing establishments 
are over GO in number, furnishing employment to nearly 
1,500 operatives. The valuation of the town by the State 
in 1873 was $5,293,979. Tlie "Pha?nix,"an enterprising 
journal, is under the management of Col. C. A. Green. 

Eligibly located on the peninsula which separates the 
Narranganset and Mount Hope bays, and having one 
of the finest harbors in the world, few towns can com- 
pare with Bristol for beaut}- of situation and natural at- 
tractions. These attractions, with its healtliful climate, 
pure water and facilities for communication, are making 
Bristol more and more the resort of multitudes seeking 
to escape from the crowded city to the more congenial 
atmosphere of the country and the quiet simplicity of 
rural life. 



RHODE ISLAND. 



KENT cou:n^ty. 



BY JOS. W. CONGDON, ESQ. 



Kent CocNrr consists of the four towns of Warwick, 
East Greenwich, Coventry and West Greenwich. It 
was originally a part of Pro^'iclence County, and was set 
off from that county, and East Greenwich made the 
county town June 15, 1750. 

The eastern portion of the eountj', bordering on Nar- 
raganset and Coweset baj-s, and east of the Stonington 
Railroad, is comparatively level. The soil along the 
Pawtuxet River and near the shore is often very good. 
Along the coast are the well-known shore resorts of 
Rock}' Point, Oakland Beach and The Buttonwoods, with 
some others of less importance. These places, particu- 
larly Rock}' Point, are annuall}' visited b}' man}' thou- 
sands from all parts of New England during the excur- 
sion season, and many boarding-houses and hotels are 
filled with more permanent visitors. Various portions of 
these pleasant and beautiful shores are occupied by gen- 
tlemen as summer residences. Between this belt along 
the shore and the Stonington Railroad is a very level and 
mostly sterile tract known as Old Warwick Plains. 
Along the shore of Coweset Bay, from the village of 
Apponaug, — which lies at the extreme head of the bay, 
— to the village of Greenwich, a ridge of moderate ele- 
vation extends near the shore and parallel with it, which 
affords many pleasant situations for country residences, 
and is princi[)ally occupied by gentlemen's country- seats. 
The rest of the town is mostly of a very uneven surface 
and poor soil. This part of the town, however, is the 
seat of its principal industries. It is very largely occu- 
pied for manufacturing purposes, — principally for manu- 
facturing, bleaching and printing cotton goods, — and 
maintains a very large, industrious and thriving popula- 
tion. 

The peninsula of Potowomut is nearly level, and of a 
poor and exhausted soil, where it has not been preserved 
or restored by high cultivation. It is now principally 
occupied for summer residences by diflferent members of 
the Ives and Goddard families. 

The population of Kent County is 20,348, divided 
among the several towns as follows: Warwick, 11,614; 
East Greenwich, 3,120; Coventry, 4,580; and West 
Greenwich, 1,034. 



Towns. 

Warwick, originally known by its Indian name of 
Shawomet, was one of the four towns which constituted 
the Colony under the first charter of 1643, granted by 
the Earl of Warwick as governor-in-chief of the Planta- 
tions, and his associated commissioners appointed by the 
Long Parliament. 

The first settlers of Warwick were the noted Samuel 
Gorton and his followers. The exact time when they 
first established themselves in the place is unknown, but 
was probably about 1638. The deed of their first pur- 
chase of land bears date Jan. 12, 1642. 

The circumstances attending the first settlement of 
Warwick were such as to render it worth while to relate 
them somewhat in detail. Samuel Gorton, named above, 
was a man of very peculiar religious and political views, 
and of a somewhat impracticable and turbulent temper. 
A native of England, he emigrated to New England in 
1636, and landed at Boston. Here he immediately 
began to propagate his peculiar views, which were 
decidedly antagonistic to those recognized as orthodox 
by the existing authorities of the Colony, and he soon 
gained some adherents. These proceedings, however, 
soon brouglit him into conflict with the civil and ecclesi- 
astical autliorities, by whom he was at different times 
fined and threatened with imprisonment, and was finally 
banished. He retired with his followers to Pl}mouth. 
Here, also, he soon got into diflBculties of the same 
nature, and removed again to Aquidneck on the island of 
Rhode Island, then in possession of William Coddington 
and his associates, where he was kindly received. Ilis old 
fortune, however, followed him here, and he soon found 
it advisable to withdraw to Providence, at that time the 
general asylum of all in the neighboring Colonies whose 
opinions did not harmonize with the established churches 
of their respective Colonies. In Providence he created 
so much trouble and disturbance that some of the settlers 
applied to Massachusetts and were willing to submit 
themselves to her jurisdiction for the sake of getting 
rid of him. Under these circumstances he retired with 
his followers to the tract then known as Shawomet, 
but now as Old Warwick and Warwick Neck, where 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



thej' made the purchase of land as alreadj- stated. 
They did not, like the neighboring towns, form them- 
selves into a ci^il communitj-, conceiving that they 
had no right to take such steps without authority 
from the parent State of England, and considering all 
the governments set up voluntarily in this and the 
neighboring Colonies as wholly illegal and void. They 
contented themselves with a simple voluntarj- asso- 
ciation for the regulation of their common interests. 
This circumstance, added to the obloquj- with which they 
were regarded, furnished a pretext for other settlers in 
that vicinity to acknowledge the jurisdiction and invoke 
the interposition of Massachusetts. That Colonj- imme- 
diately notified the inhabitants of Shawomet to appear 
before the General Court and submit themselves to her 
jurisdiction. No attention having been piid to this 
summons, in the autumn of 1643, the government of 
Massachusetts sent soldiers to arrest the inhabitants and 
bring them before the authorities of that Colonj' by 
force. The inhabitants having sent their wives and 
children to places of safet}' in the neighboring planta- 
tions assembled at a house and awaited the attack. 
After being besieged in this house for several days, for- 
tunately without loss of life, they yielded to superior 
numbers, were convejcd as prisoners to Boston and 
lodged in jail. In October they were tried on mingled" 
charges of heresy and sedition, were all found guilty and 
sentenced to imprisonment. Gorton himself came verj- 
near being condemned to death. In the following spring, 
however, they were all released and banished from Mas- 
sachusetts and Rhode Island under pain of death. They 
returned to Shawomet to find their families scattered and 
their settlement broken up. They retired to Aquidneck 
and remained there until the arrival of the charter of 
1643, in 1644. This charter, by recognizing the three 
towns of Providence, Newport and Portsmouth, and bj' 
including the disputed territory of Shawomet within their 
jurisdiction, enabled them to return home in 1644. In 
1646 the Earl of Warwick and his associated commis- 
sioners ordered the Colony of Massachusetts not to dis- 
turb their occupation until the question of jurisdiction 
should be finally decided. From this time their posses- 
sion was for the most part undisturbed, and in 1C47 thej- 
organized as a separate town or plantation, and were 
recognized as such by the rest of the Colon3-. Gorton 
commenced proceedings before the Privy Council to re- 
cover damages from his persecutors, but no result fol- 
lowed. He and his followers henceforward enjoyed 
their peculiar views in peace. Gorton's account of these 
transactions, entitled " Simplicity's Defence against 
Seven-Headed Policy," has been republished in our own 



daj- as an historical relic and antiquarian curiosity, and as 
such maj- be found among the other antiquarian volumes 
in our public libraries. His opinions, when left to stand 
or fall on their own merits, without the stimulus of per- 
secution, gradually died out, and his sect, as such, has 
long been utterly- extinct. j 

In 1655 the town of Warwick contained 37 freemen ; 
that is, freeholders, admitted to be voters. Among these j 
were many representing families whose lineal descend- 
ants — if we may judge by their names — are still found 
among the natives of the town or of its immediate 
vicinity. 

For some years there was little noteworthy- in the historj- 
of Warwick. An Indian sachem named Pomham had 
refused to acknowledge the authority of the deed of Mian- 
tonomo, and had continued to occupj- Warwick Neck not- 
withstanding the sale to Gorton and his followers, and '. 
had been supported bj' Massachusetts in his refusal to 
remove and deliver possession of that portion of the tract 
conveyed by the deed. In 1665, however, the king's 
commissioners required Pomham to remove before the 
next spring, on Warwick's paying him the sum of twenty 
pounds. This order having been carried into effect, the 
inhabitants of the town were relieved from the vexa- 
tions naturally arising from an Indian settlement in their 
midst. 

Though sharing, in common with all the settlements 
on the main land, the fears, vexations and losses natu- 
rally resulting from the Indian war of 1676, or King 
Pliilip's war, in consequence of which most of the inhab- 
itants at one time took refuge on the island of Rhode 
Island, Warwick escaped without any special injury, 
thus faring much better than Providence, which was 
burned in that year by the Indians. 

After the close of the Indian war, the histor}' of the 
Colony for a long time is principally occupied with the 
conflicting claims of Connecticut, Plymouth and Rhode 
Island to the Narraganset country, the northern bounds 
of which were somewhat uncertain, and were sometimes 
claimed to include Warwick and sometimes not. This 
controversy, invohing the whole of the territory which 
is now Washington Count}', naturally belongs to the 
history of that county, and will consequently be referred 
to here no farther than it especially affects the different 
towns of the county of Kent. 

After the charter of 1663, the jurisdiction of Rhode 
Island over the town of Warwick, though contested, was 
never seriously threatened. Even in 1683, when the 
royal commissioners reported in favor of the claim of 
Connecticut to the Narraganset country, they recog- 
nized the rights of the Warwick settlers, and the juris- 



RHODE ISLAND. 



diction of Rhode Island, and it does not appear that 
there was ever afterward an3- serious controversy on the 
subject. 

Though principally agricultural, yet, in common with 
a large portion of the inhabitants of the Colonj', the 
population of Warwick also became largely interested in 
commerce. This commerce, whether between different 
towns of the Colony, or with other Colonies, was neces- 
sarily carried on by water. In addition to a very large 
trade with the mother countr3% a more or less illegal 
commerce with the "West Indies was, at one time, 
extensively carried on. 

The citizens of Warwick naturall3- S3mpathized ar- 
dently with the Colonial cause. One of the most famous 
and decisive acts which marked the prelude to the Revo- 
lutionary drama, the burning of the "Gaspee" took place 
on the shores of this town. This vessel had become 
exceedingly obnoxious by the indiscreet zeal with which 
its commander, Lieut. Dudingston, strove to enforce the 
revenue laws of the mother countrj', causing him to 
commit many acts of unnecessarj-, and some of illegal 
rigor. He had seized some rum, the property of Jacob 
Greene & Co. of Warwick, and sent it to Boston for 
condemnation, instead of libelling it at the vice-admi- 
ralty court of the Colony at Newport. This was directly 
contrary to the law. He had also long been in the habit 
of stopping and examining every vessel or boat, without 
reference to size or character, — a course which, at a 
time when commercial intercourse between the different 
parts of the Colony was very largely- carried on by small 
craft upon the waters of Narraganset Ba3', created 
much annoyance and irritation. Still, it cannot be de- 
nied that the greatest grievance, in the minds of the 
people, was the strict enforcement of the revenue laws 
against the almost universal illicit trading of the colo- 
nists. In pursuance of the plan of absolutely appropri- 
ating all the trade of the Colonies to Great Britain, a 
series of exceedingly stringent and absurd acts had been 
passed, which, if strictly enforced, would have annihi- 
lated the trade of the Colonies. It was impossible to 
really enforce these acts. The whole seaboard popula- 
tion of the Colonies was united in a tacit conspiracj^ to 
ignore and defeat them. Immediately after the peace of 
1763, a great effort was made to enforce them. Rhode 
Island, with its large inland waters, was a principal seat 
of this illicit trade, and owed to it much of its prosper- 
ity. Hence the presence of the " Gaspee," and the duty 
assigned her, were exceedingly obnoxious to the whole 
population, and a favorable chance to got rid of her was 
eagerly sought. At last it came. On the 9th of June, 
1772, in pursuing a schooner of lighter draught, she 



grounded on Namquit Point, now Gaspee Point, about a 
mile south of the mouth of the Pawtuxet River. Here, 
about midnight, she was boarded by a large companj- of 
men, principally from Providence, under the leadership 
of John Brown, a well-known merchant of Providence, 
and captured before resistance could be made. Her 
captors shot and severely wounded the commander, car- 
ried off what they pleased, removed the officers and 
crew, and set fire to the vessel, which was wholly con- 
sumed. There is little doubt that Jacob Greene, one of 
the owners of the rum above referred to, was one of the 
party. The lieutenant and his crew were taken ashore 
at Pawtuxet, where the lieutenant stayed till he suffl- 
cientl}- recovered to return to dut}'. This affair made a 
tremendous stir, both in the Colonies and in Great 
Britain. 

AVhile the storm was gathering, and preparations were 
making for armed resistance, Wai-wick was not behind 
any of her sister towns, and contribut'ed her full share of 
men and means for the conflict. 

Among the natives of Warwick who were conspicuous 
during the war, the name of Nathaniel Greene stands 
pre-eminent. Though at the actual outbreak of the war 
a resident of Coventry, he was born and reared to man- 
hood in that part of Warwick known as Potoworaut, 
where a branch of his family still possesses the old home- 
stead which belonged to his father. Gen. Greene, the 
hero of the Southern campaigns, and, in the judgment of 
almost all, second to Washington alone in abilities and 
character, commenced his military career in 1774 as a 
private in the Kentish Guards, an independent military 
companj', then newly organized in the neighboring 
town of East Greenwich. Promoted to be brigadier- 
general of the "army of observation" raised by the 
Colony in 1775, soon after the war began he was trans- 
ferred to the Continental service. From that time his 
historj' forms no small part of the great conflict itself, 
and is inseparably associated with its glorj* and success. 

Warwick is also honorably associated with the Revo- 
lutionary war in the person of another eminent citizen. 
In 1779, William Greene of Warwick was chosen gov- 
ernor, and continued to hold that office during the re- 
mainder of the war. During that period tlie office of 
governor of Rhode Island was no mere empty honor. 
The duties connected with it were exceedingly various, 
laborious and important, and they were honorably and 
successfully performed by Gov. Greene. 

Gov. Greene lived on his ancestral estate, a little 
west of the village of Greenwich, and just on the War- 
wick side of the boundarj'. His house, which is now 
the residence of his grandson, Hon. William S. Greene, 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



late lieutenant-governor of Rhode Island, was originally- 
built in 1694. Though considcrablj- altered from time 
to time, it still presents substantially the same external 
appearance as it did when the residence of the Revolu- 
tionary governor. 

After the Revolutionary war, came the contest be- 
tween the friends and opponents of large emissions of 
paper money. Warwick, like most of the country towns, 
sympathized with the paper-money party. After tlie 
Supreme Court of the State rendered the decision whicli 
struck a mortal blow at the enforced circulation of the 
bills of credit emitted by the General Assemblj-, War- 
wick in town meeting passed very strong and even vio- 
lent resolves in favor of the most stringent measures of 
enforcement ; but before the year was out the sober 
second thought of the people prevailed, and all the reso- 
lutions were rescinded. 

After the adoption of the Constitution, and the for- 
mation of the two' great parties- of those days, Warwiclc 
for the most part adhered to the Federal party. The 
history of these party struggles is too obscure, and of 
too little general interest at present, to make even the 
briefest account of them interesting. 

We pass over, therefore, the political history of the town 
from that time to the present with the single remark that, 
during the existence of tlie Whig part}', Warwick was a 
stanch Whig town, and since the organization of the 
Republican party has been almost always strongl}- Re- 
publican in its politics. During this long period, War- 
wick has produced many men of local eminence, but 
few of national reputation. , 

During tlie greater part of tliis century, manufactures, 
principally of cotton cloth, have been the dominant in- 
dustry of the town. The first attempts in manufacturing 
cotton in this town seem to have been made about 1794, 
at Centreville. About 1807, operations were com- 
menced at Natick and Compton ; in 1809, at Lippitt ; 
in 1810, '11, '12, at Phenix, Pontiac and River Point. 
Clyde Print Works, Arctic, Hill's Grove and the Orien- 
tal Print Works at Apponaug were much later, the first 
two beginning about 1831-34, and the other two not 
earlier than 18G7. All these villages, after passing, in 
the case of the earlier ones, through man}' vicissitudes 
and changes of ownersliip, have become great establish- 
ments, with extensive buildings, employing, some of 
them, hundreds of workmen, with annual products 
amounting to millions. 

East Greenwich forms the south-eastern portion of 
the countj'. The ridge, extending southwards from Ap- 
ponaug, enters this town and follows the shore south- 
wards for some distance. Along its eastern slope, and 



on its nearly level summit, lies the large village of 
Greenwich (2,400 inhabitants), occupying the north- 
eastern corner of the town, and extending across the 
line into Warwick. In and near this village are manu- 
facturing establishments of some magnitude : — the Baj- 
Mill Company, popularlj- known as the Shore Mill, at the 
north end of the village, the Union Mill, as it is usuallj- 
called, near its southern end, and the Greenwich Print 
AVorks, on Maschachoge Brook, about half a mile south 
of the village. With the exception of one small mill, the 
country portion of the town is exclusively agricultural. 
West of the village, the eastern half of the town con- 
tains some tracts of excellent soil, but the western half 
is very hilly, and of a thin and sterile soil. 

In 1 750 the four towns of East Greenwich, Warwick, 
Coventry and West Greenwich were formed into the new 
county of Kent. There was an earnest controversy 
whether East Greenwich or Warwick should be the 
county town, but the former prevailed. 

A military organization, known as the Kentish Guards, 
and which rendered good service in the Revolution, has 
maintained its organization in this town down to the 
[jresent time, and has rendered many services to the 
State. During the troubled year 1842, they were called 
into service and were stationed at Pawtucket, under the 
command of Col. George W. T. Allen. It was while 
the}' were guarding Pawtucket Bridge, that in repelling 
the attacks and insults of the crowd, they fired upon the 
people, and killed the only man who fell in the famous 
" Dorr war." During the late war they furnished nearly 
a whole company to the 2d Rhode Island regiment, and 
rendered other important services. 

The commerce of this town was once large and flourish- 
ing, extending to the West and East Indies. During the 
later colonial period, indeed, and for many years after- 
wards, this had been its principal industry, but subse- 
quently it gradually decayed, and is now almost extinct. 
Nor has any other branch of industry really taken its 
place. Though three manufacturing establishments of 
some magnitude exist in the town, they have never been 
really profitable, and there is no inducement for new 
enterprises of the kind. The village has become a 
pleasure residence, especially for those who have retired 
from business or live on fixed incomes. They find its 
quiet streets and inexpensive habits congenial to their 
feelings or suitable to their means. 

During the first half of the centmy the most distin- 
guished citizen of East Greenwich was probably Gen. 
Albert C. Greene, who was a native of the town, born here 
in 1792, and was a nephew of Gen. Nathaniel Greene. 
For many years he was the leading man of the Rhode 



RHODE ISLAND. 



Island bar, and was attorne}--general of Rhode Island for 
nearly 20 years. In 1845 he was chosen United States 
senator, and served one term. He died in Providence in 
18G3. 

We maj- properlj- close this account of East Greenwich 
bj- a brief notice of its literary institutions. In 1802 the 
leading citizens of East Greenwicli and vicinit}', by their 
united efforts obtained the moans of erecting an academy, 
known as the Kent Academj-. A charter was obtained 
from the General Assembly, and a stock corporation was 
formed, the shares of which were distributed among the 



a term in Congress, became United States minister to 
Peru, are among the number. 

After the academy passed into the hands of tlie Con- 
ference, its position was greatly changed and improved. 
Having become the property of a large, wealthy and 
liberal denomination, whose means from time to time 
have been freely contributed for its benefit, it has for the 
most part been a large and flourishing school. At the 
present time, with a healthful and pleasant situation, fine 
buildings with suitable apparatus, and well-tried and 
excellent teachers, it deservedly holds a high place among 




AOADEMT, EAST GREENWICH, R. I. 



subscribers to the fund. The building was completed, 
suitably furnished with maps, globes, bell, and other 
apparatus, and was ready for use in October, 1804. A 
school was immediately established there, and maintained 
with some intervals, and with varying success until 1841, 
when it passed into the hands of the Providence Confer- 
ence of the Methodist Church. 

During this period, though the enterprise failed to be 
pecuniarilj' profitable, and the ownership of the property 
was repeatedly changed, 3"ct as a school, as a centre and 
focus of intellectual and moral illumination, it yielded 
abundant and profitable results. From time to time men 
of great ability and subsequent eminence were among 
its instructors. Joseph L. Tillinghast, who, in after 
3ears, was a leading lawyer and representative in Con- 
gress, and Hon. Christopher Robinson, who, after ser\'ing 



the educational establi'shments of New England. Its 
present name is the Providence Conference Seminary and 
Musical Institute. 

In 18G7 a few gentlemen organized under the laws of 
the State the East Greenwich Free Librar}' Association, 
for the purjiose of maintaining a free librar}' in East 
Greenwich. Within the next four years nearly 2,000 
volumes were collected, and a neat and appropriate 
building erected. While many have generously con- 
tributed their time and means to the work, Hon. William 
Greene of Warwick has been b}' far the largest contribu- 
tor, and maj' fairly be considered its real founder. 

Coventry is the largest town in the county. Its sur- 
face varies from level sandy tracts to hilly, and more or 
less rocky or sterile ones. Only a small portion of the 
town has a really good soil. In the greater part of it 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



the soil is poor and the population scanty. Manufactur- 
ing interests are largely predominant in the eastern por- 
tion of the town. The new town, when first established 
in 1741, was wholl}' agricultural and very thinly inhab- 
ited. The most noteworthy circumstance in the early 
history of the town is that Nathaniel Greene, shortly 
before the Revolutionary' war, removed to Coventry and 
resided there until after the war. P*revious to the Rev- 
olution he represented the town for several years in the 
General Assembl}-. 

West Greenwich lies between Coventry on the north 
and Exeter on the south. Its surface is generally ver}- 
uneven, some of it is sandy, and most of the rest is hilly 
and rocky. There are tracts of good soil, but the great- 
er part is either too sandy, too rocky, or too cold for suc- 
cessful cultivation. Still the industry of the town is 
principally agricultural. The lack of water-power and 
of means of communication, have prevented the estab- 
lishment of manufactures. Two or three small mills .are 
found near Nooseneck, the principal village, but they 
can scarcely be called successful. 

West Greenwich was separated from East Greenwich 
in 1741. Its settlement and early history- are accordingly 
found under the head of that town. Since the organiza- 
tion of the town, all the surrounding circumstances have 
been unfavorable to its growth and prosperity. Its com- 
paratively sterile soil, even in the earlier times, kept a 



large portion of its inhabitants in povertv, wliile its sit- 
uation, cut off from all direct intercourse with the world 
outside, helped materially to prevent general progress in 
cultivation and refinement. 

Only once has West Greenwich enjoyed the benefit of 
direct communication with the great centres of intelli- 
gence and activity. About 1815 the New London Turn- 
pike was built, passing diagonall}' through the eastern 
section of the town. It became the gi-eat stage-route 
between Boston and New York. The stage-house where 
the coaches stopped for dinner, was within the town, and 
was a great establishment for those days. But the 
steamboats that ran from Providence to New York, and 
finally the Stonington Railroad, annihilated the stage- 
lines, the through travel ceased, and the turnpike, which 
had been once a great thoroughfare, became an ordi- 
nary county road, which the disgusted stockholders 
some 3-ears ago turned over to the several towns through 
which it passes, to be maintained by them as a public 
highway. 

Since that time no railroad or telegraph line has 
invaded the town, and nothing else has taken place to 
give any impulse of growth or improvement. The con- 
sequence has been that while all the other towns of the 
county have been increasing in population, wealth and 
comfort. West Greenwich has not even held her own but 
has steadily retrograded. 



NEWPOET COUNTY 



BY GEORGE E. MASON. 



Newport County embraces the city of Newport, and 
the towns of Portsmouth, Middletown, Tiverton, Little 
Compton, Jamestown and New Shoreham. Newport, 
Middletown and Portsmouth are on the island of Rhode 
Island. Tiverton and Little Compton are on the main- 
land, and make the south-eastern part of the State. 
Jamestown is on the island of Conanicut, and New 
Shoreham is on Block Island. There are a number of 
small islands in the county. Prudence belongs to Ports- 
mouth ; Coaster's Harbor, containing about 100 acres, 
makes a part of Newport, and is used by that city as an 
asylum for its poor ; Gould Island is included within the 
limits of Jamestown ; and Goat Island, and the almost 
uninhabited Rose Island, are the property of the United 
States government. 



Towns. 
Newport. — The Antinomian controversy in Massa- 
chusetts ended in 1638, but the drawing to a close of a 
war of words did not heal wounds that had been received 
in the long and violent struggle, nor did it soften the 
bitter animosities growing out of it. When those who 
smarted under the decrees of court reviewed the situa- 
tion, they felt that they could not longer live with men 
who had condemned them for " erroneous opinions," — 
that it would be better to go out into the wilderness and 
found a new home, rather than to remain longer within 
the jurisdiction of their oppressors. Accordingly they 
chose John Clarke and William Coddington as leaders, 
and turned southward, having in view a settlement on 
Long Island. But when they reached Providence they 



RHODE ISLAND. 



■were advised hj- Roger Williams to settle on the Island 
of Aquidneck, now Rhode Island ; and to encourage 
them to take this step, he went with them to the island, 
to learn its character and to see what inducements it 
really held out for a permanent settlement. The result 
of the visit was encouraging. They found the climate 
genial, the land fertile, the waters navigable and abound- 
ing with fish. Under the circumstances it did not take 
the exiles long to decide, and with the aid of Roger 
Williams and Sir Henry Vane, a bargain was struck with 
the Indian sachems, Canonicus and Miantonomo, for the 
purchase of the island. 

The purchase money haxing been agreed upon, the 
settlers paid the price, 
" forty fathoms of white 
peagc" ; to this was added 
ten coats and twenty hoes 
to the resident Indians, 
and five fathoms of wam- 
pum to the local sachem. 
This done, tlic settlers 
entered into a formal 
ci\il compact at Provi- 
dence, which thej- signed 
on "The 7th day of the 
first month, 1638." 

A settlement was com- 
menced on the north end 
of the island, March 7, 
1G38, at a point known 
by the Indians as Pocas- 
set. The following spring, 
their numbers having in- 
creased, some of the mem- 
bers removed to the south- 
ern and western side of the island, and formed a new set- 
tlement known as Newport. 

A town was at once laid out on the site of the present 
city. Four acres were assigned for each house-lot, and 
in addition to his lot, Mr. Coddington was granted six 
acres for an orchard. Jan. 22, 1C40, the population 
numbered 96 persons. That j-ear the first General Court 
was held in Newport. William Coddington was elected 
governor, William Brenton deputy governor, and Nich- 
olas Easton, John C'oggeshall, William Hutchinson and 
John Porter, assistants ; Robert Jeffreys of Newport, 
and William Baulstone of Portsmouth, were chosen treas- 
urers. 

Up to this time there was no connection between the 
settlement at Pocasset, known as Portsmouth, and New- 
port, but they were now brought under one jurisdiction, 




OLD CODDINGTON 



the local afl'airs of each town being left to its own 
management. 

In 1644, Roger Williams returned from England with 
the charter granted to the three Rhode Island Colonies, 
under the head of "The Incorporation of the Providence 
Plantations in the Narragansett Bay in New England." 
The union of the Colonies does not appear to have been 
a happ3' one, and Coddington having failed to detach 
Newport from the other towns, sailed for Europe, in 
January, 1649, without making his purpose known at 
home, to procure for it a separate charter. la April, 
16i31, he succeeded in obtaining a commission to govern 
the islands of Rhode Island and Conanicut during his 
life, with a council of six 
men, to be named by 
the people and approved 
by himself. Coddington's 
course was not agreeable 
to the freemen, and, at 
their request, John Clarke 
and Roger WiOiams went 
out to England, to pro- 
cure a repeal of the ob- 
noxious commission. In 
October, 1652, an order 
of coimcil was issued, 
vacating the commission 
of Coddington. 

The war between Hol- 
land and France, in 1667, 
led the colonists to fortif3- 
the seaboard town, and 
provision was made to 
supply Newport and some 

loxsc, ^E"vvFOI^T. ^ ^i "^ ,, 

of the other towns with 
ammunition. In August of that year, the first troop 
of horse, nimibering 21 well-mounted men, reported 
for duty at Newjiort. This was the first organization of 
the kind in the Colon}'. 

During King Philip's war, Newport became the home 
of many who fled to it for shelter. Two j'cars later, 
Gov. Benedict Arnold died. He had resided in Newport 
during a period of 25 years, and here he was buried. 
For five jears he was president of the Colonj- under the 
old patent, and was the first governor under the second 
charter, to which office he was elected seven different 
times. Arnold will alwajs be remembered in Rhode 
Island for his stand in favor of religious freedom, as was 
shown on various occasions, and particularly when called 
upon to expel the Quakers. Gov. Coddington soon fol- 
lowed, dying but a few months later, Nov. 1, 1678. He 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



was the first judge or chief mngistrato of the Colony-, 
and continued to be governor till the union of the sev- 
eral towns was perfected. He was the first person in 
Newport to engage in commerce. 

Within t^o jcars of the death of Coddington, Gov. 
John Cranston died (March 12, 1G80), the third gov- 
ernor who had died in office. He had taken an active 
part in the militarj' organization in the Colony, and was 
tlie first to hold the office of major-general. His son 
Samuel held the office of governor longer than any other 
man elected bj- a popular vote, hanng been returned for 
27 years. He was a man of character, and was de- 
scended through a long line of noble ancestors. He 
died in 1727. 

During the closing j'ears of the seventeenth century, 
the peace of the Colonj' was disturbed b}- pirates, and it 
was claimed that, as Newport was largely engaged in 
commerce, it should exert itself to free the sea from 
freebooters ; but piracy had grown out of privateering, 
which Newport had found ver^' profitable, and while the 
people were by no means disposed to encourage pirac}', 
thej' were unwilling to give up privateering. So, when 
Lord Bcllamont appointed a commission to secure, if 
possible, the arrest of some of the associates of Kidd, 
who were at large, nothing was accomplished. Ha;ing 
failed in his efforts. Lord BeUamont placed the governors 
of Rhode Island and Connecticut under bonds. In a 
letter to the Board of Trade he denounced Gov. Crans- 
ton for " conniving at pirates, and making Rhode Island 
their sanctuary." Later, a decided stand was taken 
against the pirates. July 19, 1723, twenty-six were 
hung at one time in Newport. 

In 1710, a town crier was elected for the first time. 

In the early part of the eighteenth centurj-, the lottery 
sj'stem exerted a great deal of influence, and it became 
a settled thing, when a wharf was to be built, a street 
to be repaired, or a steeple was wanted to a church, to 
obtain a license for a lottery ; and as Congress in time 
established lotteries to raise funds, it onlj' strengthened 
the hands of those who were fond of this species of 
gambling. Even for the relief of a prisoner in jail, a 
lottery was granted in 1749. 

In 1739, the hardy mariners of Newport were again in 
their element, war having been declared between Spain 
and Great Britain, and immediately the privateersmon 
pushed out to sea ; Godfrey Malbone, John Brown and 
George Wanton taking the lead, by sending out a ship 
armed from the public stores. Fort George, on Goat 
Island, was garrisoned, and a battery and troops were 
sent to Block Island. At this time, a sloop of 115 tons 
was ordered to be built for the defence of the coast, and 



five privateers, manned by 400 men, were fitted out b}- 
the merchants of Newport. 

Dm-ing these exciting times, when the war feeling was 
uppermost, George AVhitefield came to Newport, preached 
in the meeting-houses and in the open air, and made 
many converts. But when it was known that France was 
likely to become the allj- of Spain, greater attention was 
paid to militarj' matters than to religion. Fort George 
was enlarged, a powder magazine was built, stores were 
provided, and additional companies were raised in New- 
port, and when the attack was made on Louisburg, 
Newport troops and sailors were actively- engaged in the 
enterj>rise. In the movement against Crown Point they 
also took an active part. 

The vigor with which the home government pressed 
the Acts of Trade and Navigation was met with much 
opposition in Newport. To crush out this spirit still 
more decided measures were adopted, and Lord Coville 
stationed H. B. M. ship " Squirrel" in Newport harbor, 
"for the encouragement of trade b}' the prevention of [ 
smuggling." The Sugar Act, about to ex]5ire bj' limita- 
tion, was to bo revised and more finnlj' estalilished, and 
it was known that a scheme for taxing the Colonies was 
under consideration. This so exasperated the people 1 
that when Lieut. Hill, of the schooner " St. John," gave 
some offence to the inhabitants of Newport, his A-cssel 
was fired upon from Fort George. It was the beginning 
of long years of strife ; the next act of opposition to 
the crown, of an}' moment, being the burning of the 
schooner " Gaspee," June 10, 1772. The houses of the 
stamp-masters were plundered by rioters, and the ofli- 
cers themselves barely escaped the wrath of the mob. 
The excitement was intense, and a plan was on foot to 
take possession of Fort George, then to cut out a sloop 
that had been seized bj' the sloop-of-war " Cygnet," and, 
if the latter resisted, to sink her witli the guns from the 
fort. But the autlioritics succeeded in controlling tlic 
people, who, while they ceased for a time from open 
violence, refused to buy a stamp. A year later, the 
Stamp Act was repealed, but the people of Newport 
never forgot what the}' had been subjected to. Thcv 
resisted the revenue officers, and when Capt. Reid, of 
the armed sloop " Libert}-," exceeded the bounds of his 
commission, they boarded his vessel, scuttled her, and 
then burned his boats. 

The first meeting in Rhode Island in opposition to the 
introduction of tea by the East India Company was held 
in Newport, and this town was the first in the Colony to 
adopt the advice of Congress for the preservation of 
sheep, but the people were sorely let and hindered when 
the "Rose" frigate and other armed vessels were sta- 



RHODE ISLAND. 



tioned off the port ; for while the}' were there ostensiblj- 
to keep the peace, thej' were a continual annoj-ance to 
the commerce of the Colon}-. 

The war opened, and Newport, in its exposed situa- 
tion, suffered terribl}-. Its trade was gone ; many of its 
leading families were driven into exile ; its public build- 
ings were converted into hospitals and stables, and 
many of its dwellings were razed for firewood. For 
three j-ears it was in the hands oif the enemy, and when 
at last they evacuated the town, it was a wreck.* 

An event of some importance, while the island was in 
the possession of the British, was the capture of Gen. 
Prescott, the commanding officer of the British forces, 
bj' a band of men mider Col. Barton. He was at the 
time quartered at a house on the west road, about five 
miles from Newjjort. When taken from his bed, he was 
hurried to the water, where a boat was in waiting, and 
ere morning he was landed at Warwick Neck, on the 
opposite side of the baj'. 

Another event of great moment was the battle of 
Rhode Island, which Lafaj'ette said was the best-fought 
battle of the war. Count d'Estaing had arrived off 
Newport, with twelve ships of the line and four frigates, 
on the 29th of July, and while the British garrison with- 
drew to Newport, their ships sought refuge in the har- 
bor. A number of these vessels were destro3'ed to pre- 
vent their falling into the hands of the French. The 
British retired within their lines at Newport, preparations 
were made for the expected battle, and the opposing 
squadrons mancBu%Ted for the weather-gage ; but before 
they came into action, a terrific storm scattered and dis- 
abled the ships to such an extent that they were no 
longer in a condition to meet each other. This was a 
serious loss to the Americans, who had depended upon 
the French ships for assistance. Lacking this aid, the 
remaining one-half of the reserves were called out to 
take the place of tlic French troops. The Rhode Island 
troops, under Gen. Sullivan, numbered 1,600, and the 
whole number of Americans engaged was about 5,000. 
Of these onlj' 1,500 had seen service. They were all 
encamped on Butts' Hill, in Portsmouth, about five miles 
from Newport. 

Early on the morning of Aug. 29, the British troops 
marched out in two columns, and the battle that fol- 
lowed raged for more than seven hours. Three separate 
charges were made by the enemy, but each charge was 
repelled with severe loss, — so severe that nearly one- 

• J. P. Brissot de 'Warvaie said of Newport, when he visited it in 
1788 : " The reign of solitude is only interrupted by groups of idle men, 
standing with folded arms at the comers of the street ; houses falling 
to ruin; miserable shops, which present nothing but a few coarse 



fourth of the twent3--second regiment of Hessians were 
left upon the field, and sixty Hessian bodies were found 
piled in one spot. 

At the commencement of the battle a number of Brit- 
ish ships rendered assistance to the forces of the enemy, 
by throwing shot into the American camp ; but a return 
fire from a few pieces compelled the ships to retire. The 
British finally retreated, and had it not been that the 
American armj- had gone without rest and food for 36 
hours. Gen. Sullivan would have followed up the retreat 
and have attacked them in their works. The American 
loss was 211 ; that of the enemy 1,023. The following 
day it was ascertained that D'Estaing could not return, 
and that the British were to be reinforced. Under these 
circumstances it was deemed prudent to retire, and all 
the American forces on the island were withdrawn. 

The British forces retired from the island Oct. 25, 1779. 
Before leaving they burnt the lighthouse at Beaver Tail, 
levelled the north battery, and broke up their barracks. 
At sunset the fleet sailed, having on board with the 
troops 46 loyalists and their families, and carrying off 
the records of the town. The vessel having these valu- 
able papers on board was sunk at Hurl Gate. Three 
3'ears later the papers were rdcovered, but in such a 
damaged condition that it has been impossible to deci- 
pher many of them. 

In 1780 the labor of raising the British ftigates sunk 
in the harbor commenced, and in July Admiral de 
Ternay, with a fleet of 44 sail, and 6,000 troops, under 
' Count de Rochambeau, arrived. Admiral de Ternay 
! died suddenly, December 15, and was buried with great 
pomp in Trinity churchyard, March 6, 1781. Wash- 
j ington arrived at Newport to arrange with Rochambeau 
for an active campaign, and was received with honors. 
The town was illuminated, and the French officers gave 
a ball in honor of the illustrious chief. The campaign 
was successful, and peace soon followed. 

When it was known in Newport, Apr. 25, 1783, that 
there was a cessation of hostilities, there were great 
rejoicings ; in the midst of which the efllgy of Benedict 
Arnold was hung, and then burned. In November Gen. 
Greene returned to his family in Newport, and was 
received by the town with an address of welcome. 

Every effort was now made by the people of Newport to 
recover their former standing, and to revive trade and 
commerce. In May, 1784, the legislature incorporated 
the city of Newport, and George Hazard was chosen 

stuffs, or baskets of apples and other articles of little value; grass 
growing in the public square, in front of the court of justice ; rags 
stuffed into the windows, or hanging upon hideous women and lean, 
unquiet children." 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



maj'or. In 1787 the charter, through some political in- 
fluence, was withdrawn, and the people returned to a 
town form of government, to which thcj' adhered till 
1853, when the cit}- was again incorporated. 

Aug. 16, 1790, Washington visited Newioort, and had 
a formal reception, followed b^' a pi.blic dinner. New- 
port has repeatedly had opportunities to welcome the 
presidents of the United States. 

The stone bridge, connecting the island with the main 
land, was commenced during the closing 3ears of the last 
century'. It was formerly' owned bv a corporation. It is 
now used only for local travel. 

Newport was earl^' engaged in the whale fishcrv, and 
her seamen were the first to cany the business as far as 
the Falkland Islands. All fishing for whales in those 
da3-s was done in boats. The first regularl}' equipped 
whaleman from Rhode Island arrived at Newport in 1 733, 
having on board 114 barrels of oil and 200 pounds of 
bone. 

The manufacture of spermaceti oil and candles, intro- 
duced into Newport from Portugal, b^- Jacob Rod Rivera, 
contributed greatly to the prosperitj- of the town. No 
less than 17 manufactories were in operation at the same 
time, and, up to the Revolution, Newport enjoyed almost 
a monopolj' of the trade. 

The commerce of the place was very extensive, and a 
direct trade was carried on with the West Indies. In 
17G9 there were ten distilleries in Newport, engaged in 
making ram. 

Nearly all the merchants were ruined bj- the war, and 
those who had saved anj-thing were not disposed, on the 
return of peace, to come back and resume their business ; 
nor was it till some years after the adoption of the Con- 
stitution, that the trade and commerce of the place 
began to revive. From 1795 to 1800 the trade of New- 
port was in a most promising condition. 

The frigate "General Greene," built at Warren, was 
rigged and fitted for sea in Newport harbor. In this 
vessel Midshipman Oliver Hazard Pcrrj' first went to sea, 
and made two voyages to the West Indies, under his 
father, Capt. Christopher Raj-mond Perry. On each 
return V03-age this ship brought the jcllow fever to New- 
port. 

The slave trade was carried on from this port, in com- 
mon with man}' otlier New England seaports, prior to 
the Revolution. Newport, as " the metropolitan town 
of the Colony," received a grant, for seven years, of 
funds derived from the importation of slaves, for the 
purpose of paving some of its principal streets. The 
trade in negroes was deemed proper and legitimate, and 
it was continued till the war brought it to a close. 



In 1813 Capt. Oliver H. PeiTj-, who had been in com- 
mand of certain gunboats, left Newport with a number 
of men, to take command of the American squadron on 
Lake Erie. His subsequent victory is well known. 

The news of peace reached Newport Feb. 14, 1815, 
and was received with every demonstration of joj". The 
people had suflTcred much through the interruption of 
trade, and the closing of all their commercial relations. 
It was long before the place recovered from this second 
shock. From 1808 to 1832 hardl}' a new building was 
erected, if we except the asjlum for the poor, on Coast- 
er's Harbor Island. Of shipping there was none ; mer- 
chants had gone elsewhere and located, and the pros- 
pects for the future were anything but encouraging. 
But the will of the people surmounted these obstacles, 
and ere long Newport had quite a respectable whaling- 
fleet afloat. 

A disastrous gale swept over the town Sept. 23, 1815. 
The tide rose tliree and a half feet higher tlian had ever 
been known before ; two dwellings and nine stores and 
workshops were swept awaj' ; a large three-storj' store, 
containing hemp, flour, &c., was lifted from its founda- 
tion and floated into the harbor. In one house on Long 
Wharf five persons perished. Steeples were partly 
blown down, and the roofs of churches were greatlj- 
damaged. Families were driven to the upper rooms of 
their houses, and women and children were taken from 
chamber windows. 

In 1825 the work of building Fort Adams was com- 
menced at Brenton's Point, which was verj- beneficial to 
Newport, giving, as it did, employment to a large num- 
ber of persons. It was not many years before there 
were several cotton-factories in operation. In 1838 two 
of these factories turned out 40,000 yards of cloth per 
week. Three of these, however, have since been 
burned, and but one has been rebuilt. At the present 
time there are two mills in operation, the Perry and the 
Aquidncek, both fine stone structures. 

The Toqiedo Station is located on Go.at Island. From 
the earliest histor}' of Newport there has been a fort on 
that island, which was earl}' known as Fort Island. The 
fort has had various names : at one time Fort Anne, at 
another Fort George, and it is now known as Fort Wol- 
cott. Here classes of young officers are regularly in- 
structed in the use and management of torpedoes. 

On the north end of Goat Island there is a break- 
water, built of granite, 1,200 feet in length, and at the 
outer end there is a lighthouse. 

In mid-channel, between Newport and Conanicut, 
there is a small island belonging to the government, and 
known as Rose Island. Upon it are the remains of bar- 



RHODE ISLAND. 



racks and a small redoubt, long since abandoned. On 
this island there is a liglithouse, showing a red light. 

Coaster's Harbor Island, connected with Rhode Island 
by a stone causewaj-, contains the city asylum for tlie 
poor. Besides the asylum, there are two funds, — tlie 
Coggeshall and the Cranston fund, — bequests, the inter- 
est of which is devoted to the support of persons who 
are known to be in need}' circumstances. 

Tlie Home for Friendless and Destitute Children was 
organized in 18GG. Mr. Christopher Townsend gave 



through the war of 1812, was active in suppressing the 
Dorr rebellion, and, quick to respond to the first call for 
troops in the late war, the blood of its members was 
freely poured out on the field of Bull Run. The New- 
port Artillery is the body-guard of the governor of the 
State. 

One of the most beautiful burial-places in the city is 
known as the Jewish Cemeter}-, at the corner of Kaj' and 
Touro sti-eets. Through the liberality of members of the 
I Touro family, the place has been put in admirable order. 




$10,000 to be funded for its support. It has also the 
income of the Fry Orphan Fund, a bequest to the city 
of Newport from the late Christopher Fry. 

The Newport Hospital was opened for the reception 
of patients in 1873. 

Newport is well supplied with banks, having eight for 
discount and three for savings. The National Bank of 
Rhode Island dates from 1795. 

The oldest military organization is that of the New- 
port Artillery, which was chartered in 1711. This com- 
pany is identified with the history of Newport, and on 
its roster maj' be found tlie names of manj' of the most 
prominent citizens. It did duty on the island until the 
American forces were driven off by the British ; it sen-ed 



In the Island Cemetery there is a monument erected 
by the State of Rhode Island, to the memory of Com. 
Oliver Hazard Perrj*. Com. Periy was buried at Trini- 
dad, in 1819, and in 1826 his remains wore brought to 
Newport, in the sloop-of-war " Lexington," and re-in- 
terred with great honor. Over his remains the State 
placed the present monument, a granite shaft above a 
marble die, on which there is an appropriate inscription. 

In Touro Park there is a bronze statue of Com. M. C. 
Perry, ver}' beautifully wrought and veiy artistic in de- 
sign, the gift of his son-in-law, August Belmont, to the 
cit}' of Newport. And in the vestibule of Trinity 
Church there is a monument to the Chevalier de Ternay, 
erected bj- the French government. 



HISTOEY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



Pro^nsion was early made here for education. In 
1640, the j-car after the settlement was made, the Rev. 
Robert Lenthall, a clergj-man of the Church of England, 
was chosen as teaclior. The first schoolmaster appointed 
by the town council was the Rev. John Callcnder, in 
June, 174G. lie was the author of the first " centurj- 
sei-mon," and died in Januar}', 1749. 

In 1773, Mrs. Mary Brett, wife of Dr. Brett, a German 
ph3-sician residing in Newport, opened a free school for 
the instruction of blacks, the funds for its support ha\-ing 
been furnished by a number of elerg>-men in England. 

In 1800, the General Assembly authorized the town 
to raise the sum of $800 " for educating the white chil- 
dren (boj-s) of the town who are not otherwise provided 
with the means of education." This was followed in 
1827 bj- a similar pro-\-ision for girls. 

In 1828 there was one free sc' ' "-■''■ '"""' -i-"!"-" 

and 42 private schools ha-\ 
ing about 1,100 scholiis 
The population was 7 "10 
At the present time ]Se-\\ 
port has one high, and 3U 
schools of a lower giade 

The Rogers High School, 
established in 1873, grew 
out of a bequest of $100 
000 from the late Wm S 
Rogers, a native of New- 
port. The building is an 
elegant structure, and the 
school of the highest ( 1 1',^ 

The Newport Histoucal 
1856. It is gradually ni ilvi 
documents connected with the hibt.ij of the State, Its 
collection is deposited in the Redwood Library. 

The " Old Stone Mill" has been the subject of study 
among antiquarians for more than a century, and the 
question as to its origin and object has still to be settled. 

There are a number of noticeable public buildings in 
Newport, all tlie work of Peter Harrison, an English 
architect of note. Among these maj- be mentioned the 
Redwood Library building, in Roman Doric, the Citj' 
Hall, and the State House. 

In the Senate Chamber of the State House there is a 
full-length portrait of Pres. Washington, by Gilbert 
Stuart. 

When Dean Berkeley was in Newport, in 1728, he 
gathered around him the best minds in tlie place, formed 
a philosophical society, and made quite a collection of 
books. This led one of the number, Abraham Redwood, 
to contribute the sum of £500 sterling for the purchase 



~~IUCl>- \\ 1-) Ul_ /I 11 

r 1 colkction of pipers and 



of more books, and out of it grew the Redwood Library. 
From this time forward the librarj- was successful, and it 
has gone on increasing its store, until now it embraces 
22,700 volumes. 

Another public libraiy is known as the People's Librarj'. 
It was founded bj' Mr. Christopher Townsend, who has 
devoted to it more than $80,000. The hbrarj' now con- 
tains 18,000 volumes. 

The first printing-press brought into the Colon}' was 
set up in Newport in 1729. This was the fourth press 
brought into the American Colonies, and was owned by 
James Franldin. That j-ear Frankhn printed an edition 
of Robert Barclay's " Apologj' for the True Christian 
Divinity, as the same is held forth and Preached bj' the 
People called in scorn Quakers." In 1730 he printed the 
Charter granted by King Charles II., and Sept. 23, 1732, 
he issued the first number of a small sheet called the 
" Rhode Island Gazette." 
In 1758, James Franklin, 
son of James, began the 
publication of the " New- 
port Mcrcurj'," a paper 
-which has been brought 
down to the present day. 
Solomon Southwick was 
one of the most energetic 
of the earlj' New England 
printers. He bought the 
" Newport Mercury," and 
as early as Dec. 18, 17G9, 
ad for the motto of his 
, , 1 Li 1 III I b\ 1m Luts — we'll die or be 

tree ' 

The puss in !N(\\poit is now represented by the 
"Mercury," the " Dailj' News," established in 1846, and 
the " Journal," a weekly. 

The first artist who came to Newport was John Smi- 
bert, who landed here with Dean Berkclej-. Samuel 
King was a portrait-painter in this place for man}' years, 
and at one time both AUston and Malbone, then quite 
youthful, studied under him. 

Gilbert Stuart was born in Narraganset, but when his 
parents came to Newport to reside he accompanied them, 
and remained here till he went to Europe. There are 
several of his pictures in the city. His daughter, Miss 
Jane Stuart, is an artist, and resides here. 

Edward Malbone, a native of Newport, was probably 
the finest miniature painter in America. 

Among the distinguished men who have been identified 
■with the history of Newport, are the following : — 
William EUer}', a graduate of Harvard, and a signer 




RHODE ISLAND. 



of the Declaration of Independence ; Henry Collins, a 
merchant, and a benefactor not onl}^ to the Eedwood 
Librarj-, but to the whole town of Newport; William 
Channing, the attorne3--general of the State from 1777 to 
1787, when he was made United States district-attornej- ; 
Rev. William EUery Channing, his son, widely known 
as a scholar and a clergyman ; and Rev. Samuel Hopkins, 
D. D., the pasitor of the first Congregational Church, and 
one of the earliest advocates of emancipation. 

The Wanton family have left a long and honorable 
record. Four of its members be- 
came governors of the Colon}', and 
the others took a conspicuous part ^v ',* 
in public aifairs. John and Wil- 
liam were personally rewarded 1 > y 
Queen Anne for their bravery in 
taking a piratical ship that had 
been a terror to the colonists. 

Rev. Ezra Stiles, D. D., was 
settled over the Second Congre- 
gational Church prior to 1755. 
He was a man of great learning 
and ability, and in 1777 was 
made president of Yale College. 

George Hazard, the first mayor 
of Newport, was a member of 
the convention which adopted the 
Federal Constitution. 

Caleb Gardner was a soldier 
holding the post of lieutenant in 
the war against France in 1756. 
He piloted in the large French 
fleet under Admiral de Ternay, 
when it entered Newport harbor. 

William Vernon was president 
of the Eastern Navy Board, at ikjmi^ n i 

Boston, and his energies were directed to the formation 
of the first American navy. At the close of the war he 
again entered upon a commercial life at Newport, and 
died here in 1806. 

Maj. John Handy read the Declaration of Independence 
from the steps of the State House, Julj' 20, 1776, and 
from the same place at the expiration of 50 j'ears. 

The name of Henry Bull .appeals in the list of the first 
settlers, and his descendants have always taken a lively 
interest in the affairs of Rhode Island. 

The Wards have been conspicuous in the affairs of the 
State. 

Christopher and George Champlin were both distin- 
guished merchants. George Champlin took an active 
part in politics, and was a presidential elector in 1792, 




1796, and 1800. Christopher G. ChampKn, son of 
Christopher, was a representative in Congress, and also 
a United States senator. 

WOliam Hunter, United States senator from 1811 to 
1821, was also Minister Plenipotentiar}' to Brazil. His 
son, William, is the present assistant-secretary of State 
at Washington. 

William Brenton was president of the Colony from 
1660 to 1662, and afterwards governor. He was the 
largest land-owner on Rhode Island. His son, Jahleel, 
was the first collector of Boston 
appointed bj- the king. Among 
his descendants were Jahleel Bren- 
ton, admiral of the British Navy, 
,iiid Brenton Halliburton, of the 
Supreme Court of Nova Scotia. 
Both were natives of Newport. 
The founder of Trinity Church 
was Sir Francis Nicholson, lieuten- 
ant-governor of New York under 
Sir Edmund Andros. The Rev. 
j\Ir. Lockyer, an Episcopal clerg}-- 
man, was called to Newport about 
1098, and began the formation of 
a church. In 1702 a small place 
J of -svorship was erected, and in 
1701 aid was obtained from the 
" Society for Propagating the Gos- 
pel m Foreign Parts," which soci- 
ety sent out Rev. James Honjman 
as missionary. Queen Anne pre- 
scntcd a bell in 1709. In 1724, 
Ml Ilonjinan urged the erection 
( t I more suitable structure, and 
It icsulted in the building of the 
" ^^"' "" piLsent edifice in 1726, which was 

said at that d.ay to be the most beautiful timber structure 
in America. In 1762 the edifice was greatly enlarged. 
The organ, made of English oak, was presented b^' 
Bishop Berkelej^ who identified himself with this church 
during his stay in America, and who sent out the organ 
after his return to England. Rev. j\Ir. Ilon^man died in 
1 750. Since the Revolution services have been regularly 
held in this church. 

The Society of Friends were early established on this 
island ; they were here in 1643. The first record of 
their monthly meetings dates from 16 76. The annual 
meeting of the society for the New England States, is 
held in Newport in the month of June. The meeting- 
house was erected about 1 700. 

The First Baplist Church dates back to the settlement 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



of the Island. . Its first pastor, Rev. John Clarke, was 
active in organizing and founding the Colony. 

The Second Baptist Church was organized in 1C56, 
and the Central Baptist Society in 1847.* 

The Unitarian church was organized in 1835, and the 
society purchased what was formerly Dr. Hopkins's 
church, on Mill Street, where they now worship. 

The Congregational church have a substantial stone 
edifice, erected in 185G. The society dates from 1C95. 
To its members, Rev. George Whitefield preached in the 
open air, Aug. 5, 1770, and the table on which he stood 
is kept in the vest*}- room. 

The Roman Catholic Church, a fine structure, with a 
handsome spire, built of brown stone, was erected in 
1853. 

The Jewish Synagogue was built in 1762, and for 
I many j-ears it was regularl}' opened for service. It was 
the only place of worship in New England, in which 
Hebrew was read and chanted weekly. At that time 
there were more than 70 Jewish families residing in 
Newport. 

Although Newport has long been noted for its salu- 
brious climate, it is less than 50 j-ears since it became a 
fashionable resort. In colonial times it was frequently 
the home of invalids from the South, and the "West 
Indies, who came here to restore their wasted energies. 
Visitors then boarded in families ; there were a few regu- 
lar boarding-houses, with one inn, known as Townsend's 
Coffee House. 

At length the number of guests became so great that 
it was thought expedient to build a large summer hotel, 
and in 1843 the Ocean House was constructed, which was 
burned in 1845, but rebuilt the following jear. The 
gi'owth of Newport as a watering-place had now fairlj- 
begun, and the amount of money that has since been 
invested in land and cottages is simplj' enormous. 

In 1845 the line of a railroad between Newport and 
Fall River was sum-eyed, and a charter obtained. In 
18G2 the franchise was conveyed to the Old Colonj- Rail- 
road Companj-, and the road was at once built. It con- 
nects with the mainland at Tiverton, by means of a 
stone bridge, a little to the north of the old stone bridge. 

The Old Colony line of boats run in connection with 
the railroad, making dail}- trips between Fall River and 
New York, stopping at Newport. One of the latest 
steps in the way of improvement is the introduction of 
water into the citj-. 

MiDDLETOWN, originall3- a part of Newport, was set 



• It occupies what was long the Second Congregational Church, which 
: one time was presided over by Rev. Ezra Stiles, D. D., who says in his 



off and incorporated Aug. 24, 1743. From the earliest 
time the town appears to have been divided into two sec- 
tions — the west and the east; and the town meetings 
were formerly held alternately in the east and west school- 
houses. The whole attention of the population is given 
to agi'iculture, and the fai-ms are generally excellent. 

On the eastern slope of Ilonyman's Hill there is a farm 
known as Whitehall, which was owned and occupied by 
Bishop Berkeley during his stay on the island. Here he 
passed his time in writing, making a cleft in a large rock 
facing the sea, and known as the Hanging Rocks, his 
stud3-. Here he had his table and chair, with a beauti- 
ful outlook over the sea in front of him. This property 
he gave to Yale College. 

There are two beaches in the township — Sachuest and 
Smith's. On the west of Sachuest Beach, the well- 
known Purgatorj' rocks are seen. It was off Smith's 
Beach that Maj. Silas Talbot captured the blockade 
"Pigot" galley, Oct. 25, 1778. The population of Mid- 
dletownis 1,074. 

Portsmouth. — The towns of Portsmouth and Middle- 
town, with Newport, occupj' jointly the island of Rhode 
Island. Portsmouth occupies the northern part, Newport 
the southern extremity, and Middletown, as its name 
implies, is between the two. The first settlement in 
Portsmouth, known as Pocasset, was around the Cove, 
at the north-east part of the island, and remains of that 
settlement ma}' stiU be traced there. A little later a new 
site, known as Newtown, was laid out in six-acre lots, 
and pro\-ision was made for an inn, a brewer}-, and a 
grocery. The first meeting for the adoption of the Nar- 
raganset patent, in which Providence, Newport, Ports- 
mouth and Warwick took part, was held here. In 1G39 
the name of the place was changed to Portsmouth. 

In 1G40 a ferry was established to the mainland, at a 
point now occupied by the stone bridge. In 1707 a town 
charter was granted. The pursuits of the inhabitants i 
have been chiefly agricultural, and nearly all the arable - 
laud is now in a high state of culture. 

Jamestow-x embraces the whole of the island of Conan- ; 
icut. The southern part is known as Beaver Tail. The 
whole southern shore of the island is roek-bound and 
indented with small coves, which are the resort of the 
best varieties of fish. Around Beaver Tail the rock is 
chiefly a hard blue slate, the water is bold, and the land 
gradu.ally rises to the centre, running up into a gentle 
acclivity, known as Fox Hill. The soil is productive, 
and much resembles that of Rhode Island. 



diary, under date of Aug. 20, 1766, that it was the first public building in 
Rhode Island on which " Dr. Franklin's Electrical Points " were placed. 



EHODE ISLAND. 



From Mackerel Cove around to what is known as the 
Dumplings, the shore presents a wall of rock, dreaded 
b}- navigators, for there the tide sets strong, and the 
water is bold, and a vessel striking against these rocks in 
heavy weather, will go to pieces at the first blow. One 
of the gullies is known as Concord Gulh', the schooner 
"Concord" having been wrecked here. The wind had 
died awaj-, the sea and the tide were running high, and, 
although deeply loaded, she was driven up into the gully 
with so much force that her crew were enabled to step 
upon the rocks on either side, drj' shod. 

On the south-east point of the island, opposite to Fort 
Adams, and on the extremity of a little peninsula, which 
terminates in a high rock, there stands a small redoubt, 
known as Fort Dumpling, but which properly should be 
called Fort Brown. It was built during the unsettled 
times of 1798, and is nearly oval in form. The walls 
are now decaying, and the barracks within have long 
since passed away. The sally-port will only admit the 
body of one man at a time, who, to reach it, must climb 
up a wall of rock. 

The general character of the surrounding land is hilly, 
and made up of rocks, not half covered with soil ; but 
the view from this point is superb, and a large tract of 
the land has been bought up, with the expectation of 
making of it a fashionable seaside resort at no distant 
day. 

On the extreme southern end of Beaver Tail there is a 
light-house. The first structure, of wood, was erected 
in 1738. It was the first light-house in the Colony. In 
1753 it was burned, but rebuilt within a period of two 
j'ears. This structure was burned by the British, when 
they left Rhode Island, in 1779. After the war it was 
rebuilt. In 1856 a new light-house was erected. This 
was the first light-house ever lighted with gas. 

The people of Jamestown suffered during the Revolu- 
tion in common with the inhabitants of the other islands 
in the bay. Their farms were robbed, and they were 
frequently' abused by the British officers and troops. 
John Martin, a man of excellent character, was shot in 
cold blood b}' Capt. Wallace, of the frigate " Rose." 

In 1875 the population of Jamestown was 488. 

At the extreme northern end of the island a summer 
resort, known as Conanicut Park, has been laid out. 

Tiverton and Little Compton. — These towns lie 
between what is known as the East Passage and the 
boundary line between Massachusetts and Rhode Island. 
When first settled, this tract of land came under the 
jurisdiction of Plymouth Colony; but, in 1746, it was 
annexed to Rhode Island, and the next year Tiverton 
was incorporated. In 1862 a portion of Tiverton was 



set off to Fall River. Tiverton has three villages, — 
Adamsville, Bridgeport and the Four Corners. The 
population numbers 2,100. The inhabitants are engaged 
iu agricultural pursuits, and, in the spring, give some 
attention to fishing. During the Revolution they took an 
active part in the war. It was from Tiverton that Col. 
Barton set out on an exploit that terminated in the cap- 
ture of Gen. Prescott. On Tiverton Heights the American 
troops, under Gen. Sullivan, were gathered, preparatory 
to the attack on Rhode Island. On this ridge they again 
encamped when they retreated from the island, and it 
was from this elevated point that they first caught sight 
of the British fleet, under Lord Howe, making for New- 
port Harbor. Two companies of militia were organized 
in Tiverton as early as 1746. That year the Congrega- 
tional church was established. 

The first settler of Little Compton was Capt. Benjamin 
Church, the famous Indian fighter. He had barely set- 
tled in what is now known as Little Compton, when 
Philip's war broke out ; and leaving his plough, he did 
battle for his fellows till he had conquered a peace. He 
also served in the expedition against Canada and Maine. 
The town was incorporated by Rhode Island in 1747, 
and was annexed to Newport County. It had pre-iiously 
been incoii^orated in 1683 bj- Plymouth Colony, and 
called Little Compton. Its shores are very much exposed, 
and as early as 1763, the legislature granted a lottery, to 
improve what is known as Church's Harbor, by building 
a breakwater. The troops at Little Compton in the 
Revolution forced the British frigate " Cerberus," lying 
at Fogland Ferry, to leave her anchorage ; and from 
Little Compton INIaj. Silas Talbot obtained an additional 
number of men to aid him in capturing the "Pigot" 
galley, then at anchor in the East Passage. 

The Congregational Church in Little Compton was 
established in 1704. The population of the town is 
1,156. 

Block Island was seen and described by Verrazani 
in 1524 ; was named by Adrian Block, the Dutch navi- 
gator, iu 1614; and, in 1636, John Oldham made it a 
trading-post with the Indians. Manisses was its Indian 
name. Claudia it was called by Verrazani ; and, in 
1672, the town that had grown up there was incorporated 
as New Shoreham, — a name that it has retained to the 
present day, but it is better known as Block Island. 
Oldham was from Massachusetts, and that Colony 
claimed the island as part of its jurisdiction; but, in 
1658, it passed into private hands, and so remained 
till it was incorporated as New Shoreham by the General 
Assembly of Rhode Island in 1672. 

That the island was once wooded there cannot be a 



HISTOKY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



doubt, for on manj- parts of it there are extensive peat- 
beds, on Tvliicli the inhabitants have long relied for fuel ; 
and in these bogs the trunks of trees are frequently met 
■with. Laws -were passed as late as 1741, to prevent the 
cutting down of trees on anj- man's land without his per- 
mission ; but of trees now there arc none of any size on 
the island. 

Block Island is about 8 miles long and 3 miles wide, 
30 miles from Newport, and 18 from the eastern end of 
Long Island. The surface is undulating, — so undulat- 
ing that tiiere is hardly a level spot anywhere ; and at 
Clay Head the bank is 150 or more feet in height. The 
soil is kindly, and it is kept in good heart by the use of 
sea-weed, which is thrown up on the shore in great 
quantities. Sea-moss, known as " Irish moss," one of 
the products of the sea, is gathered, washed and dried 
for market, and the collecting of it has become one of 
the industries of the islanders. The shore in this ex- 
posed situation makes it difficult for boats to land ; but 
the islanders have boats adapted to their wants, which 
are easilj' managed, carry great loads, and are brought 
in through the surf without difficulty. Until within a 
few 3-cars there was no other means of communicating 
with the island. At different times attempts have been 
made to build a pier that would afford a shelter to 
incoming boats ; but the piers so built failed to stand the 
shock of winter storms, till the government took up the 
work in 1870. Since then it has been carried on, greatly 
to the benefit of the town, and with the prospect of 
ultimately securing a good and commodious harbor. 

On the island there are a number of ponds, the largest 
covering an area of 1,000 acres. The greatest depth of 
water in this pond is 12 fathoms. 

There are two light-houses, two life-saving stations, 
and on the south-east shore there is a fog-signal. 

In 1GC2 there were 30 whites and 400 Indians on the 
island; in 1800, 714 whites and IG Indians; in 1875, 
1,147 whites and one Indian. The inhabitants are en- 
gaged in agricultural pursuits and in fishing. There are 
159 farms, two of which have an area of 200 or more 



acres. The people are chieflj- Baptists, and thej- have 
two places of worship. Their first minister, Eev. Samuel 
Nilcs, a graduate of Hansard, was called in 1700, the 
call coming from the town and not from the church. 

The introduction of the first wagon used on the island 
is still remembered bj- persons who arc living. Until 
within a few years the roads or lanes were but little more 
than bridle-paths, crooked and narrow, and the people, 
if they did not walk, rode on horseback. But since it 
has become a watering-place, carriages and other modern 
vehicles maj- now be seen. 

Block Island has its schools, a small public library, 
several hotels, — all built within a few years for the 
accommodation of summer ■\'isitors, — and excellent mail 
arrangements. It is now eas\' of access, is very healthful, 
and it offers many attractions in the wa3' of fishing and 
boating. 

During the Revolution, for several years, all communi- 
cation with the mainland was closed. Three times the 
island was in the hands of the French, and when the 
British fleets were on the coast, the islanders were made 
to contribute of their substance. This was the place 
selected for the exchange of seamen, and during the time 
that the inhabitants could not take part in public affairs, 
they were permitted to send non-residents to the legisla- 
ture. 

About the ship "Palatine" much has been written, 
and in former j"ears manj* believed a phenomenal hght, 
occasionally seen off the shore, was that of a burning 
ship ; a distempered imagination having pictured in it 
the masts and ropes and sails of an unfortunate vessel 
which went ashore there soon after the island was 
settled. That a vessel named the ."Palatine" was 
wrecked here is well known, and those of the passengers 
and crew who came on shore were well cared for. Many 
of them died from exposure or from disease engendered 
on board ship, and were properly interred. The others, 
in time, left the island. But the stories of the burning 
of the ship, or of the putting out of false lights to lure 
her to destruction, are all works of the imagination. 



RHODE ISLAND. 



PEOYIDENCE COUNTY, 



BY REV. EDWIN MARTIN STONE. 



Peovidekce, which until 1703 was the only countj^ in 
Rhode Island, was settled under circumstances that dis- 
tinguished it from all other North American Colonies. 
Its first settlers did not enter upon the possession of its 
soil as an organized bod}-, clothed with the approbation of 
the parent government in Eng- 
land. There were none of the 
characteristics that marked the 
settlement of Jamestown, Va., 
in 1607, or St. Mary's, Md., 
in 1 634 ; nor did the settlement 
bear a resemblance to the col- 
onizing of Plymouth, 1620, of 
Portsmouth and Dover, N H , 
1623 ; of Salem, 1628 , of 
Charlestown, 1629 ; of Boston, 
1630 ; of Hartford, 1635 , or ol 
New Haven, 1638. 

The founder of Rhode M 
and, Roger Williams, a >ouy<., 
clergyman of liberal education 
came from England in the shiji 
" L3-on," in company with Go\ 
John Winthrop and the colons 
that established its home in Bos 
ton. He was soon called to, and 
accepted, the pastorate of the 
First Church in Salem, as assist luoiu williuis 

ant to Rev. Samuel Skelton Ho itmoved thence to 
Plymouth, and became ministei of the chuich there as 
assistant to the pastor, the Rev. Ralph Smith. Here he 
remained about two years, when ho returned to Salem to 
again assist Rev. Mr. Skelton. About a year after, Mr. 
Skelton died, and Mr. WiUiams, by formal vote, was 
elected sole pastor. 

Mr. Williams held peculiar views touching civil and 
ecclesiastical questions and prerogatives. He believed 
that the king of England had no riglit to take lands from 
the Indians in America and give them to his own subjects ; 
and hence, that a royal charter, without a purchase from 
the aboriginal owners, gave no just title to the soil. He 
believed that universal libertj' of conscience ought to be 




allowed in all religious matters, and that " the doctrine 
of persecution for cause of conscience," was " contrary 
to the doctrine of Jesus Christ." He declared that 
while it was the dut}' of the civil magistrate to restrain and 
puni.sh crime, he exceeded his proper prerogative when he 
punished a man for religious her- 
esy or for apostasy. He main- 
tained that there should be a 
separation of the civil from the 
ecclesiastical power, and no 
union of church and state, and 
that " the civil sword " could not 
be introduced into the kingdom 
of Christ without confounding 
heaven and earth, and laj'ing 
' ' all upon heaps of confusion." 
These and other opinions Mr. 
Williams set forth in Salem and 
elsewhere with the boldness of a 
reformer, and with the earnest- 
ness of one feeling that he spoke 
under the sanction of divine au- 
thority. The position assumed 
by Mr. WiUiams, and his refusal 
to keep silence on topics that 
were gaining acceptance among 
the people, rendered him obnox- 

l MI M I RJAIDLNCL j^^^^ ^^ ^^^ ^j^^jj ^^^^ CCClCSlaSti- 

cal authoiities Being looked upon as a schismatical dis- 
turbei of the public quiet, and as having " broached and 
divulged divers new and dangerous opinions against the 
authority of magistrates," he was ordered to depart out 
of the jurisdiction of Massachusetts Baj' within six 
weeks, " not to return any more without license from the 
court." Before the expiration of that time, however, it 
being understood that AVilliams and his adherents "in- 
tended to erect a plantation about the Narraganset Bay," 
and that the proximity of such a neighbor would expose 
the churches to the infection of his Aiews, it was decided 
by " the governor* and assistants " in January, 1636, to 
change his banishment from the Colon}^ to transportation 
• Ilaynes. 



HISTOEY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



to England. Of this purpose he was privately and sea- 
sonably informed by his steadfast friend Gov. Winthrop ; 
and when Capt. Underhill went in a pinnace to Salem to 
arrest and carry him on board a vessel lying at anchor in 
Nantasket Roads for his reception, he found that Wil- 
liams had three days previously departed for parts un- 
known. Thus narrowly did he escape an unwelcome 
vo^'age to England. 

Accepting the counsel of his friend Winthrop to steer 
his course to the Narraganset Bay and Indians, where he 
would be beyond probable molestation, he set out on his 
wearisome pilgrimage, and after being " sorely tossed for 
one fourteen weeks, in a bitter winter season, not knowing 
what bread or bed did mean," he found himself on See- 
konk Plain, in the domain of the friendly Ousamequin, 
or Massasoit, sachem of the Wampanoags, whose seat 
was at Mount Hope, and with whom he formed an 
acquaintance and gave tokens of kindness while residing 
at Plymouth. Here, bordering on the Seekonk River, 
Williams obtained a tract of land from the savage chief, 
built a house, and with several friends who joined him 
from Salem, commenced planting. 

He hoped now for quiet ; but he was doomed to dis- 
appointment. He had scarcely seeded his ground, and 
begun to provide for home comforts, when Gov. Winslow 
informed him that his presence in the Plymouth Colony 
was giving offence to the Bay, and to avoid making 
trouble for his Pl3'mouth friends, he abandoned his See- 
konk home, crossed the river with a few friends,* held 
a brief interview with Indians assembled at "What 
Cheer Cove," coasted round India and Fox points, and 
landed and fixed his abode on the eastern shoi-e and 
near the confluence of the Moshassuck. And thus, 
about the middle of June, 1636, was commenced the 
settlement of " Providence Plantations." It was made 
with the hearty welcome of the old prince Canonicus, 
his nephew Miantonomo, and by the tribe over which 
the former ruled. Though shy of the English generally, 
Canonicus formed a strong attachment for Williams, and 
readily furnished him land ; first by gift and afterwards 
by purchase. 

When Mr. Williams came to Providence he was about 
37 years of age. The 47 years of his subsequent life 
were marked by severe privations, uncommon perplexi- 
ties and unceasing efforts for the common weal. As an 



* These were William Harris, John Smith, Joshua Verin, Thomas 
Angell and Francis Wickes. They were soon followed by John Throck- 
morton, William Arnold, Stukely Wescott, John Greene, Thomas 
Olney, Richard Waterman, Thomas James, Robert Cole, William Car- 
penter, Francis Weston and Ezekiel Holliman. 

The exile of Williams from Massachusetts Bay involved him in 



expounder of the largest liberty " in religious concern- 
ments," as president of the Colony in its infancy, as the 
moderator of town meetings, — not always harmonious 
in spirit, — as commander of the "Train Band" in times 
of peril, as defender of aboriginal rights against the 
cupidity of white men, as a theological debater and writer, 
as a peace-maker among the Indian tribes, as an agent 
for procuring a Colony charter, and in various other 
positions, he proved himself a man of thought in advance 
of the times, and possessed of uimsual executive ability. 
A man of positive opinions, ardent temperament and free 
expression, he could not fail, in the course of years, to 
awaken hostility to some of his views and measures. If 
he had infirmities common to our human nature, he also 
possessed eminent virtues. That he was learned, his 
writings show. His " Key into the Language of Amer- 
ica," an invaluable contribution to aboriginal philology, 
was begun and pursued in Indian wigwams. His corre- 
spondence was extensive. He often wrote letters in 
behalf of his Indian friends, and by their request. He 
improved his opportunities for imparting religious in- 
struction to both whites and Indians. One of his last 
hterary labors was to write out for publication the heads 
of discourses he had deUvered to " the scattered English 
at Narraganset," the manuscript of which he sent to his 
friend Gov. Bradstreet at Boston ; but it is not known 
to have been printed. That he was ready to overlook 
an injury and return good for evil, his prompt inter- 
vention to prevent a union of the Pequods, Mohegans 
and Narragansets against the English, whereby they 
were saved from the bloody consequences of a savage 
war, and the many important services afterward ren- 
dered to the government of Massachusetts Bay, conclu- 
sively prove. He was honest, patriotic and faithful to 
friends. With opportunity to have been the proprietor 
(like another Penn) of a Colony, or a patrooa (like 
another Van Rensselaer), and rolling in untold wealth, he 
voluntarily shared equally with others the lands con- 
veyed to him by the Indians and therefore legally' his, 
and which a purely selfish nature would have kept for its 
own aggrandizement. 

Williams died a comparatively poor man, between 
Jan. 16, 1682-3, and May 10, 1683 (the exact date is 
not known), in the 84th j-ear of his age, and was buried 
with military honors on his home-lot, where his remains 



heavy losses in trade, " being debarred from Boston, the chief mart and 
port of New England." His removal from his new home in Seekonk 
occasioned the loss of a much needed harvest and of the grant of land 
obtained of Massasoit. In a letter to Miij. Mason, Juno 23, 1670, ho 
says : " God knows that many thousand pounds cannot rep.^y the losses 
I have sustained." 



RHODE ISLAND. 



rested until March 22, 1860, when they were exhumed 
with those of his wife, and deposited in the tomb of a 
descendant, in the North Burial-Ground. The years 
that have intervened since his death have served to 
soften asperities that once found frequent expression, 
and secured a wide acceptance of the principles upon 
which his Commonwealth was founded. The marble 
statue in the Capitol at Washington, and the bronze 
statue that adorns the Park bearing his name, in Provi- 
dence, are appropriate mementos of State and municipal 
appreciation ; but more enduring than marble and bronze 
will be the name and fame of one who was the invincible 
champion of religious freedom ; who, in civil concerns, 
ever stood for the rights of the people, and who, it was 
declared by a competent authority, " was the most dis- 
interested man that ever lived." * 

To his new home Mr. Williams gave the name of 
Providence, because in addition to " many other provi- 
dences of the Most Hol^- and Wise," he had, through 
the advice of his friends Winthrop and Winslow, been 
brought to a place of "freedom and vacancy" not 
claimed by either of the Colonies from which he had 
successively gone out. The loneliness of this new de- 
parture was doubtless cheered by the signs of civilized 
life amidst a barbarian people, which followed the dailj' 
industry of his mind and hands. His home-lot garden 
and orchard, at once planted and closelj' cared for, and 
his fruitful fields at "What Cheer" and at " Saxafax 
Hill," presaged an abundant supply of the necessaries of 
which he had long been deprived ; and when he recalled 
the bitter experiences of the past, and contrasted them 
with the prospect before him of unmolested freedom for 
himself and for those who might join themselves to his 
little companj', he could heartilj^ and devoutlj^ repeat 
what was written to Maj. Mason in reference to his safe 
arrival at Seekonk : "Penie?," that is, "I have seen the 
face of God." t 

Thus much it has seemed necessary to say as introduc- 
tory to the history of Providence Countj'. 

The date of the settlement of Providence has already 
been given. Aquidneck, or Rhode Island, veas settled 
in 1638, and Shawomet, or Warwick, in 1642. These 
Colonies were independent of each other, and felt the 
need of union for mutual protection. In 1643 Mr. 
Williams embarked for England to obtain a charter for 

* Callender's Century Dis., p. 17. 

t The author in R. I. Hist. Soc. Proceed. 

I This cliartcr was obtained by Dr. John Clarke, of Newport, assisted 
by Roger Williams, botli of whom sailed in the same vessel from Boston 
fur London, in October, 1651. Williams returned to Providence in 1654, 
leaving, as a supporter of Clarke, Sir Henry Vane, who was deeply in- 
terested in the affairs of Rhode Island. Clarke returned with the char- 



Ihe three. In this mission he was successful, and re- 
turned in 1644 with a charter signed by the Earl of 
Wai-wick, " Governor-in-Chief and Lord High Admiral 
of the Colonies." As he approached the Seekonk, he found 
a fleet of canoes waiting to escort him across the river, 
and he entered Providence with the strongest demon- 
strations of welcome. Under this charter the Colonies 
were united as " The Incorporation of Providence Plan- 
tations in the Narraganset Bay in New England," and 
in 1G49, one jail, located in Newport, was used in com- 
mon by the three Colonies. 

The second charter, granted bj^ Charles II., that went 
into operation in 1663, ordained that the Colonies should 
be " a body corporate and politic, in fact and name, by 
the name of the Governor and Company of the English 
Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations 
in New England in America." | The government of 
Rhode Island continued under this charter until 1843, 
when it was abrogated, being then the oldest consti- 
tutional charter in the world. 

Until 1703 the Colony constituted one county. In 
that year it was divided into two ; viz., Providence 
Plantations, with Providence for the shire town, Rhode 
Island County having Newport for its shire town. In 
1729, King's County, now Washington, was incorporated, 
and in 1750, Kent County was set off from Providence 
County. § 

Providence County contains 15 of the 36 towns in the 
State ; viz., Burrillville, Cranston, Cumberland, East 
Providence, Foster, Gloucester, Johnston, Lincoln, North 
Providence, North Smithfield, Pawtucket, Providence, 
Scituate, Smithfield and Woonsocket. Six of these towns 
were taken wholly or in part from the territory of Provi- 
dence ; viz., Cranston, 1754 ; Gloucester, 1730-31 ; Johns- 
ton, 1759 ; North Providence, 1765 ; Scituate, 1730-31 ; 
Smithfield, 1730-31. Providence was incorporated as a 
city in 1832. Originally it comprised the entire county. 

Topograpliy. — Providence County is agreeably diversi- 
fied with hills, dales, and plains, and abundantly watered 
by considerable rivers and many small streams, which 
supply power for numerous manufactories. Although 
some of the hills rise to considerable height, affording 
from their summits extensive, picturesque prospects, 
none of them can properly be termed mountains. If 
the scenery of the county is less rugged than that of 

ter in 1663, which was received at Newport and exhibited, November 24 
of that year, "with much becoming gravity," in the presence of a " very 
great meeting and assembly of the freemen of the colony of Providence 
Plantations." Dr. Clarke died April 20, 1676, in the 67th year of his 
age. He h.id held various offices, and was one year deputy-governor 
under the Royal charter, associated with Gov. Benedict Aruold. 
§ R. I. Colonial Records, Vols. 3, 4, 6, in he. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



some parts of Vermont and New York, or less bold and 
awe-iuspiring than that found in New Hampshire, it 
combines enough of the rougher features of nature with 
the softer and more soothing aspects of quiet beauty, to 
impart a delightful charm to excursions in almost any 
direction. 

Among the most noted hills in Providence County are 
Prospect and Fruit hills, in Providence ; Lawton, Apple- 
house and part of Bald Hill, in Cranston ; Neutaconka- 
nut, in Johnston ; Mount Misery, Tank, Burnt, Chop- 
mint, Round, and part of Bald, in Scituatc ; Bonnet, 
Mount Hj-geia, Howland and Biscuit, in Foster ; V<:\n\ 
Snake and Abselo- 
na, in Gloucester; 
Jenks, in Lincoln ; 
Beacon Pole, Cop- 
permine, Cimiber- 
land. Diamond and 
Hunters, in Cum- 
berland ; Pine, in 
Woonsocket ; Den, 
Buck and Snake, in 
Burrillville ; Rock, 
Wolf and Wionk- 
nige, in Smithfield ; 
and Sayles, Woon- 
socket and Whor- 
tleberry, in North 
Smithfield. Pros- 
pect Hill, in Provi- 
dence, is a ridge 
rising in its high- 
est part more than 
1 50 feet above tide- 
water, and extends 
from Fox Point at the south end of the city, to the Paw- 
tucket line, on the north. Within the memory of aged 
men its summit and eastern slope were sparsely settled, 
though now covered with fine residences, many of them 
palatial in appearance. On this hill, the entire length 
of which is affluent in facts and traditions of the Revo- 
lutionary period, stand the buildings of Brown Univer- 
sity, a flourishing institution commenced in Warren, 
R. I., in 1765, and in 1770 removed to Providence. Near 
by is the " University Grammar School," established by 
Pres. Manning in 1764, as the precursor of the Univer- 
sity, and the Cabinet of the Rhode Island Historical 
Society, founded in 1822. A little north is the public re- 
servoir, supplied from the Sockanosset pnmping-station 
reservoir in Cranston, and furnishing sufficient water for 
families in the section of the city in which it is located. 




Field's Hill, an eminence rising from P'ield's Point, on 
the west side of the harbor, affords a charming marine 
view, and is crowned with the remains of earthworks 
thrown up for defence during the wars of the Revolution 
and of 1812. Smith's Hill, a low elevation on the west 
side of the Moshassuck River, — its summit an extended 
plateau, — is a spot where a number of occurrences took 
place that have passed into history. Here, in 1676, 
Canouchet refused to be placated by Williams, and laid 
Providence in ashes, as he had just before done to Re- 
hoboth and to the home of Stephen Dexter at Lime 
Koi-k. in Snnthricld. Hero, July 4, 1789, was held a 
barbecue entertain- 
ment in commem- 
oration of Ameri- 
can Independence. 
It was originally in- 
tended to include a 
recognition of the 
"adoption of the 
Federal Constitu- 
tion by nine of the 
States"; — but as 
Rhode Island had 
notj-et entered into 
the national com- 
pact, a strong re- 
monstrance led to 
a modification of 
the arrangements, 
and the immense 
assembly content- 
ed themselves with 
eating the roasted 
oxen, the firing of 
thuteen cannon, and the dnnkuig of thirteen toasts with- 
out allusion to the nine States. Here, too, in 1830, at 
the foot of the eastern slope of the hill, a riot was quelled 
b3' the military, that eventuated in the destruction or in- 
jury of seventeen houses, and the death of five persons. 
Neutaconkanut Hill, in Johnston (Williams spells the 
name Neotaconconitt and Notocunkanit), presents attrac- 
tions alike strong to the lover of varied scenery, the 
student of science, and the antiquary. Standing upon 
an immense granite bowlder which rests on its crest, and 
which may have been deposited there in the far-back 
period of ice-drifts, the eye of the beholder is arrested, 
and his blood quickened by the map of rural quiet and 
business activities spread out before him. As he turns 
in every direction, he sees a jiicture of nature studded 
with gems of enterprise and adornments of social life. 



RHODE ISLAND. 



The farm and the farm-house, the forest and the lawn, the 
valley and the plain, the factory villages with their hum 
of enterprise, the metropolis of the State, in the near 
distance, with its churches, its hospitals, schools, its 
university, and the sparkling waters of the outspreading 
Narraganset Bay, bearing upon their bosom a generous 
I commerce, form an inspiring combination not often else- 
where found. The geologist will study with interest the 
structure of this hill. The large hornblende bowlder on 
the south side of the hill, which rests on mica-slate, will 
awaken speculation as to where it came from. Dr. 
Charles T. Jackson, who made a geological survey of the 
State in 1839, saj's : "This rock must have originated 
elsewhere ; and it now rests in an accidental position, as 
will be e-vident to any one who examines the situation in 
which it is placed. Since hornblende rocks do occur at 
the northward and not to the southward of the place 
where this block is now found, we feel confident that this 
immense rock has been removed southwardly from its 
present ledge and deposited on the rocky strata where we 
now find it." Should, however, the historian or anti- 
quarj^ visiting this attractive spot not be inclined to 
scientific investigation, he will at least note the fact, that 
C'apt. Arthur Fenner and his brother Capt. Thomas 
Fcnner, both prominent and influential men in the early 
days of the Colony, had each an interest in " The great 
hill of Neotoconkanitt," and that Capt. Arthur bequeathed 
his interest in the hill-farm to his son Edward and to his 
granddaughter Mary, daughter of his son John, then de- 
ceased, while Capt. Thomas bequeathed his interest in 
the same to his sous Eichard and Joseph. Having made 
this record, he will not fail to visit the soapstone quarrj' 
in the vicinity brought to light in 1878, where centuries 
ago the aborigines opened a workshop for the manufac- 
ture of their domestic utensils ; and he will be equally 
sure to hunt out the secret retreat, not far off, to which 
Canonchet occasionally retired for concealment, not for- 
getting to look at what remains of the famous "Johnston 
Elm," or to taste the waters of the mineral spring 100 
3-ards west of the soapstone quarry. 

Woonsocket HiU, in North Providence, rises 340 feet 
above its immediate base, and is estimated to be 570 
feet above the high-water mark in Providence. Beacon 
Pole Hill, in Cumberland, is 556 feet above the sea-level, 
and affords an extensive prospect. During the Revo- 
lution a beacon-light was placed on the summit of this 
hill, to alarm and call forth, when necessarj-, the minute- 
men of the surrounding country. Other hills in different 
parts of the county ha\e, from their structure, attractions 
for the student of science. 

Agriculture. — Providence County contains 180,255 



acres of land, divided into 2,542 farms, producing all 
the varieties of cereals and vegetables cultivated in other 
parts of the State. The soil varies in quality and pro- 
ductiveness — in some parts of the county it being rockj' 
and strong, though hard to cultivate, and in other parts 
light, requiring generous manuring to insure satisfactory 
crops. Much of the land in the vicinity of Providence 
is adapted to market gardens, and is thus cultivated. 
The population of the county, by the census of 1875, 
was 184,924 ; farmers and farm laborers, 4,899 ; value 
of farm products, $2,094,845 ; value of orchard products, 
$203,670 ; value of farms and buildings, $12,466,073. 

Until about 1790 the industries of the county were 
divided principally between agriculture and commerce, 
the latter extending its operations to every accessible 
port in foreign countries. Prior to 1820 farming had 
been conducted without much reference to science. Few 
farmers read books treating of agriculture, or had faith 
in " book farming," and the majority were contented to 
pursue the beaten rounds, and continue the methods of 
their ancestors. Here and there, however, were to be 
found in every neighborhood intelligent cultivators of the 
soil who lielieved that agriculture, like the mechanic arts, 
was susceptible of improvement, and adopted processes 
that gave better results to their labors. The year 1820 
opened a new era to this vital interest of the State in the 
formation of "The Rhode Island Society for the En- 
couragement of Domestic Industry." Its first anniver- 
sary was held on the 18th of October, 1821, on whicli 
occasion an address was delivered by John Howland of 
Providence. Since then, and largely through the influence 
of its annual exhibitions and the printing and circulation 
of its proceedings, this societj' has been instrumental in 
raising agriculture in the county to a higher platform, so 
that in this department of industry it occupies a front 
rank. The farming interest has suffered in the past by 
the withdrawal of young men from husbandr}' to engage 
in mercantile or manufacturing pursuits as readier ways 
to wealth ; but with the knowledge which chemical science 
imparts, the introduction of labor-saving implements, and 
the more economical methods of management, which ex- 
perience has tested, farm-life, divested as it is of the risks 
and temptations that attach to other leading employments, 
will insure a competence which other occupations yield 
onlj' to the few, and suggests to young men the wisdom 
of perpetuating the charms and certainties of the home- 
stead. 

Manufactures. — From the settlement of Providence 
until near the close of the last century, every house had 
its hand and foot wheels for spinning wool, cotton and 
flax, and in every neighborhood were looms for the man- 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



ufacture of domestic cloths. The carding was done by 
hand. These constituted a part of the household arrange- 
ments, and were used in many instances to fill up hours 
not otherwise profitablj' emploj-ed. Ever}- 3-oung woman 
knew how to spin, how to knit, and usually' how to weave. 
This knowledge was brought into requisition, not onlj' to 
meet the needs of the famih", but during the war of the 
Kevolution to supply the army with clothing. Some 
firms supplied family spinners with the raw material to 
be spun, and employed weavers of their own to work up 
the yarn into cloth. What were the products of labor in 
the countj', or their values prior to 1790, is unknown; 
but a report made in that year by the Providence 
Mechanics' Association, shows that in 23 departments 
of industry in the town, a very respectable amount of 
business was done by individuals and small firms. 

In 1776 Jeremiah Wilkinson commenced the manufac- 
ture of cut nails in Cumberland, and afterwards of lathe 
and shingle nails. During the Revolutionary war he 
made pins and darning-needles from wire drawn by him- 
self. In 1 788 a slitting-mill for the manufacture of nail- 
rods was erected near Providence, and in 1790 Oziel 
Wilkinson built a steel manufactor}- at Pawtucket Falls. 

In 1790, the establishment of a cotton-mill at Paw- 
tucket, by Samuel Slater, to be nm by water-power, 
gave a new impetus to the growing interest in manfac- 
tures that led on to place Rhode Island in a foremost 
rank as a manufacturing State, an interest that had in 
1875 worked up its productive industrj- in every depart- 
ment of manufactures to the value of §120,659,875. 

It is needless to follow out in detail the processes b}- 
which this immense result was secured. It is sufficient 
to say, that as this first great step in manufactures was 
taken in Providence Countj-, its march has been steadilj- 
onward. By the census of 1875 it appears that the 
whole number of manufactories of every description in 
the county was 1,470. Of these 76 were cotton-mills, 
40 woollen-mills, and 71 iron establishments. The pro- 
ductive value of every description of manufactures 
amounted to 8100,649,477, and the total value for the 
year of all products in the county, including farms, 
forests and fisheries, reached the sum of $103,314,989. 
Since 1875 the number of factories has been increased. 
The facts here stated, show Providence Count}- to be prac- 
tically a workshop of vast proportions, and, with an al- 
most inexhaustible capacit}^ for development, the historj- 
of the past may be accepted as foreshadowing an in- 
creasingly prosperous future. 

Geology. — Providence County is more remarkable for 
its geological phenomena than any other part of the 
State, and a careful study of them will richl}- reward the 



student. While, according to Dr. Jackson, from whose 
report many of the facts hereafter stated are drawn, 
the western portions of Rhode Island are ver}- uniform 
in their geological character, the primary stratified and 
unstratified rocks generalh" prevailing with great uni- 
formitj-, the northern portion embraced within the limits 
of the county, presents difl^erent phenomena, Cumberland, 
for example, being a very complicated geological district. 
Pro^-idence is based upon conglomerate rocks, alter- 
nating with carboniferous clay-slate, or shale. Coal has 
been found there, the best specimens of which in analj'sis 
j-ielded carbon, 72 ; ashes, 28. Bowlders of porphj-ritic 
iron-ore are found scattered around Providence that are \ 
traced to their native bed in Cumberland. Limestone 
abounds in Smithfield, and at Lime Eock large quantities 
of superior lime are annually made. Hornblende, soap- 
stone or talcose rock, are here also found. At Pawtucket 
the conglomerate or grauwacke alternating with clay- 
slate, abounds. At Valley Falls grauwacke rocks are ' 
seen. At Woonsocket Hill, in North Smithfield, granular 
quartz, mica and talc are found. Cumberland makes a 
large show of iron-ore, sienitic granite, serpentine, and 
other rocks of an unstratified nature, together with coal. 
The coal has not been utilized, nor to any considerable 
extent has the iron. Here gold has been eagerlj- sought, 
but the reward of the' miner has onlj- been copper pyrites. 
Diamond Hill, in this town, is made attractive to col- 
lectors of cabinets, by the beautiful specimens found 
there of agate, chalcedony, and quartz ciystals. Beacon 
Pole Hill, in the same town, is composed of sienitic 
granite, a valuable material for building purposes. In 
Woonsocket the geological catalogue registers granular 
quartz or fire-stone, micaceous slate, from which whet- 
stones are manufactured, and talcose slate. Foster 
presents to the scientific explorer gneiss and bog-iron. 
South Scituate furnishes porphyritic granite-gneiss and 
flesh-red colored felspar ; Cranston pays research with 
hornblende, grauwacke resting on mica-slate and gneiss, 
and Johnston with hornblende, mica-slate, grauwacke 
slate and clay-slate. But it is not the purpose here to 
enlarge upon the geological formations of the county, or 
to explain at what time, and in what manner, the forces 
of nature wrought out the contour of the towns within 
its limits. The aim has simply been to state such facts, 
and to encourage visits to such localities, as may stimu- 
late a more general study of the wonders of creation. 

" These are thy glorious works, Parent of goocl, 
Almighty ! thiue this universal frame, 
Thus wondrous fair ; Thyself how wondrous then ! 
Unspeakable, who sitt'st above these hcaveus, 
To us invisible, or dimly seen 
In these thy lowest works ; yet these declare 
Thy goodness beyond thought, and power divine." 



RHODE ISLAND. 



Forests. — The forests of the county comprise nearly 
or quite all the trees native in the woodlands of New- 
England. Among the most conspicuous are the oak, 
hickorj-, hard and soft maple, chestnut, ash, poplar, 
white and black birch, hemlock and pine. These, inter- 
mingled with varieties of a smaller growth, present to 
the eye in the autumn, as the foliage ripens, a picture 
of surpassing beauty. 

In arboriculture, pursued extensively in this county, 
tlie elm for lawns, for pasture, and for roadside shades 
takes the lead; and deservedly so. It combines the 
majestic with the graceful and picturesque as does no 
other forest tree. It is a special favorite with landscape 
artists, and either in its dome, vase, parasol or plume 
form, usually finds a place in the foreground of the 
rural scenes they transfer to canvas. Fine specimens 
of this tree are to be seen in every town in the county. 
The fame of the "Johnston Elm," already referred to, 
has become historic. An elm near Prospect Terrace in 
Providence, and another on the " Perry Place," near 
Swan Point Cemeterj-, are among the most noted for 
size and top-spread. Many handsome trees of the same 
kind are to be seen on land formerly known as the 
" Moses Brown Farm," in the same city. For lawns 
and parks the horse-chestnut, maples, honey-locust, lin- 
den, fir, spruce, larch, tulip-tree, mountain-ash, and 
weeping-willow are principally selected, with here and 
there a catalpa, a magnoha, and an ailanthus. Formerly 
the buttonwood, with its large palmate leaves and " but- 
ton-balls," was much cultivated for road-side and door- 
yard shades, but within the last forty years disease has 
been constantly thinning it out, and only a few sickly 
specimens are now to be seen. 

Of flowering and fruit-bearing shrubs the forests and 
fields of Providence County exhibit the variety usually 
found elsewhere in the State. The botanical and floral 
treasures of the county are also numerous and choice. 
These the Franklin Society of Providence has done 
much to develop as well as those of the mineral king- 
dom. 

The Gale of 1815.— The great gale of 1815, like the 
dark day of 1780, is an ever-to-be-remembered event in 
the history of the county. It commenced on the 22d 
day of September, and continued through the 23d. A 
south-east wind swept with terrific force over the entire 
State. In Providence County trees were uprooted, 
chimneys blown down, buildings unroofed, and devasta- 

• In a letter to Gov. Wintlirop of Connecticut, dated Providence, 
July 12, 1654, Williams says that while in England, prosecuting a mis- 
sion in behalf of the Rhode Island Colony, he gave instruction in 
Hebrew, Greek, Latin, French and Dutch. He also "taught two young 



tion in other forms ever3-where made visible. In Provi- 
dence the storm r.aged with unprecedented violence, driv- 
ing the salt spray 40 miles into the countrj'. The tide 
rose seven feet five inches higher than ever before known, 
and submerged a large part of the business portion of 
the town to the depth of many feet. Bridges and build- 
ings along the waterside were washed away, vessels were 
driven from their moorings, the harbor and cove were 
filled with floating buildings, lumber and merchandise. 
Between 30 and 40 vessels were forced into the cove, 
while deh-is from unroofed or falling buildings filled the 
air. On "Westminster Street the water rose to the cham- 
ber windows. By the force of the wind and the waves, 
the ship "Ganges" ran her bowsprit into the second 
stor}^ of the Washington Building. Another vessel, of 
about 60 tons burthen, floated across Weybosset Street, 
and lodged in Pleasant Street, where she was left high 
and dry when the tide receded. The Second Baptist 
meeting-house was destroyed from its foundation. Sev- 
eral persons were injured, and two men, David Butler 
and Reuben Winslow, lost their lives. The damage 
done in various parts of the county is unknown. In 
Providence it was estimated at nearly $1,000,000. In 
September, 1869, a similar gale occurred, of shorter 
duration, doing much damage. Fortunately for Provi- 
dence the severity of the blow prevailed at the time of 
low tide, which saved the city from a repetition of the 
great inundation of 1815. As it was, many cellars of 
warehouses were filled with water, doing extensive dam- 
age to merchandise stored therein. 

Education. — In 1663, at a meeting of the proprietors, 
held in May of that year, 100 acres of upland, and six 
of meadow, "or low land to the quantity of eight acres 
in lieu of meadow," were set apart for the maintenance 
of a school in Providence. In the mean time, children 
received instruction from their parents, Roger "Williams 
setting the example,* or in neighborhoods where a suffi- 
cient number of children could be gathered, were taught 
in dame schools. 

As population increased, and towns were incorporated, 
provision was made for the education of the young, as 
best could be. A better class of schools was known as 
" proprietors' schools," which was established by associ- 
ates, who emploj-ed the teachers, and persons not mem- 
bers being permitted to avail of them for their children 
by the payment of a stipulated fee. No successful 
step, however, was taken in the direction of establishing 

gentlemen, a Parliament man's sons, as we teach our children English, 
by words, phrases, and constant talk,"&c. He adds, "I have begun 
with mine own three boys, who labor besides ; others are coming to 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



schools free to all the children in the State, until 1788, 
and that originated in Providence County. In that j^ear, 
John Holland,* a citizen of Providence, and represent- 
ing the Mechanics' Association in that town, drew up a 
petition which was presented to the General Assembly, 



Burrill, Jr., attorney-general of Rhode Island, assisted 
by Mr. Ilowland ; but while it had warm supporters in 
members of the General Assembly, from many of the 
towns in the countj' it met with an opposition that de- 
layed final action until the winter session of 1800, when 




MES8ER STREET : 

requesting that honorable body " to make legal provision 
for the establishment of free schools, suflieient to edu- 
cate all the children in the several towns throughout the 
State." 

A bill embodying this request was drawn up by James 

• John Howland was a descendant in the fifth generation from John 
Howland of the Mayflower Company, that settled at Plj-mouth in IG'JO. 
He was bom in Newport, R. I., Oct. 31, 1757, came to Providence 
April 8, 1770, and served an apprenticeship at liair-dressing with Bcnj.i- 
min Gladding. He served in the army of the Revolution, and was 
with Washington at Trenton and Princeton. He was a man of supe- 
rior natural abilities, and exerted an extensive influence in town affairs. 



,HT SCHOOL, I'ltOVIUr.XCE. 

it became a law, and a boon thus secured that is now 
enjoj-ed by more than 28,000 children in the count}-, and 
by 40,000 children in the State. 

The effect of this law upon the schools of the count}', 
though the General Assembly unwisely abolished it at the 

He was successively secretary and president of the Mechanics' Associ- 
ation. He was town auditor 15 years, to\Tn treasurer 14 years, treas- 
urer of the Provident Savings Institution 21 ycai's, president of tlic 
Rhode Island Peace Society, president of the Rhode Island llistoriial 
Society 21 years, member of the School Committee 20 years. In 1S35 
he received the honorary degree of A. M. from Brown University. lie 
died Nov. 5, 1854, aged 97 years. 



RHODE ISLAXD. 



end of three years, was highly beneficial. In that short 
period it impressed the public mind with the value of 
system in education, and convinced many that for chil- 
dren to derive the most advantage from school instruction 
there must be a uniform plan persistently pursued. In 

1827, public opinion had so far advanced as to demand 
that the State should once more assume the responsil:iilit3' 
of providing by law for the education of all the children 
in the State. In the winter of that J'ear, the subject was 
introduced to the attention of the General Assembly by 
petitions from Johnston, Smithficld, 
Cumberland and other towns. In ad- 
vocating the cause of the petitioners, 
Mr. Jos. L. Tillinghast took a promi- 
nent part. In the winter session of 

1828, a school bill was passed in the 
House b}- a vote of 57 to 2, and in 
the Senate, unanimously. The law 
had some defects, but was helpful in 
strengthening public sympathy for 
public free schools. In 1843 Hon. 
Henrj' Barnard was appointed State 
agent to visit and examine the public 
schools in the State, and in every way 
in his power to aid in giving them 
greater efficiency. In the following 
year his agency- assumed the official 
character of State commissioner, and 
in this capacity he labored with un- 
tiring industry and great success until 
1849, when he resigned. During the 
3-ears of his administration, many new 
school-houses on improved plans were 
Ijuilt. In Providence County every 
town felt the enlightenirfg influence of 
his presence and counsels. His suc- 
cessors, Messrs. Potter, Allyn, Bick- 
nell, Kingsbury, Chapin, and the present incumbent, 
Stockwell, have further advanced the cause, and the 

1 schools in the county are in a better condition than at 
anj- former period. In those of Providence, the grading, 
classification, and methods of instruction, are not sur- 
passed by any schools in the country. Statistics show 
that there are in the county, 431 districts, 407 graded 
and ungraded schools, 667 teachers, and an enrollment 
of more than 28,000 pupils. Ever}' town has a super- 
intendent. With the importance now attached to public 
free school education, the energetic labors of State com- 
missioner and local superintendents, together with the 
better instruction and the higher qualifications demanded 
in teachers, it is not too much to believe that education 




in Providence County, as throughout the State, will in 
the future keep pace with the constantly' developing 
needs of the age. 

Social Life. — In social life the habits of the people 
were simple. They were unsophisticated, frugal, indus- 
trious, independent in opinions, and free to utter them. 
Thej' did not cultivate the art of using language to con- 
ceal thought, and when they uttered themselves, their 
words required no explanation. The spacious fireplace, 
the glowing wood fire, and the abundant supply of 
nuts and apples provided for evening 
cheer, to s.\v nothing of the repetition 
of "thrice-told tales," and of riddles 
more puzzling than the one put forth 
at the feast in Timnnth, gave to the 
home a nightly charm felt alike by 
parents, children, and the hired man 
shelling corn in the secluded corner. 
The appointments of the home were 
made with an eye to utility, and sel- 
dom in excess of needs. The furni- 
ture was substantial. The high post 
bedstead, with canopy, was for the 
guest chamber. Bright pewter plates 
and platters adorned the dresser, while 
the brass kettle, large iron pot, dish 
kettle, Dutch oven, gridiron, spider 
and skillet comprised the necessar}- ' 
paraphernalia of the housekeeper, j 
The juvenile members of the house- | 
hold prcfcn-cd bare feet in the sum- 
mer to shoes and stockings. Young 
men had a suit of clothes for dress 
occasions, made of cloth bought at | 
the store, which was expected to last j 
several 3-ears. The every -day suit 
was spun hy a skilled and careful 
hand, and woven on the family loom. The tyranny of 
fashion had not fast-bound common-sense and mod- 
estj'. Democratic equalitj' dominated. Men were hon- 
ored more for intelligence and integrity than for wealth 
without these qualities. Women made their afternoon 
calls and tea-drinks clad in a homespun ''short gown 
and petticoat," and a neat white apron, while a cape- 
bonnet of "sugar-scoop" form sufficed for protection, 
from the sun. A single silk or satin dress was ex- 
pected to last a lifetime, and then become the inherit- j 
ance of a favorite daughter. The father's Sunday gar- 
ments and his castor hat wore often bequeathed to the | 
son thej- would best (it, and bj-^ him sometimes trans- 
mitted by will to one of his male posterity. Early hours j 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



to repose were observed, and early rising practised. 
Hospitality was a habit not less than a principle. Amuse- 
ments were primitive. Huskings, quiltings, "apple- 
parings" and ••spinning-bees" sometimes at the min- 
ister's house for his beuofit, brought neighborhoods with 
hearty good-will into close fraternity. Holidays were 
few. Spring trainings, autumnal musters, the 4th of 
July and Thanksgiving were days given up to pleasure. 
The graces were not wholly neglected, and a dancing- 
master to teach the art of tripping it "on the light 
fantastic toe " found patrons in every village. Singing- 
scnools were, however, more common than those devoted 
to the disciples of Terpsichore, and in rural districts 
pleasantly diversified the monotony of the winter. Cara- 
vans of wild animals and circus exhibitions were seldom 
seen. Many lived and died without ever having seen 
wild animals native to trop- 
ical climates. The table was 
supplied with plain, substan- 
tial food. The meats were 
mostly salted pork and beet'. 
These were put down in bar- 
rels and deposited in the cel- 
lar for the year's consump- 
tion. The poultry-yard, uv 
the Nimrod of the family. 
with his forest trophies, or 
fresh meat at " killing time. " 
occasionally made a chaugc 
of diet. Sometimes, when a 
calf or a sheep was killed, 
portions that could not be consumed while untainted were 
loaned to neighbors to be repaid in kind. Fish from the 
rivers and ponds, and, bj- those living near the ocean 
waters, clams were obtained for the cuisine. When a 
" beef creature " was slaughtered in the winter, the fresh- 
meat season was protracted by burj'ing what was reserved 
for familj' use in the snow. Hastj' pudding and milk, en- 
riched with baked pumpkin, was freely eaten. Rye-and- 
Indian bread, or Indian Johnnj'cakes, baked on a board 
in front of the lire, made a part of the daily food. 
" White bread" was kept for special occasions. Short- 
cake toast, crackers, pies, cake, and preserves graced 
the table for company. Sage, or some other aromatic 
herb, was often a substitute for tea from China. Before 
and diu-ing the Revolutionary war, the patriotic women 
of the county abjured its use altogether. Roasted rye 
and peas were more comihon for a beverage than cofl'ee 
from Mocha, Java, or the West Indies. 

In rural districts, little use was made of the " fore- 
room," or parlor, except on the occasion of parties, or 



OLD Tow.N HOUSE, PROVIDENCE. (Erectcd in 1723.) 



family gatherings, on Thanksgiving daj-s. Tiie tall clock 
in the corner marked and struck the hours the year 
round. For households destitute of such a treasure, 
marks drawn upon the window-frame having a southern 
aspect, or a dial on a post in the yard, answered in 
cloudless days, to tell the hours from sunrise to sunset. 
The kitchen was also the family dining and sitting room. 
Sunday evenings were allotted for "courting," and if 
the parties most interested, who thus met once a week, 
did not part until the small hours of the morning, no un- 
pleasant criticism was evoked from the " old folks." 
The bass and snare drum and fife for martial music, the 
violin for dancing parties, and the bass-viol and bassoon 
for church psalmody, were the musical instruments chieflj' 
in vogue. In many churches no instruments were used. 
At a later period the flute and clarionet were added to 
the church orchestra. To the 
military, brass bands, now in- 
dispensable, were unknown. 
Such, in brief, was domes- 
tic life in Providence County* 
a century or more ago. In 
the progress of time, with the 
increase of population, and 
the introduction of new ele- 
ments into society, new wants 
lave been created, and social 
customs have largelj- changed. 
This appears in dress, in equi- 
page, and in social caste. In- 
dustry and enterprise have 
brought wealth, and wealth has had its never-failing at- 
tendants, luxurj-, and ambition to outshine. 

Indians. — The Narraganset tribe of Indians was one 
of the most powerful in New England, and, when Roger 
Williams selected the banks of the Moshassuck for his 
future home, could bring 5,000 warriors into the field. 
The territory occupied extended from Point Judith to 
the line that separated Massachusetts from Providence 
Plantations. At an earlier period the dominion of the 
tribe extended from the Pawcatuck River to the Merri- 
mack. The peaceful spirit of their great sachem, Canon- 
icus, influenced the temper and life of his people, and, 
through their intercourse with traders who visited their 
coast, their intelligence was enlarged, and they became 
more inclined to commercial pursuits than to warlike 
achievements. Yet they were not slow to defend their 
rights, or to avenge a wrong. They "were skilled in 
the manufacture of bracelets, stone pipes, and earthen 
vessels, and were the principal coiners of wampum 
peage, the established currency of the country, and 




RHODE ISLAND. 



which continued to be so long after the European settle- 
ment." * This currency was of two kinds, white and 
black ; the former passing six for an English pennj', and 
the latter three for a penny. 

The burning of Providence, April 10, 1G76 (N. S.), 



Winslow marching througli it witli his rijmouth and Baj' 
arm}- to attack the Swamp Fort in 10 75, and had he not 
been joined by a number of indiscreet Rhode Island vol- 
unteers, whom the Indians ma}' have mistakenly sup- 
posed represented the popular feeling of the town, Provi- 




CITY IIALL, PKOVIDENCE. 



is generally- regarded as an illustration of the savage 
spirit of the Narragansets. It was indeed a severe 
blow to the prosperity of the town. But the tribe, as a 
whole, never cherished hatred of its inhabitants, and 
this deed was prompted by a sudden burst of anger 
awakened by an act for which they were not responsible. 
Had not the neutrality of the town been violated by Gen. 
* Arnold. 



deuce would probably have been spared. By the defeat 
of the Narragansets in the "Swamp Fight" of 1G75, 
their power was broken forever. In the lapse of two 
centuries, no one lives claiming descent from Canoni- 
cus, Miantonomo, or Canonchet, nor is there at the pres- 
ent time a pure-blood native to be found in the State. 

Public Honors. — From the settlement of the State to 
the present day, many of the citizens of Providence 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAJSTD. 



County have been called to fill positions of public trust 
in State and nation. Two were presidents under the 
Patent, 25 have been governors, 12 deputy-go veniors, 
eight lieutenant-governors, one king's attornej-, five 
State's attorneys, two assistant attorneys, five secretaries 
of State, 11 State treasurers, three State auditors, seven 
State commissioners of public schools, 49 speakers of 
the R. I. House of Representatives, 20 judges of the Su- 
preme Court, 41 assistant judges, one signer of the Decla- 
ration, six senators in the Continental Congress IG U S. 
senators, and 17 representatives in Congress. 

Centennial. — When the Federal Government gave its 
sanction to a plan for holding, in the city of Philadel- 
phia, an International Exposition, on a scale that should 
worthily- commemorate the close of the first centurj- of 
the nation's life, the public authorities and citizens gen- 
erally of the State gave it their hearty concurrence. 
None entered into co-operative measures with more en- 
thusiasm than the manufacturers and mechanics of Prov- 
idence County. The ladies, too, by associate action, 
rendered important aid to the cause. The contributions 
of genius and practical skill from this county were 
numerous, creditable, and attractive. Conspicuous among 
these were the brilliant display of silver- ware b^' the Gor- 
ham Manufacturing Company of Providence — the largest 
establishment of the kind in the world — and the gigan- 
tic steam-engine from the Corliss works in the same city, 
which at the opening of the Exposition was set in motion 
by President Grant and the Emperor of Brazil, turning at 
once 14 acres of machinery. In all the display of means 
for the promotion of material wealth, the educational 
interest — that which develops the human mind, raises 
man above the range of mere animal life, and is at once 
the securitj' of the State and the basis of true prosperit}' 
— was not overlooked. Under the supervision of the 
State commissioner of public schools, samples of every- 
daj' school-work, neatl}' arranged, were presented for the 
inspection of the thousands who thronged the Main 
Building, where they were deposited. From the inspec- 
tion of these, and of improved furniture for the school- 
room accompanying them, a comparatively correct idea 
could be formed of what the county and the State were 
doing for public education. A volume embodj'ing a his- 
tory of the rise and progress of public schools and other 
educational institutions was prepared by authority of 
the State, and placed in the same department. As com- 
pared with other States, the display of the products of 
varied industries and of educational appliances was in 
every respect creditable and satisfactory. Without doubt 
the Exposition gave a new impetus to the material enter- 
prise, and to the work of popular education, in the State. 



Conclusion. — In bringing this brief history of Provi- 
dence County to a close, many details of interest have 
unavoidably been omitted. It may, perhaps, be suffi- 
cient to add, that, in the successive wars of the Revolu- 
tion,* of 1812, and of the late Rebellion, the patriotism 
of its citizens was undoubted. In men and treasure, the 1 
contributions made, first, for securing National indepen- j 
dence ; second, for settling principles of vital consequence 
to the nation ; and, third, for preserving the integrity of; 
the Federal Union, were honorable sacrifices laid upon 
noble shrines. May enlightened statesmanship at home 
and abroad, and the peaceful, unifying influence of Chris- 
tianity, so mould the future of our fair country, and of all [ 
human governments, as forever to prevent a reproduc 
tion of war scenes and experiences. 

ToWTiS. 

The towns were incorporated as follows : — 

BuRRiLLViLLE, Oct. 29, 1806. Taken from Gloucester 
Named after Hon. James Burrill, Jr., a distinguished | 
lawyer of Providence. Population in 187.5, 5,249. 

Cranston, June 14, 1754. Taken from Providence. 
Named after Gov. Samuel Cranston. Portions of the 
town were reunited to Providence June 10, 1868, and 
March 28, 1873. Population, 5,688. 

Cumberland, Jan. 17, 1746-47. Received from 
Massachusetts at this date. Until then it was known as 
Attleboro' Gore. Named from Cumberland in England. 
Population, 5,673. 

East Providence, March 1, 1862. Was part of See- 
konk, Mass., and annexed to Rhode Island in 1862. 
Population, 4,336. 

Foster, Aug. 24, 1781. Taken from Scituate. Named 
from Hon. Theodore Foster. Population, 1,543. 

Gloucester, Feb. 20, 1730-31. Taken from Provi- 
dence. Population, 2,098. 

Johnston, March 6, 1759. Taken from Providence. 
Named from Hon. Augustus Johnston, an attorney-gen- 
eral of the Colony. Population, 4,999. 

Lincoln, March 8, 1871. Taken from Smithfield. 
Named from Pres. Abiaham Lincoln. Population, 11,565. 

North Providence, June 13, 1765. Taken from 
Providence. Portions reunited to Providence June 29, 
1767, Mar. 28, 1873, and May 1, 1874. Population, 1,303. 

* Among prominent officers of the Revolutionary navy and army, who 
were citizens of Providence County, were Admiral Esek Hopkins, Com. 
Abiaham "Whipple, M.ij. Silas Talbot, Capts. Hoisted Harkcr and John 
B. Hopkins, Cols. William Barton (the captor of Gen. Prescott), Daniel 
Hitchcock, Christopher Lippett, Israel Angcll, Jeremiah Olney, Christo- 
pher C. Olney, Ephraini Bowcn, Jr.,Maj. Simeon Thayer, Capts. David 
Dexter, Coggeshall Olney and Stephen Olney. Admiral Hopkins and 
Com. Whipple were the first naval officers on whom their respective 
titles were conferred. 



RHODE ISLAND. 



North Smithfield, March 8, 1871. Taken from 
Smitlifield. Population, 2,797. 

Pawtucket, March 1, 1862. Name of Indian origin. 
Part of the town of Seekonk, Mass., was incorporated 
as the town of Pawtucket, March 1, 1828. The whole 
town of Pawtucket, except a small portion Ijing easterly 
of Seven-Mile Eiver, was annexed to Rhode Island with 
East Pro^•idence. A considerable portion of the town 
of North Providence was annexed to Pawtucket, Maj' 1 , 
1874. Population, 18,464. 



Providence. Original town incorporated as a city in 
1832. Population, 100,675. 

SciTUATE, Feb, 12, 1730-31. Taken from Provi- 
dence. Population, 4,101. 

Smithfield, Feb. 20, 1730-31. Taken from Provi- 
dence. Population, 2,875. 

WooNsocKET, Jan. 31, 1867. Name of Indian origin. 
Taken from Cumberland. A portion of Smithfield was 
annexed to Woonsocket, March 8, 1871.* Population, 
13,576. 



WASIII if GTOjS" county, 



BY ESTHER B. AND REV. JAMES H. CARPENTER. 



The Niantics, Peqnots and Narragansets each claimed 
lands in southern Rhode Island, and their battles were 
fought in the Misquamicut region. Tlie Narraganscts 
prevailed. Their groat sachems were the wise Canoni- 
cus, the prudent Ninigret, the warlike Miautonomo and 
the noble Canonchet. The name of Narragansot, de- 
rived from a spring in the tribal domain, is now applied 
only to Washington Countj'. This part of the Colon}' 
was the third to be settled. Hither came Richard 
Smith of Gloucestershire, Eng., in 1639. He was soon 
followed by Roger Williams, who remained until 1651. 

The " Pettaquamscot Purchase" dates from 1657. 
The names of the seven purchasers were Hull, Porter, 
Wilbor, Mumford, WUson, Arnold and Brunton. " Ath- 
erton's Purchase," opposed by Roger Williams, as made 
contrary to law, took place in 1659. Gov. Winthrop, 
Richard Smith and others combined with Maj. Atherton 
in this attempt to hold Narraganset lands under the rule 
of Connecticut. The settlers about Smith's block-house 
were allowed to choose their rulers, and preferred those 
of Connecticut. 

Border quan-els were fast changing to border war, 
when, in 1664, Charles II. ordered four commissioners, 
of whom Col. Richard NichoUs was chief, to settle the 
vexed questions of charter rights, pending between the 
two Colonies. They made Nan-aganset neutral ground, 
styling it the " King's Province." It comprised the 
southeiTi half of the present Kent County. Its aftairs were 
placed in the hands of Rhode Island magistrates. This 
year the settlers paid their first tax of £20. The town- 
• Rhode Island State Manual. 



ship of Westerly, named from its site, was incorporated 
in 1669. Wisquamicut was the ohl name of this region, 
settled a few years before, by Newport people. The 
first Englishmen who saw this spot were those who 
inarched with Capt. Mason to the fight at the Pequot 
fort at Mystic. t Some of the early settlers were named 
Yaughau, Fairchikl, Burdick, Clarke, Maxon and Bab- 
cock. A road from New London was soon opened, 
which became a mail-route, but no post-offlce was fixed 
here until 1775. Large estates were common in this 
township. One planter owned 2,000 acres. The first 
bridge in the county spanned the Pawcatuck in 1712. 
The first house in Westerly was "Abbott's Castle," the 
dwelling of a pirate. Kidd's treasures are said to have 
been found on this coast by the Babcocks and Hay- 
wards. Westerly Village dates from 1800. The first 
" Sabbatarian church " was built in 1680. The Presb}-- 
terians held meetings in 1733, and founded the first 
Sunday school in the country in 1752. A Friends' meet- 
ing-house was built in 1744. The Indian Baptist Church 
was formed in 1 750. 

Kingstown was incorporated in 1674. Among its 
settlers were the Smiths, Updikes, Phillipses, Codding- 
tons, Stuarts, Whalej's and Coles. 

Wickford was named b}- Roger Williams, for the Eng- 
lish birth-place of Elizabeth Winthrop, a guest of Rich- 
ard Smith, and wife of the younger governor. " Eliza- 
beth's Spring " is still pointed out. Tlie Updike mansion, 
built on the site of Smith's block-house, is the oldest in 
the county. 

t Near Westerly Village there are eleven Indian burial-places. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



Within the limits of this town occurred the famous 
" Swamp Fight," so called, or the bloody and decisive 
battle of Narraganset Fort.* 

After the death of Philip and of Canonchet the feeble 
remnant of this tribe took Ninigret for their chief. It 
was owing to his neutral course that any of his tribe 
still remains in Rhode Island. In 1709 they came under 
the rule of the Colony by the terms of a treat}' which is 
j-et obsen-ed. Two thousand acres of their tribal land 
were reserved to them, the rest being ceded to the State. 
Their chief, " King Tom," was educated in England. 
He built a fine house in Charlestown. The last sachem 
was George, son of " Queen Esther," who possessed 
much of the old spirit of her people. Two other women 
are numbered among Narraganset sachems. 

In 1686 the power of James II. prevailed over the 
chartered rights of Rhode Island. The whole Colony 
was made one count}'. Gov. Joseph Dudley held a 
court at Smith's, and changed the names of the towns. 
Westerly became Haversham, and Kingstown was called 
Rochester, from the birth-place of Richard Smith, its 
first settler. These titles did not outlast the new rule, 
which ended in 1689, soon after the fall of Andros. 

The line between Kingstown and East Greenwich was 
drawn in 1706. Three years before, the Colony had 
been divided into two counties. Providence and Rhode 
Island. Narraganset belonged to the former count}'. 
Kingstown was formed into two towns, North and 
South, in 1722. The Rev. Jacob Bailey of Massachu- 
setts, who passed over Tower Hill in 1754. found its 
grounds and gardens the finest in rural New England. 
The estates in South Kingstown were among the largest 
in the Colony. Robert Hazard owned 12,000 acres, and 
could count up a household of 70, between parlor and 
kitchen. There were more slaves here than in any -other 
part of Rhode Island, Newport excepted; and in 1754 
this was the richest country town in the Colony. The 
Quaker faith was the first to enter this region. Here 
George Fox preached, and a graveyard marks the site of 
the meeting-house, built in 1730. A Presb}terian church 
was formed two years later. Rev. Joseph Torrey, pastor. 
The Baptists can be traced to 1725. 

In 1728 the western bounds of the Colony were fixed, 
and Kings County, now Washington, was incorporated 
the next year. South Kingstown became a shire town. 

• King Philip's war terminated in Angast, 1676. The great contest 
referred to above, and which really decided the fate of the Indians, 
took place the December previous, in the " Narraganset Country," in the 
south part of the State, the scat of the great and powerful tribe of Nar- 
ragansets. Here the Indians, Philip himself and Canonchet being in 
command, had collected in great numbers and fortified themselves on 
a rising ground in the centre of a dense swamp. A considerable force 



The court-house and jail stood at Tower Hill, until after 
the Revolution, when the county seat was fixed at Kings- 
town. That part of the King's Province which now 
forms the southern half of Kent's County, was taken 
from the new county. From 1733 the sessions of the 
Legislature were held between Providence and South 
Kingstown. By order of George II. a census was taken 
in Rhode Island in 1730. Returns from Kings County 
gave a population of 5,554. 

Charlestown, named from Charles II., was incorpo- 
rated in 1738, being taken from Westerly. Here was 
the seat of the Niantics, called the Narragansets, since 
the mixing of the tribes. In 1866 they numbered 133. 
Not an Indian of pure blood now remains among them. 
They are ruled by a governor and council of four, and 
their rights are guarded by the State. Their ancient 
graveyards are at Cross's Mills and Fort Neck. The 
great Staunton and Champlain farms lie in this town. 
The former is four miles long by two broad. The first 
church in Charlestown was " The Church of England," 
organized in 1746. The Indian Baptists held meetings 
in 1750, and a church was soon after built. Rev. Sam- 
uel Niles was a noted native pastor. The " August 
meetings" of the tribe for worship are yearly observed. 

The first missionary in Narraganset was Roger Wil- 
liams, and his faith has always prevailed here. The 
Rev. Samuel Niles (not the Indian pastor, but a native 
of Block Island) preached the Presbyterian doctrines in 
Kingstown from 1702 to 1710. He was the first Rhode 
Islander to graduate from Harvard College. To Peter 
Davis, an English Quaker and missionary at Westerly, 
is ascribed the saying, " Honesty is the best policy." 
During the "great awakening" of 1740, which parted 
church and state, Wbitefield preached in Westerly, Hop- 
kinton, Exeter and North Kingstown. Jemima Wilkin- 
son sometimes preached at the house of Dr. Joshua 
Babcock. Her greatest success in New England was at 
South Kingstown, where Judge William Potter became 
her convert. He built her a house in which she lived six 
years, and when she moved to Genesee, N. Y., he joined 
her train. His adhesion to the new faith cost him the 
greater part of his estate. Among the Friends in the 
county Gurne}'ites prevailed. Joseph John Gurney has 
preached in South Kingstown and in other parts of this 
region. Lorenzo Dow has been heard in the " Old Red 

was sent against them from Massachusetts, Plymouth and Connecti- 
cut.' After a desperate and sanguinary struggle, in which SO of the 
English and not less than 500 of the Indians were slain, the latter 
were utterly defcate'd, many, including women and children, perishing 
in the flames. 

1 Ehode Island was opposed to this exterminating war, and was not even 
consulted in regard to it by th 



RHODE ISLAND. 



School-house" in "Westerly, and the Adventists and 
Millerites have held their meetings in certain quarters of 
Narraganset. 

Exeter, doubtless named from Exeter, Eng., by the 
Phillips familj', who came from that place, became a 
township in 1742, being taken from North Kingstown. 
The first settlers were the Wings, who fixed their home 
near Deep Pond after Philip's war. The two oldest Bap- 
tist churches were formed about 1750. 

Richmond, taken from Charlestown, was made a town- 
ship in 1747. This town was prompt and earnest in 
meeting the demands of the "Old French War" in 1756. 
The records of the First Baptist Church date from 1723. 

Hopkinton, named for Gov. Stephen Hopkins, was 
formed into a township in 1757, being taken from West- 
erly. Hopkinton City dates from 1776. The dread of 
witchcraft formerly prevailed here, and many houses 
were thought to be haunted. 

In 1751, Thomas Carter of Newport, a sea-captain 
who murdered WiUiam Jackson of Virginia, a dealer in 
deer-skins, was tried at the county court-house, on Tower 
Hill. The crime was committed in South Kingstown, 
the two men being fellow-travellers. Carter was hanged 
in the "training-lot" below the hill, and his body re- 
mained chained to the gallows. The last instance of 
capital punishment that occurred in the countj' was in 
the case of Joseph Mount, who had taken part in 30 
burglaries. In 1791, ha\'ing plundered a shop at Potter 
Hill, near Westerly, he was tried at Kingstown, and there 
hanged. 

Kings Countj' shared the spirit of revolt against Brit- 
ish rule, caused bj' the issue of the Stamp Act in 1765. 
Tories* were few, and had but little power to injure the 
cause of the people. Jonathan J. Hazard, brother of 
Thomas, was the leading Whig of the count}'. The coun- 
ty generally was intensely patriotic. When, in 1774, 
the port of Boston was closed. Westerly sent aid in 
money and cattle with a letter. This was the result of 
the largest meeting that had ever been held in the town, 
and which, without a single voice of dissent, endorsed 
the resolutions drawn up by Gov. Samuel Ward, who 
passed most of his life in Westerly. The death of this 
noble statesman, when a member of the Congress of 
1776, was felt as a loss to the whole country. His son, 
Samuel Ward, bom in Westerly, reached the rank of 
lieutenant-colonel, was aid-de-camp of Washington, 



• Among the more prominent Royalists were George Rome, an 
English business agent, residing in North Kingstown, and Thomas 
Hazard of South Kingstown. These parties left the county, and their 
estates were forfeited. Other Tories were Col. Edward Cole, brother of 
Judge John Cole, the active Whig, and Gilbert Stuart, father of the 



served in the siege of Boston, marched to Quebec under 
Arnold, fought at Red Bank in New Jersey, and led a 
company of freed negroes in the battle of Rhode Island 
in 1780. This was the first instance in the annals of 
the country, of the use of colored troops. 

Benjamin, son of "Parson Park," fought and fell with 
Warren at Bunker Hill. Dr. Joshua Babcock was one 
of the State Council of War. The career of his son, 
"Col. Harry," would form a brilliant chapter in colonial 
annals. He served with merit through five campaigns 
in the "Old French War," and when in command at 
Newport, he drove oflT the "Rose," British man-of-war, 
bj' his own firing. Some privateers were fitted out from 
Westerly. In 1779, the 24.gun ship "Mifflin," Capt. 
George W. Babcock, commander, took a number of 
prizes. One-fifth of Westerly's men were in the army 
and militia. The look-out was at Watch Hill, named 
from its use in the French war of 1754. 

North Kingstown sent money and cattle to Boston, 
upon the passage of the Port Bill. Recruits were soon 
enrolled, and the work of forming companies went on 
through the war. In South Kingstown the same cannon 
which had driven the British from Wickford did good 
service at Point Judith, where in 1776, the frigate 
"Syren," of 28 guns, struck her flag, and the crew of 
166 officers and men were marched to Providence. 
Some Tories, thought to be in the plot of this attack, 
were closelj' watched from that time, by the "Commit- 
tee of Safety." A beacon was lighted on Tower Hill in 
1775, by order of the Legislature, and was kept in use 
through the war. Capt. Raymond Perr}', father of Com- 
modore O. H. Perrj', was a zealous recruiting officer of 
this town. Henry ISIarchaut, Esq., who long lived here, 
was deeply hated bj^ Wallace, the commander of the 
squadron Ij'ing off Newport, and he threatened to hang 
the noted Whig at his j-ard-arm. To escape his fierce 
pursuit. Judge Marchant was forced to travel only by 
land, when on circuit duty. Being a member of the Con- 
tinental Congress, he signed the Articles of Confedera- 
tion while in hearing of the guns of the battle of Brandy- 
wine. When the war closed with the surrender of Corn- 
wallis, in 1781, the Legislature decreed that Kings 
County should, in future, be called after Washington. It 
is often spoken of, by Providence people, as the "Old 
South County." 

A great change came over the count}' with the close of 



great painter. The former entered the king's service, and the latter 
joined the members of his party in Nova Scotia early in the war. Rev. 
Samuel Fayerwcathcr, rector of St. Paul's, North Kingstown, would 
not cease to use public prayers for the king, and the church was closed 
to him, being used as the barracks of the coast-guard. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



the Revolution, and the abolition of slavery. The old 
estates were broken up by the working of the altered laws 
of inheritance, and the manner of living conformed to 
the new order of things. In 1780 Kings County num- 
bered more than 1,000 slaves. There were a few slave- 
traders ; but one of them, Rowland Robinson of South 
Kingstown, at the close of his life, sought out, purchased 
and set free those whom he had brought from Africa. 
The negi'ocs were, as a rule, well treated, and were at- 
tached to their masters, though cases of abuse occurred, 
and the murder of a mistress by one of her slaves took 
place in South Kingstown. Slaves often received their 
freedom as a gift. The name of Jeremiah Austin should 
be presented, in view of the righteous course pursued bj- 
him before the question of abolition had been raised. 
Finding himself the owner of a slave, his sole inher- 
itance, he freed the man, and sought work on a farm. 
Orson, a slave in Westerly, catching the spirit of the 
Revolution, bogged the promise of his freedom when he 
should have reached the age of 100 years, being then, at 
the end of the war, past 90. It was at once granted 
him, and he lived to see his hundredth j^ear. 

Ancient Narraganset was a smaller Virginia. In both 
places the presence of the same social system, and the 
merits of the classes who -were formed by it, were the 
same. Climate was the chief factor of difference, for 
the people of both Colonies were of pure English de- 
scent, the most worthy settlers of each being of the 
same social grade. The sober lives and grave learning 
of the colonial gentrj' of Massachusetts and Connecti- 
cut, were not in the spirit of the country squires at Nar- 
raganset. The latter were lovers of ease and pleasure, 
and their tastes were fostered by the use of slave-labor. 
Meanwhile the middle classes, oppressed bj- the presence 
of slaverj-, were read}' to sink to the level of the poor 
whites of the South. Proofs of the wretched state of 
the working people maj' be drawn from such ghmpses as 
the records of earl}- travel afford. Madam Knight, who 
passed through Narraganset on horseback, depicts the 
abject state of the people. Inns were rare, and often 
squalid, for the planters showed great hospitality. Thus 
their verj' ■virtues sometimes worked harm to their poor- 
er neighbors. It was a time of much almsgiving, and 
little well-paid work. The idle might live on the gifts of 
the wealthy ; room was made for the worthless in the 
great kitchens of the open-handed squires ; but it was 
never harder for the poor man to keep his self-respect, 
make his waj- in the world, and provide for his children. 
But the Revolution changed all this, and introduced an 
era of freedom, of social as well as political emancipa- 
tion. Yet even then, the rich continued to share the 



ta^es, and pursue the sports of the English gentry. In 
the spring they feasted at Hartford, and summer brought 
beach races. With autumn the corn-husking revels be- 
gan. From Christmas to Twelfth Day, mirth and pas- 
time ruled the hours. Wedding feasts were kept with 
much eclat. Six hundred guests were present at one of 
the last of these galas. Down to 1800, fox-hunts were 
still enjoyed at South Kingstown. Game was found in 
all parts of the country. The gentry wore the rich cos- 
tume of the time. Each squire, when in the saddle, was 
always followed by a mounted slave, as he made bis way 
to council or court, or, perhaps, drew rein at a mansion 
where the evening was to be passed, in whist-playing 
or dancing the minuet. The country squires of Narra- 
ganset were indeed "a fox-hunting, horse-racing, card- 
playing, feasting generation." 

A new era of greater well-being began with the rise of 
manufactures. The first power-looms used with success 
in America were started by Mr. Rowland Hazard at 
Peacedale, South Kingstown, in 1814. In 1810 cotton 
cloth was first made in Westerlj-, and the cotton-mill of 
the Potters, one of the oldest in the country, was built 
here two years Later. The varied industries of Westerly ; 
the thrifty manufactories of Wickford in North Kings- 
town, in which nearl}- $2,000,000 are invested ; and the 
thriving manufacturing interests of other towns, attest 
the industrial strength of Washington County. The war 
of 1812 brought some alarms, but no attacks to the ex- 
posed coast-line of Narraganset. The great naval hero 
of that war. Com. Oliver Hazard Perry, was born 
in South Kingstown, where the familj' homestead still 
stands, and he was taught at the Tower Hill school. 

Every town in the county sent volunteers to the army 
of the nation, during the war of the Rebellion. Tlie 
"Westerly Rifles" marched in the first Rhode Island 
regiment, and twice they entered the sendee, giving to 
the ranks 280 men. Sixtj'-two of the volunteers from 
Westerly, Charlestown and Hopkinton died in the service. 
No soldier of the war was better, braver or truer than 
Gen. Isaac P. Rodman, whose name remains a sacred 
bequest to his native town of Kingstown. He entered 
the army as a captain. His charge at Newbern, leading 
the fourth Rhode Island, was one of the most gallant oi 
the da}-. At Antietam he led a division, acting as major- 
general, and, while forming his troops, fell, shot through 
the chest. He was removed to a house in the rear, where 
he lingered in great pain for thirteen days. His family and 
friends watched over him in his last hours, which were 
calm and peaceful. Tlie remains lay in state in Pro^n- 
dence, and were buried near the home of the deceased in 
Rocky Brook. 



RHODE ISLAND. 



The wealth of the count}' reached the sum of $11, 479,- 
505 in 1875. The industrial products of southern Rhode 
Island were seen at their best in the display made at the 
Centennial Exhibition by the leading manufacturers of 
tills county. From the Westerly granite-quarries came 
the noble figure of the Antietam Soldier, destined to serve 
as a monument on that battle-field. It stood between 
the Main Building and Art Gallery, and reached the 
height of 45 feet with the pedestal. 

Two hundred and forty years have passed since Richard 
Smith, the pioneer of Narraganset, entered its borders. 
The county records bear the well-known features of 
Rhode Island history. Here, as elsewhere in the Colony, 
soul-liberty has been cherished. Here the sons of the 
State learned, in our earlier and later daj-s, — in the 
Revolutionary struggle ; in the darli hours of ci\'il war, — 
the value of a country ; the meaning of duty and self- 
sacrifice. 

Constitutional rule succeeded to the doubts and fears 
and errors of an infant State. The abolition of slavery 
strengthened the hands and smoothed the path of honest 
polity. The free school and an untrammelled press have 
done their great work. Manufactures have emiched our 
towns and built up our hamlets, while they have invited 
the presence of skilled artisans from all parts of the 
world. The untroubled cuiTent of life still flows on in 
peace and prosperity. Narraganset may safely rest her 
fame upon the deeds of her sons, true to her interests, 
faithful to the dictates of patriotism, eminent and 
admired abroad, esteemed and respected at home. 
Neither will she forget to honor the virtues of her many 
worthy daughters. It is with proud memories of the 
past, and with bright hopes for the future, that the " Old 
South County " completes her hundred and fiftieth j'ear. 

Descriptive. 

Washington Count}', next to Providence Count}', is 
the largest in the State, covering an area of 332 square 
miles. It is divided into seven townships. The population 
of these townships, as well as that of the county, was, in 
1875, as follows : North Kingstown, 3,505 ; South Kings- 
town, 4,240; Westerly, 5,408; Charlestown, 1,054; 
Hopkinton, 2,760; Richmond, 1,739; Exeter, 1,355; 
and Washington County, 20,061. 

The county comprises all the southern section of the 
State l}'ing on the main land, south of Kent County. Its 
entire eastern limits are washed by tlie Atlantic Ocean 
and Narraganset Bay ; its southern limits by the Atlan- 
tic, or Block Island Sound, and its western limits are 
bounded by Connecticut. Between Wiekford and the 
Annaquatucket River, lies, near the main land, Fox 



Island ; and, embosomed in the waters of Wiekford 
Cove, lie the islets Cornelius and Queen's, aUas Rabbit. 

Wiekford Cove is capacious, and, from its land-locked 
position, aflTords the best kind of safety to vessels. It is 
of suflScient depth to admit shipping of several hundred 
tons. The inlet at Westerly, extending five miles from 
its ocean mouth, affords an equally secure harborage. 
This harbor, by United States government appropriations, 
is undergoing important improvements. Landings, 
wharves, piers and breakwaters appear along the coast 
at Hamilton, Saunderstown, South Ferry, now Narra- 
ganset, Watson's, and at Narraganset Pier. At the lat- 
ter place breakwater defences and wharves admit of 
steamboat occupation. 

The shore, from Plum Beach to Point Judith, is com- 
posed chiefly of weighty stones or bowlders, or imbedded 
rock, and promontory granite ledges, afibrding frequent 
sites for angling. 

The whole sea and bay coast presents fertile slopes or 
plains, extending back seven or eight miles, in generally 
weU-tiUed lands. This belt is rarely equalled in produc- 
tiveness by other of the main lands in the State. For- 
ests, near the coast, are confined to only a few score, or 
a few hundred acres each. These being of infrequent 
occurrence, by far the largest portion of the soil is left 
suitable for tillage and grazing. Beyond this sea-belt, 
forests prevail more extensively. Originally, many of 
the farms were of great extent, comprising tracts from 
one to three miles square. The largest land-holders 
among the early settlers cultivated plantations of over 
3,000 acres each. Some owned even larger estates. The 
entire purchases of Richard Smith, the first settler in the 
county near Wiekford in 1641, were, by estimation, 
30,000 acres. In 1710 John Mumford purchased 8,000 
acres. Few of these early-purchased favors now retain 
their original dimensions. Most of the farms are 
enclosed, and conveniently lotted with stone walls. 
These, having gradually increased through past genera- 
tions, have relieved the soil of much of its stone and 
rock. Such agricultural machines as the mower, raker 
and thresher are in general use. Barns for the shelter of 
cattle, and for appropriating the fertilizing products of 
the barnyard, have generally superseded the former 
usage of foddering in open fields. Many of the old 
grades of stock have given way to the imported breeds, — 
the A}Tshire, Jersey, Devon, the Shorthorn and the 
Durham. The fields are well adapted to the sheep- 
grower, and formerly single farmers kept large flocks, 
containing, in some instances, as many as 2,000 sheep. 
Owing to the resort of thousands yearly to Narraganset 
Pier and Watch Hill, the introduction of herds of horses 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



is made in large numbers, to meet the wants of this class. 
The saddle has 3ielded to phaeton, bugg}-, barouche and 
landau. Within the last 50 j-ears the garrets of the 
finest mansions were often receptacles for the storage of 
accumulating fleeces of wool. Here were plied the hand- 
loom, spinning-wheel, hatchel, reel and hand-carding 
instruments. Here, in remoter daj's, the slave toiled and 
slept ; and here, sometimes, where the neglected stone 
chimney- gave free admission to swallow and pigeon, their 
nightl}' perches were not forbidden. These customs, it 
need hardly be said, have been eclipsed by the cmliza- 
tion of the present era, — since steamboat, railroad, tele- 
graph and mill-machinery have introduced their improve- 
ments and faciUties for intercourse with all parts of the 
nation, and with all the nations of the earth. 

At the extreme north-west section of the count}-, the 
land reaches its greatest height, and manj' hills aflTord 
commanding views of the country and ocean. From 
almost every elevation the landscape is remarkably varied. 
These views are abundant on long stretches of highway. 
Perhaps none can claim more interesting features than 
are found at Watch Hill and the high lands of Charles- 
town, Matoonuc, Kingstown and Point Judith. Boston 
Neck heights, on the easterlj' shores of North and South 
Kingstown, are noted spots of scenic delight ; but no 
views can claim more of the beauties of both nature 
and art, than those afforded from the crests of the range of 
Tower, MeSparran and Kite hills. The ocean expanse 
visible from these heights, in one open view of one-third 
of a circle, is of unwonted magnificence ; and the numer- 
ous plying sailing-vessels and steam palaces, give it ever 
new life and var3-ing forms of interest. 

At Watch Hill is a lighthouse, with revolving light^ 
erected in 1802, rebuilt of granite in 185o, and now has 
a life-saving station attached. At Point Judith is another 
stone lighthouse, with revolving light, built in 1816. A 
pre\-ious wooden structure, built in 1809, was destro3-ed 
by the great gale of 1815. A third lighthouse at Poplar 
Tree Point, Wickford Harbor, was built in 1831, and re- 
fitted in 1871. At Narraganset Pier is a life-boat build- 
ing erected in 1875, with necessarj- appliances. A gov- 
ernment appropriation of §25,000 has been made for 
building a lighthouse on Whale Rock, which rises slight- 
ly above high tide, near the western entrance of Narra- 
ganset Ba3'. 

Nearly all the sti-eams of the county furnish good mill- 
privileges, and are widely occupied with cotton and wool- 
len manufactories. The salt ponds or lakes are large 
and numerous, dotting coast and bay. Pettaquamscut, 
Point Judith, Green Hill, Pawawget or Charlestown, 
Quanocoataug and Ward's are the largest. Some of 



them are more than five miles in length. .The fresh- 
water ponds or lakes are still more numerous. The 
largest are Worden's, Watchaug, Belleville, Yawgoo and 
Chapman's. Worden's, about two miles in length, and 
nearl3- the same in breadth, is the largest sheet of fresh 
water in the State. 

The Indian trail, with its notched trees, ranging so as 
b3' directest line to cross the headings of the sea-inlets 
b3- the best fording places, was once the only thorough- 
fare. This was called " The Pequot Path," and ex- 
tended from Connecticut bounds, near Westerl3-, to the 
Pawtucket River, and thence to Boston. This became 
the first bridle-path of the settler, and later the great 
highwa3- for carriages and equestrians passing between 
Philadelphia, New York, Newport, Providence, or Bos- 
ton. This is still the route of carriage-travel. Another 
old route is the " Ten Rod " road, which dates from the 
settlement of Wickford, when it was laid out ten rods in 
width from that village westward to the Connecticut line, 
near Beach Pond, at Voluutown. With certain encroach- 
ments by private occupation, which began very early, it 
remains much as ever, in good order, and in frequent 
travel. 

Since 1837 the New York, Stonington and Boston 
Raih-oad has intersected this county from its northern 
boundar3- of Hunt's River, near Hunt's Bridge, to West- 
erly, in nearl3- the remotest south-west corner. This 
almost perfectl3' diagonal course gives the best average 
accessibility from all parts of the county. A double 
track extends the entire distance. A branch railroad 
now connects Wickford with the Wickford Junction and 
by steamboat connection with Newport. Another branch 
railroad has more latel3- been constructed from Richmond 
Switch in Richmond to Hope Valley in Hopkinton. Still 
another branch railroad has been constructed and oper- 
ated since 1876 from Kingston Junction to Narraganset 
Pier, a distance of about nine miles, with important 
stations at Peacedalo and Wakefield. 

Three weekly newspapers are published in the county, 
the " Narraganset Weekly," at Westerl3', the " Nari'a- 
ganset Times," at Wakefield, and the " Wood River Ad- 
vertiser," at Woodville. 

The pubUc cemeterj- incorporated b3' civil authority, 
and placing the "cit3- of the dead" in the hands of 
officials whose death or removal is at once supplied by 
chartered succession, alone ensures something like an 
unfailing perpetuity of adequate super\-ision and care. 
Public cemeteries of this kind now exist in broad dimen- 
sions at River Bend in the vicinity of Westerly, at Al- 
lentown in North Kingstown, at Potter Hill in Westerly, 
at Wyoming in Hopkinton, at River Side near Wakefield, 



RHODE ISLAND. 



and in lessor dimensions in Soutli Kingstown, at Periy- 
ville, at Oakland near Peacedale, and at Fern wood 
near Kingstown. 

In Charlestown the State has lately convej'ed to the 
Indian descendants of Ninigret, Canonchet, Canouicus 
and Miantonomo, certain cemetery grounds embracing 
their old interments of prince or peasant, with an appro- 
priation of $300 to defray the expense of the enclosure 
and of a memorial to their tribal fame. 

The public free-school system, dating from 1828, en- 
sures instruction in all the common English branches, in 
every centre of population, and everj' remote nook of 
the countj\ Graded schools exist in the townships of 
Westerly and Hopkinton. In Westerly Village, a large 
free grammar school house has been latelj' built, in addi- 
tion to the Pawtucket Academj-, an incorporated institu- 
tion dating from 1837, and a smaller academy built in 
1814. Free high-schools have been established at Hope 
Valley and at Rock\'illc, in the township of Hopkinton. 

In other places, private institutions of old standing, 
such as Kingston and Wickford academies, embraced the 
liigher English and classical studies from their founda- 
tion. That at Wickford received its charter in 1800 — 
a noble edifice for its daj' — occupjing a commanding 
and romantic spot, and attaining a marked popularitj- 
through its earlier years. As the common free-schools 
came into use, this institution lost its prestige, and was 
practically converted bj' a lease of 99 years into an in- 
stitute for a public school. It was destroj-od by fire in 
1874, but a commodious structure was soon erected in 
its stead, on the same site, and is fulfilling the lease as 
before the interruption. That at Kingston has existed 
from a little earlier period. 

The change of the county-seat from Tower Hill* to 
Kingston, near the close of the eighteenth centur}', 
changed the residences of leading families from the for- 
mer place to the new countj' seat. With this change 
began the success of the Kingston Academy. Here, 
through the following 30 or 40 years, were educated the 
sons and daughters of nearly all the contiguous families, 
many of the children of prominent families residing more 
distantly in the county and in various parts of the State, 
and others from sections not less remote than South 
Carolina, or even Cuba and Fayal. The fame of the 
academy was due to its healthful location, and to its 
accomplished teachers. 

Besides the mauj' district free school-houses, the State 
has provided the county structures at Kingston, the countj' 

» With this change of village population, the old school-house at 
Tower Hill, which had existed from colonial days, and shared the ben- 
efits of the " Sewall Fund," — the endowment of Samuel Sewall, — and 



seat. These consist of a comely and spacious State or 
court house and jail. Since by recent law the General 
Assembly confines its sittings to Proxadence and Newport, 
the court-house has been used for judicial business only. 
Previous to this change, it had been occupied, not only 
for the sessions of the courts, as now, but also for the 
annual sittings of the General Assembly. The jail is of 
stone, of comely style and large size, built not long 
since on the site and in the place of the old wooden 
structure of the last century. 

The great September gale of 1815 swept over this 
county with a force and destructiveness unparalleled by 
all previous or past tornados on this coast. The tides 
rose more than ten feet above ordinary high-water mark 
in waves of prodigious power and loftj' height. The 
spray, borne by the wind, sprinkled plentifully, like rain- 
drops, the windows of dwellings situated nearlj' a mile 
from the ocean in the direction of the wind. So power- 
ful was the gale, that apple orchai'ds in Connecticut, 
twenty miles be3'ond the ocean, were affected with the 
taste of the salt spraj- on their ripening fruit. The 
shores of the whole coast were a scene of desolation. 
From Westerl3- to Wickford, and beyond, ponderous 
stones, from one to three tons weight, were in some 
places swept from their low-tide beds and borne in 
crowded groups upon the meadow surface 15 feet above 
their former resting-places and scattered on this higher 
plane from 100 to 300 feet beyond the shore. Debris 
of houses, vessels, trees, haj' and other crops, or ani- 
mals, lined man}' shores. Wickford, situated on a low 
peninsula, was flooded in manj' places above the window- 
sills of the lower rooms ; and families dwelling in the 
most inundated parts sought safetj' from theu' homes in 
boats. At Westerly, the scenes were no less alarming, 
and their shipping, stores and dwellings suffered largel}" 
from wdnd or wave. At Point Judith, lives were lost bj' 
the tidal-wave sweeping them and the herds they were 
attempting to rescue into a common grave. Orchards 
and ornamental trees were prostrated in all directions, 
and forests thinned by the tornado's force. 

The later gale, of 1869, was in manj' features similar, 
but of so much shorter duration as to leave less destruc- 
tive efl'ects. Some forests were then impaired ; some 
orchards nearly ruined ; and a newly-finished church at 
Narraganset Pier utterly wrecked. 

The widely-spread dark day of 1780 was experienced 
here, much as elsewhere in New England. At noon-day 
houses needed to be lighted ; the cows came home to 

had been the only house of that description within the radius of a dozen 
miles, Kingston alone excepted, lost its former prestige. This anti- 
quated buildin!; still stands as a monument of colonial times. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



their milking-yards ; the poultrj' retired to their perches ; 
and the family mused in unwonted anxiety or alarm. 

This county, from its earliest settlement, ever gave 
pre-eminence to religious matters. The settlement at 
Wickford was first under the influence of such conscien- 
tious zealots as Richard Smith and Roger Williams, 
both refugees for conscience' sake. The whole territory 
maj- be said to have been peopled bj"^ three classes of 
religious proplc. These classes were e'li.'nv eiiihraced 




in the Puritan element from Boston and Plymouth ; the 
Church of England element from Newport and Provi- 
dence, England and Scotland ; the Quaker element from 
Newport and Portsmouth, New York and Virginia ; the 
Baptist element from the island of Rhode Island ; and the 
Neutralist element from nearlj' all these places. The pre- 
vailing element of the county has never overshadowed all 
others. But in preponderance of numbers, over any one 
sect, the Baptists maintain a majority. 

Towns. 
North Kingstown. — Wickford, the principal village 
of the town, stands chiefly- on a peninsula, extending 



into Narraganset Bay. Its principal street is beautified 
with lines of shade-trees, thrifty dwellings and sever.il 
fine public structures. Among the latter are St. Paul's 
Episcopal cliurch, the Baptist church, the granite build- 
ing of the Narraganset Bank, and the academy. The 
old Narraganset Church, which has withstood all the 
winters since 1707, divested only of its spire, and sur- 
rounded by the monuments of its ancient dead, still 
stands, a worthy monument of the piety of its foun- 
ders, and of the reverence of its present 
guardians. 

At West Wickford is a spacious Ro- 
man Catholic church, erected in 1874. 

Westehly stands at the head of tide- 
water, and strictly as a group of edifices 
occupies both sides of the Pawcatuck 
River. County limits, however, confine 
the description to the Rhode Island ter- 
ritory alone. The chief street, leading 
fiom the railroad station, displays the 
noticeable mercantile and banking edi- 
fices of granite, brick or wood. The 
Dixon House, the most costly structure 
of the kind in the county, stands hero. 
It ranks among the largest and finest in 
New England. Other prominent build- 
ings are the Sabbatarian, the First and 
the Calvary Baptist churches. The town 
house, built in 1874, on the site of the 
old union meeting-house, is a fine build- 
ing two stories high, with a tower. Many 
of the manufactories of the place are of 
early origin, mostly rebuilt, improved 
and enlarged. Spools, bobbins, looms, 
punting- presses and machinery, woollen 
and cotton warp goods are extensively 
manufactured here. The quarries on the 
easterly hills, employing hundreds of 
men, yield fine granite in abundance. Rhode Island's 
contribution to the national monimient in Washington 
was obtained from these rocks. Seven quarries 3'ield 
four varieties : the white, blue, red and macul.ited. 
The several manufacturing villages situated within a 
few miles' circuit from the town, and largely owned 
bj' its residents, contribute to the aggregate business 
of its merchants — the latter now quite numerous, hav- 
ing quite supplanted the ship-builders, privateers-men, 
navigators and fishermen of former days. The town 
contains three national banks, and an equal number of 
savings banks. In the south-eastern part of the town 
is the well-known seaside resort of Watch Hill. Here 



EHODE ISLAND. 



are seven large hotels, and extensive beaches. White 
Rock, north of Westerlj- village, contains a large mill 
for the manufacture of jaconets and shirtings. Hon. 
Nathan F. Dixon, a prominent lawyer, and a native of 
Westerly-, has been for ten j-ears a member of Congress. 
Hon. George H. Pendleton of Ohio, is also a native of 
the town. 

South Kingstown. — The village of Peaeedale, con- 
taining about 1,200 inhabitants, is situated on the Sau- 
gatucket River, one mile north of Wake- 
field. It has been a manufacturing spot 
from the earliest da^s. The vicinage 
is adorned with a stone Congregational 
church of tasteful architecture. The vil- 
lage contains many fine residences. The 
Hon. Rowland G. Hazard, who resides 
here, has long been known widely to the 
civilized world as one of the most suc- 
cessful of manufacturers, and as an au- 
thor of high repute. His treatise on 
" The Will" has gained a popularity 
which has led to its translation into a 
foreign tongue. 

The thriving village of Wakefield is 
situated on both sides of the Saugatueket 
River. W^here this river, with mill-pond 
and mill-dam, pours its sometimes power- 
ful cataracts into the Point Judith salt 
lake, it is spanned by a single-arch stone 
bridge. It has a national and a savings 
bank, a fine town hall — the munificent 
gift of Hon. R. G. Hazard — and a news- 
paper, the "Narraganset Times." The 
principal streets are occupied with hand- 
some dwellings with ornamental grounds. 
Narraganset Pier is mainly a village of 

j hotels and cottages for summer resort. 
The beach, one mile in length, is one of 
the finest in New England. The mansion of the Spragnc 
family, not far distant, looms u)) like an English baronial 
retreat. Al, the southern extremity of the village stands 
the " Stone Castle" erected by Joseph P. Hazard, Esq., 
30 years since, with its maturing forest trees, and its nu- 
merous shrubs and flowers. 

The village of Kingston stands on a high ridge, and, 
being the county seat, has a commanding prestige. In 

! addition to its public buildings, belonging to the State, it 

j has a Congregational church, —built 80 years ago, — an 

I academj- and a stone record-building. 

1 Dr. Thomas M. Potter, a retired surgeon of the U. S. 
navy, and his brothers, Hon. Elisha R. Potter, judge of 



the Supreme Court, and Gen. James B. M. Potter of the 
U. S. armj-, are among the most distinguished natives of 
Kingston. 

The widow of Gen. Isaac P. Rodman, who fell at 
Antietam, resides at Rock}' Brook. 

Rev. Edward Everett Hale has a summer residence in 
the vicinity. 

At Matoonuc stan Is the huml k dwdlins where Com 
Oliver Hazard P i> uf I il Y 1 \ is, born 




The "\\'ashington County Agricultural Society have 
their gn^unds at West Kingston. 

Tower Hill, the ancient seat of the colonial county 
courts, has a landscape and ocean prospect almost unri- 
valled. The remotest cliff is surmounted b}' a large hotel. 

Charlestown. — Cross's Mills, the principal centre of 
business, contains a shingle-mill, where more shingles are 
sawed yearly, than at any other place in the county. 
The old Stanton homestead is located near this village. 

Hopkinton consists of several thriving villages. Hop- 
kinton City is a business centre for the country popula- 
tion for miles around. Carriage-making is its chief 
industry. A high school is located here. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



Hope Valle3' contains a national and a savings bank, 
and a manufactoiy for steam-engines and printing- 
presses. 

Other \'illages are Asliaway, Bethel, Laurel Dale, 
Locustville, Barberville, Wyoming, Rockville, Centre- 
ville and Acadia. 

Richmond consists of Carolina, Shannock, Usquepaug 
and several other villages. Woollens and eassimeres are 
manufactured at the first-named place and at Shannock. 
Usquepaug is noted for its romantic situation. 

Exeter comprises several small settlements, mostly 
engaged in manufacturing. At Yawgoo, jeans, doeskins 
and other fabrics are produced. 

North Kingstown contains no Ifss than 13 villages, 
I some of considerable importance. At Lafayette is a 

* A little removed from this, is the more ancient village proper, where a 
manufacturing business has been conducted since 1800, when woollen 
cloths were first manufactured here. As early as 1720 its then mill was 
I used for grinding grain A later-built mill was destroyed by (ire in 
I 1847. This was soon rebuilt and operated. The villa^-i is noted as the 



mammoth brick mill 316 feet long, built in 1877, and 
supplied with lirst-class machineiy for the manufacture 
of jeans, doeskins, &c. 

Davisville* is a thrifty hamlet in the northern part of 
the town on the Stonington Raih'oad. 

In the vicinity of Hammond's Hill stands the house in 
which Gilbert Stuart, the portrait painter of world-wide 
fame was born. 

Almost connecting with this house is the mill known 
as the "old snuff mill," which for the last century has 
been used for grinding grain. In 1750 Dr. Moffat, a 
Scotch merchant, settled in Newport, employed Gilbert 
Stuart of Scotland, the father of the artist, to emigrale, 
erect this mill and engage with him in the manufacture of 
snuff. Here, in 1755, the bhlh of this artist took place. 

scat of the Le Moines or Mawneys, the Huguenot family who early be- 
gan a settlement near this spot. The present owners, the Davis broth- 
ers, whose ancestor, Mr. Joshua Davis, operated the mill in 1720, are 
connected, through an ancient marriage tie, with the Le Mome Hugue- 
not fj.mily. 



M A T N E 



BY REV. MARK TRAFTON, D. D. 



Maine maj' well cherish an honest pride in the motto 
on her State seal — " Dirigo." Her mountains are 
gilded by the earliest morning beams ; her soil was crim- 
soned by the first blood shed in the conflict between civ- 
ilization and barbarism. The European greed for gold 
found its first gratification in the fauna and fish of her 
wilderness and waters, while the first active opposition 
to a dominant hierarchy and proud ecclesiasticism was 
bred and nourished on her rocky shores. Well and trulj' 
ma}- she saj', " I lead." 

Rich in rare historic facts and incidents ; rich in the 
untarnished reputation of noble sons and daughters ; 
rich in her extended territorj', its varied and magnificent 
scenerj' ; rich in her resources and productions, she 
stands proudlj' prominent in the grand sisterhood of 
States. 

Her ships, built b}' her own citizens, and with material 
from her own forests, have sailed every sea, and borne 
her productions to ever}' clime, while her enterprising 
sons and daughters have swelled the population and 
aided in moulding the character and shaping the destiny 
of the Great West. 

Her first settlers, while j-et in the discomforts of their 
log huts, watching with sleepless vigilance the lurking 
savage, made education and religion the first objects of 
interest, and reared the school-house and the sanctuary. 
Upon these great principles, — universal education and 
freedom of conscience, — they based the grand super- 
structure the}' have reared at such cost. Material was 
being prepared for a great edifice, and it must be cut, 
not from clay but solid granite. 

The first permanent English settlement on the coast 
of IMaine was upon the island of Monhegan, and was, 
in fact, onl}' a fishing-station, continuing until the break- 
ing out of the first conflict with the natives. The abun- 
dance of fish on this coast attracted the attention of 
Europeans soon after its discover}', and, as early as 1600, 
the Enghsh sent out 100 vessels annually, manned by a 
set of vagabonds; and in 1744, the French fishing- fleet 
on this coast numbered 264 sail. 

The grant conferred upon the Plymouth Company in 



1620, included the whole territory between latitude 40 
and 48 degrees, and extending from the Atlantic to the 
Pacific, — an empire in itself. 

Robert Gorges, son of Sir Fernando Gorges, was 
appointed governor of this wilderness, and with one 
Levett, who received a grant of 6,000 acres of land, 
sailed for his domain, landing first on the " Isles of 
Shoals," and then, after exploring the coast eastward as 
far as Pemaquid, returned and selected a site for the 
seat of empire near Mount Agamenticus, and gave it the 
name of Gorgeana (York). 

Gorges soon wearied of this life in the wilderness, and 
in 1624 returned to England. A part of his colony 
removed to Virginia, and the rest went back to England. 

These adventurers were slow to learn that some more 
sterling qualities than personal prowess and lust for gold 
were essential to success in the work of founding an 
empire, in a wilderness filled with roving savages, in a 
cold climate, and on a sterile and rocky soil. It was 
left to the Pilgrim fathers and mothers, to show the power 
of a living faith in God to overcome such formidable 
obstacles. 

Still on came the fishermen in large numbers, spending 
the summer and early autumn in the prolific waters of 
Maine. Between the years 1607 and 1622, 109 ships 
entered and cleared at Pemaquid (Bristol) . 

Plymouth Colony escaped actual starvation by suppUes 
procured from the fishing fleet, and in 1623 the Wey- 
mouth Colony were relieved from the same source. 

The conflicting territorial claims were a serious ob- 
stacle to the rapid settlement of this region ; added to 
which were the ever-recurring attacks by the Indians, 
incited and aided by the French, who claimed all terri- 
tory west to the Kennebec, under the name of Acadia. 

In 1629, the "Plymouth Company" began to convey 
their territory in such quantities as the applicants de- 
sired ; John Mason took the region lying between the j 
rivers Merrimac and Piseataqua, and gave it the name 
of New Hampshire. This defined the western line of i 
Maine. The whole coast, as far east as the Penobscot, 
was thus disposed of in large, ill-defined grants. In | 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



1635, the old Plymouth Companj-, finding no profits 
coming into their depleted treasuiy, surrendered their 
charter to the Crown, having di-s-ided the territory among 
its members. Maine, by these several grants, fell under 
four jurisdictions : the Gorges claim, from Piscataqua to 
Kennebunk ; Eigby's, from the latter place to the Ken- 
nebec ; the Sagadahoc, from the Kennebec to the Pe- 
nobscot ; and the French claim, from that river to the 
St. Croix. 

Massachusetts, jealous of these various proprietaries, 
and by the petition of manj' of the settlers, set up a 
claim in 1651 for the entire jurisdiction, under cover of 
her charter. Commissioners were sent to admit the 
Gorges and Rigb}' grants to the control of the Baj' Col- 
onj-. The matter was appealed to Parliament. But 
there was a man now at the head of the British govern- 
ment, and a Puritan Parliament sided with their Puritan 
brethren in the wilderness. In 1652, 150 freemen, in 
five settlements, took the oath of allegiance to Massa- 
chusetts, and Maine now became a province of the Bay 
Colonj-. 

Cromwell had, in 1653, annulled the transfer of Aca- 
dia to France. But on the restoration of Charles II., 
more to spite the Puritans than for any other reason, it 
was restored to France in 1067, by the treaty of Breda, 
to become a bone of contention, and to be retaken sub- 
sequentlj' at a great sacrifice of blood and treasure. 

But the reader must not fancy Maine in 1067 as it is 
seen now, with its numerous villages, and growing cities, 
and populous towns stretching back to the Canadian line. 
It was almost an unbroken wilderness of woods and 
waters ; the few settlements along its coast being at Fal- 
mouth, Saco, Sagadahoc, Damariscotta, Pemaquid and 
Sheepscot ; fishermen, lumbermen, and farmers gaining 
a precarious living, and looking constantly for an incur- 
sion of savage foes. It was a struggle for life. Then 
the rival claimants gave constant trouble. No one could 
claim his land and betterments ; he had the title of a 
squatter onlj'. The heirs of Gorges revived their claim, 
and appealed to the crown. But the Massachusetts 
Colony sent an agent to England, and finally extin- 
guished this claim bj' purchase of Gorges, paj-ing $0,000. 

King Philip's war (1675-76) burst upon these feeble 
settlements in Maine in its wildest fury, and nearly all 
were broken up, and the people muixlered or driven into 
exile. 

When this war closed, another dark cloud rose on the 
horizon. King Charles had been negotiating for the pur- 
chase of the Gorges charter for the crown, but being short 
of funds just then, the purchase was delajed, when, on 
waking one morning, he learned to his extreme mortifi- 



cation that he, the " King of Great Britain, France and 
Ireland, Defender of the Faith, &c., &c.," had been 
overreached by the Bay Colony of Massaelmsetts, and 
that the coveted prize was on its way across the Atlantic. 

Charles had given to his brother, the Duke of York, 
all the territorj' east of the line at Kennebunk to the 
Penobscot. With the progress of events, the Duke of 
York became king. The charter of Massachusetts was 
revoked, and all the Colonies were consolidated. Pema- 
quid was annexed to Boston, and the governor. Sir 
Edmund Andros, whose seat was at Manhattan (New 
York), extended his authority from the Pennsylvania 
line to the Penobscot. 

It was a dark day for the feeble colonists, and little 
progress was made in the settlements. Indian dep- 
redations, which commenced with Philip's war, con- 
tinued until 1700, with little cessation. Soon after the 
treaty of Breda, in 1668, which ceded Acadia again to 
France, a French gentleman, Baron de Castin, came 
from Canada to the Penobscot, and settling at Bagaduce 
(now Castine) , on the eastern shore of the Penobscot 
Bay, erected a fort on the high land between Bagaduce 
River and the bay. Constructing a truck-house, and 
procuring a supply of goods, he opened trade with the 
Indians. He entered into close alUance with the natives 
b^' taking the daughter of a Penobscot chief to wife, 
while the Jesuits in his train made the conversion of the 
tribes to Romanism a special object ; and so effectual 
was this work, that these converts remain to this day 
flrmlj' attached to the Romish Church. 

The Dutch, driven from New York, sailed eastward 
and threatened the feeble settlements on this coast, but 
were repulsed. 

In 1688 Gov. Andros projected a tour of visitation to 
this eastern Province of his dominions. Making arrange- 
ments for a convoy by the British frigate " Rose," he 
sailed in his sloop, and, joining the frigate at Pemaquid, 
thej' proceeded on a marauding expedition to the Penob- 
scot. They sent a boat ashore to inform Castin of their 
presence ; but when the Baron learned that the notorious 
Andros was on board, he, with his family, took to the 
woods ; and Andros, landing, broke into and robbed his 
establisliment of all its possessions, save an altar and 
crucifix, which his religious scruples restrained hi in from 
molesting. England and France were at peace at this 
time, and Castin was on acknowledged French tenitory, 
so that this act of the puissant governor was sheer rob- 
bery. It greatlj' exasperated the Indians, and was by 
them retaliated on the innocent settlers. 

William and Mary came to the English throne on the 
abdication of James, in 1690. A fierce Indian war was 



raging throughout New England, and, b}' the close of 
1G90, only four English settlements wore left in this 
Pro%'ince, — Wells, York, Kitterj', and Appledore on the 
Isles of Shoals. 

In this bloodj' struggle the savages were onlj' allies of 
the French. The latter incited and planned tlie attacks ; 
they furnished arms and ammunition ; they set a price 
upon prisoners and scalps, and joined in the attacks upon 
the settlements ; one man testifj'ing that he was scalped, 
not b}' an Indian, but a Frenchman. 

At Castine a plan was matured to malve a grand foray 
upon the entire coast as far south as New York, and thus 
put a finality' to British power in the New World ; but 
this scheme was relinquished. 

It was a dark period in the history of this Province. 
The tomahawk and scalping-knife had nearly' extermi- 
nated the poverty-stricken inhabitants. Hundreds were 
in their graves, or their ashes mingled with the cinders of 
their burned dwellings. Scores of others were in a cajj- 
tivit}' worse than death. 

Immigration, which had turned strongly upon these 
desert shores during the reigns of Charles II. and James, 
was checked by the mild reign of William and Marj' ; 
and then, tlie constant struggle with cold winters, sterile 
soil, and lurking sa\'age foes was enough to cause the 
stoutest heart to quail. 

The tyrannj- of Andros ended with the change of 
government at home. Massachusetts asserted her rights, 
and was aroused to defend her possessions in the east. 

In 1710, Massachusetts sent an expedition against Port 

Royal, afterwards called Annapolis, which was taken. 

This gave to the English a power over the Indians, and 

I it was used to bring them into peaceful relations with 

I the settlers. At a conference held at Portsmouth, in 

Jn\j, 1713, the western Indians were induced to sign a 

{ treaty, in which the eastern tribes subsequently joined", 

and, for a season, peace reigned in this Province. How- 

i over, the inhabitants returned reluctantly to their old 

homes, suspicious of the sincerit}' of the Indians. 

The first tax laid upon this Province was in 1735, in 
! amount, £46 7s., and a special effort was made to pro- 
mote the settlement of the lands lying back from the sea- 
shore. To accomplish this, the first pension act was 
passed by the General Court of Massachusetts. This 
act gave to each man who had served in King Philip's 
war, and to the heirs of those who were dead, a farm in 
the wild lands of the State. Seven townships were set 
apart for this purpose, five in Massachusetts, and two in 
this Province, comprising the present towns of Gorham 
and Buxton. 

Tlie Massachusetts authorities were active in repairing 



the old forts, and in erecting new ones to guard against 
the Indians, who regarded treaty obligations very lightly 
England and France were almost constantly at war. 
The Norridgewock tribe were the most implacable of the 
natives of this Province, and completelj- under French 
influence. They had with them a priest named Rasle, 
who, in 1721, led an expedition of 200 Indians down the 
Kennebec, and ordered all the English to depart in three 
weeks or thej' would be slaughtered. 

Boston was aroused, and an expedition was sent 
against them, with orders to bring the priest to Boston 
dead or alive. Rasle escaped to the woods, but was shot 
in an attack upon the village, which was destroyed, a 
few years later. 

In 1726, an attempt was made to bring all the tribes 
into a conference, and delegates from all except the 
Norridgewocks met at Falmouth. Lieut. Gov. Dum- 
mer of Massachusetts, with Gov. Wentworth of New 
Hampshire, met them. Loron, chief of the Penobscots, 
conducted the conference for the Indians. The com- 
plaints urged were, that the wliites had occupied lands 
never sold to them; that the traders sold rum to the 
Indians. " It wastes the health of our young men. It 
unfits them to attend praj-ers. It makes them cany ill, 
both to your people and their own brethren." Well and 
truly said. The germ of the Maine liquor law — Birigo. 

It brings a blush to the cheek to see in this conference 
a Christian governor standing before these simple chil- 
dren of nature, and claiming lands under deeds which ho 
knew had been declared invalid by the courts again and 
again. 

This treaty was observed by the Indians until 1744, 
when war was declared by England against France, and 
the natives again became restless, and, incited by the 
French, committed various depredations. 

The final struggle for supremacy was at hand. Broad 
as was the field, there was not room for the two systems 
of government, so dissimilar in character and aim ; one of 
them must yield, and the sword must make the election. 

The policy of France with the natives had been most 
wise. Priests always accompanied their exploring expe- 
ditions, entering their huts, living with them, and exhib- 
iting a paternal interest for their welfare. They opened 
schools, built churches, and erected the cross. They told 
the Indians the story of Christ and the Virgin. If land 
was wanted they paid for it. On the other hand, the 
English came to settle and to trade. They stole their 
people and sold them into slaver}-, took their lands with- 
out compensation, and cheated them in trade. "Your 
people," said a chief at a conference, " sell us sour flour, 
and damnified tobacco." Can one wonder that the 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



unsophisticated natives looked upon the French as friends, 
and the Enghsh as foes ? It was a stinging reply made 
bj- a Norridgewock chief to a governor of Massachusetts 
who urged them to leave the French and join the Eng- 
lish, with a promise to rebuOd their church, destroyed in 
a late attack by Massachusetts troops : " Your words fill 
my heart with astonishment. Leave the French ? Never ! 
Why should we leave them? They are our best friends. 
They never deceived us, or wronged us. When they 
came among us, they would not so much as to look at our 
peltries. When your people visited us they came to 
trade. They never said one word about God, or Christ, 
or prayer ; it was aU peltries. The French taught us to 
worship the Great Spirit, and to praj-. Leave the 
French, our fathers ? Ne^er ! " And he strode out of 
the chamber in wrath. 

It was clear to both the home and colonial govern- 
ments that neither peace nor progress could be realized 
while the French had a foothold on this continent. 
Delenda est Carthago, cried the old Roman orator. The 
French must go, said the British council. 

Suddenly, in 1744, the Indians again burst upon the 
eastern settlements with fire and tomahawk. The Pe- 
nobscots were held in check, but all tbe tribes east were 
on the war-path. The government of Massachusetts at 
once declared war against these tribes, and, we record it 
with pain, offered to all persons who would enter the 
service at their own expense, a reward of £100 for the 
scalp of male Indians above 12 j'ears of age, and £50 
for women and children, and £3 additional for captives. 
And the sessions of the House passing such a bill were 
opened by prayer ! 

Massachusetts, aided by her patriotic Province of 
Maine, fitted out an expedition against Louisburg, now 
the strongest citadel on the coast. Aided by the Eng- 
lish West-India squadron, this key to all the French 
possessions on the coast was taken June 17, 1745, just 
30 years prior to the battle of Bunker Hill. Subse- 
quently Massachusetts received from the British govern- 
ment $1,000,000 for her expenses in this expedition. 

The Penobscot Indians, though at first promising neu- 
traUt}', were unable to resist the call of their French 
friends, and joined in the fray. Massachusetts at once 
declared war against them, and proposed the same price 
noted above for scalps. 

In 1748, a peace was patched up between the two great 
contending parties, and Louisburg and all Acadia were 
retroceded to France ; a peace speedily to be again dis- 
rupted. But it was only to take breath for a final strug- 
gle, which finally culminated on the Plains of Abraham, 
and the field of Sillcrv. 



Before the impending coniiict was known in England, 
the Indians, incited by the French, burst upon the settle- 
ments, committing numerous murders. This was the 
fifth Indian war in which the unfortunate inhabitants had 
been engaged, and the last. 

During the war an expedition was fitted out against 
Louisburg, which was entirely successful. But it was 
attended by an occurrence which will forever leave a 
stain upon British character wherever Longfellow's 
beautiful IjtIc, " Evangeline," is read. Seven thousand 
Acadians were torn from their quiet homes and dis- 
tributed among the English colonies as far south as 
Georgia ; 61 were allotted to Maine. 

Great was the J03' of the inhabitants on the return 
of peace, and the feeling of securit}' which was the re- 
sult of the knowledge that friends, not foes, were among 
them, north and west. 

And now came a great influx of population. The 
apparently exhaustless forests of the finest timber, the 
abundance of water-power for its manufacture, the facil- 
ities for its shipment, the abundance of fish in the waters 
of the coast, and in the rivers and streams, and the game 
in tlie forests, greatly stimulated immigration. 

While the French occupied the Penobscot, no English 
settlements had been attempted, but in ten years from 
the fall of Quebec, a solitary settler pushed his canoe up 
to the head of the tide-waters of the Penobscot, and the 
first log-liut of a white man (one Busscl) , was erected on 
the site of the present city of Bangor. Two j-ears later, 
a company of ten families (among them the maternal 
grandfather of the writer of this, Jacob Dennet), 
ascended the river, and located themselves at the junc- 
tion of the Kenduskeag and Penobscot. It was an 
unbroken wilderness, and 12 miles above them were the 
fierce Tarratines, upon whose scalping-knives the blood of 
the victims of their cruelty was hardly dried. The pen 
cannot fitlj' describe the privations and sufierings of 
these pioneers of American life. They are deserving 
of the grateful remembrance of their more highly favored 
descendants. 

The entire population of the Province of Maine, ten 
3-ears before the breaking out of the Revolutionary war, 
was about 24,000, scattered in small settlements from 
the Piscataqua to the Penobscot. Agricultural industries 
were subordinate to fishing and lumbering, until the 
general pacification of the Indians, when the tide of 
immigration set more strongly towards the rich bottom- 
lands on the upper waters of the great rivers. 

In 1 704, Maine was di\-ided into three counties, — York, 
Cumberland, and Lincoln, — and the census showed a 
total population of 23,888. The people depended little 



MAINE. 



upon tilling the soil. Their corn was purchased in 
Boston by their exports of lumber and fish, at a cost of 
50 cents per bushel. A few cattle and sheep had been 
introduced, but pasturage was not jet provided, liny 
was procured from the extensive salt marshes on the 
coast, and fresh-water meadows in the interior. The 
women carded and spun their wool and flax, and wove 
the cloth for their clothing. Often they were hard 
pressed for the bare necessaries of life. 
1 Maine entered heartily- into the Revolutionary conflict. 
The first step to be taken was to secure the neutrality, 
if not the co-operation, of the Indian tribes within her 
borders. The British powers enlisted the Canada tribes, 
and, to their eternal disgrace, let them loose upon the 
defenceless settlers. And to cap the climax, a bounty- 
was paid the Indians for American scalps ! 

But the Penobscots could not be seduced from their 
allegiance to the Americans. They were unwUling as 
a tribe to engage in the American cause, but a number 
joined the armj-, sa3-ing that the}* wanted peace ; that 
they had but two fathers, "Washington and the French 
king. 

Washington sent a letter to the eastern trilics in which 
he says : " I am glad to hear that you keep the chain of 
friendship, which I sent you in February last, bright and 
unbroken. Mj' good friend and brother, Gov. Pierre 
Tomar, and the warriors that came with him, shall be 
taken good care of, and when they want to return home, 
they and our brothers of the Penobscot, shall be furnished 
with ever3-thiiig necessarj' for their journey." 

To farther conciliate them, a French priest, Berthiame, 
was employed b^- the Massachusetts authorities to reside 
with and instruct the Penobscots. 

But the alhance with France, of 1779, and the uncer- 
tainty of the struggle, more than anj' especial aversion 
to war, doubtless restrained them, so that the inhabitants 
had no more apprehension of trouble with the savages. 
j The British forces took possession of the old French 
fort at Castine, soon after the expulsion of the French, 
and on the opening of the war of 1775, threw into it a 
strong force, and greatly improved its defences. And to 
the scholar and antiquarian, it may be of interest to know 
that the celebrated Sir John INIoorc, with reference to 
whose tragic death at Corunna, Spain, Wolfe wrote, — 

" AVl^ buried him darkly at dead of night, 
The sods with our bayonets turning," — 

was an officer here, and led the forces which repulsed the 
Americans, who made an attempt to dislodge the British 
troops. 

The American Congress sent a fleet of 43 war, and 



other ships, carrying 1,000 men, to take the fort, but 
through the inefficiency of the commander, Saltoustall, 
the attempt failed, and nearly the entire fleet were 
destroj-ed, and the troops forced to find their way 
through the forest to the Kennebec, many dying from 
starvation and exfjosure. The British held possession 
of all that part of Maine until the close of the war, 
treating the inhabitants with a reQnemcnt of cruelty, 
leaving little to choose between them and their less en- 
lightened savage brethren. The sufferings of the Penob- 
scot inhabitants during those terrible years, can never 
be fitl^- described. And when, in 1780, the Dark Day 
came on, when lights became necessary at noon, thej' 
might well conclude that God had forgotten them, and 
that an end to sublunary things had come. 

But in 1781, peace came to the sufl'ering people, and 
it was as life from the dead. Prosperitj' returned, com- 
merce revived, and hope illuminated the horizon. 

But money was scarce — the depreciation of the cur- 
renc}' was alarming. In 1780 a man could not be hired 
for less than $10 per day, and $20 for a yoke of oxen. 
A pair of shoes were $12 and stockings $9. But let it 
be said for our heroic fathers and mothers, there was no 
spirit of rebellion abroad, no confhct between capital 
and labor, no strikes except the sturdy blows upon forest 
trees and a hard soil. They bore all, endured all for 
their descendants. 

During the interval of 30 years, between the close of 
the war of the Revolution and the beginning of the 
second war with England, Maine advanced rapidly in 
population and general prosperit}'. Towns were organ- 
ized, churches and schools established, and courts regu- 
larlj- held. Order and a high degree of morahty pre- 
vailed, and the citizens looked into the future with hope 
and courage. 

The persons immigrating to this Province were gen- 
erally of good character, sober, hardy, mtelligent and 
industrious. Thej- came to make for themselves and 
their children, homes. They came, not for the purpose 
of temporary- speculation, but to identify themselves with 
the people, to take their share of the sufferings and 
burdens of an infant Colony' and found a State, and thej' 
stamped their peculiar traits upon their descendants. 

June 18, 1812, was a sad daj- with the people of this 
Province, just emerging from the gloom of savage war- 
fare, and more savage British barbarities. War was 
declared b}' Congress against England. 

The people felt their exposure, on a coast line of 300 
miles, at all points open to attack by British cruisers, 
with verj- slight means of defence. Thcj- knew what it 
was to be at the mercy of drunken British officers and 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



brutal seamen. No wonder that, in many places, bells 
were tolled and flags half-masted. 

But there was no flinching, no despair. They threw 
off their coats and went in for "free trade and eailors' 
rights." 

Soon there appeared on the coast two noted ciiiisers 
from Halifax, the " Rattler," and " Bream." The coast- 
ing trade of the Province was nearly destroyed, and the 
people suffered more from this war by far than from that 
of the Revolution.* 

It was, on this coast, a war against private homes ; 
against women and children. Private dwellings were 
robbed, and the plunder taken on board the English 
ships and carried to Halifax. 

An expedition from Halifax took possession of Cas- 
tine, and then, learning that the U. S. frigate " John 
Adams " had passed up the Penobscot for some repairs, 
sent up a flotilla of gunboats, with 2,000 troops, to de- 
stroy her. The frigate lay at Hampden, six miles below 
Bangor, with her guns all upon the wharf, preparatory 
to being beached for needed j-epairs. The militia were 
hastily collected, under Gen. Blake. The British troops 
landed below, in a dense fog, and marched up to Hamp- 
den, where our raw militia were posted, opened fire, and 
the frightened troops took to the woods after one dis- 
charge of a nine-pound iron gun, which killed a dozen 
of the English soldiers. The crew of the frigate blew 
up the ship, and retreated across the country to the 
Kennebec. 

The British took possession of Bangor, pillaged the 
stores, burned the shipping in the harbor, and, after two 
days, returned to Castine. But they held and claimed 
all territory east of the Penobscot, until peace was 
brought in by the treaty of Ghent, Dec. 24, 1814. 

Peace was hailed with acclamations, and at once busi- 
ness revived, and hope displaced despair. But the sum- 
mers of 1814, '15, and '16 were unusually cold. There 
was frost every month in 1816, and snow fell in June so 
as to cover the ground. Little could be gained from the 
soil ; corn was $2.50 per bushel ; man}- farmers became 
disheartened and determined to remove west. Ohio was 
opened, and the "Western Reserve" was described as 
the paradise of farmers. Manj- families sold out their 
claims, procured • wagons covered with coarse cotton, 
with a span of horses, and started for the new "El 

• The following, from .a New York paper, will give some idea of the 
condition and privations of the people at this period : 

" The District of Maine. — "We are assured by persons best acquainted 
with that part of the State (Mass.), that the situation of the poor inhab- 
itants is deplorable in regard to provisions, having neither flour, nor 
com, nor even potatoes to live upon." The WTiter urges that means be 
at onee devised to send the needed supplies. 



Dorado." Cooking by the roadside, and sleeping in 
their wagons, they slowly made their way into the un- 
known wilds, and helped to lay the foundations of a 
great State. It is estimated that Maine lost from 12,000 
to 15,000 of her population by that emigration. 

The question of separation from Massachusetts was 
agitated, and the "Great and General Court" kindly 
gave the people the privilege of deciding it for them- j 
selves. A convention was called at Brunswick, but it j 
was not thought advisable to separate. \ 

But the agitation continued, and a convention in 1819, : 
on an affirmative vote of all the towns, decided to sep- | 
aratc ; and on the 15th of March, 1820, after two hun- 
dred years of eventful provincial hfe, Maine was ad- 
mitted into the grand sisterhood of States. Her State 
seal is expressive. In the centre towers her pine, under 
whose shadow the moose quietly reclines ; in the back- 
ground appears the open ocean ; on the right stands an 
agriculturist, with his scythe upon his shoulder; on the 
left, a sailor, his left hand upon an anchor, his right 
resting upon the shield ; over the scroll, with the motto, 
" DiRiGO," a single star effulgent. 

The population of the State when admitted was 
298,269 ; at the census of 1870, 626,915. The popula- 
tion steadilj- increased until her lumber began to fail, 
since which time it has slightlj' fallen off. But increased 
attention is given to agriculture, and great improvement 
is witnessed in the last decade. 

A colony of Swedes has been commenced in Aroos- 
took Count}-, where the State donated lands to actual 
settlers, and it now numbers 600 industrious citizens, 
with schools and churches. 

The unsettled boundaries of the State caused much 
uneasiness, and in 1837, under Gov. Fairfield's adminis- 
tration, so great became the excitement from trespass 
by persons from New Brunswick upon what w:*s claimed 
as State lands, that a militaiy expedition was actuallj- 
fitted out at Augusta, and marched to Bangor, when the 
President wisely stepped in and staj'ed the effusion of 
blood. 

The question was finally satisfactoril}' adjusted in 
1842, when a small portion of Maine was ceded to Eng- 
land, Maine securing in return " Rouse's Point," on her 
northern border, and the free navigation of the river 
St. John. 

In the war for the Union, Maine threw her whole 
weight into the scale for freedom for aU, and union of 
all. She sent to the front her full quota of men, fully 
the equals of an}' who marched to the rescue of the 
nation. Their bones are found on the most hotlj'-con- 
tested battle-fields, and their memoiy will be cherished 



b}' a grateful people. She scut to the front 72,945 of 
her stalwart sons. 

The State of Maine lies between latitude 42° 57' and 
47° 32'. The extreme length of the State is 303 miles, 
and its breadth 288 miles, and containing 31,500 square 
miles of territory-, onl^^ about 1,200 square miles less 
than the whole of New England besides. Her coast line 
is about 2,48G miles, affording numerous harbors and es- 
tuaries most favorable for commercial operations. Tlie 
entire shore is rugged and rock3-, — fitly designated as a 
rock -bound coast. All along the coast, from Kitter}- on 
the west to Quodd^'-Head on the east, lie clusters, or soli- 
tary islands, many of them covered with fertile soil, the 
homes of her hardy fishermen, and the summer resort of 
hundreds of sportsmen and pleasure-seekers. 

The largest and most picturesque of these islands is 
Mount Desert, called bj' the early discoverers "The 
Isle of the Desert Mountains." It is separated from the 
main land by a narrow estuary which is bridged, so that 
visitors reach it easily' by land-carriage as well as by 
water. It has an area of GO, 000 acres, with two safe 
harbors, — the " South-west and Bar Harbor," — each the 
resort of hundreds of summer tourists and health- 
seekers. Its peculiar features are its mountains and 
beautiful fresh-water lakes. The loftiest of these moun- 
tain peaks is 1 ,800 feet, and is a prominent landmark for 
the mariner. There are 13 of these loft}' peaks, with no 
connection with any mountain range on the main land. 
Other mountains and noteworlh}' elevations are the 
'•Blue Hills," westof Mount Desert ; the Camden Hills, on 
Penobscot Ba}- ; and the mountains on the upper Penob- 
scot ; Katahdin, with an elevation of 5,400 feet, the 
highest point in the Stale, and its grand compeers about 
Moosehead Lake. 

The natural scenery of this State is varied and beauti- 
ful. The eye of the tourist is not wearied bj' monotonous 
views of dead levels, as in the West, but is reUeved by 
hill and plain, river, brook and eximnsive lake, forest 
and cultivation ; and the highest aesthetic taste is gratified 
by continuous surprises. 

Every variety' of soil is found here, suited to each 
variety of vegetable production. On the banks of the 
numerous rivers are extended intervals of alluvial deposit, 
enriched by the annual overflow of the waters. A rich, 
sandy loam, with a clay subsoil, is found in other locali- 
ties near the sea. Then, in other sections, a gravelly 
loam ; again an area of sand. 

Maine must yet rank high as an agricultural State. 
As the lumber diminishes, attention is directed more 
exclusivcl}" to this true and primitive source of wealth. 
If she cannot exhibit suc4i immense crops as are grown 



and gathered in the West, the profits are greater for the 
capital invested, and the expense of cultivation. 

From the summit of IMount Katahdin, Maine seems a 
vast sea, crowded with woudeMl inlands, so abundant is 
its water system. Ko othi-r iMjual area on the globe, 
perhaps, is so abundant!}' watered. There is water- 
power here sufficient for the machinery of the manufac- 
turing world, if utilized. Maine has 1,800 lakes and 
ponds, besides her magnificent rivers and streams. 
Moosehead Lake stands at the head, — nearl}' 40 miles 
in length, and from 2 to 20 in breath. It lies 1,023 feet 
above the ocean level. It covers 120 square miles, with 
a depth of water for large-sized steamboats for its entire 
extent. Tourists now reach this splendid summer-resort 
within 12 miles by rail. 

There are 5,151 streams drawn upon the map of the 
State. The border river on the west is the Piscataqua ; 
and that on the north-east, the upper waters of the St. 
John. The principal rivers of Maine are the Saco, 
one-half of whose basin is still an unbroken forest ; the 
Androscoggin, whose splendid water-falls at Lewiston 
and Brunswick furnish an almost inexhaustible water 
power ; the Kennebec, the outlet of jMoosehead Lake, 
and fed bj' more than a thousand streams, and ha\ing a 
descent of 1,023 feet ; the Penobscot, sung bj' Milton in 
"Paradise Lost,"* and the largest river in the State; 
and the St. Croix, four-fifths of whose basin is an un- 
broken forest of valuable timber. 

Industrial Notes. — Maine's first settlers were attracted 
by the facilities of trade. The love of gain, not glorj', — 
fish, furs and peltries, turned the ej'es of the great com- 
mercial companies formed bj' speculating Englishmen, to 
this region. Ver}' naturally, the vast quantities of lumber 
upon the sea-coast fixed the early settlers in that locality. 
The first inhabitants of Pemaquid cut and sent, in their 
small shallops, cord-wood to Boston, bringing in return 
the necessaries of life. Then, taking advantage of the 
water-jjower everj'where at hand, they soon commenced 
the manufacture and exportation of lumber. This for 
many years was the great staple of Maine. Her pine 
lumber has been sent to every land. For many years 
there was no competition. 

At first, and until steam as a motor came into general 
use, all the manufactories of lumber were located in the 
interior, upon the water-falls, and the lumber rafted to 
tide-water for shipment. Now it is found more economi- 
cal to run the logs to tide-water, and cut them by steam. 

* ** Now from the north 
Of Korcmbcija and the Saniocd shore, 
Bursting their barren dungeons armed with ieo 
And snow and hail." — Book X. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



The waste, formerly thrown into the water, or burned to 
get rid of it, supplies the fuel for the generation of the 
steam, and the lumber is taken at once on ship-board 
without the labor and damage of rafting. 

Of late years the character of the lumber cut and 
manufactured in this State has materially changed. 
Fifty years ago, little was cut but white pine ; but first- 
quality pine is exhausted, and now spruce and hemlock 
form the mass of the product. Yet the timber-growing 
land amounts to the enormous surface of 10,505,711 
acres, — one-half of the entire area. Of late years more 
care of the forests is cherished, and waste greatlj' 
checked. 

The principal centres of this industrial branch of pro- 
duction are the counties of Penobscot, Washington, 
Hancock, Kennebec and Piscataquis. 

There are, by the last census, 1,099 saw-mills, — 76 
steam-power; capital invested, $6,872,723; products, 
$11,395,747 ; and giving emploj'ment to 8,506 persons. 

Maine, with an abundance of the best material for 
ship-buUding, has sent out from an early jjeriod of her 
history the finest ships afloat. Checked by the ci-\dl con- 
flict, there has been, since its close, a great revival in 
this branch of industry, and the State now ranks second 
to New York. 

For the year closing Jan. 1, 1874, there were con- 
structed 276 vessels, of 89,817 tons : 10 ships, 25 barks, 
12 brigs, 206 schooners, 12 sloops, and 9 steamers. 

We have seen in our historic sketch, that the great 
attraction to this region was the abundance of fish on the 
coast and in the rivers. Cod, haddock, pollock, mack- 
erel and halibut crowded the coast-waters, while salmon, 
shad and alewives literally swarmed in the rivers and 
streams. Massachusetts alone exceeds Maine in the 
amount of production in this industr}-. The total value 
of the catch, not including the whale-fishery, for 1870, 
was $975,610, employing 2,000 hands. 

Of late years the canning of lobsters has become an 
important branch of industrj-, over 200,000 cans being 
sent out from Mount Desert alone. 

But with this source of wealth, as with lumber, thought- 
less waste has greatly diminished the run offish. In the 
early days cart-loads of the finest fish were used as com- 
post, as hundreds of moose were slaughtered for their 
skins, and millions of the best timber-trees were burned 
to clear land which did not paj' for the tillage. 

Dams were built across streams and rivers without an}- 
provision for the passage of the fish to their spawning- 
grounds, until the}' are almost exterminated. The legis- 
lature has at last waked up to this matter, and fish-ways 
upon all dams are required, and the restocking of the 



former favorite rivers and streams of the fresh-water fish 
by hatching and planting, promises the happiest results. 

The number of manufacturing establishments in the 
State in 1873 was 6,072, giving emploj-ment to 55,614 
persons. Total capital, $48,808,448. Material worked 
up, $57,911,468. Wages paid, $16,584,164. Value, 
$96,209,156. 

A branch of industry' is just now being developed 
which promises to become remunerative, and turn atten- 
tion to the cultivation of the soil, the true source of 
wealth ; that is the manufacture of beet-sugar. 

Minerals. — In addition to her exhaustless stores of 
limestone and slate, Maine is developing rich deposits of 
valuable minerals ; iron, lead, tin, copper and manga- 
nese. No doubt silver and gold will yet appear. 

The iron smelted at the Katahdin works equals the 
best Swedish ore, and is now being transported to Penn- 
sylvania to be converted into the famous Bessemer steel. 

Copper has recentlj' been discovered at Blue Hill, and 
is being produced in pajdng quantities. 

Alum, copperas and sulphur are also produced from 
abundance of crude material. 

Railroads. — Maine did not come early into the rail- 
road enterprise, as her great business centres were easily 
reached by steam marine. As early as 1823 or '24, 
steamboats were on the Penobscot, creeping along hy the 
shore to reach Portland. 

In 1834, the old steamboat "Bangor" (afterwards 
crossing the Atlantic and running on the Bosphorus and 
Golden Horn) was put on the route from Boston to Ban- 
gor, via Portland. Then came a boat on the Kennebec, 
the " Huntress," and the great steamboat magnate, 
Vanderbilt of New York, sent on the " C. Vanderbilt " 
to run her off. 

But the day of railroads came at last, and now the 
State has abundant facilities for reaching all points of 
her extensive domain. 

In 1841, there were 11 miles of rail onlj^ ; and in 1874, 
945. The Piscataquis road has been pushed forward to 
Bradford, within 12 miles of Moosehead Lake, and is to 
be extended to Canada. The European and North 
American road is now completed from Bangor to the 
St. John, 206 mOes ; and passengers will be transported 
from New York to Newfoundland by rail, with a short 
sail across the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and in five days 
be landed at Cape Clear, Ireland, thence by steamer and 
rail to London. 

Educational. — It is greatl}' to the credit of the early 
settlers of this territor}-, that with all their privations 
and unparalleled hardships, with an almost cease- 
less conflict with poiils which might weU. appal the 



stoutest heart, they did not lose sight of the impor- 
tance of educational means for the rising generation. 
In Bangor, for instance, in 1773, the first school was 
opened in a log hut by Miss Abigail Ford, only three 
years after the first company of immigrants built their 
log cabins in that wilderness. 

As fast as towns were organized a tax was laid upon 
the inhabitants to sustain a school for some months in 
the j-ear ; and next after the erection of a dwelling, 
came the school-house. No town or plantation existed 
without this building ; at once a place to teach the 
" 3'oung idea how to shoot," and for divine worship. 

The General Court of Massachusetts, and then the 
State legislature, took this matter in hand, passing 
ordinances for this purpose, and making liberal grants 
of public lands for schools and colleges. 

A State superintendent has the general oversight of 
the schools. Each city and town or plantation is hy law 
required to raise and expend annually one dollar for 
each inhabitant, for the support of schools. A school- 
fund has been created by the sale of public lands, 
amounting to S369,883, the income of which is ap- 
jjortioned among the several towns according to the 
population between the ages of 4 and 21. 

A sj-stem of free high schools has been established by 
the legislature, one-half of the expense being paid by 
the State. 

The State also supports two normal schools, one at 
Farmington, west, and one at Castine, east. 

A State agricultural college is in prosperous operation 
at Orono, six miles above Bangor, on a farm of 370 acres. 

There are also in the State, Bowdoin College at Bruns- 
wick (Congregational), Bates College at Lewiston (Free 
Baptist) and Colbj' University at Waterville (Baptist) . 
With the last is connected a theological department. 

At Bangor a theological school was established in 
1820, and though under Congregational control, is open 
to all who choose to enter. 

The Maine Wesleyan Seminary and Female Collegiate 
Institute at Kent's Hill, Readfleld, established in 1821, has 
sent out over 30,000 graduates. The East Maine Con- 
ference Seminary and Commercial College at Bucksport, 
is also a flourishing school. The two latter institutions 
are under Methodist control. 

The Universalists have a seminary at Decring, with a 
collegiate course for young women ; and the Freewill 
Baptists have recently estabhshed a similar institution 
at Pittsfleld. All these schools and colleges have excel- 
lent libraries. 

Religion. — The original inhabitants of this State, if 
they did not plunge into tliis wilderness from religious 



considerations, were certainly' not without religious con- 
victions. Among the first settlers at Pemaquid, the first 
colon}' planted here, were many sturdy Presbyterians 
from the north of Ireland, in whose veins was the blood 
of the old Covenanters. They early engaged a clergy- 
man and established rehgious worship. 

Presbyterianism, of course, was the prevailing phase 
of religious sentiment, and although there were many 
Episcopalians scattered among the settlers, j'et the mass 
of the people were Presbjlerians, and the first church 
organized was of that form ; but gradually it was ab- 
sorbed by Massachusetts Orthodoxy, or Congregational- 
ism. The people residing within the parish limits were 
taxed to support the standing order, and if thej' refused 
or neglected to pay the tax their goods and chattels were 
distrained to satisfy the demand. Bigotry and intoler- 
ance were not all left on the other side of the water, nor 
washed out by the billows of the Atlantic. But time 
works wonderful changes, and that exclusiveness is 
gone. 

The first Methodist minister who visited this State was 
Eev. Jesse Lee, who came to Boston in 1789, preaching 
at different points as far as Bangor, where he was car- 
ried across the Penobscot, with his horse, by Jacob 
Dennet, the maternal grandfather of the writer, in two 
log canoes lashed side by side, whence he passed through 
the forest to New Brunswick. 

The first Calvinist Baptist, who visited and preached in 
the State, was Rev. Job Macomber, under whose preach- 
ing a revival commenced at Muscongus, an island off 
Bristol. This was in 1792. 

Rev. Ephraim Stinchfield, a Freewill Baptist preacher, 
came to Rutherford's Island and formed a church in 1795. 

The first movement to abolish the odious minister's 
tax was made by the Quakers in 1 784 ; and the first 
effort to divide the money raised by tax for the support 
of the gospel, among the different denominations, was 
made by the Methodists. The Rev. Joshua Taylor, in 
1803, brought an action against the town of Bristol for 
such a division, and it was given in his favor. 

When we reflect upon the circumstances of the settle- 
ment of this State ; that it had not the sunny climate of 
the South, the rich prairies of the West, nor the gold of 
the Pacific coast to attract immigration, but instead a cold 
climate to endure, an unbroken forest to subdue, a hard 
soil to cultivate, and savage foes to meet, the wonder is, 
that it was not long since forsaken as uninhabitable. 
Maine, however, as we have seen, has long since 
achieved, if not a leading, at least a commanding and 
eminently influential position in the Union. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



ANDEOSCOGGIN COUNTY. 



BY REV. JOSEPH S. COG.SWELL. 



Andeoscoggin CotTNTT was organized March 18, 1854. 
It was formed from four counties, — Auburn, Danv-ille 
(the latter since united to Auburn), Durham, Poland 
and Minot being taken from CiTmberland County ; Liver- 
more and Turner from Oxford ; East Livermore, Greene, 
Leeds and Wales from Kennebec ; and Lewiston, Web- 
ster and Lisbon from Lincoln. 

This count}- contains eleven towns and two flourishing 
cities. Its .irea is 400 square miles, and its population in 
1870 was 35,866. 

The general surface of the county is quite uneven. It 
has many high hills, but no high mountains. It abounds 
in rivulets, ponds and springs. There are some noted 
mineral springs here, such as the Poland, Lake Auburn 
and Lewiston. The Androscoggin River flov,-s through 
the central portion of the count}- from north to south. 
The county derives its name from this river, and the river 
obtained its name from one of the tribes of the Abenaque 
Indian nation, called Anasagunticooks. 

In the cities of Auburn and Lewiston there are large 
manufacturing interests. 

The Maine Central, Grand Trunk, and Buckfield and 
Rumford Falls railroads, afford ample facilities for ti-avel 
and commerce throughout this county. 

A marked interest is taken in educational affairs. Bates 
College ranks high among our famed New England 
educational institutions. Besides this there is the 
Edward Little Institute at Auburn, Hebron Academy at 
Hebron, and other excellent schools. 

The history of Androscoggin County is largely inter- 
woven with the history of the nation. Coming years will 
add greatly to the importance of this county, more 
especially in the development of her manufacturing 
interests, which even now arc so prosperous. 

Towns. 
Auburn. — The first permanent settlement of what is 
now Auburn appears to have been in 1786. The first 
settlement at the Falls was made by a Mr. Marr. In 
1798 he gave way to a Mr. Welch, who made a small 
clearing and built a log-house where the heart of the city 
now is. The second house was built bv Mr. Dillincham. 



This was a frame-house, and stood near Foundry Brook. 
The third was built by Solomon Wood, and obtained the 
name of " Solomon's Temple." Michael Little put up a 
frame for a house on the hill south-west from the Falls. 
The old cellar can now be seen, with large trees growing 
in it. 

In 1822 Jacob Read opened the first store m Auburn 
village, now Auburn city. He owned a small building 
which was moved from Lewiston across the river on the 
ice. 

The Indians appear to have frequented this part of 
Auburn in early days. Just south of Goff's Block, a few 
years ago, an old Indian burial-ground was discovered. 
The Indians were found buried in a sitting posture, with 
wampum and their war-clubs iu their hands. 

Bakerstown was incorporated as the town of Poland 
Feb. 17, '1795. In 1802 that part now called Minot, and 
a part of the present Aubuni, was set off, receiving the 
name of Minot. In 1842 Minot was divided, the part 
set off being called Auburn. In 1859 the small portion 
of Danville lying to the north of Little Androscoggin 
River, was annexed to Auburn. In February, 1867, the 
remainder of Danville was annexed. Auburn adopted a 
city charter Feb. 22, 1869. The city government was 
organized March 22, 1869, and Col. Thomas Littlefield 
elected mayor. 

Auburn extends 12 miles along the Androscoggin 
River, and has a width of about 4^ miles. It contains 
nearly 50 square miles, about one-sixth of which is 
covered by the waters of Taylor and Wilson ponds. 
The latter one is now dignified by the name of Lake 
Auburn. 

The Little Androscoggin River affords good facilities 
for manufacturing. The Little Androscoggin Water- 
Power Company own Barker Mill. This mill has 18,000 
spindles, and manufactures sheetings and shirtings. There 
are several establishments in the city for the manufacture 
of boots and shoes. 

In ordinarily good times. Auburn is a very bee-hive of 
industries. 

The soil of this city is considerably productive under 
the excellent husbandry which it receives. Gardening is 



carried on to a large extent. The large territory of the 
city gives ample room for some farms of good propor- 
tions. 

The Edward Little Institute has lately been rebuilt 
here in a modern and tasteful style. This institution was 
founded by the liberality of the late Edward Little. 
In front of the building is a large bronze statue of Mr. 
Little. 

There are two beautiful sheets of water in Auburn. One 
of these, Taylor Pond, is two miles long aud one wide. 
Lake Auburn is in the northern part of the city. It is 
four miles long and two wide. At the head of it is North 
Aubui-n, on the east is East Auburn village, and on the 
west, on a high ridge of land, is West Auburn, a village 
very beautiful for situation. 

Auburn has good schools, numerous chiu'ches, and a 
population of nearly 7,000. There are six post-offices 
in the city. 

Edward Little (son of Josiah) was a stirring citizen of 
Auburn, and gave liberally of his wealth for the public 
welfare. Besides devoting nine acres of land to the use 
of the academy which he was instrumental in founding, 
he also contributed largely towards the erection of a suit- 
able building for the school. He had been educated at 
college, and was a lawyer by profession. He died in 
1849, aged 76 years. 

Hon. C. W. Walton, a popular judge of the Supreme 
Court, resides in Auburn. He was admitted to the bar 
in 1843. In 1860 he represented the second district in 
Congress. In 1862 he was appointed judge of the 
Supreme Judicial Court, which high office he has ever 
since adorned. 

Lewiston. — It was not until the summer of 1770, 
that Paul Hildreth built his log cabin, not far from the 
present site of the Continental Mills. In the fall of 
1770 this first settler was cheered by the advent of a 
neighbor, David Pettingill. The third settler was Mr. 
L. J. Harris of Dracut, Mass., who came to this place 
in 1771. 

Asa Varnum, Thomas and Jonas Cobum, Israel Her- 
rick, Jesse Wright, Jacob Barker, Josiah Mitchell, Jon- 
athan Hodgkin, James Ames, Daniel Read and Ebenezer 
Ham were among the first settlers of Lewiston. Jsearlj- 
all of these came from the eastern part of Massachusetts. 

Lewiston was incorporated as a town, Feb. 18, 1795, 
and as a city, March 15, 1861. The city government 
was not organized until March 16, 1863. Jacob B. Ham 
was inaugurated the first mayor. 

The soil of Lewiston, which is somewhat clayey, gives 
a fair return to the husbandman. Within the limits of 
the city many bricks are manufactured. The surface is 



uneven. Ledges are to be seen near the river bank. 
David's Mountain is the highest elevation of land. The 
summit of this mountain has been donated to Bates Col- 
lege for a site for an observatory. 

Lewiston is a growing city. The population in 1830 
was but 1,549 ; now it is not less than 15,000. There 
are some fifteen churches, including one Irish and one 
French Catholic church. There is also a French nun- 
nery. In educational affairs her citizens take a lively 
interest. Bates College, located in this city, is under 
the control of the Free Baptists. 

Sometime prior to 1819, Col. Josiah Little owned a 
small carding and fulling mill. This stood on the site of 
the old red woollen-mill. In 1819, Mr. Dean Frye of 
Brunswick, was called into the service of Col. Little. 
Success in business induced them to ask the legislature 
for a charter for the " Lewiston Falls Manufacturing 
Company." This charter was given Feb. 26, 1834, and 
was the first charter granted for the manufactories at 
Lewiston. Now there are 18 establishments, — of which 
10 are cotton, aud 5 woollen mills, — carrj-ing 285,188 
spindles. 

Hon. William P. Frye, a distinguished lawyer, has his 
residence in Lewiston. He became a member of Con- 
gress in 1871, and has continued to represent the 
Second Congressional District since that time. 

Lewiston is also the residence of Hon. Nelson Ding- 
ley, Jr., ex-governor of Maine. For some length of 
time he was speaker of the House of Representatives in 
Maine. In 1873 he was elected governor of the State ; 
and in 1874, re-elected to that office. He is widely known 
as an able advocate of the Maine law, and as editor of 
the "Lewiston Journal," one of the ablest and best 
patronized papers in the State. 

Alonzo Garcelon, M. D., is a native of Lewiston. 
He is vridelj' known as a doctor and a surgeon of rare 
abilities. In 1878 he was elected governor of the 
State. 

W. H. Waldi-on, Esq., editor of the "Lewiston 
Gazette," and the founder (in company with Dr. A. 
Garcelon) of the " Lewiston Journal," came from Dover, 
N. 11., aud is a writer of ability. 

MiNOT, — population 1,600, — once a part of Bakers- 
town, was incorporated as Poland, Feb. 17, 1795. This 
town, in February, 1808, was divided, and all east of the 
Little Androscoggin River was incorporated under the 
name of Miuot. 

Moses Emery, from Newbury, Mass., was the first 
settler, coming in the spring of 1769. He settled near 
what was called " Poland Empire." The next settler 
was Samuel Shaw, from Hampton, N, H., arriving in 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



1776. He settled not far from Emery. Soon Levi 
Shaw came and took a lot adjoining Ms brother Samuel. 
Henrj' Sawtelle, Israel Bray, Jr., and Israel Bray, Sr., 
Samuel Verrill, WiUiam VerriU, Davis Verrill, Edward 
Jumper and John Leach, vfere among the first who 
settled in Minot. The first town meeting was held at 
the school-house, near Le\i Shaw's, on the 5th of Ajn'il, 
1802. 

Minot has a hard, stouj- soil, but yields fair crops to 
the industrious farmer. It abounds in hills and elevated 
ridges of laud. The Little Androscoggin River passes 

^^r~ - 



of great force of character, and exerted a powerful in- 
fluence over the people in Minot. j 
Lisbon was once a part of Bowdoin, and was named ' 
originally Thompsonborough. It was incoiporated iu \ 
1799, and named in honor of the Thompson famih', who 
were large owners of land in that section. The name 
Thompsonborough not proving agreeable to the people, 
they petitioned the General Court in 1801, to have the 
name changed to Lisbon. The name was changed in 
February, 1802. Little River Plantation, now called ! 
Lisbon F.ills, was annexed to Lisbon in 1808. In 1840 




LISBON FALLS 

through the southern part of the town, and affords some 
mill-sites. At Mechanic Falls these are improved for 
the manufacturing of various articles. At Minot Corner 
there is a corn-packing establishment, which is doing an 
extensive business. Mechanic Falls is the terminus of 
the Rumford Falls and Bnckflcld Railroad. This is a 
thriving village, partly iu Minot and partly in Poland. 

William Ladd, Esq., one of the most noted men 
of New England, was a man of wealth, and in his last 
years devoted his time wholly to the advocacy of Peace 
principles. He was largely instrumental in organizing 
the American Peace Society, and left a large sum of 
raonej- to that society. 

Revs. Jonathan Scott and Elijah Jones were ministers 



LISBON, ME. 

a division of the town was made, and a portion of its 
territory was set ofl', forming a town on the north which 
received the name of Webster. On the 4th of July, 
1780, J. Bagley and Moses Little conveyed to Samuel 
Thompson all the land from Little River to Sabattis 
River, and to the noi'th unto the line di\-iding Pejepscot 
proprietors and the Kennebec proprietors. 

Ezekiel Thompson came here in 1 798. He bought of 
his brother Samuel, 350 acres at Little River. Thomas 
Godfrey-, Abraham Whitney, Hezekiah Coombs, Joseph 
Coombs, Abel Nutting, John Raymond and James Bar- 
ker were among the first settlers of the town. 

Lisbon is situated on the east side of the Androscog- 
gin, and in the east comer of the county. The popula- 



MAINE. 



tioii in 1870 was 2,015. There are several important 
water-privileges and manufacturing establishments in the 
town. Five of these are on the Sabattis, one at Lisbon 
Falls, and one at Little Eiver Stream. 

The Maine Central Railroad affords good facilities for 
transportation of goods to and from this town. There 
are four churches in the place. 

LivEEMOEE was incorporated Feb. 28, 1795. Tlic 
first settler and principal proprietor of the town, and in 
whose honor it was named, was Dea. Elijah Livermore, 
who moved from Waltham, Mass., in 1779. He died, 



is somewhat stonj-, yet strong and productive. Apples 
and the products of the dairy are the chief sources of in- 
come. The leading interest of the town is agriculture. 
There are four ponds in town, and excellent water-privi- 
leges on the Androscoggin Eiver. There are three post- 
offices, six reUgious societies, and 1,470 inhabitants. 

Israel Washburne, Jr., LL.D., who represented the 
Penobscot district in Congress for several terms, was in 
18C1-2, governor of Maine. He was afterwards collector 
at the Portland custom-house. He is at present President 
of Eumford Falls and Buclifleld Railroad. Elihu B. was 




Aug. 5, 1808. Gov. I. Washburne, says of tliis man : — 
"The town was fortunate in having for its founder a man 
so able and so wise, of so much financial strength and 
weight of character as Dea. Livermore." Mrs. Carver, a 
widow ladj' with seven children, was the second settler in 
Livermore. Josiah Wj-er, the third settler, was a soldier 
of the Revolutionary war, and was in the battle at 
Bunker Hill. He died in 1827, and was buried witli 
mihtary honors. William Carver and Elisha Smith 
came to Livermore about the time of Mr. Wyer's ar- 
rival. June 29, 1774, measures were taken to build a 
saw and grist mill in the township. Midway between 
the rough hills of Oxford and the undulations of Kenne- 
bec, Livermore has the characteristics of both. The soil 



LLS LIVERMORE ME 

16 years in Congress, being sent from Illinois. He 



was secretary of state in 18G9, and since that time until 
recently he has been United States minister at Paris. 
Cadwallader C. was ten years a member of Congress 
from Wisconsin, a major-general of volunteers in the 
late civil war, and afterwards governor of Wisconsin. 
Charles A., once editor in San Francisco, and presidential 
elector in 18G0, was afterwards minister-resident in Para- 
guay, and author of an elaborate historj- of that countrj'. 
Samuel B., once a ship-master, was a captain of a marine 
force in the navy, in the civil war. William D., of Min- 
neapolis, became largely interested in the lumber trade, 
and was of late surveyor-general of Minnesota. These 
are all the sons of Israel Washburne of Livermore, and 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



all were natives of this good town. Bisliop Soule, of the 
M. E. Church, was also a native of this place. He spent 
most of his latter daj-s in the South, where he was widely 
known. 

Leeds, once known as the plantation of Littleborough, 
was incorporated Feb. 16, 1801. In 1780, two brothers 
by name of Stinchfleld, came in the month of June to the 
wilds of this place. In 1782, Jira Fish came. He had 
a large famih-. They were of great sei-\-ice to the earl}- 
settlers, as they had acquired the art of carpentrj'. 
Thomas Millett came from New Gloucester about 1782. 

The town of Leeds lies on the east of the Andros- 
coggin River, about midway between Lewiston Falls and 
Livermore Falls. It has throe churches, and a pnpnla- 




MI-VEIIAL Sl'RIXCr, bULlH POI VND, Mh 

tion of about 1,.300. The surface is muuh di\c-i=,;CfJ. 
Peat-bogs are extensive here. Much of the land pro- 
duces well. Dead River, in this town, has the peculi- 
arity of " running both ways at times." Upon a sudden 
rise of the Androscoggin River, the water rushes into 
Dead River, changing its course, so that it runs back into 
Androscoggin Pond. This continues until the pond, 
being quite full, changes back the current of Dead River 
towards the Androscoggin River, of which it is tribu- 
tarj-. 

The Jennings familj- has produced a number of dis- 
tinguished men. Orville was an able lawyer in the 
South-west. Roscoe G., at one time a surgeon in the 
United States army, has resided for some years in 
Arkansas. 

Gen. Oliver O. Howard is a native of Leeds. He 
graduated at Bowdoin College, became professor at 
West Point Military Academy, and served with great dis- 



tinction in the Union army in the ci^-il war. He is now 
in the Pacific Department. Rowland B. is a minister and 
editor, wcU known for his abiHties. Charles H., an aid 
to his brother in the armj', was promoted, and is now the 
publisher of "The Advance," a religious journal of 
Chicago. 

Turner. — The early history of Turner is similar to 
that of Bakerstown (now Auburn) in many respects. It 
was named in honor of Rev. Charles Turner of Scituate, 
Mass. The act of incorporation bears date July 7, 
1786. The first town meeting was held on the 6th of 
March, 1787. 

In 1772, Daniel Staples, Thomas Record, Elisha Record, 
.Topcph Lenvitt and Abner Phillips came and began the 
fiibt settlement. The Revolu- 
tionai} war intemipted the flow 
cf population to this townhsip. 
Ill 1784 there were 30 families. 
In 1^70 the population was 
2 .l^O. The earl}' name given 
to Tin ner was Silvester Canada. 
A<;i iculture is the chief pur- 
-nit of the people. Many of 
lh( laimers have acquired con- 
^idtiable wealth. There are 
-ciino five ^•illages, all of them 
-mall. The three religious so- 
I It ties Lave each a good house 
t'f ^\ or ship. Prominent busi- 
lu'-^s men, lawyers and states- 
men, have been originated in 
Turner. Among these is Mr. 
Donham, of the fli-m of Ho)-t, 
Portland j Gen. B. B. Murrav, Pem- 



I'ugg & DuuLli 

broke ; Mr. William W. Cushing of Missouri ; Leonard 
Sweatt of Chicago, an eminent lawyer ; Hon. Job Prince ; 
Hon. Rufus Prince ; Hon. Eugene Hale, member of Con- 
gress from the Fifth District many years ; Clarence Hale, 
Esq., Portland ; William Carj-, Esq., late attorney-general 
of Utah : E. M. Prince, Esq., of Illinois ; Hon! W. Gil- 
bert, Bath ; C. S. Conant, Esq., Lewiston ; and others. 
PoLAXD is in the westerly part of the county. " Ba- 
kerstown" was settled in the 3'ear 1768, b}- Nathaniel 
Bailey, Daniel Lane and Moses Emery. The locahty 
where they settled is called " The Empire," where 
there is now a station on the G. T. Raih-oad. Bakers- 
town was incorporated under the name of Poland, as the 
93d town, Feb. 17, 1795. The first settler at Ricker 
HiU was John Wooster, who built the first dwelling-house 
in 1779. Before 1782, fourteen other families had joined 
Mr. Wooster in that part of the town. 



A family of Shakers came to Poland in 1819 from 
Gorliam. Of the original 50, scarce any survive. They 
own a large stone building, designed as a dwelling-house, 
and have other property estimated at about $30,000. 
They are a quiet, peaceable, honest and industrious 
people. 

Eastern Poland is somewhat level. Towards the west 
part of the town it is more hilly and rough. 

Poland Mineral Spring, in South Poland, is now quite 
celebrated. Large quantities are shipped each 3'ear to 
all parts of the United States, and even to South Amer- 
ica. The most thriving village in the town is Mechanic 

Falls, on the G. T. Railroad. 

Here are located Evans's Gun 
Works, Dennison's Paper Mill, 
and four churches. 

DuKHAM was once designated 
by the name of Eoj-alsborough, 
from Col. Royal of Medford, 
Mass. It was incorporated Feb. 
17, 1789. It is thought that 
Samuel Gerrish came to this place 
in 1769-70, as the first settler. 
He located where A. True Osgood 
resided afterwards. In 1775 he 
enlisted in the army. For many 
long, weary months his familj' 
dwelt alone. Soon after, Judah 
Chandler arrived. He built a saw- 
mill, and opened up quite a tract 
of land. These men were follow- 
ed by the Weemans, Osgoods, 
Vinings, Davises, and Strouts. 

In the days of the late Rebellion, this little town fur- 
nished 95 men. The amount paid out for bounties 
exceeded $27,000. 

The town has four places of worship, and a population 
of 1,350. 

Here lived and died Dr. Gary, the father of Annie Louise 
Carj-, who has great celebrity as a singer. Miss Carj- 
has travelled in Europe, and sung in the principal cities. 

East Livekmore is a part of Livermore, and was set 
off in 1844. It covers about one-third of the original 
grant to Livermore. 

The first settler of this town was a Mr. Coolidge. He 
probablj' came from Watertown, Mass. It is thought 
that Mr. S. Richardson was the first farmer who settled 
at Livermore Falls. At these falls, mills were erected in 
1791. This was done by the original proprietor. Deacon 
Elijah Livermore. The original name of the Falls was 
Roccomecco. The soil in the south-west of the town is 



sand}' ; in other parts it is uneven and hilly. As a town 
it is quite good for farming interests. The raising of fine 
breeds of cattle is a considerable business with some. 
The water-power here is equalled by few other places, 
but there is no factory or manufacturing interest of any 
magnitude. The population in 1870 was 1,004. 

Greene — population, 1,100 — was in early days called 
Lewiston Plantation ; then it took the name of Little- 
borough ; and, lastly, Greene, in honor of Gen. Nathaniel 
Greene, of Revolutionary memory. The organization 
as a town was on the 18th of June, 1788. 

Benjamin Merrill was the first settler. He moved here 




OLD MANSION HOUfeL bOUTH POLAND ME 

Nov. 15, 1775. He came when the snow was on the 
ground a foot deep, and the snow still faUing as he 
entered Ms log hut. He had no barn or covering for his 
oxen, who had to endure the cold until a shelter for theih 
could be erected. Messrs. Daggett, Comings, Stevens, 
Herrick, Sprague and Mower soon came and settled. 

Luther Eobbins removed to Greene in 1778-79. He 
was a man of good parts, and was highly honored by his 
fellow-citizens. He represented the town in nearlj' ever}' 
session of the General Court of Slassachusetts, until the 
separation, in 1820. He was also postmaster for a long 
period. 

Greene is an elevated town, broken bj- ridges and 
hills. Some of these hills approximate to mountains. 
Clark's and Caswell's hills, and one or two others, 
deserve the name of mountains. 

Greene has little water-power. Agriculture is the chief 
business of the inhabitants. Moses Harris, a popular 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



and talented Universalist clergyman, and Hon. Alanson 
B. Farwell, were born in this town. 

"Wales was once larger in territory, including what is 
now Monmouth. It was then called Wales Plantation. 
On the 20th of January, 1792, the northern portion was 
set off and called Monmouth. In 1803, the plantation 
of Wales was organized. It was incori^orated as the 
212th town, Feb. 1, 1816. The first settlement was in 
1773. James Ross, Reuben Ham, Benjamin and Sam- 
uel Weymouth, Patrick Keenan, and others were among 
the first who came to this place. 

Farming is the leading pursuit of the inhabitants. 
Hodgkin's Hill is a high elevation in the south-east sec- 
tion of the town. In the south part is Sabattis Mount- 
ain. A cave on the east side of this mountain affords 
pleasure to the lovers of Nature's work. Its dark re- 
cesses have never been fully explored. Sabattis Pond 
borders on the south-west of Wales. Its population is 
about 575. 

Webster. — The area of this town was originally 
within the limits of Bowdoin, which was divided, and 
the western part incorporated with Thompsonborough in 



June, 1798. This name was changed to Lisbon, Feb. 
20, 1802. March 7, 1840, Lisbon was divided, and the 
northern part incoiporated as Webster, in honor of the , 
statesman, Daniel Webster. 

The first settlement was begun in 1774-5, by Robert 
Ross of Brunswick. He located in the central part of 
the town, on the banks of a stream known at this day as 1 
the " Ross Brook." Benjamin Mara was the next set- ! 
tier. He was thought to be a peculiar man, — perhaps j 
a deserter from the American army. He soon moved 
away to New Brunswick. Others came, and the settle- 
ment began to prosper. 

Webster is situated nine miles east of Auburn. The 
population, in 1870, was 939. 

Sabattis River affords some valuable water-power, 
which is partially improved. Webster has her share of 
able and noted men. It is the early home of Capt. J. 
Nowell, who carried Jerome Bonaparte and his wife, nee 
Patterson, of Baltimore, to France, and brought the 
latter and child back to the United States. Also of 
Hon. Freeman H. Morse, formerly a member of Congress 
for a long time, and afterwards U. S. consul in London. 



AROOSTOOK COUNTY. 



BY ROBERT R. McLEOD. 



Aroostook County occupies the whole north-eastern 
corner of the State, and contains 6,480 square miles. 
It was a late admission, being erected in March, 1839. 
Its territory was formerly included in Penobscot, Piscat- 
aquis, Somerset and Washington counties. The name 
Aroostook is Indian for good river (one clear of ob- 
structions). The Indians applied it to a large stream 
in the northern portion of the countj'. The first settle- 
ments were made by Acadian French, refugees from the 
Annapolis vallej-. Nova Scotia, after the invasion bj- 
Col. Monckton in 1775. Fleeing from their burning 
homes, they crossed the Bay of Fundy, and passed up 
the St. John River, far bej-ond all English settlements, 
and on its banks became the pioneers of Aroostook 
County. But the most important settlement was not the 
earliest. To the town of Houlton belongs the first place 
in all that pertains to the future development of the 
county. It is 120 miles north-east of Bangor, and is 
bounded easterly by New Brunswick. Through it runs 



the Meduxnakeag River.* The township was sui-vej-ed 
in 1789, and in 1805, settlers began to make their homes 
in this wilderness. These pioneers came from New 
Salem, Mass. They were people of staunch principles, 
who formerly belonged in Old Salem. Their names 
were : Samuel Houlton, Aaron Putnam, Varney Pearce 
and Luther Tyron. In the course of two or three j-ears, 
others joined them, and the work of clearing and build- 
ing went on. Woodstock was the nearest settlement, 
and there were no roads, so that many privations were 
suffered, and stern difficulties overcome, before a com- 
fortable footing could be obtained. In 1826, the north- 
eastern boundary dispute between the American and 
British governments brought this region into considera- 
ble prominence, for through its forests ran the line in 
dispute, and out of the difficulty grew the bloodless 
" Aroostook wars." Before 1812, there was no contro- 

• This name signifies the noise made by the water when it touches 
the limbs of trees. 



versy about the boundary. At the head of the St. Croix 
was a monument, set up on the line, and so far that river, 
and the lakes at its source, were agreed upon as the line ; 
bej-ond, it was undetermined. 

After the treaty of Ghent, a commission was ap- 
pointed, composed of Englisli and American engineers. 
They were to run the line due north, to the highlands 
from which the waters flow towards the Atlantic and the 
St. Lawrence. When they had siirvej-ed about 40 miles, 
tlicy reached Mars Hill, an isolated mountain four or five 
miles from the St. John River, and 30 miles north of 
Houlton. There the English engineers _^said they had 
reached the highlands, and the Americans contended, 
rightfully enough, that far to the north was the intended 
terminus. They could not agree to proceed ; so they 
decided to return, and report to their respective govern- 
ments. 

While this bone of contention existed, there might 
be serious trouble, and, to provide for an emergency, the 
United States ordered a body of troops to Houlton, 
where they arrived in October, 1826. Barracks and 
officers' quarters were built for them on Garrison Hill. 
The troops remained there till the final settlement of the 
boundary dispute in 18-12. The coming of the soldiers 
resulted in a great gain to the whole county. In 1828, 
Congress made provision for a military road from Ban- 
gor to Houlton, and this, when completed, in 1830, fur- 
nished an excellent highwa}', that at once did very much 
to open up this fine region, so rich in timber and fertile 
lands. Meanwhile, the Aroostook wars, so called, were 
carried on bj' the State of Maine. In February, 1839, a 
deputy of the land agent reported to Gov. Kent that 
New Brunswick lumbermen were engaged in taking away 
large quantities of timber from the disputed territory. 
Sheriff Strickland, of Penobscot County, with a posse 
of 200 men, went to Mesardis, on the Aroostook River. 
They were in that vicinity divided, and were most of 
them surprised and captured without loss of blood by 
the provincial lumbermen, and carried to Fredericton 
and confined. Sheriff Strickland struck for home, and 
gave the alarm, and Gov. Kent loyally helped him, till 
the State voted a large sum for defence, and Congress 
did the same. Meantime, Gov. Harvey of New Bruns- 
wick had worked himself up to a fighting pitch, and the 
prospect for an amicable adjustment of the difficulty was 
not very hopeful. Sheriff Strickland, with 600 men at 
his back, marched again for Aroostook. This time he 
got the best of it, captured a number of ox- teams and 
their drivers, and cleared the region of trespassers. At 
this juncture Gen. Scott arrived at Augusta with his 
staff. Charged with maintaining the peace and safety of 



the entire northern and eastern frontiers, he opened 
communication with Gov. Harvey, and the matter was 
soon peaceably arranged, prisoners restored to liberty, 
and nobody hurt. 

While lumber has been a source of great wealth, and 
will continue to be so for many years, yet it is as an 
agricultural district that Aroostook County will be best 
known. Already Houlton potatoes are known from 
Boston to New Orleans for superior dryness and flavor. 
The soil for the most part is exceedingly rich and easily 
worked. Where tlie land has not been cleared, it is 
covered by forests of spruce, pine, cedar, birch and 
maple. Very httle of the surface is occupied by worth- 
less bogs and barrens, but under cultivation, it becomes 
either excellent pasture or tillage land. 

A glance at a map of the county satisfies one that 
but a small portion of it has been settled. There is 
hardly a township or plantation where the vast unbroken 
forest does not touch its borders, and run to the shores 
of the St. Lawrence without a clearing. In this great 
extent of woods, the hunter secm-es the best of game. 
Far back among the lonely lakes of the county, moose are 
still plentiful, and great herds of caribou, or reindeer, 
range over the country. Many other wild animals, 
now either wanting or rare in other parts of New Eng- 
land, are to be found common in this far-away corner. 
Foxes, bears, deer, wolves, lynxes, beavers, fishers, 
otters, sable and mink are still trapped and hunted in 
Aroostook County. In the more remote streams trout 
are abundant, and some of the lakes offer fine fishing for ! 
land-locked salmon, pickerel and perch. A few scattered 
encampments of Quoddy Indians are to be met with. 
They live by making baskets, axe-handles and moccasins, 
together with a little trapping and hunting. They have 
acquired all the vices of white men without taking kindly 
to any of their virtues, and the consequence is poverty, 
sickness and general degradation of what is best in human 
nature. 

Nearly the whole county is underiaid by a stratum of 
calcareous shale, that is never far from the surface, and 
serves to hold the water, and the result is, that it takes a 
great deal of dry weather to seriously damage the grass 
and grain crops. The surface of the county is peculiarly- 
marked by long ridges of gravel and sand (drift) , vary- 
ing in height from 50 to 300 feet, and running sometimes 
50 miles in a direct course. Locall}' they are known as 
" horsebacks." Geology has not yet satisfactorily ac- 
counted for them. 

The surface may be termed undulating. Mars Hill rises 
in a bold sweeping outhne from among the low hills, and, 
at a distance of 20 miles, presents a striking appearance. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



Such in brief outline is Aroostook County. Its rich 
and well-watered intervals, and extensive timber-lands, 
render it one of the most attractive sections of New 
England. 

Towns. 

HouLTON, situated in the midst of a fine farming coun- 
tr}-, and not far from the great timber regions of the 
count}', was incorporated in 1831. In 1870 a branch 
from the European and North American Eailroad was 
extended to this place. This stimulated business, and 
the town is now one of the busiest in the county. It 
exports in large quantities potatoes, haj', cedar-sleepers, 
ship-knees, shingles, starch and cheese. The population 
is about 3,500. 

The court-house is a fine brick building, conveniently 
furnished. The Houlton Academy, pleasantly- located, 
and under the auspices of the Baptists, does an excellent 
work. There are six churches, representing the lead- 
ing denominations; two newspapers, "The Aroostook 
Pioneer," and " The Aroostook Times" ; and the United 
States custom-house. Among the industrial establish- 
ments are a woollen-mill, hemlock bark extract works, a 
large shingle-mill, three flour-mills and a starch-factory. 

Presql'e Isle, situated on the stream of that name 
close to its junction with the Aroostook, is surrounded 
bj- hills, with intervals and old forests. Like most other 
towns in the county, Presque Isle is six miles square. 
In 1831 Mr. Dennis Fairbanks of Winthrop settled here, 
and, with an eye to its future growth, built a saw-mill 
and a flour-miU. He was soon joined by Mr. Isaac 
Wilder. Other settlers followed, and the town was incor- 
porated in 1859. In 1860 a fire destroyed a portion of 
the village. This blow was severe, but it did not 
materially check its growth. In 1871 there were in the 
township 120 farms, many of them large and well culti- 
vated. The population is about 1 ,200. The town contains 
a starch factorv, making 200 tons of starch annually, 
a flour-mill, a large saw-mill, and steam shingle-mills. 
Stages run every day to Houlton and Fort Fairfield, 
12 miles distant. 

Fort Fairfield, named for Gov. Fairfield, is situated 
on the Aroostook River, near its junction with the 
St. John, and therefore is bounded on the east by the 
British line. In 1816 settlers from New Brunswick were 
the fii-st to open up the forest, and make their homes on 
this spot. It came into prominence during the boundary 
disputes in 1839, and, at that time, a compau}- of U. S. 
troops were quartered there. It was incorporated March, 
1858, and in 1867, an adjoining plantation was annexed 
to it. In 1876 the population numbered 2,500, and the 



growth since then has been rapid. On Dec. 7, 1875, the 
town was reached by a railroad that runs from Gibson, 
opposite Fredericton, N. B. There are two starch 
factories in the place, a shingle manufactory, and other 
smaller mills. The surrounding country can hardly be 
excelled for fertility and rural beauty. 

LrsDON joins Fort Fairfield on the north-west. Near 
the centre of the town is Caribou ■village, situated on the 
Aroostook River, at a point where it is joined by the 
Caribou stream. The three villages. Fort Fairfield, 
Caribou and Presque Isle are at the angles of an equi- 
lateral triangle, and yet so crooked is the course of the 
Aroostook that they are all situated upon it. This town- 
ship contains 72 square miles of fine farming land, and 
has rapidly increased in value and population within a 
very few years. The first settler, one Cochran, came 
from New Brunswick in 1835. Eight Aears after, he was 
joined by Ivory Hardison and Col. Ormsby. Others 
soon followed, and so rapidly did the settlement increase 
that it was incorporated in 1859. In 1869 two planta- 
tions, Eaton and Sheridan, were annexed to it. In 
November, 1876, the New Brunswick Railroad was 
extended from Fort Faii-field to Caribou. The popula- 
tion is about 3,000. 

New Swedes joins Lyndon on the west. Consider- 
able interest centres in this town, as it is the home of a 
Swedish colon}-. On all sides is heard the language of 
old Sweden, and one here meets with veritable yellow- 
haired Norsemen, whose ancestors worshipped Odin and 
Thor. 

These Swedes came to Aroostook in this way. In 
accordance with pre-vious legislation on the subject, the 
Hon. W. W. Thomas was appointed commissioner of 
immigration, and in 1870, -visited Sweden, where he was 
already well acquainted. He there secured a colony of 
Swedes for settlement in Northern Aroostook. Those 
colonists, 50 in number, arrived at their destination in 
Jul}-, 1870, and located in township 15, range 3, a fertile 
and beautiful tract of countr}-. The colony has been 
largely increased by new-comers from Sweden, and there 
are already many fine farms, four school-houses, a church 
and town hall, and other e\-idences of thrift and comfort. 
Rev. l^Ii-. Yiren is theu- pastor, a Swedish gentleman, 
who has proved a ver}- devoted and eflicient helper. 
The population is 700, and the experiment has in every 
wa}- proved a success. 

Not a great distance from this colony are the large 
French settlements, along or near the St. John River. 
Language, dwellings, manners and customs are all their 
own. LTntil within a few jears they have been almost 
isolated from the rest of the worid. Thev brought with 



MAINE. 



them the peculiarities of the French peasantry of 200 
years ago, with a verj' large share of ill-feeling toward 
all that was English. 

^ye find growing in their gardens the same species of 
plants that their ancestors cultivated in France. Onions 
of three varieties and rough buckwheat, all the kinds 
common to the south of Europe, are very much grown 
and highly relished. 

These settlements are Fort Kent (population 1,200) ; 
French-i-ille (1,900) ; Madawaska (1,200) ; Grand Isle 
(GOO); St. John (140) ; St. Francis* (2G0) ; Walla- 
gras (300) ; Eagle Lake (150); Van Buren (1,000) ; 
and Cyr (400) . 

Maysville, north of Prcsque Isle, contains excellent 
tillage-land. The broad Aroostook River runs in a 
splendid ox-bow cur\'e through the town, and along its 
banks are rich tracts of cultivated interval. The 
Aroostook is here spanned by a substantial wooden 
bridge, 300 feet in length. The first settlers were Mr. 
Lewis Johnson, his brother Charles, and Mr. McCrea, 
who came here from "Woodstock, N. B., with their fam- 
iUes, as early as 1820. This town was the first settled 
on the Aroostook. These pioneers were quite soon 
joined hy other settlers. For 20 years the river was their 
only highwaj'- to the outside world. 

The other towns of Aroostook County are : Wash- 
burne, settled in 1838 by parties from New Brunswick, 
ha\'ing a population of 500, and containing lumber and 
shingle mills ; Mapleton, settled in 1859, and a growing 



town of 500 inhabitants ; Easton, incorporated in 18G4, 
having a farming population of 600 ; Ashland, in the 
central part of the count}-, settled in 1831, population 
500; Masardis, population about 200 ; Mars Hill, named 
from a mountain 1,800 feet high, within its limits, popu- 
lation 450 ; Blaine, named from Hon. James G. Blaine, 
and containing COO inhabitants ; Bridgewater, with 600 
inhabitants ; Monticello, population 750 ; Littleton, hav- 
ing 750 inhabitants ; Ludlow, a farming district, contain- 
ing a population of 400 ; New Limerick, a very beauti- 
ful town of 400 inhabitants, settled largely by Irish, and 
the location of an extensive tannerj' ; Linneus, granted 
originally to Massachusetts to endow a botany professor- 
ship, hence its name, in honor of the great naturalist, 
population 1 ,000 ; Smyrna, containing a scattered popu- 
lation of 200 ; Ilersey and Sherman, the former having 
150 inhabitants, and the latter five times that number; 
Benedicta, named in honor of Bishop Benedict Fenwick 
of Boston, population 500 ; Weston, Orient and Amitj-, 
with a respective population of 400, 225 and 175; 
Hodgdon, a fine agricultural township of about 1,200 
inhabitants ; and Island Falls, with a population of 
200. 

Beside these there are numerous plantations, and more 
than 100 wild, unsettled townships. For the most part 
they are owned by private parties. These townships 
constitute a great lumber regiorf, but it will not be many 
years before the settler will follow the lumberman, and 
pleasant homes rise up in these remote wilds. 



CUMBERLAND COUN^TY. 



BY REV. EDWARD PAYSON THWING. 



Cumberland Countt was organized in 1760. Be- 
sides its present limits, its territory then covered the 
counties of Androscoggin and Franklin, with portions of 
what are now known as Somerset, Oxford and Kennebec 
counties. Falmouth was the shire town until 1786, when 
Portland was incorporated and made the county seat. 

Cumberland County has Oxford and York on the west, 
and Sagadahoc and Androscoggin on the north and east, 
the Atlantic completing its boundary. There are 25 

• This is the farthest settlement on the river. Above it arc the great 
unbroken forests, where none but lumbermen, trappers and Indians 
have ever set foot. 



towns besides the cit}^ of Portland. The population in 
1870 was 82,021. CascoBay,t Presumpscot and Lake 
Sebago are three conspicuous natural features of Cumber- 
land Count}-. Each has its significance and value as 
related to the commercial and manufacturing interests of 
Maine. The bay is one of the finest on the globe, capa- 
ble of floating the largest fleet, and easy of access at all 
times. Its rock-girt islands are firmly planted, and not, 
as in some harbors, piles of sinking sand. Its bold 

t The name Casco is an abbreviation of Aucocisco, or " resting-place," 
significant of many halcyon retreats among its 365 islands. Hon. S. S. 
Prentiss said that Casco Bay was " the fairest dimple on Ocean's cheek." 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



promontories, as White Head, arc well adapted for forti- 
fications, and the remarkable volume of the tidal water- 
power that sweeps along the ii-on-bound coast, can be 
operated to advantage 16 hoiu-s a day.* 

Lake Sebago is a noble reservoir of the purest water in 
New England, 247 feet above the sea, l>0 square miles in 
area, and pouring into the sea, through the Presumpscot, 
a volume of water-power almost incalculable. Twentj- 
three distinct lakes, with an area of over 90 square miles, 
form the principal supply of the Presumpscot, which 
finds the sea by a course 20 miles in length, wearing a 
narrow channel through blue trap, capable of supporting 
the heaviest structures. At the driest period of summer 
its flow is a thousand cubic feet a second. Its water- 
shed is the easterly slopes of the White Mountains, 
and the supplj' is, therefore, inexhaustible. The purity 
of the water makes it suitable for chemical and manufac- 
turing purposes. The immunity from freshet as well as 
from dearth makes the importance of this stream more 
noticeable. 

Cumberland County presents important geological fea- 
tures. From Cape Elizabeth to Saeo are interesting varie- 
ties of argillaceous slate rocks, mica and talcose slates 
with magnesia, in accordance with the laws of igneous 
action. Diluvial scratches, reticulated veins of blue 
quartz, and sienite veins furnish the student of geological 
historj' with an index to guide his study of their meta- 
morphosis. 

In this brief sketch the present elements of material 
prosperity with which this county abounds, can hardly be 
mentioned. The statistics of the State, and the various 
reports of government surveys, furnish ample evidence 
of the important position which it holds in the physical 
history of Maine. 

Cumberiand County has ever been prompt in her 
response to all the calls of the country in time of need. 
Her record in this respect, especially during the late 
war, is one of conspicuous honor. 

In regard to religious denominations of comparatively 
recent introduction into ISIaine, less is said in this sketch 
than of the Congregational or established religion of 
early days. In 1S21, for example, Greenleaf reports but 
two Roman Catholic societies in Maine, and those were 
in Lincoln County. In 1845, the Baptist Cumberland 
Association, formed, Oct 2, 1811, at North Yarmouth, 



• While the mean tide of New Yorli is 4.8 feet, that of Maine's coast 
is 11.6 feet; atEastport it is IS.l feet. Add to this the fact that this 
coast measures about 3,000 miles in length, and the importance of this 
power becomes more apparent. 

t This, says Gov. Chamberlain, was before there was any legal or 
authorized government in either Maine or Massachusetts. But the first 



report 12 ordained ministers. In 1821, there was one 
Free Baptist yearly meeting held in the county. In 
1802, " seventeen Methodist preachers labored in all the 
circuits" of Maine. In 1814, there were 15 preachers of 
the Christian order. In 1745, the first Presbj-tery was 
formed at Londonderry, N. H. Its name Boston was 
changed to Salem at its reorganization, in 1 782. Its last 
meeting was at Gray, in 1791 ; and, in 1820, Greenleaf 
writes, "there is not now a Presb^-terian church in the 
State." 

TOWKS. 

Portland, fitly called "the beautiful town that is 
seated by the sea," and also " Forest City," on account 
of its abounding shade-trees, whether -v-iewed in its 
material, or its mental, moral and religious life, is a 
representative town, even as Cumberland Count}' is, 
also, among the other honored counties of the Sunrise 
State. 

Its favorable location secured early attention. The first 
trader was Walter Bagnall, who came hither just 250 years 
ago, but was killed, in 1G31, by the Indians, whom he 
had cheated. They burned his house and canied off his 
propertj' from Richmond's Island, Cape Ehzabeth. Sub- 
sequentlj' Cleaves and Tucker settled in Machigonne. 
Cleaves went to England in 1C36 ; and, in 1G43, gaining 
not only a deed for 1,500 acres of land held by him, but 
authority to act as deputy of Alexander Rigby, proprie- 
tor of Ligonia, which extended from Cape Porpoise to 
Cape Ehzabeth, he returned. The first judicial court was 
held Sept. 12, 1648, by Cleaves, at Casco. He died 
in 1666. 

In 1675, there were about 40 families in town, of whom 
six were on the Neck, — the Munjoys occupj-ing the east- 
ern and the Bracketts the western part. A portion of the 
centre was swamp}-, covered with trees and bushes. The 
trees on Munjoj' were not cut down till after Dr. Deane's 
day. He died in 1814. There was a meeting-house 
where the Portland Compan}' now has its shops, and, at 
the foot of India Street, Fort Loyal stood. In 1687, the 
captain of this fort, George IngersoU, kept the only 
store on the Neck, and that year was " licensed to retail 
liquors out of doors." But, on July 15, 1690, the Court 
of Sessions at York ordered that no rum, flip or other 
strong liquor be sold " directly or indirectly, except in 
case of great necessity, as in case of sickness." f 

Maine prohibitoiy law is earlier still. Under authority of the Duke of 
York, Sept. 11, 1G77, the council at Peraaquid passed the following 
order, penned with Saxon terseness end military authoritativeness : 
" No rum to bo dranke on that side the ffort stands! " Somehow the 
magistrates of Maine have never quite forgotten their ancestral tradi- 
tions in their enforcement of law. 



In 1676,* and in 1790, the territory now known as 
Portland was ravaged by the Indians. Parson Burroughs 
escaped their hands only to fall into those of the less 
merciful witch-prosecutors of Salem, f 

In 1718 the name of Falmouth was given to the dis- 
trict which now embraces the city, Deering, Westbrook, 
Falmouth and Cape Elizabeth. In 1727, Parson Smith 
was settled.! Simonton's Cove, Mackay's Island and 
Cushing's Point bear names of the leading men of busi- 
ness in those days. As late as 1774: the upper part of 
the Neck was a forest, and the buildings were mainly on 



were simple and rastic. § Mrs. Alice Greele's inn, cor- 
ner of Back and Hampshire streets, was a favorite resort 
before the Revolution, and her baked beans were spec- 
ially admired bj' the epicures of those days. She stayed 
and saved her tavern in October, 1775, when Mowatt 
ruthlessly destroyed the town. There were 414 houses 
burned at the time, and of 100 left standing, some were 
much damaged. After the war, building went forward. 
The first brick bouse was erected in 1785. The name 
Portland was given to the town by incorporation, July 4, 
178G, being the earliest name of Bang's Island and the 











-.--^S^^^"^^^ 



Fore, Middle and Back streets. Fish, fur and lumber 
were the principal exports. There wore 21 slaves in 
1753, when the population was 2,712. The buildings 
were generally unpaintcd, all of wood, many but one 
story high. The pursuits and amusements of the people 



VILW OF PORILAND. ME 

headland opposite. Fish Street, now Exchange, was the 
centre of business. From 1795 to 1802 the advance of 
the town in prosperity was rapid. Fortunes were made 
by ship-builders during the war in Europe, our vessels, 
as neutrals, taking all the business of transportation. 



• In 1676, 34 of the inhabitants were either killed or carried into cap- 
tivity. The remainder of the settlers for a time abandoned their 
homes. 

t He was accnscd of carrying a barrel of molasses by diabolical aid, 
and of holding a gun by his finger in the muzzle. He was executed 
Aug. 19, 1092. 

J When his son, Peter Th.itcher, was bom, June 14, 1731, his sister, 
Mrs. Codman, says, that " all the married women upon the Neck were 
present at his bu-th, and, with their husbands, were entertained with a 
supper on the occasion " ; which shows that the population was very 
small at this time. This Peter, by the way, who received so hearty a 
welcome from Portland ladies, lived till his 96th year, highly respected 



as a clergyman and a magistrate, " tall, portly, free, agreeable and of 
infinite humor, which he was never anxious to restrain." He was pas- 
tor at Windham. 

§ At a spiuning-bee at Parson Deane's on May-Day, 1788, 60 wheels 
spun 225 skeins of cotton and linen yam. Over 100 ladies attended, and 
in the evening they perfonned " an agreeable variety of excellent pieces 
in psalmody." Dancing was not allowed, as we may learn from the 
indictment, on record in 1766, against Nutlianiol Deering and wife, John 
Waiteand wife, and others of tlic llrst families, for d.ancing in a private 
apartment of Freeman's tavern. Tlic king's attorney, David Wyer, 
argued the case. They were acquitted on the ground that it was a very 
quiet, private hop, and not a public dance or ball. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



The town then had 600 families, 431 dwellings-houses, 
one Episcopal meeting-house, one Quaker, one Unitarian 
and two Congregational. In 1794 the Academy was 
incorporated, and, in 1803, opened in charge of Edward 
Paj-son. A brick building was erected in 1808. This 
year great distress resulted from the suspension of com- 
merce, and the non-intercourse policy-. 

On Sept. 5, 1813, the British brig " Boxer" was cap- 
tured bj' the " Enterprise," and their dead captains were 
laid side bj- side in the Eastern Cemeter}' with miUtary 
honors. The town appeared at this period like a military 
camp, guns being mounted on breast- works at the various 
approaches, and constant watch kept of the enemy that 
hovered near the coast. The Revolutionary veteran, Gen. 
J. K. Smith, had charge of the minute-men, formed of old 
citizens and exempts. * With peace, business re^^ved. 

In July, 1823, the " Patent," Capt Porter, arrived, 
the first steamer in our waters, brought to run between 
Portland and Boston. In the winter of 1843-44, the 
present Portland Steam-Packet Company was established 
bj- Capt. J. B. Coj-le and associates; the "John Mar- 
shall," "St. Lawrence" and "Atlantic" making daily 
trips between Portland and Boston. The International 
Line, Machias Company, and the New York steam- 
ers also represent Portland capital and enterprise. 
The Cumberland and Oxford Canal, from Lake Sebago 
to the sea, was finished in 1830, at a cost of $206,000. 
The completion of the Grand Trunk Railroad in 1853 ; the 
Rochester and the Ogdensburg roads still more recently' ; 
the introduction of horse-cars in October, 1863, and of 
Sebago water July 4, 1870, also mark the steps of 
municipal growth. 

The city of Portland was again consumed by fire July 
4, 18CG. Fifty -eight streets and lanes, containing 1,500 
houses, were left a wilderness of desolation. Ten mil- 
lions of property were'consumed b}' that conflagration, 
kindled by a fire-cracker in a boat-builder's shop. Ten 
thousand were left houseless, and the entire business part 
of the town blotted out. Public buildings, churches and 
many historic land-marks were swept away ; but out of 

• The last war furnished, among the exciting scenes, one incident 
of special interest to Portland, — the capture and destruction by rebels 
of the United States revenue cutter "Caleb Cushing," June 26, 1863. 
Collector Jewett and Mayor McClcllan followed, on board the " Forest 
City " and " Chesapeake," and took prisoners Lieut. Reade and crew. 
The capture also of the " Chesapeake " was another note-worthy event 
of the war. 

t Parson Smith's journal, under date of Sunday, Dec. 15, 1782, has 
this item : " Most horrid cold and windy. I could not stand it, but dis- 
missed the people after praying and singing." Probably his prayer was 
shorter than usual, for under another date he writes: " I had ex- 
traordinary assistance.; was- an hour and a half in prayer a.m., and 
above an hour P.M." 



the ruins a fairer city has risen. There are 35 places of 
worship ; a score of schools, with 5,000 pupils ; a popu- 
lation of about 35,000, with 10,000 more in the suburbs ; 
natural and social advantages ; and, in short, all the ele- 
ments of future growth and substantial prosperity. 

No city in New England, in its social and municipal 
life, more clearlj' reflects the influence of its religions 
societies than Portland. Few men ever exerted a wider 
power for good than Rev. Thomas Smith, the first pastor, 
whose ministrj' of 68 years, 1727 to 1795, ended in his 
94th year. He came -when the place was a wilderness, 
and lived to see it a town of business importance and 
rising renown. He faithfuDv ministered to the spiritual 
needs of the people, and was no less sedulous in pro- 
moting their temporal welfare. For many years he was 
the only physician in the place. In November, 1748, he 
writes: " I am perpetually hurried with the sick: the 
whole practice rests on me." 

In 1659, the first court ordered religious services at 
Falmouth every Lord's Day, " as the inhabitants are at 
present destitute of an}' public means of edification in 
the ways of God," which shows that no religious society 
was then in existence at ancient Falmouth. 

When Mr. Smith was settled at this place in 1727, the 
population of the Neck was but 250, and his salary £70, 
with board and fuel, and " contributions of strangers." 

The present elegant Second, or Pa3-sou Memorial 
Church, recalls, b}- waj- of contrast, the period when 
Portland was but a fishing village, and its only sanc- 
tuary a one-storj' house, without seats or glass windows. 
This little unfurnished house on the corner of Middle 
and India streets, was the only place of worship until 
1740, when another small wooden edifice, with windows, 
but without tower or steeple, was erected where now the 
First Parish (Unitarian) church stands. This was an 
improvement on the other, yet a cheerless place in 
winter, f 

Some of the distinguished successors of Mr. Smith 
have been Elijah Kellogg, I a yery earnest and eloquent 
preacher in his da}', and father of Elijah Kellogg, § the 



+ Mr. Kellogg owned a part of Munjoy, and about 80 years ago, 
by planting trees along Washington Street, gave the first impulse to 
that taste for shade-trees which has eince made Portland the " Forest 
City." 

§ Young Elijah early gave evidence of possessing the spirit that, at 
the age of 16, had sent the elder to Bunker Hill; the good man being 
greatly horrified one Sunday morning by hearing his young son some- 
what pctul.intly exclaim, that Hercules did a deal more good, killing 
dragons and cleaning stables, than Doddridge ever did wilh his old 
" Rise and Progess." The venerable minister at once hurried away to 
the church and requested prayers for his son. It would seem that the 
request was not in vain. The young man's fiery temper was subdued, 
and ho still lives to preach and to write most charming juvenile books. 



popular stoiy writer; Edward Taj-son, D.D. ; Bennet 
Tyler, D. D. ; Joseph Vaill, D. D. ; Jonathan B. Coudit, 
D. D., and Rev. J. J. Carruthers, D. D. 

The people of Portland have ever been distinguished 
for their culture and refinement. Among her sons and 
daughters, many have attained a conspicuous eminence 
in art, literature and professional life. From the times 
of George Cleaves, 1632, the first settler and a note- 
worthy political leader, to the Shepleys and Fessendens 
of our day, the bar, the senate and the national capitol 
have been adorned by not a few men, natives and resi- 
dents, of commanding abilities and inlluenco. One 



the State. Thomas B., son of Rev. Dr. Dwight, born 
here in 1837, was a distinguished Philadelphia lawyer 
and judge. He died at Andover, Mass., Aug. 31, 1878. 
Sergeant S. Prentiss, William Pitt Fessendon, George 
Evans and George T. Da-vas have won reputation as 
statesmen ; Commodores Edward and George II. Preble 
and Rear Admiral Alden have been distinguished in the 
navy' ; Gen. Neal Dow as an unwearied temperance 
reformer, and John Neal, Henry W. Longfellow and 
Nathaniel P. Willis as poets. Mr. Neal was born In 
1793, and died June 20, 187G, a man wonderfully bold, 
brilliant and versatile. Mr. Longfellow ami Mr. Willis 




IXE GEKEEAL IIO 



needs only to mention such names as Jedediah Preble, 
Theophilus Bradbury, Da^^d Wyer, Samuel Freeman, 
Stephen Longfellow, Theophilus Parsons, Simon Green- 
leaf, Ezckicl Whitman, Prentiss Mellon, Wilham Pitt 
Preble, F. O. J. Smith, Ashur Ware, Nathan Clifford, 
Samuel Fessenden, Gov. Parris, Erlward Fox, Judge 
Virgin, Joseph Howard, Charles W; Goddard and Israel 
Washburn, Jr., to recall brilliant^records of public life 
spent on the bench, in Congress, as governors, or'^'as 
foreign ministers. 

The late Judge Ethan Shcplo}-, and his son Hon. 
George F., who died Jul}' 20, 187^., Judge S^'monds, 
George F. Talbot, Nathan Webb, Bion Bradbury, John 
Rand, W. L. Putnam, B. Kingsbury/ Jr., S. C. Strout, 
T. B. Reed, C. P. Mattocks, Nath.aU Cleaves and J. 
H. Drummond have adorned a bar which has adorned 



3PITAL, POKTLAXD. 

were born the same year, 1807. They need no eulog}'. 

Rev. J. II. Ingraham, teacher, author and Episcopal 
clei'gjinan, was born here in 1809. "The Throne of 
David," " Pillar of Fire," and many other widely read 
books, came from his pen. Accidentally dropping a 
loaded pistol, he was killed in 18Go, or thereabouts. 

Charles P. Ilsley has written popular tales of frontier 
life, and Rev. Elijah Kellogg stories for boys. George 
Payson, Mrs. Elizabeth Payson Prentiss, Mrs. Ann S. 
Stephens, Mrs. Clara Barnes Martin, Mrs. Samuel Col- 
man, Sarah Paj'son Willis or " Fanny Fern," Mrs. 
Sweat, Mrs. Elizabeth Akers Allen (" Florence Percy)," 
Mrs. Dr. Chickering and Mrs. Abba Goold Woolson are 
also meritorious authors. Miss Martha B. Ripley, only 
daughter of Rev. T. B. Ripley, an honored Baptist min- 
ister, is known as a gifted writer, especially as a trans- 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



lator from the Gci-man and French. Prof. Edward S. 
Morse has had a chair at the universit}^ of Tokio, Japan. 
Drs. J. W. Mighels and Isaac Ray in natural historj-, 
and IT. A. S. Dearborn and E. H. Elwell are worthy of 
mention. The last has recently written " Portland and 
Vicinity," beautifully illustrated and carefully compiled. 
Among the native or resident artists may be recalled 
Charles Codman, C. O. Cole, J. R. Tilton, Mrs. E. Mur- 
ray, Miss Beckett, C. J. Schumacher, C. E. Beckett, II. 
B. BroTA-n, John B. Hudson, Jr., J. G. Cloudman and 
Frederick Kimball ; of sculptors, Paul Akers, Charles 
Akers and Franklin Simmons ; of musicians, Herman 




THE OB«I I \ II VND 

Kotzchmar, Prof. Paine, AV. II. Dennett. S. Thurston, 
J. Cole, W. II. Stockbridge, D. H. Chandler and others ; 
while among the architects are Harding and Fassett, whose 
works speak for themselves. 

Judge Prentiss Mellen, the son of a Massachusetts 
minister, came to Portland in 1806. He had a tall, im- 
posing figure, and a winning address. He used to say 
before Maine separated from Massachusetts that Cum- 
berland bar was the best in tlie Commonwealth. Besides 
the office of chief justice, he held those of executive 
councillor and senator in Congress. He had literarj- and 
poetic taste, and two sons who were poets. 

Among the ministers of Portland who will be remem- 
bered by published works, are Bishops Southgate and 
Perry, Drs. Deane, Nichols, Bartol, Hill, Ilayden, 



Dwight, Chickering, and Asa Cummings. Rev. Drs. 
Shailer and Carruthers have written much for the re- 
ligious press. 

Hon. William Willis has rarely been equalled as an 
historical writer in fidelity and thoroughness. Hon. 
William Goold j-ct lives to aid in presening our local 
annals. Grenville Mellen, S. B. Beckett, D. C. Coles- 
worthj^ William Cutter, Isaac McLellan and Nathaniel 
Deering also deserve commendatorj^ notice as authors. 

The visit of Lafayette to Portland in 1825, is described 
by D. C. Colesworthy in his " School Is Out." 

" On June 25th he was met at Bramhall Hill by 
Hon. Stephen Longfellow and other dignitaries, 
escorted through decorated streets and under 
arches of evergreen and flowers, to the State 
House, Congress Street, and addressed bj- Go^-. 
Parris and Prcs. Allen of Bowdoin, who con- 
ferred the degree of LL. D. School children 
strewed roses along his path as he went to dine 
at Union Hall and lodge on Free Street with 
Daniel Cobb." 

The town-crier of Portland, Samuel Buntin, 
born about 1730, was in the sen'ice of a Scotch 
nobleman, and won the heart of his daughter. 
The proud lord disinherited her, and the worth}' 
couple made this town their home. Samuel after- 
wards did all his crying professionally, and pros- 
pered, living to be nearh' 100 years old. Another 
town fixture was the tall, portly William Pollejs, 
the one guardsman whom Portland j'early chose 
to watch for smokers, tramps, and other street 
nuisances. Even the playing of ball in the street 
was not allowed. Says Colesworthj- : " If a man 
'~ was found smoking a pipe or cigar on the higli- 

~ waj- he was at once fined a dollar, such being the 

wholesome law of the olden time when our fathers 
loved to breathe the pure air of heaven, not poisoned bj' I 
the fumes of a vile narcotic." 

Another ancient landmark was John Groves, one of 
the colored patriots of the Revolution. The writer 
preached his funeral sermon at Newbury Street Church, 
Aug. 3, 1872. The age of Mr. G., as put upon the 
casket-phite, was 113, though others made him about 
107. In his teens he went to sea as a cook, and privat- 
eering. He was free-born and self-reliant. He recovered 
a captured brig from a French man-of-war in 1809 bj- 
his daring, and it v .is very interesting to hear his stories 
(if olden times, rie remembered how " Parson Smith 
droned when he preached." This was before 1793. That 
honored schoolmaster, Joseph Libbej-, deserves passing 
note. He was born in 1793. graduated in 1821 at Bow- 



doin, and taught in the Portland High School some 30 
years. He died Aug. 27, 1871, aged 77 3-ears. 

With Jan. 1, 1831, began the issue of the first paper in 
the District of Maine, called the " Falmouth Gazette 
and Advertiser." The next j-ear Portland was incor- 
jiorated, and the paper was named the "Cumberland 
Gazette." Its publisher, Thomas B. Wait, was a man 
of ardor, firmness, honestj^, and independence. With 
this sheet, Benjamin Titcomb's "Gazette" was con- 
solidated in 1796. In 1803, Nathaniel Willis and Calvin 
Day established the "Eastern Argus." The former 
died in 1870, at the age of 90. In 1835, Ira Berry 
and Charles Holden started the dailj- edition. The 
" Courier" was issued in 1829, the first daily in the 
State, by Seba Smith, the original " Jack Downing." 

Arthur Shirle}-, from 1798, when he was a printer's 
apprentice, to his latest j-ears, was intimately con- 
nected with the press of Maine. The first Portland 
directory and the first book of sacred music came 
from his press. No paper in Portland has had a 
wider influence than the " Transcript," which was 
established in 1837 by Charles P. Ilsley. Edwaul 
II. Elwell has been proprietor 30 j'ears, and with 
Messrs. Pickard as associates since 18C0. The 
" Cliristian Mirror" was established by Eev. Asa 
Rand in 1822. Rev. Asa Cummings was editor 
nearly 30 j-ears, and Mr. C. A. Lord about 20 years. 
The former died in 1856, and the latter Aug. 7, 1878, 
aged 72. Rev. B. P. Snow was editor for a short 
season. Rev. I. P. Warren, D. D., is the present 
proprietor. In 1856, Rev. S. C. Fessendcn estab- 
lished here the "Maine Evangelist," to promulgate 
more radical views of human rights than were heL 
by the " Mirror." Mr. F. was then a resident in 
Rockland, where he was appointed judge, and repre- 
sented his district in the 37th Congress. The " Zion's 
Advocate " for half a century has been a Baptist organ ; 
begun by Rev. Adam Wilson, and for many years man- 
aged by Rev. Dr. W. H. Shailer and J. W. Colcord. 
The " Tribune" (1841) was a literary journal published 
by D. C. Colesworthy, to which John Neal and the best 
writers of the city contributed. The " Workingman's 
Advocate" was started in 1835, and the "Yankee 
Farmer" in 1836. 

Of the public edifices of the city space allows only the 
mention of the names. The General Hospital on Bram- 
hall's Hill ; the Observatory* on Mnnjoy ; the City Hall, 
Post-Offlce and Custom House, costing not far from half 

• The view from the lofty Observatory is considered to be unequalled 
by any in the State, embracing city and country, sea and shore, with a 
magnificent sweep of mountains from Mt. Washington on the west 6,300 



a million each ; the Mechanics' Hall, and the Museum. 
The Catholic Cathedral is the most costly church edilice 
in the State, with a spire originally much higher than 
Bunker Hill Monument, and elegantly decorated win- 
dows, altar and shrine. 

Bridgton, in 1767, was named in honor of Moody 
Bridges, a proprietor, and a son of one of the grantees. 
Before this time the district had been known as Pondi- 
cherry , from the abundance of ponds and of wild cherries. 
The grant was made in 1761 of a township seven miles 




cii^ 11 \ri 1 I TLA2ro. 

square, provided that oO fauiilics settle within six j-ears, 
build a meeting-house, and also "settle a learned Pro- 
testant minister," the usual conditions, and those which 
need no comment, as related to the intelligence and 
vii-tue of New England. 

In 17G8 the first saw-mill went up, located on Stevens' 
Brook. In 1777 the records and proprietors' meetings 
were removed from Andover, Mass., to Bridgton. These 
records were burned on the night of Oct. 2, 1780, with 
the house of Enoch Perley, Esq. The First Church was 
organized Aug. 26, 1784, with 17 members. Rev. 
Nathan Church was settled June 17, 1789, as the first 

feet high, to Agamenticus on the south only 673 feet above the sea level, 
yet famous for being the spot where Saint Aspinquid died, 1682, at whose 
funeral, tradition says, 6,711 wild animals were sacrificed by the Indians. 



HISTORY OF KEW ENGLAND. 



IDastor. He remained 38 years. Two Acars after this 
their first meeting-house was occupied. It had two 
stories, with galleries. 

Capt. Benjamin Kimball, of Ipswich, Mass., was the 
first man who settled here. The old sea-captain kept an 
inn and a store. He conveyed passengers and freight 
across Long Pond and Scbago Pond. Jacob Stevens 
and the Gates brothers from Andover came soon after ; 
also, David Kneeland, David Clark, Enoch Stiles and 
WiUiam Emerson, men of mark, and who lived to a 
good age. The Fosters, Burnhams and Hales, Enoch 
Perley, the Ingallscs, Eobcrt Andrews, John Peabody, 



;^^^^ 




rOST-OFFICt 



and James Flint, are other names among the earh' 
settlers. 

The town was incorporated in 1794. In 1847 a tract 
of 4,700 acres in Fryeburg and Denmark was added, 
which now is called Texas. Population in 1870, 2,685. 
The scenery is delightful, and the facilities furnished b}^ 
steamers and cars attract man}- summer tourists to this 
village, to Pleasant Mountain, and other localities round 



• The early settlers here, as elsewhere, were exposed to eonstant peril 
from the lurking savage foe. la an old, anonymous tract published here 
in 1S23, by " a South Carolina gentleman," it is stated th.at Daniel Mal- 
eolm, called by the Indians " the very strong man," once ventured alone 
into the woods about Brunswick to split rails, llis loaded musket stood 
by his side, but a band of five crafty saT.ages silently crept up and 
caught it, and then told him that he was their captive. He quietly sub- 
mitted, oidy asking their help a moment. Driving a wedge, he got them 
all to pull on one side of the clefted timber. Instantly knocking out 



about Bridgton. The summit of Pleasant Mountain is 
2,018 feet high. It commands a circuit of 300 miles, in 
which 50 lakes are seen, and numerous towns and vil- 
lages. In point of beauty the view is preferable to that 
which is had on Mount Washington. 

Among the manufactures are wooUen fabrics, canned 
goods, cloakings, leather, harnesses, sashes, potterj', iron 
goods, furniture, lumber, brooms, carriages, &c. The 
beet-sugar business is beginning to attract attention. 

At North Bridgton is an academy, incori^orated in 
1808. A high school was established at the centre in 
1872. 

The first minister in Bridgton was Rev. Nathan 
Church, who died in 18.36, aged 82. The town contains 
SIX churches, a weekly paper, the " News," and an edu- 
cntional institution called the Bennet Institute. 

Brunswick was first settled by a Mr. Purchase, who 
tiaded with the savages, and, in 1675, obtained grants 
of lands from them. The place was called Pegj^jscott, 
from the tribe that occupied the place, which included 
what is now Topsham. In 1690 the town was de- 
populated on account of savage incursions. * 

In May, 1735, 29 persons petitioned for an act of 
mcorporation. One reason assigned was that they 
w ibhed power to lay a tax for the support of a pastor. 
Rev. Robert Rutherford. The chui-ch was organized 
in June, 1747.' 

In the summer of 1747, Mr. Robert Dunlap was 
oulained in the French Protestant Church, School Street, 
Boston, and came to Brunswick, where he remained till 
his death, June 26, 1776. 

Brunswick is midway between Augusta and Portland) 
at the head of tide-water, and vessels of large tonnage 
ha\ e been built here. The Androscoggin pushes its way 
140 miles back into a rich and productive country, and 
this town has shared the wealth and activit}' of which 
this river is the source. Nearly half a century ago it had 
30 saw-mills, besides cotton and woollen mills. Present 
population, 4,687. 

In 1819 there was, says Griffin, but one house on 
Pleasant Street, Capt. J. A. Dunning's, and nine only on 
Federal Street. Three t.averns had open bars, and nine 
stores where liquors were sold. " Even respectable 



the wedge, he thus fastened the five in a fatal snare. A dog, he says, 
had long been used to carry letters on birch bark between Brunswick 
.and the fort .at The Reach (Bath). He would travel the 15 miles in 
two hours by water, and, .at his well-kno^vn howl, the fort opened. He 
was finally shot by an Indian, and a young man took his place. For 
two years he swam by night, lying by day in the bulrushes of Merry- 
meeting Bay. He was captured at last, and carried to Canada. Escap- 
ing, ho returned and resumed his aquatic express business, but was again 
captured by Sobattis, who was afterwards a guide to Benedict Arnold. 



women who came to market claimed their right to take a 
social glass around the hogshead. The consequences 
can casilj- be imagined. None are now sold openly- 
except at the town agency. Capt. Daniel Stone was the 
first trader who refused to sell bj- the glass. Jesse Pierce 
opened the first temperance store." 

Bowdoin College was incorporated June 24, 1794, and 
five townships granted for its support. Joseph McKeen 
was the first president, and the first class entered in 1802. 
Four 3-ears after seven graduated. 

The descendants of Gov. Winthrop had tried in 1787, 
to get an act of incorporation for " Winthrop College," 
but the present name was finally taken. Gov. James 
Bowdoin, a grandson of a French Huguenot, was a mm 
of culture, and vcrj- popular. His only daughter manied 
Thomas L. Winthrop. His son James gave £1,100, 
7,000 acres of land, and collections of minerals, paint- 
ings and philosophical apparatus. Dr. Jesse Appleton, 
President AVilUam Allen of Dartmouth, Dr. Leonard 
Woods and Gov. Joshua L. Chamberlain have since been 
presidents. * 

The prestige of Old Bowdoin is still kept up, and all 
its available appliances are concentrated for the best 
possible education, and brought within the reach of all. 
Aside from the classical there are scientific departments 
open to the undergraduate, and four schools to the 
graduate; viz., letters, including fine arts; scien( e 
philosophy and medicine. There are about 250 student-., 
and 34,200 volumes in the libraries. The lower classc 
are trained in military science and tactics. 

The college and the printing-press are closely alh( d 
Joseph Grillin set up, in 1819, the first press in Brunsn itk 
He was a graduate of the office of Flagg & Gonl 1 
Andover, second to none, and specially good in the pri'it- 
ing of classics and oriental tongues. Prof. Moses Strait 
used to saj-, " Do your best and make J'our own price." 
" The Maine Intelligencer" began in 1820 ; " The Bap- 
tist Herald," 1824 ; and " The Brunswick Telegraph,'' 
1853. Twelve other periodicals, and uncounted text- 
books and catalogues have borne the imprint of the 
Brunswick press. 

The celebrated writer, Jacob Abbott, was chairman of 
a college club that, half a century ago, contributed to the 



• The names associated with Bowdoin College form a luminous 
record, but of those mentioned in Prof. E. C. Smyth's " Three Dis- 
courses," no name, perhaps, is more honored of God than that of Phcbe 
Ann Jacobs, a colored domestic, once a slave, and knoivn in college 
circles for her humble but absorbing zeal in religion. For many years 
she was a member of the families of three college presidents. One year 
the meeting in February for colleges was appointed at six o'clock in the 
morning. Kcv. Dr. Adams, her pastor, wont at five o'clock to the 
Tcstry to make suitable preparations, but, he says, " Phcbe was there 



"Intelligencer." "The Free Press" was set up in 
1827, and "The Juvenile Key," 1831, and afterwards 
enlarged into a family paper ; " The Escritoir," by a col- 
lege club, 1827; "The Northern Iris," by S. L. Fair- 
field, 1S29, a poet who died young; "The Journal," 
1830 ; " The E.astom Baptist," 183G ; " The Regulator," 
1837 ; " Advocate of Freedom," 1838 ; " The PortfoUo," 
1839, E. P. Weston ; " The Branswicker," 1842; "The 
Forester," 1845; "The Pojepscot Journal," 1846; 
"The Juvenile Temperance Watchman," 1854, by 
Howard Owen, now of ' ' The Kennebec Journal " ; " The 
Musical Journal," 1855 ; " The Scientific Eeview," 1871, 




and "The Orient." In 1857, A. G. Tenucy, class of 
1835, bought " The Telegraph," and now issues it. 

Mr. Griffin had published, in 1872, 78 works of Presi- 
dents AUon and Appleton, and of nine professors. 

Cape Elizabeth is, perhaps, the most interesting of 
the environs of Portland, both in historic associations 
and scenic attractions. Leaving Portland Bridge, one 
passes first the premises of the Dr}- Dock Companj-, 25 



before me, and had been two hours on the doorstep, waiting for the room 
to be opened, meanwhile lifting up her soul in prayer ! Precious seed, 
sown in faith and watered with tears beneath that wintry sky ! How it 
bore fruit a hundred fold in her pastor's strengthened heart ; in many 
souls renewed ; in spirits made strong to brave the missionary's life ; in 
labors on the hillsides of New England, on the prairies of the West, in 
the great metropolis, wherever hearts then replenished have carried the 
messages of God's grace ! " Three students for whom Phcbe and 
other Christian ladies put up Epecial prayer became devoted clergymen. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



acres in extent. One of the two docks is 100 by 425 
feet, with a depth of 20 feet, the largest in the countiy. 
In this neighborhood the Penobscot Indians make their 
summer head-quarters, and sell their basket-work. A 
short ride brings the visitor to Glen Cove, tlie residence 
of Philip II. Brown, Esq., and to the Cape Cottage built 
by the poet John Neal. Adjoining is the stony castle 
fonnerly occupied bj' Col. Goddard, and a little further 
on, Portland Light, the first on this coast, completed 
in 1791. It is 101 feet above the sea level, and seen 17 
miles away. The rocks are very picturesque, and in a 
storm the view is beyond description, thougli not to be 
enjoyed without peril.* A few miles further are the two 
iron Cape Lights, 1 72 feet above the sea. Five hundred 
vessels have here been seen at once. 

Richmond's Island, referred to elsewhere, is a mile 
from shore, and was, in the dajs of Bagnall and his son 
in law, Robert Jordan, a jjlace of commercial impor- 
tance.! In 1C30, Richard Tucker and George Cleaves 
carried on together the business of planting, fishing and 
trading, north of Spurwink River. Two years after, 
being driven off by the agent of another grant, they 
went to a place now known as the comer of Hancock 
and Fore streets, Portland, and built, in 1632, the first 
house, which thej- occupied in common. In 1637, Rev. 
Richard Gibson, an Episcopalian, settled here and 
remained three years. Until 1648 the island prospered, 
but then its commerce declined. After John Winter, 
a leading trader, died, its population diminished, and it 
ceased to be a place of importance. Cape Elizabeth 
was incorporated Nov. 1, 1765, but with only district 
privileges. 

Parson Smith of the First Church, Falmouth (Port- 
land), was settled 1727, and preached half the time on 
that part of the Cape which is opposite what is now the 
city. 

The second church in ancient Falmouth was that in 
Cape Elizabeth, consisting of 11 members, organized 
Sept. 10, 1734. Rev. Benjamin Allen was installed in 
November of that year, and remained till his death. May 
6, 1754. His successor. Rev. Ejjhraim Clark, continued 
41 years, till his death, Dec. 11, 1797, at the ago of 75 
years. 

The State Reform School, established in 1853, is in 
Cape Elizabeth. The town also contains a marine railway, 
and an extensive factory, covering two acres of ground, 
for the manufacture of kerosene and other oils, the product 

• Elwell says, " After a heavy gale parties frequently drive out to the 
Light to see the waves dash upon the shore. A few years since two hack- 
men ventured too far out on the rocks, when a great wave leaped up and 
swept them off. Their mangled remains were recovered some days later." 



of which in 1873, was more than 4,000,000 gallons. 
There is a large rolling-mill emplo3-ing 200 men, and 
turning out in the same j-ear more than 14,000 tons of 
rail. Eight}- acres belong to the companj-, and the place 
is called Ligonia. Extensive ship-building has been car- 
ried on in that part of the town Ij'ing opposite Portland. 
Purpooduck was its original name, and a large number 
of its people followed the sea. Capt. Arthur McLellan, 
born here in 1751, was widely known as a successful 
shipmaster and wealthj- merchant of Portland. He died 
in 1833, aged 82. 

Population 5,106. 

Deeuing was taken from Westbrook, and incorjDorated 
Feb. IG, 1871. It is named in honor of James Deering, 
born in Portland in 17C6, son of a merchant who lived 
at the corner of Middle and Exchange streets, and owned 
70 acres extending to the Back Cove, including the Deer- 
ing Oaks, of whose "breez}- domes," Longfellow speaks 
in his "Lost Youth." Could tliese trees speak they 
would tell stirring tales of Maj. Church, and his victory 
over the Indians, and other bloody scenes 200 years ago. 

Woodford's Corner is a rapidly growing suburb of 
Portland. Here is a new Congregational church edifice, 
with a bell from the Deering famil}-. Here also are 
many elegant residences. 

Evergreen Cemetery is a beautiful enclosure of about 
250 acres, less than three miles from the city, finely diver- 
sified in surface and rich in natural and artistic attrac- 
tions. Among the most interesting monuments arc those 
which mark the resting-places of the historian Willis, 
Gen. Samuel, and Senator Fessenden, and Samuel 
Rumerj-. The circle, the arbor and lakes, are very 
attractive. The nurseries of Charles Ramsey, and the 
old muster-field of Stevens' Plains, are contiguous, and 
reached by horse-cars from Portland. The scenerj- along 
the Prcsumpscot is much admired by artists, and the 
view of the city across the Cove, at high water, is one of 
striking interest. 

There is here a flourishing collegiate and scientific 
school, known as the Westbrook Seminar}', opened June 
9, 1834. The seminary has now an average of 150 
students. 

Stroudwater was once a flourishing village when ship- 
building and the coasting trade were prosperous. The 
first church was organized April 8, 1765, and Thomas 
Brown was ordained as pastor. 

The Portland Stone- Ware Company is a leading 



t An earthen pot, which may have been buried by them, has been 
exhumed. It contained a number of gold and silver coins of the seven- 
teenth century, and a heavy gold signet ring, richly chased and marked 
with two initial letters. 



indiistr}', emplojing 70 men. Thej- have four acres and 
some of the largest kilns in the country, turning out dur- 
ing a single month 30,000 fire-bricks, and $2,000 worth of 
stone-ware. Their annual production is nearh' a quarter 
of a million dollars. The Portland Packing Compan}- 
also have branch houses here. The flour and grist mill 
of "Waldron & True produces 80,000 bushels of meal and 
40,000 boxes of ground salt per year. A woollen fac- 
torj- and a tannery, boot and shoe shops, nurseries, and 
tinware establishments, emplo}' manj' hands. 

Rev. Caleb Bradley was for about two generations a 



Francis, Lieut. Samuel, killed at Bull Run, and 
Mary E. D., were their children. Daniel Webster rode 
20 miles through the snow and cold of a midwinter's 
day, to attend as godfather the baptism of the infant 
WiHiam Pitt, and always was deeply interested in the 
brilliant prospects of his protege. 

Falmouth formerly included Cape Elizabeth, "West- 
brook and Portland, with the islands ; an area of 80 
square miles. It was incorporated 1718, and named after 
an English town. Prior to this, documentarj' histoiy 
is nut complete, for, as Gov. Sullivan says, " there was 




Goddard Hall. Dmin; Hull Heniey H»U. 

WESTEKOOK SEMINAUY. 



conspicuous figure here, and pages might be filled with 
reminiscences of this genial and wittj- man. He resigned 
in 1828, but continued to preach till his death, in 1801, 
in his 90th year.* 

Miss Ellen Maria Deering of this town, became the 
wife of Senator William Pitt Fessenden, April 23, 1832. 
Maj. Gen. James Deering, William Howard, Maj. Gen. 

• He spent two years at Dartmonth and two at Harvard, graduating 
in 1795. He never missed prayers, never was absent from a recitation, 
and during tliese four years never received a reprimand from eitlicr of 
his teachers. This last fact is noteworthy, considering the inexhaust- 
iljle fund of humor possessed by him. His parish covered 36 square 
miles, and he faithfully cared for it. He married 550 couples and con- 
ducted 1,400 funerals. In one of the Bible classes which he gathered, 
30 were converted. He was the great grandson of the famous Indian 
killer, Mrs. Thomas Dustin of Haverhill, Mass. 



no other place where the destruction was so complete as 
it was in the town of Falmouth. The records were not 
preser\-ed, if there were an}-, before 1G92." New Casco 
was the northerly portion of the town, eastward of the 
Presumpscot River. In January, 1735, the people 
petitioned for preaching, and in April, 17J2, to be set 
off as a distinct parish. This parish was incorporated in 
December, 1753, and the church was formed in 1754. 
John Wiswall was ordained Nov. 3, 175G. Rev. Eben- 
ezer Williams labored here from Nov. 6, 1765, to Feb. 
25, 1799, when he suddenly died by paralj'sis. 

The Maine Central Railroad Company' have put up an 
elegant iron bridge here over the Presumpscot, 137 feet 
in length. 

The West Falmouth Manufacturing Company- are now 



HISTORY OF XEW ENGLAND. 



torning out 150,000 hubs, spokes and rims yearl}-. The 
brick business, carriage manufacture and boot and shoe 
business also emploj- many workmen. Population, 1 ,730. 
Presumpscot Falls and New Casco are two villages of 
Falmouth. ' 

Falmouth Foreside, or New Casco, was occupied as 
early as 163-2 b}- Arthur Mackworth, who had received 
from Sir Ferdinando Gorges a grant of 500 acres. He 
was a magistrate for manj- years, and the island oppo- 
site bears a corrupted form of his name, — Mackaj-. 
The Two Brothers and Clapboard Island lie near at 
hand, while further east are seen the waters of the 
Atlantic. Judge Goddard and Gen. Brown have sum- 
mer residences in this neighborhood, which is one of 
remarkable attractiveness. After the peace of 1698 a 
fort was erected, and as a trading-post New Casco 
became an important adjunct of Old Casco on the Neck 
(Portland), where Fort Loyal had been built. In 1703 
Gov. Dudley met a delegation of 250 Indians .of five 
tribes at New Casco. The chiefs were gaylj' painted, 
well armed and had 65 canoes. They sung and danced, 
and were loud in their assurances of friendship, but in a 
few weeks "the whole eastern countrj' was in a conflagra- 
tion ; no house standing or garrison unattacked." But 
for the timely arrival of an armed vessel, this hamlet 
would have been blotted out by 500 French and Indians. 
After the war the fort was, in 1716, demolished. 

Freeport, in the eastern part of the county, and 
lying between Cousin's River and Pi'out's Gore, took its 
original name, Harrasacket, from the river which runs 
through it. The present name is said to have been given 
on account of the openness of its harbor. It was set- 
tled as early as 1750, but was not incorporated till Feb. 
14, 1789, being the 64th town. Freeport originallj- 
belonged to North Yarmouth. At the time of its incor- 
poration it included Pownal. In 1808 a division took 
place and Pownal was set off. There are four villages 
and five meeting-houses, 17 school districts and 34 
schools ; several mills, brickyards and shipyards. Agri- 
cultural occupations and shipbuilding have been its lead- 
ing industries. 

The first church of Freeport was formed Dec. 21, 
1789, by ten members dismissed from the first church. 
North Yarmouth. Rev. Alfred Johnson was ordained 
the following week. He was dismissed Sept. 11, 1805. 
Rev. Samuel Veazie ministered from Dec. 10, 1806, to 
Feb. 6, 1809, when he died with consumption. He was 
but 30 years of age. The night before his decease the 
house was found to be on fire, and he was carried out in 
the midst of one of the severest snow-storms known for 
many j'ears. The exposure to that wintry' gale hastened 



his death, which took place soon after reaching the resi- 
dence of Mr. Bartol, his brother-in-law. Rev. Reuben 
Nason was pastor, 1810-15.* Rev. John S. C. Abbott, 
the historian, once preached hero. i 

Population, 2,457. ' 

Rev. John Hemmenwa}- was born here in 1814, a son 
of the somewhat noted Dr. Hemmenway, so long the j 
pastor at Wells. He is author of the " Life of William | 
Ladd, the Apostle of Peace," and of the " Daily 
Remembrancer." 

GoRHAM is one of the oldest and most substantial 
towns in the count}-, 10 miles from Portland, on the line 
of two railroads, — the Rochester and the Ogdensburg. | 
It was first called Narraganset No. 7, and afterwards 
Gorhamtown, in honor of Capt. John Gorham. 

The grantees were a part of the 840 Massachusetts 
men and heirs who bore arms in the Narraganset war, in 
1675. In 1736 the forest-clearings were made b}- Capt. 
John Phinnej', of Pljmouth blood, who, with his boj', 
landed in a canoe on the shores of the Presumpscot, and 
chose Fort Hill for his home. Indians had their wigwams 
near by, but, for two years, this one white family lived 
alone. The oldest daughter of this lonely pioneer aided in 
the transportation of provisions to and from Portland, 
rowing a boat and carrying iJags of corn and meal around 
the falls. At their house the first town meeting was held 
in 1741. It was voted to build a meeting-house, and to 
cut a road through the wilderness to Saccarappa Mills. 
Soon after thej- voted to " spot a road to Black Point." 
On this old Indian camping-ground there were some 
bloody engagements with the savages. April 19, 1746, 
Bryant, one of the first settlers, was killed in his field ; 
five children also, and his wife, were sold into captivit}-. 
Two men named Peale were also killed. The town was 
surveyed in 1762, and incorporated in 1764. 

In 1780 the New Lights appeared here, protesting 
against Congregational taxation, ministerial education, 
and other things. The Freewill Baptists, Methodists, 
Friends and Shakers formed societies about this time. 



• Rev. Reuben Nason cnme here, in ISIO, from Gorham Academy. 
He was an excellent Christian man, but had much of tho Btemncss cf 
an English schoolmaster. He flogged with a Bible, if nothing cko v.na 
handy, and sometimes " Come here, sir ! " followed in close juxtaposi- 
tion to the " Amen " of the morning prayer, when some young rogue had 
disturbed devotions. 

" Yet he was kind, or if severe. In aught. 
The love he bore to learning was in fault." 
He was quick to appreciate or to answer a joke. The boys once put a 
donkey in his place at the recitation. Instead of becoming choleric, he 
simply told them that ho thought they had shown excellent taste in 
selecting a competent instructor, " a donkey to teach donkeys," and 
retired. There was no more fun of that sort. — Life of S. S. Prentiss, 
Scribner A Co, 



The first log meeting-bouse was built when there were 
only 13 families in town. The first minister of Gorham 
was hired in 1743 for six months, at 70 shillings a week. 
His name was Benjamin Crocker, from Ipswich, and a 
graduate of Harvard. He was " to preatch five or six 
months to Come or Less time as may sute his con- 
veniencj'." Dec. 2G, 1750, Rev. Solomon Lombard was 
ordained pastor of the church which had been organized 
April 4 of that year.* The present population of the 
town is 3,600. Hon. Hugh D. McLellan is the historian 
of the place, f 

Gorham Academy was incorporated in 1803. In 1806 
the new building was dedicated, and Reuben Nason 
installed principal. Thousands of scholars have been 
here instructed in literature, science and religion. Man}' 
have become distinguished at the bar, in the pulpit, and 
medical profession ; in the State legislatures, and in the 
Congress of the United States. After three-quarters of 
a centurj-'s growth, the seminarj' is now merged in a 
State normal school. 

The scener}' of Gorham is varied and commanding, 
cspeciallj' from the outlook of Fort Hill. Its geological 
features are interesting, and its water-privileges abun- 
dant. The Presumpscot forms its line of division from 
Windham. Dearth and freshet are not ki\own. The 
natural advantages for improvement, and the nearness of 
market make this river a mine of undeveloped wealth to 
the county and State. 

Hon. Stephen Longfellow, LL. D., was born in Gor- 
ham in 1776 ; a descendant of AVilliam, who came to 
Byfield a centur}' before, and married Anne Sewall, 
who, on his death, married one Short, thus having both 
Longfellows and Shorts among her children. This 
Stephen (for his father, grandfather and great-grandfather 
were Stephens) graduated at Harvard in 1798 ; prac- 
tised law in Portland ; went to Congress in 1822, when 
Henry Clay was speaker of the House ; was president of 
the Maine Historical Society in 1834, and held other 
prominent positions. He died in 1849. His wife was 
the daughter of Gen. Peleg Wadsworth. Their eldest 
surviving son is the poet. 

Our limits allow of reference to one onlj' of Gorham 
students, — Hon. Sergeant S. Prentiss, born in 1808, 
brother of the well-known New York clergyman, Rev. 
Prof. George L. Prentiss. The latter has written a 

• The ordination feast cost $120. Two gallons of brandy and four of 
rum were among tlie items. 

t It was the wife of one Hugh McLellan, who, when the savages 
attacked the little settlement in the absence of the men, gathered the 
women into the garrison, mounted the walls, and by pluck and powder 
won a brilliant victory over the Indians, who were thus held in check 
by female prowess till their lords returned. 



biography of his distinguished brother, which is full of 
pleasant references to Gorham life 60 years ago. Though 
always lame. Sergeant Prentiss had a beautiful face, and 
exhibited imperial talents early in his career. Though 
born in Portland, he loved Gorham with abiding affec- 
tiou. 

Hakpswell is about 15 miles from Portland by water, 
and 40 by land. It is a delightful summer resort. Its 
population is 1,749. As earlj- as 1758, when incorpo- 
rated, it was resorted to by the sick on account of its 
atmosphere. The promontory on which the town is built 
was called Merrj-coneag. Several islands surround it, 
the largest of which received the name Sebascodegan, 
A canal a mile long would unite the waters of the Ken- 
nebec at Bath with Casco Bay. Farming and fishing 
employ most of the people. Jan. 15, 1758, Harpswell 
was incorporated, the 13th town. 

The first preacher in town was Richard Pateshall, who 
graduated at Harv'ard in 1735. In 1753 a church was 
formed, and Rev. Elisha Eaton ordained, who remained 
till his death, in 1764. A son was next selected, Samuel 
Eaton, who also remained till his death, Nov. 5, 1822, 
when 85 years of age. 

Mrs. Han-iet Beecher Stowe has spent many summer 
months in this delightful retreat, and wrote " The Pearl 
of Orr's Island " and other works, at a time when her 
husband, Rev. Dr. C. E. Stowe, was professor at Bruns- 
wick. She says that the scenery of Harpswell is "of 
more varied and singular beauty than can ordinarily be 
found on the shores of an}' land whatever. At a distance 
of about six or eight miles from Brunswick, the traveller 
crosses an arm of the sea, and comes upon the first of 
the interlacing group of islands which beautifies the 
shore. A ride across this island is a constant succession 
of pictures, whose wild and solitarj' beauty entirely dis- 
tances all power of description. The mngnificcnce of 
the evergreen forests, the rich intermingling ever and 
anon of groves of birch, beech and oak, in picturesque 
knots and tufts, as if set for effect by some skilful land- 
scape-gardener, produce a sort of strange, dreamy 
wonder; while the sea, breaking forth on the right 
hand and the left of the road into the most romantic 
glimpses, seems to flash and glitter like some strange gem 
which every moment shows itself through the frame-work 
of a new setting." 

Mr. Elwell says : "To the eastward of Harpswell 
Neck lies Bailey's Island, one of the most beautiful in 
the ba}', but seldom visited. In line ■with it northward 
comes Orr's Island, the scene of Mrs. Store's novel, 
' The Pearl of On-'s Island.' These islands, indeed, are 
rich in literary associations. Ragged Island, which lies 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



broad off in the ba}-, midway between Bailej's Island 
and Small Point Harbor, is supposed to be the ' Elm 
Island ' of Rev. Elijah Kellogg's stories. Whittier has 
presen-od a legend of these isles, and tells in his ^^go^- 
ous verse the storj' of ' The Dead Ship of Ilarpswell,' a 
spectre ship which comes driving in as an omen of death, 
but never reaches land : — 

" In vain o'er Harpswcll Neck the star 

Of evening guides her in, 
In vain for her the lamps are lit 

Within thy tower, Segiiin ! 
In vain the harbor-boat shall hail, 

In vain the pilot call ; 
No hand shall reef her spectral sail, 

Or let her anchor fall." 

The Southern slaveholder quoted under the head of 
Brunswick, admits that he came hither with bitter preju- 
dice towards Yankees, but praises the people he found 
here in 18'20. He says that Harpswell had 2,000 tons of 
shipping and innumerable small craft. He visits its 
"enchanting scenery" regularly, and receives "every 
attention from an active, intelligent people, who live in a 
plain but independent manner. In fact, it is almost 
impossible for a man to be poor here ; at anj' rate, no 
one can starve except he is too lazy to gather the 
bounties Providence has sent to his door. Harpswell is 
high, and the prospect on every side commanding. The 
soil is of clay and yellow loam, rich and Aigorous. 
Many of the farms are in a state of high cultivation. 
Immense quantities of the best fish are taken within a 
stone's throw of the shores, even from their wharves." 
He commends the college and students of the neighbor- 
hood ; refers to the destruction by fire of the largest col- 
lege building in 1823, and adds a significant sentence, 
! suggesting closer alliance with the North, for "perhaps 
1 half a centurj' may not roll awaj' ere our slaves ma}' 
necessitate our looking to the North for protection, and 
that even Missouri, in blood, may lament her boasted 
acquisition." 

New Gloucester, situated on the Grand Trunk and 
Maine Central railroads, 22 miles from Portland 
pleasantly diversified in surface and scenery, and pre- 
sents the appearance of social thrift and refinement. 
The population in 1870 was 1,496. Having long been a 
half-shire town with Portland, it attained more importance 
than some others, and furnishes ample materials for the 
historian. 

On March 27, 1736, the Massachusetts Court granted 
this territory, six miles square, to 60 citizens of Glouces- 
ter, Mass. There were to be 63 equal shares, one of 
which was to be reserved for that indispensable adjunct 
of a New England community, "a learned Orthodox 



minister," and another for the ministry, and a third for 
support of schools. This grant was confirmed the fol- 
lowing year in July. A saw-mill and 12 log-houses 
were at once built ; Jonas Mason being the first settler 
on what is now Harris Hill. 

In the autumn of 1742 the household efllects of the 
pioneer settlers were brought by a vessel from North 
Yarmouth, and poled up Roj'al's River on rafts to 
the bridge, which had been erected in 1739. The 
hostility of savages, as well as the obstacles of nature, 
retarded the growth of the place. For some years it was 
wholly abandoned, but, in 1753, a block-house was built, 
of thick hewn timber closely fitted and dove-tailed, bullet- 
proof, and furnished with two swivel-guns and 100 
pounds of powder and lead, and guarded night and day. 
It stood 100 rods south-west of the meeting-house, on 
the lower side of the road. For six years " it was a 
home, a fort, a church. Its solid door of hewn oak pre- 
vented ingress b}' the lurking foe. Long slots in the 
wall let in the light, and made port-holes for the gunners 
within. A blazing fire on the hearth cooked their food, 
and lighted their apartment by night." (Haskell's Cen- 
tennial Address.) 

The ruined mills, bridges and cabins having been re- 
built, a n«w road was cut in 17.56 by Walnut Hill to 
North Yarmouth. In 1758 a grist-mill was put up. 
Before this the com was often carried on the shoulders 
in the morning, and the meal brought back the same 
day, a distance of 24 miles. Two j-ears later a road 
was cut to Gray, then New Boston. Clearings were 
made and occupied. New bounties brought new settlers. 
Col. Isaac Parsons of Gloucester, Mass., came in Juno, 
1761, and came to staj' ; li^^ng, and dying at the age of 
85 years, Oct. 9, 1825, on the farm now occupied bj- his 
grandson, Peter Haskell. John Woodman, wife and 
child came the same year. The first meeting of pro- 
prietors here was held in the old block-house, Nov. 22, 
1763. Prior to this the business had been done at 
Gloucester, Mass. 

The year 1764 was made memorable by the erection of 
the school-house, the arrival of the schoolmaster and the 
minister. The name of the latter was Samuel Foxcroft, 
son of a Chauncy Street minister, Boston. His salary 
was £80, and boards, shingles and other materials suffi- 
cient to make a house for his use. This building, 
erected in 1765, is still occupied by his grandson, bear- 
ing the same name. The church was formed and the 
pastor ordained Jan. 16, 1765. Those who think that 
our fathers never enjoyed themselves should recall the 
memorandum made by Parson Smith in reference to this 
wintry warming of the old fort : " It was a jolly ordina- 



tion, and thej- lost sight of decorum." The fort Tvas 
used as a church edifice till 1770. The " canons " of the 
church had a significance in those daj's. 

The first meeting-house, a quaint edifice, stood till 
1838, having a square tower on the south-west end, and 
a porch at the other. Twent3--six windows lighted it 
with their little 8 bj' 10 panes ; galleries on three sides rose 
to the level of the ej-es of the preacher, perched aloft 
under the threatening sounding-board ; the deacons sat 
by the communion table, and the folks hard of hearing 
sat fronting them ; the well-to-do yeomen enjoyed the 
broad aisle, and those of a darker hue, who came "to 
give color to the occasion," were seated on the pulpit-end 
of the galleries. Wardens watched for sleepers, and 
stirred them up with their long poles. Holes in the floor 
served for spittoons, and seats were hung with hinges. 
How they banged their response to the welcome "Amen" 
at the end of the long praj-er ! Queer enough, the muni- 
cipal powder, Haskell says, "was kept in small closets 
within the sacred desk," probably because it was the driest 
spot in town. Then those bass viols, flutes and fiddles 
that led the singers to the grand old tunes of long ago, 
and the intentions of marriage that were cried aloud from 
the galleries three consecutive Sundaj-s, and the excit- 
ing scenes witnessed on election daj-s in that old meeting- 
house, all clothed the place with ineffaceable associations. 

The Shakers own 1,000 acres in New Gloucester, and 
prosecute their varied industries with laudable skill and 
steadfastness. 

From 1792 to 1805, the courts alternated with Port- 
land, sitting each winter at the court-house, near the 
present pound. The stocks and whipping-posts exerted 
their salutary influence over the turbulent and recalcitrant 
spirits. Sundays, town meeting and training daj-s fur- 
nished subjects for discipline. In 1832 the first prohiln- 
tion of liquor-selling was made, and, for a dozen years 
past, "not a single grog-shop has existed within its 
borders." The town has no debt. 

Maine's honored senator, William Pitt Fessendcn, 
spent his boj-hood here. Hon. S. C. Fessendcn, his 
brother, — member of the 37th Congress, 1860, — was 
born here. Samuel, their father, began the practice of 
law in this town. He died in Portland in 18G9, at the 
age of 84, a few months before his son Pitt died. 

The mother of the Hon. W. W. Thomas, late ma3-or 
of Portland, was born in New Gloucester, 1779. She 
was a daughter of Judge Widger}', and married Elias 
Thomas in 1802, who died, 1872, over 100 years old. 
She was a lady of great benevolence and public spirit, 
and lived 82 years. 

ScAKBOEOUGii was first settled about 1630 by one 



Stratton, whose name has long been given to two islands 
near the town. Black Point was granted in 1G81 bj- the 
council of Plj-mouth to Thomas Cammock, and became 
an important place in fisheries and trade. 

Another settlement by the Algers from England was 
made at Dunstan's Corner, but was destroyed in the 
Indian war of 1C75. In 1671 Jossel^-n sajs that there 
were 50 dwelling-houses, a magazine and corn-mill, 
" with cattle and horses near upon 700." 

The population was 2,235 in 1791, much larger than at 
present. The Indian name, Ow.ascoag, signified much 
grass. At its incorporation, May, 1658, it took the 
name of old Scarborough of England. The next year 
John Libbj- came from Kent Count}'. He died in 1632, 
the ancestor of a large familj-. The jear 1675 is remem- 
bered for an attack sufl"ered from the Indians. 

The date of the settlement after the evacuation of 1690 
is not certain. About 1703, after peace had been made, 
a part}- of seven in a sloop came from Ljnn, and, for a 
_year, were the onl}' inhabitants. In August, 1703, that 
little handful "held the fort" for daj-s against 500 
French and Indians under Bcaubarin. The foe first, 
under a flag of truce, demanded " surrender." Capt. 
John Larrabee threatened to shoot the first one who 
mentioned that word. The attempt to undermine the 
building was foiled, as at Thomaston, by a heavy rain 
which continued two days, and caused the soil to yield, 
and fill up the excavation. The enemy retired, leaving 
the gallant defenders unharmed. 

No town government was organized till March, 1720. 
The guerilla warfare carried on for 11 years during 
Queen Anne's war prevented anj' growth of population. 
Richard Hunniwell, the Indian-killer, as he was called, 
was specially dreaded by the savages. They had killed 
his wife and cliild. His revenge was terrible. At one 
time surprised, while mowing, bj- an Indian, he cut oflT 
his head with the scythe, and, putting it on a pole, 
invited the remainder of the red man's partj- to share the 
same fate. Another band entering a house on Plummer's 
Neck, Charles Pine, secreted, fired, and killed the two 
foremost with the same bullet. The survivors fled. One 
James Libby, on horseback, was once chased by an Ind- 
ian on foot, and so nearly captured that the latter had 
reached his side and was about to pull him down. Two 
armed comrades appearing, the Indian sprang back into 
the woods. * 



• The sight of Libhy, with his eyes almost bnrstin;; from their sock- 
ets, his body thrust forward on the horse's neclc, and his legs far in ad- 
vance of the animal, so convulsed his brother and comrade, that neither 
could steady their muskets to fire at the Indian. Libby was never again 
heard to boast of the speed of his favorite mare. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



After the peace of 1749 a dozen saw-mills found ample 
cmploj-ment, and prosperity again returfaed. Scar- 
liorough was prompt in responding to the call of the 
Continental Congress, and sent 50 men to Cambridge 
after the battle of Lexington. Manj- also engaged in 
the expedition to Castine, in 1779. 

Scottow's Hill is still remembered as the place where 
the beacon and signal fires telegraphed danger to the 
neighborhood in olden times. 

The first preacher of tlic Second Parish, organized in 
1734, was Richard Elvin, a baker by trade, from Salem ; 
converted under Whitefield, and, though not trained in the 
seliools, an ardent, devoted and useful minister. He 
usually preached without notes, wliich was not a common 
thing in those days. He remained 32 years, till his 
death. 

Rev. Robert Jordan of Spurwink (Scarborough) , 1G59, 
is referred to as one whose intelligence and decision sup- 
pressed the first attempt of " the ^'^llany of witchcraft in 
Maine." (See N. E. Hist, and Gen. Register, vol. xiii., 
1859, pp. 193-6.) Parson Burroughs of old Falmouth 
was executed, but in Salem, 1G92, not in Maine. 

Rufus King, and bis half-brother William, first governor 
of Maine, were born here. The foiTner, says Willis, 
" was a consummate orator and statesman. None of 
Greek or Roman fame surpassed him. William, ' the 
Sultan of Bath,' belonged to the first order of energetic 
intellect. He was at the head of the Democracy of 
Maine, with the skill of Talleyrand, but with much more 
■\irtue." While Rufus enjo3-ed the classic culture of 
Cambridge, William tended a saw-mill, and learned the 
art of log-rolling. He acquired a fortune as a merchant, 
and as a politician he was second to none in his partj' in 
Maine. Instrumental largely in bringing about the sepa- 
ration of Maine from Massachusetts, he became very 
popular, and was elected with an immense majority' the 
first governor. 

Among other distinguished citizens were J. Wingate 
Thornton, the historian, and Seth Storer, prominent as a 
politician, who represented the town in various capaci- 
ties, and his district in the State Senate, and who was 
regarded by all parties as God's noblest work, an honest 
man. 

Windham was at first known as New Marblehcad. 
The grant was made December, 1 734, to Abraham How- 
ard, Joseph Blaney, and 58 other citizens of Marble- 
head, Mass. The name Windham was given in 1762 
from a town in the county of Norfolk, Eng. Capt. 
Thomas Chute felled the first trees and built of logs the 
first dwelling in 1737 on the banks of the Presumpscot. 
The same year the site of the meeting-house was se- 



lected, though its building was delayed till 1740. The 
first settlers met with hardships in their new home, but 
they were not strangers to toil. Old Marblehead was 
far from being a paradise. When Whitefield first 
saw that rough, rocky, and verdureless place, late in 
autumn, he exclaimed, " Praj', where do they bury their 
dead ? " Though Windham has rock enough, it has also 
a loamy and fruitful soil, with other excellent natural 
advantages, which have been but partly developed. 

A substantial fort was erected in 1 744. For six years 
the harassed colonists dwelt within its walls and escaped 
death from the savages, though one was wounded and 
four taken prisoners. Parson Smith's journal gives a 
graphic description of these tr3'ing times. " Ever3-thing 
is dark and distressing. God is weakening us exceed- 
ingly and grievously thinning our small numbers in this 
countrj-." 

From 1751 to 1754, there was a brief interval of peace 
and consequent growth, but in Februarj-, 17oG, Joseph 
Knights was captured. He afterwards escaped. On 
IMay 14 following, Poland, king of the Rockomeca tribe 
killed and scalped Ezra Brown and soverelj' wounded 
Ephraim Winship. Two men and two bojs, Anderson, 
Manchester, Cloudman and Winship pursued the foe, 
shot the king and two of his men. Others from 
the fort captured and killed another Indian laden with 
booty. This was the last notable encounter, and until 
the war of the Revolution prosperity was enjoyed. 
Seventy-one sensed in the war, and $2,280 in silver 
were paid by the town for its prosecution. 

The first church was organized Dec. 14, 1743, and 
John Wight ordained at that time. The next pastor 
was Peter Thatcher Smith. At his ordination, Sept. 22, 
1702, there were onlj^ 39 families in town. He remained 
till Sept. 20, 1790, and died here, 1826, aged 96 years. 
His father was 93 at his death in 1795. 

Although chieflj' agricultural, the place has marked 
facilities for manufactures, as its ponds and rivers afford 
the best mill-privileges. 

Among the mechanical activities of the place are the 
South Windham Oriental Powder Company ; the North 
Windham Company, cooperage ; boot and shoe manu- 
factories, tannery works, factories for carriages and 
agricultural implements, staves, shocks and lumber. 
The population is 2,428. 

Mrs. Abb}' Goold Woolson, daughter of Hon. William 
Goold, was born in Windham. She is favorablj- known 
as an author and lecturer. Mr. G., now in his 72nd 
j-ear, has pubhshed valuable historical works. 

Westbrook was taken from old Falmouth and incor- 
porated Feb. 14, 1814. It took the name of Stroud- 



•water. In 1815 its name was changed to Westbrook in 
honor of Col. Thomas Westbrook. It was one of the 
wealthiest towns in Maine until the portion nearest 
Portland was set oflf as Deering, Feb. 16, 1871. Sac- 
carappa* and Cumberland Mills are two flourishing 
tillages. 

George Munjoyf settled here about 230 years ago. 
His wife was Mary, the only daughter of John Phillips 
of Boston, who was the purchaser of the district east of 
Clay Cove in 1659, the year after the Province came 
under Massachusetts. This Boston merchant was a 
deacon in the North Church, and died in 1683. Though 
he did not reside in Saccarappa, he, with his son-in-law, 
earned on a large business in lumber. 

Saccarappa was long celebrated for its manufacture of 
lumber, which was begun in 1729, by Benj. Ingersol and 
others. The lumber was largelj' exported to the West 
Indies. Latterly the village has set up the spindle and 
loom, and introduced the flour-miU, wire works, and other 
gainful industries. In 1748 the only mill between Saco 
and North Yarmouth was here, and the miller, one 
Conant, ground 1 ,000 bushels of corn during the winter, 
which was one of great severity. Westbrook has eleven 
water-powers, two at Saccarappa of 12 and 19 feet, and 
at Cumberland Mills a 20-feet fall containing 14 mill- 
powers, or 2,013 horse power. The width of the stream 
is 176 feet, and the reservou-s available to these powers 
have an approximate area of 90 square miles. 

Cumberland Mills, once an Indian planting-ground 
called Ammon-Congin, later known as Munjoy's Mile 
Square, was bought of two sagamores, June 4, 1666. 
It is the site of extensive paper manufactories, giving 
employment at times to 300 workmen. 

The town of Westbrook has not neglected her schools. 
At the time of its division it was pajing the highest 
wages for teachers of any town in the county outside 
Portland, and had school property to tlie amount of 
$43,150. Among the natives and residents are several 
noted men and women. 

The second church (Cong.) at Westbrook, the first 
being in Deering, is in the village of Saccarappa. It 
was organized Jan. 17, 1832. There is also a flourishing 
Methodist church at Saccarappa. 

Paul Akers, the sculptor, was bom here in 1825, and 
died in PhUadelphia in 1861. 



* The name of the former was originally written Sacarlbigg, an Indian 
word, said to signify " towards simrising." 

t Munjoy is a name given to the fine hill which forms the easterly 
portion of the city of Portland. 

X Its first lawyer was Simon Grecnlcaf, who will be remembered as 
among the first American jurists. 



Eev. Prof. Henry B. Smith and Miss Annie Louise 
Cary spent their earlj' life here. 

Fabius M. Raj-, Esq., a graduate of Bowdoin, 1861, 
who studied afterwards at Heidelberg, a lawyer of ability 
and author of two voliunes of poems and many other 
literary productions, has for some years been a resident 
of this place. 

Yarmouth, situated on Casco Bay, 11 miles from 
Portland, until a comparatively recent date, 1849, formed 
a part of North Yarmouth. The two villages are the 
Corner and the Falls. Shipbuilding and navigation 
have occupied the attention of its people in former days, 
but latterlj', the abundant water-powers furnished by 
Royal's River have been utilized bj' manufacturers. A 
company named after this stream make cotton-warp and 
seamless bags. The Forest Paper Company manufac- 
ture wood-pulp paper. There are earthenware and corn- 
canning establishments, machine-shops and a foundry. 

Yarmouth has literary advantages as well as natural 
and mechanical. In 1870 it reported the highest rate of 
wages paid male teachers of any town in the county ex- 
cept Westbrook, and by far the largest in private tuition. 
North Yarmouth Academy is a well-known institution 
with 85 students. The high school has 80 scholars. 

New buildings are going up, and several fine vessels 
have been recently launched. 

The Central Church was organized April 27, 1859. 
Mr. Frank T. Sanborn was recently ordained and in- 
stalled pastor. 

Population, 1,872. 

The remaining towns of Cumberland County are 
Baldwin, a manufacturing place of 1,100 inhabitants, 
located on Lake Sebago ; incorporated, June 23, 1802, 
and possessing at Great Falls on the Saco a magnificent 
water-power : Casco, incoporated in 1841 ; population, 
1 ,000 : Cumberland, 10 miles north from Portland, partly 
on Casco Bay ; population, 1,626 ; incoporated in 1821 ; 
the seat of the " Greeley Institute," and the native town 
of numerous ministers, missionaries, authors and teach- 
ers: Geay,| incoiporated in 1778, containing 1,738 in- 
habitants : Harrison, named in honor of Harrison Gray 
Otis of Boston; population, 1,200; incorporated in 
1805 : Naples, a lumbering and farming town, incorpo- 
rated in 1834, and containing 1,060 inhabitants: North 
Yarmouth, § settled prior to 1640 ; incorporated in 1680, 



§ Rev. Ammi R. Cutter, author of a dictionary of the Indian lan- 
guage, was the first pastor here. Rev. Rufus Anderson, D. D., the 
eminent missionary author, and officer of the American Board for over 
half a century; Hon. Eilward Russell, secretary of State in 1829-30; 
William Cutter, poet, editor and author; and the Boston millionaire, 
Peter C. Brooks, were born m this town. 



HISTOEY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



and containing a population of 950 : Otisfield,* a town 
of 1,100 inhabitants, incorporated in 1798:Pownal, 
population, 1,000; incorporated in 1808: Eaymond, in- 
corporated in 1803, and containing 1,120 inhabitants: 
Sebago, producing pine lumber, made a town in 182G ; 



present population, 800 : and Standish, which includes 
a good part of Lake Sebago. The latter town was 
incorporated in 1 785, and named in honor of Miles Stand- 
ish. The population is 2,090. 



FRAN^KLIN COUNTY, 



BY REV. J. S. SWIFT. 



Franklin County, having been cut off from facilities 
for the introduction of manufacturing interests be^'ond 
the suppl3^ of its local demands, affords, perhaps, the best 
possible illustration that can be found in New England 
of the relative profits of exclusively agricultural invest- 
ments in a region distant from large markets, and owing 
none of its prosperity or wealth to commerce, manufac- 
turing or lumbering operations. This feature of historic 
interest is strictly in accordance with fact as regards 1 7 
townships, composing the Sandy River Valley, — the 
southerl3' half of the countj', and the portion containing 
much the larger part of its population. 

The Saddleback and Abraham range of mountains 
stretches across the county, dividing it into two nearlj' 
equal portions, separating the Sandy River Valley on the 
south from the Dead River and Androscoggin valle3"s on 
the north. The two first-named valleys are lateral 
branches of the more extensive Kennebec Vallej-. The 
watershed on the west leaves the town of Weld, and 
parts of Carthage and Jay in the Androscoggin Valley'. 

Another remarkable and interesting feature is the 
almost unprecedented combination within one little 
saucer-shaped vallej', containing barely an extent of 
a radius of 10 miles from the natural centre, — the town of 
Farmington, — -the scenery embracing the grand and bold 
features of great continental ranges of mountains, and 
the distinctive geological features and botanical exuber- 
ance which usually require extensive countries for their 
successful study. 

The Sand}' River Vallej' is surrounded by hills and 
mountains on three sides, forming a magnificent amphi- 
theatre, through the centre of which meanders the river, 
skirted with deep, rich intervals, backed sometimes by 
fertile plains of sand, and sometimes without the inter- 

* Niuncd for Harrison Gray Otis, one of the original proprietors. 



vening plains, rising in romantic undulations up to the 
surrounding watershed, — often shooting up summits 
above the lower strata of clouds. The scenery is bold 
and striking, and elicits the admiration of tourists. The 
beautiful river, fed by innumerable mountain torrents 
through its whole course, — here, rushing with foaming 
rapidity over pavements of granite bowlders, and there, 
entering deep channels, and losing the momentum of its 
flood in winding pools, often bearing the traditional 
name of " salmon holes," — the banks fringed with elms, 
towering over the varied foliage of mingled varieties of 
the forest trees of northern regions, or shading the inter- 
val lawns extending to the river's brink, while in the 
background distance mellows the tinted haze on the 
cloud-piercing hills, present landscapes which have 
excited the attention of many successful artists, and 
which can never be forgotten by the tourist. Nor is the 
scenery less striking or attractive in the region north of 
the Saddleback range. Looking down from the dividing 
summits towards the north, the broad and beautiful 
valley of the Umbagog or Rangely Lakes, — partly in 
Oxford and partly in Franklin, — as also the valley of 
the Dead River, another tributary of the Kennebec, pre- 
sent a magnificent and varied foreground. Three or four 
of the townships are largely cleared, and show rich and 
beautiful farms, with abundant buildings of the most 
popular style of rural architecture. The settled town- 
ships are around and among the famous cluster of lakes 
which have become noted within a few years for their 
number, beauty, and the abundance of the largest trout 
with which thej' abound, and which attract, as a sum- 
mer residence, great numbers of the wealthy and busi- 
ness inhabitants of such cities as Boston and New 
York. Beyond these settled townships, the eye wanders 
over a broad range of forest, unbroken except by inter- 
spersing lakes, till the hazy horizon of the Canadian 



boundaiy highlands terminates the background of the 
landscape. 

Indian History. — The villages or homes of the 
aborigines of Maine were almost exclusively confined to 
the vicinity of the ebbing and flowing tide, where, when 
other food failed, thej^ could resort to the clam, the qua- 
haug and the oj-ster, and where embankments of half- 
charred shells still show that Indian homes must have 
been maintained for a great number of generations- 
During the milder portion of the j'ear, the whole interior 
of Maine was their hunting and fishing ground. One of 
the very few exceptions to the rule of location we have 
assumed, existed in the case of the Sandy River Valley) 
where the skirting banks of rich interval and warm sand 
invited more than their usual attention to their rude agri- 
culture, while, at the same time, the facilities were 
peculiarlj- favorable for taking salmon and alewives. The 
Norridgewocks, a considerable tribe, established their 
permanent home on the Sandy River. Their principal 
village was near where the river falls into the Kennebec. 
Higher up the river, a considerable village, and perhaps 
one or two smaller ones, were located in what is now 
Franklin County. The principal of these was at Farm- 
ington Falls, where the river, crossed hy a jagged mass 
of primitive rock, made it a famous place even for years 
after the region was settled by the whites, for taking 
salmon and alewives. Another favorite location was at 
the rapid, or fall, at Chesterville Centre, on the Little 
Norridgewock. When settlers first explored the region 
in 1776, thej' found remains of palisades, erected by the 
Indians for protection, and including some three acres 
where the Falls village now stands. The enclosure 
included an Indian burying-ground, where bones, wam- 
pum and other Indian relics are often dug up. The 
French from Canada earlj' gained the confidence of the 
Norridgewocks, and converted them to the Catholic 
faith, and they remained under French influence, and 
particularly of a French priest who lived among them, till 
it became necessary for the New England colonists to 
destroy their village and church at the mouth of the 
river. The remains of the half-exterminated tribe joined 
otlier tribes, occasionally visiting their old hunting and 
fishing grounds, though a verj' few straggling families seem 
to have made difl^erent points in Franklin their homes for 
years after, cultivating with more or less intimacy an inter- 
course with the hunters and trappers who found their way 
into the forest region as early, perhaps, as 15 j-ears 
before its exploration with a view of settlement. The 
first settlers found the camp of one of these straggling 
Indians on the Sandy River, by the name of Pierpole. He 
appears to have been on friendl}- terms with the whites, 



assisting them with valuable local information, but not 
receiving all the sympathy desirable from his selfish 
neighbors, and, being a persistent Catholic, he at length 
became discontented, and migrated with his family, 
carrying the body of a dead child through the woods to 
Canada. 

First Settlement. — Previous to 1776, nothing was 
known to the inhabitants near the coast of Maine in 
regard to the whole interior region including what is now 
Franklin County, excepting through confused and indefi- 
nite statements of Indians and hunters. The fame, how- 
ever, of the " Great Interval " had created so great a de- 
gree of interest as to induce in that year five enterprising 
j-oung men, living in Topsham, to undertake an explora- 
tion of the region with a view of settlement. Thej' were 
piloted by a hunter by the name of Wilson, and voyaged 
as far as Hallowell, then containing three or four houses 
and some fish stores. Proceeding in a north-westerl}' 
direction, among straggling settlers, some eight or ten 
miles to the last clearing, they entered the trackless 
forest, travelling in a west-north-west course by a com- 
pass. They struck the Sandy River in New Sharon, 
some five miles east of the Great Interval, crossed the 
stream, and travelled up its northern bank, passing 
openings where the Indians had once had their corn- 
fields, and arrived at the interval tract of which they 
were in search. In the centre of this they selected lots 
for their future homes, measuring them off with strings of 
bark, which they stripped from a bass-wood tree. The 
adventurers who formed the part}' were Stephen Tit- 
comb, Robert Gower, James Henrj-, Robert Alexander 
and James Macdonnel. After exploring the forest further 
up the river, thej^ hastened home, and made preparations 
for returning and felling trees. Arriving again at the 
Sandy River with their axes, they began the work of 
clearing the land for the new settlement. 

Though this company commenced operations on their 
lots as early as 1776, no family moved into the place till 
1781. Mr. Titcomb and his associate settlers during the 
intervening years continued to increase their clearings, 
prepare for securing hay to winter stock, and build log- 
cabins, and were joined bj' others, who made similar 
preparations. Mr. Titcomb intended to become the first 
settler with a famil}' in the place, and, having put every- 
thing in readiness, he started with his household in the 
autumn of 1780, but was blocked up and stopped by the 
snow at the last house on the route, which was situated 
in Readfield. When spring opened, he left his family 
where they had been compelled to winter, and went to 
his clearing and put in his crop ; when, on returning for 
his family, he met Joseph Brown and Nathaniel Davis 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



on the way with their families. When the pioneers 
alluded to had brought, with their families, the com- 
mencement of social attractions into the lone wilderness, 
and others, at different places on the intervals, up and 
down the river, had made little openings preparatory to 
following with other families, the Sandy River region 
began to be a topic of conversation, and many of the 
most intelligent and enterprising of the young men were 
winnowed out of the flourishing agricultural towns along 
the sea-coast of Maine, from southern New Hampshire, 
eastern Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut, 
to plant skill, taste, culture and pietj'^ in a new and 
attractive location. Within three or four j'ears the 
smoke, rising thickly from little openings in the dark 
forest, proved that industry was making rapid conquest, 
and that a happy community was beginning to develop 
the privileges of social, intellectual and religious inter- 
course. Among those who removed their families into 
Farmington in 1781, Mr. Titcomb was from Topsham, 
Me., his wife from Rhode Island; Brown and Davis 
were from Winthrop ; and others who soon followed 
were from Topsham, Harpswell, Nobleborough, Dama- 
riscotta, and from different towns in eastern Massachu- 
setts. A large number of the most enterprising pioneers 
of Franklin were from Martha's Vine3-ard. When Tit- 
comb, Brown and Davis removed their families, the 
nearest grist-mill was at Winthrop, to reach which the 

I Sand}' River settlers were obliged to follow spotted lines, 
often with hand-sleds, through the woods. Some years 

; elapsed before all the difficulties were overcome which 
prevented the permanent success of a grist-mill, — the 

I first being built on Davis's Mill-Stream, now the Temple 
Mill-Stream, near the centre of Farmington. The com- 

j bined enterprise of the settlers put a saw-mill in success- 
ful operation in the autumn of the first j-ear that families 
wintered in Farmington. 

Revolutionarj' soldiers, retiring from the armj' at the 
close of their enlistments, and others, soon after dis- 
charged from the service by the peace which followed, 
during a few years that followed our last dates, furnished 
large numbers of the truest and best of men to Farming- 
ton, Chester\'ille, New Sharon, and sui-rounding towns, 
and the decade which intervened between 1781 and 1791 
witnessed a surprising development of numerical in- 
crease, as well as of material prosperity within the limits 
embraced in our present historical sketch. In 1781, 
Enoch Craig, a Revolutionarj- soldier, born in Massachu- 
setts, and several others from Hallowcll and Augusta, 
commenced clearing farms. Craig was the founder of 
one of the most substantial and enterprising famihes of 
Franklin, but he was not married till 1789, when he and 



Dorothy Starling, of one of the leading pioneer families, 
were obUged to make a journey to Ilallowell before they 
could be legall}' united. Solomon Adams, from Chelms- 
ford, Mass., a Revolutionarj- soldier, commenced clearing 
one of the Adams fai-ms in 1781 ; Nathaniel Blodgett 
commenced in 1780; Samuel and Joseph Butterfield in 
the same j'ear, and Peter Corbett removed from Milford, 
Mass., in 1782. Francis Tufts, who built the first mills 
at Farmington Falls, removed his family in 1783. For 
several years all the lots selected, except a few in Ches- 
terville, were on the interval tracts which skirt the 
Sandy River, but within three or four years the most 
enticing locations on the intervals were taken up, and 
lots on the undulating uplands were commenced upon to 
so gi'eat an extent as to scatter the rapidly increasing 
population over wider regions. 

In Chesterville, Abraham Wj'man settled as early as 
1782, and Dummer Sewall, 2d, and Samuel Linscott had 
commenced clearing as earlj- as 1783. Rev. Jotham 
Sewall and Elder Edward Locke settled in Chesterville 
soon after. As early as 1784, Joshua Soule and Perkins 
Allen had established themselves in Avon, and were 
soon after followed bj' Moses Dudley, Ebenezer Thomp- 
son, Mark Whitten, T. Humphrej', T. Dwelley, and 
Samuel and Jeremiah Ingham. In 1784, WiUiam Reed 
from Nobleborough, accompanied bj- Edward Flint, John 
Daj-, Joseph Humphi-ey, Jacob Sawyer, WiUiam His- 
cock, and others, settled in Strong. In 1791, Daniel 
Collins and Abner Norton removed their families into j 
New Vinej'ard, and were immediately followed bj' quite 
a colony of people, most of them from Martha's Vine- 
yard, Mass. Prince Baker, from Pembroke, Mass., 
removed to New Sharon in 1782. He was early followed 
by Nathaniel Tibbitts, Benjamin Chambers, Benjamin 
Rollins, James Howes and Samuel Preseott, 1st. Mills 
were built in Wilton as early as 1791, and among the j 
settlers are enumerated Isaac Brown, William Walicer, 
Ammial Clough, Joseph Webster, Silas Gould, Ebenezer 
Eaton, Josiah Perham, Ebenezer Brown, Joshua Perlcy 
and Josiah Blake. Phillips was settled as early as 1790. j 
Perkins Allen, Seth Greely and son, Jonathan Pratt, j 
Uriah and Joseph Howard, and Isaac Davenport were 
among the first settlers. 

Thus it appears, that within the first ten years from 
the wintering of the first families in Farmington, the 
Sandy River Vallej^, through most of its extent, had 
become the seat of a flourishing community. At great 
expense of labor it had become supplied with mills, roads 
and bridges, rendering the region a desirable location for 
the rapidly increasing population. At the end of our 
first decade Farmington alone contained 85 families. 



MAINE. 



Agriculture. — Wc are quite positive tliere is no spot 
in New England whei-e facts present a test so perfect of 
tlie relative profits of agricultural industr3^ Through 
the whole count}' not one of the pioneer settlers can be 
named who brought wealth with him, or through inherit- 
ance received it afterwards. For three-fourths of a 
century, separated by long and hilly roads from any 
navigable waters, no commercial enterprise was practi- 
cable beyond supplying an agricultural population with 
articles of necessity, and the marketing of agricultural 
products. The cost of transportation kept the invest- 
ment of capital, owned elsewhere, out of every branch 
of manufacturing industry here. Fishing, mining, ship- 
building, lumbering, &c., upon which other counties 
have partially depended, and from which, with com- 
merce, thej' have derived much of their surplus capital, 
have added nothing to ours. Wc are speaking of the 
Sandy River Valley, not the region communicating with 
the Androscoggin north of the Saddleback range of 
mountains. A comparatively'' small amount of ship- 
timber, and a little pine and hard-wood lumber, have 
been carried out of the county for a market since the 
railroad has been in operation ; but it is presumed that 
more money has been paid for pine lumber brought from 
the Kennebec, and for lumber used in cabinet and car- 
riage making, machine-work, &c., for the supply of our 
domestic wants, than has ever been added to our cap- 
ital for all the produce of our forests earned to an 
outside market. The fact we wish to impress is this : 
that the whole aggregate of the capital now invested in 
farms, mills, roads, bridges, houses, churches, cattle, 
horses and sheep, together with the large estates which 
have been accumulated here and carried out of the 
county, or invested in stocks in other regions, and the 
amount carried West b}' an unbroken tide of emigration, 
has been dug out of the soil of Franklin in less than a 
century. Some incidental considerations essential to the 
lessons of our history must be alluded to in connection 
with the question, What has agricultural industry, unas- 
sisted by an3^ other enterprise or investment, done for a 
community of 17 towns in the interior of Maine? It 
has, for nearly a century, supported, in comparative afflu- 
ence, an average population of some 20,000. The fami- 
lies composing our population have always been " high 
livers." All dairy products have been used in almost 
every family in what would be, in cities, called reckless 
extravagance. For more than half the period eggs were 
not worth carrying out of the county, and, with poultry, 
were lavishly used in every family. Veal and lamb, 
beef and pork have been used with an extravagance 
which would appal a city population, or a community of 



manufacturers or mechanics. And what community 
depending on other business ever had the luxury of such 
fires on a hearth around which to spend a winter's even- 
ing, as our exhaustless supplies of the best fuel have 
furnished? No city or manufactm'ing community', of 
the same proportional population, ever consumed an 
amount of fruit half equal to that on which the rural 
population of Franklin have luxuriated. And what 
business ever, or anywhere, clothed a community of 
20,000 up to the average point of as respectable or com- 
fortable a standard? And again, what city community 
ever had the rent of an average of as roomy and com- 
fortable dwellings? Thus our history illustrates and 
records an unimpeachable answer to the question, Does 
farming pay ? 

Up to the time when railroad communication was estab- 
lished with an outside market, the people of Franklin 
encountered peculiar disadvantages which gave a special 
direction to their agricultural investments. In conse- 
quence of the distance of a produce market, little of the 
monej^ brought into the county or value rendered for im- 
ported goods was exchanged for heavj^ articles of produce. 
The wealth and prosperity to which Franklin has attained 
as an agricultural communitj' is traceable to the fact that 
its people were compelled to regard the territory as a 
grazing region. And just in proportion as grazing, that 
is, " stock growing," was made a specialty, their prog- 
ress and prosperity have been conspicuous. The writer 
knows of no instance where a FrankKn farmer has kept 
out of speculation and experiment, and made a specialty' 
of grazing through a series of j-ears, who has not become 
pecuniarily independent. 

A railroad was opened to Farmington in 1859, bring- 
the Sand}' River Valley into convenient market proximitj- 
to Portland ; removing all obstacles to the development of 
its natural resources. Movements are now in operation 
for extending that communication to Phillips. But thus 
far the railroad has not wrought, nor will it ever become 
likely to work anj' essential change in the direction of 
domestic industrj'. Franklin will continue to be a graz- 
ing region, and cultivated crops will continue to sustain 
a subordinate relation to the more profitable investments 
of producing and using grass and hay. Both soil and 
climate are particularlj- adapted to the production of corn 
and wheat, and oats on the intervals not unfrequentlj* 
produce from 75 to 90 bushels to the acre. These crops 
are raised quite largelj-. A large business is done in 
canning sweet-corn, and farmers find it profitable to sell 
to the canning establishments from $50 to $150 worth of 
green ears each autumn. The apple crop has been one of 
the incidental investments which has proved a successful 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



auxiliary in increasing tlie capital of our farmers. Noble 
orchards were earlj' planted all over the count}', not from 
anj' anticipated niarlict for their produce, but for domes- 
tic use of the fruit, and the manufacture, for home use, 
of what was once the popular beverage of New England 
— cider. These orchards passed their prime and be- 
came somewhat wasted bj' decay before railroad commu- 
nication gave market value to the fruit ; but as cider 
went out of use, and an extensive market opened for 
dried apples, domestic industry turned the fruit crop to 



with tall spire, erected for public worship before the 
growing influence of various denominations divided the 
Congregational strength of New England and led to the 
erection of great numbers of smaller and convenient 
houses. The old Farmington meeting-house had ceased 
to be used on ordinary occasions, and while the ground- 
floor was retained for a town house, the gallery was 
turned over to the county, and the re-arrangement and 
remodelling of its roomy space makes it, in every respect, 
one of the best rooms for court purposes in the State. 




MANSION, V1.1 



profitable account, and sometimes from two to three 
hundred dollars a j-ear has been added to the capital of 
of each of the families who have appropriated their sur- 
plus time to apple drj-ing. It is thought that within 
about 20 years, in some 15 towns in Franklin, not less 
than $50,000 has been invested in efforts to replenish 
the old orchards, nearly the whole of which has proved 
a total loss, as the trees sold bj- agents from the nur- 
series of New York have proved to be too tender for the 
severer winters of Maine. 

The public buildings and private dwellings of Frank- 
lin are a noticeable feature, even in a brief description. 
Wlien the county was organized there was in Farming- 
ton, the shire town, one of those large wooden structures 



LUE, FAnMIVCTON, MB, 



The first sermon preached in Franklin Count}' was b}- 
Rev. Mr. Emerson, at the log-house of Stephen Titcomb, 
about 1783. The religious element was deeplj' rooted in 
the minds of the select representatives of New England 
thought and feeling, who brought a large share of what 
then existed of Puritan veneration, civilization and re- 
finement into the Sandj' River Valley. Profound respect 
for religion was almost universal, and that respect, to an 
interesting extent, soon began to ripen in the develop- 
ment of its emotional power. As early as 1800, a 
Methodist meeting-house was erected at Farmington 
Falls. The meeting-house at the Centre, now the court- 
house, was raised in 1803, and, within a few years after, 
the erection of other houses — generally neat, substantial 



and well-finished structures, many of them with spires, 
and several with bells — commenced and was carried on 
witli generous liberalit}' and perseverance in all parts of 
the countj". In Farmington a brick meeting-house was 
erected in the northerly part of the town, a union house 
at the Falls, and subsequent!}-, at the Centre village, the 
Baptists, Congregationalists, Free Baptists, Methodists, 
Unitarians and Catholics each erected houses of worshijD 
representing the investment of a large amount of capi- 
tal, and adding much to the attractions of that elegant 
and flourishing village. The Methodists have just re- 
placed their first house at this village by a house eostiut;- 
more than $10,000. Some 
20,000 inhabitants in the 
countj' of Franklin are not 
only accommodated by the 
eight churches enumerated 
in Farmington, but by two 
houses in Chester\ille, two 
in Weld, three in .Jay, four 
in Wilton, three in Tem- 
ple, four in New Sharon, 
two in Industry, three in 
New Vineyard, one in 
Freeman, two in Strong, 
three in PhUlips, and per- 
haps others. This list pre- 
sents an aggregate of a 
meeting-house to about 555 
inhabitants. The average 
value of these 37 houses 
is, probably, not less than 
84,000 each, or $148,000. 

Most of the villages of 
Franklin have commodious scenery at apboii i \Mir 
halls, some of them elegant, paitiLuliilj at Farrmngton 
Centre. The county has three flourishuig agricultural 
societies, each with an enclosed park and proper build- 
ings for purposes of exhibition. The tlu-ee annual 
shows of these societies are occasions of great at- 
traction in a community so largely agricultural, and 
draw together, for two or three days, many thousands of 
spectators. Every j-ear more or less town shows are held. 

Among the public buildings of the county may be 
enumerated several school-houses, in dilferent towns, 
erected within a few years, which vie with similar struc- 
tures in our principal villages and cities. The largest of 
these was erected at Farmington, in 1877. One erected 
recently at Phillips is an honor to that enterprising and 
growing village. 

The normal school building at Farmington is a speci- 



men of tasteful and substantial architecture, and is loca- 
ted on a beautifully undulating lot, shaded by a dense 
grove. The Willows, a noble and costly edifice, erected 
a few 3'ears since on the slope of the hiU overlooking the 
callage from the north, for a young ladies' seminary, 
adds largely to the attractive features of Farmington, 
though not 3-et proving a lucrative or successful enter- 
prise. The Wendall Institute, under the management 
of the Misses May, has a building pleasantlj- located 
and admirably adapted to its frugal wants, and has be- 
come a deservedly popular school. 

Th(,> Little Blue, or Abbott Family School, established 
in 1844, by Eev. Samuel 
P. Abbott, in a house built 
by Rev. Jacob Abbott, 
ind where he performed 
much of his literary work, 
li IS become more famous. 
It IS generallj' believed, 
than any similar institu- 
tion in the world, and is 
sc^^ing as a model for 
others. On the death of 
its founder, in 1849, it 
)assed into the hands of 
ill A. H. Abbott, under 
whose management, as- 
sisted bj' his accomplished 
lad}', a daughter of the 
it(. Hon. Hiram Belcher, 
It soon rose in popularity' 
so as to attract pupils from 
bcjond the limits of the 
United States. The park 
occupies a large square be- 
tween the tv\o pnncipal utiects of the village, and is in- 
lersected by a small stream, winding through the square 
nearly' from corner to corner, presenting precipitous 
banks, lawns sloping graduallj- to the sandj' beach, cata- 
racts, rapids, darkly-shaded pools, with two navigable 
lakes, with coves, islands, and whatever art can supply 
in imitation of nature. 

Opposite the little Blue School is the cottage residence 
of Jacob Abbott, surrounded by pleasingly diversified 
grounds. 

In 1832, a printing-press was introduced into Franklin 
County, and the " Sandy River Yeoman" was published 
one year, when the enterprise was abandoned. In 
1840, the " Franklin Register" was started at Farming- 
ton, and four years after changed to the " Chronicle," 
which, with several different publishers, has been sus- 




lOOT lAKArrVGTOX, MF 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



tained uninterruptedly ever since. It is now published 
and edited by Charles W. Keyes, and enjoys the repu- 
tation of being one of the best countr}' papers in New 
England. In 1858, the " Franklin Patriot" was started 
iu Farniington, and was for j-ears well sustained. It 
was a smart political opponent of the " Chronicle," and 
of the war of the Rebellion. Soon after the close of 
the war it was discontinued. Franklin has now two 
papers, the "Chronicle," and the "Phillips Phono- 
graph," started in 1878, and a job-printing establishment 
at Farniington, owned by Mr. David H. Knowlton. 



upon by ledges or rocks, morasses or ponds, as to dis- 
qualify it for a profitable farm. The Sandy River makes 
a course of some twelve miles through the town. A 
range of lots extends each side from the river about a 
mile, with an average width of some forty rods. These 
continued lines of lots iuclude interval soil on the ri\-er 
ends, and undulating slopes for pasturage and woodland, 
in the opposite extremities. Two roads, one of which 
intersects every one of these lots, extend along the val- 
ley the whole length of the town. The numerous build- 
ings connected with these long, narrow farms, all of 




VVESTEEN NOKUAL SCHOOL, FAJIMINGTON. 



Farmington Falls was temporarily, during the earlier 
portion of her literary career, the abode of perhaps 
Maine's sweetest living singer, then Mrs. Taj-lor, after- 
wards Mrs. Paul Akers, but more widely known as 
" Florence Percy." 

■ Towns. 
Farmington, in the centre of the Sandy River Valley, 
is the shire town of Franklin, which, as a countjs was 
incorporated from contiguous parts of three adjoining 
counties in 1840. It is a large township, and has been 
generally regarded as the best for agricultural puiposes 
in Maine. In all its territory it has not one lot, accord- 
ing to the original survej', which is so far encroached 



course on the lines of the roads, give the whole length of 
the valley much the appearance of a continuous village, 
and make a ride through the town one of the most inter- 
esting which a tourist can find in New England. 

Farmington Centre, spreading over some COO acres of 
a beautiful and slightly undulating plain, has the county 
buildings, six churches, the normal school building, the 
Little Blue Family School buildings, the Willows Female 
Seminary and Wendell Institute buiklings. The village 
owes much of its population, and many of its beautiful 
residences, and the garden-like culture of its surrounding 
territory, to the tendency on the part of retiring farmers 
and business men, and orphaned families, to seek it as 
an economical and attractive home ; and if its intellectual 



and religious associations maintain their present char- 
acter, and tlie prestige of its educational character and 
facilities remains permanent, the prospect is that its 
growth will continue till miles of the surrounding plain 
will be covered with suburban cottages. The village at 
Farmington Falls is partl3- in Farmington and partly in 
Chester\'ille, and has some forty tenements, an extensive 
spool-factory, two saw-mills, an iron-foundry, pulp- 
mill, excelsior factory, and other machinerj'. Its ma- 
chinery has, and will continue to have, a constant supply 
of timber. Two miles west from Farmington Falls, 
beautifully located on a plain through which runs the 
Wilson Stream, surrounded by an amphitheatre of hills, 
is the village of Keith's Mills, or North Chester\'ille. 
This is likewise located partly in Farmington and partly 
in Chesterv-ille, and has a beautiful union village church, 
with a hall that was a donation from Eev. Jotham Sewall, 
widely known as " Father Sewall," and sometimes desig- 
nated the "Apostle of Maine," whose remains lie en- 
tombed in the outskirts of the village. 

This village is the centre of the wholesale manufacture 
of wagons and sleighs, which have attained character in 
an extensive market. Using the machinery at the vil- 
lage, the manufacture is can-ied on largely on the sur- 
rounding farms, — each of which has a shop, — profit- 
ably, as it is supposed, mixing manufacturing and agri- 
cultural industry. 

A pretty village, with a fine church, and all sorts of 
machinery for manufacturing lumber, is situated on the 
Little Norridgewock, at Chesterville Centre. Here is 
likewise the tannery of the Messrs. Riggs, the largest in 
the county, where bj' the use of large reels made to 
slowly revolve by water and steam power, some 9,000 
dozen sheepskins per week are alternately plunged into 
and drawn out of great vats of the tanning liquor pro- 
cured by the annual use of 500 cords of hemlock bark. 
The town has a population of 3,280. 

Wilton, a highlj' cultivated township containing 1,90G 
inhabitants, in addition to its agriculture improves the 
j valuable water-power of the Wilson stream in two im- 
1 portant villages. A woollen-factory, established here in 
1843, though at first unsuccessful, is at present hope- 
fully prosperous. A scythe-factorj-, including the manu- 
facture of the lightning hay-knife, a very remunerative 
business, is located here. The railroad passes through 
the village, and it has the trade of a well-developed 
agricultural region around it. 

Two or three miles above East Wilton is another large 
village. It is located on Wilson's stream, at the outlet of 
its great natural reservoir, Wilson's Pond. The stream 
has been crossed bj' a number of dams, and the water- 



power has been utilized to the best advantage. A su- 
perior flour-mill, a large peg-factory, and machinery for 
manufacturing short lumber in every useful form, in 
connection with facilities for a constant supply of tim- 
ber in the immediate vicinitj', make the village a scene 
of busy, cheerful life seldom equalled in New England. 
Two tasteful churches and a noble academy building are 
among the attractions of a public character. A large 
tannery is located here. About 1852 an enterprising 
and public-spirited citizen of the place, Mr. D. Fernald, 
conceived the idea of establishing a factory for the special 
manufacture of woollen-yarn for knitting. He introduced 
and multiplied machinerj' adapted to the design till he 
almost monopolized a very large market territory for the 
beautiful and delicate article he had succeeded in suc- 
cessfully introducing. At the present time, however, 
this mill-property is devoted to the manufacture of fur- 
niture. 

Temple and Avon, adjoining towns, with a respective 
population of 640 and 510, possess a romantic and some- 
what peculiar interest. The summit of Mount Blue, a 
mountain famous throughout New England, and rising 
2,804 feet above the ocean, is situated in the south-west 
corner of Avon, with the bold front of its southern pre- 
cipitous slope in Temple. Eastward, the successive 
peaks of the range become gradually depressed along 
a line nearly parallel with the dividing line of the two 
townships, till the ridge terminates in the precipitous 
bluff of Day's Mountain, where it almost overhangs the 
Sandy Eiver channel in Strong. Gathering its head- 
waters from this mountain range, the Temple stream 
makes its descent through the whole length of Temple 
and a part of Farmington to its union with the Sandy 
River just below the Centre Village. A strip of beauti- 
ful inter\-al skirts the part of this stream which runs 
through Temple, which is beautiful and fertile, thickly 
settled and highly cultivated. Aside from this valley, 
there are fertile valleys and side-hill slopes forming 
excellent farms in other parts of the town ; but most of 
the township resembles a tumultuous sea of hills and 
mountains, upheavals of the earliest geological age, 
covered with bowlders and soil enough to support enor- 
mous supplies of timber — largely consisting, in all the 
more elevated parts, of spruce. These rough and pre- 
cipitous mountain regions are proving to be profitable 
territory. A pretty and growing village uses up the 
water-power of the Temple stream, near the south-east 
corner of the town in the manufacture of the lumber — 
principally spruce, poplar and birch. 

Weld, population 1,130, has two flourishing villages 
where, by water-power and steam, immense quantities 



IIISTOEY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



of lumber arc manufactured into spools, scythes, salt 
and other boxes. Webb's Pond, a large pond in the 
centre of Weld, discharges its water b}^ Webb's River, 
running tlirough a broad plain in Carthage, containing 
great quantities of pine timber, into the Androscoggin. 
Berr3-'s Mills is a small lumber-manufacturing village in 
Carthage. 

Phillips, a few 3-cars ago, would have been described 
as having two flourishing villages, some three-fourths of 
a mile apart, and, perhaps, with a feeling of a little 
rivalr}- between them ; but now an attractive school edi- 
fice, a costly church, a large new public-house, and neat 
and showj' private residences have so iilled up the inter- 
vening space that tourists cannot locate the dialing line 
between the two villages. Phillips has many of the best 
farms in Maine, and the lillage is surrounded by a 
larger territory naturally dependent upon it as a business 
centre than any other village in Franklin. Its water- 
power is capable of almost indefinite development and 
application. It is the abode of Abner Toothaker, Esq., 
who, with the large sums he annually pa3-s out to labor- 
ers, makes it the centre from which he directs his 
extensive lumbering operations in the Rangely Lake 
region. A printing-iDress has just been established 
there. It is already' the location of a large amount 
of professional ability, of talent, culture and refine- 
ment, and it can hardlj' escape becoming one of the 
largest interior villages of Maine. The population of 
the town is 1,375. 

Madrid has a prett3' village on the road leading from 
Phillips to the Rangeley Lake region, where the water- 
power of the Western Branch of the Sand3- River is used. 
The town has several saw-mills, and extensive resources 
in spruce lumber on the steep slopes of Saddleback and 
Mount Abraham. The summits of these mountains rise 
above the limits of forest vegetation, and present hun- 
dreds of acres covered with long moss, with occasionall3' 
a mere sprig of arctic vegetation seeming to cling to the 
moss. 

New Sharon, containing 1,450 inhabitants, was one 
of the first settled, and is now one of the townships, the 
natural advantages of which have become most full3' de- 
veloped. Its numerous farms have made a long list of 
I proprietors independent and aggregated large amounts 
of capital, which has gone forth as a constantl3' flowing 
tide to swell the investments of cities and plant prosperity 
over all the wide West. The town has one of the pret- 
tiest interior villages in Maine, situated on both sides of 
the Sandy River, where a natural fall is crossed b3' a 
dam and an expensive covered bridge. In addition to 
the mills required by the necessities of agricultural com- 



munities, a chair-factor3- maintains successful operation 
in this \'illage. 

Other towns of Frankhn Count3' are Freeman, a fine 
agricultural township, with a population of COO ; Salem, 
a flourishing farming town of 300 inhabitants ; Industry, 
population 725, situated at the outlet of Clear Water 
Pond, and having, at Allen's JIiUs, a water-power of 
great value, used in manufacturing shovel-handles and 
ever3'. variet}' of lumber ; Kingfield, named from Wil- 
liam King, first governor of Maine, population 5G0 ; and 
New Vineyard, containing 755 inhabitants, a manufac- 
turing town noted for its romantic scenery' and its almost 
unexampled privileges of natural water-power. 

Some twent3- townships of the territory of Franklin, 
l3-ing north of the Saddleback and Abraham mountain- 
range, differ materiall3' from the southern part of the 
count3'. Only a narrow strip, comparativelv, is settled, 
or has been stripped of the lumber of the primeval 
forests. The partiall3- settled and border region of the 
great tract of forest stretching north to the Canada line, 
has, within a few years, attracted great attention as a 
summer residence for parties and families from New 
York, Boston, and other places, and the prospect now is 
that the region will become one of the most popular 
summer resorts in the United States. With a few brief 
obsei-\-ations, we will pass over northern Franklin. 

Rangeley, the oldest of the settled townships, has its 
name from an English gentleman, who, emigrating to ; 
New York, in some business investments unintentionally | 
became proprietor of the tract. He visited his township 
after a few pioneer families moved into cabins where 
tho3- had begun to make clearings, and was so well 
pleased with his new wilderness possessions as to con- j 
ceive the romantic idea of reproducing, as near as Amer- | 
ican institutions might render practicable, the English 
relation of lonl and tenantr3-. lie selected a beautiful 
location, and, though separ.ated b3' a belt of some 15 
mUes of forest from the nearest carriage-road, at great j 
expense erected a two-storj- mansion of no inconsidera1)le i 
claims to architectural merit. Into this he moved with ^ 
his accomplished famih'. Though he found little con- 
genial S3'mpath3' among the increasing band of settlers, 
while he often encountered undeserved opposition and 
prejudice, he persevered, b3^ the erection of mills and the 
opening of roads, and in other wa3-s secured the rapid 
development of a flourishing settlement. The settlers 
wisel3' turned their attention specially to grazing, as, 
whatever difficulties distance or character of roads might 
interpose, they were sure of a cattle-market at their very 
doors. When subsequentl3' the great business enterprise 
of running pine-logs down the Androscoggin became 



established, the haj'-crop found a readj- market in sup- 
plj-ing the logging camps. The first crops of wheat, 
barlej^, potatoes, &c., preparing the way for the grass 
crops, proved to be large, and between " burnt-crop- 
ping," grazing and lumbering, many of the settlers be- 
came, not merely pecuniarily independent, but wealthj-. 
The Kiles family, and the Toothaker family, among 
others deserve historic renown for the industry and per- 
severance with which they have led the way in devel- 
oping the latent resources of the soil and forests of 
northern Franklin. Particularl}^, Abner Toothaker, 
Esq., in his vast lumbering operations, by the regular 



employment of great numbers of men, and the prompt- 
ness and liberality with which he distributes a great 
aggregate of capital in the form of payment, has con- 
ferred unmeasured benefits upon Phillips and upper 
Franklin. 

Mr. Rangely continued to reside at the Lakes 15 years, 
where in his home he carried out much of the form and 
ceremony practised by the English nobility. Mrs. R. 
was never contented. The daughter died, and Mr. 
Rangely at length sold his possessions and removed to 
Portland, where he resided several years. His last 
removal was to Henry County, N. C, where he died. 



HANCOCK COUNTY. 



EY IIO\. PACKER TUCK AXD MISS C. E. IIOMEK. 



j The exceedinglj- irregular triangle of Hancock County 
I is bounded on the east by Washington Count}', on the 
south by the Atlantic, and on the west and north by 
! Penobscot Bay, River, and County. From north to 
south it measures about 85 miles, and from east to west 
varies from 6 to 40 miles. Population in 1870, 36,495. 
Within its limits lie some 300 islands, the largest of 
which is the most conspicuous upon the Atlantic coast ; 
and at 20 miles distant from the "me3-ne" land, Mt. 
Desert Rock raises its half-acre of surface. Among these 
islands wind many devious channels, through which pre- 
sumably cruised the gallant Norsemen in their adven- 
turous voj-ages, leaving traces of their presence along 
the seaboard. 

The early history of Hancock County is almost the 
earliest histor}' of the State, and well deserves the at- 
tcntiiin of the antiquarian. Leaving in the misty past 
the vo3-ages of Cabot, the Portuguese Cortereal, and the 
Florentine Verrazani, with those reported of other navi- 
gators, such as Gomez and Thevet, indicating a knowl- 
edge of this section at a very early period, we come 
down to the commencement of the seventeenth century, 
when the real, tangible history of this region begins. 

In 1603, the Sieur De Monts received from Henri IV. 
of France, a commission as governor-general of Acadia, 
his jurisdiction extending from Virginia to Hudson's Baj-. 
His colony made a settlement on Mt. Desert Island, 
which was soon given up, and the patent cancelled by 
the king. The application of some of his associates to 



the French government for aid awakened the attention of 
Catholicism to the new field, and missionaries were sent 
to Port Royal (now Annapolis, N. S.), whence fathers 
Biarde and Masse found their way to Mt. Desert in 
1609. 

In 1613, came the band of 25 colonists led by Suas- 
saye, the agent of the beautiful and pious Madame 
de Guercheville, who, desirous of bringing the Indians to 
the knowledge of the true faith, by her influence with 
Marie de Medicis, had obtained from the king a transfer 
of the grant of De Monts. They landed, erected a 
cross, celebrated mass, and from gratitude at their escape 
from the terrible gales on the coast, named the place 
" Saint Sauveur." How long they remained here is 
uncertain, but a fort was built and a settlement made at 
the localit}' now known as Ship Harbor, Tremont. 

In 1605, the famous Champlain, with several followers, 
sailed by Mt. Desert, to which, in honor of De Monts, he 
gave the name, " L'isle de Monts Desert," and Isle au 
Ilaut, then sailed up the river called Pemptagoet, which 
is, without difficult}', identified from his minute descrip- 
tion as the Penobscot. De Monts took formal possession 
of his country, by setting up a cross, naming it Acadia, 
by which name it was known for many years. The region 
was subsequently visited by Martin Pring, Capt. Wey- 
mouth, Capt. Samuel Argall of Virginia, who broke up 
the Catholic settlement at Saint Sauveur, and by Capt. 
John Smith. 

Weymouth took possession of the countiy for his 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



sovereign James I. of England, so it became a source 
of contention for the two rival European powers, France 
claiming it by virtue of the exploration of Cartier in 
1534 and possession by De Monts, England from the 
disco verj- of Cabot in 1498 and claims of "Weymouth. 
For 180 years, the countr^^ east of the Penobscot was a 
part of Acadia, and shared its fortunes, which kept this 
region almost unsettled during the provincial histor}' of 
Maine. Bancroft says the first intelligible welcome which 
greeted the Pilgrims at Plymouth was from an Indian 
who had learned a little English from the fishermen at 

I Penobscot. 

In 1626, a trading-house was established at Pentagoet 
bj' the Pl3'mouth Companj^. Pentagoet, the name given 
by the French to the peninsula now occupied by Castine, 
Penobscot and Brooks-\dlle, is supposed to be an Indian 
name filtered through the French language, meaning 
•' the entrance of the river." Other names were Baga- 
duce and Penobscot, which last name was spelt b}- the 

I earl}' settlers in nearlj' sixtj' ways, most of them scarcely' 

j recognizable. It is derived from penops and suk, signi- 

i fying " rockj- place." The country was inhabited bj' the 

i Tarratines, who then occupied the Penobscot territory. 

! The Pilgrim trading-post had a flourishing trade until 
1632, when it was pillaged by the French and property 
taken to the amount of £500. Three years later, it was 
taken and the occupants driven away by D'Aulnay de 
Charnise, a subordinate officer under Isaac de Razillai, 
governor of Acadia. The Plymouth Colonj' soon tried 
to regain the peninsula, and Capt. Girling in the ship 
'•Great Hope," accompanied b}' Miles Standish in a bark 
with 20 men, was sent against the fort, occupied bj- 18 
persons. Capt. Girling fired away his powder before he 
was near the fort, and had to retreat, lea\ing himself an 

I object of ridicule to those in the fort, who had found no 

I need of braverj'. 

I After this first recorded battle in Penobscot waters, 
until 1654, the French held undisputed possession of the 

I territorj', but there was little peace in it, for after the 
death of Gen. Razillai in 1G35, the fierce contest for 
supreme command between the rival lieutenants. La Tour 

j and D'Aulnay, kept all Acadia in commotion. For 16 
years the struggle continued, with varying success, but 
the fierce D'Aulnay held his position at his fortress of 
Pentagoet, which was the chosen resort and favorite 
home of the Romish missionaries. To this time belongs 
the little chapel to " Our Ladj- of Holy Hope," erected 
by the pious Father Leo of Paris in the mission of the 
Capuchins in 1 648. 

In 1651, D'Aulnaj' died, and shortly after his enemy, i 
La Tour, who had been driven awav, returned from some 



quarter, professing conversion to Catholicism, and mar- 
ried the widow of his whilom rival. He lived at St. John 
after this, where by his Catholic professions he gained 
the support of the Jesuits and Indians, as well as that of 
the French court and Romish Church. 

In 1654, Oliver Cromwell, under pretence of attacking 
the Dutch at New York, sent one Maj. Sedgwick, who 
turned his fleet this way, took the fort at Penobscot, and 
conquered all the country from thence to Port Royal. 
La Tour was allowed the free use of hig possessions until 
his death, when he bequeathed them to his son Stephen, 
to whom, with William Crowne and Sir Thomas Temple, 
CromwcU in 1656 granted the charter of Acadia, in- 
cluding Pentagoet. Col. Temple was established here 
for several years, where he built up a flourishing trade, 
and untU the treaty of Breda, the English held quiet 
possession of Acadia. By that treaty, in 1667, Nova 
Scotia was surrendered to the French, and in 1670, a 
formal surrender of Pentagoet was made to the Chevalier 
de Grandfontaine, commander. 

About the time of the treaty of Breda, Baron Jean 
Vincent de St. Castin came from Quebec to Pentagoet. 
He was born at Oleron, in the district of Beam in the 
Lower Pj'renees, of noble family, and possessed a com- 
petent education ; was at one time a colonel in the king's 
body-guard, and afterwards commanded a regiment called 
the " Carignan Salieres." At the close of the war the 
regiment was dischai^ed from the armj", and he decided 
to remain in this country. Accordingly he came to this 
peninsula and took up his abode with the Indians, mar- 
rying the daughter of the chief Madockawando, and real- 
izing in the New World the feudal S3"stem of the Old. 
Bold, brave, and adventurous, the savage life had a great 
charm for him, and for it he relinquished the delights of 
civilization. Highly esteemed by the French, he kept 
aloof from the English, to whom he was bitterly opposed, 
and bj' his influence with the Indians, who admired and 
respected him almost as a divinity, he held the Penobscot 
territory for his eountrj-men. 

A census of Acadia in 1671 gives the population of this 
place as 31 souls — 6 civilians and 25 soldiers. 

In 1674, the fort was surprised and taken by a Flemish 
corsair, thought to be encouraged b}' the English in Bos- 
ton. The commander, M. de Chambly, was carried pris- 
oner to the St. John's River, and afterwards ransomed at 
the price of a thousand beaver-skins. Two j'ears subse- 
quentlj- the Dutch came in a man-of-war, and captured 
the fort at Pentagoet, but were promptly driven out by 
an expedition sent from Boston. 

For the next ten years there was peace, and Baron de 
St. Castin made himself rich by the fur trade, and power- 



fill bj- his connection with the French and Indians. As 
in the daj-s of D'Aulna}-, this was a favorite resort of the 
Catholic priests, who called Castin's Penobscot residence 
tlie parish of the Sainte FamiUe. 

In the year 1 GS8 Sir Edmund Andros, governor of New 
England, came in the frigate ' ' Rose " and plundered his 
trading-house of its valuables, leaving only the little 
chaijcl untouched. The Baron, who had fled to the 
woods, was notified hy an Indian that his goods would 
be restored to him if he would ask for them at Pcmaquid 

I and obej' the king of England, which conditions he re- 

i fused, and justly incensed at this outrage, would have 
retaliated, had not the government of Massachusetts im- 
modiatoly disclaimed any responsibility in the matter, 
and adopted pacific measures. 

In 1G90 Sir William Phips was sent by the General 
Court of Massachusetts to subdue Nova Scotia. He 
took formal possession of the coast from Port Royal to 

I Penobscot, which was confirmed to the State by the 
Provincial charter of 1691. In 1693 Castin gave in 
his adhesion to the English Crown, which, however, »lid 
not prevent him, three years later, from aiding the 
French with a companj' of Indians in an attack upon 
Pcmaquid. In 1697, by the treaty of Rjswick, peace 

I was concluded between the French and English, and 
after a few years of quiet trading, Castin, in 1701, 
returned to France. In 1704 Col. Church came with 

I an expedition into this region, where he captured and 
killed man J' French and Indians; and in 1710 Acadia 
was subdued by an army under the command of Gen. 
Nickolson, raised by the New England Colonies. 
From that time to the three 3'ears' war with the 
Indians, in 1744, there was a cessation of hostilities, 
but no English settlement was made on the Penobscot 
River. 

I In 1688 two French families of eight souls were found 
at Naskeag Point, in what is now Brooklin, and appear- 
ances of old French settlements have been found in 
many of the coast towns of the countj'. In this jear 
Louis XIV. gave to M. de la Motte Cadilliac a grant of 
100,000 acres, comprising the whole neighborhood of 
Mt. Desert, which he held as " Lord of Donaquee and 
JIt. Desert" until 1713, when the whole territory of 
Acadia was ceded to England by the treaty of Utrecht. 
After the Revolutionary war this claim was presented to 

' the General Court of Massachusetts bj' IMadame Marie 
Thercse de Gregoire, granddaughter of M. Cadilliac, and 
in consideration of a request made by Gen. Lafayette in 

I her favor, in 1787 it was recognized as valid, the only 

j French claim ever sustained to lands in Maine. To com- 

j pcnsate to Madame Gregoire for the lands included in 



her claim, which the government had disposed of, 
60,000 acres were quitclaimed to her. This tract in- 
cluded the present towns of Trenton and Lamoine, with 
a part of Sullivan, Ellsworth, Hancock, Eden and Mt. 
Desert, with the islands in front of them ; and manj- of 
the present settlers hold their lands under old French 
titles. Many of the original titles are acquired from 
Province grants and from Indian deeds. The Gregoire 
family settled in Mt. Desert, where they lived, and M. 
and Madame Gregoire were buried outside of the burial- 
ground at Hull's Cove, Eden. Their children are sup- 
posed to have returned to France. 

After the capture of Louisburg, as the outlet of the 
St. John River was strongly fortified by the English, the 
Penobscot became the onlj' route for the French and 
Indians into Canada, and the General Court of Massa- 
chusetts resolved, at the recommendation of Gov. Pow- 
nall, to erect a fort to secure the possession of the 
country and complete His Majesty's dominions on the 
Atlantic. Early in May, 1759, Gov. Pownall, with a 
company of men under the command of Brig. Gen. 
Preble and Gen. Samuel Waldo, who, as proprietor of 
the immense " Waldo Patent," was deeply interested in 
the settlement of the country, started " to take posses- 
sion of the Penobsoct and erect a fortification there." 
Wasumkeag Point, now called Fort Point, in Stockton, 
was selected as the site of the proposed fort ; but before 
commencing it Gov. Pownall, with a detachment of 136 
men went up the river, and landed on the eastern side a 
few miles above Brewer. Here, on " the top of a verj' 
high piked hill on 3-0 east side of ye river about three 
miles above Marine Navigation " he buried a leaden plate 
with this inscription : — 

"Mat 23,1759. Provixce Massachvsetts Bay, 

Dominions of Gueat Britain 

Possession Confirmed by Thomas Pownall, Governop.." 

This formal act of possession made the evidence of 
jurisdiction confirming the eastern boundary of the State 
of Maine, and enabled the commissioners of the treaty 
of 1783 at Paris to insist upon the St. Croix instead of 
the Penobscot; otherwise eastern Maine would have 
become a part of New Brunswick, or as was proposed 
during the Revolution, a separate province under the 
name of New Ireland, with Castine for its capital. 

Fort Pownall was completed July 28, 1759, at a cost 
of £5,000. A garrison was maintained until the Revo- 
lutionary war, and it became the trading-post for all this 
section, where settlers now began to come in. The Tar- 
ratine tribe was at this time so wasted by war and dis- 
ease, that, as stated by themselves, they were reduced to 
five sachems, 73 warriors and about 500 others. They 



HISTORY OF NEAV ENGLAND. 



came to the fort for trade, and faithfiillj' kept the treaty 
made with them. 

In 17G2, six townships of land, each sis miles square, 
between the Penobscot and Donaqua rivers, were grant- 
ed bj- tlie General Court of Massachusetts to Da\-id 
Marsh and 352 other citizens of Massachusetts and New 
Hampshire, to be located in a regular contiguous man- 
ner. In each township were reserved one lot for parson- 
age purposes, another for the first settled minister, a 
tliird for Harvard College, and a fourth for the use of 
schools, making 1,200 acres for public use. Upon the 
same terms were granted sis other townships east of the 
Donaqua, three of which are in this county ; and as the 
whole sur^'ey wa's made by Samuel Livermore, with sis 
townships on each side of the river, its name was 
changed to "Union," which it has since borne. 

The country now began to be settled from different 
quarters. To Township No. 1 (Bucksport), in 17G2, 
came Col. Jonathan Buck, James Duncan, Richard 

I Emerson, WiUiam Duncan and William Chamberlain 

! from Haverhill, Mass. The nest j'ear, Joseph Gross, a 

I soldier from Fort Pownall, built a log house. In 17G4, 
Col. Buck built a saw-mill, the first one on the Penob- 

' scot River. 

' In 1764, Mr. Joseph Gross moved from Buckstown to 
No. 2, said to take its name, Orland, from "Oar-land," 
he having found an oar upon its shores. Ebenezer Gross 
came the next 3'ear, and Joseph Viles in 1766, who built 
the first framed house. Zachariah Gross, the first white 
child, was bom in 1766. Between 1767 and 1780, a 
number of settlers came from Boston and took up lots on 
the east side of the river. John Hancock, a relative of 
the famous colonial governor, and Samuel Keyes from 
Boston, settled on Gross's Point. In 1773, Calvin Tur- 
ner built the first mills. In 1775 there were 12 families 
in Orland, and 21 in Buckstown. 

The first permanent settler in Penobscot was Charles 
Hutchings in 1 768. Aaron Banks came with his familj- 
from York, Me., in 1765, and settled in the presentlimits 

i of Castine. In 1767, Samuel Averill settled upon the 
north-west side of Northern Bay, and Jacob Perkins 
near him. Finle}' McCuUam settled upon the east side 

j of Northern Baj' in 1769 ; and, in 1773, Daniel Brown. 

j Joseph "Wilson settled at the head of the tay in 1774. 
In 1759, Andrew Black came to Naskeag (No. 4), now 
Sedgwick, in honor of Maj. Robert Sedgwick. 

Joseph Wood and John Roundy came from Beverly, 
Mass., in 1762 to No. 5, now Blue Hill, from a majestic 
hill within its limits, which rises to an altitude of 950 
feet above high-water mark. The third family was 
formed by the marriage of Col. Nathan Parker, from 



Andover, with the eldest daughter of Mr. Wood. Jona- 
than DarUng, the first child, was born in 1765. 

The first English settlers of No. 6, named hj the Jar- 
\-is proprietors for Surrey in England, were Symonds, 
AV^eymouth and James Flye. In 1 762 a settlement was 
commenced at Sullivan, b^^ Sullivan, Bean, Simpson and 
others. In 1763, Benjamin Milliken settled in what is 
now Ellsworth, so called in honor of Oliver Ellsworth, 
one of the delegates to the National Constitutional Con- 
vention. In twentj' j'ears there was a population of 992. 
Settlements were made in Trenton by Englishmen about 
1763, but their names are not found. As early as-1700 
squatters had found their way to Gouldsborough, but the 
names of the first settlers were Libb}-, Fernald, Ash and 
Willy, from Saco and vicinitj-. The town took its name 
from Robert Gould, one of the original proprietors. 

In the spring of 1761, Capt. Abraham Somes of 
Gloucester, Mass., took up a land grant, and came to 
the head of the lake now known as Somes's Sound in Mt. 
Desert, where he built a mill and made other improve- 
ments. Stephen Richardson located himself at Bass 
Harbor, and in 1 763 a famil}- named Thomas settled in 
Eden, and John Robei'tson, upon one of the Cranbeny 
Isles, since called by his name. About 1770 Christopher 
Bartlett of Bartletl's Island, obtained from the General 
Court a deed of 100 acres ; at the same time his brother 
Israel settled at Prettj' Marsh. Deer Isle, so named 
from the abundance of deer in its forests, was first set- 
tled by one Carnej', who afterwards moved to Carney 
Island, giving it its name. The first real settler was 
William Eaton, who came from Haverhill, Mass., in 
1762. The first child born upon Deer Isle, Timothy 
Billings, died in 1854, at the age of 90 years. 

During the Revolutionary war the Enghsh ministry 
saw the importance of a military post in this quarter, 
and for this purpose selected the peninsula of Bagaduce. 
In June of 1779, on the fourth anniversary of the battle 
of Bunk-er Hill, the English fleet, under the command of 
Capt. Mowatt, with VOO men commanded by Gen. Fran- 
cis McLean, appeared before Maja-Bagaduce, then a 
plantation of 20 houses. A fort was immediately com- 
menced upon the heights, commanding the whole Penob- 
scot valley, to be called Fort George. This occupation 
of the country caused great terror among the suiTound- 
ing villages, and many citizens fled for safety, preferring 
povert}- and danger to submission or the required oath of 
allegiance. 

In July, the General Court of Massachusetts, without 
consultation with the Continental authorities, or even 
asking the advice of Washington, organized an espeili- 
tion to expel the invaders and re-capture the post. The 



result of their efforts was the ill-fated " Penobscot Expe- 
dition," one of the most disastrous defeats of the whole 
war. The fleet consisted of 19 armed vessels, caiTjing 
344 guns, and 24 transports, convej-ing over 1,200 men ; 
and with this force at command, the pusillanimous com- 
modore remained for 21 daj's besieging an unfinished 
fort, w ith a comparativelj' small garrison, and onl}' three 
sloops of war, delaj'ing operations until reinforcements 
came to their aid, when he gallantly informed the cap- 
tains of his vessels, who had c6me on board the flag-ship at 
his signal, that each must look out for himself. Ships 
i and transports crowded sail and moved up the river, 
where all were lost ; the transports were burned, and the 
beautiful frigate "Warren," the first of that class built 
iu the United States, shared the common fate, being 
destroj-ed to prevent falling into the hands of the enemy. 
This defeat was rendered more mortifying from the fact 
that Gens. Lovell and Wadsworth, with the brave Col. 
Paul Ecvcre, were eager for action and confident of suc- 
cess, and the first attack had shown the bravery of the 
men. Gen. McLean is said to have been willing to sur- 
render the first daj', if the demand had been made upon 
him, but the delay enabled him to strengthen his fortifica- 
tions and await assistance. Commodore Saltonstall was 
afterwards tried by court-martial for cowardice and casli- 
icred, but Gens. Lovell and Wadsworth were honorably 
acquitted. The men succeeded in saving a small stock 
of provisions, and with great difficulty made then- way 
through the wilderness to the Kennebec settlements. 
The cost to Massachusetts was immense, amounting to 
many millions of dollars. After this defeat, the British 
retained possession of Bagaduce until peace was declared, 
and left it in December, 1 783. 

Fort George was finished according to the original 
design, and ruled the surrounding country, though the 
treatment of the people was for the most part concil- 
iatory. During this occupation the towns at the east 
were chiefly lojal to the cause of the Colonies, and suf- 
fered in proportion to their fidelit}'. Many of the inhab- 
itants returned to Iheir former homes, where they 
remained until after the peace, when they began gradu- 
ally to return and settle the new country ; but for a long 
time there was great poverty, and no expensive works 
could be undertaken. 

In 178G, Massachusetts attempted a lottery sale of 50 
townships between the Penobscot and Passamaquoddy 
rivers, but onl}- a small proportion of the tickets were sold ; 
and the lands undrawn, with the greater number of the 
prize lots, were bought by William Bingham of Philadel- 
phia, 'who also in 179G purchased the residue of the 
(iregoire grant, making him owner of a large portion of 



the county. The lotter}' townships in Hancock County 
sold to Mr. Bingham were Nos. 14,15 and 16, each con- 
taining 23,040 acres. A daughter of Mr. Bingham 
married Alexander Baring of London, and it was as 
agent for the Bingham purchase that Gen. David Cobb 
came to Gouldsborough, where the grand " city of the 
future " is now but a faint dream of the past. 

Emigration flowed rapidly into the State, and a divi- 
sion of the great county of Lincoln, embracing the east- 
ern country from the Kennebec to the St. Croix, became 
necessar}' ; consequentl}', in 1789 a new county was 
established by an act of the General Court, and named 
for Gov. John Hancock, then the most eminent and 
popular man in New England. The limits of the new 
countj' were along the coast from Thomaston to the 
head of the east branch of Gouldsborough River, and 
northwardly to Canada. Penobscot was made the shire 
town. Within its limits were 13 incorporated towns and 
plantations. Penobscot, the largest town, had a popu- 
lation of 1,048 ; Belfast, 245 ; and Bangor*, 567. " Cas- 
tine," says Judge Crosby, "was then the capital of all 
that vast territory lying east of the counties of Lincoln 
and Kennebec ; the centre of its societj' and commerce, 
and its seat of justice." 

In 1791, a part of the county was set off and re- 
annexed to Lincoln. By the grant of the townships 
provision was made for the support of the Protestant 
ministry, and the inhabitants of most of the towns full}- 
carried out the views of the grantors. The following vote 
is recorded in the town records of Blue Hill for 1768, only 
six j-ears after the coming of the first settlers : " To 
raise money for to hire a person for to preach the gospel 
to us, and for to pay his board." As earlj' as 1772 a 
church of 14 members was gathered at Blue Hill by the 
preaching of Rev. Daniel Little, a minister atKennebunk, 
who made missionary tours to the eastern settlements, 
the nearest church at that time being at Phipsburg, | 
and the next nearest at Brunswick. In 1768 a church : 
was built. In 1796 Rev. Jonathan Fisher was ordained 
to this chm-ch, and Rev. Ebenezer Price in Belfast. In 
1773 a church was established in Deer Isle, of which 
Oliver Noble was pastor ; but the first settled minister 
was Rev. Peter Powers, in 1789. In 1791 Rev. Daniel 
Merrill was settled in Sedgwick. In 1791 Rev. Jona- 
than Powers was settled in Penobscot, and in 1798 Rev. 
William Mason came to Castine. In 1793 a committee 
was chosen in Buckstowu to hire Rev. Abraham Cum- 
mings to preach the gospel, and in 1803 a church of six 
members was organized, and Rev. Mighill Blood of 
Ilollis ordained as its pastor, which connection was con- 
tinued until 1840. The first minister in Ellsworth was 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



Rev. J. Urquhart, in 1785, and in 1812 Rev. Peter 
Nourse was ordained. 

In 1 794 Metliodism was preached in Maine hj elder 
Jesse Lee of "N'irginia, who made an eastern tour of 
several months, " survej-ing the region of the coast 
from Portsmouth to Castine." The next j-ear the Rev. 
Joshua Hall preached the first Methodist sermon in Bel- 
fast. There were then several of that denomination in 
Buckstown, where a meeting-house was built in 1799, 
two stories high, with a gallery on the inside ; it was 
never finished, but Rev. John Kinney preached in it for 
a number of years. Rev. Joshua Hall was the third 
preacher sent to the district, and his Sabbath appoint- 
ments were Hampden, Onington, Buckstown, Frankfort, 
Belfast and Union, each of which he visited once in six 
weeks. Scarcely a horse excepting his own was then 
owned on the river, and to hear him, people went from 
10 to 20 miles in canoes and boats. In 1800 Rev. 
Joshua Tajlor preached in Castine, and was mobbed and 
drummed out of town with tin kettles, besides being 
otherwise " shamefuUj' handled." 

Before the Revolution, no public provision was made 
for schools, but very soon after peace was declared, atten- 
tion was turned to education. In 1789 a law was passed 
' ' to provide for the instruction of j'outh, and for the 
promotion of good education," hy which everj' town of 
50 or more famihes must be provided with " one or more 
schoolmasters, to teach children to read and write and 
instruct them in the English language, as well as in 
arithmetick, orthogi-aphy and decent behaviour," under 
a penalty of £10. In 1794, £30 were raised in Bucks- 
town for the support of schools, and the next year the 
town was divided into districts, and £18 raised. In 1791 
the town of Penobscot made its first appropriation for 
schools ; so in all the towns, as population increased, 
the need of schools began to be felt, and was supplied 
immediatelj' from the public funds, with due regard to the 
public interest. School districts were fonned, teachers 
provided and school-houses built as fast as the circum- 
stances of the towns admitted of them. In 1803 an 
academj'' was located at Blue HiU, largel3- owing to the 
efforts of Parson Fisher, where for manj" j-ears it was a 
flourishing institution. 

The first post-office mentioned in the county was at 
Gouldsborough, in 1792, and the next year, George 
Russell of Castine, was employed to pass once a fort- 
night with letters between Belfast and Wiscassct, where 
the connection with the western mail was made. At 
first, he caiTicd the mail in a handkerchief, afterwards in 
a leather bag strapped to his back ; then, as the roads 
became sutFicientlv cleared for a horse, he used saddle- 



bags. The earliest mail from Castine to the eastern 
part of the State was carried bj' John Grindell of Sedg- 
wick, about the j'ear 1795. His contract with Joseph 
Habersham, U. S. postmaster-general, has been pre- 
sen-ed, by which he was to carry the mail " from Passa- 
maquoddy by Machias, Gouldsborough, Sullivan, Tren- 
ton and Blue Hill to Penobscot in the District of Maine, 
and from Penobscot b}' the same route to Passama- 
quoddy, once in two weeks, at the rate of $84.50 for 
every quarter of a year." As there were no roads at 
that time he went in a boat along the shore. From 
Ellsworth to Castine the mail was carried bj' Abner Lee, 
at first with a stage and two horses, but tradition says, 
ha^•ing lost one horse, he drove the other for several 
j-ears harnessed with a heifer. 

The first newspaper published in this section was the 
" Castine Gazette," established in 1798 by Daniel E. 
"Waters. The second was the " Castine Journal and East- 
ern Advertiser;" and in 1805, the " Gazette of Maine" 
was estabhshed in Buckstown bj' W. W. Clapp, which 
continued for about seven yeai-s. Various other news- 
papers have been started, but the " Ellsworth Ameri- 
can " is the onl}' newspaper now published in the countj-. 

In June, 180fi, the Penobscot Bank of Buckstown 
went into operation -with a capital stock of §150,000, 
and being the onl}' monetary- institution in this ■sdcLnitj-, 
flourished well, and money was abundant for a time, but 
the embargo of 1807 checked business to a great extent, 
and for this reason, with others, the bills of the bank 
dechncd to 12 percent, discount ; taken at par, however, 
for rum and lottery-tickets. In October, 1810, the bank 
failed, and with it most of the business men of Bucks- 
town, the great loss to the stockholders never being 
accounted for by the bank officers. 

The first physician in this section was Dr. WUliam 
Crawford, who was located at Fort Pownall for several 
j-ears in the double capacity of surgeon and chaplain, 
preaching in the chapel erected by Col. Goldthwait. He 
is said to have married the first couple ever united here 
according to Protestant fonns. 

In 1801 Martin Kingsley, Esq., of Hampden, was 
emplo3"ed to take the valuation of all the towns in the 
county of Hancock. Bangor then was the smallest of 
all the towns given in these statistics, and Frankfort 
the largest. 

In the first years of the centurj- immigrants came to 
the inland part of the county and took up grants of 
land. Mariaville, named for a daughter of Mr. Bing- 
ham, was settled in 1802, and from its limits have been 
since taken Aurora, Amherst and Waltham. The early 
settlers of these towns endui-ed great hardships, but 



struggled bravelj- on, carrying their grain 8 or 10 miles 
on their backs to have it ground, before roads were 
made, and finding their waj- bj- a spotted line on the 
trees. No. 8, afterwards Dedham and Otis, was settled 
in 1805 bj' men from Massachusetts. The new country 
was rich in timber, and mills were built as soon as the 
means of the settlers admitted of it ; shipbuilding was 
also commenced in the maritime towns. The first vessel 
in Buckstown, and probabl}' on the Penobscot, was built 
bj- Col. Jonathan Buck in 1 770 ; she was sloop-rigged, 
and called the " Hannah." This has always been a 
leading industrj- of the countj', and joined with the 
fisheries has largely built up the seaboard towns, while 
lumbering and farming have been the business of those 
inland. 

In 1812 war was proclaimed between the United States 
and Great Britain, which gave an opportunitj'' to renew 
the vexed question of the boundary between Maine and 
the Provinces, which was improved bj- the English in 
taking possession of the disputed temtorj'. Sept. 1, 
1814, a fleet of eight vessels of war, with 11 transports, 
conveying 3,500 men, besides the usual camp-followers, 
arrived at Castine ; one vessel, the " Tenedas," having 
previously (August 9) had a little flght with some fisher- 
men at Norwood's Cove, Mt. Desert, in which the fisher- 
men, bj' coolness and a little strateg}-, got the better of 
the "red-coats," killing and wounding several of them. 
The small garrison at Fort Porter, seeing the uselessness 
of resistance to so powerful a force, without waiting to 
surrender, discharged their cannon, blew up the maga- 
zine and fled up the ba}-, leaving the English in full 
possession of the town, which thcj- retained until April 
15, 1815, when thej' quietly abandoned their stronghold. 

During their staj', Castine became the most important 
place in Maine. Fort George was repaired, other bat- 
teries built, and a trench commenced by Mowatt in 1799 
was enlai-ged, making an island of the lower part of the 
peninsula. Detachments were sent to the neighboring 
towns to take possession, and the countrj' east of the Pe- 
nobscot was declared under English rule, the inhabitants 
being obliged to take an oath of allegiance or of neu- 
trality- to ensure protection. Trade was brisk and moncj- 
plenty, and the presence of the array of occupation 
added much to the business of the town, while the people 
of the surrounding country' were glad to have the trade 
that would relieve to some extent the terrible privations 
to which they had been subjected for the last two years. 
After the departure of the English ami}' the American 
forces took their places and remained until March, 1819. 

In 1814 Bangor was made a half-shire town ; in 1810 
a portion was taken to form Penobscot Count}-, and in 



1827 a part was taken off for Waldo. In 1S31 a change 
was made in the partition line between Hancock and 
Washington. In 1838 Ellsworth was made the shire town 
and the courts removed thither, since which time, with a 
very few changes, the countj- has held its present limits. 

In the earlj' daj-s, communication with the outside 
world was bj- boat, and in the sorry days of the " Pen- 
obscot Expedition" aid was solicited from Boston by 
sending whale-boats ; later came the packets, which made 
the voj-age to Boston at the will of the wind, convcj-ing 
passengers, who made their wills before starting and 
asked the prayers of the congregation for their safe 
retm-n. In May, 1824, the first steamboat came to the 
Penobscot waters, the " Maine," of 105 tons ; and in 
June the steam brig " New York" commenced her trips. 

The temperance cause has made wonderful progress 
since the da3-s when 1,200 gallons of rum and molasses, 
iji equal quantities, formed part of the outfit for the 
"Penobscot Expedition"; and a little later, in 1792, 
at a meeting in Blue Hill, the selectmen were emplojed to 
procure one barrel of rum, also molasses and sugar suf- 
ficient for framing and raising the meeting-house. In 
those days rum flowed freelj-, but the various reforma- 
tory societies have done their work nobly, and the many 
lodges of Good Templars and Reform Clubs, scattered 
through the county, speak loudly- of the advance made 
in this direction. 

The commercial advantages of Hancock Count}- arc 
excelled bj' no section of the State, and a great portion 
of its wealth is invested in navigation. Lumbering and 
fishing have been the principal industries from the first 
settlement, but stone-cutting and mining bid fair to 
become the most important in fbture. 

The first settlers were men and women of strong, sub- 
stantial character, who laid firmlj- the foundations of the 
new societj- ; and if, in their excess of zeal, thcj- refused 
to admit questionable persons into the full privileges of 
the towns, and warned them from the limits, had they 
not good warrant for so doing in the usages of the parent 
State? The "Roll of Honor" of Hancock, in the late 
war, proves that the sons were faithful to the ancestral 
traditions, and not afraid to risk life for countrj- ; 3,912 
men went directlj- from the diflfercnt towns, and many 
from other sections of the North, who claimed Hancock 
as their birth-place, did loyal duty at the nation's call. 

Hancock has a greater extent of seacoast, including 
the incurvation of the larger baj-s, than anj- other county 
in the State ; and there are more first-class baj-s, har- 
bors and islands than on any other seaboard of equal 
length on the American coast. 

The fisheries are divided into deep-sea, harbor and 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



interior, for all of which there is good opportunity and 
lucrative return ; the Magdalen and Grand Menau her- 
ring fishing is conducted chiefly by the people of Lamoine 
and Swan's Island, and porgie fishing employ's large cap- 
ital and manj' men. Salmon fishing is confined to the 
Penobscot and Bagaduce rivers. There are factories for 
packing and canning lobsters at Castine, Deer Isle, 
Brooklin, Gouldsborough, Mt. Desert, Cranberry Isles, 
and at other points, and the aggregate value of this 
production in 1876 was estimated at $52,000. 

Towns. 
BucKSPORT, containing a population of about 3,500, 
the western town of 



the countj-, the termi- 
nus of the stage lines 
to Sedgwick, Castine, 
Ellsworth, and Blue 
Hill, was incoiporated 
June 27, 1792, as 
Buckstown, rccei\mg 
its present name ui 
1817. It is bcuiti- 
fuUy situated on the 
east bank of the I\ 
nobscot, at the "^ ii- 
rows," and forms i 
lovely picture, with iN 
streets and houses lis 
ing on a gentle bl()p< 
from the water, tin 
summit of the hill 
crowned bj'the build 
ings of the East Maine 
Conference Seminarj^ standing in bold relief against the 
sky, which make the most prominent feature of the ■^^l- 
lage. The seminary itself stands upon the site of the 
old meeting-house erected bj' the fathers of the town. 
The scliool was established in 1851, and has done good 
work in eastern Maine. The streets are laid out with 
great regularity, for which the town is indebted 
largely to Stephen Peabody, Esq., who commenced the 
good work of improvement in 1804, agsiinst the strong- 
est opposition. Bucksport has the only railroad in the 
county, the Bucksport and Bangor Railroad, which, in 
the winter season, makes the fine harbor available for 
business men " up river." Since the earliest days of the 
town, ship-building has been one of its chief industries, 
and a large proportion of its wealth is invested in navi- 
gation. On the mill-stream, mentioned by the earlj' 
settlers, arc the saw and grist mills, a cardiug-machinc 



LPPE.. DVM, AT ILLSUOUTli 



and a tannery, and still nearer the Great Pond the Pen- 
obscot salmon-breeding works, founded in 1872. 

The public schools compare favorably with those of 
other towns in the vicinity. The churches — Congrega- 
tionalist and Methodist — are fine buildings. " Silver 
Lake " Cemetery is beautifully located, and laid out 
with much taste. On Main Street is the old " burjang- 
ground " first chosen by the early citizens to lay away i 
their dead, but long since abandoned, except the Buck I 
lot, maiked by a heavy granite monument to Col. Jona- 
than Buck. Rufus Buck, the last occupant of this lot, 
died in the spring of 1878, having, for many years, filled 
a prominent place in the town. East of the seminary 
is the cemetery where ! 
repose most of the 
other citizens of the ! 
town. Chief among 
these worthies were : 
Hon. Samuel Pond, 
I piominent lawj'er, | 
(Ml of the first abo- j 
iitioniits in this re- 
_i )ii — a pioneer, too, 
1 the cause of tem- 
ince in the State ; 
liidj;e Pcabodj', re- 
nowned for his quaint 
u jids and waj's ; Dea. 
1 h"-s Blodget, Joseph 
' 1 idky, Joseph R. 
' Kom, the Swazey j 
bi others, and the late ' 
Ilenrj Darling, for 48 
yeais deacon of the 
Congregatioualist society. In this cemetery stands the 
monument to the memoiy of the soldiers who fell in the 
Rebellion. 

Ellsworth, the lone city of the countj', -with a popu- 
lation in 1870 of 5,257, once " New Bowdoin " (incorpo- 
rated Feb. 26, 1800), has a large teiTitorial area, al- 
though the cit}' proper is comparatively small. Most 
advantageously situated for lumbering operations, it 
owes its prosperitj- mainly to that enterprise, which is 
still the leading industry. 

The business portion of the town is situated on Union 
River, around the falls, where the water has a total fall 
of 100 feet in two and a quarter miles. Ellsworth has a 
gross water-power of 6,600 horse. The miUs for the 
manufacture of lumber, .also of shingles, boxes, clap- 
boards, staves, doors, barrels, puAps, &c., are numer- 
ous. The count.y and city buildings are in good order, 




and the citj- is apparently- having a fair measure of success in its 
enterprises. The only bank is the " Hancock County Savings." The 
" Ellsworth American," the newspaper of the county, has made its 
weekly visits to its patrons since 1853. The town was incorporated 
as a city Feb. G, 1869, with James F. Davis as major. The removal 
of the courts thither has materially aided the place in its advance- 
ment. Rev. Peter Nourse, ordained in 1812, did much toward the 
education and moral training of the j'outh of his daj-, and for several 
years taught school as well as preached. The honored and respected 
pastor. Rev. Sewall Teiiney, settled Nov. 11, 1835, still Ines among 
his people, to whom he preached for 40 years. Hon. Eiidene Hale ^ 
who has represented the 5tli district in Congress for tlK 
past ten j-ears, is a resident here, while associated with 
him is Hon. L. A. Emery, attorney-general of Maine. 

Castine, the southern portion of the peninsula of old 
Pentagoet, was incorporated Feb. 10, 1796, taking its 
name from the bold baron who had there lived hi& 
strange, romantic life. It became the countj'-seat bj 
the act of incorporation. Its commanding position and 
eligible location have always made it conspicuous, and 
no place in the State has been subject to so man}' powers 
Indians, French, Flemish pirates, Dutch, English and 
Americans ha\ e iiad eath atenuof uile. jS<'\(1 \Mth()ut 
a garrison from 2 
1630 to 1783, It 
has seen five na- 
val engagements 
in its broad har- 
bor, and many a 
fierce fight upon 
the shore. Gen. 
De Peyster saj s : 
" Tliis is one of 
the most remaik- 
able points all 
along our coasts , 
which, under a.ny 
other government 
than our own, 
would have long 
since been trans- 
formed into a na- 
.val and military 
fortress of the first 
class." So much 

of life has passed within its limits, that one wonders at 
its present quiet, and fancies an awakening must speed- 
ily come, when the echoes of the past will sound, and 
the roar and rush begin. Wonderfully beautiful is the 
old town, with its air of leisure and repose, resting upon 
the slope of the hill, with the grand harbor, dotted with 



islands, spread out before it. The fine old 

homes, telling of comfort and case ; the 

many relics of the past, from the ruins of 

Fort Pentagoet to 





the carved " Cot- 
ton's Head " ; the 
summit of the pro- 
montor}' crowned 
bj- the rectangular 
chain of hillocks, 
it once recogniz- 
c 1 IS the ruins of 
1 it George ; the 
^nificent view 
II those ruins, 
11 combine to 
in one of the 
^t interesting 
1 ts in the coun- 
ti \ The outlines 
of the fort are al- 
1 st perfect, and 
(juires but lit- 
nnagination to 
it as it was 
1 the daj's when 
e now quiet 
echoed to the 
imng of can- 
and the stan- 
1 of St. George 
ttd defiantlj'^ 
o\ trthe ramparts. 
At V arious dis- 
tcs from Fort 
I ge are the 
iiims of seve- 
1 itteries, and 
iil\ south are 
. marks of tlie 
old i rench fort, 
supposed to have 
been erected by 
D Aulnay.* 



* Prob.ibly he built no new fortification as the one formerly occu- 
pied by the Plymouth Colony was ready to his hand. This is the " Fort 
Pentasoct in Acadia," surrendered by Capt. Richard Walker to tlie 
Chevalier de Grind-Kontamc Aii^'. 5, 1670. It was afterwards occupied 
by Baron do Castm, an.l i^ roniiiKiuly called Castin's Fort. A fort was 
built about 1811 liv i1h' ATiiniiaiis, which was occupied by a British 
detachment in ISl l-ir>, aii.l called by them Fort Castine. Durin? the 
late civil war it was rebuilt and garrisoned by a company of United 
States troops. At one time it was called Fort Porter. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



About two-thirds of the way from the light-house to 
the Block-house Point is a large granite bowlder, called 
" Trask's Rock," preserving the name of the gallant bo}- 
who cheeril}- played his fife under its shelter while his 
comrades, commanded b}' Gen. Lovell, were " marching 
on " to the attack of the British stronghold, Julj' 28, 
1779.* Several old cannon still remain as relics of the 
heroic days — the palmj^ days of Castine. f 

Formerly' ship-building was a leading industry here, 
and fitting out vessels for the Grand Banks was carried 
on verj' extensively-. Meantime, though the removal of 
the courts to Ellsworth in 1838, the decline in ship- 
building, and the repeal of the act granting bounty to 
fishermen, have all contributed to the commercial injury 
of the town, yet Castine is a place of not a little 
enterprise and thrift. For a few years past it has been 
a famous summer resort. 

Sept. 7, 18G7, the Eastern State Normal School was 
opened, and its new school-house, finished in 1873, is 
one of the best in the State in many respects. It has 
accommodations for 200 pupils. The churches are fine 
buildings, and the residences mostly handsome. Rev. 
William Mason, the first minister of Castine, was ordained 
as Congrcgationalist, but became Unitarian, the influence 
of which change is still felt, Castine having one of the 
two Unitarian chiu-ches in the county. Isaac Parker, 
the fii'st lawj-er in the qount}', was a man of great legal 
ability and influence, He was representative in Con- 
gress from this district ft-om 1796 to 1798. Ilezekiah 
"Williams, a respected inember of the Hancock bar, was 
representative from 1815 to 1849. William Abbott came 
to Castine in 1801, a sound lawyer and a man of great 
ability and honor. His son, C. J. Abbott, was a mem- 
ber of the famous cltiss of '25 at Bowdoin College, and 
honors the name he bears, having filled manj- offices of 
trust in town and State. Mr. Samuel Adams, for nearly 
40 j'cars deacon of the Congi'cgationalist society, one of 
the oldest and most respected citizens, has been in mer- 
cantile life ever since his first coming to the town in 1809. 
Dr. Joseph L. Stevens hs.s been the physician since 1819, 
though, of late years, not in active practice, which has 

* A Capt. Ilinklcy Is reported tq have been shot down while cheering 
his men to the assault from this rock, which is said to still bear the stain 
of his blood. 

t A quantity of ancient silver coins were aceldentallr found in Castine 
in 1840, mostly French and Spanish pieces, with some Massachusetts 
pine-tree shillings and si-xpences of the date of 1652. There were in 
all nearly 2,000 coins, and they were probably left or lost hero by some 
of the Castin family when they departed for Canada; or, perhaps, by 
the Baron when he fled to the woods at the time of Sir Edmund Andres's 
visit in 1GS8. A complete collection of these coins was made at the 
time by Dr. Joseph L. Stevens, who still has them In his possession. In 
18G3 a piece of sheet-copper about 8 by 10 inches in size was found. 



been taken bj' Dr. G. A. Wheeler, author of the " Ilistorj- 
of Castine," a valuable and interesting work. The popu- 
lation of the town is about 1,300. 

Blue Hill (incorporated Jan. 30, 1789; population, 
1,725) is beautifully situated at the head of Blue-hill 
Bay. The attractions of the town, as a summer resort, 
have long been known to tourists. The granite here is 
unsurpassed by any in the State. It is being used for 
the great East River Bridge. There are four quarries 
and a cemeter}- monument establishment in the town. 
The mines (mostlj- cojjper) were discovered bj- William 
Darhng, and have passed through several hands, but are 
now owned by the Blue-hill and Boston Mining Company. 
Extensive crushing-works have been erected, and the 
business is thriving. Rich specimens of ore have been 
found, equalling anj- in the country-, excepting the native 
copper from Lake Superior. From Blue-hill Mountain 
manganese has been taken to the Mount Katahdin Iron- 
Works, to be used in smelting the iron-ore ; and other 
minerals, valuable in the arts, are found in the moun- 
tain. 

The old Academy is still open, and the churches arc 
prosperous. Rev. Jonathan Fisher, the first pastor in 
the town, was a graduate of Harvard College, and in 
everj' respect a remarkable man. He lived with this 
people for more than 41 years. 

GouLDSBOROUGH, J the south-east town of the count^- 
(incorporated Feb. 16, 1789), embraces Stave, Jordan's, 
Iron-bound, Porcupines, Horn's, Turtle and Schoodic 
islands, and, in 1870, that part of No. 7 known as 
West Bay Stream, was annexed. It has the most exten- 
sive seacoast of any town in the countj'. Coasting and 
fishing are the principal occupations of the people, the 
latter of a somewhat less exciting nature than in the old 
times of whale-fishing, in which many of the earl}- citi- 
zens were engaged. 

The first settlement at Gouldsborough Point was made 
about 1769 by Francis Shaw§ from Massachusetts, and 
Tobias Allen from Kitteiy-. Robert Gould, Godfrey & 
Wright, Shaw and Gould obtained the grant, and by 
their efforts the township was formed. The early settlers 

bearing a Latin inscription, which may be translated substantially as fol- 
lows : " 1C48, Juno 8, 1, Friar Leo of Paris, a Capuchin missionary, laid 
this foundation in honor of our Lady of Holy Hope." 

X Gouldsborough was once regularly planned for a city. Its streets 
were laid out, and sites for public buildings were selected. A hill in 
that vicinity is still called Church Hill, from having been chosen as the 
location of a church. The enterprise failed utterly, and the " city " at 
present numbers perhaps 20 houses. 

§ Francis Shaw was the leading spirit of the colony, and his word 
was law with his devoted followers, who yielded implicit obedience to 
his authority, which was rigorously exercised, but generally for the 
benefit of the settlement. 



suffered manj- privations, their only food at one time 
being the clams which the coast afforded. They were 
also greatly harassed by wolves, which abounded on the 
Point. 

There is a broad field for the antiquarian in the acres 
of shell-heaps, containing arrow-heads, stone hatchets 
and chisels, pieces of rude potter}', bones of moose, deer, 
bears and birds, among the latter those of the Great Auk, 
now extinct, showing that an arctic elhnatc once prevailed 
here. Hay, potatoes, butter and wool are the principal 
products, with large quantities of eggs. At a very early 
day a mill was built at Prospect Harbor by John and 
Abij.ah Guptill and others from Massachusetts. 

Gen. David Cobb, the great man of that day, came 
here from Taunton, Mass. He was one of Gen. Wash- 
ingtorfs aids in the Revolution, and chief justice of the 
Common Pleas for the count}' of Hancock. He bought 
the first house * built in town by Mr. Shaw, rebuilt it, 
and kept up a magnificent establishment for those days. 

The schools of this town are among the best in the 
county. The population is about 1,700. Robert Gould 
Shaw became a Boston millionaire, and owned a magni- 
ficent residence on Beacon Street. 

The Cole familj' are very influential, and to them 
belongs one of the few poets in the county, f 

Col. Hall, who served with distihction in the war of 
1812, was a native of this place. 

Orland (incorporated Feb. 12, 1800, population 1,700) , 
at one time bearing the name of Alamasook, from a pond 
of that name, then of Eastern River, is a busy town. 
Two-thii-ds of the voters are farmers, and few agricultural 
centres in Maine show greater activity than Orland vil- 
lage. Bricks of excellent quality' are made here. A cave 
on the north-east side of Great Mountain has been ex- 
plored for 60 feet, and several rooms, with walls and 
ceiling of basaltic finish found in it. The business centre 
of the town is at the " Corner," where are several fine 
residences. On one side of the river the Methodist and 
Congregationalist churches stand in close neighborhood, 
and on the hill on the other side are the town-house and 



* When this house was taken down in 1872, a number of bullets were 
found deeply imbedded in tlio wood, whicii were supposed to have been 
fired from a British privateer in an attack made during the Revolution- 
ary war. 

t Asa Cole, who published a volume of poems, which had, in its day, 
a wide circulation. 

J William Ilutchings, his son, was bom at York, Oct. 6,1764, and died at 
Penobscot, May 2, ISCC, aged 101 years 6 months and 26 days. Ho was 
the last Revolutionary pensioner in New England, and the last but one 
in the whole country. A boy at Majabagaduce, when the British took 
possession of the place, he was pressed into the service of the enemy and 
compelled to assist in drawing the first stick of timber for the foundation 
of Fort George. After the destruction of the American fleet, he went 



Universalist Church. Dr. John Burnham was one of the 
" characters" of the town. A man of intellect and learn- 
ing, his quaint speeches are cuiTent with this as well as 
the last generation. Mr. John Buck was for manj' j'cars 
identified with the interests of Orland. 

Sdrkt, on the west bank of Union River, incorporated 
June 21, 1803, has a large comparative area of good til- 
lage land, and the cultivation of cranberries is receiving 
more attention each jcar. Some lumber is manufactured, 
but farming is the chief business, and two farmers' clubs 
flourish. The large " Jarvis farm" was in 1840 the best 
in the count}'. In 1874, a small quantity of silver coin 
was found buried on We}'mouth Point, when and by 
whom left, no one knows. Leonard Jarvis was promi- 
nent for several years in State matters, and representa- 
tive in Congress from 1831 to 1837. Hon. Samuel 
Wasson, member of the State Board of Agriculture from 
its first organization and compiler of a valuable " Survey 
of Hancock County," has his home here. 

Penobscot, the eldest town of the county, was in- 
coqDorated Feb. 23, 1787, taking its name from the 
river and bay. In the act of incorporation it is called 
" Majorbigwaduce." In 1790, fifty persons, after the I 
amiable fashion of that day, were warned from the town. 
Since the separation of Castine, in 1796, Penobscot, like i 
other towns, has held its course with nothing of marked 
general interest, but of late it has renewed its age with 
new industries. In 1876, there were 5 lumber-mills, 
2 grist-mills, 4 brick-yards, and a mitten manufactory 
emplo}-ing 300 knitters, and yielding a yearly product of 
$12,000. The town is engaged in navigation to some 
extent, but must be considered an agricultural town. Its 
water-power is excellent. There are some fine farms 
and good pastures as well as timber land in Penobscot 
and Brooksville, and cranberry culture is receiving much 
attention, promising to become a paying crop. Rev. 
Jonathan Powers, the first settled minister, was a grad- 
uate of Dartmouth College, and settled here in 1795. 
Charles Ilutchings, % the first actual settler of Penobscot, 
endured great hardships during the war, being obliged 

with his father to Newcastle, where he enlisted, a boy of 15, in the 
American army, and served the term of his enlistment at a place called 
Cox's Head, upon the Kennebec River. At the close of the war, 
he returned to his father's farm in Penobscot, where he settled and 
spent his life in fanning and lumbering, being at one time master of a 
vessel, which gave him the title of captain. For 68 years he was a pro- 
fessing Christian, and for many years by profession and practice a " total 
abstinence " man. His son served in the war of 1812, and several great- 
grandsons in the war of the Rebellion, supporting the cause so dear to 
the heart of the old hero. In 1SC.5, when he had commenced his second 
century, ho participated in a Fourth of July celebration at Bangor, upon 
the invitation of the municipal authorities, where every possible attention 
was shown to the aged veteran. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



to flee with his family through the wilderness to the 
western settlements. He died in Penobscot, aged 92 
3-ears. The population is 1,418. 

Deer Isle, incorporated Jan. 30, 1789, was formerlj- 
famous as a fishing town, but since the repeal of the 
Bounty Act a class of coasting-vessels has taken the 
place of the fishermen. At Green's Landing is a large 
granite quarry, and on the " Reach " shore one of 
marble. At Oceanville is the establishment of the Port- 
land Packing Company. 

Isle au Haut, the youngest town of the county, in- 
corporated Feb. 28, 1874, is one league directly south of 
Deer Isle. The highest part of the territory is in the 
middle of the island, and exhibits the appearance of a 
saddle. Kimball's Island was settled during the Revo- 
lution bj' Seth Webb, a noted hunter for whom Webb's 
Pond in Eastbrook is named. Anthony Merchant settled 
on Merchant's Island in 1772. Deer Isle is the nearest 
post-office. There is a canning factory for lobsters, but 
the principal business is fishing and boat-building. 

The remaining towns of Hancock County are, Brooks- 
viLLE (incorporated in 1817, population 1,280), its 
principal business being coasting and fishing, although 
the granite quarries give employment to a large number 
of persons : Sedgwick (1789-1,116), the location of a 
valuable silver mine : Franklin* (1825-1,042), having 
shipped more spars, railroad-ties, and ship-timber than 
any town of equal size in this or Washington County : 
Hancock (1828-974), comprising Crabtree's Neck, an 
inviting resort for pleasure-seekers : Mt. Desert f (1789- 
918), having grist, lumber, and woollen mills, a granite 
quarry, and an annual ice-crop of 1,200 tons : Tremoxt 
(1848-1,822): Eden (179G-1,19G), containing Bar 
Harbor, a popular resort for summer A-isitors : Cran- 
berry Isles (1830-350), its principal business being 



• Much of the prosperity of Franklin is due to Hon. John West, a 
much respected citizen, who died in 1874, aged 76. 

t Green Mountain, in this township, is the highest peak on the Atlantic 
border, from Lubcc to the Rio Grande, nor can so fine a view bo ob- 
tained from any eminence on the coast. 

J Milk-white statuary marble and red granite are found on this island. 
South-west Harbor is the largest on the coast. The Russian war-vessel, 
"Cimbria" tarried in this harbor for some time during the summer of 187S. 



fishing and curing fish — the last four towns situated on 
Mt. Desert t : Brooklin (1849-927) : Sullivan § (1789- 
79G), named in honor of Capt. Daniel Sullivan, a Revo- 
lutionary soldier, its chief business coming from its inex- 
haustible beds of granite. II a summer resort of some note : 
Deduam (1837-450), called, from its group of ten clus- 
tered mountains, the Switzerland of Maine, its water- 
power being second to very few in the State : Maria- 
viLLE (1836-3C9) : Waltham (1833-366), having a 
valuable water-power, but being principally a farming 
town: Amherst (1831-350), unrivalled in the improve- 
ment of its stock: Trenton (1789-678), containing 
tokens of prehistoric settlement at Cox Point : Lamoine, 
incorporated from Trenton in 1870: Aurora (1831- 
212), exclusively devoted to farming : Otis (1835-246), 
having lumber manufacture for its chief business : East- 
brook (1837-187), having in 1876 no lawj"er, doctor, 
pauper, or grogshop : and Yeuona (1861-352), its chief 
industrj' being weir-fishing, noted for having grown more 
hard- wood to the acre than anj' other town in the count}'. 

There are two outlying island plantations. Swan's 
and Long Island, the latter comprising some 17 islands. 
In 1823 Israel B. Lunt made a permanent settlement on 
Long Island. Fishing and furnishing fishing-supplies 
make the principal business of the islands, with a steam- 
mill for staves on Lo'ng Island. 

Tradition saj's that somewhere on the islands along the 
coast lies buried the money of Capt. Kidd, and many a 
legend is told of this "fair}- gold," which as yet has 
blessed no man's sight. But more practical people have 
utilized the small islands with fair results as sheep pas- 
tures, thereb}- bringing more genuine coin of the realm 
into their possession than this fabled wealth of the ancient 
pirate ever did to any treasure-seeker, although the man- 
ner of it may not be especially romantic. 

} There are evidences of an old French settlement here, and m 1S41 
an earthen pot, containing French coins of the date of 1725, and over 
$400 in value, was dug up. In 1875, human bones, supposed to bo 
French, or Indian, were found. 

II In 1877 a silver mine was discovered here, of which C. "W. Kempton, 
mining engineer, says : " This discovery is the most wonderful ever 
made in New England, and in some respects the most astonishing found 



KEN^^EBEC COUKTY. 



BY WM. E. LAPHAM, M. D. 



A LARGE proportion of the territorj' of what is now 
Kennebec County, was once embraced in the Plj-mouth 
Patent, afterwards called the Kennebec Purchase. On 
the 13th of Januarj-, 1G29, the old Ph-mouth Colonj' 
granted to AVilliam Bradford and his associates of New 
PljTnouth, in America, territorj' described as follows : — 
"All that Tract of Land or part of New England in 
America, which h'eth witiiin or between and extendeth 
itself between the utmost limits of Cobbiseconte, alias 
Comaseconte, which adjoineth to the river Kennebeck, 
alias Kennebekike, towards the western ocean, and a 
place called the Falls at Neguamkike in America afore- 
said, and the space of fifteen English miles on each side 
of the said river commonly called the Kennebeck Eiver, 
and all the said river called Kennebec, that lies within 
the said limits." 

The very loose and indefinite manner in which the 
limits of this grant were described, gave rise to frequent 
disputes and much litigation, but finally, in 1757, the 
whole matter was referred to five verj* eminent lawyers, 
who decided that the southern boundary- should be the 
northern line of the town of Woolwich, in the present 
county of Sagadahoc, and the northern boundary the 
southern line of Comville, in the present county of Som- 
erset. A better idea of the extent and boundaries of 
this grant is had in tlie statement that it was 30 miles 
wide, and extended from Merr_\Taeeting Bay to the falls 
below Norridgewock, and contained a million and a half 
of acres. This decision was adverse to the extravagant 
claims of the New PljTnouth Company, which claimed 
the sea as the southern boundar}-. In 1G40 the proprie- 
tors of the Kennebec Purchase ceded their grant to all 
the freemen of New Plymouth Colonj-, and after that tlie 
territory took the name of the New Plymouth Grant. 
This tract was valuable on account of its facilities for 
trade with the natives, and its valuable fisheries of sal- 
mon, sturgeon and shad. To all these privileges the 
Plj-mouth Colony claimed exclusive right, and seemed to 
have no other interest in the territory. They made no 
attempt to settle it, beyond the establishment of trading- 
posts at convenient points along the ri\er, and treated 
it simply as a possession from which to derive revenue. 



Between 1648 and 1653, the Colony obtained deeds from 
the Indian sagamores, of the land extending from Cush- 
noc, now Augusta, to the northern limit of the grant. 
They built forts, and sent magistrates into the country 
to enforce and protect their claims, but they encountered 
very many difficulties. Their monopoly of the trade and 
fishing was unpopular, and nnable to continue them 
themselves, they leased them, reserving jurisdiction by 
the appointment of resident magistrates. Tired at length 
of the vexation which the ownership of the property had 
caused them, in 1661 they sold their entire right in the 
patent for £400 sterling, to Antipas Boies, Edward Tyng, 
Thomas Brattle and John "VTinslow. Neither these pur- 
chasers nor their heirs did anything toward settling the 
territory for nearly a hundred years after its purchase. 
In the year 1676 the Indians destroyed all the settle- 
ments on the river, above Swan Island, and burned all 
the buildings. 

In the j'ear 1749 the proprietors of the Kennebec 
Purchase began to agitate the question of settling the 
territorj-, and held a meeting, at which new proprietors 
were admitted. In June, 1753, an act was passed bj' 
the General Court of Massachusetts, permitting persons 
holding lands in common and undivided, to act in the 
capacity of a corporation. Under this act a now corpo- 
ration was formed bj- the name of Kennebec Pur- 
chase from the late Colony of New Plj-mouth, which 
was the legal title, although it was nsuallj- known bj- the 
name of the Plymouth Company. The meetings of the 
company were regularly held from 1749 to 1818, when 
the corporation, having disposed of all its interest in the 
territorj-, ceased to exist. The large tract of laud in- 
cluded in the Plymouth Patent, as has alreadj- been 
stated, was rich in fur-bearing animals and in fish of 
various kinds, and when discovered, and for many years 
afterward, was owned and occupied by the large and 
powerful tribe of Indians called the Canibos, who 
claimed the land on both sides of the Kennebec River, 
from its source to Merrymeeting Bay. They embraced 
several sub-tribes, or families, all of which acknowledged 
allegiance to the great chief, Kennebis, who had his 
residence upon Swan Island. Some of these political 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



families were, the Norridgewogs, who dwelt at Norridge- 
wock, the Tacconets of Watervillo, and the Cushnocs 
of Augusta. The Canibos, or Kcnnebecs, were numer- 
ous when the countrj- was discovered, numbering more 
than 1,500 warriors. The different families spoke the 
same language, with only slight variations, and in all 
enterprises which had for their object the common good, 
were one people. According to Sebastian Rasle, a 
French Jesuit missionar}-, who resided many years 
among these Indians, thej' were more intelligent and less 
barbarous than most of the New England tribes. 

It is supposed that the Kennebec River derived its 
name from Kennebis, the name of the great Indian 
sagamores, a long line of whom it is thought may have 
ruled over the Indians who dwelt upon its banks. It is 
hardly necessary for us to say that Kennebec County 
took its name from the river. Cushnoc, at the present 
head of na-\-igation on the Kennebec, now called Augusta, 
was earl}- known and often visited for the purposes of 
trade. The first trading-post estabUshed within the 
limits of Kennebec County was located here, in 1629, 
the year the patent was obtained by the New Plymouth 
proprietors. A post was established at the same time 
at Richmond Landing, but this was soon discontinued, 
it is supposed for the reason that the fur trade, which 
was the source of the most profit to the proprietors, 
could be carried on to better advantage at Cushnoc, the 
richest furs coming from the upper waters of the river. 
This establishment was successfully carried on for many 
years, until it was broken up by the Indian wars. We 
shall speak more particularly of the history of the ancient 
Cushnoc in our history of Augusta. 

The wars between England and France, in which the 
Indians almost miiformly took sides with the Latter, very 
much retarded the settlement of the interior of Maine. 
The records of the company, even after the reorganiza- 
tion, give abundant evidence of the difficulties they en- 
countered in obtaining settlers. Euroiie did not then 
contain the surplus population that it since has, the fre- 
quent bloody wars preventing any great increase of num- 
bers, and those who did come over preferred to settle in 
the older Colonies, where they found a more stable gov- 
ernment. Great inducements were offered to any who 
would settle upon the fertile* lands of the Kennebec. 
The proprietors offered 100 acres of land to each head 
of a family, to pay their passage from Boston, to build 
a block-house for their protection against the Indians, 
and to advance six months' provision. Still no settlers 
c:imc. To remove the dread of the hostile Indians, 
which had much to do with deterring settlers from com- 
ing upon the patent, the company chose a committee to 



treat with the different trilies, and in 17.54, in order to 
give securit}' to the settlements on the Kennebec, they 
voted to build a fort at Cushnoc, on condition that the 
government of the Massachusetts Bay would build an- 
other at or near Ticonic. This proposition was accepted, 
and Fort Western was erected at Cushnoc (Augusta) in 
1754, and Fort Halifax, at Ticonic (Wiuslow), was 
completed the following year. 

Among the proprietors admitted at the reorganization 
of the company, in 1753, was Dr. Sylvester Gardiner of 
Boston, a gentleman of ample means, possessed of sound 
judgment, and persistent in whatever he undertook to 
perform. He at once assumed the management of the 
affairs of the company, moved and carried an assessment 
of £5,000 on the shares, which was expended in pro- 
moting the interests of the coqioration. Pre\nous to 
1760, the county of York embraced the whole district 
of Maine, but in that year the counties of Lincoln and 
Cumberland were organized, the former of which in- 
cluded nearly all the territoiy east of the Androscoggin 
River. In 1761 the Plymouth Company erected county 
buildings for the new county, at Pownalborough, now the 
town of Dresden, on the east side of Kennebec River, 
and about two miles above the head of Swan Island. 
The old court-house, in a good state of preservation, is 
still standing, and is occupied as a dwelling. Dr. Gardi- 
ner, fully comprehending the value of the patent for 
purposes of settlement, and finding the company's efforts 
ineffectual, decided to take hold of the matter himself, 
and at his own expense. He built a sloop, which he kept 
constantly running between Boston and the Kennebec in 
summer, and to the Sheepscot in winter. In December. 
1754, the company granted him the falls and part of the 
land, forming the present town of Gardiner, not as a 
gift, but as a portion of what he would be entitled to in 
the future divisions of the company's property. The 
Doctor at once commenced, and in a few years completed 
two saw-mills, a grist-mill, a fulling-mill, a convenient 
wharf, stores, and several dwelling-houses. He also 
cleared up large tracts of land. 

The fall of Quebec in September, 1759, and the sub- 
sequent treaty which ceded the Canadas and maritime 
Provinces to Great Britain, put an end to the Indian 
wars in Maine and removed the cause which had so long 
prevented the settlement of the interior towns. The 
Plymouth Company now renewed their efforts to settle 
their patent, and with verj' gratifj-ing success. They 
caused an advertisement to be extensivelj- circulated in 
England, Ireland and America, that they proposed lay- 
ing out three townships to be granted to settlers upon 
performing settling duties, and directed six townships six 



miles square to be laid out on the west side of Kennebec 
River commencing 3 miles and 16 rods from the river 
and 4 miles north of Cobbosseconte, and running 12 
miles to the west line of the patent, and 18 miles north 
and south ; and that 200 acres be granted to every 
family settling therein, on condition of building a house 
20 feet square and 7-fect post, and clearing five acres of 
land ; all to be completed in three years, and residing in 
person or by substitute on the same for seven years. 
Settlements were begun in several townships previous to 
17G5, and in several more before 1770, The northern 
part of the county was settled much later. 

By an act of the Massachusetts General Court, ap- 
proved Feb. 20, 1799, the northern part of Lincoln 
County was erected into a new county by the name of 
Kennebec, with the shire town at Augusta. The south- 
era tier of towns in the new county were Unity, Free- 
dom, China, Malta, Pittston (wliich then included Gardi- 
ner) , Litchfield, Monmouth and Greene ; and at the 
organization of the Maine State government in 1820, 
included the following incorporated towns, besides a large 
extent of unsettled territory : Hallowell, Winthrop, Vas- 
salborough, Winslow, Pittston, Greene, Readfield, Mon- 
mouth, Mt. Vernon, Sidney, Farmington, New Sharon, 
Clinton, Fayette, Belgrade, Harlem (China) , Augusta, 
WajTie, Leeds, ChesterviUe, Vienna, Waterville, Gardi- 
ner, Temple, Wilton, Rome, Fail-field, Unity, Malta 
(Winslow), Freedom, Joy (Troy) and China. 
I By the erection of Somerset County in 1809, Kenne- 
I bee County lost nearly four-fifths of its tenitory. Waldo 
was incorporated Feb. 7, 1827, and took from Kennebec 
the four towns of Unity, Freedom, Joy and Burnham. 
By the incorporation of Franklin County, March 20, 
1838, the towns of New Sharon, Chesterville, Wilton, 
Temple and Famungton were taken from Kennebec 
County ; and when Androscoggin County was formed, in 
1854, Kennebec County lost the towns of East Liver- 
more, Greene, Leeds and Wales. The county is now 
made up of 24 towns and 3 cities, the latter situated 
upon the river, Augusta and Gardiner being only six 
miles apart, with Hallowell between. 

Up to the year 1787, the only courts held in the county 
of Lincoln were a term of the common pleas and one of 
the sessions annually at Pownalborough. In 1786 it 
was decided to make Hallowell a half-shire town, and 
the first term of the court was held in PoUard's tavern at 
the Fort Western settlement, on the second Tuesday of 
January, 1787, by William Lithgow, James Howard and 
Nathaniel Thwing. At this time no lawyer resided on 
the river above Pownalborough, but in the following 
year William Lithgow, Jr., opened an office at Fort 



Western settlement, and was, therefore, the first lawyer 
in what is now Kennebec Countj'. The first term of the 
court of sessions was held in March following, in Col. 
North's house. 

The first court-house was built in Augusta, then Hal- 
lowell, in 1790, and stood in Market Square, just above 
Dickman Lane. This building was used until 1801, 
when Kennebec County having been incoriDorated, and 
Augusta set off from IlalloweU, the county commenced 
the erection of a new court-house, on the site of the 
present jail, on State, then called Court Street. This 
court-house, finished in March, 1802, was a large and 
commodious building for the time, and served the countj' 
for 30 years. It was subsequently' moved to the lot 
north of the Mansion House, and is still standing and 
known as Concert Hall. The Court of Sessions at the 
December term in 1827 decided that a more convenient 
building was needed for the accommodation of the court 
and county officers. A granite building, 50 bj' CO feet, 
was soon after erected and occupied for the first time 
June 1, 1830. Judge Mellen held the first court in 
the new building, and pronounced it superior, for the 
pmiooses for which it was erected, to any other in the 
State. A brick building, with fire-proof vaults, for the 
safe-keeping of the county records, was built in 1813, 
and used for that purpose until the completion of the 
present court-house, which accommodates not only the 
court, but all the county officers. A jail was erected, 
of wood, in 1793, on the lot afterwards occupied by the 
stone jail. This was on the corner of Winthrop and 
State streets, on the lot now occupied by Ai Staples. In 
1808 it was bui-ned, together with the jailer's house. A 
new building was erected in 1808 which served the pur- 
poses of the county for half a century. In 1858 the 
count}' commissioners decided that it was inadequate to 
the wants of the county, and decided to build another. 
The old court-house lot was selected as the place upon 
which to erect the new structure. The building was 
completed at a cost of over $50,000 and opened for 
public inspection Feb. 1, 1859. It is constructed of 
granite, .ii'on and brick, and is considered the finest 
building in the city ; and the finest and most substantial 
jail building in the State. 

Kennebec, though in area one of the smaller counties, 
is one of the best, if not the very best agricultural 
county in the State. The soil on both sides of Kenne- 
bec River is a clay loam, easily cultivated and very pro- 
ductive. Probably more hay is harvested in the towns 
bordering on the Kennebec River than in any other 
section of equal size in New England. Most of the 
underlj'ing rock in Augusta, Hallowell, Manchester and 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



the various other towns iii this county, is granite. Sev- 
eral quarries have been opened, and the business of 
quarrying and hammering granite for shipment is quite 
extensively carried on at the present time. This granite 
is composed of wliite feldspar, silvery gray mica and a 
little quartz — the feldspar being the predominating in- 
gredient. Tlie color of the rock is grayish white, and 
when smooth hammered, at a little distance appears like 
white marble. The mica is arranged in such a manner 
as to cause the stone to split easily' into the desired 
forms. It is also susceptible of a fine polish. 

The farmers of this couutj- were early aware of the 



1629, a trading-post was estabhshed here near the head 
of tide-water. But in the second Indian war the settle- 
ment was entirely' laid waste. It was resumed again, 
with partial success, after the peace of 1713, when a 
granite fort was built under the direction of Dr. Noyes, 
said to be the strongest in the country. The place was 
again destroyed during the subsequent Indian wars, and 
remained so until the Plymouth proprietors in 1754, built 
and manned Fort Western, on the east bank of the river, 
near the present Kennebec bridge. One of the buildings 
of the fort, occupied as a store-house and for barracks, 
still standing, is believed to be the oldest structui-e on 




STATE HOUSE, AUGUSTA, ME. 



great value of associated effort in promoting the inter- 
ests of agriculture and horticulture, and an agricultural 
society was organized here previous to 1800, which con- 
tinued in operation many years. Since that time several 
similar societies have been chartered b}- the legislature, 
as the interests of agriculture seemed to demand, and at 
the present time there are three within the limits of the 
countj-, all in a flourishing condition. 

Towns. 

Augusta. — The ancient Cushnoc was alwaj-s a noted 
place. A powerful sub-tribe of Indians had their head- 
quarters here, and a Jesuit mission was early estabhshed 
for their conversion to the Catholic faith. Soon after the 
land was granted to the Plymouth C'oionj-. As earl}- as 



the river, erected by the Plj-mouth Company. Up to the 
close of the war, the soldiers at Fort Western were the 
oul}' English people here, but after the fall of Quebec, a 
settlement was gradually effected, though as late as 1770 
there were but few families within the present limits of 
Augusta. 

James Howard, who commanded Fort Western for 
manj' j'ears, must be regarded as the first settler of Cush- 
noc, as he continued to reside here, and his descendants 
have alwaj-s been residents of the town. After the close 
of the war, he and his sons, Samuel and William, 
engaged in business, monopolizing the extensive liunbcr 
trade, and the father was for many years the wealthiest 
and most prominent man in this region. He came to 
this country from the north of Ireland, and belonged to 



a respectable familj-. Among the other early settlers 
were James Page and Moses Greely from Haverhill, 
Ephraim Cowan and Ephraim Butterfield from Dunstable, 
Mass., and Daniel Hilton, long In the service of the 
Howards. May 22, 1771, the first meeting was held in 
Hallowell, under the act of incorporation which was 
passed April 26 of that 3'ear. The town then contained 
99 taxable polls. 

The Fort Western settlement was set off from Hal- 
lowell and incorporated by the name of Harrington, Feb. 



several saw and other mills. In 1867 the dam and fac- 
tory passed into the hands of the Sprague Company of 
Providence, R. I. The present Kennebec bridge, a most 
substantial structure, was rebuilt in 1827, and was made 
a free bridge in 1860. Augusta became a city in 1849, 
and Alfred Reddington was elected mayor. 

The leading denominations all have church edifices, 
and sustain regular preaching. The granite church occu- 
pied by the Congregationalists, is one of the most sub- 
stantial church edifices in the State. This denomination 




HIGH SCHOOL, AUGUSTA, ME. 



20, 1797; the name was changed to Augusta, June 11 
of the same year. Augusta was made the shire town of 
the county in 1798, and capital of the State in 1828. 
Ground was broken for the new state house the same 
year. The buildings were completed and first occu- 
pied in 1832. The insane hospital was finished in 1840. 
It is the only Maine State institution of the kind, 
and has been much enlarged since that time. In 1850 
the building was partially destro3'ed by fire, by which 
several patients lost their lives. A United States arse- 
nal was authorized to be built here in 1827, and the cor- 
ner-stone of the main building was laid June 14, 1828. 
It has been occupied as a military post since that time. 
The dam across the Kennebec was built from 1835 to 
1838, and a cotton factory was erected in 1845 ; also 



is among the oldest in the city, and the wealthiest. It 
sustained meetings long before there was a church edifice 
in town, when Augusta was only a small hamlet. 

Augusta has been the home of many eminent persons. 
Hon. Reuel Williams, one of its most distinguished 
native-born citizens, was a member of the U. S. Senate. 
Luther Severance, the founder of the "Kennebec Jour- 
nal," served with distinguished abilitj' in Congress. Hon. 
James W. Bradburj', a native of Parsonsfield, came here 
when a young man, and commenced the practice of law. 
He has been a resident of the city about 50 j-ears. 
Besides occupying prominent positions under the State 
government, he served one term in the U. S. Senate. 
Hon. Lot M. Morrill of Readfield, in this county, came 
here in early manhood, and was the law partner of Mr. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



Bradburj-. Hon. James G. Blaine, a native of Penn- 
B3lvania, came here irhen a 30ung man, and bj' his great 
natural ability and energy, has become one of the fore- 
most men of the nation. As Speaker of the National 
Clouse of Representatives, he won distinguished honors, 
and was a prominent candidate for the presidency in 
1876. He is now a member of the U. S. Senate. 

Augusta is pleasantly situated on both sides of the 
Kennebec River, at the head of tide water and of navi- 
gation. The surface is very uneven, being intersected 
b}- deep gorges which open into the river ; but this only 
adds to the picturesqueness of the situation. It has a 
bracing air, pure water, and is one of the healthiest 
cities in New Eng- 
land. It contributes 
large sums for educa- 
tional purposes, and 
its schools are con- 
sidered among the 
best. Mount Pleas- 
ant, Riverside, and 
Forest Grove ceme- 
teries have received 
careful attention, par- 
ticularl}' the latter, 
which is one of the 
most tastefully ar- 
ranged burial-places 
to be found anywhere. 

This city has suf- 
fered much from fire, 
but the citizens have 
always, at such times, 
shown commendable 
public spirit, and have rebuilt better than before. The 
population numbers 7,811. Among the present promi- 
nent and enterprising citizens of Augusta not akeady 
mentioned, are Hon. R. D. Rice, once judge of the Su- 
preme Judicial Court ; Hon. Artemas Libbj', now judge 
of the same court ; Hon. Wm. P. TVhitehouso, judge of the 
Superior Court ; Hon. James "W. North, the historian of 
Augusta, for many years major of the city ; Hon. Joseph 
H. Williams, son of Reuel Williams, once governor of 
Maine ; Hon. John L. Stevens, for many j-ears editor of 
the "Kennebec Journal," minister to Paraguay, and now 
minister resident at Stockholm ; and Hon. Selden Con- 
nor, a brave officer of the late war, and late governor of 
the State. 

Gardiner. — This town, including West Gardiner, 
was part of Pittston until 1793. West Gardiner was 
set off and incorporated Aug. 8, 1850. The fine water- 




COBBOSSEE CONTEE FALLS, GARDINER, ME 



power on the Cobbossee Contee stream was taken up 
and improved by Dr. Gardiner, and formed the neu- 
cleus of a thriving village which in time, became a city. 
Dr. Gardiner was born in Bristol, R. I., in 1707, and 
became an eminent pln-sician and surgeon in Boston. 
On the breaking out of the Revolutionarj- war, he 
espoused the royal cause, and on the evacuation of 
Boston, left with the British army. His property 
was confiscated, and his fine library sold at auction. 
The proceedings with regard to the confiscation of the 
estates on the Kennebec were found to be Ulegal, and 
when peace was declared the property fell to the heu-s 
of Dr. Gardiner. The larger portion of the property 
in Gardiner eventual- 
_-= ly fell to Robert Hal- 

lowell, a grandson of 
Dr. Gardiner, on con- 
dition that he should 
take the surname of 
Gardiner, which he 
did. When he came 
into possession of his 
property-, there were 
about 650 people set- 
tled within the limits 
of Gardiner, manv of 
whom were squatters, 
having no title to the 
soil. The proprietor 
dealt generously by 
such, and all differ- 
ences were compro- 
mised and arranged 
soon after he became 
of age. He built the fine stone mansion on Oakland 
farm, which is still in possession of the family. 

Samuel and Nathaniel Ben-y, who came from West 
Bath, were early in Gardiner, and the daughter of the 
former, named Lydia, bom Aug. 22, 1765, was the first 
white girl born in Gardiner or Pittston. Nathaniel Berr}' 
was a Revolutionary soldier and a member of Washing- 
ton's Life Guards. His death occuiTcd Aug. 20, 1850. 
Dr. Zechariah FUtner, a Gemian physician, was among 
the early settlers. He has descendants in Pittston. 
Gen. Hcnrj' Dearborn settled in that part of Pittston 
now Gardiner, in 1784-5. He had sen'ed eight years in 
the war of the Revolution. He was U. S. marshal, 
secretary of war and a member of Congress while a 
resident of Gardiner. He was subsequentlj- collector of 
Boston, and in 1812 accepted the command of the north- 
ern army. He died June 6, 1829, aged 79 j-ears. 



Gardiner is a tliri^ing cit}', and situated at tlie head of 
na^ngation for large vessels on the Kennebec. The 
manufacture of lumber is an important industr3', and the 
ice business has, in later 3-ears, been largely engaged in. 
There are two weekly' papers published here, and Gardiner 
has several moneyed institutions. The town was incorpo- 
rated as a city in 1850. Seven religious denominations 
have houses of worship in the citj-. Population, 4,496. 

Hallowell was incorporated April 26, 1771, and 
then included Augusta, Chelsea and part of Manches- 
ter. It was named for Mr. Benjamin Hallowell, who 
was a proprietor and aided in its settlement. Augusta 
was set off in 1797, and Manchester and Chelsea in 
1850. Hallowell was incorporated a city in 1850, and 
the charter was adopted in 1852. When the town was 
first settled that part which is now called Augusta was 
known as Fort Western, or Cushnoc, and that which is 
now Hallowell as the " Hook." The first settler at the 
' ' Hook " was Dea. Pease Clark, who came from Attle- 
borough, Mass. The first clearing made was near the 
present citj- hall. His house, which was the first erected 
within the limits of Hallowell, stood on Academy Street. 

Among the early prominent residents of Hallowell was 
Dr. Benjamin Vaughan, who was born in England April 
30, 1751, and married Sarah, the eldest daughter of 
Benjamin Hallowell, Esq. During the French Revolu- 
tion he was a member of the English Parliament, and 
Ijeing compromised in some political movements he fled 
to France, and finally came to this country, arriving in 
Hallowell in 1796. He was a public-spmted man, and 
did much for the settlements on the Kennebec. He 
devoted a part of his time to the practice of his pro- 
fession, but always without paj^, and was deepl}^ inter- 
ested in agriculture and horticulture. He planted a large 
nurserj' of fruit-trees, from which orchards were set out 
in various places in the \'icinit3-. He had a large and 
valuable librar3% the medical portion of which he pre- 
sented to the Maine Insane Hospital. He died in his 85th 
year, Dee. 8, 1835. Charles Vaughan, a brother of 
Benjamin, born in London June 30, 1759, came to Hal- 
lowell in 1790. Besides running a flouring-mill and 
brewery he was much devoted to agriculture and hor- 
ticulture, and the importation of improved breeds of 
cattle. He died May 15, 1839. John Merrick, of Welsh 
lineage, but born in London, was another early resident 
of Hallowell. He came over as tutor in the Vaughan 
family, and subsequently married a sister of Dr. Vaughan. 
He was a man of profound learning, an overseer of 
Bowdoin College and a trustee of Hallowell Academy. 
He died in Hallowell in 1861, aged 95 j'ears. 

Hallowell Academy was incorporated and partiallj' 



endowed March 5, 1791. The school was formally 
opened May 5, 1795, under the care of Mr. Woodman. 
Within a few years the old institution has been merged 
into the Hallowell Classical Institute. 

Before the dajs of railways, when the Kennebec River 
was the principal thoroughfare for travel and traffic 
tln-ough this region, Hallowell was an important business 
centre ; but since the construction of the Maine Central 
Railwa}' (back route) , the business of the city has much 
fallen ofl". 

The granite found in this vicinity is of superior 
quality. The figures which compose the monument to 
the Pilgrim Fathers, in process of erection at Plymouth, 
Mass., including the huge statue of Faith, were cut at 
the Bod well works in Hallowell. Hallowell has a fine 
cemeterj-, an appropriate soldiers' monument and a pub- 
lic library. The various religious denominations are 
well represented. Population, 3,010. 

Wateeville. — That part of the town of Winslow 
situated on the west side of Kennebec River was set off 
and incorporated as Waterville on the 23d of June, 1802. 
Ticonic Falls furnish a most excellent water-power. In 
1792 a dam was constructed, and a double saw-mill built 
near the foot of the main fall. The mill was put in 
operation in the spring of 1793, and soon after, Mr. 
Redington, the builder of the mill, put up a house and 
moved his family from Vassalborough. At this time 
the onlj' persons living in the vicinity of the falls were 
John Searl, Isaac Temple, Ivory Low and their families. 
Among those who settled near the falls we find the 
names of Nathaniel Low, Daniel Carter and others. The 
March town meeting of Winslow for 1798 was held at 
the new public meeting-house, on the west side of the 
river, in what is now Waterville. 

The institution now known as Colbj^ Universitj^ was 
first organized and incorporated Feb. 27, 1813, and was 
endowed with a township of timber land situated on 
Penobscot River, the same which now constitutes the 
towns of Alton and Argyle. In 1816 it was decided to 
locate it at Waterville. In 1820 the institution was 
granted collegiate powers, and subsequent!}^ allowed to 
take the name of Waterville College. The first gradu- 
ates were George Dana Boardman, who afterwards be- 
came a missionary to India, and Ephraim Tripp. In 
1867 the college received a large endowment from Gard- 
ner Colby, a wealthy gentleman of Boston, and the 
legislature that year changed the corporate name of the 
institution to Colby University. Rev. Dr. J. T. Champ- 
lin, the faithful president, spent the best years of his life 
in the interest of the college ; and its present fiourishing 
condition is largely due to his untiring etlorts. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



In 1873 "West Waten-ille was set off and incorporated 
as a separate town. Shorn thus of its territory, Water- 
ville is the smallest town in the countj', having an area 
of only 13 square miles ; yet it has a population of over 
5,000. The village, situated on the right bank of the 
river is one of the pleasantest in Maine. The streets 
are broad and beautifull}- shaded, and bordered by ele- 
gant residences. Lumber of all kinds is largely manu- 
factured here. The Lockwood cotton-mill, recentlj^ put 
in operation, is among the best in New England. 
Watcrville has a national 
bank and an institution 
for savings, and several 
public or circulating libri 
ries. The local journal is 
the "Waten-ille Mail ' 

PiTTSTON was incorpor i 
ted and named in honoi 
of Hon. John Pitt of Bos- 
ton, Feb. 4, 1779. Jt 
had pre\-iously been calh d 
Gardiner's-town, in hon 
or of Dr. Gardiner, and 
would have perfjetuatod 
his name but for the fact 
that he espoused the cause 
of the king against the 
colonists, which rendered 
him very unpopular with 
the patriots of Pittston 
Among the early settle is 
of Pittston was Rogc i 
Lapham, son of Joshi 
and Mary CWood) L:ii 
ham of Scituate, Mass 
He was a ship-wright, 
and worlced at Bath, but 

flnallj' came up and settled in Pittston. One of his sons, 
Roger, Jr., still occupies the old homestead. 

Pittston is broken bj' hills and ravines, but is a good 
farming town. The only -village is situated on the Ken- 
nebec, opposite Gardiner.* The first Congregational 
church was gathered here in 1812. The Methodists had 
a station here in 1794. The population is 2,355. 

WiNTHROP. — This town was included in the Plymouth 
Grant. The first white person who made his home in the 
town, was a hunter named Scott, who built him a hut 
near the great Cobbossee Contee Pond, on the land which 

• In a gully which opens into the Kennebec, near the north-west part 
of the town, is the so-called " Money Hole." Here, many years ago, a 
man named Lambert spent much time in digging for buried treasure, 




Timothy Foster, the first permanent settler, occupied. 
Mr. Foster came first in 1764. and the next j-ear brought 
his family. The next settler was Squier Bishop from 
Rchoboth, Mass,, with his wife and six children. Foster, 
and also families by the name of Fairbanks, Stanley and 
Pullen, came from Attlcborough, Mass. 

Mr. Chandler from Ipswich, N. H., built a saw-mill, 
near where the cotton-factory now stands, in Winthrop vil- 
lage, and during the j-ear erected a grist-mill — a gi-eat con- 
venience to the settlers, as previous to that time the near- 
est mill was at Gardiner. 
The town was incorpo- 
rated bj- its present name, 
April 2G, 1771, being 
named in honor of Gov. 
AViiithrop. In March, 
1791, the town was di- 
vided, and the north half 
was incoi-porated bj- the 
.lame of Readfield. 

During the war for In- 
dependence, the people 
of Winthrop were found 
on the patriotic side. 

Winthrop is an excel- 
lent farming town, and 
the land is in a high state 
of cultivation. It has 
always been famous for its 
fine apple-orchards and 
for its stock. The "Win- 
throp Jersey stock is well 
known, and highlj' piized 
throughout the State. 

There are several ponds 
in the town, the largest 
of which, the Cobbossee 
Contee, deserves to be called a lake. Winthrop village, 
situated on the Maine Central Railwaj', has mills and 
factories, and is an important centre of trade. The 
population of the entire town is 2,230. A Congrega- 
tional church was organized Sept. 4, 1776, and Jeremiah 
Shaw was probabl}- the first pastor. 

WiNSLOW. — In 1754 the government of the Colon}- 
of the Massachusetts Bay, erected a fort on the triangle 
near the mouth of the Scbasticook River. This struc- 
ture was named Fort Halifax. One of the block-houses 
of this fortification is still standing, and is a conspicuous 

and the operation has been repeated several times since. A pit was 
excavated, 80 feet in depth, and a large body of earth (but no money) 
has, at different times, been removed. 



AILKMLI-L, MK. 



object between the Maine Central Railway and the river. 
This fort formed the nucleus of a little settlement and, 
according to "Williamson, eleven families gathered around 
it the year it was completed. The plantation name was 
Kingsfleld. The town was incorporated April 26, 1771, 
and named in honor of Gen. John Winslow. It was 
situated on both sides of the Kennebec River, and 
included the present towns of Waterville and West 
Watcrville. The ancient name of "Winslow was Tacon- 
net (Ticonic), an Indian word signifying " Falls in the 
"Woods," and the Falls at Waterville are still called by 
this name. A road suitable for carriages, was con- 
structed between Forts "Western and Halifax, by order 
of Gov. Shirlej-, during the j'ear 1754, which was the 
first road of any length 
constructed for military 
purposes in Maine. The 
first town meeting was 
held at Fort Halifax on 
tlie 23d of May, 1771. 

The people of "Wins- 
low exhibited commend- 
able zeal and patriotism 
during the war for In- 
dependence. The en- 
tire Declaration of In- 
dependence was spread 
upon the town records. 
In 1795, Rev. Joshua 
Cushman was ordained 
as minister, although 
there was no church or- 
ganization during Mr. 
Cushman's ministrj-, which continued for a period of 
nearly 18 years. 

Ticonic was a favorite resort of the Indians of the 
Kennebec, on account of its fine salmon fishing, and a 
powerful sub-tribe of the Kennebec or Cannabis tribe 
had its head-quarters here. The woods also abounded 
in moose, deer, bears, and also various kinds of fur- 
bearing animals. In the present town of "Winslow, 
between Fort Halifax and the bridge across the river to 
"Waterville, is an old Indian burying-ground, from which 
stone implements of curious workmanship are often dug, 
with human bones. A large area has been dug over by 
the students of the college and by others, in pursuit of 
these relics. Situated on a little elevation, is the place 
set apart by the early settlers as a cemetery.* 

The little village in the vicinity of Fort Halifax was, 
at one time, an active business place, but "Waterville, 
situated at the Falls, has absorbed the most of it. 




LAST BLOCK HOUSE OF FOKT HALIFAX. 



"Winslow has some excellent land on the river, but 
farther back it is rocky and sterile. The population is 
1,440. 

China. — Early in the season of 1774, John Jones, 
better known as " Black Jones," came up the Kennebec 
River as far as Hallowell, and then made his way east- 
ward for the purpose of running out a new town, 
which he successfully accomplished ; and, in July of that 
jear, the pioneer's axe was heard for the first time in tlie 
present town of China. The first settlers were Edward, 
Jonathan, Andrew and Ephraira Clark from Nantucket. 
These four brothers were accompanied by their aged 
father, Jonathan Clarlc, and Miriam, his wife. Ephraim 
Clark was 23 years of age when he came here, and 
was not married until 
21 3'ears after, yet he 
raised up a family of 
six sons and six daugh- 
ters, all of whom came 
to maturity. George 
Fish, who was an Eng- 
lishman, and Ephraim 
Clark, built, on Clark's 
Brook, the first mill in 
town. The new town- 
ship was called Jones' 
riantation until 179G, 
when it was incorpo- 
rated into a town by 
the name of Harlem. 
The first town meeting 
was held at the house of 
Shubael Bragg. Feb. 
5, 1818, parts of the towns of Winslow and Fairfax, 
and the northerly part of Harlem, were incorporated into 
a town by the name of China. Two years later Harlem 
was annexed to China. The present population is 2,218. 
A Baptist church was organized in 1801, and a church 
edifice built some years after. Miriam Clark, wife of 
Jonathan, Sr., whose maiden name was Folger, and who 



• From one of the headstones in this cemetery, we copied the follow- 
ing epitaph : — 

" Here lis the body of Richod Themos 
an inglishman by birth 
By occupation a Cooper, 

now food for worms. 

Like an old rumpimcheon 

marked, numbered and shooked, 

He will be raised again and finished 

by his Creator. 

He died September 28, 1824, aged 75. 

America, my adopted country ; my best 

advice to you is, take care of your liberties." 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



is said to have been the sister of the mother of Benja- 
min Franlvlin, was a member of the Society of Friends. 
The first meeting-house erected in China still stands on 
its original site. The Friends have alwajs been among 
the leading citizens. Among the more prominent were 
Eli and Sybil Jones, who travelled in Europe, and made 
two or three trips to the Holy Land in the interest of 
their denomination. 

Readfield. — This town, formerlj' the northerly half 
of Winthrop, was set off and incorporated March 11, 
1791. Among the early settlers and proprietors, was 
Joshua Bean from Gilmanton, N. H., who owned a con- 
siderable tract. His family have always been prominent 



M. E. Church and denomination, and a share of the 
patronage of all denominations, is in a most flourishing 
condition. 

The surface of Readfield, like nearly all the towns in 
Kennebec County, is hilly, but the soil is rich and the 
land under careful cultivation. The town has several 
ponds and parts of ponds, and is watered by them and 
their tributaries and outlets, as well as by the overflow 
of Greely Pond in Mt. Vernon. 

VASSAXBOROucn. — The first settlers, largely from towns 
on Cape Cod, came about the year 1 760. The progress of 
the settlement was slow, and, eight years afterwards, 
there were only 10 families in town. In 1775 Dennis 




Bearce Uall. Sampson Ilall. 

MAINE WESLEYAN SEMINARY AND FEMAI.E COLLEGE, KENT'S HILL. 



in the town. Readfield is especially noted for its fine 
cattle, its extensive dahies, and its fruit product. At 
Readfield Corner are the grounds of the Kennebec Agri- 
cultural Society, the oldest association of farmers in the 
State. The annual exhibitions here are always highly 
creditable. There are four villages in town; viz.. East 
Readfield, Readfield Depot, Readfield Corner and Kent's 
Hill. 

Kent's Hill was so named from a familj'of Kents, who 
came here early from Marshfield, Mass. Here is located 
the IVIaine Weslej-an Seminary and Female College. 
The former was incorporated in 1821, and the college 
was chartered in 1859. Rev. Dr. H. P. Torsey has, for 
manj' j^ears, been at the head of the institution. The 
buildings are beautifully and conveniently situated on a 
high and sightly elevation, in the north-west corner of 
the town, and the institution having been liberally 
endowed by the State, and receiving the support of the 



Gatchell was chosen capt.ain of the town, for the " emer- 
gency of the times." His brother, John Gatchell, was 
the pilot of Arnold's expedition up the Kennebec to 
Quebec, in 1776. The town was incorporated April 26, 
1771, and named in honor of Florentius Vassal, who 
owned one-fourth part of the Plymouth patent. He was 
the son of William Vassal, who early came to Scituate, 
Mass. The son returned to England, and died in Lon- 
don in 1778.* 

The first settlers in Vassalborough were sometimes 
annoj'ed by the Indians, and John Gatchell f dug an 

* His will is recorded -nith the Kennebec County Probate records, 
and is dated Sept. 20, 1777. It covers U large sheets of parchment, 
each page being 24 by 30 inches. It is written in old English text- 
hand, and is a fine specimen of chirography, the letters being cut 
apparently with the uniformity and accuracy of type. 

t This man was a gi-eat hunter, and possessed of remarkable strength. 
Once, having wounded a full-grown moose, he caught hiin, threw him 
down and cut his throat with his jack-knife. 



underground passage from his house to a gully, as a 
means of escape in case of an attack. 

A Baptist church was gathered here in 1788. In 1808 
a second church was organized. The most of the earlj- 
settlers of this town belonged to the Society of Friends, a 
regular meeting of which was begun in 1780, so that most 
other churches are of comparatively recent date. This is 
a large town, and has five post-offices. Its population is 
2,915. At North Vassalborough the Woollen Mills 
Company manufacture a fine quality of goods ; and at 
East Vassalborough is manufactured flour, meal and lum- 
ber of various kinds. Friend J. D. Lang, one of the board 
of Indian commissioners, and an experienced woollen 
manufacturer, resides here, and is a leading man in his 
denomination and in the town. His son, Hon. Thomas 
S. Lang, now of Oregon, was the breeder of the ftimous 
Knox horses, so celebrated for their trotting qualities. 

The remaining towns of Kennebec County are : — Mon- 
mouth* (incorporated in 1792), an agricultural town, 
with 1,744 inhabitants; Litchfield (incorporated in 
1795; population, 1,505), an excellent farming town. 



where the annual exhibitions of the Litchfield Farmers' 
Club are held: Clinton (1795, 1,76G), formerly noted 
for its lumber, — the masts of the famous United States 
ship "Constitution" being cut here: Sidney (1792, 
1,471) , named in honor of Sir Philip Sidney : Belgrade 
(1796, 1.485), with its vahuible water-power, the native 
place of Lot M. and Anson P. Morrill, both ex-governors 
of Maine, and the former at one time United States 
senator: Albion (1804, 1,356): Mt. Vernon (1792, 
1,252), originally called Washington Plantation, and 
receiving its present name to commemorate the home of 
Washington: Chelsea (1850, 1,238), the seat of the 
eastern branch of the National Soldiers' Home : Wind- 
sor (1809, 1,266): Benton (1842, 1,180): West 
Gardiner (1850, 1,044) : WATNEf (1798,938), named 
in honor of Gen. Wayne, a town peculiar in its geological 
formation: Fayette (1795, 900), containing manufac- 
tories of edged-tools, lumber, &c. : Farmingdale (1852, 
860) : Vienna (1802, 740) : Rome (1804, 725) : and 
Manchester (1850, 732). Besides these are Unity 
Plantation and Clinton Gore. 



KNOX COUNTY 



EY L. F. STARRETT. 



The county of Knox was formed from portions of 
Lincoln and Waldo counties in 1860. It is situated on 
the south-west coast of Penobscot Baj'. The river St. 
George runs entirelj' through it, its mouth being nearly- 
due south from the point where it enters the county at 
the north. The centre of a line between these two 
points would be not far from the head of its tide-waters. 
This river drains nearly all the count}' except where the 
surface inclines directly to the bay or sea-shore. It has 
many branches, which are the outlets of numerous ponds. 
Thus nearly all parts of the county are supplied with 
water privileges, some of which are of great value. The 
scenery is diversified, and many views are afforded not 
often surpassed for attractiveness. In the north-eastern 
part of the county are the Camden Hills or Mountains. 
Of these Mt. Megunticook is 1,265 feet high; Ragged 
Mountain, 1,230; Mt. Pleasant probahh' about the same 

• John Ch.indler, the first town clerk of Monmoutli, a n.itive of 
Epping, N. H , held many important offices both in the State and in the 
nation, including that of United States senator. 



height as the latter; Bald Mountain, 1,140 feet; and 
Mt. Baltic nearly 1,000 feet. These are all in the town 
of Camden except Mt. Pleasant, which is partly in 
Camden and partly in Warren. There is also quite an 
eminence in Hope, known as JIt. Hatchet, and another 
in Rockland which is 558 feet high, and is known as 
Madambettox, Methabesec, and also as Dodge's and as 
Marsh's Mountain. The soil of the county may be 
described as tolerably fertile and easy of cultivation in 
the vallej-s of the streams and along the margins of the 
ponds ; hardly less remunerative, but more difficult of 
cultivation on the declivities of the hills, and sterile 
upon the ridges and along the coasts. 

To the earl}' voyagers A-isiting the coast of Maine, the 
lands bordering upon the ocean oflfered far less attraction 
to the eye seeking a desirable place for colonization, than 
those which were found bj' the explorers who penetrated 

t An island situated almost in the centre of Great Androscoggin 
Pond, in this town, was used by the Indians as a place for the burial of 
their dead. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



a little way into the interior. The mouths of the rivers 
being narrow, and the entrances to the bays guarded 
with islands, the openings to the water-courses by which 
tliese explorations were made, had to be carefully sought 
out. Though the accounts of these explorations possess 
great historical interest, since they led to organized 
attempts at settlement, and became the basis of royal 
grants b}^ \-irtue of which nations contended for empire, 
it hardly falls within the compass of this sketch to nar- 
rate them. 

In 1G30 the Pl3-mouth Company granted to Leverett 
and Beauchamp, two English merchants, the tei-ritory 
lying between the Penobscot and Muscongus rivers, ex- 
tending north far enough to form a tract 30 miles square. 
This is known as the Muscongus or Waldo Patent. 
This grant is the basis of most of the land titles in Knox 
and Waldo counties. Though in its origin one remove 
from royal, it was roj-al in its proportions, assuming to 
pass title to nearly 600,000 acres. Something was done 
j in the way of settlement, Indian traffic, and the ship- 
, ment of timber from the river under the auspices of the 



first proprietors, but at the breaking out of King Philip's 
war all operations were suspended, and they were not 
renewed again for more than half a century. During 
that period such parts of New England as were colon- 
ized experienced the vicissitudes of thi-ee bloody Indian 
wars. 

In 1719 John Leverett, president of Harvard, who was 
a grandson of Leverett the patentee, became sole pro- 
prietor of the patent. He associated with himself 30 
others, one of whom, Spencer Phips, received his share 
in return for the Indian title which he had inherited from 
Sir William Phips, to the land on the St. George, as far 
as the head of tide-waters. Sir Wilham acquired this 
title in 1C94, bj- purchase from Madockawando, the 
famous Tairatine chief. In 1719-20 two block-houses 
were built, the smaller being near the river and mount- 
ing several pieces of cannon. The two were connected 
by a covered way, the whole constructed of the largest 
hewn logs. The work was several times repaired, and 
probably enlarged, as during the later Indian wars the 
upper block-house was 100 feet long, vdth. walls 16 feet 
high. Within its enclosure were barracks and a well. 
The work took the name of Fort St. George. Around 
this the proprietors proposed to build a town, which they 
had already named Lincoln. The Indians exhibiting 
signs of hostility to these operations, the white men 
justified their occupation by the Phips purchase ; to 
which, however, the Indians answered that Madocka- 
wando had no right to make such a sale. In conse- 
quence of the hostile attitude of the Indians, the propri- 



etors garrisoned the fort with 20 men, under command of 
Col. Westbrook, one of their number. Their plans of 
settlement were interrupted ])y the breaking out, in 1722, 
of what is known as the fourth Indian, or Lovewell's 
war. 

This fort continued to be the most easterly, and con- 
sequently most exposed, mihtary post during the Indian 
troubles. 

In 1724 the command was given to Josiah Winslow, 
son and gi-andson respectively of the two governors of 
the Plymouth Colony of that name, and a recent gradu- 
ate of Harvard. On April 30 he went down the river 
with a small force in two whale-boats. The Indians 
watched his movements and laid in wait for his return. 
He remained at the Green Islands over night, and com- 
ing back the next daj' a man in the companion boat shot 
a duck. The boat, dropping behind to get the fowl, was 
attacked by "a great body of Indians, judged to be 200 
or 300." Seeing the peril of his companions, Winslow 
went back to their assistance. The men fought with the 
bravery of desperation, until all the whites and six of 
their Indian allies were killed. Capt. Winslow was one 
of the last to fall. He was onlj' 22 ^-ears of age, and 
regarded as a j'oung man of great promise. One of the 
friendly Indians who escaped from this encounter badlj- 
wounded was pensioned bj^ Massachusetts. 

At length, after repeated attacks upon the fort by the 
Indians, and as frequent repulses, though with more or 
less loss on both sides, a conference was held here in 
Jul^-, 1725, between two Massachusetts commissioners 
and 13 Indian chiefs. This was adjourned to Boston, 
where a second meeting was held in November, at which 
the Eastern Indians were represented by four of their 
principal chiefs. The discussion was continued a full 
month, each party endeavoring to throw the responsibil- 
ity of the war on the other. The Indians opened the 
question of Madockawando's right to sell their land, and 
contended long for the abandonment of the forts at the 
St. George and the Kennebec. Finally arrangements 
were made to establish trading-houses at these points, 
the goods to be sold at rates which would barely cover 
expenses, the principal object, under the circumstances, 
being to conciliate the Indians. 

This arrangement, which put an end to the bloodj- 
Lovewell's war, is known as the Dummer treaty. It 
was ratified the ensuing summer, by a large representa- 
tion of the chiefs, at what is now Portland. 

Capt. John Giles, who had been an Indian captive in 
his youth, and so had become familiar with tlieir lan- 
guage, was appointed to the command of the fort in ] 
December, 1725, and retained it for 17 years. j 



The -war being now closed, the proprietors of the 
patent began to exert themselves to obtain settlers for 
their lands. It was at this juncture that we first hear 
of Samuel "Waldo, a j^oung Boston merchant, who, hav- 
ing recently inherited an interest in the patent, subse- 
quently came into possession of nearl}' the whole of it ; 
his possessions embracing what is at present included in 
the towns of Camden, Hope and Appleton. By inherit- 
ance and jjurchase, Mr. Waldo thus became sole patentee 
of half a million acres, his northern boundary, as he 
claimed it, being not far south of the present city of 
Bangor. 

One of Mr. W.'s first acts was to open the lime-quany , 
which waa long afterwards enclosed bj- the walls of the 
Maine State Prison and developed by convict labor. 
Here he commenced to manufacture lime for shipment to 
Boston, thus being the pioneer in what was destined to 
be a leading industry'. 

The work of colonization was finall}- begun here in 
good earnest, Mr. Waldo contracting (Apr. 29, 1735), 
to deed to each settler a lot 40 rods wide on the river, 
and running back so as to contain 100 acres ; the settlers 
on their part, — the first party consisted of 27 families, 
of Scotch-Irish extraction,- — ^ agreeing to build houses, 
and within two years to clear four acres of land on their 
several lots. 

The deeds to these lots were given in June, 1 735. The 
next year these pioneers came with their families and set- 
tled upon their respective farms. In many cases the cellars, 
over which their first rude houses were built, may still be 
seen. The names of these settlers, still represented in 
Warren, are Patterson, Boggs, Creighton, Starrett, 
Spear, Lermond, Mclntj're, Robinson and Kalloch. 
Gen. Ellis Spear, now (1878) commissioner of patents, 
is a native of Warren and a descendant of the settler 
of that name. 

Gen. Waldo rebuilt the saw-mill at Mill River, latel3- 
destroj'ed b}' the Indians, in 1735. In 1740 he erected 
a grist-mill at Oyster River, and also the meeting-house 
which he had engaged to build.* 

At about this period Waldo also located some 40 lots 
on the western side of the river, in what is now Gushing. 
About 30 of these were at once occupied, substantially 
the same terms being made with the settlers as had been 
made with those of the upper town ; and in distinction 
from that, this took the name of St. George's lower town. 

•It was an unpretentious log building of 30 by 40 feet, its exterior 
clapboarded, its interior destitute of other finisli than the smoothing of 
the clear pine lumber of which it was constructed. Rough benches were 
the only scats provided, and the windows were glazed with 3 by 4 panes, 
which were broken out during the Indian wars, before the building was 
much used. Its pleasant situation by the river's side is identified by 



In 1742 Giles was succeeded in command of the fort 
bj' Jabez Bradbury-, who continued to hold the position 
during the stormy events of the next 15 years. He was, 
during this period, truck-master at such times as there 
was trade with the Indians. 

In 1743 a settlement was effected at what is now 
Friendship, then known as Meduncook. These settlers 
were of English Puritan extraction. In 1 754 there were 
22 families, representing the following names: Jameson, 
Wadsworth, Bradford, Davis, Lawry, Gaj-, Gushing, 
Bartlctt, Demorse, Bickmore, Morton and Cook. 

In 1 744 war was declared on the Indian tribes east of 
the Passamaquoddy, and subsequently, August 14, — 
in consequence of their having shared, to some extent, 
in an attack (Jul}- 19) upon the fort, — against the 
Tarratines as well ; and in fact, against all the eastern 
tribes. 

In 1745 occurred the famous expedition which took 
Louisburg. Of this Waldo was second in command. 
Many of the settlers enlisted in it ; others, who had 
come from Massachusetts, returned thither, and all the 
rest took refuge with their families in the fort or bloclv- 
houses. Of these, one was a little farther up the river 
than the fort, and was under command of Capt. Benj. 
Burton after his return from Louisburg ; another, at 
Pleasant Point, near the mouth of the river, under com- 
mand of Capt. Henderson. 

With the return of peace the settlers went back to 
their farms, and prosperity seemed for a while to smile 
upon the settlement. Rev. Robert Rutherford, a worthy 
Presbj-terian minister who became chaplain to the garri- 
son some time during the war, remained and preached 
at intervals to them, and sometimes to the settlers, till 
his death, which occurred at the fort in 175G. Trade 
was resiuned with the Indians, and formal conferences 
were held at the fort with their leading men, at which the 
treat}' of 1749 was ratified. 

In 1753 Waldo settled another colon}' of 20 Scottish 
families some two miles from tlio river on the western 
side. Of the names of these settlers those which be- 
came identified with the future history of Warren arc 
Anderson, Dicke, Crawford, Malcolm and Kirkpatrick. 
These emigrants gave to their settlement the name of 
Stirling, which is still retained by the neighborhood 
where their village was located. 

In November, 1754, the news that the Indians had 

the ancient churchyard, where sleep the forefathers of the hamlet. This 
is enclosed by a hedge of handsome fir-trees, the evergreen foliage of 
which gives constant beauty to the place. Several of the graves are 
marked by low stones of dai-k marble, with inscriptions surmoimted by 
those reminders of mortality deemed by the sentiment of the times 
appropriate — the skull aud cross-bones. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



attacked Fort Halifax on the upper Kennebec reached 
the settlements, whereupon the entire population at once 
betook themselves to the fort and block-houses, which 
had been recently greatly strengthened and enlarged. 
The war soon became general,* and for four years — 
years of mortal terror to the settlers — the contest con- 
tinued. 

In 1757 Thomas Pownal succeeded Gov. Shirley. He 
was very energetic in his measures against the Indians, 
and very popular in consequence with the settlers here. 
At about this time Bradbury was succeeded by Capt. 
John North, one of the Scotch-Irish settlers. He was a 
survej'or, had been much emplojed as such at the settle- 
ments further west, and laid out the original lots on the 
river. After Bradbury's relief, but before he left the 
garrison, occurred, in August, 1758, the last of the 
several unsuccessful attempts upon Fort St. George. 

With the destruction of the French power in America 
the Indians of the east realized that it was useless longer 
to contend against the English. By the treaty they were 
compelled to acknowledge that they had forfeited their 
lands by taking up arms against the king ; and we hear 
nothing more of the bound established by the purchase 
from Madockawando. Gen. Waldo, however, did not 
live to avail himself of this libertj^ to extend his settle- 
ment. He died in 1759, leaving his estate to his family. 
His son-in-law, Thomas Flucker of Boston, subsequently 
came into possession of the larger part of the patent. 

During the interval between the close of the French 
war and the breaking out of the Revolution, several 
beginnings of settlements were made. Elisha Snow was 
the pioneer in the settlement of South Thomaston. He 
came in 1767, associated with himself John Mathews, 
and they were soon followed by other settlers named 
Tenant, Coombs, Bridges and Orbeton. They settled 
on the banks of the Wessawweskeag. 

The first settlement in Camden was made in 17G8, by 
James Richards. He was followed next year by two 
brothers, and shortly after by other settlers named 
Minot and Ogier. These all settled at Camden village, 

• This result was greatly precipitated by an outrage, perpetrated by cer- 
tain wtiite men, fiends in liuman form, on defenceless and friendly Tarra- 
tines. On July 1, one James Cargill, on his way from New Castle with 
31 men, came upon an Indian and his wife, upon whom they fired, kill- 
ing him and mortally wounding her. The woman asked them to take 
her infant, which she called Nit, to Capt. Bradbury. One of the party 
answered, " every nit will make a louse," and cruelly knocked the child 
in the head before the eyes of the dying mother. On arriving at the fort 
the next morning, and exhibiting their bloody trophies, the women at 
the fort at once recognized the scalp of the woman as that of Margaret 
Moxa, a Tarratino squaw, who had rendered signal service to the gar- 
rison in warning them of the approach of enemies. Shocked by this 
act of Ijrutality, the wicked deed was loudly and unqualifiedly Con- 



or Mcgunticook. At what is now Rockport village, 
Robert Tliorndike was the pioneer. He was followed by 
his brother Paul and others named Harkness, Ott and 
Ballard. Still another settlement wns made at Clam 
Cove by Gregory, Buckland, Porterfield and Upham. 
At about this time settlements were made on the Fox 
Islands. 

The first clearing in Union was made in 1772 by four 
young men from the Scotch settlement below. As that 
was called Stirling this took the name of Stirlingtown. 
In 1774, Dr. Taylor of Lunenburg, Mass., purchased 
from the Waldo heirs the entire township for £1,000. 
From him the plantation took the name of Taylortown, 
and it was known sometimes by one and sometimes by 
the other of these names until its incorporation in 1786. 
At this time there were in it 77 inhabitants of the names, 
Adams, Bowen, Butler, Cummings, Grinnell, Hawes, 
Hills, Holmes, Mero, Partridge, Robbins, and Ware. 

The settlers within the limits of what is now Rockland 
at the commencement of the Revolution bore the names 
of Lindsey, Spear, Fales, Crockett, Tolman and Jame- 
son, all of which names are worthily represented in the 
citj' of to-day. 

At the breaking out of the war of the Revolution, the 
sympathies of the people were generally with the cause 
of freedom. In 1774 the fast day recommended bj' the 
General Court was observed at Meduncook with religious 
exercises, and the " Solemn League and Covenant," 
binding to non-intercourse with Great Britain until the 
Boston Port Bill should be repealed, was signed by 55 
adults, male and female, and many of the children. 
Early in 1775, Capt. Samuel Gregg, with 20 men from 
the upper and lower towns, marched to Fort Pownal, 
situated at Fort Point at the mouth of the Penobscot 
River, and demanded of the commander, Goldthwaite, 
to know why he had given up his cannon to the enemy. 
He told them the fort was the king's, showed them the j 
order of Gov. Hutchinson, and further excused himself j 
hy saying that to have refused compliance with the terms I 
of the order " would have caused the total ruin of the 



demned. The writer recalls the impressive manner with which he has 
heard old people who in their youth had heard it talked of liy those 
who were in the garrison at the time, tell of the prediction made, and 
fulfilled, that no one of the guilty party " would ever die in their beds." 
The Massachusetts authorities endeavored to placate the just resent- 
ment which the Tarratines felt at this outrage, and assurances were 
given that justice should be meted out to the guilty parties. Cargill 
was apprehended and tried, the trial, it is presumed, being at York. 
The defence set up was, that some of the partj- were St. John Indians, 
and at that time the prejudice against the race was so strong that a ver- 
dict of acquittal was rendered. Thenceforward the difficulties with the 
Tarratines increased, and on Nov. 5, 17S5, war was declared against 
them, followed in the succeeding June by the declaration against France. 



river." The party professed to be satisfied witli the 
explanation, but perhaps thinldng that arms and ammu- 
nition would be safer in their own hands than in the 
hands of one so prompt to obey the orders of the roj'al 
governor, made a demand upon him for a quantity to 
protect the settlement at St. George. He delivered to 
them 7 muskets, 10 pounds powder, and 24 pounds ball. 

On June 6th the inhabitants of the settlements on the 
river and "Wessawweskcag met and chose their first 
Committee of Safety and Correspondence. 

On Nov. 7, 1776, the town of Warren was incori^o- 
rated, taking its name from the hero who had so lately 
given his life for the cause of freedom. This was fol- 
lowed on March 20, 1777, by the incorporation of 
Thomaston, which included what is now South Thomas- 
ton and Rockland, and which was named for Gen. John 
Tliomas, who like Warren had recently laid down his life 
for liberty, having fallen a victim to disease while leading 
back the remnant of the ill-fated army which followed 
Iilontgomer}' and Arnold to Canada. 

The coast, at this period, was exposed to predatory 
attacks from British armed vessels, and here and there 
was found a loj-alist willing to guide them on their 
marauding expeditions. Others, more timorous or less 
sensitive to appeals to patriotism than interest, when the 
event seemed unpropitious for freedom, gave to the enemj' 
an indirect support. The few settlers along the bay shore 
and on the Fox Islands were especially lialile to incursions 
from their proximity to the British post at Bigu3-duce. 

A Tory named John Long, piloted an English party 
into Camden harbor. They plundered wherever they 
could find anything worth plundering, and burned 
nearly all the buildings, including the saw-mill. When 
the war was over, most of those who had been conspicu- 
ously active in the royal cause were glad to find homes 
elsewhere. Long, however, remained, and risked the re- 
sentment which, more than once, as we are told, mani- 
fested itself in violence. 

The settlements of this region were largely represented 
in the unfortunate expedition against Biguj-duce in 1779. 
After the defeat, many of the patriots of Belfast and the 
upper Penobscot, who would not take the oath of alle- 
giance to the king, came in a bod}' to Camden, where 
some remained, while others went further west where 
thej'had friends. 

• Perhaps no hero of the Revolutionary era obtained a more pro- 
nounced local fame than farmer Robert Jameson. Having been ruth- 
lessly plundered of cattle, hogs and farm produce, and himself taken 
prisoner by one Pomcroy, a Tory and former schoolmate, and who had 
been promoted to the command of a privateer brig, Jameson availed 
himself of the earliest opportunity, regardless of consequences, in the 
most bitter terms to denounce Pomeroy to his face, and to characterize 



Durirg the progress of tho war. Gen. Peleg Wads- 
worth was appointed to the command of the Eastern 
Department, and had his headquarters at Thomaston. 
Upon a certain occasion it chanced that ho was supplied 
with onlj" a small bodj'-guard. This fact having been 
communicated by certain Tories in the vicinity to tho 
British at Biguyduce, a heutenant and 25 men were sent 
to capture him. Thej' surprised him, together with his 
wife and three children, and a Miss Fenno, a friend of 
INIrs. W., guarded only by three men. After these were 
overcome, and the rest of the house occupied, the General 
defended himself in his own room until a bullet shattered 
his arm, when he surrendered. His wife and Miss Fenno 
hastily bound a handkerchief over the fracture, and threw 
a blanket over his shoulders, when he was hurried away 
into captivity. 

One of Gen. Wadsworth's companions in bonds was a 
Maj. Benj. Burton of Warren, through whose ingenuitj' 
and indefatigable efforts was effected his own and Gen. 
Wadsworth's escape from confinement. Burton, son of 
a famous Indian fighter, was a character. Being acci- 
dentally in Boston at the time, he volunteered as a 
member of the Boston Tea Party. Proceeding to the 
metropolis at once after his escape from a British dun- 
geon, he enlisted as captain of marines in the American 
navy. Again made a prisoner bj- the fortunes of war, 
the end of the struggle which he had helped to begin in 
the hold of a tea-ship, released him from confinement 
in the hold of a prison-ship. Landing at New London, 
with onl}^ eight shillings in his pocket, he made his way 
home to enjoy in peaceful pursuits the liberty ho had 
served so faithfully to gain. He died May 24, 1835, 
aged 86, and was buried in the town churchyard at 
Warren, where a low, long monument, in box form, marks 
his honored grave.* 

At the close of tlie war a great deal of uncertainty and 
anxiety existed about land titles. Fluekcr had espoused 
the cause of the king, and been included in the act of 
proscription, and in the unsettled condition of affairs 
many people had located upon the proprietary lands 
without obtaining title. Meantime, such portions of the 
patent as iiad not been disposed of came eventually, by 
inheritance and purchase, into the possession of Gen. 
Henry Knox, the son-in-law of Flucker. If the pro- 
prietary claim was to be recognized, it must have been 

his baseness in unmistakably plain English, adding that, if ever the j 
opportunity should be presented, he should not fail to take ample satis- j 
fiiction for tlic treatment he had received at his hands. By a singular 
combination of circumstances it so happened that years afterwards 
Pomcroy did fall into Jameson's hands, when the latter proved as good 
as his word. Calling upon him to defend himself as best he might, Jame- 
son proceeded to .administer to him condign and exemplary punishment. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



a satisfaction to patriotic citizens to learn that it was to 
inure to the benefit of one who had so well approved 
himself as a friend of freedom. It is believed that his 
dealings with the delinquents were characterized bj- 
forbearance. 

After Ids arduous services in the Revolution, and in 
the organization of the Department of War, Gen. Knox 
felt that he had earned the right to retire to private life. 
The possession of this vast tract opened before him a 
prospect that was particular!}' attractive to a mind that 
was fitted b}' nature and habit to deal with great things. 
lie planned to make his home upon his estate, and to 
identify', in the closest manner, his own interest with the 
interest of the community. In preparation for his 
removal hither, he caused to be erected near the old 
fortress of St. George, and at an expense of $50,000, an 
imposing mansion.* 

To this mansion, to which Mrs. Knox gave the name 
of Montpelior, the General removed his family upon his 
retirement from public life in 1795. He opened it with a 
grand feast, to which all, rich and poor, were alike 
invited, and here he continued during his life-time to dis 
pense the most bountiful hospitality. f Among his dis- 
tinguished guests were Talleyrand and Louis Philippe. 
He entered upon the development of his estate with 
characteristic energy ; engaged very largely in the manu- 
facture of lime ; erected mills ; carried on extensive 
agricultural operations, and introduced new varieties of 
fruits and vegetables, and improved breeds of cattle and 
sheep. His extensive operations attracted new settlers, 
and contributed largely in many waj-s to the prosperit}^ of 
the community. But the maintenance of so extensive 
an establishment was a serious drawback upon his 
resources, and necessarilj' compelled him to relj' much 
upon others in the carrj'ing out of his plans ; his bene- 
volent disposition and ardent temperament sometimes 
involved him in unprofitable schemes, so that it is little 
wonder that the great estate was found at his death to be 
insolvent. 

The General died suddenly in 1805. He was buried 
with militarj' honors, and his remains now rest in the 
cemetery at Thomaston, marked by a monument erected 
by his wife. 

* " Nothing," says a late writer, " is now to be seen of tlic jiiazz.as, 
balconies, balustrades and other ornaments of the mansion ; the 
splendid gateway leading into what is now Knox Street, surmounted by 
the American eagle carved in wood; the walks, summer-houses, gar- 
dens, orchards, well-arranged grounds and forest openings. Time has 
gathered them all, with their reno^vlled author, and all the proud spirits 
or broken hearts that once composed his family, to their native 
dust." 

t It is related, that at one time he invited tho entu-o remnant of the 



In the war of 1812, the interest in this section mainly 
centered in the exploits of the privateersmen upon the 
coast. So closely was the coast guarded, that, at one 
time, a valuable cargo was transported to Boston hy ox- 
teams rather than risk the dangers of the sea. 

In the war of the Rebellion, Knox County furnished 
her full proportion of volunteers. Maj. Gen. Hiram G. 
Berr3', after making for himself a high reputation as a 
skilful officer, died the death of a brave soldier while in 
command of his division of the army of the Potomac on 
the bloody field of Chancellors-s-ille. J 

In closing this historical sketch, it is fitting that a 
tribute should be paid to the memory of the man by 
whose painstaking labors the record of so much that is 
interesting in the histor}' of the county has been pre- 
served. Cyrus Eaton was born at Framingham, Mass., 
in 1784 ; came to Maine as a teacher at the age of 20 
j-ears ; settled in Warren, and became by his own exer- 
tions a very learned man, proficient in various branches 
of science, and master of several languages. In 1845 
he became blind, and, assisted b}' his invalid daughter as 
amanuensis, turned his attention to the writing of the 
local histories for which he had been, in the intervals 
snatched from his other engrossing labors, collecting 
materials from the commencement of his residence in 
Maine. For accuracy, excellence of style and general 
merit, his works have seldom been equalled in their 
department of literature. Mr. Eaton received distin- 
guished honors from various institutions and learned 
societies, in recognition of his historical and other liter- 
ary labors. He died in 1874, having attained the patri- 
archal age of 90 j-ears. 

Towxs. 

Rockland. — On the division of the old town of Thom- 
aston in 1848, the eastern p.-irt was incorporated as East 
Thomaston. In 1850 the name was changed to Rock- 
land, and on April 17, 1854, it was incorporated as a 
city. Its harbor, connected with Penobscot Bay, is 
defined bj' two headlands, — Jameson's Point on the 
north, and Owl's Head on the south. The city is located 
on level land, so that it does not show to advantage from 
the harbor ; but from the promontory of Owl's Head, or 

Tarratine tribe to pay a visit to his estate, which they not only accepted, 
but prolonged for some weeks, until he was obliged to remind them that 
it was time for them to return home. 

+ His remains were brought for interment to Rockland, the city of 
his birth and residence, from the citizens of which he had frequently 
received the most conspicuous honors within their gift. A colossal 
statue of tho deceased hero, executed in Italian marble by Simmons, 
the celebrated Maine sculptor, and erected on a handsome pedestal, 
keeps guard over his last resting-place. 



from the loftj' hills which enclose the plain on the shore 
side, one obtains a fine \'iew of it. 

I Rockland has several tasteful public buildings. The 
post-office is a handsome and spacious structure of St. 
George granite, recently built, at a cost, including 

I grounds and furniture, of $142,000. 

I The coimty court-house was erected in 1874, at a cost 
of $80,000. 

j There are eight churches in town, the latest built and 
most expensive being the Universalist, erected in 1876, 
at a cost of $26,000. 

I There are three fine school-houses. Another prom- 
inent structure is the Farwell building, erected in 1871, 

I by Hon. N. A. Farwell and A. F. Ames, Esq. 

I The principal industry of Rockland is the manufacture 

! of lime, which is carried on here to a greater extent than 

I at any other place in the country. Quite a large fleet is 
employed in the transportation of tliis commodit)'. 

Thomaston, verj' pleasantly situated on the St. George 
River and K. & L. R. R., has fine and well-shaded 
streets, along which are many handsome and costlj' resi- 

I donees. The most conspicuous public building is the 
State prison, originally erected in 1824. The enclosure 
consists of several acres, but includes an abandoned 
lime-quarr3'. The principal buildings are of brick and 
stone, and are well adapted to their several uses. 

There are six church edifices in Thomaston, of which 

i that of the Congregationalists is the largest and hand- 
somest. The Baptist church is now being rebuilt in 
modem st3'le. 

I There are seven patent lime-kilns in the town. 

The building and sailing of vessels was, up to about 
1855, a leading industry in all the towns of the county 
bordering on the coast or having building pri^dleges on 
the tidal rivers. Since that time other interests have 
gradually come into prominence in most places ; but this 
one has retained its pre-eminence in Thomaston. The 
gentleman who has been most conspicuously successful 
in this business is Hon. Edward O'Brien, who is reputed 
a millionaire. Mr. O'Brien has recently created two 
funds of $10,000 each for the benefit, respectively, of the 
deser-i-ing poor of Warren and Thomaston, thus pro- 
viding for the permanent assistance of a class of whose 
claims he has always been mindful. 

Among Thomaston's distinguished lawyers may be 
mentioned Hon. John Euggles, once a U. S. senator ; 
Hon. Wm. J. Farley ; Hon. Jonathan Cilley, whose 
death in a duel while a member of Congress in 1839, 
was regretted as a national loss ; and A. P. Gould, Esq., 
who is very widely known as one of the ablest men in his 
profession. 



Camden has two principal villages, — Camden and 
Rockport, — each with its accumulation of capital and its 
pecuUar industries and attractions. Chief of these last, 
with Camden, is its fine mountain close at hand. Health 
and pleasure seekers are coming to find here a desirable 
summer resort. 

The town has an excellent water-power located on the 
Megimticook stream, the outlet of Canaan Pond, which 
having a surface of 500 acres, is an abundant reservoir. 
On this stream, which is only about three miles long, are 
14 water-powers, having an aggregate of 150 feet head, 
of which 10 are occupied. At the lower fall, only three 
rods from tide-water, is located the anchor- factory of H. 
E. & W. G. Alden. This is the only establishment of 
the kind in Maine. 

Some distance up the stream is the three-set woollen- 
mill of the Knox Woollen Company. The goods of 
their manufacture have a high reputation. 

D. Knowlton & Co. manufacture passenger and freight 
cars, water-wheels, ship's steering-wheels, capstans, 
pumps and windlasses. 

D. H. Bisbee manufactures yearly some 9,000 kegs 
of powder. 

Shipbuilding is carried on both at Camden and Rock- 
port ; and considerable capital is invested in navigation. 

Rockport has a good harbor. Its situation is verj^ 
picturesque, and its scenery pleasing. The manufacture 
of lime is here an important Industry. 

Warren. — Shipbuilding was largely carried on at 
Warren from an early to a comparatively recent period, 
but has been entirely abandoned. From 1770 to 1866, 
nearlj' 400 vessels were built there. At Warren village 
is situated a shoe-factorj', employing on the average about 
150 hands. Here also is located a four-set woollen-mill. 
At the falls, a little above Warren village, where is one 
of the very best of water-privileges, the manufacture of 
powder is carried on by E. Wason of Boston. 

Union. — The principal manufactory at Union is that 
of carriages. At South Union is a valuable water-privi- 
lege, where is situated Brown Brothers' manufactory of 
reed organs. 

The valley of the Georges is the best farming section 
of the county, and the inhabitants of Waircn, Union, 
Appleton, Washington and Hope are generally devoted 
to agricultural pursuits. Some lumber is manufactured 
at Washington, and at South Hope is a carriage and sleigh 
manufactor3', and also a door, sash and bUnd factory. 

The inhabitants of South Thomaston are interested 
in agriculture, and to some extent in granite-cutting and 
navigation. 

The town of St. George is greatly interested in navi- 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



gation, a large proportion of its citizens being seamen. 
The soil is general!}' poor, and the wealth of tlie town — 
for it is wealth}' and prosperous — has been mainly de- 

i rived from the sea. Here, also, are valuable granite 

I quames. 

I CusursG and Friendship have some agi-icultiu-al re- 
sources, and are also interested in na-vigation and fishing. 
The same remark will appl}' to North IIa-n-en, where, as 
also at ViKAL Haven, is a lobster-canning factor)'. The 
latter is a thriving place, and has dailj' steam communi- 
cation with Rockland. Its leading business is granite- 
cutting, which within a few years has, at this and other 
places in tlie county, assumed large proportions. The 
stone is a handsome graj' granite, susceptible of a high pol- 
ish, and very free from foreign substances, which would 
discolor or make imperfections in the wrought siuface. 

The works at Hurricane Island are owned and ope- 
rated by Gen. Davis Tillson of Rockland, his investment 
there representing over §100,000. He is a "West Point 
graduate, who, entering the service during the late war 
as captain of artUler}', attained to the rank of major- 
general. He employs ten engines of diiferent kinds, 
runs his drills by the force of compressed air, handles 
his granite b}' steam derricks and transports it b}' steam 
cars over iron tracks which he has laid from the wharf to 
diiTerent parts of the quarrj'. His largest contract has 
been for the furnishing of the granite for the .St. Louis 
post-office. At present he has about 200 men, but has 
employed 800. 

Off the coast of South Thomaston lies Dix Island, 
some 50 acres in extent, which, with some larger but com- 
parativelj- unimportant islands, constitutes the Muscle 



Ridge Plantation. Here extensive granite operations 
were commenced at an earlier daj' than at any other 
point on the coast. While working on the contract to \ 
furnish the granite for the New York post-office 1 ,500 ; 
men were at one time emploj'cd, and then the little island 
was a busj' place indeed. 

Farther south, at Spruce Head, on the coast of St. 
George, are two quarries of very valuable building gran- 
ite, extensively worked. Still farther south is Clark's 
Island, so close to the main land that it is connected 
by a bridge, where an extensive granite business is also 
conducted. The next quarrj' in order is at Long Cove. 
No granite is handsomer, more durable, more readilj- 
accessible for shipment, or more generally desirable than 
that which is found in inexhaustible quantities along the 
coast and on the islands of Knox County. 



To«xs 


Population. 


Date of 




18T0. 


Incorporation. 








cimdcn," .:::::: 


4,.512 


Feb. 17, 1791 


Cusln.i- 


7U4 


Feb. 7, 1803 


Fricndsliip 


890 


Feb. 25, lb07 


Hope, 


907 


June 23, 1804 


Korth Haven 


806 


June 30, 1846 


Eockland, 


7,074 


July 28, 1848 


South Thomaston, 


1,C93 


July 28,1848 


St. Georpe 


2,318 


Fel,. 7, 1803 


Tliomaston 


3,092 


March 20, 1777 








Vinal Haven 


mi 




Warren 


1,974 




Washington 


1,276 


Feb. 27, ISll 


Matinicus I'lantation, 


277 




JIusclcKidse Plantation, . . . . 


263 


_ 


Hurricane Isle 


30,823 


Feb. 7, 1878 



LIXCOLX COUXTY."- 



BY U. K. SEM'ALL. 



The rugged shores of Lincoln County were among tlio 
very first on this continent to be visited and explored b^' 
modern Europeans. f 

As early as 1G05, De Monts, a French navigator, hav- 
ing wintered near the present site of Calais, on the St. 

* Lincoln County contains the follOTving towns : Alna (population 
in 1870, 740) ; Boothbay (3,200 ; Bremen (797) ; Brbtol (2,917) ; Dara- 
ariscotta (1,241) ; Dresden (996) ; Edgccomb (1,057) ; Jefferson (1,821) ; 
Monhegati Plantation (145) ; Newcastle (1,732) ; Noblcborough 1,150) ; 
Somerville (505) ; Southport (634) ; "VValdoborough (4,174) ; Westport 
(740) ; Whitefield (1,603) ; and Wiscasset (1,977). 



Croix, cast anchor in the mouth of the Kennebec, and 
took possession of the shores of this, and of the adja- 
cent territor}'. This French voyager described the 
region as a country of remarkable features, and left 
on its rocks the national emblem I of French dominion. 

t That it must also have been visited by the Northmen, nearly 1,000 
years ago, seems evident from the Runic characters found on its rocks ou 
the little island of Monanas, in a ravine near the " Fog Bell." Whether 
wrought by hand, or traced by nature, the characters are certainly unique- 

J A rudimentary "Jleur de Its," cut into and across the solid granite 
<.f Damariscove. 



This same j'car, Capt. George Wej-mouth, of the 
" Archangel," sailing northward from Cape Cod, on the 
1 7th of Maj', came in sight of, and shortly after touched 
at, that prominent landmark of voyagers on this coast, 
Monhegan, an island about six miles from shore, and 
some six miles in circumference, and which was soon 
destined to become the most prominent point of traffic 
on the coast of Maine.* 

With a small armed party, WejTiiouth early proceeded 
to the adjacent mainland, exploring the shores of the 
region, and taking an abundance of fish. These surveys 
uncovered a countrj' magnificent bej-ond all anticipation. 
It was a surprise and wonder of hill-tops, intervals, 
mast-pines, and spar- timber, with "stands of old oak 
trees, like pasture oaks of England." 

Shortly- after his arrival in these waters, Capt. Wey- 
mouth was visited by the natives in large numbers, for 
purposes of traffic, eager to exchange valuable furs for 
, knives, hatchets, beads and other trinkets — an expres- 
j sion of confidence and good-will, on the part of these 
untutored children of the forest, rewarded by an act of 
the grossest and most unpardonable perfidy — the kid- 
napping of five Datives and conveying them to England ;t 
an act that, by the suspicions it awakened, and the bit- 
terly revengeful spirit to which it gave rise in the breasts 
of the savages, went far to lay the foundation of those 
long-protracted and almost unparalleled Indian atrocities 
that subsequentl}', above quite every other section of 
the country, desolated and depopulated the province of 
Maine. 

The region | visited by Weymouth, in consequence of 
his glowing representations of the same, became a sub- 
ject of all-absorbing interest in England. It was said 
that nowhere on earth could be found more sunny skies, 
a more genial clime, or more fertile soil. The forests 
were of unspeakable gi'andeur, the water of crj-stal pu- 



* Capt. Weymouth thus describes this island : " It is a round, high 
isle, with a smaller island, Monanas, near, between which is the harbor. 
It is woody gi'own, with fir, birch, oalc and beech. On the verge arc 
strawberries, wild pease, and wild rose." To Capt. John Smith it was 
a wonder " that such trees could grow upon craggy clitTs, rocks and 
stony isles, the rcmarltablcst he ever saw." 

t The names of these captives were : Nahanada, Sldtterwarrocs, Tis- 
quantum, or Squantum, Assecommet and Dchamida. These were all 
men of ranlc. It is pleasant to add, that they were all kindly treated, 
and subsequently rcturaed to their native land, serving often most im- 
portant and useful purposes as interpreters and guides. One of these, 
Squantum, visited at an early period the Pilgrim Fathers at Plymouth. 
Forgetting the crime of the wicked men who stole him, he became the 
warm friend of those who proved his benefactors. 

t This region was called Pemaquid, doubtless from a pond and river 
by that name in the vicinity. It probably embraced Pemaquid Point, 
the site of the ancient town and harbor of Pemaquid, and much of the 
acljacent territory now embraced in the town of Bristol. 



rity, and it was a luxury to breathe its salubrious air. 
(Abbott.) Deemed thus the fairest clime in the New 
World, naturally it was thought to be a most desirable 
spot for the location of colonies. 

In 1C07 the Plymouth Company, § having obtained a 
grant including all this Pemaquid territorj', sent out 
thereto, under Gov. George Popham and Kaleigh Gilbert, 
a colon}'. Aug. 18, 1G07, after a long and careftd 
cruise among the neighboring shores, seeking for a suit- 
able site for planting their enterprise, a landing was 
finally made, as is supposed, at the mouth of the Saga- 
dalioc (Kennebec), at the extremity of the peninsula 
called Phipsbm-gh.|| The settlement took the name of 
the Sagadahoc Colony. For a while it prospered ; but 
its excellent governor, Popham, having died, and the 
colony in consequence fallen into anarchj-, the enterprise, 
after a trial of about one j^ear, terminated in a disgrace- 
ful and most discouraging disaster. 

In 1614 Capt. John Smith arrived at Monhegan Is- 
land, and went at once to the Kennebec, where he traded 
profitably with the Indians, explored the coasts, and 
compiled a short historj' of the country. This eminent 
voyager, however, left no permanent impress on the 
countr}'. 

Monhegan, the first, or one of the first spots in Maine 
permanentlj' peopled by Em'opeans, was settled in 1622. 
The earliest inhabitants of this island were fishermen and 
traders. Indeed, Monhegan early became probalilj' the 
most important depot for fishing and trading vessels on 
this coast. Meanwhile settlements of a similar nature, 
by a similar population, sprang up also on the mainland, 
and along the adjacent shores. So rapidl}-, indeed, did 
this region, during this period, make advances in thrift 
and population, that it verj' soon came to be far more 
important and conspicuous in these regards than even 
its better known, though apparently languishing neighbor. 



§ The Plymouth Company was an association of English gentlemen, 
formed to plant colonics in the newly found Eden of Pemaquid and 
Sagadahoc. The members of this company, intelligent, far-seeing, 
Christian men, desiring to send the glad tidings of the gospel to 
their benighted brethren of the wigwam and forests, and realizing 
that religion and civilization should go hand in hand, determined to 
send to the shores of the Pemaquid and Sagadahoc the artisan and 
scliool-master, as well as the Bible, the Christian teacher and organized 
church. 

II It is an interesting fact, that the first Protestant sermon ever 
preached on the continent of America was probably delivered by Kev. 
Richard Seymour, chaplain of Popham's colony, upon the occasion of 
the solemnization of the inauguration of this colony, on Phipsburgh 
Point, in August, 1607. It is also probable thivt the previous 9th d.ay of 
this same month, was the first time since the world's creation that God, 
as revealed to us in the person of his Son Jesus Christ, was worshipped 
on that portion of the world's surface called Maine. The worshippers 
were the Popham Colony at Sagadahoc. 



HISTORY OK NEW KNGLAND. 



I'lyiM.iiitli. Diiriii^r tlic Kiiuiiiici- iiioiillis, ((iiilc a llcci, of 
vchscIh iiiif^lil hiivi! Iiccii Hccn rilling ill, aiiclior in ilH 
wiitciH. \Vcll-iii!iimf(l lioiitH wen! coriliiiiiiilly uli'liiif^ to 
and fro in all (lircclionH anionj^ the iHliuid.s iind aluii{^ tiiu 
BliorcH, cujinf^ril in (iKliing and llio I'nr tnuic. 

I'(!tna(jnid i-Hpccially made rapid jirof^rcHH at UiiH (,im(!. 
Two ItiiliHli incrclianlH liad j)ui'clias('d it on coiKlition 
tiiat they wonld, at tluiir own coHt transport colonists 
Uktc, and cstalilisli u Hcttlcnictit. In conscqucnco of 
this measure, not only did itra))i(lly incrcaso in population, 
but ft lii'ltcr class than tins rudi; sailors and lishcrincn of 
former years novv lief^an to conio in. Farinera and 
nir(lmiii<s came. A brisk trade in(!anwliilo was opened 
with I'lynioiith, Hhallo|)-loads of corn being exchanged 
for fnis. A court also was cHtablishe(l here, I'ematjuid 
thus bet'oming th(! centre not only of trade, but of law, 
for lli(^ new anil oix'ning region. 'I'Ik; situation of I'enia- 
(|Mid, which was the most eligible inMJjil.nid iii:ir IMoullo- 
giiii, \v:is very alluring. It had a line, deep h.nbor, and 
was every way J'ininently adaptecl to conujiereiid cnter- 
l)rise. Natiu'ally, therefore, it early became (|uile the 
busiest spot on the Ts'ew Knghind coast. It is said, in- 
deed. Hint, at Ihe time of which we write it was a more 
iiiipoi(:iiil, port even than Quebec, the capital of tianada. 
Cerlnin it is that subse(|ucntly it became by far the most 
inemoralih; locality on tlui coast of ISIaiue.* 

Settlements increased rai)idly in various direetioiis 
and spread inland. Jt is probable that during tlu^ year 
1(i23 individuals (M)nuneneed a ])ermanent residence 
npon Arrowsic Islaial, near the mouth of tlu! Saga- 
dahoc, and upon the mainland ut the entrance of the 
river at Shec^pscol, and at Damariseolta. Seven years 
later it was reported that not less than HI families, 
besides (Ishermen, weiv residing along thc' const in this 
region. 

and various industri<'s d.^vi'lopc.! .■nid eslMliJislied. An 
account of tht! country at this time sets forth that tla^ 
whole coasts of the sea had become studded with Knglish 
houses, well linilt and in excellent condition, rem.-iipiid, 
IJoothbay, and Monhegan were now filled with dwellings 
and stages for ilshcrnum, and withal had i)lenty of cattle, 
aralile lands and marshes. The seaeoast was well in- 
habited. The lisheries Were llourishing, while th(^ Kng- 

• l'iinii(|iil(l I'lilnt, wiiH tlio »lto of llio ancient town nnil Inirbor of 
l'iiim(|iilil. 'I'lhiiiKli nut nhirtly i)rc-lil»ti)rli', yet this region, by vlrtno 
of llm rcllcH of a im.st lilHloiy, ami an extinct clvlIl/.ntlon, with wlilili it 
iilioiiiidx, iH liivi'Nti'd Willi a MtninKO, 11 fiiHelnnlini; Interest. Tlitnk of 
luxuriant llrlilH now coverInK the groniul where 200 years ago the liam- 
lils Nlooil In whiwo iHiHy, thnniKed streets tlio nioeeaiiineU Indian and 
the ICnropean adventurer met In eogcr tniflle. " About this devoted spot 
armies have gnthcrod liko eagles tu tlio cureusH, and tliu din of wui', in 



lish, settled jiere in great numbers, had a largo country 
cleared and under improvi'iiient. 

]{ut the time cauK! at length when the Pemaquid 
couiitiy, (illed thus with separate and bustling hamlets, 
call(;d for a more stable government, and a more vigor- 
ous, cflicic'ut udministi-atioii of law. Unlike the settle- 
ments on the Massachusetts coast, this region had not at 
first been occupied by God-fearing and law-abiding men, 
but rather by a lawless class. The early and worthy cllbrts 
l)ut forth, and looking towards the Christian colonization 
of these parls, had, for tin; most ])art, i)roved abortive. 
Instead of the I'mitan and Cavalier, the reckless, un- 
prineii)led advcntuicr had takcin possession of this fair 
region. Many of the inhabitants wei'e runaway seamen. 
Some were fugitives from justice, and some were those 
vagr.'ints from civilization, who, by a strange instinct, 
seek seclusion from all religious and civil restraints. The 
stal(! of society, therefore, at an early day in this Pema- 
quid country, nattn'ally became distinguished for lawless- 
ness. Kveiy man followeil his own impulsi^s unchecked. 
The grossest innnoralilies hence ])revailed. The Indians 
were outraged and cheated in a way that rendered their 
subsequent nameless atrocities a natural, if not a merited 
retribution. TluTO was no Sabbath. No clergy were 
tliei-<! to ])roelaim the gospel of Jesus Christ, with its al- 
luring ])romises and wholesome resti-ainls. Yea, while 
the i>liysieal atmosphere was healthy and invigorating in 
the high(!st degi'ce, and the skies outrivallcd in sph'ndor 
the far-famed skies of Italy — one of those cases truly 
" WliiTC! every ])r<iM])ect i>leuHcH, 
Ami only man Jh vile," — 
it, would seem as if the elements of social and civil 
anarchy and disruption were from the fu'st fatally rife in 
th(! very constitution of the l'(^ma(]uid coummnilies. 
JMeantime, this region had come fortunately to ac(iuirc 
such notoriety, thrift and poi)ulousncss, as a colonial de- 
pendence, as to Hcem a prize which even a king might 
covet. On INIareh If), lOfil, accordingly, by royal grant, 
this whole l'ema(|uid country became the estate, and was 
mad(^ a Province of the Duke of York. 

This gi-!int of a ducal estate, embracing the ancient 
plantations of Popham, Ciorges on the adjacent islands 
of the Damariscove, Monhegan, and the " Sheejiseot 
farms," with Cape-ne-wagon, on the .MIi of September, 

all llN aci-uiuulaliil horrors of l)lood and enrnnKO, haH raped. The slilps 
of eonteiidiuK nallons have tln^'ed Us waters with hnnmn gore, and 
IKiuicd Uirir iron hall In Ihe destructive broadsides npon Its fortilleii 
jihuc's, till tlunnthless storm has swept Its streets and crushed out at 
t)iue the life and cnerjiy of its defenders. Here the red man with howl 
of dellame, and the white man with the sulidncd voice of prayer, have 
bitten tin) dust togetlier, andd the shrieks of forlorn women and helpless 
elilldren."— ^nciViii Dominions of ilaint. 



MAINE. 



1005, was organizod into a count}' and cuUiul C^ornw.-ill. 
Tlio ancient I'cinucniid colonial plantations tluis were at 
once aggr(!gatcJ into a dnla^doin, and made tiic nortli- 
euHt(Ta county of the State of New York. " SliccpH- 
cot Farms," at the same tiino, was incorporated into a 
town, created a sliirc of the new count}', and called New 
Dartmouth. Tlio commercial capital of tlio new county 
was called Jamestown, of wliieh New Harbor was an 
ea.st('ru sul)url). New Dartmouth inland, and J.-unes- 
town at tlio seaside, made I'emaquid tlio metropolis of 
tlio " Kastern Parts." " Old Shccps-cott," the "Farms" 
of early days, and in thrift tho " Oardc^n of tho East," 
iu its coqiorato relations of New Durt-month,* cm- 
))riiciul a district of If) miles in width Ix'twcu^n tho Ken- 
iicl)(!C and Damariseotta rivers, and to tho sea. Tlu; 
town was laid out on a nock of land covering tho site of 
an earlier poj)ulation, a dozcm miles or moro inland, 
north-west of Jamestown. Jamestown, tho metropolis 
l)roi)er of tho remaquid Colony, was a compactly Imilt 
village', and, besides its commercial importance, was tli<! 
seat of tho gciKTal government and crown officers. The 
remains of 182G show that more than 300 cellared build- 
ings covered tho site of this ancient town. 

A Court of Gi^neral .Sessions sat at JameKtown, of 
which Henry Jocclyn, Esq., was chief jiistiec!, till KlH'i. 
Tho early admiiiistration of tho law hero was of a \>vi>- 
prietary, or feudal jurisdiction. 'J'iiis was at l('nglh 
replaced by a colonial or ducal governor, C<j1. Richard 
Nichols was tho first governor. Lovclaco succeeded 
him. Then caino Sir Edmund Andros. Keligioiis in- 
structions were provided for by law. For tho promotion 
of piet}', it was onlcred tli.'it a fit pi^isou ])o apiioiiitcd 
to read prayers and the Holy Scriptures. 

Fort Charles was si tuat(^d on the soiith-west atigh; of 
the village, at tho month of the; hailtoi, ho as to cover 
its entrance (150 feet wide only) and all its sea ap- 
jiroaches. 

T'lider tho new r/-gimo tho various fragmentarj' settle- 
ments just named w('r(! reduced t > soniething like a gov- 
ernment, and ord(;r reigned. It is an interesting fact, 
by no means unworthy of notice in this connection, that 
Lincoln County, while it yet existed as tho county of 
Cornwall, with a view to moro effectually hedging in tho 

• The remnlno of prndcd Btrccts and tho rtilnn of a hundred or moro 
cellars, — many of them ntoncd, — oullliicH of iiiibllc l)ulldln;,'» of larKO 
capacity, remains of shipyards and other relies of a cultivated, dense 
and thrlftfiil people have hien unearthed hero U> an extent startling to 
the antiquarians of the d ly. Tho shipyard, liy tradition. Is pointed out 
as that In which tl]« flrst governor of the I'njvlneo of MassachusettH, 
Ijoni in Maine of parents resident at IVmaquld, Kir Wni. Thlps, worlicd 
I at Ills trade and built a ship, wliich, In King Philip's war becanio an 
ark of safety to tbo Shccpseot people. It may be added, that next to 



evils of iiitciiipcraiicc, jiiid legally restraining tho liso of 
intoxicating drinks as a bi^verage, as early as Nov. 22, 
1(>8;5, ])assed a stringent proliibil-ory liquor huv; an 
enactment, surely, that spi'aks well for the patriolism and 
t(!m()eranco prillcipl(^s of the old Cornwall men — the 
fathers of the jin^sent Liiiiiiln Couiily. 

At the outbreak of King I'hilip's war, tli(! HclXKanenls 
of Cornwall, scatU^nid oviT a widi; extent, embraced 
some .'too families. A long and fruitful state of aniily 
and int(!rcourse had been maintained in tho Dukes I'rov- 
iuco on tho part of tho settlers, with tho environing sav- 
ag(^8, and this largely in virtue of tho I'lunaquid iiillii- 
(!nec and administration of afl'airs. From the first, 
mutual fri(!ndsliip, confidence and good fc'i^ling liiul pro- 
vaih^d. But th<! time aiiproaclies wlicii this long-(!stab- 
lisluid confidence and good-will is to bo rmli'ly sunden'd, 
and the Colony is to taste tli(! horrors of merciless, 
savage warfare. 

'J"ho first hostile invasion of tlu' Kcniu'licc or Sagada- 
hoc region dining King riiiTqi's war was b}' certain west,- 
eru Indians and others of the Kennebec tribe. TluMr 
(thief was captured, taken to Hoston, condeiinie(l to death, 
and executed. Tho long and p<'ac< liil icikjso of th<! 
Cornwall settlemtmts was now bioNiii up. 'I'henciiforth, 
until 1700, the Indians held the country in terror. Tins 
towns of these as well as other settlitments W(tr(! sackiid, 
pillaged and burned, and tlus iiihubitants ruthlessly 
slaughtered. With tomahawk and torch, with only brief 
intervals of rei)ose, the savages ravaged and dcisolatcid 
the fields and the homes of the territory. 'J'riie, afler 
the cessation of I'hilip's war, Cov. Andros inaugurated 
measures to reston; the inhabitants of tli(! Ducal prov- 
iii(!0 to tlu'ir homes, and to (■stablish them in their 
wont(!d pursuits; and, for a sctason, ])ros])i'rily r<!vived 
in tliiisc desolated and abandoned homesteads of Corn- 
wall. Nay, during the next decade this old count}' is 
said to have reach(!d its highest eminence and infliHuieo. 
Jamestown of ]'enia()uid exulted anitw in metropolitan 
prid(!, and power, and thrift, and was onco more a 
centre of cultivated social influence, and tli(! si'at of 
official and commercial activity and eiiter|)rise. 'J'his 
pctriod of rccuporation and of prosperity, however, was 
desline<l to be of but brief continuance!. Taking ad- 

tho mounds of the W(;Ht, tho niitiM of tho Colorado and Its trlhutarlcs, 
tho licad-waters of tho Darnariseotia and Klicepseot abound In i>re-lils- 
torlc remains. Noruml)ega, tho lost clly of New Kiigland ; tlio shell 
Iicaps of tho Oyster and Damariseotta, tho work of unknown Iiaiids j 
tho offal of focdlTig generations, or of eoneeutrated tliraisands of human 
beings, with their treaHiiri;s of a lost history In relies of stono ami m«- 
tallle aKjpcrago and broniso and fragments of pottirry, all mark the sites 
of homes of a long-lost people whoso Industries onco gave life and 
Interest to tho heart of Lincoln County. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



vantage of the anarch}- of the defenceless and disordered 
state of affairs in the settlements incident to the revolu- 
tion of 1688, the savages, led by one Moxas, entered 
upon a career of rapine and massacre, that resulted 
practically in the complete desolation and depopulation 
of Cornwall Count}-. 

Gov. Phips, the first ro3-al governor of the new prov- 
ince under William and Mary, naturally desirous of 
doing something, if possible, for the recovery from the 
dominion of the savage of the land of his birth, and the 
home of his youth, and to restore the same to its ancient 
importance and thrift, himself visited the Pemaquid 
countr}', and ordered that the fort (Fort Charles, which 
had been reeentlj' destro}-ed,) be rebuilt, while Maj. 
Church was detached, with adequate forces, to punish 
the savages and restore peace. No sooner, however, 
was this fort rebuilt (named Fort William Henrj'), — 
then regarded as one of the largest and strongest for- 
tresses in North America — thau the French and Indians 
under Iberville, Aug. 15, 1G96, invested and finally re- 
duced it. And now accordingly, for the second time, 
Pemaquid and its defences were overthrown, the town 
sacked, the fort dismantled, and Pemaquid became a 
desolation, and old Cornwall a homeless, depopulated 
wild, — a condition in which it was destined to remain 
for a generation following. 

The Pemaquid countrj' now presented a sad picture 
indeed. More than 100 miles of seacoast in this part of 
Maine, once adorned with flourishing settlements, im- 
proved estates, and comfortable habitations, now lay in 
mournful desolation. In the long reign of fire and pil- 
lage and war all title-deeds and records had been swept 
away. Nay, with the lapse of years, even the sites of 
towns, clearings, plantations and homesteads had re- 
turned to their original solitudes. 

But this once populous and thriving country could not 
always remain a desert. The exuberance of a virgin 
soil, the value of the fisheries, and the vast resources 
of mast and spar timber abounding here, could not but 
in time draw public attention again to these wastes of 
war in the heart of Lincoln Count}'. 

It was not, however, till 1729 that the permanent 
ro-peopling of Lincoln County began to take place. At 
this time a new era opened upon these war-worn planta- 
tions of Pemaquid. The home government seems to 
have retained its ancient appreciation of the value of the 
Pemaquid country, and at this date detached Col. David 
Dunbar, an officer in the Irish army, as a commissioned 
surveyor-general of the king's woods, and governor, to 
serve in the eastern parts of New England. Landing 
at Pemaquid, on the ruins of Fort William Henry, he 



restored the walls, and repaired the breaches of this 
ancient stronghold, and named it Fort Frederick. Es- 
tablishing his headquarters amid the ruins of James- 
town, he there introduced the Presbyterian church ser- 
^■\ce, and at once set vigorously about settling the 
country. His first movements were directed to the loca- 
tion and laying out of towns and cities on most eligible 
sites. He projected a city on Pemaquid Point, and laid 
out the towns of Harrington, Walpole and Townsend. 
This latter embraced the ancient Cape-ne- wagon and its 
magnificent harbor and islands. Harrington covered 
the southern and western section of Bristol. With un- 
tiring zeal he applied his remarkable energy and powers 
to fill up the land with Protestant English emigrants. 
Fort Frederick was garrisoned with detachments of royal 
troops. He commissioned agencies and stimulated their 
activity by land grants to actual settlers, each being 
assigned a homestead of 10 or 12 acres, with adequate 
proportionate back-grounds of 100 acres. Emigration 
now poured in apace. Multitudes were allured to the 
shores of this rock-bound and hill-topped Pemaquid 
countr}-, — a population whose descendants to this day 
form most of the inhabitants of Lincoln County. Grad- 
ually the towns of the county, including Townsend, 
Harrington, Walpole, Medomack, Frankfort and Wis- 
casset Point became once more so populous, that a fur- 
ther change in the civil organizations in the creation of 
a new county was required by the exigencies of the 
public convenience. 

Lincoln County was organized in 1760, the new 
county being incorporated the plantation of Frankfort, 
and the "new town" of Wiscasset Point being erected 
into a naunicipality at the same time, the latter being 
named Pownalboro' after Gov. Pownall of Massachu- 
setts. 

The name of the county was undoubtedly derived 
from Lincoln, Eng., a city famous for its antiquity 
and its noble cathedral, and the birth-place of Gov. Pow- 
nall. 

Newcastle, the " Sheepscot Farms," the old shire of 
New Dartmouth, was incorporated June 19, 1753. Its 
corporate existence, antedating the county organization, 
was due largely to the influence of the Rev. Christopher 
Tappan. 

Bristol, the territory of the ancient metropolis of 
Pemaquid, was organized into a separate town, named 
as above, June 18, 1765. 

Pownalboro' was broken up into the towns of Dees- 
DEK and Alna, the original municipality being reduced 
to Wiscasset Point Precinct, which latter was incorpora- 
ted as Wiscasset in 1802. 



Edgecomb was incovporatcd March 5, 1773. It was 
formerly known as the plantation of Free Town, because 
its territory did not come within the bounds of any of 
the ancient disputed proprietary claimants, the same 
being the old purchase of the Indians called " Mason's 
and Jewett's Neck," running south to Poen's Mouth 
settled by Samuel Trask, under the Boston and Wis 
casset proprietors. 

NoBLEBOROUGH, previously known as Walpole, was 
incorporated Nov. 20, 1788, and named by Arthur No- 
ble, one of the heirs of the proprietor. 

Jefferson was incorporated, Feb. 24, 1807. 

Damariscotta, originally a part of Nobleborough and 
Bristol, was incorporated July 26, 1847. 

In 1828, the town of Bremen was organized, em- 
bracing the " Pierce Plantation " of 1G21 in the Pema- 
quid countrj', thus reducing the territorj' of Bristol by 
cutting off its " Muscongus Precinct," and erecting it 
into a new town. 

BooTHBAV, in like manner, was shorn of its western 
precinct, the "Island of Cape-ne-TVagon," which now 
constitutes a distinct municipality called Southport, and 
the western precinct of Edgecomb, the ancient " Squam 
Island" (spring clam place), was erected into the town 
of Westport, while the northern extremity of White- 
field, watered by the feeders and milling streams of the 
Sheepscot River, was incorporated into a new town. It 
was " Patrick Town Plantation," but is now Somerville, 
and distinguished for its milling and agricultural facili- 
ties, while the ancient " Monhegan Island " remains still 
a plantation. 

June 29, 1773, the ancient Muscongus plantation on 
Broad Bay, resettled by Gen. Waldo's efforts, and a 
Dutch population, was incorporated as Waldoboro', in 
honor of the proprietor and patron of the settlement. 

Lincoln County-, at the time of its organization, had 
a population of 4,347, and Pownaltown, its capital, 889. 

The East Parish meeting-house was completed in Maj', 
1771 ; and in 1773, the parish was duly organized. 

The first ripple of Kevolutionarj' excitement appeared 
here in raising a committee of correspondence in re- 
sponse to letters sent from Boston to Pownalboro' in 
1773. Jonathan Williamson, Abiel Wood, Thomas Rice 
and John Page were that committee. The ground tliej' 
took was eminentl}' patriotic, and jxt conservative, 
expressing sorrow for the general uneasiness, and a 
desire to see it removed, and by the enforcement of 
charter rights. The committee also expressed the desire 
" that the tic between the mother countr\-, might last till 
the end of time, provided, government was administered 
in the good old way." 



The controversy deepened. Supplies were laid in for 
the emergencies of war, and a delegate to the Provincial 
Congress at Watertown chosen Ma^^ 31, 1775; and 
Thomas Rice was sent to the General Court at Boston. 
Charles Cushing of Pownalboro', was elected general of 
the militia, but no soldiers were detailed for service. 
Moses Da\is of Edgecomb was chosen another repre- 
sentative to the Provincial Congress. 

In Maj', 1776, Gen. Cushing and Thomas Rice were 
chosen representatives to " attend, one at time, in- 
structed, that if the Continental Congress shall de- 
clare for independence they should support the measures 
thereof." 

Some 90 families resided in Bristol at the date of the 
Revolutionary period. The place at this time was cov- 
ered with garrison houses. Fort Frederick was the great 
central refuge in times of danger. Rev. John Murray 
was sent by that town as representative to the Provincial 
Congress at Watertown. He was a Presbj'terian clerg}-- 
man, and pastor of the Boothbay church, organized 
Dec. 22, 1763. 

The people of the seacoast of Lincoln suffered much 
in the Revolutionary struggle. During the war large 
drafts were made from Bristol for service on land and 
the sea, into which the people entered with zeal, suppos- 
ing thej' were defending their homesteads, and it is 
alleged at least one-fourth of the inhabitants enlisted 
during the conflict. 

Fort Frederick was often assailed, and by vote of the 
town. May 2, 1774, the walls of Pemaquid Fort were 
pulled down. The reason was, the fear of the seizure 
of the fort bj' British forces. 

Lincoln Count}-, during this period, was infested with 
the usual amount of Toryism ; and sometimes here, as 
elsewhere, the patriot masses, under more or less provo- 
cation, degenerated into lawless and riotous mobs, and 
were guilty of acts of gross and illegal violence upon 
the persons and property of the reputed Tories ; and 
sometimes these Tories made daring and successful re- 
prisals upon their persecutors. One John Jones, a sur- 
veyor, a resolute, independent fellow, having been once 
imprisoned, and otherwise annoyed in consequence of 
his royalist sentiments, at length determined to be re- 
venged, and accordingl}^ went to Halifax, obtained com- 
mand of a company of men, returned bj' night to Pow- 
nalboro', and actually succeeded in kidnapping Gen. 
Charles Cushing, and conveying him safely to Halifax. 

From the ratification of peace to the war of 1812, 
Wiscassct Point enjoyed great commercial prosperity-. 
The harbor was filled with ships. Ship-building became 
an extensive industry'. Immense rafts of timber and 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



lumber from the Kennebec came to the Point for dock- 
age and export. The "West India trade was hicrative. 
Banks and insurance companies were organized and 
prospered. The Point was famed for its genial and 
princely hospitality, and the culture and courtesj' of her 
leading business men. 

Fort Edgecomb, on Folly Island, which makes the 
north shore of Hooper's Narrows, opposite Wiscasset, 
was constructed in 1808-9. The fortification was a 
ver3' imposing structure, and its aspect, as -Niewed from 
the sea, was formidable. 

Wiscasset and its deep water-ways was then, as it 
still is, the gateway to the capital of Maine, and in 
strategic importance the key to the heart of the State. 

War clouds are again seen looming up on the horizon. 
The non-intercourse and embargo acts had begun to tell 
fearfully on the material interests of Lincoln County, 
and especially on its capital town, Wiscasset. Then 
followed the convulsions and blight of the war of 1812, 
with Great Britain. 

One of the most gallant sea-fights of this war took 
place off Pemaquid coast, between the American sloop 
"Increase," commanded by Com. Tucker, already a 
veteran, of Bristol, and a British privateer schooner, 
commanded by Capt. Jennings, resulting in the capture 
of the latter by the venerable American commodore, 
with verj- slight loss. This Tucker, tlje hero of this 
transaction, was no less a person than Com. Samuel 
Tucker, who commanded the U. S. frigate "Boston," 
appointed to convej- John Adams, minister to France, to 
that court in Revolutionar}- times. 

Another incident of great public interest occurred 
near the same place, off Pemaquid, Sunday-, Sept. 4, 
1813, in a naval conflict between the British brig 
" Boxer " and the U. S. brig " Enterprise." The action, 
which was most spirited, lasted about 40 minutes. 
Capt. Blythe, the English commander, fell in the early 
part of the engagement, and also Lieut. Burrows, in 
command of the American brig. The British being 
defeated, the sword of Capt. Blythe was brought and 
placed under the head of the A-ictorious, but d3-ing Amer- 
ican officer, who, on seeing it, murmured, " I die con- 
tented." 

The rival commanders were buried side by side, in 
Portland. Thej' were borne to their burial with impos- 



* In 1824 an event occuired which not only produced a profound im- 
pression on the people of Lincoln County, but upon the whole country. 
The brig " Betsey," engaged in the rum traffic, sailed from Wiscasset 
for Cuba Dec. 13, 182-4, with her customary cargo, but was wreclied on 
one of the islands of the Bahama group. The hapless crew there fell 
into the hands of a gang of blood-thirsty pirates, and by them were 



ing militarj- ceremonies, the same marks of respect being 
shown to each. 

The enemy suffered the loss of some 25 killed and 14 
wounded; and of the crew of the "Enterprise," one 
was killed and 13 wounded, 3 mortally. 

This sea-fight was in view of Edgecomb Heights and 
the Damariscove islands, inside Monhegan, as well as 
from the headlands of Pemaquid. Fishermen were near 
enough, in one instance, to notice the blood running from 
the deck of the "Boxer," and to see the lifeless and 
mangled remains cast from her into the sea. The thun- 
der of the cannonade filled the surrounding country, and 
fell heavily on manj' ears and hearts. These were dark 
days for Wiscasset, which was filled with soldiers. Bat- 
teries bristled all round the " Point." The fort at the 
Narrows was manned and guarded. Squara Heights 
opposite was occupied bj- a star-battery of six guns, 
commanding the river with a plunging fire, and protected 
bj- chevaux-de-frise of fallen timber trees, with sharp- 
ened branches bristling with pointed stakes, which 
ran across the island from river to river below the bat- 
teries. It was called Fort McDonough. In Boothbay, 
Rev. Mr. Sawyer had just named his text, when the 
boom of the cannonade began. The audience rose and 
rushed to the neighboring hill-tops, whence it had full 
■view of the ocean and the contending vessels. 

Bejond the usual routine,* no events of importance 
occurred in this county to disturb the ordinary develop- 
ment and progress of society-, after the close of the war. 
The revival of commerce, however, did not relieve Wis- 
casset Point of its business depression. Its wharves 
went to decaj'. Its warehouses became dilapidated, 
its shops rotted along its shores, and its merchants had 
gone into bankruptcy. 

But commercial disasters are not the onh' ones which 
have visited this region. 

In 1866 a fire broke out in the night-time, in the north 
tenement of what was known as the Taylor Block, 
which consumed the block and swept all below it, be- 
tween Water and Middle streets, and all the warehouses 
along the wharves, clearing the Point of every building, 
store and warehouse, with the buildings of the United 
States customs. The loss of propert}' was verj' consid- 
erable. 

On the 15th of December, 1870, a second fire broke 



mercilessly butchered, one Collins alone, a resident of Wiscasset, sur- 
viving to tell the tale. The story of that slaughter, and of CoUins's hair- 
breadth escape, is one of the most thrilling and blood-curdling on 
record. An effort was at once put forth to lid the Caribbean waters of 
pirates, which was effectually done by Com. Rogers and a detachment 
of the naval force of the United States. 



out. It originated in No. 15 Main Street, a grocery, 
and swept away all the buildings, stores and dwelling- 
houses, from Main Street south to the line of the fire in 
18GG ; and also, the remaining warehouses and wharf 
property east, within its range. The cold was intense, 
and the wind fierce from the north-west, with the ther- 
mometer at 20° above zero. The losses of this confla- 
gration were very heavy, in goods and merchandise and 
mechanical industries. Many families had barely time 
to escape in what thoj' had on. More than $G0,000 
worth of property was consumed, and from it the town 
has not jet fully recovered. 

In September, 1823, a season of unexampled drouth 
prevailed throughout Lincoln County, and on the 4th of 
that month devastating forest fires became ignited in the 
suburbs of " Wiscasset Point." For days together the 
heavens were hung in lurid volumes of smolie, which 
darkened the sun and oppressed respiration. The fire 
swept the northern section of the town, through Alna to 
the Sheepscot, consuming all in its way ; 79 houses were 
burned and 30 families made homeless. Fields, crops 
and timber were alike destroj-ed. Dismay and distress 
pervaded the region. One woman was burned to deatli. 
Another, and her children, went down into the well, and 
so escaped. The loss of property amounted to over 
$72,000. The town voted $500 to the suflTerers, and 
some $20,000 were contributed as a relief. 

The enterprise of the countj- has developed itself main- 
1}' at "VViscasset, in the project of a sj'stem of railroad 
connections, one of which is the Knox and Lincoln Rail- 
road, which traverses the seaboard towns of the countj' 
east and west, and will ultimately become a trunk thor- 
oughfare coastwise, and the Wiscasset and Quebec Rail- 
road, b}' the way of Point Levi, and the Levis and Ken- 
nebec Railroad, yet to be built, and which will make the 
commodious harbor and deep land-locked waters of Wis- 
casset, an entrepot-hnUveen London and the United States 
and Canadas, shorter and nearer by four daj-s than any 
other point in North America. The " strange fish pond" 



found in the sea at and about Monhegan, bj- Capt. John 
Smith, in 1G14, has become utilized in the manufacture 
of oil and fertilizing matter, of great economic and com- 
mercial value. 

In 18G4 a company erected factories for the manufac- 
ture of oil from menhaden, called porgie factories, in 
Bristol, since which the business has concentrated there 
and at Boothbay, tUl, in 1877, a capital of $1,083,G12 has 
become invested, and 17 steam factories erected and run 
in the producing of 7,959,459 gallons of oil and 89,981 
tons of fertilizing matter, of great value for agricultural 
uses. Bristol, Bremen and Boothbay, are now the cen- 
tres of this great industry. 

In 1872, a contract was made with tlie inhabitants of 
Wiscasset, to bridge the Wiscasset Point to Birch Point 
across Ilobson's Island, by Ira D. Sturgiss and others, 
with a view to the erection of extensive milling and ice 
works, on the peninsula of " Birch Point," a projection 
or spur of Cushman's Mountain north-easterly. In pur- 
suance of tliis contract, a first-class establishment of 
complete milling works and machiner}', driven by steam, 
was put up and went into active operation, together with 
ca[)acious ice-houses, in the interest of the Kennebec 
Land and Lumber Companj-. 

The culling of deal for the English market has been ( 
extensively and successfully carried on for the past five 
j-ears. The shipments of lumber to England from these 
works, and of ice to India and the South, have employed 
the heaviest tonnage known to New England commerce, 
the past 3'ear, and the industry is one of increasing mag- 
nitude and importance ; while, on the waters of the 
Sheepscot below, the ice works of the Knickerbocker 
Ice Compan}', have employed a very considerable ton- 
nage all the j-ear round, in the export of ice. 

Such is the existing state of the industries, population 
and condition of Lincoln Count}', whose centennial was 
duly celebrated at Wiscasset in accordance with the reso- 
lution of Congress, and the recommendation of the Pres- 
ident of the United States, on the 4th of July, 1876. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



OXFORD COUNTY 



BY WILLIAM B. LAPHAM, M. D. 



The ten years between 1750 and 1760, stand out in 
bold relief in American histoiy as a period which changed 
the destinj- of the whole continent. 

The peace following the French and Indian wars, was 
very grateful to the citizens of Maine, who for genera- 
tions had been in constant fear of their lives. Thej- 
bcgan to explore the interior of the State with a yiew to 
settlement, and the sound of the woodman's axe was 
soon heard far away from the seacoast. The valley of 
the Saco was visited by the English prior to 1725. The 
story of Lovewell's famous engagement with the Pequak- 
ett Indians, under their celebrated chief, Paugus, on the 
shores of Lovewell's Pond, in the present town of Frye- 
burg, has often been told. This was in 1725; and, 
although Lovewell was slain, and most of his band were 
either killed, or perished in the wilderness, yet was Pau- 
gus also slain, and the power of the tribe so brolcen, that 
they soon afterwards abandoned the hunting-grounds of 
their fathers and went to Canada. The fertility of the 
soil in the Saco Valley, and the fine crops of maize 
raised bj' the aborigines, were noted by Lovewell's party, 
and the survivors who returned to the settlements on the 
Merrimac, told marvellous stories of the wonderful 
resources of the section of country through which the}- 
had passed. In 1762, soon after the close of the war, a 
township of land on the Saco was granted to Gen. Joseph 
Frj-e, a native of Andover, Mass., and a famous soldier 
during the French and Indian wars. He commanded a 
regiment at the surrender of Fort William Henr}^, and 
was prominent in the struggles with the French in the 
maritime Provinces. This was the first grant made with- 
in the limits of Oxford County, and the town was named 
in honor of the grantee, Frj-eburg. The place began to 
be settled the following year. This was an important 
event, as it was the opening up of a large region, far 
into the wilderness, among the mountains, as an outpost 
of ci\-ilization, a rallying point for other settlements ; a 
sort of half-waj' house to the region of the Androscog- 
gin. Other grants were made, and settlements soon 
sprang up in Waterford, Bethel, Rumford, Paris, Hebron, 
Buckfield, Livermore and Turner, all within the original 
limits of the county of Oxford. 



The territory comprising the county of Oxford, was 
formerly embraced within the limits of the county of 
York, as in fact was the entire district of Maine. In 
1760, when Cumberland Count}' was organized, the terri- 
tor}' now comprising Oxford, with the exception of a few 
western towns, was included in the new count}-. Oxford 
County was erected by an act approved March 4, 1805, 
from portions of York and Cumberland, and by the same 
act, Paris was made the shire or county town. The 
southern tier of towns in the county were Turner, Hebron, 
Norway, Waterford, Lovell, Denmark, Hiram and Por- 
ter, and included all the territory north of these towns, 
between New Hampshire on the west, and Kennebec 
County on the east to Canada. 

At the time of the separation from Massachusetts in 
1820, Oxford County had the following incorporated 
towns : Fryeburg, Turner, Hebron, Buckfield, Paris, 
Sumner, Lovell, Albany, Andover, Newry, Porter, 
Woodstock, Sweden, Mexico, Joy, Livermore, Bethel, 
Waterford, Norway, Hartford, Rumford, Brownfield, 
Dixfield, Gilead, Denmark, Hiram, Greenwood and Weld. 
Since that time, Joy, Livermore, Turner and Weld, 
besides several unincorporated townships have been set 
ofl' to other counties ; Stowe, Stoneham, Roxbury, Upton, 
and Grafton have been incorporated from plantations, 
Oxford has been taken off from Hebron, and Hanover 
from Bethel. 

The scenery of Oxford County is unsurpassed by any 
in New England, and the mountainous region embracing 
it has sometimes appropriately been called the Switzerland 
of America. The White Mountains in New Hampshire 
are prominent objects towards the west, and lesser peaks 
of the same chain bound the horizon from the west to the 
north-east. The county is well watered. The principal 
rivers are the Androscoggin, the Little Androscoggin, 
Ellis River, the Saco, the Great Ossipee, and Crooked 
River. These, with numerous smaller streams, afford an 
immense water-power, a large portion of which is yet 
unimi^roved. 

When first settled, Oxford County was covered with a 
heavj' forest growth, consisting largely of pine, spruce, 
hemlock, rock-maple, beech and birch. The pine growth 



MAINE. 



ou the Androscoggin and Saeo, and in some other sec- 
tions, was large and vahiable, but the owners realized 
l)ut little from it. Most of the pine Las been cut, but 
there are still standing considerable areas of spruce, hem- 
lock and hard -wood growth. This is especially so in the 
northern part of the countj', iu the vicinity of and 
be3"ond the lakes. 

Previous to the construction of the Grand Trunk Rail- 
waj-, which was completed through the county in 1850, 
the people were accommodated bj' a stage-line, which 
arrived from Portland twice a week. The fanners also 
carried their produce to Portland market with their teams. 
A branch of this road leaves the trunk line at Mechanic 
Falls, and passes through Hebron, Buckfield, Sumner 
and Hartford, into Canton. 

The underlj'ing rock of Oxford County is granite, 
much of it in the form denominated gneiss. Small quan- 
tities of silver, gold, lead, zinc, arsenic, plumbago and 
iron, are found in various places, and many varieties of 
valuable minerals. At Mount Mica, in Paris, have been 
found the best known specimens of green and red tour- 
maline, and several other rare minerals. The rock- 
ribbed hills and mountains almost everywhere show 
diluvial workings, and the uneven surface in various 
jjarts is due to the deposit of drift. The soil is a sandy 
or gravelly loam, usually resting upon a solid bed of 
coarse gravel, called the "pan." It is generally strong 
and productive. Along the rivers are broad belts of 
interval formed of alluvial deposits mixed with vege- 
table mould. The hill-sides are well adapted to grazing, 
and there is no county in the State better suited to sheep 
husbandry*. 

Oxford Count}' has three agricultural societies; viz., 
Oxford County, West Oxford and East Oxford. Each 
of these societies is in a prosperous condition. 

The Indians who inhabited Oxford County were of the 
Abenakis nation. The Pequaketts who lived on the 
upper waters of the Saco were a sub-tribe of the Sokokis, 
or Sacos. The Anasagunticooks occupied the entire 
valley of the Androscoggin to Merrymeeting Bay. This 
was formerly a powerful tribe, and very fierce and war- 
like. Their implements have been found in great num- 
bers on the banks of the river, and more or less of them 
are annually turned up bj' the plough. The Anasagun- 
ticooks left for Canada about the year 1750, and settled 
on the St. Francis River. 

The county of Oxford has ever been prudent and 
economical in its expenditures, and its indebtedness is 
much less than that of many of the other counties. The 
county buildings are convenient and comfortable, but far 
from extravagant. The jail is often without a tenant, 



which speaks well for the morals of the people, and the 
terms of the court are brief. Tiie comity has a rural 
population mostly engaged in agriculture, and as a whole 
the inhabitants are industrious and thrifty. 

Towns. 

Frtebcrg. — March 3, 17G2, the General Court of 
Massachusetts granted to Gen. Joseph Frye a township 
of land, to be selected from the unoccupied lands on 
Saco River. The usual reserves for schools, the minis- 
trj' and Harvard College, were made. The line between 
Massachusetts and New Hampshire was then unsettled, 
and in running out the grant, the survej-ors by mistake 
went over the State line and took in more than 4,000 
acres, which now belong to Conway. Subsequently 
another gi-ant was made from lands lying to the north 
of Frj-eburg which was called Fryeburg Addition. This 
tract includes the valley of Cold River, and was incor- 
jjorated as Stow in 1834. 

Gen. Frye was the son of John Frye of Andover, 
Mass., and was born in that town in 1711. He was a 
justice of the peace, a member of the General Court, 
and a useful citizen. He was at the siege of Louisburg, 
and commanded a regiment at Fort William Henry on 
Lake George, when the fort was captured by Montcalm 
in 1757. After his surrender he was seized by the 
savages who formed a part of Montcalm's command, 
stripped of his clothing, and led to the woods with an 
evident design of torturing him to death. Arrived at 
the wood, Gen. Frje suddenly sprang upon his savage 
captor and killed him. He then made his escape, and 
after wandering about for several days reached Fort 
Edward. He died in Fryeburg in 1794. 

The same j'ear the grant was made some persons 
from Concord, N. H., came through the woods with their 
cattle and commenced clearings on the present site of 
Fr^yeburg village. The next j'ear, 1763, they brought 
their families. Nathaniel Smith with his family was the 
firet settler. In November of this year came Samuel 
Osgood, Moses Ames, John Evans and Jedediah Spring, 
with their families. In 17GG, Lieut. Caleb Swan* and 
his brother James Swan came to Fryeburg. The next 
year there was a large addition to the colonj- from Con- 
cord, Andover and Bradford. The winter and summer of 
17G6 marked a period of greatest privation and suffering. 
The settlers were obliged to send men to Concord, through 



» Lieut. Swan, a graduate of Il.irvard College, and who married 
Dorothy Frye, a niece of Gen. Joseph, was an officer in the French war 
and a valuable eilizcn of the new town. His son Caleb Swan, Jr., was 
paymaster-general under Washington's administration, and a man of 
ability and of the strictest integrity. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



the wilderness, on snow-shoes, for a supply of food. They 
returned with loaded hand-sleds, a distance of 80 miles. 
The settlement when fairly commenced, soon became 
prosperous. 

The town was incorjioratcd by its present name, Jan. 
11, 1777. A Congregational Church was organized 
Aug. 28, 1775, and Rev. William Fessenden, a gi-aduate 
of Harvard, was ordained pastor Oct. 11, 1775, continu- 
ing in this relation until his death. May 5, 1805. He 
was the father of Gen. Samuel Fessenden, a distin- 
guished lawj-er, and grandfather of Hon. William Pitt 
Fessenden. In the war for independence Frj-eburg bore 
an honorable part, sending some of its best citizens into 
the Continental army. 

Frj-eburg Academj' was incorporated Feb. 9, 1792, 
and has ever maintained high rank as an institution 
I of learning. Paul Langdon, a graduate of Harvard, and 
a son of its president, was the first preceptor. He was 
succeeded in 1801 b}' Daniel Webster, then a j'oung man 
unknown to fame. A new academy building was erected 
and dedicated in 1803. The first lawj-er in Frj'eburg, 
and in fact the first in what is now Oxford Countj-, was 
Judah Dana, Esq., a native of Pomfret, Vt. He came 
to Frjeburg in 1798. Daniel Webster was at one time 
his student. 

Fryeburg is situated south of, and in full view of the 
White Hills. Fr3-eburg A'^illage, situated near Lovewell's 
Pond, is a quiet, staid old place, and is much visited in 
summer. The Saco winds in its serpentine course through 
the town. Population, 1,50G. 

Bethel. — The first attempt to clear land for the 
purjjose of making a settlement in this region, was bj- 
Nathaniel Segar of Newton, Mass., in the spring of 
1774. The breaking out of the Revolution put a stop 
to the settlement for the time being. In the si)ring of 
1779, Segar returned, accompanied bj- Jonathan Bartlett 
and a boj- named Aaron Barton. In the fall of 1770, 
Samuel Ingalls and his wife came from Andover to Sud- 
bury Canada, — as the place was then called, — and she 
was the first white woman in town. He did not long re- 
main. In the spring of 1781 there were but ten families 
in the plantation. 

On the third daj' of August, 1781, a party of Indians 
from the St. Francis River in Canada, made an attack 
upon the upper settlements, plundering the houses and 
driving many of the settlers into the woods. Securing 
all the plunder thej- and their captives could carry, thev 
took as prisoners Benjamin Clark, younger brother of 
Lieut. Jonathan, and Nathaniel Segar, and started for 
Canada, following the course of the Androscoggin River. 
Segar and Clark suflTered terrible hardships ou their 



march through the forests. They were detained as pris- 
oners until the close of the war, when they were per- 
mitted to rejoin their friends, who had not heard from 
them during their absence of 16 months. 

After the close of the war, settlers came in very rap- 
idly-. Six stalwart Bartlett brothers from Newton, Mass. , 
were among the first aiTivals. The earlj' settlers were 
men of character and ability, and the town has always 
taken high rank in the count}-. Rev. Eliphaz Chapman, 
with a large family of sons, came to Bethel in 1789. 
The town was incorporated June 10, 1796, the name 
being suggested by Rev. Mr. Chapman. The first town 
meeting was held at the house of Gen. Amos Hastings, 
Aug. 15, 1796. The first religious society was organ- 
ized the same J'ear. In 1799, Rev. Daniel Gould was 
settled as pastor. Dr. John Brickett of Haverhill 
came to Bethel in 1796, and was the first phj'sician. He 
remained but a short time, and returned to Haverhill. 
Dr. Timothy Carter came in 1799, and practised in town 
46 years. Dr. Carter was the father of CuUen Carter, 
once a member of Congress from New York. WUliam 
Frye, son of Gen. Joseph of Fryeburg, was the first 
lawyer in Bethel. He came iu 1823, married here, and 
reared a large familj'. 

Gould's Academy was incorporated in 1836. Some of 
the ablest men of the countrj' have attended this school. 
Isaac Randall was the first preceptor, but the institution 
attained its highest rank while under the care of Dr. 
Nathaniel T. True, who was principal from 1848 to 1861. 
Bethel Hill, the principal village, is one of the most pic- 
turesque places in the State. The town is finelj' watered 
by the Androscoggin and its tributaries. The Grand 
Trunk Railway provides easy communication with the 
seaboard at Portland. Bethel is one of the best farming 
towns in the county. It has a population of 2,285. 

Norway is made up of what was formerly called Rust- 
field Plantation, and Lee's and Cummings's Grants, and 
three tiers of lots from the east side of Waterford. The 
whole town comprises about 2,400 acres. The first set- 
tlement made within the limits of the town was in 1786, 
by Joseph Stevens, Jonas Stevens, Jeremiah Ilobbs, 
Amos Hobbs and George Lesslej-, all from Gray, Cum- 
berland Count)-. Most if not all of them had seen ser- 
vice in the war for independence, and had suffered from 
the depreciation of the currency to that extent that they 
were obliged to go into the wilderness and begin life 
anew. 

Among those who moved into town during the year 
1788 was Lemuel Shedd, who had been one of Wash- 
ington's Life Guards, and who had serv-ed all through the 
war. The first child was born in town, Oct. 17, 1787, to 



Jonas Stevens, and was named Sarah. She became the 
wife of Jonathan Edwards of Otisfield, and lived to a 
good old age. 

In 1789, Henry Rust, the proprietor of Rustfleld, 
commenced building a saw and grist mill on the outlet 
of the pond, on the site still occupied by mills at the 
upper part of Norway Village. Mr. Rust brought from 
Salem some small, six-lighted windows, which he fur- 
nished to the settlers, which was the first glass in the 
place. After the erection of the mills, the town filled up 
with settlers very rapidly, and the town of Korway was 
incorporated from the several grants, March 9, 1797. 

In 1800, Bailey Bodwell, from Mcthuen, Mass., moved 
into town, and built the first two-story house in what is 
now Norway Village, and also a clothing and a carding- 
mill These mills were carried on b}' him many years, 
and afterwards by Horatio G. Cole, who came here from 
Winthrop. The Universalist church and society is the 
oldest in town. As early as 1798, Rev. Thomas Barnes 
was called here to preach, and continued his pastorate 
several j'ears. A Congregational church was organized 
in 1802. The Methodists gathered a church here about 
1812, and have since been quite strong in numbers and 
influence. 

Norwaj' is a good farming town, and the village the 
most active and prosperous business centre in the county. 
Pennissewasse Pond, a beautiful sheet of water several 
miles long, abounds in fish, and its overflow furnishes a 
good water-power. A large shoe-factor}-, owned by par- 
tics in Lynn, Mass. , has been successfully operated during 
the past five years. The village has a national bank, a 
savings institution, and a weekly paper, the " Norwaj- 
Advertiser." The town has a papulation of about 2,000. 

Paris was granted in 1771 to Joshua Fuller and oth- 
ers of Watertown, as a reward for militarj- services per- 
formed by their ancestors. The first settlement was 
made on the site of the present village of Paris Hill, in 
1779, by John Daniels, Lemuel Jackson, Dca. John 
AVillis and others, from Middlcborough, JIass. The first 
opening with a view to settlement was made bj- John 
Daniels, and it is said that he purchased land now Paris 
Hill Village, of an Indian, the price paid being an iron 
kettle. The first church gathered here was a Calvinist 
Baptist, in 1795, and Elder James Hooper of Berwick 
was that j-ear ordained their pastor. He ministered to 
their spiritual wants for nearly half a century. 

Paris Hill, where the county buildings are located, is 
the most elevated village in the coinitj-, and before the 
days of railways was very thriving. It is a healthy 
location and a favorite summer resort. Hannibal Ham- 
lin, U. S. senator from Maine, and vice-president one 



term, was born and spent his minority here. Hon. 
Sidney Perham, who was six years in Congress and 
three years governor of Maine, now resides in Paris 
Hill. Tlie "Oxford Democrat" is published here bj- 
George W. Watkins. 

South Paris is a thriving village on the line of the 
railway. It has a large flour-mill and iron foundrj-, the 
Little Androscoggin River furnishing the power. West ' 
Paris, situated on the same stream, seven miles above 
South Paris, has a good water-power, which is well im- 
proved by S. B. Locke & Co. A furniture factorj-, 
operated bj- steam power, is located here. North Paris 
has a water-power formed from the overflow of a large 
pond, and a grist-mill was built here soon after the 
settlement of the town, around which quite a hamlet 
sprang up. Snow's Falls, on the Little Androscoggin, ] 
received their name from the tragic death of a man | 
named Snow, who was hunting near tlie falls before the , 
town was settled. 

Paris was incorporated, June 20, 1793. It became 
the shire town in 1805. The surface is generally un- 
even, but the soil is rich and strong. .Population, 2,7CG. 

BcCKFiELi) was first settled in the spring of 1777 l\v 
Thomas Allen and Abijah Buck. The latter was the j 
agent of the proprietors in making the purchase of the j 
township, and as he and his brothers, Nathaniel and 
John, were large owners, the plantation was named for 
them, Bucktown ; and March IG, 1793, was incorporated 
as Buckficld. 

Seba Smith, the well-known poet and journalist, and 
author of the famous "Jack Downing Letters," was 
born here in 1792. Virgil D. Parris, a prominent poli- 
tician, and for two terms a member of Congress, was also 
a native of Buckficld. Hon. John D. Long, lieutenant- 
governor of Massachusetts, the son of Zadoc Long of 
this town, was born and spent his minority here. 

Rev. Nathaniel Chase was probably the first preacher 
in Buckfield. He served in the war of the Revolution, 
and after being mustered out he made his way through 
the wilderness on foot, in search of a place to locate. 
He took up the farm in Bucktown which is still owned 
and occupied by his grandson. He was a minister of 
the Baptist denomination, and travelled and preached 
among the early settlers in Paris, AVoodstock, Green- 
wood and in other places. He was a good man and 
much respected among the people. He left a large pos- 
terity ,_ among whom are tlic well-known firm of Chase 
Brothers, nurserjmen, of Rochester, N. Y. 

A Baptist church was gathered in Buckfield quite 
early, and this has always been the leading society in 
town, their house of worship being at the village. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



Biickfield, like Paiis, -nliich it joins ou the west, is a 
hilly town, but it has a large area of arable land under 
a good state of cultivation. The village is the natural 
business centre, not onlj' of this, but of several of the 
adjoining towns, and a large amount of trade is here 
carried on. The population of the town is about 1,500. 

RtjrFOKD was granted, Feb. 3, 1774, to Timothy 
Walker, Jr., and others of Concord, N. 11 , to tonipc n- 
s:ite them for losses sust lined by th( m in the settlement 
of the boundar} 1)1 1\\ ei n M i--. k liiis( it, ind ^^ w 1 1 unii 



the Indians made their attack upon Sudburj' Canada, an 
adjoining plantation. This so frightened the settlers of 
New Pennacook that they fled to New Gloucester and 
remained there until the spring of 1783, when they 
returned and occupied their lands. The early settlers of 
this town were largely' from Concord, N. 11. Such were 
the Walkers, Abbotts, Elliots, Wheelers, Famums, Vir- 
gins and Mil tins. 

Ihe toTMi was incoriioratcd F(b. 21, I'iOO, and named 
HI lionoi oi ( omit Uinuioi 1 vh > 1 \ thi n-inu of Benja- 




UPPEll FALLS, EUMFORI 



shire. The record being lost, the grant was renewed 
April 13, 1779. The plantation was called New Penna- 
cook, having the plantation name of Concord. In 
December, 176G, Jonathan Keyes of Shrewsbuiy, Mass., 
purchased four of the rights in New Pennacook, and in 
the following March set out with liis family for the Dis- 
trict of Maine. They came to New Gloucester, and 
leaving his wife there, Mr. Keyes, accompanied by his 
son Francis, a lad of ten years, went to New Penna- 
cook and commenced a clearing on the farm where he 
afterwards resided, and which is now occupied by Tim- 
othy Walker, Esq., grandson of the principal proprietor. 
He moved his wife here, iu 1779, and was the first 
settler. Three others had come previous to 1781, when 



min Thompson, was a former resident of Concord, N. II., 
and married the daughter of Rev. Timothy Wallvcr, 
the first settled minister of Concord and the father of 
the grantee of New Pennacook. Hon. Peter C. Virgin 
of Concord, N. II., was the flrst lawj-er, and practised 
there over 50 years. lie was a member of the conven- 
tion tliat framed the Constitution of Maine, and tlie 
father of Judge William Wirt Virgin of the Supreme 
Court of Maine. 

The Androscoggin River flows through the town, and 
there are broad and fertile intervals on each side. The 
Congregationalists, Methodists and Universalists have 
church edifices and maintain religious services in the 
town. Rumford Falls, on the Androscoggin, furnishes 



MAINE. 



the finest water-power in the State, most of whicli is yet 
undeveloped. White Cap is a prominent mountain in 
the north part of the town ; and there are also several 
other mountains of lesser elcwation. 

The population of Rumford is about 1,200. 

IIinAJi was iirst settled in 1774, incorporated Feb. 14, 
1714, and was named, it is said, bj- Timothy Cotter, an 
carl3- settler, in honor of " Hiram, King of Tyre." The 
first settler was Lieut. Benjamin Ingalls, who was born in 
Andovcr, Mass., in 1728, old style. He was a descendant 
of Edward Ingalls, who came from Lincolnshire, Eng., 
to Lj'nn, Mass., in 
1G29. Lieut. Ingalls 
served in the arm}', 
and was with Sir 
"William Pciipcn 11 at 
the siege of Louis- 
burg, in 1745. Li 
1774,he, in comp m} 
with five others, — 
among whom -n as 
Daniel Foster, A^ho 
had married his sis- 
ter Anne, — came to 
Saco River, and .se- 
lected and survived 
for themselves lots 
of land situated in 
what is now Hinm. 

Among the pi oini- 
nent earl}' residents 
of Hiram was Gen. 
Peleg Wadsworth, a 
distinguished oflleer 
during the Revolu- 
tionarj'war. He was born in Duxburj', Mass., April 25, 
1 748, and was the son of Deacon Peleg "Wadsworth. 
He subsequentl}- moved to Plymouth, then built and 
occupied the brick house next west of the Prclslc 
House ill Portland, Me. Finall}-, he moved to Hiram, 
where had large landed interests, and died there in 
November, 1829, aged 80 3'ears. One of his daughters 
was the mother of the poet Longfellow. His descend- 
ants still reside in the town. 

Hiram is situated on Saco River, and has much good 

farming land. The I'ortland and Ogdenshurg Railway 

passes through the town. Hiram Bridge is a thriving 

j little village with a good hotel and picturesque scenerj-. 

Hiram has a population of 1 ,400. 

• It is related of him that when, three years afterwards, the Jacksons 
commenced a clearing on what is now Paris Hill, ho was very much 




LOWER FALLS, RirMFORD, MJ5. 



"NVatekford was settled in 1775, bj' David McWaj-ne, 
ail eccentric person who resided hero alone in the wilder- 
ness.* Eleazer Hamlin, father of Dr. C'\rus, who after- 
wards lived in Paris, and grandfather of Hon. Hannibal 
Hamlin, was among the first settlers. He was provi- 
ousl}' of Pembroke, Mass. The town was incorporated 
JNIarch 2, 1797. The centennial of the settlement of 
the town was celebrated in 1875. Prof. William "Warren 
Greene, M. D., the distinguished surgeon, was born in 
Waterford. An Orthodox minister was settled in 1799, 
and this has always been the leading religious societ}-. 
Dr. Shattuck'swater- 
~ -^ cure establishment, 

t,_^ located in this town, 

has a wide reputa- 
tion. Staves, sliooks 
^ 3 and lumber of va- 
•'■"^ t 1 lous kinds are maii- 

"'« u I ictured indifferent 

puts of the town. 
Population, 1,.300. 

Hebron, including 
the present town of 
Oxford, set off in 
1829, was granted to 
Alex.ander Shepard, 
of Newton, Mass., 
for ser\'ices rendered 
in survej'ing the pub- 
lic lands of Maine. 
He, with Dr. God- 
dud, .John Green- 
wood, and other men 
from Newton, were 
among the first set- 
tlers. John Colwell of Ipswich is said to have been the 
first settler. The town was incorporated Jlarch 6, 1792, 
and was named from the ancient Hebron spolcen of in 
the Bilile. Hebron Aeademj', chartered in 1804, and 
endowed by a valuable township of land, has fitted a 
large number of prominent men for college. It is now 
conducted under the auspices of tlie Maine Baptist Edu- 
cation Society. Hebron contains a popidatiou of nearl}' 
800. 

AVooDSTOCK, a town of 1,000 inliabitants, is made up 
of the two halves of a township which were granted, one 
to Dummer Academj- in 1797, and the other to Gorhain 
Academy in 1807. The first settlement was made in 
1798, by Christopher and Solomon Bryant, sons of Solo- 
annoyed at the prospect of having neighbors so near, although they 
were 12 or 15 miles away. 



HISTORY OF NEW" ENGLAND. 



mon Brj-ant of Paris. Soon afterwards settlements were 
begun in other parts of tlie town. Woodstock was incor- 
porated Feb. 7, 1815. 

Br3ant's Pond, a fine sheet of water in the west part 
of the town, was named for the first settlers. Tlie vil- 
lage of the same name is situated on the line of the 
Grand Trunk Railwaj-. Eev. Ransom Dunham resides 
here, who came into town about 40 years ago, and was 
settled over the Baptist Church. Lemuel Pcrham, the 
earl^' settler, was grandfather of ex-Governor Perham of 
Palis, who was born in this town, and cultivated a hill- 
side farm in his earlj- manhood. Four religious societies 
have church edifices in town, and sustain preaching. 
Hamlin's Grant, a small gore of 1,270 acres, granted to 
Dr. C3TUS Hamlin in 1816, was annexed to AVoodstock 
in 1872. 

Andover, situated on the borders of civilization, was 
purchased March 11, 1791, of the State of Massachu- 
setts, bj- Samuel Johnson and other parties, of Old An- 
dover. Ezekiel Merrill was the first settler. He came, 
with his family, from Andover, Mass., and resided in 
this wilderness two jears with no neighbor nearer than 
Now Pennacook. The early settlers were the Poors, Mer- 
rills, Abbotts, Stevenses, and others, from Andover, and 
were among the most respectable citizens of that town. 
They brought with them their religious institutions, 
which they transplanted in the wilderness, and Andover, 
notwithstanding it is a border and isolated town, has 
ever been noted for its good society and high standard 
of morals. A few miles to the north of Andover arc 
the lakes which form the head-waters of the Androscog- 
gin River, and beyond these lakes is the broad belt of 
forest which extends far into Canada. Andover Corner 
is a favorite resort for city people, and is the headquar- 
ters of fishermen, who, in the proper season, resort in 
large numbers to the lakes. Andover has much good 
farming land. The population is about 800. 

The remaining towns of Oxford Countj- are : — Brq-wn- 
FiELD, named for Capt. Henr^' Young Brown of Haver- 
hill, Mass., the original grantee and founder, and incor- 
porated Feb. 20, 1802, population 1,325: Denmark, 
containing Pleasant Mountain, incorporated Feb. 20, 
1807, population 1,075: Dixfield, named in honor of 
Dr. Elijah Dix of Boston, incorporated June 21, 1803 : 
Canton, containing several thriving villages, incorjjorated 

• The Albany "basins" and "kettles" circular excayations in the 
solid rock, made by the action of the water, arc natural curiosities which 
attract a large number of visitors. 



Feb. 5, 1821, population 985 : Porter, ha-\-ing important 
manufactories, incorporated Feb. 20, 1807, population 
1,120 : Peru, noted for its hop-growing and sheep hus- 
bandry, incorporated Feb. 5, 1821, population 930: 
Greewvood, the location of an extensive spool manu- 
factory, incorporated March IG, 1816, population 845: 
Lovell, granted to tlie surviving officers and soldiers 
who participated in the famous Lovewcll fight, and to 
the heirs of those who fell in that engagement ; contain- 
ing manufactories of various kinds ; incorporated Nov. 
13, 1800, population 1,025: Scmner, incorporated June 
13, 1798, population 1,175 : Hartford, incori^orated on 
the same da}- as Sumner, population 1,000: Gilead, a 
mountainous town, incoqiorated June 23, 1804, popula- 
tion 330: Albany,* settled in 1800, incorporated June 
20, 1803, population 651 ; the native place of Rev. Asa 
Cummings, D. D., for manj- j-ears the able editor of the 
"Christian Mirror," published at Portland: Oxford, 
incorporated Fell. 27, 1829, population 1,630, embracing 
the two active business centres of Craig's Mills and 
TVelchAalle — the former having been the residence of 
John J. Perrj-, for two terms member of Congress : 
Stoneham, incorporated Jan. 31, 1834, population 425, 
devoted successful!}' to agriculture and manufacturing : 
Hanover, t incorporated Feb. 14, 1843, population 188, 
and noted, though a small town, for having some of the 
best inten-al on the river, and for being the only town in 
the county free from debt: Mason, settled in 1826, and 
incori^orated Feb. 5, 1843, named in honor of Moses 
Mason, who built mills in town ; population 127 : Stowe, 
settled in 1770, incoi-porated in 1833, situated in part in 
the beautiful Cold River VaUcy, population 427 : Swe- 
den, incorporated Feb. 26, 1813, population 550 : Mex- 
ico, incorporated Feb. 13, 1818, population 458 : Rox- 
bury, incorporated March 17, 1835, population 162: 
Byron, like the two last mentioned towns, on Swift River, 
incorporated Jan. 24, 1833, population 242 — the most part 
of its surface being still covered with primeval forest, 
extending almost unbroken to the northern line of the 
State, and far into Canada: Newry, settled in 1781, by 
Irish immigrants, incorporated June 15, 1805, popula- 
tion 416 : Grafton, settled in 1838, incorporated in 1852, 
population 94: and Upton, incorporated Feb. 9, 1860, 
population 187. 

Beside these there are several plantations. 

+ The house built by Nathaniel Segar, the first settler in Bethel, of 
which Hanover once formed a part, is still standing in Ilanovej-, and is 
occupied by his descendants. 



PEN^OBSCOT COUNTY. 



BY E. F. DUREN. 



Penobscot Codnty, incorporated Feb. 15, 1816, is the 
ninth and last count}' in the District of Maine, organized 
prior to the separation from Massachusetts in 1820. It 
lies on both sides of tlie Penobscot River, north of Han- 
cock and Waldo counties. Its outline is much like the 
sign which the deaf and dumb use for the figure three. 
It formerly embraced the northern part of Hancock 
County. From 1814 to 1816, Bangor, now the shire 
town, was a half-shire town with Castine. Some towns 
now in Piscataquis and Aroostook counties have since 
been set off from it. It contains 3,200 square miles, or 
about three million acres.^and is the largest county in 
the State except Aroostook. The number of townships 
is ninet}' ; each, with few exceptions, six miles square, 
and containing 23,040 acres each. It has 57 towns, one 
citj-, and six plantations, — the largest number of anj' 
county in the State. The population in 1870 was 75,150. 
From the earliest period, it has been reported as the 
most attractive of any portion of the State. Spanish, 
French, Dutch and English navigators all unite in praise 
of Penobscot Bay, Penobscot Ei\er, and the territorj'' 
surrounding. The earliest Spanish explorer, Gomez, in 
1525, gave to the river his name, — " Rio de Gomez." 
Other Spanish navigators called it the "Rio Grande," 
" Rio Hermoso," — the great, the beautiful river. The 
French, who visited it in 1556 for fish and the fur 
trade, and who in 1604-5 had a charter of the territorj- 
from Henrj- IV., hy their chronicler, Thevet, designated 
it as "one of the finest rivers in the whole world." 
Samuel Champlain, a French explorer in 1604, speaks 
with enthusiasm of the scenery: "The river banks arc 
co^■ercd with verdure, and here and there lovely stretches 
of meadow." 

The name, as Judge Godfrey says, was reported bj- 
the French in sixty diflfercnt ways during their occu- 
pancy to 1664. The principal was Panauanshek. The 
English, the New Plymouth colonists, caught the word 
Penobscot, by which it was known as early as 1626.* 

The Dutch were pleased with the region, and sent a 

• The Indian name was Pcnohsceaj;, or Pcnobscoote, snggestcd by 
the rocky falls just above Bangor. Penobsg (rock), uteral (a place) ; 



man-of-war to it in 1676, and captured the French forti- 
fications in the bay and river. They were driven off in 
turn b}- the English and the colonists. The French had 
possession of a part of the region to 1745, when most 
of them removed to Canada. In 1759, after the fall of 
Quebec, the whole passed from the possession of the 
French. 

In 1763, the General Assembly of Massachusetts 
granted thirteen townships, each six miles square, lying 
on the east side of the Penobscot River, to thirteen com- 
panies, or proprietors, who laid out the townships, and 
60 families settled in each township and made improve- 
ments. These settlers employed an agent at the court 
of Great Britain to solicit the royal approbation to sever 
it from Massachusetts and form a new government, 
under the authority of the crown. They reported the 
soil " as remarkablj' good, well adapted to the culture of 
every sort of English grain, and hemp, flax, &e., and 
especially good for grazing, in which it excels every 
other part of America, — and for raising cattle. Its 
woods abound with moose, and other kinds of deer, and 
several kinds of game, good for food." . . " On the 
rivers and streams are saw-mills." . . "It gives 
promise of being a rich and fruitful countr}*." 

The Tarratines, or Abenaques, of which the Indians 
at Old Town are a remnant, were the native inhabitants 
of the Penobscot, about two centuries ago, and had 
much intercourse with the French, who assisted them or 
denied them, as their interest seemed to dictate. They 
were numerous and powerful, having at one time more 
than 2,000 warriors. About 1660, there was a bloody 
and exterminating war between the New England In- 
dians and the Mohawks. Tradition has it that the Tar- 
ratines took part in it, and were followed to the banks 
of the Penobscot by the Jlohawks in 1669. The locality 
near the mouth of the Kenduskeag, as it enters the Penob- 
scot at Bangor, was their resting-place, extending as far 
as what is now known as the Red Bridge, near where the 
Pujejewock stream unites with the Penobscot River. 

a rocky place. In another dialect, Penapse (stone^, auke (place) ; the 
i-ock-placc river. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



With the increase and extension of settlements by the 
white men the Indians wore displeased, and, about 174.5, 
began to threaten their further progress. When war 
■was declared with all the tribes, in 1755, the Penobscot 
Indians were excepted; for it was stated, that "no 
eastern trilje has treated the English with so much for- 
bearance and honor." 

During the Rcvolutionarj^ war, and when the British 
visited the Penobscot region, coming as far as Hampden 
and Bangor, as an enemy in 1779, they transferred their 
fealty to the patriots. It is said of them, "The Tar- 
ratines conducted the whole campaign with all due fidel- 
itj' and friendship towards the Americans." 

The Penobscot River has been called the main artery 
of the State. Its length, including the east and west 
branches, is about 300 miles ; its course within the limits 
of the county, about 120 miles. The Mattawamkeag 
River, the principal north-east branch of the Penobscot, 
is about 100 miles in length, including its eastern and 
western branches. The Passadumkeag River takes its 
rise in the town of Lee, and enters the Penobscot at 
Passadumkeag. The Kcnduskeag River has its rise in 
Garland, and flows into the Penobscot at Bangor. No 
county has a larger number of lakes, ponds, rivers, 
brooks and streams than this. 

The earliest regular settlement of the county com- 
menced at Bangor in 1 709 ; then followed settlements at 
Brewer and Orrington in 1770; Hampden, 1772; Old 
Town, 1773; Orono, 1774; Veazie, 177C ; Eddington, 
1780; Ilolden, 178G ; Herman, 1791; Newport, 1794; 
Charlestown and Corinth, 1795; Carmel, 179G; Levant 
and Newburg, 1798 ; Dixmont, 1799 ; Hudson, Kcndus- 
keag, Milford and Stetson, 1800; Dexter and Exeter, 
1801 ; Garland, 1802; Bradford, 1803; Corinna, 1804; 
Glcnburn, 180G ; ^tna and Plymouth, 1807 ; Clifton 
and Greenfield, 1812; Passadumkeag, 1813; Maxfield, 
1814; Bradley, 1817; Alton, Arg3le, Howland and 
Lagrange, 1818 ; Enfield and Lowell, 1819 ; Chester, 
Grccnbnsh, Mcdway, Pattagiimpus, West Indian and 
Woodville, 1820 ; Lincoln, 1823 ; Burlington and Lee, 
1824 ; Mattamiscontis, 1825 ; Edinburg, 1827 ; Patten, 
1828 ; Carroll, No. 2, Grand Falls and Springfield, 1830 ; 
Mattawamkeag, 1834; Winn, 1835; Prentiss and Whit- 
ney Ridge, 183G ; Mount Chase, 1838 ; Webster Planta- 
tion, 1843 ; Drew Plantation, 1845 ; Staceyville, 1850 ; 
Lakeville Plantation, 1855 ; and Kingman, 18G4. 

The court-house, until the j'ear 1831 , was in the building 
now known as the city hall, in Bangor. The town meet- 
ings were held in the same building, and public worship on 
the Sabbath, until a church edifice was built. The pres- 
ent court-house was built in 1831, at a cost of $20,000. 



Roman Catholic missionaries came with the French in 
their carl^' visits to the Penobscot, and mingled with the 
Indians, and they became Catholics. Jesuit missiona- 
ries were with them in IGll, and for several years after. 
About the year 1700, in the reign of Louis XIV., a 
French architect erected for them a place for public wor- 
ship. The church was burned, probably in 1757. The 
governor of the tribe has now in his possession a medal 
with the likeness of Louis XIV. In 1797, the tribe was 
visited by Right Rev. Bishop Chevcrus of Boston, and 
two years after. Rev. James R. Romaigue, a French 
friar, had pastoral charge, in connection with the Passa- 
maquoddj"^ tribe, in Washington Count}'. He returned 
to France in 1819. Rev. Stephen Coilleaux, born and 
educated in Paris, was his successor, and was with them 
several years. 

Public worship and religious ordinances were sustained 
by the colonists, and chaplains were stationed generall}- 
at the forts. A reason given in 17G8 for having one at a 
fort on the river, was that he was needed to preach to the 
settlers in the audience of the Indians, and to ensure 
peace with them ; and because " there was no minister 
of the gospel within a circle of 100 miles diameter, now 
generally peopled, though but thinl}'." From 1774 to 
1779, John Herbert, the first physician in Bangor, was 
an exhorter at religious meetings, and, in the winter, 
taught schools. The first minister that preached statedl}' 
was Rev. Mr. Knowles, from Cape Cod, who, about 
1780-83, was with the people scattered along the banks 
of the river from Frankfort to Bangor. Rev. Seth 
Noble, a Congregational minister, a native of Westfield, 
Mass., who had done patriot service in Nova Scotia, 
and was compelled to flee from thence because of his 
sympathy with New England in the Revolutionary strug- 
gle, and who was afterwards at Machias, came to Ban- 
gor in 178G, and was engaged bj' the people as a settled 
religious teacher and preacher, at £100 per year. He 
was installed Sept. 10, 178G, under some ancient oaks, 
near the corner of Oak and Washington streets, Bangor. 
Rev. Daniel Little of Wells, who had performed mis- 
sionary work in Bangor and vicinitj* at different times, 
was deputed by the church in Wells, " without the great 
trouble and expense of convening a council," to induct 
him into office. He gave hira the charge and the right 
hand of fellowship. Mr. Noble preached the sermon. 
He remained five years, and died in Ohio in 1807. 

The first Congregational church organized was at 
Brewer, Sept. 9, 1800. Rev. James Boyd was pastor, 
and died two years after. 

In 1825, when the Penobscot Congregational Confer- 
ence was organized at Brownville, then in Penobscot 



County, there were 3 ministers, 8 duirdies, and 400 
members. In 1878 there were 13 ministers, 15 cliurchos 
and 1,780 members. 

In 1793 Kcv. Jesse Lee, from Virginia, the Methodist 
apostle of Kew Enrjiand, came to Mai.)e, and, on Sep- 
tember 9 of that 3"car, spent a month in miscionarj' work 
along the Penobscot River. In Januarj-, 1794, he came 
again as far as Orono, holding meetings aloi;g the route, 
and returned by waj- of the Kennebec to Portland. In 
1795 Rev. Joshua Ilall, of the Kew London (Conn.) 
Conference, organized societies in the county'. In 1799 
Rev. Timothy Jlerrill was on the Hampden circuit, and 
preached in Bangor. 

The first Baptist chureli was organized at Etna in 1807 
1)3- Rev. J. hn Chadbour e of Shapleigh, who was the 
first missionar)' of the denomination in the countj-. 
The Free Baptists were organized in Dixmont about 
1809. 

The first Ei)iscoiialian c'hurcli in Penobscot Countj' was 
gatliered at Bangor in 1834, and the first of the Univer- 
salist denomination at Hampden in 1825. 

The Unitarian church at Bangor was formed in 1818, 
and the Swedenborgian in 1840. 

The Christian denomination formed their first churches 
in Exeter and Newport in 1815, and the Adventists 
i organized in this countj- in 1842-3. 

I Schools were estabhshed at the first, and liave always 
had a prominent place in the plans for the elevation of the 
j people. 

Lumbering, and the manufacture of lumber, have 
largelj- engaged tlie attention of the people of the 
county. Lumbermen, mill-men, river-drivers, log-drivers 
and raftsmen form an active and important part of the 
population. Logging-camps are a unique and interest- 
ing feature of forest life. 

Ship-building has been carried on to a considerable 
extent, chiefly in Bangor and Brewer. 

The first steamboat on the Penobscot, the "Maine," 
Capt. Cram, arrived in Bangor Maj- 23, 1824. The next 
daj- it made an excursion to Bucksport. It ran to I'ort- 
land in the summer season. The " Bangor," a larger 
boat, Capt. George Barker, arrived in 1834. There are 
now two steamers of the " Sandford Line," which ply 
between Bangor and the towns on the river to Boston 
most of the year, making three trips weekly. A steamer 
goes to Portland, making three trips weeklj', connecting 
with another steamer at Rockland for Mt. Desert, and 
east as far as Eastport and Calais. A steamer runs 
direct to Mt. Desert from Bangor, and smaller steamers 
are emploj-ed to tow vessels uj) and down the river, and 
accompany barges on pleasure excursions. In 1849 



small and fiat-bottnmcd steamers commenced running 
aliove Bangor, affording beautiful views of island, forest 
and river scenerj'. 

Railroads permeate the county, radiating from Bangor, 
west and north. The first road opened was the Bangor, 
Old Town and Milford Railr.:ad, incorporated in 1833, 
and opened iu 183G. It was discontinued on the com- 
pl 'tion of the Shore Railroad, now the European and 
North American Railway. 

The Maine Central Railroad extends a distance of 27 
miles in Penobscot County, passing from Bangor, west- 
ward, to Newport, and thcnco irto Somerset County. 

The Dexter and Newport Raiiroad, opened in 186S, is 
a branch of the Maine Central Raih'oad. 

The Bangor and Piscataquis Railroad was chartered 
March 5, 1861. The construction of the road was com- 
menced in the spring of 1HC9, and completed from Old 
Town (where it connects with the European and North 
American Railway) to Blanchard in the fall of 187G. 
The length of the road is 63 mil(;s ; passing through Ihe 
towns of Old Town, Alton and Lagrange in Penobscot 
County, 15 miles, — the balance in Piscataquis County. 
The cost was abimt $1,500,000. It is now a branch of 
the European and North American Railwaj'. 

The Bucksport and Bangor Railroad was chartered 
March 1, 1870. The survey was made in the autumn of 
1872. The construction was commenced in the spring 
of 1873, and trains began to run rcgularlj- to Buckspoit 
Dec. 21, 1874. The length is 19 miles, — 9J. miles are 
in Penobscot County, passing through Brewer and Orring- 
ton ; the balance is in Hancock County. Cost, $693,- 
755.95. It is now a branch of the European and North 
American Railway'. 

Charters have been granted for a railroad from Bangor 
to Winterport, and from Bangor to Machias ; but the 
roads are not yet built. 

The usual military organizations have been main- 
tained. They have been called into active service chiefly 
in 1814, in repelling the British forces that came up the 
Penobscot River; in 1840-41, during the excitement 
attending the question of the north-cast boundary of the 
State, which was peaceablj- settled by a treaty between 
Great Britain and the United States, ratified by the 
Senate Aug. 20, 1842 ; and again during the late civil 
war. In this campaign, the second Maine regiment, 
six companies of the sixth Maine, and the eighteenth 
JNIaine regiment, afterwards the first heavy artillerj-, were 
composed chieflj' of residents of this count}'. Monu- 
ments in memory of the patriot soldiers, deceased, are 
erected in the cemeteries at Bangor, Brewer, Ilamjjden, 
Dexter, Newport, and other places. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



Towns. 

Bangor was incorporated Fob. 2o, 1 79 1 . The situation 
is pleasant and attractive, having the Penobscot River as 
its south-western border, and the Kenduskeag River from 
the north-west, passing through the val- 
]ej, into the Penobscot, the grounds on 
each side, east and west, gradually ris- 
ing, — affording a fine view, especiallj- on 
Thomas Hill (west), of the territory for 
several miles in all directions. It is at 
the head of the tide and of na\-igation, 
CO miles from the bay and ocean. 

The site of the city and the surround- 
ing territory was verj- attractive to the 
earlj- Spanish, French, Dutch and EngUsh 
explorers, na^•igators, and adventurers, seal of the cit 

It was called Norombega in 1;3.>9, and was thought to 
be the site of a famous city of that name.* It was known 
afterwards as Kenderquit, Condeskeag and Kendus- 
keag. In 17C9 it 
was the "Kendus- 
keag Plantation." 
The earliest record 
now in the archives 
of the cit}' is dated 
March 27, 1787. 

The TaiTatines, 
or Penobscot Ind- 
ians, were the abo- 
riginal inhabitants, 
making their head- 
quarters in the re- 
gion near what is 
now known as the 
Red Bridge, near 
Treat's Falls, and 
which afterwards 
was the business- 
quarters of the ear- 
ly settlers. Here 
was the first post- 
office, Maj. Treat 
being postmaster. 
In 1779 and 1816, 
hostile demonstra- 
tions were made b}' 
British troops, who 
occupied the town. 

The histoi^' of Bangor, embraced in an address by Hon. 
John E. Godfrey, at the centennial celebration of the in- 

• This name is now given to the principal hall and market of the city. 




VNGOB, 1834. 



NOROMBEGA, 1539— KENDFSKEAO PLANTATIorx, 1' 



corporation of the town in 18G9, furnishes a full and inter- 
esting account of its discoveiy, settlement and progress, 
from which many of the items of this history are taken. 
Jacob Russell, from Salisbury-, Mass., was the first 
settler, in 1 7G9. He was a hunter, fisher, 
boat-builder and cooper. He had a wife 
and nine children. His son, Stephen 
Russell, with his wife, Lucy Grant, and 
Caleb Goodwin, with his wife and eight i 
children, from Castine, followed in 1770. 
In 1771-72 the settlement contained 12 
families, the later settlers most of them ! 
from Woolwich and Brunswick, in this ' 
State. The first physician to commence 
practice was John Herbcit, in 1774. 
Rev. Seth Noble, the first settled min- 
ister (1786), was elected a representative to the General 
Court, and was deputed to procure the incorporation of 
the town. The name Sunbury had been selected, as 
descriptive of the 
attractive appear- | 
ance of the place ; ; 
but, fur some rea- I 
son, he gave it the ' 
name of his favor- 
ite tune — Bangor. | 

The first bridge 
was built in 1807 
over the Kendus- 
keag. The Bangor 
Bridge Company 
was incorporated 
on Feb. 16, 1828, ^ 
and they built the 
first bridge over 
the Penobscot in 
832. It was 440 
yards in length, 
and cost $50,000. 
This was carried 
away by the great 
flood in 1846, and 
was rebuilt in 1847. 

The first print- j 
ing-press was es- j 
tablished by Peter | 
Edes in ISlo. He i 
issued the "Ban- I 
1815. Mr. Edes died 
. 83 j-ears, at that time 




25, 



gor AVeekly Register " Nov 
in Bangor March 29, 1839. 
the oldest printer in the United States. 



An acadcnw was established in 1817. During subse- 
quent j'ears much has been done to sustain and improve 
the schools. There are now one high school, and 57 
schools of a lower grade. 

The Bangor Theological Seminar^' received its charter 
from Massachusetts in 1814. It was first located at 
Hampden (181 C), and removed to Bangor in 1819. A 
classical school was connected with it for several j-ears. 
The number of graduates is over 500, who have become 
ministers, pastors, missionaries and professors in this 
country and in other lands. It has a library of 14,000 
volumes. 

The first meeting-house was built in 1788. 

Bangor was incorporated as a city in 1834. The first 
maj-or was Allen Gilman. The population in 1870 was 
20,000. 

In 1833-34 the business of the place increased rapidly, 
the basis being chieflj' lumbering and ship-building, and 
there was considerable speculation and rise of real 
estate. A check was given to this progress in 1830-37 ; 
but from 1840 onward, the business and growth of the 
city have been gradualh' augmenting. 

It has an extensive coast trade, a Southern and West 
India trade, and sends lumber in various forms and 
dimensions to European ports. In 1847 it became a port 
of entry, and a custom-house was built of granite in 
1853-56, on a foundation laid in the Kenduskeag River, 
between the Kenduskeag and Central bridges. The river 
is of sufficient depth to float the largest vessel. Winter- 
port, 14 miles south, is at the head of navigation in 
winter. The average time for the closing of the river 
for the last CO j-ears, has been December 10. 

The first post-office was established in January, 1801. 
At Treat's Falls there are two extensive iron-foundries. 
On the Kenduskeag River (north) , are grist, plaster, plan- 
ing, moulding, lumber and saw mills. On the Penobscot 
River are saw, lumber, planing, moulding and steam 
mills. Beside these, there arc in the city various other 
manufactures. 

The Holly water-works at Treat's Falls went into 
operation in July, 1876. The Bangor Gas Compan}- was 
incorporated Aug. 20, 1850, and the Bangor and Piscat- 
aquis Slate Company in 1855. 

The Bangor Historical Society was incorporated March 
4, 18C4. 

The Bangor Orphan Asylum was organized in 1839, 
and occupied a building on Fourth Street. It is now 
called the Children's Home. Mrs. F. W. Pitcher left a 
legacy for the building of a larger and more substantial 
edifice on Thomas Hill, which was dedicated in 1869. 

The Home for Aged Women was incorporated in 1872. 



Mount Hope Cemetery is a large and beautiful burial- 
place in the north-cast part of the city. It contains 
about 150 acres. Besides this there are four cemeteries 
pleasantly located. 

There are manj' attractive drives and places of resort 
in the neighborhood of Bangor. When tlie river is 
open there are almost daily excursions by sail-boats and 
steamers to summer resorts on the river, and among the 
islands of the hay ; and also to the islands and locali- 
ties north. 

Among the residents of Bangor who have held office 
in Congress, and other eminent stations, are Francis 
Can-, member of Congress in 1811 ; James Carr, son of 
the preceding, congressman in 1815 ; William D. Wil- 
liamson, governor of Maine in 1821, later a member of 
Congress, and author of a history of Maine ; Hannibal 
Hamlin, late vice-president of the United States, and 
now U. S. senator ; Jonathan P. Rogers and George W. 
Ingersoll, once attorneys-general of the State ; Edward 
Kent, a former mayor of the cit3', governor of the 
State from 1838 to 1840, and justice of the Supreme 
Court from 1859 to 1873 ; G. Parks, a member of Con- 
gress and U. S. minister to Peru ; Elisha II. Allen, U. 
S. congressman in 1841—42, since chancellor of the Sand- 
wich Islands, and now representative of the Islands at 
Washington ; John Appleton, chief justice of the Su- 
[)reme Judicial Court from 1862 to the present time ; 
Charles Stetson, member of Congress in 1849-50; 
Joshua W. Hathawaj- and Jonas Cutting, justices of 
the Supreme Court ; John A. Peters, attornej--general of 
the State, member of Congress for five jears, and now a 
justice of the Supreme Court ; Samuel F. Hersey, late 
U. S. congressman ; II. M. Plaisted, recently State attor- 
nej'-general, and member of Congress in 1875-70 ; and 
George W. Ladd, at present a member of Congress. 

Hampden, named in honor of John Hampden, the 
English patriot, was first called Wheelsborough, for 
Benjamin Wheeler, the first settler, who removed from 
Durham, N. H., in 1772 and built mills near the mouth 
of Sowadabscook River. Many of the first settlers came 
from Cape Cod. The first representative in General 
Court, in 1802, was Martin Kinsle}', afterwards member 
of the Senate and Council of Jlassachusetts, and member 
of Congress. 

Hon. Hannibal Hamlin, now U. S. senator, was a 
resident of this town nearly 30 years. He came from 
Paris, Me., his native place, in the spring of 1833, 
removing to Bangor in the spring of 1862, which has 
been his residence since that date. He studied law and 
was admitted to the bar in 1833, continuing in active 
practice until 1848 ; was a representative from Maine in 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



Congress, 1843 to l.'^40 ; U. S. sonat r fro:n 184o to 
18G1 ; was vice-president of the United States, and pre- 
sided over the Senate from 18G1 to 18Ca ; appointed col- 
lector of tlio port of Boston in 1865, resigning in 1866 ; 
elected again to the U. S. Senate, and re-elected in 1875, 
his terra of scrAnce expiring in 1881. 

In 1814 this town was the scene of a sudden gather- 
ing of the militia and volunteers, to repel the British 
fleet which was reported ascending the Penobscot Eiver 
to ciiptm-e the U. S. 
c;)rvette "•Adams," 
which was lying at the 

wharf, with two ^ nhi .^r. 

able merchant \ ( sscl , =L._ ~-~__-=^ 

at anchor in th-; ri\ 1 1 
Brig. Gen. Blake, cf 
Brewer, was in com 
mand of tin foices 
Captain Moriii^, who 
h.id foi-med two bit 
terics upon C'losl)^ -^ 
wharf, on pore ci\ ins 
ihc approach of the 
fleet, preceded b\ a 
number of barges full 
of soldiers, opi ncd i 
spirited fire up )u t'l 
enemy for al;out 
an hour, when seem 
tho milili.T, on tliv, 1 ill 
i:i hi.5 rear wcie rap- 
idly retreating — as 
appeared aftcrw aids 
without orders — ui I 
knowing that, m <i 
very short time he 
would be outflanked 
he spiked his guns 
set fire to the -Ncsel 
and the storehouses, and retreated with his brave (■■;;!- 
panions to Bangor, and thence through the woods to the 
Kennebec. The vessels and the village were soon within 
the power of the enem}' ; the people were maltreated, 
their houses and stores pillaged and burned and their 
cattle killed. 

Sowadabscook River, which has its source in Stetson, 
empties into the Penobscot River at Hampden. Two 
miles from its mouth it falls 1'20 feet, furnishing valuable 
mill-privileges. Two paper-mills and a gii;t-inill are 
here located. Hampden Academy was incorporated in 
1803. The place contains three churches. 




Old Town. — Tho water-privileges of this town are 
unlimited, and immense quantities of lumber have been 
manufactured in jjast years. There are now 30 manu- 
factories of long and short lumber, oars, bateaux, bar- 
rels, saws, files, &c., and a grist-mill. Old Town con- ' 
tains a high school and seven churches. 

Indian Old Town Island, containing about 350 acres, | 
is occujjied bj' the remnant of the TaiTatine or Penob- I 
scot tribe of Indians. Once claiming, as its original 
inhabitants, all the i 
territory in the region 
on both sides of the 
river, bj' several trea- 
ties made with tho 
English and Colonial 
governments, they re- 
linquished a consid- 
erable portion. In 
1785 they yielded yet , 
more, rcser^•^ng only 
Old Town Island, or 
ns it wr.s called in 
1710, "The Island ' 
of Lett," and 28 other 1 
islands in the river 
J lilt above it. All tho 
lands on the waters 
of the Penobscot Riv- 
er, above Piscataquis 
and Mattawamkeag, 
were to be reser\-ed 
as hunting-grounils 
for them, and were 
not to be laid out or 
settled by the State 
or indivieluals. An 
animated controversy 
as to the possession 
' """ of lands by the Ind- 

i. 1 , having arisen in 1706, a new treaty was formed, 
releasing for a consideration, in annual pa3raents, 
189,426 acres. In 1820 they held 2,670 acres, 40 of I 
which were under cultivation. Thej' receive from a 
trustee fund about $4,500 annually. The present num- 
ber is 450. Stephen Stanislaus is governor. Thej- have | 
a chureh (Roman Catholic) , and schools taught by the 
Sisters of Mercy. The Indians cultivate the ground to 
some extent, and many are hunters and guides. In 
summer some of them encamp by the seaside. 

Orono derives its name from an Indian chief, Joseph 
Orono, an able and friendly chief of the Taxratines, 



often at the head of deputations to meet connnittees of 
the Provincial Congi-ess in reference to the interests of 
the tribe. Ilis mark, or signature, was the fac simile of 
a seal. Ilis countenance was fair and beautiful, and in 
old age his hair was milkj' white. He died in 1801 , aged 
113 years. Mrs. Mace gives the following tribute to his 
memory : — • 

" Noblest among the brares was Orono, 
A kingly nature, just and wise, and tnic, 
To bis dark brethren f.iithful, ret at Iieart 
The white man's friend. With clear prophetic view, 
Our larger work and destiny he knew. 
Worthy of honor, — well do v.e licrtow 
On this, his dwelling-place, the name of Orono " 

The first white settlers (1774) 
born in Dracut, Mass , 
in 1736, and Joshui 
Eaj'res. Shortl> al 
terwards, came John 
Marsh, a native of 
Mendon, Mass., wlio 
located on the island 
in Penobscot Enei 
which bjars his name 
Israel Washburn, Ji 
settled in Orono in 
1834. He ably repre 
sented Maine as one 
of her representatneb 
in Congress from 18j5 
to 1860. He was gov 
ernor of Maine in 
1860; appointed col 
lector of the district 
of Portland and Fal 
mouth in 1863, continuing in office until 1877. From 
1864 he has been a resident of Portland. In 1874 Mr. 
Washburn delivered the address at the centennial anni- 
versary of the settlement of Orono. 

The water-privileges are abundant, and have been 
improved largely for the manufacture of lumber in all its 
forms. Flour and grist mills are in operation, and estab- 
lishments for machinery, cooperage, oars, boats, &c. 
From 1832 to 1835, during the great laud speculation, 
the population increased from 1,500 to 6,000. Many 
fortunes were made and lost. This period led to great 
activity in trade and manufactures. The now and capa- 
cious town house was erected in 1874. There are four 
churches withiu the town. 

The State College of Agriculture and the Mechanic 
Arts, located in Orono, was chartered in 1865. It has a 
pleasant and healthy location between the Penobscot and 



Stillwater rivers, on grounds oiiginally cleared and 
settled by a French Canadian. The Stillwater Eivcr 
flows in front of the buildings, forming the water bound- 
ary of the college farm, and adding much to the beauty 
of the surrounding scenery. 

BiiEWER, taken from Orrington, is opposite the city of 
Bangor, with which it is connected by a covered bridge 
over the Penobscot Eiver, and the railroad bridge. The 
first settlement was made in 1770 by Col. John Brewer, 
at what is now Brewer Village, whcse name was given to 
the town. Other early settlers were Isaac Eobinson, 
Elisha Skinner, Lot Eider, Deodat Brastow, Benjamin 
Snow, the Holyoke, Farrington and Burr families. 
Before the Revolution, there were 160 inhabitants. A 
jiost-offlce was opened 
it Bie-nei ^ illagc in 
IMH) Colonel John 
1 1 noi po'^tmaster, 
\\\i held the oflice for 
-^tris The mail 
"5\ IS it fltst carried 
on lu rsLl ack once a 
T\ (_ I k Onlj one vcs- 
s 1 vv as then owned in 
fli MCinitj The first 
< ii_iegationil church 
1 the count} was es- 
li hedheieinl800, 
n in an extent of 
I I miles there were 
nh nine houses. At 
sent there are three 
chinches in the town. 
Ihe business pursuits 
are agriculture, ship-building, and various industrial 
manufactures. 

One of the localities of Noronibega, which was supposed 
to be a famous city in the fifteenth or sixteenth century, 
is on " Brimmer flats," Brewer, opposite the mouth of the 
Kenduskeag Eiver. Gov. Pownall, governor of IMassa- 
chusetts, built the fortification at Fort Point, on Penob- 
scot Eiver, and while superintending it sailed up the 
river with an expedition from Boston in 1758, and landed 
here, probably near Treat's Falls. Brig. Gen. Waldo, 
while t^alUing with him, soon after landing, died sud- 
denlj- of apoplex}-, and was buried on the 23d of May. 

Orrington was the first town incorporated in the 
county. Its charter is dated March 21, 1788. It was 
named for Orangetown, Md., but by an error in spelling 
it became Orrington. It was known previously as New 
Worcester. Brewer and Holden were originally within 




MEB«!TERS ORONO 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



its limits. It is six miles south of Bangor, on the line 
of the Bangor and Biicksport Railroad. The first settle- 
ment was made b_y John Brewer from Worcester, Mass., 
in June, 1770, at the mouth of Segeunkedunk stream, 
where he built a mill. On March 25, 178G, Capt. Brewer 
and Simeon Fowler purchased of the government 10,864 
acres, comprising the front or water lots. The residue 
of the territory' was granted to Moses Knapp and others. 
There are four post-offlceS, — located in Orrington, East 
Orrington, Goodale's Comer, and South Orrington. The 
town contains several churches. There are many good 
farms in the town, and much attention is given to dailies. 
At Goodale's Corner there has been a large nurserj' and 
orchard, the fruit furnishing the largest and best variety at 
the pomological and agricultural fairs of the county and 
State. There are here a manufactory of earthen-ware and 
tiles, of churns, a tannerj-, and lumber and grist mills. 

! Dexter is a pleasant and thriving manufacturing town 

' at the terminus of the Dexter and Newport Railroad and 
Stage Lines to Moosehead Lake, Dover and Exeter. It 

[ was first called Elwinstown. The plantation was granted 
March 13, 1804, to Amos Pond and eight others, and 
named in honor of Samuel Dexter of Boston. It has 
woollen, cotton, and various other manufactures. 

DixMONT was the residence of Samuel Batman, repre- 

' sentativo in Congress from 1827 to 1833 : Garland was 
long the home of Rev. John Sawj-er, emploj-ed b}' the 
Maine Missionary Society from 1810 to 1850, and who 
died in 1858, aged 103 j-ears : Patten manufactures 
lumlier, sashes, doors, &c. , and contains an academy in- 
corporated in 184G : Corinth is a fine farming township 
on the Kcnduskeag River: Newport is also a good 
agricultural town : Corinna is the seat of " Union Acad- 
emy," incorporated in 1857 : IIowland is a picturesque 
town on the Piscataquis River : Lincoln contains an acad- 
emy and has important manufactures : Milford is across 
tlie Penobscot River from Old Town ; here are the Old 
Town Falls, one of the best water-privileges in the United 
Stales : Lowell is diversified bj- numerous streams and 
ponds, and is a region of delightful scenery : Carroll 
has many good mill-pri%-ileges, and contains one of the 

; finest lime-quarries in the State : Kenduskeag has man- 
ufactories of lumber, barrels, farming tools, and contains 
a foundry, grist-mill and cheese-factory : II olden was 
long the residence of Maj. Gen. John Blake, a native of 
Boston, and an officer in the Revolutionary army and in 
the State militia : Prentiss was named for Hon. Henry 
E. Prentiss, at one time mayor of Bangor, who owned 
mostof the town : Mattawamkeag is situated in a beau- 
tiful and fertile vallej', and much attention is given by 
the inhabitants to farming and sto; k-raising. 



The other towns of Penobscot Countj-, with the date 
of settlement and incorporation and their respective pop- 
ulation, are named in the following table : — 



Alton, . 

Arpvle, 

Banl'o.-, 

BradtbrJ, 

Bradlev, 

Brewer, 

Burlington, 

Carmel, 

Carroll, 

Chester, 

Cliarleston, 

Clifton, 

Corinna, 

Corinth, 

Dexter, 

Dixmont, 

Eddin^on, 

Edinljuri;, 

Enfield, 

Etna, . 

Exeter, 

Garland, 

Glenbum, 

Greenbush, 

Greenfield, 

Hampden, 

Hcrmon, 

Ilolden, 

Howland, 

Hudson, 

Kcnduskeag 

Kingman, 

Lagrange, 

Lee, 

Levant, 

Lincoln, 

Lowell, 

Mattamiscontis, 

M attawam keag, 

Maxfield, 

Medwav, 

Milford", 

Mount Chase, 

Newbury, 

Newport, 

Old Town, 

Orono, 

Orrington, . 

Passaduinkeas, 

Patten, 

Plymouth, 

Prentiss, 

StacevviUe,' 



PLANTATIONS. 



Drew, . 
Lakevillo, . 
No. 2, Grand Falls, 
PattaiTHmpus, 
Webster, . 



1795, 
1812, 
1804. 
1795, 
1801, 



1827, 
1819, 
1807, 
1801, 
1802, 
1806, 
1820, 
1312, 
1772, 



1823, 
181!), 
1825, 
1834, 
1814, 
1820, 
1800, 
18.38, 
1798, 
1794, 
1773, 
1774, 
1770, 
1813, 
1828, 
1807, 
183fi, 



1812, 
1832, 
1811, 
1845, 
1834, 



1811, 
1816, 
1807, 



1811, 
ISll, 
1822, 
1834, 
1834, 
1794, 
1814, 
1852, 
1826, 
1825, 



1813, 
1829, 
1837, 



18.-0, 1860, 

1800, 1831, 

1776, U- 1S-.3, 

1835, I 1S57, 

1820, I 1875, 



1845, 
ia55, 
1830, 
1820, 
1813, 



1875, 
18.-)6, 
1875, 



The unincorporated townships of Penobscot County, 
each six miles square, contain a population of about 2,000. 



PISCATAQUIS COUNTY. 



EY KEV. AMASA LOKING. 



Whek the sale and settlement of the townships now 
comprised in Piscataquis Count}' began, they were in- 
cluded in the counties of Hancock and Somerset, with 
their courts and registries at Castine and Norridgewock, 
respectively. The portion included in Hancock Count}- 
bocame a part of Penobscot at its incorporation in 1816. 
March 23, 1838, Piscataquis County was incorporated, 
taking three tiers of townships from Somerset County 
and four from Penobscot ; embracing all that laj' north 
of the south line of Wellington, and of the south line of 
the sixth range, north of the Waldo patent, as far east 
as Medford, to Canada, and including IGO townships. 
Twentj'-two of these were then incorporated, and in four 
others there were settlements. Dover was made the 
shire town. 

In March, 1844, 60 of the most northern townships were 
annexed to Aroostook Countj'. The same j-ear a fire- 
proof court-house was built. Bj' mutual agreement the 
jail in Bangor is still used. 

Six townships of wild land in this county were granted 
to Bowdoin College, and four half-townships- to as many 
academies. One township was granted to the Massachu- 
setts Medical .Society, and one-half of a township to the 
Saco Free Bridge. 

The early settlements were all upon the Piscataquis 
River and its branches. The first trees were felled in 
the county, with a view to permanent settlement, bj' 
Abel Blood of Temple, N. H., in June, 1779, opposite 
Dover ■sdllage. He led a conipanj- of seven men from 
Norridgewock, carrj'ing their provisions a part of the 
way in birch canoes, and a part on their shoulders, 
about 50 miles, mostly through an unbroken forest. By 
1802, openings had been made in the present towns of 
Foxcroft, Sangerville, Sebec, Atkinson and Milo. In 
the spring and autumn of 1803, the first families were 
brought in, and permanent settlements made. 

Formidable hardships were encountered by these earl}' 
pioneers. The roads were rough and mudd}' in summer, 
and covered with deep snows in winter. Mills, stores and 
ph3sicians wore remote, and provisions were convej'ed 
from distant towns. Some hcav}' articles were boated u[) 
the Penobscot and Piscataquis to Brownville and Dover. 



As earl}' as 1805 a saw and grist mill was built at 
Sebec. Others soon followed ; framed buildings were 
erected, and life was made more comfortable. The 
settlers reaped heav}' harvests. IMoose, deer and other 
desirable game were found in the forests, and the streams 
and lakes swarmed with trout, alewives and salmon. 

No inauspicious event occurred until the the war of 
1812 was declared. All were then afraid of the Penob- 
scot Indians, to whom all the rivers, lakes and settle- 
ments in this new region were famiUar. Only two towns 
had then been incorporated, and there were no militarj' 
organizations. A general panic prevailing, a public 
meeting was called and plans of defence were discussed, 
but none were agreed upon. So thej' waited, in dire 
suspense. When the British marched to Bangor, and 
took it, in September, 1814, a new excitement was 
enkindled. Man}' of the men seized their muskets, 
filled their knapsacks and started to repel the invaders. 
A volunteer company was formed, Capt. E. Chase, a 
Revolutionary veteran, being chosen, commander, and a 
hasty march to the conflict began. But they were en- 
tirely too late. They heard of the surrender and halted. 
The "Indian scare" now amounted almost to a panic, 
and savage outrages were hourly expected. They never 
came. The Indian kept from the war-path, and peace- 
ably tracked his game. Bangor was soon evacuated, 
the speck of war faded out, and national peace was 
restored. 

The cold seasons were a still more serious calamity. | 
Except late-planted corn aliundant crops had usually j 
ripened. But in 1815 an early frost cut off all the corn, 
and pinched the grain. The summer of 1816 was still 
colder. On the 29th or 30th of May, five inches of 
snow fell. Up to June 10th there were frequent snow- 
squalls ; and the ground froze by night. Every month 
frost was seen, and October 6th three inches of snow 
fell, and cold weather set in. Corn and beans were a 
total failure ; wheat, rye and potatoes came in light. A 
scarcity of provisions followed. Teams could not pass 
over the summer roads to other places. Wheat sold for 
$3 per bushel. The heads of large families then made 
every shift to keep " the wolf from the door" ; and they 



HISTORY OV NEW KNCLAXD. 



succeeded, for none perished with liungcr. Tlic _ycar 1817 
proved a little more favorable ; and the following summer 
of 1818 was one of great heat. A bountiful crop was then 
harvested, and the land was full of bread. The next 
winter wheat sold in Bangor for 75 cents per bushel, and 
other products accordingly. These cold seasons checked 
! tlie increase of set;lement ; the Ohio fever prevailed, 
and manj- moved awa}- who had made beginnings. But 
onlj- once since (in 1832) has corn proved an entire 
failure, and then an excess of wheat compensated. 

The " great fire " of 1825 was another severe calamity. 
Though this portion of the State enjoys a steadier rain- 
foil than many others, that year a prolonged di-ought 
prevailed. It began in August and continued until the 
middle of October. Fires were fearlessly set in manj- 
new clearings, and they continued to smoulder. But 
little damage was done until the night of October 7th. 
The wind rose on tliat memorable night to afurii)us gale. 
These lingering fires were all kindled anew, and driven 
finally on through field and forest, lighting up the 
country with their roaring, crackling flame. Many wells 
had failed ; the small streams were diy, and the means 
to arrest the fiery dclu;;e were limited. The decaying 
stumps and log fences and the dead trees in the forest were 
as drj- as tinder, and sparlvs of fire were strewn abroad 
like snow-flakes in winter. Almost every farm-house 
was in danger, and every one awake and active to save 
them. Thus wore that '■'■ horabiUs w-a;" away. About 
daylight the gale abated, and the rage of the devouring 
element was satisfied. Four dweUiugs in Guilford, with 
tlicir well-filled barns, were laid iu ashes, and some in 
I'arkman and other towns, while the damage to wood 
and fine timljer lands could not be eiisilj' estimated. 
Large tracts were burned over from Moosehead Lake to 
Bangor, which time is now restoring. In the calm 
which followed the gale, a dense smoke enveloped the 
whole region. Of some of the scenes of that night the 
writer was an eye-witness. 

The only railroad in the county is the Bangor and I'is- 
cataquis, chartered from Old Town to Moosehead Lake, 
and now completed to Blanchard, 12 miles from the lake, 
and connecting with Bangor by a junction with the 
European and Korth American Railway at Old Town. It 
is a great public convenience, and has increased the 
valuation and business of the county, but up to this date 
has not paid any dividend to its stockholders. Should 
proposed roads from Canada meet it, it will become a 
great thoroughfare for travel and business. 

Lumbering has been a large and lucrative pursuit in 
this county. Immense quantities of clapboards from the 
pine, and shingles from the cedar, have been sawed and 



convejxd to Bangor, the most convenient market. For 
manj' 3-ears they were rafled down the river, but numer- 
ous dams rendered it difficult and dangerous. Kow the 
pine is so much reduced, that not much is manufactured 
for distant markets, but the cedar knows but little abate- 
ment. More lumber is now driven ilown the rivers in 
the log than formerlj-, and work, d up nearer tide-water. 

A few woollen-factories are running, and other kinds 
of skilled industr}' pursued ; but a small amount consid- 
eiing the inviting water-power, and other facilities for 
profitable investments. 

Agriculture is and ever must be the leading pursuit in 
this county-. Many, Ijy improved modes of culture, and 
by easier methods of harvesting, have learned "how to 
make the farm pay." Stock-raising and dairying are 
profitable in these northern counties. Three annual 
agricultural fairs are held in the county. 

The Katahdin Iron "\^'orks, situated in township No. 6, 
range 9, on the west bank of the Pleasant River, 40 
miles south-west of Mt. Katahdin, are a noticealile indus- 
try of the county. A bed of ore was discovered at the 
base of Ore Mountain in 1843, and Walter Smith & Sons 
undertook to develop it. They purchased the greaier 
part of the township, and put up a blast-furnace to be 
heated with charcoal. The ore proved unusually good, 
and the furnace can now turn out ten tons per day. It 
gave business to a large number of men and teams. A 
hotel was opened, boarding-houses built, and quite a set- 
tlement grew up around the works. In some years the 
furnace has produced nearly 2,500 tons of iron. 

The surface of the county is moderately hilly, with a 
few high mountains ; its soil fertile, not very stony, bear- 
ing a heavy primary growth, portions of it originally 
abounding with pine, spruce, hemlock and cedar timber, 
with convenient lakes and streams for log-driving and for 
mill-privileges. lis whole tcrritorj' is north of the 4.")th 
parallel of latitude ; so in clim;.te it is temperate in sum- 
mer, with cold snaps and deep snows in winter. Except 
in unusually cold seasons, agricultural pursuits produce 
aljundaut and mature harvests. Some of its mountains 
are historic. Katahdin, towering 5,000 feet above 
sea-level, showing the broad s.ripes which the mighty 
avalanche has drawn, stands in solitary grandeur near 
the eastern border of the county, and about midway be- 
tween its north and south extremities. Kinco, too, is 
beautifully sublime, rising 700 feet from the surface of 
Moosehead Lake, in a sheer and naked clill, like a proud 
and defiant sentinel. Near its base, at this point, the 
lead sinks 1,200 feet more to find the bottom. 

Squaw Mountain on the west side, and the Spencer 
mount-ins on the east side of Moosehead Lake, and the 



Ebeeme, north of " Katahdin Iron Works," arc all 
grand and lofty elevations. 

Moosehead, the largest bod}' of inland water in New 
England, covering a surface of 120 square miles, nearl}- 
40 long and 12 wide, lies on the western border of the 
count}'. It includes Sugar and Deer isles, and manj- other 
smaller ones. Kennebec Eiver issues from it, and its 
surface is 1,070 feet above tide-water. A dam, at the 
outlet, raises its surface seven feet, and subserves lumber- 
driving. 

Chesuncook, 25 miles north-east of Moosehead, is a 
reservoir of the Penobscot, through which the west 
branch of that river runs, after passing within 1^ miles of 
the " head of Moosehead Lake." This lake is 15 miles 
long, and from 1 to 3 wide. 

Sebec Lake, north of Foxcroft, and Schoodic, east of 
Brownville, are large and useful bodies of water. 

The Piscataquis and its branches water nearly all the 
settled parts of the county. Its principal tributaries are 
the Schoodic, Pleasant, Sebec and Salmon rivers on the 
north, and Cold, Alder, Black and Carleton's streams on 
the south side. 

The northern and unsettled part of this county abounds 
with lakes and streams, most of which flow into the 
Penobscot, and are useful to lumbermen. 

Little has been said of educational institutions ; but 
the young have not been overlooked in this backwoods 
part of Maine. The common school, which has been 
mainlj- relied on to reach the masses, was earl}' planted. 
When all things were new and rough, the school-houses 
were plain and cold, the school-books were imperfect, 
and the teachers often but poorly qualified. But im- 
provements came. Better houses supplanted the old, 
and with them were introduced better books and teach- 
ers more fully qualified. Larger appropriations were 
made to sustain schools, and longer terms were kept. 
When Foxcroft Academy was established it raised the 
standard of requirements for the common-school teacher 
and gave a new impulse to education. Teachers' insti- 
tutes have also been a power for good. So, too, have 
high schools, with their superior advantages. These are 
occasional rather than permanent, but have proved highly 
beneficial. 

Both of the academies in this county have been aided 
by the State. Each has received a grant of a half 
township of wild lands. These have been sold and the 
proceeds held as a permanent fund, contributing largely 
to their success. 

Many young men have gone from these academies to 
various colleges to secure still higher attainments. 

In the summer of 1838, George V. Edes started a 



weekly paper in Dover, called the "Piscataquis Herald." 
Its name was changed to "Piscataquis Farmer," and 
again in 1848 to "Piscataquis Observer." Mr. Edes 
continued to edit and publish it till his death in Novem- 
ber, 1875. His youngest son, Mr. S. D. Edes, is the 
present proprietor. 

In the late civil war this county furnished some oflScers 
of high daring, and its full proportion of the gallant 
soldiery who went forth and did battle to presei-ve the 
Union. Col. C. S. Doutty and Maj. C. P. Chandler, 
numbered with our fallen heroes, were natives of this 
county. 

Towns. 

Dover (originally No. 3, Range G) was purchased of 
the State by R. Hallowell and J. Lowell for C. Vaughan 
and John Men'ick, who sold the soil to its settlers. 
Abel Blood bought a tract a mile square on the north 
side of the town, which extended across the Piscataquis 
River, and contained the mill privilege and site of East 
Dover village. He made the first opening in both town 
and county in 1799, and raised the first crop in 1800. 
The next year, Thomas and Moses Towne bargained for 
a part of Blood's purchase, and felled trees upon it. In 
the spring of 1803, Eli Towne started with his wife and 
child from Temple, N. H., to occupy permanently that 
remote wilderness home. They came by water from 
Portsmouth to Bangor ; thence they started on foot, he 
carrying the child. On reaching Levant settlement, now 
Kenduskeag village, he found a boy from Charleston. 
Hiring the boy to walk home, he placed Mrs. Towne on 
horseback with the grist. Thus they reached Charleston, 
where he hired the horse to complete their journey. 
Thus they plodded on, guided only by a spotted line. 
A thick snow-storm deepened the gloom of the lone- 
some forest. Fatigued and dispirited, near the close of 
the day they reached the Piscataquis River. A small 
opening, black with logs and stumps, a solitary log 
cabin, and a boundless forest beyond, were all that 
cheered their sight. Crossing the river, they entered 
that humble, scanty cabin, and thus. May 8, 1803, the 
first family settled in this town and county. Other fam- 
ilies came, and the settlement progressed steadily. In 
1810 there were 94 persons there. Until 1805 the near- 
est grist-mill was at Dexter, fifteen miles distant. Until 
1807 no boards could be obtained. In a cavity hollowed 
in a solid rock the settlers bruised their corn with a 
stone pestle. In March, 1805, Sibyl, daughter of Eli 
Towne and wife, was born, — the first birth in town. 

Dover was incorporated as a town, Jan. 19, 1822. A 
rapid increase of population and business now followed. 
Saw and grist mills were soon after started, a bridge 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



was built across the river, and, a few years later, another 
at East Dover. In 1826 C. Vaughan put a large flour- 
mill in operation on the " Great Falls," with a cleansing 
apparatus, which became the most celebrated mill in the 
countj-. Mr. Vaughan also started a carding and cloth- 
ing mill. This, in 1836, was changed to a factorj-, and 
four j-ears afterwards it was burned, together with the 
grist-mill. A generous communit}- aided, and thej' were 
soon relmilt. During the civil war the profits of the 
factory were considerable, and a large brick mill, now 
containing six sets of machinerj-, was then erected. 

When Dover was made the shire town, it gave a new 
impulse to the growth of Dover village. The town is 
now first in population, business and wealth in the 
county. It lies on both sides of the Piscataquis, and 
contains a large amount of meadow land. Dover -village 
has, beside its wooUen-factoiy, an excellent flour mill. 
At East Dover, there are various manufactories, and at 
Dover South Mills, a saw and shingle mill. The town 
contains several churches, a graded school, and sixteen 
school districts. Population, 1,983. Hon. J. H. Rice 
was three times elected to Congress while a resident of 
Dover. 

Sebec. — This township, with three others, was 
granted, in 1794, to Bowdoin College. In May, 1803, 
16,000 acres were sold to Richard Pike of Newbury- 
port, Mass. Soon after this, B. Wyatt, Da^id and 
Charles Coffin, Mary Pike, and Philip Coombs, bought 
equal shares of Mr. Pike, and became proprietors. The 
settlement was at first called Cofiinsville. The first 
family in town — that of Capt. E. Chase — moved here 
on ox-sleds from Bingham, Me., in the fall of 1803. 
James Lj-ford, Mark Trafton, and others were the next 
settlers. The first saw and grist mill in the county was 
built in the spring of 1805, at the outlet of Sebec Lake. 

Sebec was incorporated, Feb. 28, 1812, the first town 
in the countj-. N. Bradbur}- opened the first store near 
Sebec Bridge in 1820. About two j-ears later, J. & 
N. Bodwell started a carding and fulling mill. In 1836, 
J. Cushing & Co. established a woollen-factor}-. This 
was burned in 1856, but was rebuilt by the same owners. 

Sebec is situated on the north banic of the Piscataquis 
River. The outlet at Sebec Lake affords one of the best 
of water-powers. Sebec village, the largest settlement, 
has saw, woollen, clapboard and shingle mills, a tannery 
and other industrial establishments. 

The religious interests are represented by three 
cliurches. The population is 960. Sebec has had some 
men of note. Among them are Capt. E. Chase, a Rev- 
olutionary soldier, and self-taught physician ; James 
Lyford ; Mark Trafton ; and Dr. F. Boynton, a grandson 



of Gen. F. Blood, an offieer in the Revolution. Dr. 
Boynton was drowned while running a raft in 1822. 

Mild was first settled in the fall of 1803, by Benjamin 
Sargent, from Methuen, Mass. His wife and j'oung 
children rode on horseback from Bangor. The^- lived in 
an open camp two months, until the harvest was gath- \ 
ered, and a log-house built. Settlers came in slowly, j 
and in 1820 it had but 97 inhabitants. The town was 
incorporated in 1823, and the next year mills were built 
on the Sebec River by W. A. Sweat. In 1842, Joseph 
Cushing erected a wooUen-factorv, which was burned in 
1848. GifTord & Co. then built in another place, and 
their mill is still operating successfully. Milo is on the 
railroad, 12 miles north-east of Dover. It has a good 
soil, with a large amount of interval. Piscataquis, Se- [ 
bee and Pleasant rivers pass through the town. It has 
free bridges across the two last-named rivers, and a toll- 
bridge and ferr^' across the Piscataquis. The population 
is 938. 

Sangertille. — This township was purchased hy Col. 
C. Sanger of Sherburne, Mass. Phineas Ames, from 
Hancock, N. H., moved his family here in the fall of 
1803. The following year J. Wej-mouth and J. Brock- 
aw.iy moved in. In 1810 there were 126 inhabitants. 
Saw and grist mills were subsequently- put in operation, 
and in 1816 the first carding-machine in the countj- was 
started. The first fulling-mill in the count}- was estab- 
lished the next year. 

In 1814 the town was incorpor.ated and named in 
honor of its proprietor. A woollen-factor}- was put 
in operation at the "Village" in 1869, and it is in suc- 
cessful operation at the present time. 

Sangerville is a good agricultural township. It has six 
mill-pri^ileges now utilized, and formerly had two more. 

FoxcROFT was bought by Col. J. E. Foxcroft, Nov. 
10, 1800, for §7,940. In March, 1806, John Spaulding 
moved here with his family. Clearings had previously 
been made. Other families soon after followed, and a 
log dam, the first across the Piscataquis, was constructed, 
and also a saw and grist miU. This mill was subsequently 
bought by Col. J. Greeley, whose sons settled there and 
ran it. 

In the summer of 1807, Capt. S. Chamberlain and 
Ephraim Bacon came from Charlton, INIass., and put 
up a frame-house near the mill, the first in town. In 
October, they brought in their families, moving them 
from Bangor on an ox-wagon. They had to cut the road 
wider in many places, and bridge sloughs and bogs. In 
one place they built a bridge 30 feet long. 

In 1810 there were 65 inhabitants in the place, and 
Feb. 29, 1812, the settlement was incorporated and named 



MAINE. 



after Col. Foxcroft. lie presented the town with 100 
volumes for a librar}-, which was subsequently burned. 

Six j-ears after iucorporation a portion of Foxcroft was 
annexed to Dover. In 1812 a distillery was built. It 
proved injurious to the morals, industry and estates of 
the people, and unprofitable to its owner. Its fires went 
out, and it was converted to better uses. About 1819 a 
carding-machine was put in operation by a Mr. Sherman 
where Jordan's grist-mill now stands. The next year the 
first bridge across the Piscataquis was built, heavily 
taxing the town of Foxcroft. It was a complicated piece 
of architecture, and stood about ten years, when it was 
replaced hy another. This was swept away in 1854, and 
the present bridge succeeded it. In 1823, Rev. Thomas 
Williams was settled as the minister of the town, and 
Foxcroft Academy was chartered and opened, the first 
north of Bangor. Before 1844, fulling, carding and 
lumber mills and a tannery had been constructed. In 
that year J. G. Maj-o & Co. put up a woollen-factor3% 
It is still running, and employs about 60 operatives. 
A spool-factory was erected in 1870 by L. H. Dwelley 
& Co. It was burned in 1877, but has been rebuilt. 
It works up some 1,200 cords of white and yellow birch 
annuall3\ 

Foxcroft lies north of Dover, and has an excellent 
water-power. It contains eight school districts, one 
graded school, a flourishing academy, and with its varied 
industries presents a thriving appearance. The Congre- 
gational Church of Foxcroft and Dover was organized in 
1822, and in 1833 a house of worship was built in the 
former place. It was laid in ashes soon after its con- 
struction, but a second edifice was erected in another 
place. This, too, was burned in 1850, and the next jear 



the present handsome edifice was built. Foxcroft has 
a population of about 1,200. 

Parkman, formerly No. 5, 6th range, was bought by 
Samuel Parkman, father of the late Dr. George Parkman 
of Boston. The first settlers P. and William Cummings, 
A. Andrews, A. Briggs, and William Brewster, moved in 
about 1812, and were from Greene. Samuel Pingree, 
Esq. , -was an early settler, and acted as agent for Mr. 
Parkman. 

In August, 1818, a Baptist Church was organized. 
The settlement had a steady growth, and in 1820 there 
were 255 inhabitants. In 1822 it was incorporated as 
the town of Parkman. Several persons in this town were 
sufferers by the ' ' great fire." 

Parkman is situated 12 miles west of Dover on the 
south branch of the Piscataquis and the Pingree River. 
It contains 14 school districts and four religious societies. 
Elder Z. Hall was long an influential minister in this town. 

The remaining towns of Piscataquis County are : — Guil- 
ford (population, 800) , incorporated in 181G : Brownville, 
containing extensive slate-quarries (860, 1824) : Atkin- 
son (800, 1819) : Abbot (700, 1827) : WelUngton (680, 
1828) : Monson, the location of six slate-quarries (600, 
1822) : Orneville, population, 575 ; incorporated as Mil- 
ton in 1832, as Almond in 1841, and by its present name 
the following year : Greenville, the entrepot of lumbering 
on a part of the Kennebec and Piscataquis waters (375, 
1836) : Medford, population, 300 ; incorporated as the 
town of Kilmarnock in 1824, and by the name it now 
bears in 1856 : Shirley (200, 1834) : Williamsburg, also 
the site of slate-quarries (175, 1820) : Kingsbury (175, 
1836) : and Blanchard (165, 1831). Beside these, there 
are several unincorporated townships and plantations. 



SAGADAHOC COUNTY. 



BY UEV. HENRY 0. THAYER. 



Sagadahoc County comprises the territory lying 
chieflj' on the Sagadahoc River and Merr^-meeting Hay. 
New Meadows, or Stevens' River, and the Androscoggin 
separate it on the west from Cumberland County. The 
Sheepscot and the Kennebec divide it from Lincoln 
County. Its length, north to south, is 33 miles ; 
breadth, between Stevens' River and the Sheepscot, 7J- 
miles. Northward it varies from 6 to 17 miles. Three 
of its eleven towns are islands ; three others nearly so ; 



only one is not reached by the tide. The shore-line 
on tide- water, excluding smaller bajs and creeks, is 165 
miles. Its land area is about 250 square miles. An 
additional water area of 45 square miles is included 
within its proper bounds. 

Soils are widely diverse, claj-, loam, sand, and every 
variety of mixture. In the lower towns prevail rocky, 
ledgj' ridges and heights, joined to arable and meadow 
lands, and salt marsh. The first view suggests rock and 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



sterility, especially near the coast ; but better knowledge 
discerns valuable tillage and grass lands for a large pop- 
ulation. These ledgj' and forbidding shores are yet 
dotted with the homes of hard}' fishermen and mariners. 
The northern towns present wider extent of tillage, bet- 
ter soils and farms. 

In 1854 Sagadahoc County was formed from the west- 
ern part of Lincoln. Bath became the shire town. The 
population of the county, in 1870, was 18,803 ; and its 
valuation, $11,041,340. 

The first known entrance of Europeans to the Saga- 
dahoc was in June, 1605, M' the intrepid Champlain, 
leading the exploring compan}' of De Monts from the 
j St. Croix. 

After the failure of Popham's attempt to establish a 
colony at the mouth of the Sagadahoc, as elsewhere de- 
tailed, voyages for fishing and the fur-trade were made 
to this region. 

At a later period, the French from St. Croix -N-isited 
Popham's Fort as they came to the river for grain. In 
1G14 Capt. John Smith explored the region. On his 
map King Charles afterwards displaced the aboriginal 
Sagadahoc by the name Leethe. The Council of Plym- 
outh planned occupation and laid schemes of trade.' 
Sanguine of rich harvests, expectations centered in the 
Sagadahoc. The islands in its mouth (Arrowsic and 
Parker's) were set apart for a city. When the council 
was dissolved, and the territory from the Hudson to 
Cape Sable divided, 10,000 acres on the east part of 
Sagadahoc were added to each of seven of the twelve 
divisions, that these noblemen might share in the sub- 
urbs of this visionary metropolis of New England. Yet, 
had events turned otherwise than thcj- did, the vision 
might have in part been realized. 

The grant to Gorges, in 1G22, had for its eastern 
boundary the Sagadahoc. From this he granted, in 
1C37, to Sir Richard Edgecomb, a tract on Merrymeeting 
Bay, and another on the coast, probably on New Mead- 
ows harbor. Thomas Purchase received an extensive 
grant west of the Sagadahoc, and located on it as early 
as 1G27. He is the first known settler in this region. 
Fishermen may have had temporary dwellings on the 
shores. The Pilgrim colonists at New Plymouth ob- 
tained a patent on the upper Kennebec in 1023; en- 
larged in 1G29. Four j-ears later the}' came here with a 
shallop-load of corn, and began traffic with the natives. 
It can scarcely be doubted that Edward Winslow, after- 
wards governor of the Colony, the commander of these 
first coasting expeditions, left his name to the noted lodge 
in the channel against the citj' of Bath, which at least 
for 230 years has borne its present name, " Winslow's 



Rock." Their trading-house was built in 1G28 ; at what 
point is not certain. Permanent occupation now began. 
Rights to the soil were obtained from the Indians. The 
first known was the Nequasset purchase, in 1G39, one of 
the earliest deeds on record. Lands adjoining, on the 
north, were bought in 1648 ; the islands below soon 
after ; and within a score of years the whole of Sagada- 
hoc Count}' and adjacent lands were held under titles 
derived from the native lords of the soil. 

Grants from the king covered large portions also — 
seeds of litigation for future generations. Boston mer- 
chants chiefly were engaged in this eastern trade. Many 
earUest residents are traced to that city, Salem, and 
vicinitj'. Probably not many actual settlers were here 
prior to 1650. But from this date larger operations 
began; farms were opened, stocks of cattle introduced, 
lumbering operations were commenced, mills built, 
and coo])er and smiths' shops set up. Ship-building, 
also, was undertaken ; grain-mills, with bakeries for the 
convenience of the people, were in existence as early as 
1660. 

The lands west of the Sagadahoc were in Gorges' 
jurisdiction. That on the east, and all lands as far as 
Pemaquid, made one of the divisions of the Plymouth 
Council. Their scheme of government failed. Fisher- 
men, planters and traders seemed to have been a law 
unto themselves, except as offences were brought under 
the cognizance of the parent Colonies at Pl3mouth or 
Massachusetts Bay. But in 1654 New Pl^-mouth Colony 
instituted a form of government, in view of her opera- 
tions on the Kennebec. This practicall}' covered the 
Sagadahoc territory. But the endeavor shared the for- 
tune of their waning occupation. Business declined ; 
they withdrew in 1660, and sold their right the next 
year. 

A change of aflfairs came with the restoration of 
Charles II. in 1660. James, his brother, was put in 
possession, in 16G4, of eastern Maine. His bounds 
extended from the St. Croix to Pemaquid, and thence 
by a direct line to Kennebec. The lands below this hue, 
comprising all of Sagadahoc County east of the river, 
lay outside of this grant ; yet they were really brought 
under the Duke's government — for the king's commis- 
sioners appeared on the Sheepscot in September, 1665, 
and erected the Duke's territory into a county called 
Cornwall. Eight persons from the Sagadahoc lands 
yielded to the call for allegiance. Justices were ap- 
pointed, and the machinery of government set up. This 
authority was proljably slight ; it was certainly brief. 
In a few years it had faded out. Hy the treat}' of Breda, 
Nova Scotia was resigned to the French. They boldly 



claimed to the Kennebec, and might proceed to talic 
possession. This was distasteful to Massachusetts, who, 
113^ concurrence of popular favor, had established her 
jurisdiction over western Maine. Hy ordering a new 
surve}' of her eastern line, and by a politic expedient, 
she brought all as far as Pemaquid under her charter 
rights. The Sagadahoc settlers had no objections, as 
man}- were Massachusetts men. In 1672 the}' petitioned 
for her protection, having had no government for previ- 
ous 3-ears. This territor}- bejond the Sagadahoc became a 
count}- called Devonshire. West of the river was York- 
shire. The river, which had been the boundary of early 
divisions of the Plymouth Council, — then of Gorges' and 
the Duke of York's grants ; then, under the claim of 
France, the dividing line between two nations, — now 
only separated two counties under a common govern- 
ment. James was careless of his Province. Massachu- 
setts quickly and firmly established her authority ; ap- 
pointed officers ; set up courts ; organized militia, and 
levied taxes. The population then within the present 
Sagadahoc County can only be imperfectly estimated. 
Forty to fifty families of planters arc believed to have 
been resident ; also fishermen, workmen and traders. 

Fifty years' advance Lad given prosperous settlements 
and apparent stability. Fishing, farming, the mechanic 
arts and trade were profitably prosecuted. The founda- 
tions of civil order were laid, and institutions of religion 
were not neglected. Robert Gutch and Ichabod Wis- 
WL'll ministered to the people. This period of peaceful 
promise was followed by various Indian troubles. 

The autumn of 1675 brought no hostile acts in this 
region but the plundering of Mr. Purchase's house, and 
threats. Disarming of the Indians was undertaken, 
conciliation effected, and ratified by old Robinhood's 
applauded dance. A year of quiet gave confidence and 
relaxed watchfulness. Suddenly, in August, 1676, the 
storm fell, in the treacherous surprising of the house of 
Richard Hammond (quite certainly in Woolwich) , and 
the stealthy seizure of the strong fort of Messrs. Clarke 
& Lake, on Arrowsic, who were wealthy Boston mer- 
chants, and large owners of Kennebec lands. Ham- 
mond, a step-son, and a workman were killed. Capt. 
Lake escaped, but was pursued and slain on Parker's 
Island. Fift\-three were made captives. This opened 
the war which in following days swept over the settle- 
ments east of Casco Bay. No concerted resistance was 
possible. The terrified people fled to the coast and the 
islands, and then to the western towns and Boston. 
How many were slain can never be known. Cattle and 
crops were surrendered to the savages — mills and dwell- 
ings plundered or burned. In November a treaty was 



arranged with the Penobscots, and some captives re- 
turned, but no similar favor was received from the Ken- 
nebecs. Maj . Waldron's expedition, in February, accom- 
plished little in subduing the enemy or obtaining cap- 
tives. He established a garrison of 40 men near the 
present Phipsburg Centre. This, after sad losses, was 
soon withdrawn. In July the Kennebecs held at least 
20 captives. The Androscoggins put their prisoners to 
death. In April, 1678, articles of peace, made at Casco, 
embraced the release of captives and the return of inhab- 
itants without molestation. 

In 1679, 60 persons were living on Stage Island, at the 
entrance to the Sagadahoc. In answer to a petition of 
26 men in their behalf, Gov. Andros assigned to them 
the lower part of Arrowsic for a compact settlement. 
This, when established, was defended by a fort, and bore 
the name of Newtown. Another fort was in this period 
built near the mouth of the river. Andros had set up, 
in 1677, a vigorous government over the Duke's eastern 
Province. Pemaquid became the seat of authority, and 
the port of entry for all vessels. In 1683-84, there were 
some seven families on the west side of the river. This 
territory belonged to Yorkshire, and was under the juris- 
diction of Massachusetts. Yet Andros's authority 
encroached upon it. The government of " New York 
and Sagadahoc," practically comprised both banks of 
the river. In 1684-85, many new Indian purchases were 
made of land long before bought and occupied. Among 
these was the deed of Worumbo and others of the lands 
in the purchase and Wa}- patent. Seguin was bought in 
1685 by Robert Patteshall. 

Andros visited the Sagadahoc in the spring of 1688, 
and also the Penobscot, and established garrisons ; one 
at Newtown, one at Sagadahoc, somewhere near the 
mouth of the river ; also at Fort Anne, which may have 
been the name given to the block-house that had been 
built on Merrymeeting Bay. There was also the new 
neighboring fort at Pejepscot. One hundred and eighty 
men garrisoned these during the winter. On the insur- 
rection against Andros in Boston, in the next April, the 
soldiers revolted, and abandoned the forts and the river. 
The Indians, under French instigation, had begun bloody 
work elsewhere in the previous season, as at N. Yar- 
mouth and at Shecpscot. Captives had been taken at 
Sagadahoc, and many were killed at Merrymeeting Bay. 
But the summer of 1689 brought final destruction on this 
region. Newtown was burned, all but one house. The 
inhabitants retired to western towns and to Boston. 
The number slain is altogether unknown. Property was 
wasted, and mills and houses ruined. The savage was 
again master of the soil. It is doubtful if anywhere 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



inhabitants liad a foothold in Sagadahoc County in the 
next 25 j-ears. The first expedition of Maj. Church 
ascended the Kennebec in the fall of 1689. The second 
visited Pejepscot Fort and the Androscoggin, in 1G90. 
On his third, two years later, he had a fight with the 
savages in the Kennebec, and pursued them into the 
woods. Maj. Hilton's expedition in March, 1707, sur- 
prised a party at Cox's Head, and slew 18. 

The treat}' of Utrecht in 1713, gave hopes of settled 
peace. At once the principal landholders planned re-oc- 
cupation. The heirs of Clarke and Lake projected a 
settlement, and extensive operations. Sir Bibye Lake of 
London, grandson of Capt. Thomas Lake, killed in 1G76, 
furnished means and aid. John Watts, a merchant of 
Boston, was agent and owner, and was succeeded, on his 
early decease, by Capt. John Penhallow. In 1715, 20 
or more families were bj' them located on Arrowsic Island, 
and soldiers were ordered for their protection. In Maj', 
1710, the island, with its hopeful colonj-, was incorporat- 
ed under the name of Georgetown. 

On the west of the river, the larger part of the present 
Sagadahoc Count}- was comprised in the Wharton right. 
This, and nearl}- all minor titles, were purchased hy eight 
gentlemen — all but one of Boston — who took the name 
of ' ' The Pejepscot Proprietors." Divisions were made 
to each. Besides their settlement at Brunswick, one was 
projected by Dr. Oliver Nojes, one of the compan}', on 
the western side of the Small Point Peninsula, now 
Phipsburg. This, laid out on a liberal scale, provided 
with a strong stone fort, received the name of Augusta, 
which for a time was indeed applied to the whole penin- 
sula. Swan Island, and the shores of Merrymeeting 
Bay, received early settlers. From 1717 to 1720, large 
numbers of Scotch-Irish immigrants — Presbyterians — 
were induced to come hither. 

The Indians, stirred by French influence, soon mani- 
fested hostilit}', and resented occupation of their lands. 
Gov. Shute's conference with them at Arrowsic in 1717, 
maintained the lawful rights of the settlers. Sentiments 
of peace prevailed, and a former treaty was renewed. 
Two years later, insolence, threats, and the killing of 
cattle, evinced the hostile spirit of the Indians. Con- 
ciliation was found impossible, and the military force was 
increased. The Jesuit Rasle, the agent and intriguing 
tool of the French, had unbounded influence. In 1721, 
a large force, accompanied by Rasle and others, visited 
Arrowsic, making demands and threats ; and only the 
peace policy of a few hindered a bloody assault. Jn June. 
1722, settlers' houses about the baj' were dcstroj'ed, and 
some captives taken. In September, a body of Indians 
burned a largo part of the houses on Arrowsic, whose 



garrisons alone saved the inhabitants. ]\Iany settlers 
became discouraged and abandoned their homes. Gov. 
Dummer's treaties of 1725-27 relieved the harassed 
people of Maine. 

A new period now began. Fresh accessions of enter- 
prising men and families entered all these Sagadahoc 
towns. In 1738, bj' increase of inhabitants, the lands 
between the chops of Merr^-meeting Bay and the sea 
were united with Arrowsic, to share its incorporate rights 
and name, Georgetown. 

Again war burdened and afflicted the people. France 
had allies and emissaries in the savages, whose prowling 
and skulking bands were a constant terror. From 1 744 
to 1758, bold incursions and murderous work and seizure 
of captives for sale in Canada, were frequent. Gamson 
houses were the means of safety. In 1751, at least 20 
of these were in Georgetown. Richmond Fort, built in 
1718-19, was the frontier post till 1754. The fall of 
Quebec in 1759, terminated the Indian wars. 

Not alone did the savages render the settlers insecure 
in their possessions. Disputed land-titles were a con- 
tinual cause for vexation and discouragement. In 1729 
came Col. Dunbar, the king's commissioner, asserting the 
roj-al ownership in the soil from the Kennebec to the St. 
Croix. This subverted previous ownership, and dis- 
heartened persons located or about to enter. In behalf 
of the Clarke and Lake proprietors, and others eastward. 
Sir Bibye Lake presented a petition to the king, who sus- 
tained the ancient rights, and confirmed the owners in 
quiet possession. 

A new state of public ferment began 20 j-ears later. 
The ancient New Pl3-mouth patent was bought by some 
wealthy men, who became the " Company of the Kenne- 
bec Purchase." An obscure phrase allowed them to push 
their claim to the ocean. Fifteen miles each side of the 
river took in much more than all the present Sagadahoc 
County. This claim would sweep avray the rights of the 
Pejepscot, the Clarke and Lake, and the Wiscasset pro- 
prietors, and all derived from them. Fierce controversy 
and prolonged litigation resulted. The owners of the 
Kennebec Purchase, with generosity which was also pol- 
icy, offered full titles to all actual owners who would take 
up under them. Legal decisions and acceptance did not 
bring quiet to the Sagadahoc residents till after nearlj- a 
score of years. For others on the Androscoggin and 
the Damariscotta, the case was not set at rest for more 
than half a century. Neither these difficulties, nor the 
alarms of the " old French war," prevented a substan- 
tial growth. 

In the period from 1750 to the Revolution, civil and 
religious institutions were developed, education fostered. 



and quite a number of houses of worship built. In 
1752, Georgetown was divided into two parishes. The 
northern or second parish rapidlj- advanced in numbers, 
and became the town of Bath in 1781. 

In 1759, the Nequassct district was separated from 
Georgetown, and became Woolwich. Settlements north 
of the baj- were advanced, and Bowdoinham was incor- 
porated in 17G2 ; and likewise Topsham in 17G4. 

Lincoln County was formed in 17G0, at the instance of 
the Kennebec Compan3% 

As the Revolution drew on, the " Sons of Liberty " 
were active in resisting British aggression. The king's 
cause, too, had many friends, bold and open, or dis- 
guised. The search for and destruction of tea, forcing 
to sign the league under threats to burj' alive, the mob 
spirit, collisions between patriot and Torj- townsmen, in- 
dicated the fierce spirit of the times. A large amount 
of the king's timber in the docks was seized. Coast 
guards were maintained, and especially' a careful watch 
at the mouth of the river. The burdens of war in fur- 
nishing supplies, — the required clothing and beef, — 
paying bounties, and the hindrance to coastwise trade, 
were grievous. In 1778, one-seventh of the male popu- 
lation of Georgetown was in the Continental army. In 
1780, two British ships entered the river, anchoring in 
Jones's Eddy, against Arrowsic. Night preparation of 
cannon on the bluff, the rall3-ing of the citizens, and a 
spirited attack caused them to slip their cables and has- 
til}' retire. The occupation of the Penobscot by the 
British created great apprehensions lest the Kennebec 
should be seized. This alarm continued, and even in 
the beginning of 1783, was so great as to induce a 
memorial to Gen. Washington. The Tories, fugitives 
from these towns and elsewhere, congregated on the 
Penobscot, were exceedingly troublesome in foraging 
along the shores and islands for sheep, cattle and crops. 
A company was despatched on the Lexington alarm. 
Forces sent in 1776 were ordered to Rhode Island. 
Others were assigned to the coast defence, here and at 
Boothbay and Machias. A portion participated in the 
attack on Castine. Cols. Samuel McCobb and Dummer 
Sewall were the leading officers. With the dawn of 
peace, strenuous opposition was declared against the 
return to their homes of all loyalists. But one act of 
confiscation of their property occurred in this count}-. 
This was against the ancient Phipps farm in Woolwich, 
owned hy Col. David Phipps of Cambridge. B3' reason 
of a technical error the case was continued for judgment, 
when a new resolution of Congress staj'ed proceedings, 
and left the property to its owner. 

In the years following the war, an extensive trade 



with the British and Spanish islands was established. 
In the prospect of war in 1794, the militia was filled up, 
and soldiers were equipped for service at a minute's 
warning. The embargo acts of 1808-9 were burdensome 
and ruinous to a people largely engaged in commerce. 
Memorials were presented to the government, with great 
unanimitj', against the embargo, which was prostrating 
business and causing suffering. The disturbed condi- 
tion of the following years of war seriously affected a 
people whose earnings were so largely derived from busi- 
ness connected with the sea. Twentj'-four vessels are 
reported built in 1812; onlj- three in 1813; sixteen in 
1814 ; and but forty-five in 1815. Nor will it be strange 
in tliis depression of business, the closing of usual mar- 
kets, and the scarcity of monej-, if provisions which 
finallj- fed the enemy were slipped to sea. Armed 
cruisers sent boats ashore for forage, or to empty the 
housewife's milk-pans, as the mood suited. On such an 
errand, or, as her antagonist's men said, " chicken- 
stealing," was the boat of the brig "Boxer" engaged 
when the " Enterprise" sighted her at Pemaquid. This 
notable engagement, and victor}- by the " Enterprise," 
east of Seguin, Sept. 5, 1813-, was watched with eager 
ej-es bj' the people of Parker's Island. British cruisers 
on the coast gave constant apprehensions to the people. 
Especially was this felt in 1814, when England attempted 
the blockade of the coast, from Nova Scotia to Florida. 
The " Bulwark," of 74 guns, laj' ofl'the Kennebec. The 
militia were put in readiness. Detachments were sta- 
tioned at Cox's Head, and near Goose Rock passage, 
north of Parker's Island, while at other points sentinels 
were readv to give earliest alarm. Twice in 1814 was the 
soldicrj- called out. In September, an alarm was given 
that the enemy was coming up the river. Great excite- 
ment prevailed in Bath, verging to a panic. Impromptu 
batteries were erected, goods prepared for removal, and 
specie conveyed from the bank to a place of safety. 
The fright was causeless. British barges in this j-ear 
made an incursion up the Sheepscot, to burn some ship- 
ping. The military companies on that side hastil}' as- 
sembled for possible skirmishing, and at one point were 
under fire of their swivels, probably the only touch of 
actual warfare in this count}-. 

The growth and improvements of peace followed. A 
half-century's changes, inventions and successes brought 
the people in very different condition to the war of the 
Rebellion. Materials and men were not lacking. Two 
full companies from Bath and vicinity entered the third 
Maine regiment. Men and officers wore furnished to 
many others. The Bath soldiers' monument, erected in 
18G7, bears 110 names of those whose service even unto 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



death the city honors. The total number of men cred- 
ited to Sagadahoc Countj- is 2,488. 

The countj' has great manufacturing facilities in an 
extensive water-power. Steam-power is also emploj'ed 
for local convenience. Lumber in everj' variety is still 
a large product. A considerable export of brick is 
maintained. Several quarries of feldspar have been 
opened. In 1878, coal was discovered near Fort Pop- 
ham, but in what quantity is not determined. Ship- 
building has from the first been a foremost industry, 
and even now, in the depression of this business, is weU 
sustained. 

The shore fisheries of cod, hake and mackerel are 
well prosecuted. On the interior waters, by weirs and 
seines, large quantities of shad and alewives are taken. 
Salmon are now obtained in considerable numbers, in- 
creasing by the fostering of fishery laws. The winter 
smelt fishing is productive. The sturgeon fishery, pros- 
ecuted extensively in the first settlements, has been 
recentlj' i-esumed, with large returns. 

The ice business, so noted on the Kennebec, has had 
large increase in the county since 1870. 

Steam-power was used on the Kennebec as earlj- as 
1818 forpropelhng a rude craft. In 1823, steam com- 
munication was opened from Bath to Boston. 

The Kennebec and Portland Railroad was opened 
from Brunswick to Bath in 1849. From Brunswick it 
intersects Topsham, Bowdoinham and Richmond, on the 
route up the river. The Knox and Lincoln Railroad, 
opened for traflSc in 1871, has its western terminus at 
Bath ; thence by steam ferry across the Kennebec, and 
through Woolwich east to Rockland. 

In 1820 was published the first newspaper in the 
county. There are now but two, — both at Bath. 

Eight banks and two institutions for savings are lo- 
cated in the countj-. 

Towns. 

Bath, a city of nearly 8,000 inhabitants, occupies a 
portion of a tract containing some 14,000 acres between 
the Kennebec and New Meadow rivers. It is attached 
by narrow necks to Phipsburg on the south-cast and 
Brunswick on the west. The central part of this penin- 
sula, where the city is built, was bought by Robert 
Gutch in 1660, who was minister and missionary here. 
It was subsequently purchased by Nathaniel Donnel and 
others, and furnished a test case in the controversy with 
the proprietors of the Kennebec Purchase. 

In 1738 it was joined to Georgetown, and in 1753 
40 ftimiUes had settled within its limits. A house of 
worship was built in 1758-60. The early ministers were 



Solomon Page, John "Wyeth, and Francis Winter. In 
1781 it became a separate town by the name of Bath. 

It was organized as a city in 1847. Three years pre- 
vious the south-west portion was set off as the town of 
West Bath. The first bank was organized in 1810. 

Bath is the foremost of Maine towns in ship-building. 
It has also extensive manufactures of anchors, boilers, 
engines, iron and brass, lumber, cars, drain-pipe, &c. 

The city contains seven churches, a fine custom-house, 
a military and naval orphan asylum, and an old ladies' 
home. 

Phipsburg is situated on a peninsula between the 
Kennebec and New Meadows Baj-, and is joined to West 
Bath bj' a neck of 200 rods, the Winnegance carrjing- 
place. The south part was bought of Indians in 1656 
by Thomas Atkins, the remainder by John Parker, Jr., 
in 1659, and the northern part was assigned to his 
brother-in-law, Thomas Webber, who also obtained an 
Indian title. The well-known Silvanus Davis owned and 
improved a farm south of Webber's. These lands were 
in the Purchase and Waj' grant, and were confirmed 
anew to Parker after Wharton's purchase. The heirs of 
Parker occupied lands here in the second settlement. 
The Pejopscot proprietors purchased (1715-20) the rights 
of most of these owners. Dr. Noj-es's town, called 
Augusta, at Small Point Harbor, was onlj' well begun 
when the savage hostilities of 1 720-22 forced the settlers 
to abandon all. The place was re-occupied in 1737 by 
Clark, Hall, Wallis, Wj-man and others. 

The extension of the North Yarmouth line direct to 
the ocean brought this part into that town, but for con- 
venience to the inhabitants it was annexed to George- 
town in 1741. 

Additions were made to the settlement on the Ken- 
nebec side after Dummer's war. Col. Arthur Noble built 
a strong garrison about 1734 on the north side of the 
peninsula near Fiddler's Reach. Near this was erected 
in 1736 the first house of worship known in this settle- 
ment. Some 35 years later an Episcopal Church was 
erected on the same site. About 1802 the present Con- 
gregational Church was built at the " Centre," soon dis- 
placing the use of the old house of the first parish opposite 
on Arrowsic. 

At the entrance to the river at HunneweO's Point is 
Fort Popham built of granite ; begun about 1861, but j-et 
unfinished. A brick breastwork and water-batterj' had 
existed previously, planned, and probably in part built, 
in the French wars. Near this was the location of the 
noted Popham colony in 1607. Cox's Head, a mile 
north, had an earthwork for defence of the river in 1812. 

The village at " Parker's Head " (formerly Vereen's 



Head) Is 3 miles, and the " Centre" 5 miles from the 
entrance to the river. Phipsburg was separated from 
Georgetown in 1814, and named in honor of Sir William 
rhips. Population in 1870, 1,344. 

Parker's Island, or Georgetown, is east of Arrowsic, 
and extends below to the mouth of the river. It was 
purchased in 1G50, of Robiuhood, bj- John Parker of 
Biddeford, Eng., who is said to have been a fisherman 
here for 20 years. A part was sold. The rest became 
the inheritance of his son Thomas, some of whose de- 
scendants bj- the name of Oliver, have occupied lands 
to the present. In 1804 one-fifth of the polls bore the 
name of Oliver. Its Indian name was Rascohcagan 
(variously spelled). Its southern part is the locality 
bearing the name " Sagadahoc " in early voyages and 
history, and was a centre of fishing operations in the 
seventeenth century. 

Georgetown, the incorjjorate name of Arrowsic, was 
extended over this island and other territory in 1738. 
After successive portions had been erected into towns, 
the final separation of Arrowsic in 1841 surrendered to 
Parker's Island that ancient town-name which its sister 
island had first received. It shared similar disasters 
with Arrowsic in the Indian wars. The second or per- 
manent settlement dates from about 1730. 

Robinhood's Cove is thrust in from the north, and 
Sagadahoc Ba}' from the south, almost dividing it into 
two islands. Attached to it are McMahan's, and The 
Five Islands on the Shecpscot side. Stage and Salter's 
islands on the ocean, and Long and Marr's islands in 
the river. The " Centre " at the mills on the Cove is 
12 miles b}- stage line from Bath. Population in 1870, 
1,135. 

Woolwich is the northerly- town east of the river. 
Its Indian and plantation name was Kequasset (Ne- 
guascag), from its pond and stream. It was purchased 
in two portions, in 1G39 and 1G48, of Robinhood. Bate- 
man, Brown, Smith, Cole, Phips and White were the 
first known residents. It passed, in 1G58, into the hands 
of the Boston merchants, Clarke and Lake. The title 
to part of the territorj' was disputed, and finally jielded 
to the heirs of James Smith. Mills at Nequasset Falls 
were built between 1650 and 16G0. The south-east sec- 
tion was owned and occupied b}' James Phips (or 
Phippes), where was bom, in IGol, the son, afterwards 
distinguished as Sir Wm. Phips, by whom and his heirs 
the farm was possessed for more than a century. Verj- 
direct tradition determines that his ship which saved the 
inhabitants in 1C76 was built on this shore. The second 
settlement was begun in 171 G in the southern part and 
on Merrj-meeting Bay, but abandoned or destroj-ed in 



1722. This region was permanently re-occupied in 1730. 
Settlements were made under the direction of Cadwalader 
Ford, Esq., of Wilmington, Mass., agent for Clarke and 
Lake, proprietors, and bj- Samuel Martain of Andover. 
In 1740 fourteen families were located in the place. 
Thirty more were added bj' 1754. It was set off from 
Georgetown and incorporated in 1759, a house of worship 
having been previously erected. The ministry of the 
Rev. Josiali Winship of Cambridge, Mass., began in 
17G5. He was the first Congregational pastor ordained 
over a church in the Kennebec valley. 

Woolwich has manufactures of lumber and brick. 
Three ice companies carry on an extensive business. 
Population in 1870, 1,1G8. 

BowDoiNHAJt, north and west of Merrj-meeting Bay, 
originally extended up the river and included Richmond. 
The sachem Abagadasset had his residence on the Point 
now bearing that name. Alexander Thwait purchased 
of the Indians and lived at this place before 1C5G. After 
some j-ears residence in the territorj- now included in 
Bath, he returned here in 1665. In the next centurj- 
the Pejepscot proprietors claimed the territory, made 
divisions, built mills before 1718, but flnalh' j'ielded to 
the Kennebec proprietors b^' adjustments of 1758 and 
1763. It included a grant of 3,200 acres made to Wm. 
Bowdoin. 

The town was incorporated in 1762. It has manufac- 
tures of lumber, plaster and brick, and contains a bank, 
three churches, and about 1,800 inhabitants. 

Richmond, the most northerly town of the count}' 
west of the river, is 14 miles from Bath. It was included 
in Christopher Lawson's purchase from the Indians in 
1G49. Thwait had previouslj- obtained a tract. Fort 
Richmond, built in the south-eastern part, and rebuilt 
in 1740, was demolished on the erection of forts Halifax 
and Western, on the river above. It was a truck-house 
where Indians were supplied, and to which they came for 
conference and complaints, and was sharplj- beset by 
them in 1722 and 1750. 

This tract was united with Bowdoinham in the incor- 
poration of 1762, and l)orc the name Plantation of Rich- 
mond. It became a separate town iu 1823. Richmond 
has two banlcs, three churches and a libraiy association. 
Several active ship-building firms and ice companies are 
engaged in business here. The chief manufactures are 
lumber, brick, boots and shoes, harnesses and brass. 
Population in 1870, 2,442. 

TopsnAM is situated on the north of a bend of the 
Androscoggin, as it approaches the lower falls, and there 
joins MeiTj-meeting Bay. The first known residents were 
Thomas and James Gyles (1658), and three men by the 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



name of York, who bought lands on the ba}- and river 
before Philip's war. The new settlement was projected 
bj' the Pejepscot proprietors in 1715. Sixteen families 
had located by 1721. In 1750 there were said to be 
only 18 families. The town was not incorporated until 
17G4. A minister was employed in 1721, but later the 
people probabl}' worshipped at Brunswick, till the erection 
of the meeting-house in 1759. The first church organi- 
zation in 1771, was Presb3-terian. The town furnished 
50 men for various service in the Revolutionary war. 
In the war of the Rebellion 144 men entered the service. 
The Johnson Family School for boys is located here. 
The falls of the Androscoggin furnish abundant and 



unused water-power. Tlic manufactures arc lumber, 
sash, flour, feldspar, paper. The Bowdoin Paper Com- 
pany employs 75 hands. Population in 1870, 1,498. 

The remaining towns of the county are: — Bowt)OIN, 
named from the family of Gov. Bowdoin, incorporated in 
1788 ; population, 1,345 : West Bath, set off from Bath 
in 1844 ; population, 375 ; having a valuable water priv- 
ilege, where mills were built in 1039 : Arrowsic,* an 
island on the east side of the Kennebec, the site of one 
of the earliest settlements of the countj', set off from 
Georgetown, and incorporated in 1841 : and Perkins, or 
SwAn's Island, incorporated in 1847, and containing 
less than 100 inhabitants. 



SOMEESET COUNTY. 



BY E. r. MAYO. 



The early histoiy of Somerset County is the old stor3' 
of struggling against many odds with but few helps. 
What are to-day the beautiful cultivated farms and flour- 
ishing villages along the banks of the Kennebec, were 
but a centur3' ago an unbroken forest. The Indian tribe 
which inhabited the region now included in Somerset and 
Kennebec counties, was known as the Canibas or Ken- 
nebecs, a name which they doubtless took from an old 
chieftain who lived in this region about IGGO, and whose 
name was Kennebis. From this tribe the river which 
runs from Moosehead Lake to the sea took its name. 
Upon this stream the dusky redskins formerlj- paddled 
their canoes unmolested. 

Where this tribe originated, or how long thcj* had 
been here, is not known positively', but suffice it to say 
they were here in 1614, for Capt. John Smith, of Poca- 
hontas fame, came and saw them — the first Englishman 
who ever looked upon them. 

They were early subdivided into clans, and the Nor- 
ridgewogs were those stationed at what is now Norridge- 
wock. These several clans owned the soil in common. 
They did not believe that one person could own soil. 
Each person owned an undivided portion of the whole. 
The sachems were able to convey to another certain por- 
tions of land, but always with the understanding that 

• The island was three times (in 1676, 1689 and 1722) nearly swept 
clean of inhabitants by the savages. It is said tliat there are more old 
and unknown cellars in the place than those now occupied. The first 



when the purchasers died the land reverted to the trilje 
again. It was this point that caused, perhaps, one-half 
of the trouble between Indians and white men in this 
section. When the white men bought, they made out the 
deed holding the land forever ; and so the trouble began 
which cost many lives, broke up many homes, and only 
ended when the red man was driven from the land. 

Early in the history of these Indians we find records of 
French Jesuits, who came into the unbroken forests 
uninvited, to preach the Catholic religion, and strive to 
lead the natives to live a better life. They came from 
France to Canada, and not being as well received as thcj' 
thought their ser\-ices deserved, came to the forests now 
embracing this countj-. They took up their abode with 
the Kennebecs about 1613. At this time there was an 
Indian population in Maine of about 37,000, including 
11,000 warriors. Of these probably about 1,500 war- 
riors, or an entire number of 5,000, lived on the Kenne- 
bec, and were known as Kennebecs, or Canibas. Some 
of these Jesuits were a great help to the ignorant savages, 
both physically and morally, while others tended to de- 
grade them even lower than before thej- were taught at 
all. The Jesuits, in their labors at Norridgewock, suc- 
ceeded in erecting a chapel of fir-trees in 1646, — it 
being the first church ever built on the Kennebec River. 

known house of worship in the Sagadahoc region, was bnilt probably 
about 1660, at the northern point of the isLind. In the southern part was 
erected, in 1761, the meeting-house of the First Parish of Georgetown. 



In this chapel great numbers -were converted to the 
Catholic religion. It was destroyed by a party of Eng- 
lish hunters in 1G74, but was rebuilt in 1G87 by English 
workmen sent for the express purpose from Boston, 
according to treaty stipulations. In many instances the 
Jesuits caused the Indians to be hostile to the English, 
but friendly to the French. The last and most dis- 
' tinguished of the Jesuits in America was Sebastian 
[ Kasle, who came from France, where he was educated, in 
! 1G89. He learned several Indian languages, and, doubt- 
less, taught the Indians many things, and inculcated 
habits of industry to which they were strangers before. 
He came to Norridgewock in 1G89, and at once began 
his labors. His success was simply astonishing. The 
governor-general of New England, hearing of his suc- 
cess, and not being friendly to the Catholic religion, sent 
several missionaries to this tribe, hoping to divert their 
! minds from the French teacher. It was of no avail 
however ; Raslc had obtained such a hold upon the 
] superstitious red men bj^ his forms and ceremonies, that 
j a no less formal service could effectually engage their 
' attention. The missionaries were finally driven away. 
j It was a great victory for Rasle. 

j During Queen Anne's war the Norridgewogs were ver}- 
troublesome to the English. About 1710, in one day 
the}' killed over 200, and took 500 prisoners. They 
returned to tlieir encampment after the slaughter, with 10 
canoes filled «ith valuable plunder. Two hundred and 
fifty warriors did the work, under the command of Rasle, 
it is charged. If he did not order it, there is no record 
I that he used his influence to prevent such things so long 
■ as the English were the victims. So great was the feel- 
ing against him at this time, that a reward of £1,000 was 
offered for his head. This did not frighten the Indians 
nor their spiritual teacher, for the outrages continued 
until the government became alarmed, and the capture 
and punishment of Rasle was determined upon. In 
December, 1721, Col. Westbrook was ordered to Nor- 
j ridgewock to secure him. War was formally declared 
against the Indians in August, 1722. An unsuccess- 
ful attempt to capture the Norridgewogs was made in 
1 1720 by Capt. Harmon, with 120 men. What was 
then called Norridgewock is now known as Old Point. 
It is situated three miles above Norridgewocic village, 
near the confluence of the Sand}' River with the Ken- 
nebec, and is one of the most beautiful spots in New 
England. 

The rude huts of the Indians — that of Father Raslc 
undistinguished from the rest — were placed in two par- 
allel rows, running north and south ; a common road 
skirting the bank of the river, while, between the rows 



of cabins, was a fine street 200 feet wide. At the north- 
ern extremity of the street stood the church. 

Whittier has graphicallj' described this sylvan village 
in all its loveliness in his poem of " Mogg Megone." At 
the lower end of the village was a chapel erected and 
dedicated to the Virgin Mary, while at the upper end 
there was still another chapel, erected and used for the 
worship of secular days. 

In 1721 the government of Massachusetts sent a de- 
tachment of troops, with instructions to capture Rasle if 
it were possible. The troops were only able to secure 
the priest's papers, he having fled. The documents 
secured, however, revealed the plans of the Jesuits. 
These remarkable documents are now in the librarj' of 
Harvard University. This attack on Rasle greatly 
enraged his devoted followers, and several startling 
atrocities followed, which induced the government to 
capture the source of all the trouble at any hazard. 

On the 19th of August, 1724, a detachment of four 
companies, consisting of 208 men, in 17 whale-boats, 
left Fort Richmond, guided by three Mohawk Indians. 
On arriving at what is now Winslow, the}' left the boats 
under a guard, and proceeded along the river through the 
woods to the \'illage. Capt. Harmon crossed the river at 
the Great Eddy in Skowhegan with 60 men, for the pur- 
pose of cutting off the retreat of those who might be at 
worlc in the corn-fields on the Sandy River, while, after 
lea^ang 10 men with the luggage, Capt. Moulton proceeded 
with the remaining 98 men for the doomed village. They 
reached the highlands overlooking the village August 24. 
The Indians, GO in number, were in their huts, and the 
troops approached unobserved. An old Indian, acci- 
dently stepping to the door, discovered the troops and 
gave the war-whoop, which brought out the warriors. 
The engagement was short and decisive. There were 
80 warriors slain and 14 wounded. The rest escaped. 
Rasle was discovered, and not only shot through and 
through, but he was scalped and his body mutilated in a 
horrible manner, showing that not all savages have dusky 
faces. Little children and women were cruelly shot down 
while escaping for their lives across the river. The 
church was robbed of its sacred vestments, and then 
set on fire. The bell on the church was afterwards hid- 
den by the Indians who returned to view the scene of 
their former peaceful village. Some years ago it was 
brought from its hiding-place, and is now to be seen in 
the cabinet of Bowdoin College. It weighed 64 pounds. 
After the capture, or outrage, as it might have been more 
properly termed, the English forces returned to Rich- 
mond without the loss of a man. The Norridgewogs 
who escaped from the slaughter, returned to find their 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



village ill ashes. They were thoroughl}- disheartened, 
and left to take up their abode in the north, thus giving 
way to the march of civilization. 

In 1833 Dishop Fen wick of Boston purcliased an acre 
of land around the grave of Rasle at Old Point, and 
caused an appropiiato monument to be erected to his 
memory. The dedication of this monument proved to 
be a very imposing affair for the Catholics. The monu- 
ment now stands on the spot where Raslo is supposed to 
have fallen, facing death manfuUj'. It is a plain granite 
l>yramidal shaft or obelisk, 1 1 feet high, and 3 feet square 
at the base. This monument is now all that remains to 
mark the existence of this once strong and powerful tribe. 

After the death of Raslc, in 1724, there was a pros- 
pect that this vast waste 
of wilderness would at 
last be opened to en i\- 
ization. As early as 
1G07, according to Sul- 
livan's history, an at- 
tempt was made by tlio 
English to settle on tlic 
Kennebec River. Ihe 
colonists remained about 
a jear, when, beoomnig 
discouraged, they rehn- 
quished their holdings, 
and departed in quest of 
some more genial clime 

In 1771 the first dcUi- 
mined effort was made 
to settle what is now 
Somerset County. The 
Kennebec Company had granted a strip of land to 
Thomas Temple, consisting of several thousand acres, 
reaching through a part of the towns of Fairfield, 
Canaan, Norridgewoek and Starks. This strip struck 
the Kennebec River on the north side, and was a 
mile in width. It was bought by John Nelson, and, 
at his death, sold to J. Palmer, of New Hampshire, 
Out of this lot, 1,780| acres were reserved to give 
away to actual settlers, to advance the price of the 
land about it. In accordance with this plan, Peter 
Hc3'wood secured 600 acres on the river, two or three 
miles below Skowhegan Falls. Joseph Weston pro- 
cured a lot in that vicinity in Julj^ 1771- They came 
from Concord, Mass., and their descendants are still 
living here. These two sturdy j-eomen were the first 
settlers north of Winslow, excepting a few at Sebasti- 
cook. These men carried with them 20 head of stock, 
and, on their arrival iu the spring of 1772, erected a 




MOM MIlNF ' 



camp 20 feet square. They went to work with a will, 
and were soon able to cut hay on the islands in the river, 
which were included in their purchase. What land they 
cleared on the Bloomfield side of the river, was devoted 
to corn and potatoes. With Peter Ile^wood and Joseph 
AYeston were John Ileywood, son of the former ; Isaac 
Smith, aged 16 years, and Eli Weston, son of Joseph 
Weston, aged 11 3'ears. Peter Ileywood, Jr., joined the 
settlers the nest j-ear. Mr. Ileywood, Sr., died in 
1803, aged 77 years. Joseph Weston died in 1775, aged 
43, having contracted a severe cold while accompany- 
ing Arnold's expedition up the Kennebec. Peter Iley- 
wood, Jr., and Isaac Smith, then but mere bo3-s, were 
the first white persons to pass a winter above Water- 
m11( The next settler 
« IS .lohn Hale, from 
S( li isticook, who settled 
on the fann known now 
as the residence of the 
late Dca. Thomas Pratt. 
Hale did not stay very 
long, and the boys Hey- 
nood and Smith, aged 
^o 10 and 11 j-ears, were 
^ left to winter alone in 
^^'A*^fe»%l then small cabin. They 
li id good trusty firo- 
j iiins however, and they 
(hd not want for what is 
nou a gi-eat rarity, — 
lusli game. In the fall 
of 1772, John Oakcs, 
AMth several sons, came 
to settle ; and Messrs. Ileywood and Weston gave them 
what is now known as Oakes Island, and thej- located 
on a farm opposite it. Mr. Oakes went into the French 
war soon afterwards. He helped make the coffin for 
Gen. Wolfe. He afterwards returned to Canaan, where 
he died iu 1788. His son William, born soon after his 
removal to Canaan, is believed liy many to be the first 
white child born in the town, or in what is now Somerset 
County.* 

Now that a settlement was once firmly established, 
other settlers took courage and moved into the clearing. 
Jeremiah Pease, Scth Wyman, Dea. John White and 
Joel Crosby came in 1773. The latter came to assist 
AVeston, Heywood and Oakes in erecting a mill at Skow- 
hegan Falls, — the first mill erected on this part of the 
river, if not the first north of Gardiner. Mr. Crosby 

• The cjaim is disputed, however, many claimlnpc that Abraham 
Smith, son of Isaac, who came to Canaan in 1773, was the older. 



siE, ^()RI!II)(.^^^ocIl. 



afterwards moved to Starks, where lie was a successful 
ruill-wright up to the time of his death. In 1774 Jonas 
Parlin came and settled in Skowhegan village. Daniel 
Steward settled in Bloomfield in 1775. The following 
year came Solomon, Phineas and Dea. William, uncles 
of Daniel Steward. Joseph Weston was the only Revo- 
lutionary soldier from this part of the Kennebec River. 

Canaan was survej-ed in 1779, and was called for the 
first settlers, Ileywoodstown ; but, for some reason, was 
soon changed to the plantation of Wesserunsett, the 
name of the river running through it. Afterwards the 
present name of Canaan was selected, as best typifj-ing 
the charming appearance of the place to its residents 
after their struggles and discouragements. What was 
then known as Canaan has since been divided into the 
three towns of Canaan, Skowhegan and Bloomfield. 

In 1769, emigration not progressing as fast as it was 
desirable, the Plymouth Company offered to give awaj- 
land in the region of the Kennebec River, beginning at 
Skowhegan Falls, and running up to Old Point on the north 
side, to all persons who would immediatelj' settle on the 
same. It was decided that the lots in what is now Nor- 
ridgewock should begin on the river and i-un back one 
mile and a third, and be 75 rods wide. 

Subsequently thej' offered another tier of lots on the 
south side of the river, reaching from Sandy River to 
i Canaan, — the new gift containing a good mill-privilege, 
which was highlj' prized in those days. This very liberal 
offer brought William Warren here from Pepperell in 
1773. James McDaniels, William Fletcher and a Mr. 
Lamson came about the same time, and settled in what is 
now Norridgewoek village. 

The passage of Arnold's anny up the Kennebec in Sep- 
tember, 1775, was a great event in those days of dreariness. 
The armj' halted at Skowhegan and at Norridgewock. 
At the former place they marked a road around the falls 
bj- spotting the trees, — the location of the flourishing 
tillage of Skowhegan of to-daj'. At Norridgewock thej^ 
left the last trace of the white men ; for, at that time, no 
track of a settler could be found farther from the sea than 
Xorridgowock village.* 

Somerset County was organized March 1, 1809, and 
Norridgewock was selected as the shire town. For a 
number of years the courts were held in an old wooden 
building. In 1810 the present jail was built, and, ten 

• Forty-eight miles above Sliowhegan the army encamped for several 
weeks, and the national ensij^i was there planted ; and ever since that 
time the place is known as FlagstaflT. A gentleman of some note 
resides here, bearing the honored cognomen of Miles Standisli, a 
descendant of Capt. Miles Standish of Plymouth memory. Among his 
ancestors he also includes the excellent Gov. Bradford. Mr. Standish 
is said to be the first male descendant of the Bradford family born out- 



years later, a court-house was erected. This continued 
in use as built until 1847, when extensive repairs were 
made. In 1871 the legislature changed "the shire to 
Skowhegan, on condition that that town should furnish 
suitable accommodation for the offices of the county. 
The offices were furnished, and the shire was removed, 
thus causing a feud between the two towns that only 
3ears can heal. In 1873 ex-Gov. Abner Coburn erected, 
at his own expense, a court-house costing upwards of 
$54,000, and presented it to the county. The old jail in 
Norridgewock is still in use, but that must soon give 
place to a better structure in the shire town. 

From the old towns of Canaan and Norridgewock the 
settlements spread in every direction, following the rivers 
the more closelj', however. Starks was probably the next 
settled, and then came Anson, Fairfield, Cornville, 
Athens, Bingham, Mercer, New Portland, Salem, Har- 
mony, Ilartland, Palmyra, Madison and others in quick 
succession. In every instance the best land was taken 
first. The settlers were remarkably fortunate in this 
respect, or thej' would not have prospered so well. 

What is now Somerset County was formerly the upper 
part of Keniiebec County. When it was incorporated, 
in 1809, it took about four-fifths of the territory from 
the mother county. Since that time, the territory has 
been curtailed to help make up Franklin, Piscataquis 
and Aroostook counties. Divided as it has been, it is 
still of good size, and has a steady and substantial pop- 
ulation. Notwithstanding it has miles upon miles of 
fine farms, there are still large tracts of woodland j-et to 
know the axe of the settler. Somerset has 28 incor- 
porated towns, and has some 20 or 30 plantations. The 
county is bounded on the north bj' the Canadian line, on 
the east by Penobscot and Piscataquis counties, on the 
south b}- Kennebec County, and on the west b}- Frank- 
lin County. In the north-east corner of the county lies 
a portion of Mooschead Lake, a body of water 35 by 
12 miles, with an area of 120 square miles. The lake is 
1 ,023 feet above the level of the sea. This lake is the 
source of the Kennebec, which runs the entire length of 
the countj', furnishing unsurpassed water-power. The 
whole county lies in the valley of the Kennebec, 
making the soil of great value. The principal tribu- 
taries of the Kennebec in this county are the Sandy 
River at Starks, Corobossett at Anson, Dead at Bow- 
side the limits of Plymouth County. His mother, horn in Gorham 
Me., in 1804, is still living, an excellently preserved and intelligent old 
lady. Mr. Standish himself, so rich in ancestral memories and virtues, 
is also rich in temporal things. Of a very commanding presence, moving 
to Flagstaff in 1841, for 33 years he has been successfully engaged in the 
lumber-trade. There is probably hardly a man in Somerset County who, 
in the same length of time, has carried on a more extended business. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



town, Moose at Moosehead Lake, and the Wesserimsett 
at Skowhegan. The prevailing rock is mica-schist, run- 
ning into claj' slate in 
and broken 113- gran- 
ite veins. In nearlj 
every portion of the 
countj- granite of suf- 
ficient quantitj for or- 
dinarj- building pur- 
poses can be found 
The lower part of thi 
county is onl}' brok( n 
by small hill-, , but 
about the forks of the 
river the hills rise to 
the dignitjr of small 
mountains. In the yi- 
ciuity of the like the 
mountains and hills 
disappear, lea^ uig i 
flat, open coun tn • It 
will thus be seen th it 
the land is S])(tiill3 
adapted to agncultu- 



ing at the falls to catch salmon and other fish in abun- 
dance. The town formerlj- had an area of 19,071 acres, 
elsewhere into gneiss, but in 18G1 Bloomficld, just across the river, was an- 
nexed, so that it now 
has an area of 30,981 
acres. Of this, some 
75 or 100 acres are 
covered by ponds of 
water. The popula- 
tion is over 4,000. 
The water-power fur- 
nished by the Ken- 
nebec River is very 
valuable. The total 
fall is 28 feet in half 
a mile, a large por- 
tion of which is per- 
[icndicular. An isl- 
and at the head of 
the fall divides the 
river into two chan- 
nels. The bed of the 
river on both sides is 
of solid rock. The 



i^??<^V-«f _ 




s 



1 \N'NLL D \M, SKOW 1 



lal pursuits, while the water-power of the Kennebec and I power is estimated at 5,852 horse-power, or 234,000 
its manj- tributaries, great and small, affords unsurpassed spindles. There are two saw-mills, a carding-miU, two 
facilities for manufacturing purposos. Two rnilrondf! run ' pii«t-mill=;, two or '•'hrop mnohine-sliops, paper, pulp and 



into the count}-, fur- 
nishing excellent fa- 
cilities for transpor 
tation on favoraljU 
terms. The principa 
towns are as follows : 
Skowhegan (situ- 
ated at the t( nnuui 
of the branch of tht 
Maine Central Rul 
road from AVater\ lUe) 
is the shire tow n, and 
the largest and mist 
wealthy in the ( ount \ 
The territory was a 
part of Canaan, the 
first town settled in 
the county. In 1S23 
it was incorporated 
under the name of 
Millburn. In 18 ( it 
took its present i.amo, 
the falls by the Indians, 
watch," referring to the 



planing mills, an oil- 
cloth factory, and a 
number of smaller 
establishments. The 
town is the natural 
centre of trade for all 
the upper part of this 
county, and for por- 
lous of Franklin and 
Piscataquis counties. 
Its churches are in a 
flourishing condition ; 
in 1 its schools are 
>uccessfuUj- managed. 
J li } town, as well as 
th( county and State, 
1 largely indebted to 
ex Gov. Abner Co- 
buin for its present 
prosperous condition. 
.isuN 11 IDOL iuib AN UN VND MADISON, ME jir. Cobum's father, 

iL.^L was g.\^.. t„ tl.„ l„v-..Lt, ct , LLv. Zv.r C„l , n.„.cd f.o..i M-.ssachusetts in 1792, 

The name signifies a " place to at the age of 15 years, being one of the early settlers on 

habits of the savages of gather- | the upper Kennebec Valley. The father was a farmer and 







survej-or. Abner was born in 1803 in Canaan, and after 
arriving of age, he, mth a younger brother. Philander, 
assisted his father in survej-ing and exploring the million 
acres included in the " Brigham purchase," so called. 
The three afterwards formed a copartnership under the 
name of E. Coburn & Sons. At the death of the father, 
in 1845, the sons continued the business. The junior 
partner died in 187G. The companj-, of which the 
governor is almost the sole member, now owns about 
450,000 acres in Maine, and several thousand acres in 
the Western States. In fact, Mr. Coburu is said to be 
the largest landholder in the United States, and the 
wealthiest man in Maine. He was governor of the State 
in 1863. His charities have been very large of late 
years. The largest have been the gift of lu elo_ mt 
court-house to his na- J 

tive county, and $75,- '■ 

000 to Colby University. 

NOKEIDGEWOCK (for- "^ • 

merly the shire town) 
is five miles from Skow- 
hegan on the Kennebec 
River and the Somerset 
Railroad. The name 
was derived from the fa- 
mous Indian chief Nor- 
ridgewog, which signi- 
fies "smooth water." 
The river, as it passes 
through this village, is 
remarkabh' smooth, — 
but three miles above 

there is an unimportant water-fall of eight feet, at what 
is known as Bambazee Rips. In the village, on the 
south side of the river, there is a small power furnished 
by the Sawtelle stream, which runs into the Kennebec 
here. The town was settled as early as 1773. It was 
incorporated in 1788. While agriculture is the principal 
business of the place, the village contains manufactories 
of lumber, furniture, harnesses, boots and shoes, granite, 
&c. The popular Eaton Family School is located here. 
The streets of the village are lined with beautiful trees, 
set out many j-ears ago. Old Point, the home of the 
Indians 200 3ears ago, was formerly in this town, but 
has passed into the limits of Madison. The population 
is nearly 2,000. 

Canaan was the first town settled in Somerset Countj-. 
Skowhcgan was set otf from it in 1822, and later. Bloom- 
field. The town was settled in 1770, and incorporated 
in 1788. The population is about 1,500. The principal 

1 business is farming, although there is considerable lum- 



s 



VI 



ber manufactured. One of the sons of Joseph Weston, 
one of the very first settlers — Samuel — was a verj' prom- 
inent man in the town, ClUng a large number of local 
offices. His descendants are now living here in large 
numbers. 

Starks was first settled b^' James Waugh, who came 
from Massachusetts in 1772. Ho started up the Kenne- 
bec river, with his gun and dog, and said he was deter- 
mined to travel until he found a farm to suit him, if ho 
went to Canada. He settled at the mouth of the Sandy 
River, on the site of what is now one of the very best 
farms in the State. This farm is opposite Old Point, and 
its productiveness is truly wonderful. Capt. Fletcher 
and his two sons, also from Massachusetts, were the 
IK xt to arrive to keep him eompany. In 1734, Waugh 
and the two younger 
_ I letchers were married, 

a and brought theu' wives 

£^ — into the little settle- 

ment to help them share 
the hardships of the al- 
most imbroken forest. 
Air. Waugh was tho 
ihief man of tho place 
lor many 3'ears, in fact, 
during his lifetime, and 
he left a largo familj-, 
fiom which descended 
ne irh' all who bear the 
name in this vicinitj- 
to daj-. In February, 
1795, the town was in- 
corporated, taking its name from Gen. John Stark, the 
Bennington hero. Tho population is about 1,100. 

Principal among the remaining towns are : — Anson (in- 
corporated in 1798 ; population, 1,74G), having an acad- 
emy and a newspaper — the "Advocate" — and devoted 
successfully both to agricultural and manufacturing pur- 
suits — stock raising being somewhat of a specialty hero, 
wool also, and formerly wheat: Madison (1804, 1,408), 
named for President Madison, and containing 30,000 
acres of land, its principal business being farming: 
PiTTSFiELD (populaiion nearly 2,000), formerly called 
Plymouth, but in 1824 named Pittsfield in honor of 
William Pitts, Esq., then a large property-holder in 
town ; a small manufacturing town, and the seat of the 
Maine Central Institute, a preparatory school of Bates 
College: New Portland (1808, 1,454), settled in 1783, 
and originally given to tho sufferers of Falmouth, now 
Portland, by the General Court of Massachusetts, to in- 
demuily thorn in part for losses sustained by the destruc- 



r f 



13 



M^^-,' 
^^J 



^v 



111 I-IILID 



HISTOEY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



tion of the town by the British fleet in 1783, "its oldest 
inhabitant" bavins; been Andrew Elliott, one of the earlier 



the manufacture of lumber : Salem (incorporated in 
1808, 1,170), settled in 1782, one of the most beautiful 



settlers, a verj' public-spirited man, and who lived to the villages of the Kennebec valle}-, and the centre of trade 
advanced age of 103 years: Fairfield (1788, 2,999), for several towns: and Athens (1804, 1,540), settled 
so called because of the flne appearance of the country, about 1782, a flourishing agricultural town, and favored 
having five -vdllages, and doing a flourishing business in I with a thriving village. 



WALDO COUNTY 



BY ALBERT C. WIGGIN. 



A GLANCE at a map of the State of Maine, shows that 
Waldo County is situated upon the waters of Penobscot 
Bay and River, which bound it upon the east and south- 
cast. Knox County forms the southern border, Kenne- 
bec County the western, Somerset the north-western, and 
Penobscot County the northern. Waldo County is some- 
what near a square in form, although its outhne is irreg- 
ular. Its largest side, and nine of the towns, are upon 
the bay and river ; this extent of shore line gives excel- 
lent maritime facilities. An open winter harbor anj-- 
where on the coast, and many spacious havens wilh good 
depth of water, afford the best of advantages for ship- 
building, commerce and the fisheries. The agricultural 
resources of the county are good, and farming is carried 
on in oveiT town with more or less success. 

Waldo County formed part of York County's territory 
until 17G0, when Lincoln County was established, which 
included it till 1789, when Hancock County was erected ; 
this next held it until 1827, when on Februarj' 7th, it was 
incorporated as the county of Waldo, and was named 
for Gen. Samuel Waldo. The erection of Knox County 
in 1860, took off from Waldo County the towns of 
Appleton, Camden, Hope, North Haven, and Vinal- 
haven. In its present form, Waldo County embraces 25 
towns and one city. The population in 1870 was 34,640. 
There are no mountains in the county, strictly' speaking, 
but there arc several high hills which have been given 
the title. The surface is broken and uneven. In Pros- 
pect, Stockton and Frankfort, the view of the Penobscot 
River and valley from the high, rounded hills, almost 
equals the sceneiy of the Hudson. At Belfast, the har- 
bor has often been called as beautiful as the Bay of 
Naples. 

A history of Waldo County properly begins with an 
account of the Muscongus, or Waldo Patent. This grant, 



issued by the Plymouth Council in 1630, to John Beau- 
champ of London, and Thomas Leverett of Boston, 
Eng., extended on the seaboard between the Muscongus 
and Penoliscot rivers, and comprised nearlj- 1,000 square 
miles, taking in the whole of the present county of Knox, 
except the Fox Islands, and of Waldo Countj^ with the 
exception of territor}' now covered by five towns. No 
price was paid for this tract ; it was thought that the 
settlement of this section would enhance the value of 
others. Success in the fisheries at Mouhegan, and in 
other localities along the coast of Maine, hastened an 
occupation of the Muscongus grant ; and in the spring 
of 1630, Edward Ashley and William Pierce, agents of 
the patentees, came with laborers and mechanics, and 
established a trading-house on the George's River, in 
what is now Thomaston. 

This settlement was broken iip by King Philip's war, 
which terminated in 1678. After this the whole territorj- 
lay desolate for nearly 40 years. On the death of Beau- 
champ, Leverett became bj- law possessed of the whole 
grant, and for several years he assumed its management. 
Through him the patent descended to his son. Gov. John 
Leverett of Massachusetts, and in 1714, to President 
John Leverett of Harvard College, the grandson of the 
latter, and the great-grandson of the original grantee. 
In 1719, peace was apparently restored, and Leverett 
entered upon measures for resettling and reorganizing 
the patent. He parcelled the land into ten shares in 
common, and conveyed them to certain persons thence- 
forth called the "Ten Proprietors." These owners 
admitted 20 other partners, termed the "Twenty Asso- 
ciates," among whom were Cornelius and Jonathan 
Waldo of Boston. The Twenty Associates afterwards 
transferred to the Waldos, 100,000 acres. Under their 
auspices, in 1719-20, two plantations, which subsequent- 



ly became the thriving towns of Thomaston and Warren, 
were commenced. This may be regarded as the first 
permanent settlement of the patent. In 1726, one David 
Dunbar, -who had obtained an appointment styhng him 
" Survej'or-General of the King's Woods," became very 
aggressive. He claimed a reservation of all pine-trees 
in Maine, in diameter over two feet, as masts for the 
British navy. He drove the lumberers, by force, from 
their homes, seized their timber, and burned their saw- 
mills. Samuel Waldo was sent to England to procure a 
revocation of Dunbar's authority, and in the end suc- 
ceeded. For this, and other valuable ser^^ces, the 30 
partners conveyed to him one-half ot the whole patent. 
In 1 744 he distinguished himself at the capture of Louis- 
burg, and gained the title of General or Brigadier Waldo. 
After the accession of Gen. Waldo to so large an inter- 
est in the patent, added to what he had inherited of his 
father's share, about 200,000 acres still belonged to the 
old proprietors. In 1734 Gen. Waldo contracted with 
the Twenty Associates to purchase one-half of their 
shares, leaving them 100,000 acres ; this arrangement 
■was not completed until 1768. Gen. Waldo offered 
favorable inducements for Eui'opean immigration, and in 
1749 German colonists established the town of Waldo- 
borough. Owing to his influence Fort Pownall, Stock- 
ton, -was built at a time when no white inhabitant retained 
a dwelling-place upon the shores of Penobscot River or 
Belfast Bay. While upon a tour of observation to this 
portion of his estate, he died suddenly near Bangor, 
May 23, 1759, at the age of 63 years. A county, 
two thriving towns, and the lofty elevation of Mount 
Waldo, perpetuate his name. 

The land descended to the general's four children, 
Samuel, Francis, Lucy and Hannah. The last named 
became the wife of Thomas Flucker, secretary of the 
Province. Flucker afterwards purchased the shares be- 
longing to Samuel. Lucy died without children, and her 
interest fell to the brothers and sisters. Flucker and 
Francis Waldo were Tories. Thej' removed to England, 
and their property became forfeited to the State. In 
1774, Henry Knox, afterwards a general in the Revo- 
lution, married Miss Lucy Flucker, the second daughter 
of Thomas and Hannah (Waldo) Flucker, and the grand- 
daughter of Gen. Waldo. When the Revolution had 
ended, Gen. Knox purchased four-fifths of the whole 
patent ; the remainder was the property of his wife. 
The territory was surveyed, the lines adjusted, and in 
1792 Gen. Knox took formal possession of his estate, 
which then contained only nine incorporated towns. He 
did much to induce immigration. Sometime before his 
death — which occurred in 1806 — he became involved in 



pecuniary embarrassments. In 1798 he mortgaged that 
part of his domain now comprised in Waldo County to 
Gen. Lincoln and Col. Jackson, who had been his sure- 
ties. This mortgage was in 1802 assigned to Messrs. 
Israel Thorndike, David Sears, and William Prescott, 
of Boston ; and they foreclosed it. They established a 
land agency in Belfast in 1809. Many of the land titles 
in Waldo Count}^ are derived through these proprietors. 
It is not known what price was paid for the mortgage 
by Thorndike, Sears and Prescott. The valuation of 
their unsold land in the county was, in 1815, $148,000. 
The lands owned by the original mortgagees are now 
aUenated excepting Brigadier's of Sears Island in Sears- 
port, which is the property of David and Henry F. Sears, 
of Boston, great-grandsons of the first mortgagee. 

It was not until the j-ear 1 759 that a permanent settle- 
ment was planted in Waldo County. The British crown 
had secured and fortified St. John's River, and the en- 
emy had no other outlet to the sea than through the 
Penobscot River. Gov. Pownall of Massachusetts hav- 
ing called the attention of the legislature to the im- 
portance of establishing a fortification at Penobscot, 
an expedition, headed by the governor, proceeded to the 
region, and began the construction of a fort at Wasaum- 
keag Point, now Fort Point, within the present limits of 
Stockton. [See p. 479.] It was while accompanying a 
detachment which had ascended the river a few miles 
above where Brewer now stands, and had taken formal 
possession of the country for the Province of Massachu- 
setts Ba}-, that Gen. Samuel Waldo dropped down in a 
fit of apoplex}-, and soon after expired. 

The deceased general was buried at the " Point," with 
military honors and religious services, on the evening of 
May 25, 1759. A sermon, the first in Waldo County, 
was preached by Rev. Mr. Phillips. The fort, completed 
July 28, 1759, was called Fort Pownall. Until the Re- 
volutionary war a garrison was constantly maintained. 
Gen. Jedediah Preble, with a force of 84 men, was first 
placed in command. Both in civil and military life he 
so distinguished himself as to inscribe his name upon the 
page of history. He was the father of Commodore 
Preble, a still more distinguished man. He died at 
Portland in 1807, at the age of 77. In 1763, Gen. 
Preble resigned the command of the fort, and was suc- 
ceeded by Col. Thomas Goldthwaite, a native of Chelsea, 
Mass. He was paymaster in the expedition against 
Crown Point in 1755. While resident at Fort Pownall, 
he was commissioned as the first justice of the peace in 
this section. He solemnized the first marriages on the 
river. In 1770 he was superseded by John Preble, son 
of the first commander of the fort. But Gov. Hutchin- 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



son, a zealous roj-alist, coming into power the following 
j-ear, reinstated Goklthwaite into his former office. Be- 
ing a Torj-, Goldthwaitc permitted Capt. Mowatt, of the 
British sloop " Canseau " to dismantle the fort and take 
away its defences in 1775. This brought down upon 
him the wrath of the settlers. The next year all his 
commissions were revoked, and Goldthwaitc joined the 
British forces. He was drowned during the Revolution- 
arj- war bj- the shipwreck of the vessel in which he had 
taken passage for Nova Scotia. In July, 1775, the 
block-house and all the wooden works were burned to 
the ground for fear that they would be occupied by the 
enemy to the prejudice of the neighboring inhabitants. 
The trading-house was kept up until 1777. 

The remains of the breastwork of Fort Pownall are 
3'et to be seen, about 25 rods from the water's edge, in 
front of the present great summer hotel, called the 
Wasaumkeag House. Fort Point is the outer promon- 
tory of what is now the town of Stockton, but was the 
town of Prospect formerly. It rises quite abruptly on 
the south and east, some CO or 70 feet from the sea, but 
on the westerly side a passage opens of easy ascent from 
the water's edge to the heights above. Looking down 
the eastern channel of the Penobscot Bay a long and fine 
sea-view is had, while all the towns and villages from 
Bucksport round nearly to Owl's Head, are distinctly 
seen. On the old parade-ground a growth of trees — 
some 18 inches in diameter — now stands. 

One of the first centennial celebrations * ever held in 
this country was held at Fort Point, on the 28th of July, 
1859. The number of persons present was estimated to 
be at least 8,000. 

When it was found that the garrison at Fort Pownall 
afforded protection and securit}', the tide of emigration 
soon began to set in the direction of Waldo County. 
Between 1760 and 1772 all the towns washed bj- 
Penobscot waters, between Camden and Bangor on the 
one side, and Castine and Brewer on the other, were 
penetrated by hardy yeomanry, designing here to make 
a home for themselves and their descendants. All the 
towns within the shore limits of the count}-, except Sears- 
port, Stockton and Winterport, received acts of incorpo- 
ration between 1773 and 1812. Little did the men who 
erected Fort Pownall, or the men who, under its protec- 
tion, first settled the shores of the Penobscot, apprehend 
what marvellous changes the succeeding century would 
witness. 

• The Rev, Joshua Hall of Frankfort, 91 years of age, was president 
of the day. Among the aged people in attendance was a Mrs. Bassick, 
aged 97 years, who was born near the fort soon after its erection, and 
who had lived to sec its last perishable vestige pass away, and the gene- 
ration with it. 



Towns. 

The city of Belfast is the shire town of Waldo 
Count}', and the terminus of the Belfast and Moosehead 
Lake Railroad. It is situated at the mouth of the Pas- 
sagassawakeag River, in the north-west angle of Penob- 
scot Bay, about 20 miles from its entrance, and about 
10 miles westerly from the mouth of the Penobscot 
River. Belfast Harbor is the north-western arm of Pe- 
nobscot Ba}'. 

The situation of the city is elevated. Along the shore 
of the bay and river the land rises graduallj', exhibiting 
an undulating surface, intercepted bv an occasional riv- 
ulet. The summit of Congress Street is 1 78 feet above 
tide-water. From this point is a prospect of great ex- 
tent and beauty. Passing over the populous part of the 
city, which occupies the declivity of the hill, the eye 
commands a A'iew of Penobscot Bay, having a width of 
12 miles, with the lofty peaks of Mount Desert rising in 
the far distance. 

Next to Prospect, as originallj' formed, Belfast, then 
called Passagassawakeag Plantation, was the first tract 
surveyed b}' the Waldo proprietors for actual purchasers. 
This was in 1768. The first settlers were of Scotch- 
Irish extraction, who emigrated to America, and built 
up a town in New Hampshire, which they called Lon- 
donderry. 

Among the first settlers of Londonderry' was one John 
Mitchell. His son in after j'ears acquired a high reputa- 
tion as a practical surveyor. In 1765, while on the pas- 
sage from Passamaquoddy, where he had been making 
surveys under the direction of Gov. Barnard, he visited 
Penobscot Bay. Impressed with the natural advantages 
of the harbor, and learning at Fort Pownall that the 
land upon which it bordered was for sale, he communi- 
cated the information to his neighbors. The result was 
the establishment of a " communitj'," or " proprietary," 
as it was called, for the purchase of the township. 
Mitchell was the largest owner, and is generall}- regarded 
as the founder of the town. 

In Maj', 1770, the first immigration of the new settlers 
took place. A party of 30 or more removed their goods 
from Londonderr}' to Haverhill. Here a gondola floated 
them down to Newburyport, where they embarked. On 
reaching Belfast, some of the pilgrims were so discour- 
aged at the gloomj' prospect that they did not even step 
a foot on shore, but returned iu the vessel. Others, 
however, were not so easilj' cast down. With hopeful 
hearts, James Miller and wife, two sons and a daughter, 
first landed, at the foot of the Frothingham lot. For 
manj- years, the descendants of Miller used annually to 
repair to the rock where the first landing took place, and 

I 



dulj' celebrate the event. The settlement thus begun 
grew slowly, and June 22, 1773, Belfast was incorporated 
a town, although but 25 families had arrived. The name 
was given by Miller to perpetuate that of his birth-place 
in Ireland. 

In their religious beliefs, the first settlers were rigid 
Presbj-terians. Two meeting-houses were erected in 
the summer of 1792 — one on either side of the river. 
Rev. Ebenezer Price, the first minister, was settled four 
years after. After the occupation of Castine by the 
British, the settlers deserted the town and did not return 
until 1783. Town government was resumed in 1786. 
In the war of 1812, Belfast was invested by the British, 
but no harm was done to any person, and all goods taken 
were paid for. The first post-oflSce was opened in 1797 ; 
and Belfast was made a port of entrj' in 1818. The 
" Hancock Gazette," begun in 1820, was the first news- 
paper. The present newspapers published in Belfast 
are "The Progressive Age," and "The Republican 
Journal." There are no other papers published in Waldo 
County. Belfast was made the shire town of the county 
in 1828. A city charter was adopted in 1853. The first 
mayor was Hon. Ralph C. Johnson. 

Belfast has twice been visited by extensive conflagra- 
tions. The first was Oct. 12, 1865, when the loss was 
$2dO,000. The second, and the more disastrous, oc- 
curred during the afternoon and evening of Sunday, 
Aug. 24, 1873. The whole loss by this fire was $350,000. 

At present, Belfast is a handsome city, well laid out, 
compact in the business portion, while the streets de- 
voted to residences are wide and well shaded. In the 
past, ship-building has been the principal business of the 
place, and to-day the citizens have large amounts in- 
vested in navigation. A large shoe-factorj' gives steady 
emploj-ment to a considerable number of men, and a 
sash and blind factory is also a flourishing institution. 
There are also many minor manufactories. The city 
contains two banks, a custom-house, and six churches. 

There is no instance of the trial of any person for a 

• There is extant an ancient acconnt-book, which was liopt at the fort 
from 1773 to 1775. It is in that fine record-hand our ancestors were 
accustonicd to write, and is in every way a rare cariosity. From the 
prices charged, the currency then used must have been some kind of 
depreciated money. Like almost every book of its kind and date, 
nearly every other charge reads, " for rum." One gallon of this great 
article of trade was considered a fair equivalent for about half a dozen 
moose. On some pages of the account-book, one-third of the charges 
are for rum, and on some others, nearly one-half. Against the most 
respectable names of that day are frequent charges of J pint rum, '2s. 3d., 
and perhaps at the same time, i pound tea, 15s., or two ounces, 7s. 6d. 
Using ardent spirits freely at such a price will partly account for the 
poverty of those early days. Yet so strong was the conviction of their 
necessity, or so imperious the demand of appetite, that men would go 
in debt for N. E. rum at 2s. 3d. a half-pint. 



capital oflence alleged to have been committed in Belfast. 
But four trials for murder have ever taken place in the 
county. The present population of Belfast is about 
6,000 ; valuation of estates, $2,660,879. 

Prospect was the first town settled in Waldo County. 
The 3-ear 1759, in which Fort Pownall was erected, 
doubtless dates the beginning of its historj-. The early 
settlers named their plantation Frankfort. When Frank- 
fort was incorporated, June 25, 1789, it embraced the 
present towns of Hampden, Winterport, Prospect, and 
parts of Stockton, Searsport and Belfast. Feb. 24, 1794, 
Frankfort was divided into three towns, and Prospect 
was incorporated on that date. The latter, being the 
longest settled, retained the old records but not the 
name. This town was set off from Hancock County, 
and annexed to Waldo County in 1827. Later, Prospect 
was itself divided, Searsport being taken off in 1845, 
and Stockton in 1857. Fort Point is now in the town of 
Stockton, but for the sake of clearness we shall tell the 
story of the first settlement of this region under the 
head of Prospect. The first inhabitants of what was 
originall3- Frankfort, then Prospect, and now Stockton, 
settled near Fort Pownall. Several had been soldiers in 
the French and Indian wars, and some had helped to 
construct the fort.* 

The season of the Revolution was a time of privation 
and peril, as well as poverty to the earl}- inhabitants. 
Fort Pownall, having been dismantled, afforded no pro- 
tection to them. Castine was in the possession of the 
British in 1779. f The people were required to take the 
oath of allegiance to the king of England. But this did 
not save them from various annoyances. While the 
British had possession of Castine, they frequently sent 
their boats across the bay for plunder. Subsequentlj', 
the Americans kept a small force at Camden for the pro- 
tection of the inhabitants of that vicinit}'. 

One of the earliest settlers of the region contiguous to 
Fort Pownall, was Joshua Treat, | the ancestor of the 
great and respectable family of Treats now inhabiting 

t Great was the terror following the defeat at Castine. Part of the 
vessels of the American fleet fled up the river, and were pursued in 
the night by British vessels, which kept up a firing upon the shore as 
they proceeded. The inhabitants fled to the recesses of the forests for 
safety. Parents took their children to some deep glen, out of the reach 
of the enemy's shot. There, wrapping their little ones in blankets, 
and laying them upon rude beds of boughs, they watched them with 
sleepless an.xicty. 

X He is spoken of by Gov. Pownall as Lieut. Joshua Treat, and was 
employed by him at Fort St. Georges, when on his voyage to the Penob- 
scot, as interpreter in an examination there had of some Indians. He 
evidently was an officer in that fort. When Fort Pownall was built, 
that at Georges River was abandoned, and Lieut. Treat being a gun- 
smith by trade, soon came to this place, settled near the fort, and pur- 
sued his trade not only at the garrison, but also with the Indians. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



Knox, in honor of Gen. Knox of Revolntionarj' fame, j 
The river here is confined between high banks, and Fort 
Knox commands tlie narrows and the river in both 
directions.* Before the decay of American shipping \ 



several surrounding towns. He is believed to have 

been the first person of English extraction that settled 

upon the Penobscot River. Between the time of the 

settlement of Mr. Treat, 1759, and 1775, several men, 

from whom have descended large families, settled these j interests considerable ship-building was carried on in 

shores; Zetham French in 1766, Benj. Shute and Henry Prospect. About one-fourth of the land is fertile, — ! 

Black in 1769, Miles Staples near the same time, i the remainder is rockj' and hilly. The south branch 

Staples's son Crawford, bom in 1771, was the first white of Marsh River runs through the town. There arc 

male child born in the place. Phoebe, a daughter of | three small ponds. The two principal elevations are 



Charles Curtis, bom 
Feb. 5, 1770, was 
the first white child 
claiming nativity in 
the town. In 1773, 
Jas. Nichols settled 
at the shore, wheic 
the village of Sears- 
port now is. John 
Park and Peleg Pen 
dleton settled at tli 
Harbor shortly alt i 
the Revolution. John 
Odom, who settled it 
Sandy Point, about 
three miles above the 
fort, built the first 
mill on the Penobscot 
River. At the close 
of the Revolution, 
there were 23 fami- 
lies in the territory 
afterwards incorpo- 
rated as the town of 
Prospect. Deep pov- 
erty prevailed in the 
little communitj'. 

The first post-office 
in Prospect was es- 
tablished in 1795, and 
Bcnj. Shute was postmaster. At the time the town 
was incorporated, it was 17 miles in length from north 
to south. About 18 square miles of it were taken 
off to form Stockton, March 13, 1857, leaving but 13 
square miles to Prospect. The United States govern- 
ment began in 1846 the erection of a stupendous fortifi- 
cation at Prospect Ferry. Tliis fort was named Fort 

* Fort Knox has no garrison ; it is in cliarge of old Serg't Walker, a 
veteran who was a favorite of Gen. Scott, and is therefore kept in the 
service. The fort is built of granite from Mt. Waldo, and it is massive 
and solid as the rocks on which it rests. Begun in 1846, it is not yet 
completed, as work on it has long since ceased and will probably 
never be resumed. Costing about a million dollars, it stands a monu- 




FOKT KMiX 1 I (isl K I ML 
[The view wliich wo have given aiiove, has l>t-cn carefully cupici 
from a photograph of this interesting fortification, recently taken ] 



Heagan Mountain, in 
the north-east, and 
Mack Mountain, in 
the west. The popu- 
lation numbers 886. 
Seaesport, former- 
ly a part of Prospect 
and Belfast, was set 
off and incorijoratcd 
Feb. 13, 1845, and 
numcd in honor of 
I )avid Sears of Bos- 
ton, owner of Sears's , 
Island. The village ' 
is located on the Pe- ! 
nobscot River, and is 
a landing-place for 
steamers. Back from 
the river there are 
some excellent farms. 
The inhabitants have 
always been largely 
interested in naviga- 
tion and ship -build- 
ing. The natural ad- 
vantages of the place 
are indeed remark- 
able. There is a fine 
harbor, and therefore 
excellent facilities for 



ship-building. Man}' wealth}" sea-captains reside here. 
A spool-factor}' does a prosperous business. There are 
several shipyards, and some of the best ships that float 
have been built here. The churches are three in number. 
At a large and handsome building called Union Hall, 
the Farmers and Mechanics' Association hold an annual 
fair, which has ever a great variety of exhibits. Many 

ment of human folly; for since the present advance in the science of 
war, it would not be much more eifective in time of danger than an 
ancient feudal castle of the Middle Ages. A walk through its winding 
passages and long encircling rifle-gallery is interesting to the visitor, 
but wearisome. The fort has reached its only usefulness — that of a 
good show place. 



of the farmers arc those enterprising and adventurous 
men who have made their town famous the world over 
for the beaut}' and stanchness of its ships, as well 
as for the skill with which the}- are handled. " And 
they are good farmers," saj-s the "Belfast Journal," 
" strange as it may seem that those who in their j'oung 
daj-s ploughed the sea, should in the leisure of middle 
age successfullj- plough the land. Thej^ bring into their 
land vocation the heartiness of the sea, and the en- 
thusiasm of the amateur. They have travelled. The 
quiet-looking man who smokes his evening pipe at the 
gate can, if he chooses, tell you of the dangers of the 
sea in far-off regions, of hurricanes and cyclones, of 
the sailor's perilous }ard-arm in mid-ocean gales, of the 
winter night's watch on the icy deck, of the captain's 
anxietj' for the safety of property- and life. Thej^ have 
doubled the eastern and western capes, sailed to far 
India and Australia, and brought the wealth of seas to 
improve and adorn their homes. One prevailing excel- 
lence of the Searsport man is the neatness about his 
grounds. It is born of that pride which delights in the 
smart appearance of a ship, and which holj'stones the 
deck to snowy whiteness, squares the yards to exactness, 
and disposes the running rigging in concentric coils. So 
the home on land is one of clipped lawns, handsome 
houses, well-kept fences, and a general air of thrift." 

The population in 1870 was 2,282. 

Stockton, on the west bank of the Penobscot River, 
was incorporated from Prospect, March 13, 1857. The 
town comprises much level and productive land. For- 
merly ship-building was extensively earned on, and 
much of the wealth of the town is due to that business. 
There are good harbors at Sandy Point, Fort Point Cove 
and Cape Jellison. A light-house, erected in 1837, 
stands on Fort Point, which has an elevation of 123 feet 
above the level of the sea. Population in 1870, 2,089. 

WiNTERPORT, formerlj' part of Frankfort, is situated 
on a fine harbor in the Penobscot River, which is gener- 
ally open in winter, hence the name of the town. The 
capacious wharves, large storehouses and quiet ship-yards, 
tell of the former activity and prosperit}'. Since 1870 
there has been little, if anj-, increase of population, 
many mechanics having moved to the granite islands of 
Penobscot Bay, while some have gone West. Formerly 
ship-building was carried on, making this one of the 
most prosperous towns in Maine. The hard times of 
1857, and stagnation of vessel property following, 
brought financial ruin to builders and owners ; but an 

• These haulers were dubbed " Israelites," for their early rising. Fre- 
quently 100 or more teams would bo on the wharf for a load, at one or 
two o'clock, A. M. in the winter, and the late hours of the day would 



occasional vessel has been built here since then. Years 
ago large quantities of flour, grain, and other commodi- 
ties were landed here and hauled 13 miles to Bangor, 
thus making employment for farmers' teams for miles | 
around.* 

Thirty years ago Theophilus Cushing conducted a steam 
mill, the usual annual product of which was 11,000,000 i 
feet of lumber, and 200,000 sugar-box shooks. The 
mill then employed 100 men, and was run day and night. 
"VVinterport is the pioneer town in the State in the man- 
ufacture of clothing. The town was incorporated March | 
12, 18G0. Population in 1870, 2,744. 

LiNCOLNViLLE, situated on the western shore of Penob- 
scot Bay, was incorporated June 23, 1802, and named in 
honor of Gen. Lincoln of Massachusetts. The first per- 
manent settlement was made bj' Nathan Knight, in 1770, 
and on the farms now occupied by his two grandsons, | 
Rufus and Samson Knight. j 

Joseph Thomas settled in the plantation in 1773, on 
the farm where Capt. James Thomas now resides ; the 
latter is the only surviving member of a large family. 
Charles Thomas, brother of Joseph, came about the 
same time ; ho had a family of 20 children, all living at 
one time. Noah Miller was another earlj- comer. At 
one time he was so straitened for bread for his family-, j 
that he travelled on foot to the distant town of Waldo- 
borough, and paid four dollars for one peck of corn. 
Having got it ground, he brought it home on his back, fol- 
lowing a rugged path over the mountain. He arrived at 
home about midnight. The faithful mother of his chil- 
dren made some bread immediately, and awakening the 
little ones, gave each one a piece ; it was the first bread 
thej- had had for two weeks. 

Maj. Gen. George Ulmer, who called the first town 
meeting, settled at Duck Trap, shortl}- after the close of 
the Revolution, in which war he was an officer. lie was 
born in Waldoborough, Feb. 25, 1756. Gen. Ulmer 
engaged largely in the lumber business, and was one of 
the most noted and prominent men in this section. In 
any group or assembly of men. Gen. Ulmer was person- 
ally conspicuous ; tall, broad-shouldered, and somewhat 
corpulent, he always bore the air of a military man. His 
holiday dress was ever of the militarj- cut. He died at 
Kendall's Mills, where he had removed some years pre- \ 
\-ious. 

Major Philip Ulmer, brother to George, was born in 
Waldoborough, Dec. 25, 1751. He was an officer in the 
Revolution, and was at Bigujduce, now Castine, when it 

find the " early bird " of the morning back for a second load, so that ho 
could get an early start on the next morning. The road to Bangor was, 
in good sledding, covered by one continual string of teams. 



HISTOEY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



was taken by the British. He settled here soon after the 
war. 

Mrs. Hope Gould, a daughter of Noah Miller, was the 
first female child born in Lincoln\ille. The first white 
person buried in the town was a man named Car^^er, 
belonging in Waldoborough. He became lost in the 
woods, and after wandering in the forest for a number of 
daj-s without food, arrived at the house of Nathan 
Knight in a perishing condition. He survived but a few 
hours. He was buried near the margin of the beautiful 
meadow in the vicinity of Lincolnville Comer. 

The first settlers of this town during the Revolutionary 
struggle, endured great privations and suffering, not 
only from the common difficulties incident to the settle- 
ment of a new country, but from the depredations of the 
" Tories," who robbed them and drove off their cattle and 
sold them to the British, then at Biguyduce. These set- 
tlers of this town would undoubtedly have perished for 
want of food, had it not been for the abundance of wild 
game at that time. 

There are three small villages — Duck Trap, French's 
Beach, and Lincolnville Centre. The two former, or 
rather the one continuous village which extends two 
miles along the shores of the baj', has an extended har- 
bor of good anchorage. The surface of the town is 
broken and hillj'. Peaked Mountain, in the north-west 
part, has an elevation of 800 feet. The shore villages 
lie upon the bay between the two eminences which form 
the two ends of the semi-circular chain of hills. It will 
at once be seen how these settlements became the depots 
of the larger part of Lincolnville, as well as of other 
towns. Formerly considerable ship-building was carried 
on, the facilities for procuring the timber in this and the 
adjacent towns then being good. It was here that the 
barque "Georgiana" was built, which was seized by 
the Spanish steamer "Pizarro," and confiscated bj' the 
government of Spain. Thirty j-ears ago 100,000 barrels 
of lime were made at Lincolnville ; now the manufacture 
is reduced to a small amount. Farming is at present 
the principal occupation, and as an agricultural town 
Lincolnville ranks high. There are three church edifices. 
Population, 1,900. 

Searsmont. — The first permanent settlement occurred 
about 1800 ; the town was incorporated and named for 
the first of its three proprietors, Feb. 5, 1814. The pop- 



ulation in 1870 was 1,418. In the latter part of the last 
century there was undoubtedly more pine standing in 
Searsmont than in any other town in the Waldo patent. 
This fact, and the feasibility of turning the pine to a 
ready account, early attracted the attention of Gen. 
Knox, the proprietor under Flucker. His lumbering 
operations in Searsmont were continued from 1798 to 
1806, the last date being two years subsequent to what I 
may be called the first settlement. | 

One of the pioneers, and withal the singular characters 
of Searsmont, was Mr. Joseph Meservey. He was famil- j 
iarly called "Uncle Joe." He had lived to see a flourish- i 
ing village grow up where 70 j-ears before he had hunted 
with the red man, the moose, deer, bear and wolf.* 

Searsmont once had its hermit, Mr. Timothj- Barret. 
He had his abode at the head of " Hook's mill-pond," 
sleeping in a hollow log, or cave, for nearlj- 35 j-ears. 
Civilization advancing upon him, he retreated to the west 
branch of George's River, at the head of " True's mill- 
pond," in Montville, where, in his hermit's soUtude, he 
continued to live until his death. ! 

The growth of Searsmont has been slow, though the 
farming is good, and the water-privileges are perhaps 
unequalled by those of any town in the State. 

Montville, originallj' called Davistown, and incor- 
porated, Feb. 18, 1807, has a population of 1,468. It 
was settled between 1780 and 1783. The first perma- 
nent settler was James Davis, a Presb3'terian minister 
from Massachusetts. Hence the name Davistown. Wm. 
Clark and Archibald McAlister were also earlj- settlers. I 
Timothy Barret, from Concord, Mass., to whom refer- ! 
ence is made in Searsmont, came in 1793. I 

The surface of the town is broken into hills. In the j 
centre is Hogback Mountain, a considerable eminence. , 
The principal business of the town is farming ; the [ 
slopes of the hills furnish good pasturage, and in many 1 
places fair tillage. Lumber was once extensively manu- 
factured, but now the forests are nearly exhausted. 

There are four church edifices, and three postal vil- 
lages, — Montville, Centre Montville and South Mont- i 
ville. 

Benj. White of Montville was a representative to 
Congress in 1843 ; he was a farmer. Rev. Ebenezer 
Knowlton, another resident, was representative to Con- [ 
gress in 1855. Richard S. Aj-er, who now resides in 



• A writer in an old newspaper printed 30 years ago, says of " Uncle I small island of which we have spoken. The beautiful place of his resting 
Joe Mcsen'cy," then living : " lie has always preserved his youthful is known to very few ; and this is all the world knows of him, who he 
predilection for the forest and the stream. Among the earlier recoUec- ] was, except by name, and why he chose the solitary life of the forest. His 
tions of Mr. Meservey, is that of a Mr. Braddock, who lived in a camp simple request marks him as a man who had fine sensibility, however 
alone, near the head of the pond. There he died, and by his o\vn re- rough might have been his person or manner. How many romances 
quest, made to these only companions he knew, he was buried upon the have had a less romantic foundation than these simple circumstances." 



Montville, was formerly representative in Congress from 
Virginia. 

Frankfort is situated on the west side of Penob- 
scot River, 15 miles from Belfast, on the Belfast and 
Bangor stage-Hue. It was incorijorated, June 25, 1789. 
Originally Frankfort extended from the Sowadabscook 
stream to Belfast. It was the north-east town in the 
Waldo patent. 

The first settlers were J. Treat, E. Grant, J. Kinna- 
kum, J. Woodman, P. King, S. Kenney and E. Ide. These 
settlers got their living by hunting moose, beaver and 
muskrats, and by fishing in Penobscot River. 

Ship-building was formerly extensively carried on in 
Frankfort, but it has now died out. John Kempton of 
Oak Point built the first vessel. The inhabitants were 
at one time extensively interested in navigation, and 
several good-sized fortunes were once made in it. There 
are some well-cultivated farms, but the surface is rough 
and broken. In the south part of the town are Mount 
Waldo and Mosquito Mountain, where there are quarries 
of granite, immense quantities of which are annually 
wrought out. Mt. Waldo is a huge, dome-shaped mass 
of naked rock, and rises 964 feet above the river. It 
can be seen for the distance of 20 miles around. From 
its summit a magnificent view is obtained, embracing a 
vast extent of countrj', dotted with villages, hamlets and 
towns, among which are the cities of Bangor and Belfast. 
The mountain is composed entirely of a peculiar porphj-- 
ritic granite — remarkably pure, free from foreign mat- 
ters, and wiU resist well the action of the weather.* 

Mosquito Mountain is 527 feet in height above high- 
water mark. It is composed entirely of porphyritic 
granite, which is extensively quarried. The rock is a 
handsome building material, and withstands the action 
of the TV eather without changing color. Operations were 
first commenced there in May, 1838, since which time a 
large fortune's worth of granite has been quarried and 
hammered for the New York market. The Albany 
Exchange is constructed of this stone. From this quarry 
the Maine block of granite was forwarded to Washing- 
ton, in 1849, for the Washington National Monument. 

The population of Frankfort in 1870 was 1,152. 

NoRTHPORT is on the west side of Penobscot Bay, and 
joins Belfast on the south. It has nine miles of sea- 
coast. The na\'igable advantages are good, nevertheless 
it is not a seaport of much importance. Formerly there 



• " The Pharaohs of Egypt," Bays Dr. Jackson, " would have gloried 
in a mountain like this, for after removing sufficient granite to build a 
city, the nucleus, if left in a pyramidal form, would be more than twice 
the magnitude of the Great Pyramid of Egypt, and this mountain has 
the advantage of being founded upon an immovable basis." 



were some ship-building and lime-burning done here, but 
both industries have fallen into decay. The principal 
resource of the town is agriculture. The surface is 
broken, especially along the shore ; a high bluflf that 
rises directly from the water, can be seen for a great dis- 
tance on the bay, while from its crest the view is of 
great extent and beauty. Northport was first settled 
about 1780, and formed the north part of the plantation 
of Duck Trap until it was incorporated, Feb. 13, 1796. 
The first settlers were Thomas Burkmar, Samuel Bird, 
David Miller and others. These men were hardly 
settled when they were called off to the war of the 
Revolution. The settlement made no progress until 
peace was proclaimed. While the British' troops held 
Castine — across the bay — they made raids upon the 
farmers and fishermen of this plantation, and sometimes 
shots were exchanged between the Yankee yeomen and 
the red-coats ; but no blood was spilled. The place 
grew but slowly, and its history is uneventful. 

There are three small villages : Brown's Corner, Wes- 
leyan Camp Ground and Saturday Cove. The second 
named is a picturesque collection of summer cottages in 
a noble grove on the shores of the baj'. Formerly the 
Methodist societies of the neighboring towns met here 
every year in the month of August, lived in canvas 
tents and held open-air meetings ; gradually they began 
to build cottages and reside several weeks in the summer 
at the camp-ground. Within the last few years the 
place has grown rapidly, and now there are nearly 300 
cottages and a large hotel, which in the summer of 1878 
entertained upwards of 3,000 guests. This resort at 
fast changing from its original design, as a place of 
religious gathering, to a summer watering-place. Dur- 
ing the warm season several steamers touch at the wharf, 
and there are daily excursions from all the river and 
shore towns. The natural beauties of the place are 
many ; it reminds one forcibly of the Cottage City of 
Martha's Vineyard. 

The third-named village, Saturday Cove, is also finely 
situated upon the bay, with a view of Long Island, with 
its farm-houses and churches, immediately opposite, and 
offers, by its retired and pleasant position, as well as by 
its refreshing air, a pleasant sojourn in warm weather. 
There is a neat and cosy hotel here. 

The salubrious climate and quiet life of Northport are 
fitted to produce longevity, and many of the citizens 
have attained a good old age, but none before reached the 
years of Mrs. Rebecca Pendleton, who died in 1863, 
aged 104 years and 6 months. 

There is one church edifice, occupied by all denomina- 
tions, and at Wesleyan Grove there is a sheltered pulpit 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



and a large collection of comfortable benches roofed only 
by the overhanging branches of trees. 

Population atlast census, 902. 

IsLESBOEOUGH consists of several small islands and a 
large one, in Penobscot Bay. The latter is called Long 
Island, and is 12 miles in length, and 3 miles in its 
greatest width, but in the middle it does not exceed 
three rods in width. The population in 1870 was 1,230. 
The settlement was begun in 1769, by Wm. Pendleton 
and Benj. Thomas. The town was incorporated Jan. 
28, 1789. One of the early settlers named Gilkey was 
impressed into the British sen-ice, while his wife and 
two children were left in povert}- on the island to gain a 
living as they best could. At the end of the Revolution 
the town began to be tLicklj' settled. In June, 1794, 
Elder Thomas Ames was ordained the first pastor. 

The inhabitants are largelj* engaged in maritime pur- 
suits, but far more so formerlj- than now. In 1855, 153 
vessels sailed from Islesborough, many of which were 
owned in the town, while all the masters were residents 
there. The inhabitants are hardy, vigorous and intelli- 
gent. Islesborough has three churches, all Baptist, and 
eight school districts. 

The towns of Waldo County not already described 



are: — Trot (incorporated in 1812, population l,2i:i), 
first called Bridgton Plantation, in honor of Gen. Bridge, 
and at the time of its incorporation as a town known as 
King%'iUe: Unity (1804, 1,202), having a number of 
manufacturing establishments: Moneoe (1818, 1,375), 
a farming town named for President Monroe : Palermo 
(1804, 1,224), containing saw and grist mills: Liberty 
(1827, 907), a manufacturing town of considerable 
acti\'ity and thrift: Knox (1819, 890), so called in 
honor of Gen. Henry Knox, and a good agricultural 
town: Brooks (1816, 868), mainly engaged in farm- 
ing: Freedom (1813, 717) : Jackson (1818, 707), con- 
taining the remains of the celebrated " Great Farm" of 
the proprietors of the Waldo Patent, and the native 
town of Ezra Abbot, LL. D., the distinguished oriental 
scholar: Burnham (1824, 788), well supplied with 
water-power by the Sebasticook River: Belmont (1814, 
629), a pleasant rural town: Swanville (1818, 770) : 
Thoendike (1819, 730), having a number of flourishing 
farms: Waldo (1845, 648), formerly engaged quite 
largely in the manufacture of lumber : and Morrill 
(1855, 523), the birthplace of Addison O. Whitney. 
killed, at the age of 22 years, in the Baltimore riot of 
April 19, 1861. 



WASHINGTON COUNTY. 



BY GEORGE W. DRISKO. 



There is strong evidence that the " first English foot- 
print upon the soil of Maine " was on Cross Island, at 
the mouth of Machias River. This first adventurer on 
these shores was Capt. John Rut and his crew of 
the English vessel called " The Mary of Guilford," in 
1527. Capt. Rut reconnoitered along the shore of 
Maine, sailing westerly from Liverpool, N. S. His 
journal shows that he landed on a small island, westerly 
from Eastport, which he called "Neutral," and which, 
in 1603, was named by De Monts, the "Holy Cross." 
Evidence of De Monts' visit to Cross Island existed to 
within the present century, and by the white settlers 
was attributed to the Indians. 

There is no authentic record of a settlement bj' whites 
on Machias River prior to June, 1763. There is good 
authority for the belief that "trading-posts" were estab- 
lished here prior to that date ; also that Richard Vines 



set up a trading-house on the west side of Machias 
River, near Clark's Point, now Machiasport, in 1632 or 
'33. Vines did not remain here long, but left his store 
in charge of five men. In less than one month, La 
Tour, a French explorer on the Maine coast, visited 
Vines's store and confiscated all the property, made pris- 
oners of the men and sent the whole to France. In 
1644 the French planted a few habitations here, but were 
unsuccessful ; and in 1674 a similar effort by them re- 
sulted in failure. 

In July, 1734, Gov. Belcher visited Machias River. 
He was accompanied by Rev. Mr. Prince, pastor of the 
Old South Church ; Edward Winslow, sheriff of Suffolk 
County; and other distinguished residents of Boston. 
This company spent a Sabbath on board their vessel in 
the harbor, but found no inhabitants in the region. 

These visits attracted the attention of the Massachu- 



setts Colonj- to this section of the territoiy now Wash- 
ington Count}-, and efforts were made to encourage set- 
tlement here. In 1748 Richard Hazen was emplo3-ed bj- 
the governor to make survej's and form a chart and plan 
of the coast. 

The governor of Massachusetts in 1753 recommended 
the appointment of a tribunal for the settlement of land 
titles, and for devising measures for filling up the country 
with settlers. 

Floreutius Vassal, a resident of the Island of Jamaica, 

proposed that if Massachusetts would transfer the terri- 

torj- between St. Croix and Penobscot to him and his 

associates, thej would settle there, within a specified 

time, such a number of inhabitants as would form an 

effective barrier to the French, and hold in check the 

Indian tribes. The legislative branches assured him 

that if he would, within five j'ears, obtain His Majestj''s 

approbation, introduce 5,000 settlers, a proportionate 

number of Protestant clerg3'men, and satisfy the Indians 

1 as to their claims, the emigrants should have all the 

I lands they would settle, and all the islands within three 

[ miles of the coast. 

About 1760 another proposition was made to Massa- 
chusetts, b}' the Earl of Catherlough and Francis Vassal, 
to settle the lands on each side of the Machias River, 12 
miles in width, extending from the mouth of the river 
upward for 50 miles, the colony to contain 600 Protest- 
ant families, and not less than 3,000 persons. This was 
so near the close of the old French war, that nothing 
was done. About this time the king authorized the 
General Court of Massachusetts to make free grants of 
land, which might be selected from the royal domains, to 
those officers and privates who had ser\'ed in the French 
and Indian wars, just terminated. A captain was to 
receive 3,000, a subaltern 2,000, and a private 50 acres. 
This decree of the king no doubt interfered with the 
proposition of Catherlough and Vassal. 

After the close of the Indian war, in 1760, the native 
tribes of Maine, especially the "Quoddies" and other 
lesser tribes, between Quoddj' and the Penobscot, mani- 
fested a disposition to maintain peace and amity with 
the white settlers, and to the present time this friendship 
has not been interrupted. This, and the cessation of 
active hostilities between the English and French, proved 
to be events of great utility to the settlers of Washing- 
ton County. 

For many years Joseph Neptune was the chief of the 
" Passamaquoddie " tribe. He was assisted b}' Francis 
Nacola Neptune, "Captain Salmo," and other leading 
Indians. Their fighting force numbered 500 able-bodied 
men. During the Revohitionarj- war this force of 



friendly- Indians was increased to 600. Joseph Neeala 
was the chief of the Indian forces at Machias. The 
" Mereshete " tribe, who had their headquarters at or 
near St. Andrew's, N. B., contributed many fighting 
Indian aids and expert gunners to the Machias colonists, 
in their subsequent successful efforts to repulse British 
war vessels which were sent to reduce Machias and all 
neighboring settlements. The descendants of the above- 
named chiefs have in their possession ' ' Proclamations 
and Letters, greeting," issued as early as 1776-7, by 
Jeremiah Powell, president of the Council, at Boston, 
for the ' ' State Massachusetts Bay." These letters and 
documents, so much as could be deciphered, were pub- 
lished in the early part of 1857, in the "Boston Jour- 
nal," and the latter part of the same j'ear were incorpo- 
rated, bj' the publishers of the " Machias Union," into a 
volume entitled "The Life of Hannah Weston." 

The principal rivers in Washington County are the 
Narraguagus, Pleasant River, Machias, Denny's and the 
St. Croix. These rivers were formerly noted for their 
falls and rapids, affording excellent power for driving 
machinerj' ; for their lakes, ample reservoirs, frequented 
by pickerel, trout, togue, perch and salmon. They were 
heavily timbered on their sources, and at their outlets 
vast territories of salt marsh have been diked, re- 
claimed and made valuable ha3--producing lands. The 
bottom lauds are rich, and these tracts, fine arable soils, 
are bearing heavy j-ields of corn, wheat, ha}' and potatoes. 

The fisheries emplo}' an extensive capital and large 
numbers of men and boys. At Lubec, and other places 
in proximity to Passamaquoddy Bay, fishing is a re- 
munerative industry. 

The granite business is receiving much attention. 
Excellent granite is found for building purposes at Addi- 
son, Jonesborough, Marshfield, and Red Beach in Calais. 
Quarries are in operation in each of the above places. 
At Red Beach improved machinery- has been erected, for 
sawing, planing and moulding, so that posts for gate- 
way's, arches and bases, and columns for monuments, 
tops for tables, and shelves and chimney-pieces are fur- 
nished. The Scotch granite, at Red Beach, when pol- 
ished, becomes a beautiful material for house-furnishing. 

Prior to May, 1790, all that part of Maine east of 
the Kennebec was known as Lincoln County. In May, 
Hancock and Washington counties were organized, in- 
cluding all the territory east of the Penobscot River. 
The di\'ision line between Hancock and Washington 
was the westerlj^ line of Steuben ; the latter included in 
Washington, the western town, and Gouldsborough, the 
eastern town in Hancock. Washington County, in 1790, 
contained 2,758 inhabitants. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



Bj^ an act of Congress, passed in 1789, all the coasts 
and ports of Maine were classed into nine commercial 
districts, in each of which a collector and other customs 
officers were appointed bj' President Washington. Ma- 
chias was made a port of entrj-, and Stephen Smith 
received the appointment of collector. 

Since the earliest settlement of the county, the people 
have been largel}- engaged in ship-building, and are now 
extensive ship-owners. In 1873, 9,482 tons of shipping 
were built in Machias district. 

In 1856, 17 vessels, 100 to 1,000 tons each, were built 
at Robbinston. Pembroke, Calais, East Machias, Lubec, 
Millbridge, Columbia Falls and Addison are ship-build- 
ing towns. 

There are many enterprising vessels' masters in the 
above towns. The J'oung men commence sea-life at an 
earl_v age. By saving their earnings, at 21 thej' are fre- 
queutlj' masters and owners of an eighth or a fourth of 
the vessel each commands. In a few years thej" become 
shareholders in several vessels. When they retire from 
sea-life they not unfrequently become builders them- 
selves. 

Towns. 

Machias. In 1762 persons from Scarborough, Me., 
in scows and boats, passed along the shores of the State 
eastwardly as far as Machias River. They landed in 
September, and made some explorations of the marshes, 
water-power, forests of timber, and privileges for fishing 
and trapping game. On their return their neighbors 
were so well pleased with the report thej' made, that an 
association of 16 persons was formed the succeeding 
winter, and in the April ensuing they embarked in a 
small vessel at Black Point, and on the 20th of May, 
1763, they landed at Machias. 

These settlers made a double log-house on the bank 
of the river, where is now the central part of the town. 
Two women, wives of Westbrook Berry and Isaac Lar- 
rabee, and their children, were of the compan3'. Joel 
Bonney, a millwright, and Wooden Foster, blacksmith, 
had been hired by the settlers to assist in building a mUl. 

This saw-mill, the first built on the Machias, or in 
this section of Maine, was erected on the site now occu- 
pied by Ilemenway's steam-mill. 

In August, 17G3, the wives and families of nine more 
of the settlers were removed from Scarborough to Ma- 
chias. They were conveyed in a vessel by Capt. Joseph 
Wallace, father of the Capt. Joseph Wallace who settled 
at Mill River, now Harrington, about the same time 
Machias was settled. In 1765, the colony was increased 
by immigrants from Scarborough, Kittery, Cornwallis, 
N. S., Boston, and other places. 



In 1787, the saw-mills were destroyed by fire. In the 
spring of 1789, a high freshet carried 3,000 logs out 
to sea, and damaged the mills to the amount of £600. 
In 1794, 1,600,000 feet of lumber was manufactured in 
the place. 

Morris O'Brien and his sons came to Machias in 1765. 
He had resided at Boston, but was a native of Ireland. 
O'Brien and his sons built a double saw-mill on the site 
where the present Dublin mill stands. The O'Briens 
settled on the south side of the river ; hence the name 
" Dublin " given that important section of the town. 

The season of 1767 was noted as a season of great 
scarcit}'. The winter was unusuallj' severe, harbors 
were ice-bound, spring was late. It has been designated 
"poverty times." The settlers subsisted on clams, 
eels, potatoes and moose meat — the latter a luxury. 

In 1768, Ichabod Jones, Jonathan Longfellow and 
others built a double mill on the island, where the Rock 
mill now stands. Tlie same year, Joseph Getchell and 
others built a saw-mill at the outlet of Bowker's Lake, 
on Middle River, now Marshfleld. A militia company 
of 100 men was formed in 1769. Stephen Jones was 
conunissioned captain. 

Late in the year 17G9, 80 men, all residents of Ma- 
chias, addressed a petition to the General Court of Mas- 
sachusetts Bay, for a grant of land eight by ten miles 
square, to include all the settlers' lots in Machias. The 
General Court, on the 26th of April, 1770, acted upon 
the request, and granted the tract desired and described 
bj- the petitioners. His Majesty's surveyor restricted 
cutting all trees on the township 21 inches in diameter 
12 inches upward from the ground. Similar reserves 
were made in all land grants, the timber being designed 
for use in the ro3'al navj'. The larger and best trees 
were called king's masts. A fine of £100 was imposed 
for cutting such reserved trees without a license. This 
grant established the petitioners " proprietors or owners 
in fee of the soil," within the limits described. 

The town now seemed to enter upon general prosper- 
ity. Immigrants were arriving monthly ; new lots were 
taken up above and below, on both sides of the river, 
and saw-mills were erected at East Machias and on the 
outlet of Gardner's Lake. 

In Jul}-, 1771, the settlers voted to hire a minister of 
the gospel. 

In 1774, the first meeting-house was built. It was 
placed on a lot given by George Libby, — the same lot 
on which Libby Hall now stands. The church was one 
story high, 42 feet long, and 25 feet wide. There were 
no pews, but plank seats arranged on each side of the 
narrow aisle. The cost was met by private subscription. 



The building cost $220. On the 29th of Ma}-, 1786, by 
vote of the town, £200 were raised to build two meeting- 
houses. 

The people at Machias are noted, not only for having 
declared war against Great Britain, and introduced the 
Revolution, as it were, on their own responsibility, but 
for having fought the first naval battle, and captured the 
first naval prize of the Revolutionary epoch. A Mr. 
Ichabod Jones of Boston, and temporarily residing in 
Machias, having, in 1774, brought from Boston to Ma- 
chias two boat-loads of provisions, which, by the British 
Admiral Graves he had been directed to exchange for 
lumber for the use of the British troops, and the patriots 
of Machias having quietlj' determined that Jones's ves- 
sels with their lumber should not return to Boston, ar- 
rangements were made for attacking the latter, together 
with the British naval consort of the same, the " Marga- 
retta," Capt. INIoore, commander. The chief leader in 
the proposed attack on the " Margaretta " and Jones's 
vessels was Benjamin Foster, a bold, energetic man, 
who had had some experience in the French wars. He 
was strongly supported bj- one Jeremiah O'Brien. After 
a meeting or two had been called for purposes of con- 
sultation, plans were matured first of all for the capture 
of Jones's vessels, which were successful. These were 
then duly manned, and an attack made on Capt. Moore. 
During the brief conflict which followed, the latter was 
mortally wounded, and his vessel surrendered. The 
"Margaretta" was taken to Machias, and her crew 
detained as prisoners of war. Capt. Moore was taken 
to the house of Stephen Jones, where he died, June 13, 
1775. Tradition states that on board the " Margaretta " 
were two 3'oung ladies, to one of whom Capt. Moore 
was shortly to be married. Shortl}' after this, the 
schooner " Diligence," carrying four four-pound guns, 
and the schooner " Tatmagouch," were also captured bj- 
Captains Foster and O'Brien.* For these brave deeds 
these patriots and their associates, as yet utterly unrec- 
ognized, received a vote of thanks at the hands of the 
Provincial Congress. 

In the summer of 1777, the governor of Nova Scotia 
ordered Sir George Collier, with a fleet of 4 vessels and 
80 men, to proceed to Machias and reduce it, as a chas- 
tisement of the people for their resistance to the king's 
authority. So warm, however, was the reception which 



* Albert Gallatin, afterwards in Jefferson's cabinet as secretary of the 
treasury, came to Machias in September, 1780. He was placed in com- 
mand of the fort at Quoddy, and when he left for Eastport, ho assisted 
his men in dragging a cannon a distance of nearly fifty miles through 
the woods, over streams, — there were no bridges or turnpikes, — to be 
placed in the intrenchraents at Quoddy. When .at Machias ho made 



I 
they received, that they were glad to beat an earlj- and \ 
a hasty retreat to Halifax. ! 

The British obtained no foothold at Machias during } 
the Revolutionarj' war. j 

Machias was incoqjorated June 22, 1784. Popula- i 
tiou, 2,530. 

The town has some fine public buildings. The court- 
house and jail, brick and granite, were built, the former 
in 1855 at a cost of $25,000, and the latter in 1857 at a 
cost of 835,000. Centre Street Church and Libby Hall 
are fine wooden buildings. The post-office and custom- 
house, erected in 1871, of brick and granite, cost 
§30,000. This afi'ords as large and well arranged offices 
as any similar building in Maine. 

The town has nine buildings for the use of schools, 
some being large and commodious. There are thirteen 
saw-miUs, one operated by steam, the others by water- 
power. There are six lath-mills ; two grist-mills ; card- 
ing-machine ; one foundry and machine shop, and three 
carriage-factories. 

The first newspaper published in Machias was by 
Jeremiiih O. Balch, dated Dec. 23, 1823, caUed the 
" Eastern Star." 

The water-power afforded by the falls at Machias, is 
one of the finest in North America. Vessels of 600 tons 
receive cargoes within 300 feet of the saw-mills, and mill- 
machinery is secure, hence valuable, by the natural for- 
mation of islands at the head of the falls in connection 
with banks of the river. 

In early times alewives and salmon were abundant. 
Multiplied saw-mills became oflTensive to these fish in 
their migratory habits, and the}' disappeared. Within 
ten years past fish-ways have been built, and it is 
thought the fish are gradually returning. 

The forests of timber on Machias River have been a 
source of large wealth. 

The first church in Machias, Congregationalist, was 
organized in September, 1782, Rev. James L)-on, pastor. 
This was the first church established in Washington 
County, and is one of the largest in the State. 

Col. John Allan, one of the patriots of the Revolution, 
was born in " Auld Reekie," Edinburg Castle, Scotland, 
Jan. 14, 1746. His father, a man of letters and wealth, 
removed from Scotland to Halifax, N. S., in 1750. His 
sympathies being with the American patriots, Mr. Allan 



the acquaintance of Col. O'Brien, spent some time at O'Brien's house, 
and shared largely of the Colonel's well-known hospitality. During the 
last years of Jefferson's administration, Mr. Gallatin caused Col. O'Brien 
to bo appointed collector of customs for the district of Machias, an office 
which he held eight years. It was complimentary to the Colonel, as he 
had not asked for it, neither had his friends petitioned for him. 



580 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



was forced to leave Nova Scotia in 1776, and when onl}- 
30 years of age came within the limits of Maine. Sub- 
sequently he established his residence at Machias, and 
later at Allan's Island in Eastport. 

In 1777, by order of Gen. Washington, and by direc- 
tion of Congress, Col. Allan was made superintendent of 
Indians in the eastern department, and commander of the 
troops at Machias, under the General Court of Massa- 
chusetts, which positions he continued to hold till near 
the close of the war. 

Gen. Washington had unbounded confidence in Col. 
Allan. Congress entrusted to him important interests. 
The Indian tribes respected him as a father. 

Love of liberty seems to have been a ruling passion 
with him. On the curtains of his bed he inscribed 
in large letters: "Where liberty dwells, there is my 
countrj." His descendants are numerous, and distin- 
guished for industry, frugality and integrity. 

Col. Allan's burial-place is on the island formerly 
owned by him, latterly known as Treat's Island, in East- 
port. A marble monument, suiTounded by an iron fence, 
marks his resting-place. 

Rev. James Lyon was a native of Princeton, N. J., a 
graduate of Princeton College, and was first settled as 
a minister in Nova Scotia. He came to Machias in 
1771. He was the first pastor in town, and continued 
preaching at the West and East villages until he died in 
1795. He was a man of more than ordinarj' ability, of 
deep piety, and great energy of character. He was very 
active as a patriot during the Revolution. The descend- 
ants of Mr. Lyon are living at Machias, Marshfield, and 
adjoining towns. No headstone marks his burial-place. 

George S. Hillard, who died in Boston Jan. 21, 1879, 
was a native of Machias. Mr. Hillard became a leading 
law\er at the Suffolk bar, served in both branches of the 
legislature, and was United States district attorney for 
three yeais. He was author of several works on history, 
geography, philosophy and travel, and a series of school- 
readers known as " Ilillard's Readers." He was a man 
of rare literary ability. 

Calais. — Daniel Hill, who came from Jonesborough, 
Me., was the first permanent white settler of Calais. He 
was piloted through the woods from Machias by a friendly 
Indian. He made a clearing on Ferry Point, built a 
cabin there, and often declared that he found a much 
better countrj' than he had anticipated. 

He was a remarkably athletic and fearless man, and 
served as a private in the Indiau war of 1758-60. The 
Quoddy Indians knew this fact, and although Mr. Hill 
kindly aided them and instructed them in farming, thej- 
greatly feared him. 



In 1781 Samuel Hill came to Calais from Machias, 
and engaged in farming. In 1782 Daniel Hill, Jacob 
Libby and Jeremiah Frost built the first saw-mill. It 
stood near the mouth of Porter's stream. There were 
so few men that the women assisted in raising the frame 
of the mill. Daniel Hill imported the first oxen and did 
the first farming in Calais. 

In 1789 the General Court of Massachusetts ordered 
the division into townships of a large tract of land 
bordering on the St. Croix. Calais included about 
19,000 acres of heavily timbered and valuable land. 

In June, 1789, a committee appointed by the General 
Court sold the township to Waterman Thomas of Wal- 
doborough. Me., for the sum of about £672. About six 
years later, Mr. Thomas sold half the township to Shubael 
Downes of Walpole, Mass., one-quarter to Edward II. 
Robbins of Milton, Mass., and one-quarter to Abiel 
Woods. Subsequently Edmund Munroe bought a large 
share of the lands belonging to Downes and Woods. In 
a few j'ears Samuel Jones re-surveyed the township and 
divided the land into settlers' lots of 50 to 100 acres 
each. Jones's lines remain the boundarj- and division 
farm-lines to this day. 

It is said that Calais in 1 790 contained less than 20 
white residents. Its present 'population is 5,945. 

Jairus Keen, from Duxbury, Mass., came to Calais, and 
in 1801, built a vessel which he named "Liberty," the 
first vessel built on the river. In 1803, Abner Hill & 
Co., and others, erected a very good saw-mill at " Still- 
water," now Milltown. This machinery worked so rapid- 
Ij^ that it became known to lumbermen as the "Brisk 
mill." Other mills were built, and the lumber business 
increased largely year by year. 

In 1804 or 1805, Stephen Brewer, Esq. of Boston, 
became a resident of Calais. He was educated, wealthy, 
and became influential. He was the first to export lum- 
ber from Calais. He presided at the first town meeting, 
was the first justice of the peace, and the first postmas- 
ter. He introduced the first wagon, and aided largely in 
fitting and furnishing the first church. Mr. Brewer died 
in 1814. In 1815 his widow received a chaise from 
friends of her late husband in Boston, the first carriage 
of the kind seen at Calais. 

Shubael Downes, Jr., son of the land proprietor, came 
to Calais in 1804. He was an energetic, industrious 
man, and built and kept the first hotel. He also con- 
structed the first grist-mill. 

Frederic A., James S., and Charles E. Pike, sons 
of William Pike, an earlj' settler, became distinguished 
as financiers, writers and politicians. Frederic repre- 
sented his district in Congress eight j-ears. James 



S. was several 3'ear3 on the editorial staff of the " N. Y. 
Tribune." 

Calais was incorporated in 1809. The first minister 
who preached here was Rev. Duncan McCall in 1790. 
The first Congi-egational church, however, was not organ- 
ized until Aug. 17, 1825. Their first church was built in 
the ensuing year. Among the earliest itinerant preachers 
in these parts were Rev. Mark Trafton and Rev. Jere- 
miah Eaton. 

Two newspapers are pubhshed in this place, the "Ad- 
vertiser," and the " Times." The first bridge built across 
the St. Croix was at Milltown, in 1825. The bridge con- 
necting Calais and St. Stephen was constructed in 1826. 

Calais has produced a few authors of note, among 
whom ma}- be mentioned Mrs. F. A. Pike, author of 
'■Ida May," "Caste" and "Agnes," and Harriet Pres- 
cott Spofford of Newburyport, Mass. 

In 1849-50 a railroad, mainly for the transportation of 
lumber, was built, connecting Calais and Baring. A 
few years later the road was extended up the St. Croix 
to Princeton. 

A city charter was granted to Calais Aug. 24, 1850 ; 
Hon. George Downes was chosen mayor. In 1872, 38 
mills, besides lath, clapboard and shingle mills, were in 
operation at Baring and Calais, mostly owned by resi- 
dents of Calais. But the once stately pine forests on the 
St. Croix have disappeared, devastated bj^ the axe and 
by fire, and the very superior water-power of Calais is 
now left comparativelj^ unimproved. 

Eastport, first settled by James Cochran, who came 
from Newburj'port, Mass., in 1772, was incorporated 
Feb. 24, 1798, as Eastpoi-t, because it was the most 
easterly port in the United States. The first church 
(Free Baptist) was built in 1810. There are now seven 
chiu-ches in the place. Rev. James Murphy, Baptist, 
was the first settled minister. 

Fort Sullivan is situated upon a hill in the central part 
of the town. The fort, with its lunette breastwork in 
front of the same, was built in 1809, the year of the 
embargo. United States troops were stationed here dur- 
ing the war of 1812, under command of Col. George 
Ulmer, succeeded by Maj. Perley Putnam, who was in 
command of the fort when it was captured by a British 
fleet in 1814, who held possession of the town until 
1818, claiming that the island was included in the orig- 
inal limits of New Brunswick. 

The island is about four miles long and two miles wide. 
The earliest settlers were fishermen from Newburyport, 
Mass., and Portsmouth, N. H. Catching and curing fish 
for the leading markets in the United States has been, 
and is, the principal industry. 



The Soldiers' Monument, of marble, was built in 1868. 
A Memorial Hall was erected by the town in 1870. 
A fire swept off the principal business street in the town 
in 1839. The same street and territory was again burned 
in October, 1864. In October, 1869, a tidal wave swept 
along the bay, causing damage to the extent of $100,- 
000. The loss by the two fires and the tidal wave 
exceeded half a miUion of dollars. 

The town, situated on the southerly side of the island 
contains 100 ware-houses and stores, and is connected to 
the mainland with a long covered bridge leading to 
Perry. Its population is 4,000. The harbor is spacious, 
and never closed b}' ice. 

The town has eight schools, graded and well con- 
ducted ; one newspaper, the " Sentinel "; a savings 
bank ; a bank of discount, the Frontier National Bank ; 
a library ; and various manufacturing establishments. 

The Passamaquoddy Hotel is one of the largest and 
best public houses in the State. Eastport is yearly 
becoming more favorably known as a watering-place. 

Prior to the incorporation of the town of Eastport in 
1798, it included the territory of the present town of 
Lubec, which was afterward set off and incorporated in 
1811. 

Pembroke was a part of Dennysville until Feb. 4, 
1832, when it was incorporated. Population, 2,550. 

Hatevil Leighton, who came from Gouldsborough, 
Me., in 1774, was the first settler. In 1780, Edmund 
Mahar and William Clark, from Boston, — the former an 
Irishman, spelling his name "Meagher," a man of 
parts, — settled near Cobscook Falls. He and his wife 
were buried on the farm where they first settled. 

The Herseys, early settlers, were soldiers in the war 
for independence. Theophilus Wilder was a captain in 
the Revolutionary army under Gen. Gates, and was 
present at the surrender of Burgoyne at Saratoga, Oct. 
17, 1777. Captain Wilder died at Pembroke, Oct. 28, 
1821. The proprietors of the township were Gen. Ben- 
jamin Lincoln, Thomas Russell and John Lowell, all of 
Massachusetts. 

The natural curiosity of the town is Cobscook Falls. 
The tide rises 30 feet at these falls. Above is a wide 
and deep basin, and there is a similar basin below. The 
fall is through a narrow, walled passage, and over a 
jagged, rocky bottom. The volume of water passing 
four times each twentv-four hours is greater than the 
volume passing Hell Ciate at New York. 

Ezekiel Foster commenced building the iron-works es- 
tabhshment in 1832. Foster & Bartlett operated them a 
few 3'ears. Subsequently, Gray & Co. of Boston bought 
the property. In 1849, the works were purchased by 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



-^ 



the present proprietors, William E. Coffin & Co. of 
Boston. For fifteen j'ears prior to 1873, tiie company 
did an extensive business. 

Ship-building has been a prominent industry, com- 
mencing in 1825. 

Union Church was erected in 1842, the first in the 
town. Robert Crossett, Congregationalist, was the first 
settled minister. There are now four religious societies. 

Stephen C. Foster, a native of East Machias, came to 
Pembroke in 1833, and was long identified TNith the 
business prosperity of the place. He was a representa- 
tive in Congress from 1857 to 18G1. lie was at one 
time nearly resolved tocdiiciti hmi'-tlt for the nnni^tn 

He died in October, 

1872, aged 74 years. 

East Machias, — 
previous to 1826 a 
part of Machias, — 
was incorporated as 
a town Jan. 24, 1826. 
Sam'l Scott was the 
first settler, in 1 765. 
He was followed by 
Col. Benj. Foster and 
others in 17G8-69. 
The first church built 
in the town, a small, 
one-stor}- building, is 
used now for a store. 
There are now three 
organized churches. 
James Lyon was the 
first minister. 

Washington Acad- 
emj- was established in 1823. For 56 years it has been 
a successful educational institution. The first principal 
was Solomon Adams. Among the natives of East 
Machias who received their academical training in this 
institution maj' be mentioned : Samuel Harris, D. D., 
of Yale College ; Prof. Roswell D. Hitchcock, Union 
Theological Seminary ; William C. Talbot, San Fran- 
cisco, capitalist ; Andrew J. Pope, of the same city, 
who died in January, 1879, leaving an estate valued at 
$3,000,000; Frederic Talbot, New York, merchant; 
Charles H. Talbot, Providence, ship-owner; P. Foster 
Folsom, merchant, Boston; Rev. M. J. Talbot, D. D., 
Warren, R. I. ; Rev. Henry L. Talbot, Durham, N. H. ; 
Thomas H. Talbot, Brookline, Mass. ; and George F. 
Talbot, Portland, and John C. Talbot, East Machias, 
brothers, lawyers ; Leonard Scott, of the L. Scott Pub- 
lishing Company, New York ; Stephen C. Foster, who 





IjOWKU JTAl^Lb, JiASI MACHIAS, Mii 



died in 1876, at Pembroke, Me., member of Congress 
from Maine, two terms ; Stephen C. and Lowell Talbot, 
commission merchants. New York ; S. H. Talbot, James 
R. and F. Loring. of East Machias, and P. S. J. Talbot, 
Maiden, Mass., four brothers, sons of M. Jones Talbot, 
merchants and ship-owners. 

In January, 1827, the first temperance societj- in this 
section was formed at East Machias. 

Gardiner's Lake and Hadley's Lake are bodies of 
water in near proximity to the wharves at tide-water. 
Their outlets afford unequalled water-powers. 

The population of the town is 2,017. ! 

Llbfc wis settkd b^ P rendi people, who came from 

Nova .Scotia in 1758. 

Most of these fami- 
lies remained but a 
short time, but went 
to Madawaska, on 
^ the St. John River, 

or to Lower Canada. 
Col. John Allan, 
and several others, 
came from Cumber- 
land County, Nova 
Scotia, in 1776, and 
commenced a per- 
manent settlement. 
June 21, 1811, the 
town was incorporat- 
ed, and named "Lu- 
beck," from the old 
German city of that 
name. The Congre- 
gational church was 
organized in 1820, under the labors of Rev. Elijah Kel- 
logg. Rev. Andrew Bigelow was the first pastor, or- 
dained in 1821. The people of Lubec are largely engaged 
in the fisheries and agriculture. Population, 2,136. 

When the British occupied Eastport in 1814, Louis F. 
Delesdernier and Nehemiah Small moved to " Flagg's 
Point," where Lubec village now stands, and built houses 
and stores, being the first settlers and traders on the Point. 
Cherkyfield was settled in 1757, by Ichabod Willey 
and Samuel Colson. 

The first meeting-house was built on the east side of 
the river, near Campbell's mill. Cherryfield Academy 
was incorporated in 1829. In 1850 the present academ}- 
building was erected. It has done much excellent work. { 
Union Hall, the pride of Cherryfield, is in the academy 
building. There are three churches in the place. 
The population is 1,760. 



'«§i»«^i^^*'?fe«^|ft^i.«^»^^- 



William Freeman, born at Portland in 1783, died 
Feb. 22, 1879. He was a lawj-er by profession, and a 
person of rare literarj- attainments. In his dying mo- 
ments he asked his daughter Lizzie, who sat by him, 
'■Lizzie, are my feet in the right way?" "Yes, 
father." " If my feet are in the right way I will 
move on ;" and with this last utterance he departed. 

Other towns in the county are : — Machiaspokt (in- 
corporated in 182G, population 1,514), formerly a part 
of Machias : IIarkington (1791, 1,192), for 30 years 
largely interested in ship-building: Jonesport (1832, 
1,305), extensively engaged in the fisheries: Mill- 
bridge (1848, 1,565), one of the pleasantest towns on 
the coast of New England: Addison (1797, 1,201), the 
native place of William J. Corthell, a leading educator 
of Maine: Peket (1818, 1,149), containing, at Pleas- 
ant Point, a remnant of the Passamaquoddj' Indians ; 
an excellent agricultural town, 48,000 bushels of pota- 
toes having been raised there in 1878 : Steuben (1795, 
1,063), named in honor of Baron Steuben, and a noted 
lumbering town : Princeton (1832, 1,073), previous to 
the destructive fire of 1876 quite largely engaged in 
manufacturing: Robbinston (1811, 926), ship-building, 
until quite recently, being a leading industrj' : Cutler 
(1826, 926), having one of the finest harbors on the 
Atlantic coast: Columbia. (1796, 607), famous for its 
blueberries, thousands of bushels being gathered ever3' 
season: Columbia Falls (1863, 608), in ancient times 
a very patriotic place: Trescott (1827, 603), a good 
farming town: Whitneyville (1845, 569), lumbering 
being its chief industry : Jonesborough (1809, 522) , the 



birth-place of John L. Shorey, the well-known Boston 
publisher: Denntsville (1818, 489), so called from 
Denny's River: Charlotte (1825, 467), famous for its 
five lakes: Alexander (1825, 456), producing large 
quantities of hay : Baring (1825, 464) : Topsfield 
(1838, 453), containing the farm of William Stewart, 
Esq., one of the most productive in New England : 
Whiting (1825, 445), its principal founder being Col. 
John Crane, a Revolutionary patriot, and one of the 
" Indians" who threw the tea overboard in Boston har- 
bor: Edmunds (1828, 448) : Bailetville (1828, 377), 
once the residence of Hon. William Delesdernier : 
Cooper (1822, 360), named from Gen. John Cooper, an 
early and honored settler: Marshfield (1846, 350), 
containing the old homestead of Samuel Harmon, at one 
time largely engaged in ship-building: Wesley (1833, 
336), its leading industries being lumbering and farm- 
ing: Danforth (1860, 313), another agricultural town : 
Marion (1834, 213) : Meddtbemps (1841, 200), sup- 
plied with abundant water-power: Crawford (1828, 
209), having a range of fine lakes: Northfield (1838, 
190) : Deblois (1852, 139), with its excellent water- 
privilege at the Falls: Centreville (1842, 145), con- 
taining immense tracts of bottom lands, producing 3'early 
thousands of tons of hay: Beddington (1833, 134), its 
lake and Spruce Mountain affording superior sporting 
grounds and fine scenery : Eaton (incorporated in 1873), 
with its tanneries : Vanceborough (1874), also having 
tanneries: Talmadge (1875): and Waite (1876). 

There are five townships not incorporated, occupied by 
settlers engaged in farming and lumbering. 



Y O E K C C) U ^^ T Y 



BY REV. GEO. B. ILSLEY. 



The territory now included in York County was orig- 
inally embraced in lands granted to Ferdinando Gorges 
by the Plymouth Council in 1622. 

Settlements were commenced at Kitter}', Agamenticus 
(now York), Berwick, Wells, Cape Porpoise, Biddeford 
and Saco nearly at the same time. Belknap thinks there 
was a beginning at Agamenticus as carlj- as 1623. Wil- 
liamson places it in 1624. Edward Godfrey, governor 
of the Province, under or after Gorges, says that "he 
was an inhabitant in 1629 & 30, & the first that built a 



house." Gorges was ambitious to have his colony rival 
that of Massachusetts. For this end he had sent hither 
mechanics and common laborers to carry on improve- 
ments, and so concentrate the population that the place 
might be regarded as one of safety for immigrants in 
taking up lands in its vicinity. To effect his pui-poses 
he even caused it to be incorporated as a cit}- — the first 
in America — and gave it the name of Gorgeana, in honor 
of iiimsclf. For a few years the place enjoyed prosperity. 
It is thought that the men whom Gorges sent to pre- 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



pare the way located on the eastern bank of York River, 
near its mouth. 

The settlement at Kittery Point commenced in 1623. 
It was called Piscataqua until 1G52, when it received its 
present name. John Andrews, John Bursele}', Humph- 
rey and William Chadbourne, Nicholas Frost, WilUam 
Everett and Nicholas Shapleigh were some of the first 
inhabitants. 

The exact date of the settlements in Saco and Bidde- 
ford is not known. A grant was made to Thomas Lewis 
and Richard Bon3-thon in 1630, on the east side of the 
river, extending inland eight miles. Thej- took legal 
possession June 28, 1631. Edward Hilton acted as 
attornej- for the council. This grant was overlapped bj- 
the Plough patent, given the same year, which extended 
30 miles on the coast and 40 miles inland. For many 
years the settlers made their residence at Old Orchard 
Beach and towards the mouth of the river. 

The settlement on the Biddeford side was near the 
Pool. As early as 1616-17, Richard Vines passed the 
winter here. But the date of the charter'made to him 
and John Oldham was not till Feb. 1, 1630. Legal pos- 
session was taken the next June, before Isaac Allerton, 
Capt. Thomas Wiggin, Thomas Purchase, Capt. Waters, 
and others. Rev. William Blackstone of Shawmut (Bos- 
ton), William Jeffries and Edward Hilton of Piscataqua 
were the attorneys of the council to deliver the possession. 

An agreement between Pe3'ton Cook and Richard Wil- 
liams, for the furthering of clapboard-making, is dated 
Jan. 27, 1635. They were rived and not sawn. If we 
maj' rely on the minister's rate-book for the names of 
early settlers, we have those of Richard Vines, Henry 
Boade, Thomas Williams, Samuel Andrews, William 
Scadlock, and others. 

A place near the head of the Pool, long known as 
Leighton's Point, is said to have been the site of a court- 
house in the early da3-s of the Province. 

Wells appears to have had settlers previous to 1640. 
In 1640 Gorges ordered that all the inhabitants, from 
Piscataqua to Kennebunk, should present their children 
for baptism as soon as they had a minister, from which 
it is inferred some families were located east of York. 
History' seems to award the honor of being pioneer in 
the settlement of Wells to the celebrated Rev. John 
Wlieelwright. But it is evident that Edward Littlefield 
had previously established himself here by building a 
saw-mill. It is probable that Wheelwright came to the 
mouth of the Ogunquit River, and that many of his fol- 
lowers came with him, among whom was Robert Boothe, 
the clerk of the plantation. In 1643 Gorges conveyed 
to Wheelwright about 400 acres on the eastern side of [ 



the Ogunquit. It is thought that he did not continue his 
residence here more than three years, but, with others, 
returned to New Hampshire. And j'et some of his asso- 
ciates made their permanent abode here. 

Stephen Batson was the first occupant of Drake's 
Island. The farthest inland settlement at this early 
period was probably at or near the village of North Ber- 
wick. Arundel, or Cape Porpoise, was no doubt occu- 
pied between 1624 and 1640. Newichawannock, or Ber- 
wick, was settled, it is supposed, as soon as 1624, near 
South Berwick village, known in Indian dialect as 
Quampheagan Falls. 

The government which prevailed at first seems to have 
been vested in Gorges himself. Courts were soon estab- 
lished to adjust legal and moral difficulties. Gorges, in 
the capacity of absolute monarch, by the terms of his char- 
ter appointed the governors and councillors. There was 
no popular election of officers, and yet there was no 
doubt a very good mutual understanding among the 
settlers. Thomas Gorges, brother of Ferdinando, was 
the first governor. He opened a court in Saco, June 25, 
1640. His councillors were Richard Vines, Francis 
Champernoon, Henry Jocelyn, Richard Bon3thon, Wil- 
liam Hooke and Edward Godfrey. On the governor's 
return to England, in 1643, Edward Godfre3' was ap- 
pointed his successor, with Nicholas Shapleigh and 
Thomas Withers as members of his council. 

The provincial government included Piscataqua, 
Gorgeana, Saco and Casco, It appears that when the 
incorporation of the city government of Gorgeana took 
place, Thomas Gorges was also made its first mayor. 

In 1644 a woman was tried in the mayor's court for 
the murder of her husband, and was condemned and 
executed. 

About this time troubles arose in England between the 
king and parliament, which culminated in war. Al- 
though a man of seventy. Sir Ferdinando espoused the 
cause of the king, and was in Prince Rupert's army at 
the siege of Bristol, in 1643. When the forces of par- 
liament retook it, in 1645, Gorges was captured, plun- 
dered and thrown into prison. During this period he 
gave no attention to affairs here. Hearing nothing from 
him, the court appointed a governor and deput3', and 
continued the administration as provided by the charter. 
In 1647 they heard of his death. They then called a 
popular convention at Gorgeana, and after discussing 
their rights, duties and difficulties, the inhabitants of 
Kitter3', Gorgeana, Wells, and probably' those of the 
Isles of Shoals, formed themselves into a confederacy 
for mutual protection and the support of government. 
Edward Godfrej' was elected and was serving as governor, 



when the Massachusetts commissioners came to set up 
their claim of jurisdiction. The General Court at Bos- 
ton had so interpreted the terms of their charter as to 
warrant it. Weakened by dissensions and the instabil- 
itj' of their government, there was but slight resistance. 
Most of the people accepted the new order of things. 
Godfrey and his oflScers of course withstood it. Having 
no disposition to j-ield, he called a general court, and 
determined to send a petition to England and get his 
confederacy established. But Massachusetts at once 
took steps to defeat it. Replies and rejoinders followed. 
With so many choosing to come under the rule of Mas- 
sachusetts, Godfrey saw his efforts to resist would be 
futile. Furthermore, Cromwell being in power, and 
favoring the Puritans, it 
would be of little use to 
send his petition home to 
England. His struggle 
ended by signing the re- 
quired articles of submis- 
sion in 1653. This being 
done, an annual court 
was appointed at York, 
to be conducted by one 
of the principal magis- 
trates of the Colony, to- 
gether with four assist- 
ants nominated by the 
freemen of the county, 
and approved by the 
General Court of Massa- 
chusetts. The first bench 
thus constituted was com- 
posed of Edward Godfrey, Abraham Preble, Edward 
Johnson, and Edward Eishworth, all of York. Henry 
Marshall was appointed sheriff of the county. "The 
right worshipful Richard Bellingham presided." This 
was in 1653. During this year, according to Williamson, 
a jail was built. 

Ineffectual attempts, continuing through a series of 
years, were made by the heirs of Gorges . to obtain 
possession of his American gi'ants. The commissioners 
sent over by Charles II. to effect a settlement of the 
many disputed points in the controversy, accomplished 
comparatively nothing. In the meantime Maine was 
independent of the other Colonies. It was while in this 
relation that the first inferior court was held at Wells, in 
1665 ; and one of its orders was, that every town should 
have erected before the next court met, " a pair of 
stocks, a cage, and a cucking-stool on which to punish 
common scolds." 




GARRISON nOUSE, TORE, ME, 



In 1668 Massachusetts sent four commissioners with 
a military escort, who proceeded to open courts and 
exercise the functions of government. This was a bold 
step on the part of Massachusetts, but it was success- 
fully carried out till 1676, when, after sending agents to 
England, and upon a careful hearing of the case, the 
king confirmed the original charter of Massachusetts, 
and left Maine to the heirs of Gorges, " both as to soil 
and government." As soon as Massachusetts learned 
of the decision she sent an agent to Gorges with propo- 
sitions to purchase the Province. He accepted the terms 
in March, 1677, and without consulting the wishes of 
the king or people, relinquished his rights for £1,250. 
This offended the king and astonished the people. He 
demanded a re -assign- 
ment of the pro'vince to 
the crown, and offered 
to repaj' the agent the 
price given ; but Mas- 
sachusetts refused, and 
proceeded to organize a 
new mode of govern- 
ment. Under this ar- 
rangement the first court 
was held in York, in 
March, 1680. Thomas 
Danforth was president. 
In 1716 all the lands, 
families and settlements 
east of Sagadahoc, with- 
in the provincial char- 
ter, were ordered by the 
General Court to be an- 
nexed to Yorkshire, and York was appointed to be the 
county seat. 

In 1735 the legislature of Massachusetts allowed 
inferior courts to be held alternately in York and Fal- 
mouth (Portland). It was at this time that the county 
took the name it now bears. In 1760 the counties of 
Cumberland and Lincoln were formed and set off. 
Oxford was set off in 1805, making the Great Ossipee 
the boundary. 

In 1800 the Supreme Court was held in Kennebunk. 
After a severe contest it was removed to Alfred in 1802, 
which is still the county seat. In late years the Supreme 
Court is held at Saco. 

Indian troubles did not become severe tiU 30 years 
after the settlement ; then York County had its full 
share. The hostility of the savages was such that they 
seemed determined to utterly destroy the settlements. 
Garrison-houses were early erected, and a brave defence 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



made against the wily foe. A sudden and most disas- 
trous attack was made upon York Feb. 5, 1692. The 
force was made up of nearly 300 Indians under the lead 
' of French Canadians. In half an hour over 150 of the 
inhabitants were killed or captured. Those who suc- 
i ceeded in getting into the garrisons made good their- 
I defence. Preble's, Harmon's, Alcock's and Norton's 
I were the houses best fortified. Those north of the river 
were burned. The Rev. S. Dummer, for 20 years minis- 
I ter of the town, was killed while mounting his horse at 
his door. His wife also was taken cajJtive. The Indians 
I made a hasty retreat, taking prisoners and booty with 
tiiem. This march was attended with such suffering 
from cold and snow that many of the captives died 
before reaching Canada. 

Another attack was signalled by the burning of a 

; house on the Saeo side on Sept. 18, 1675. The sentinel 

! soon discovered an Indian lurking behind a fence. 

Maj. Phillips, exposing himself to \'iew, was slightly 

wounded in the shoulder. Supposing him killed, a fierce 

assault was made upon the garrison, but they were re- 

; pulsed, with their leader mortally wounded. They set 

fire to Maj. Phillips's saw-mill, hoping thereby to draw 

the people from their defence. They next made an 

i unsuccessful attempt to fire the garrison. Six were 

j killed, 15 wounded, and the assault abandoned. Of the 

50 persons in the house, none were killed. 

In the summer of 1693 Maj. Converse built a stone 
fort just below the falls. Until quite recently, its re- 
mains could be seen. Soldiers were stationed here under 
; Capt. George Turfey and Lieut. Pendleton Fletcher. 
The latter, his two sons and three soldiers were after- 
wards captured while shooting water-fowl. 

During King Philip's war, in 1676, 40 were killed or 
taken captives, and the whole village at Cape Neddoek 
[ burned. Only two men and women, with two or three 
I children, escaped. It was in September of this year that 
) James Gooch of Wells was shot on returning from 
j worship, and his wife cut in pieces. At a later period, 
an attack on WeUs was repulsed with a slight loss to the 
garrison. The treaty of peace concluding King Philip's 
war was made at Canso April 12, 1678. 
j During King William's war, which soon followed, 
the tribes of Maine were the first to begin hostilities. 
Wells seemed to be an object of their special hatred. 
Here, and in other places in the \dcinity, several des- 
perate and sanguinary contests ensued. We have no 
means of estimating the numbers who perished. The 
war closed in 1697. 

In 1703 the hostilities of Queen Anne's war com- 
menced. Winter Harbor near the mouth of the Saeo 



was attacked in December, 1703, and again in August, 
1710. This war ended in 1713. 

At the outbreak of King George's war the defences 
were on a larger scale than ever before. Two regiments 
of soldiers were raised, containing 3,105 men. Col., 
afterwards Sir Wm. Pepperell, commanded one of them. 
He was at this time very popular. 

At the commencement of the Revolutionary war, many 
in this county were enlisted, and the coast was guarded 
from Kittery to Falmouth. Men hurried into the ranks 
on the impulses of patriotism, rather than good pay. 
The conflicts of the past had nurtured brave men in 
these towns. No sooner was the Declaration of Inde- 
pendence adopted than it began to be read from pulpit 
to pulpit. The morning after the news of the battle of 
Lexington reached Y'ork, 60 men set out for Boston. 
Not long after James Scammon led a full regiment to 
Cambridge. 

It may seem incredible to the reader that the evils of 
slavery ever had an existence in this eountj' ; but such 
was the case. In Kittery, York, Wells, Biddeford and 
Saeo, slaves were once held. When inventories were 
taken they were usually classed with the farm stock. 
Sometimes they were sold at public auction. Indians 
as well as negi-oes were held in bondage. Kittery at one 
time retui-ned 43 slaves, three of whom were Indians. 
In 1754 a smart negro boy was appraised at £53. The 
meeting-houses had a place set apart for the slaves. It 
was the upper story of the porch. Instances are not 
wanting in the records of this county of the cruel sepa- 
ration of mother and child, and it seems not to have 
affected the sj'mpathies of either seller or buj^er. 

In 1764, there being no newspaper in Maine, the 
' ' Portsmouth Gazette " was made the medium for adver- 
tising the sale of slaves. Old Tom, owned b}' Capt. 
James Littlefield of Wells or Kennebunk, is supposed 
to have been the last. He died earl}- in the present 
century, aged over 100 years. 

TOWKS. 

BiDDEFOBD, in population and rapidity of growth, is 
the leading town in the county. It was also among the 
earliest settled. Until 1718 it included Saeo, when it 
was incorporated and named from Biddeford, Eng., 
whence some of its settlers emigrated. The city charter 
was adopted in 1855. D. E. Somes was the first major. 

Richard Vines, the founder of the settlement, was a 
gentleman of education and a skilled physician. He 
was a leader in the business of the Colony, and was left 
in charge when Gorges went to Europe. He removed 
to the West Indies in 1645. 



The right to build the first saw-mill on the Saco was 
granted to Eoger Spencer in 1653. For many j'ears 
after 1742, Hon. Rishworth Jordan, who lived in the lower 
part of the town, was chief magistrate. He afterwards 
became chief justice. 

Lieut. Wm. Phillips was an extensive lumberman ; he 
sold half of Factor}' Island to Capt. Bonython for 800 
pine-trees. He also was a large landholder. Capt. D. 
Smith, who came from Exeter in 1719, was for a long 
time tavern-keeper. Thomas Gilpatrick, the ancestor 
of a numerous family, emigrated from Colraine, Ireland, 



and others built the first bridge to Indian or Factory 
Island, in 1767. 

The first resident minister was Eichard Gibson. Pre- 
vious to 1636 he Uved at Spurwink. In 1640 Rev. 
Eobert Jordan came from the west of England. Thomas 
Jenner, a Nonconfoi-mist, preached here in 1641, and is 
thought to have been the first Puritan minister in Maine. 
George Barlow, a follower of Wheelwright, so annoyed 
the people by his efforts to preach that the court forbade 
him under penalty of £10. 

The first Congi-egational church was formed in 1730. 




EAILEOAD BRIDGE, SACO, ME. 



and settled here in 1735. He had nine sons. In 1750 
the Biddeford side of the river was the most populous. 
At that time three saw-mills were in operation. A 
few years previous a ferry had been established just 
below the lower bridge. In September, 1746, two sons 
of Joseph Gordon, working in Cole's mill, were sirrprised 
while on their way thither by the Indians. One was 
kUled and the other taken to Quebec. 

H. Scamman was the first town representative. Capt. 
P. Goldthwait, the inspector of the port, was the only 
person in town who opposed the Revolution. 

Some shipping belonging here was destroyed bj^ the 
British in 1812. The post-office was established here in 
1789, Benjamin Hooper, postmaster. The mail was 
carried by Joseph Barnard, on horseback. Thomas Cutts 



The same year S. Willard was ordained pastor. His 
son Samuel became an eminent divine, and for several 
years was president of Harvard College. In 1742 
Moses Morrill, a recent graduate of Har^-ard, was set- 
tled here. His useful and happy pastorate lasted 35 
years. During this period Whitefield's labors were 
exciting great interest. Mr. Morrill invited him to 
preach for him several times. The second church was 
organized in 1805, and the Pavilion Church in 1857. 
The Methodists organized a church here in 1847, and 
the Baptists in 1852. Other leading denominations are 
well represented, and few New England cities have finer 
or more attractive church edifices than Biddeford. 

Dr. Lj-man, from York, was one of the early physicians. 

The Saco has a descent of 40 feet in an eighth of a 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



mile. On this are several manufactories. The Pepper- 
ell Company, capital $1,000,000, has three extensive 
mills, operating 70,000 spindles, and producing on an 
average 1,200,000 yards of various kinds of cotton 
fabrics per month. The Laconia Company has also a 
capital of $1,000,000, and runs 1,100 looms. Besides 
these are the Harding Machine-Shop Company, the Saco 
Water-Power Company, the Gas Company and the 
Paper-Collar Company. 

Biddeford has two newspapers and four banks. The 

1 population of the city is 10,285. The Pool is a most 
charming summer resort. 

Saco, when incorporated in 1718, was a part of Bidde- 
ford. It was sep- 
arated in 1762, and 
received the name of 
Pepperellborough, in 
honor of Sir William 
Peppercll. In 180."i 
it acquired its present 
name. On accoimt 
of its excellent falls, 
the neighboring lands 
were soon regarded 

I as very valuable, and 

[ the heirs of the Lewis 

I and Bonythou patent 
were eager to clabu 
their titles. It ap- 

t pears to have been di- 
^■ided into small lots 
just east of the falls. 
The large purchases 
by Pepperell in 1716 
included the right of 
timber on 4,500 acres. This estate at the time of his 
death amoimted to 5,500 acres. It was confiscated 
b3' an act of the General Court in 1779, in consequence 
of j-oung Sir William's adherence to the crown ; but the 
life-interest of his wife and daughter was respected by 
the authorities. 

Of those who have been conspicuous in the affairs 
of government, may be mentioned John Fairfield, after- 
wards governor of the State and U. S. senator ; John 
F. Scamman, member of both houses of Congress ; Seth 
Scamman, congressman in 1858 ; and E. P. Tapley, asso- 
ciate justice of the Supreme Court in 1865. A city char- 
ter was obtained and adopted in 1867. Joseph Hobson 
was chosen first mayor. The population has never ex- 
ceeded 6,300. 

Saco has been noted for its extensive manufactm-e of 




lumber ; 21,000,000 feet were cut in the year ending Sept. 
30, 1827. Iron-works were erected on Factory Island in 
1811 by Joseph Calef and Thomas Cutts. In 1825, a 
company, mostly from Boston, bought the larger part of 
Factory Island, with the water-power on both sides, for 
cotton-mills. The canal was dug through solid rock. 

Extensive buildings erected in 1829 were burned in 
1830. Soon after, the York Manufacturing Companj' was 
formed, with a capital of $1,200,000. It has five mills 
with 35,000 spindles and 800 looms. It employs 1,200 
hands, and produces 6,000,000 yards of cotton goods 
annually. 

Saco liberally contributed men and means in the war 
of the Revolution. In 
the late civil war Saco 
was also truly loyal. 
Samuel White was 
j the first regular phj-- 
sician. Hon C3TUS 
King, Joseph Bart- 
lett, Wm. P. Preble, 
and Ethan Shepley, 
are the names of law- 
yers who once prac- 
tised in this town. 
The Congregation- 
al was the first church 
erected. Sir William 
PeppereU gave four 
acres in 1752, for a 
church, school-house 
and burj-ing- place, 
and " for no other 
use whatever." John 
Fairfield was ordain- 
3'ears. The present beau- 
a 1863. The other religious 



BEACH, ME 



ed first pastor, and served 36 
tiful church edifice was built i 
societies are now, as a general thing, in a flourishing state. 

Saco has had excellent schools for the past 50 years. 
It has two national, and also two savings banks. 

Old Orchard, with its extensive beach, has become 
widely' known of late years as a summer resort. The 
outlook upon the sea is grand. Its spacious hotels, 
private cottages and accessibility, must continue to keep 
it in popular favor. 

The surface of Saco is generally level, and its soil 
well adapted to tillage. There is a thousand-acre bog in 
the centre. On Foxwell's Brook there is a beautiful cas- 
cade of some 60 feet in the midst of romantic scenery. 

KiTTEET was first called Piscataqua, and was settled 
at the Point in 1623. It was incorporated in 1647. 



Nicholas Shapleigh, John Heard, and Nicholas Frost 
were the first selectmen. The Quakers were watched 
with a jealous ej^e after the submission to Massachusetts. 
At one time the Superior Court ordered Nicholas Shap- 
leigh and the other selectmen to be deposed on account 
of defending the Quakers in their rights to worship. 

In the struggle for independence, although some of the 
leading citizens were Tories, j-et Kitterj- voted men and 
means as thej- were required. The harbor was fortified 
and garrisoned. Fort McClarj' was garrisoned in 1812, 
and in the late EebelUon. Previous to 1800 rum was 
considered essential at all ship-launchings — a barrel for 
the men, and a barrel of 
wine for the women A 
bill of expense incuirtd it 
an ordination near Kittt i \ 
Point was as follow s — ^ 
quarts of rum and 2 quaif', 
of brand}- for the tkig\ 
and council. For a func 
ral there were allowed > 
gallons of rum, 10 lbs I 
sugar, and a half pouii 1 
of allspice for the mouin 
ers. The old whipping 
post was at Spruce Creek 

Of the men distinguished 
in the earl^' annals of this 
town, Robert Cutts stands 
first. He was one of thi\ e 
sons who came from Wales 
Christopher Adams was an 
earlj- inhabitant. His son 
Mark represented the tow u 
in the Massachusetts legis 
lature 20 j'ears. He used to weai a thiee-coinered hat, 
and scull across the river Sundays to hear Dr. Buck- 
minster preach. Gen. William Whipple, one of the 
signers of the Declaration of Independence, was born 
here. He was commander of a vessel before he was 
21. He made successful trips to Europe, the West 
Indies, arid the coast of Africa, whence he brought home 
slaves. 

The name best known to fame is that of Pepperell. 
Sir William was born June 27, 169G. He was early 
trained to habits of business as clerk in his father's 
counting-room. As soon as he was free, he became 
justice of the peace and captain of a cavalry company, and 
at the age of 30 he was a colonel. He was representative 
to Boston in 1726-7, and councillor of the government 
there for 32 3-ears. His career at Loui.sburg gained for 



him the rank of baronet. He died July 6, 1759, soon 
after his appointment as lieutenant-general. The old 
Pepperell mansion is now in a dilapidated condition. 
In the Eevolution it was used as barracks. Besides 
John Braj', William and Samuel Badger were noted ship- 
builders — one building 100 and the other 45 ships during 
their lifetime. " The America," famous as a war ship, 
was built at Badger's Island, and launched Nov. 5, 
1782. 

The navy yard was established at Kittery in 1806. 
The largest ships can be built or repaired here. An in- 
genious piece of machinery is the "Floating Balance Drj^ 
Dock." There are three 
immense ship-houses. The 
keel of the frigate "Con- 
gress " was laid here in 
1837. The " Kearsarge," 
which sunk the rebel cor- 
sair "Alabama," was also 
built here On account of 
its facihties for shipping 
and fishing interests, Kit- 
t( 13 increased in its early 
d n s moie rapidly in popu- 
lation and wealth than any 
othei place in Maine. The 
I't ppi ull tomb and monu- 
1111 lit IS well as the family 
111111-.! in the old Congre- 
^iliouil Church, and the 
piisonage, in which Dr. 
StL^ ens had his study for 
10 jeais , and the Spar- 
iT\k house, are all objects 
of great interest to visitors. 
1 oit McClarj fine views of sea 




tki, mL 



From Batten Hill iii 
and land are gained. 

The First Congregational Church was organized in 
1714 ; Eev. John Newmarch was its first pastor, and his 
ministry lasted 55 3ears. Dr. Stevens served 40 3'cars 
as the next pastor. In 1814, at the time of Rev. Wra. 
Briggs's dismissal after a ministry of 20 years, there was 
not a male member left. 

The First Baptist Church in Maine was formed here, 
Sept. 25, 1652. 

A large part of the Isles of Shoals belongs to Kittery. 
Some years ago the government built a sea-wall from 
Star Island to Smutty Nose, so as to form safe anchorage 
for fishing vessels. Between Smutty Nose and Malagur, 
a sea-wall 14 rods long, 13 feet wide, and 20 or 30 
high, was built by Mr. Haley, " king of the Shoals." 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



The chasms in the rocks appear to have been made by 
earthquakes. Star Island is most remarkable. Tradition 
says that Betty Moody hid herself here from the Indians. 
The Betty Moody Hole is now pointed out. The islands 
were once called Appledore, and had from 300 to 600 
population. A later name was Gosport. They are now 
a noted summer resort, with large hotels. The popula- 
tion of Kittery is 3,335. 

York. — This town was first called Agamenticus, a 
name wliich its highest hill or mountain still bears. The 
ancient city of ' ' Gorgeana " was within the present limits 
of the town. For nearly 120 years York was the shire 
town, and courts were held there till 1833. It suffered 



of Massachusetts in 1777, and served 12 years. In 1789 
he was appointed judge of U. S. Court for the district of 
Maine, which office he held for 29 years. He died in 1825, 
aged 90 j-ears. 

Wm. P. Preble, a native of Y'ork, was a foreign minis- 
ter during Pres. Jackson's administration. 

The First Congregational Chm-ch, formed in 1672, had 
Rev. Shubael Dummer as its first pastor. His pastorate 
of 20 years was terminated by death bj^ the Indians. 
Rev. Samuel Moody was his successor for 49 years. He 
was a good but eccentric man, was called Father Moody, 
and served as chaplain in the ex]3edition to Louisburg. 
The next pastor, Isaac Lyman, sei-\ed nearly 60 years. 




&LIIL.LANT LAliUAJJELS UAKlUbON, KLNNLLl Nli — l,ij 



greatly from the Indians. It is said to have sent the first 
soldiers that entered the Continental army from Maine. 
One Benj. Simpson, a young man of 19, an apprentice 
to a bricklayer in Boston, was from this town, and helped 
destroy the tea in the harbor. Johnson Moulton led 
forth the town troops, and rose to the rank of lieutenant- 
colonel. Daniel Bragdon was delegate to the Provincial 
Congress. Col. Jere. Moulton, who was captui-ed by the 
Indians and taken to Canada in 1692 when the town was 
destroyed, led 200 men with Capt. Harmon to Nomdge- 
wock in 1724, and destroyed an Indian \illage, killing 
Father Rasle, and 26 others. He also commanded a 
regiment at the taking of Louisburg. 

Henry Sewall is said to be the first emigrant from 
whom all of the Sewall name descended. His son John 
settled in this town. His son David, who graduated 
from Harvard in 1755, became judge of Supreme Court 



The Second Church was organized in 1730. Joseph, 
son of Father Moody, was its first pastor. 

York has an extensive sea-board, with good beaches 
and harbors. Agamenticus, 680 feet high, is a noted 
landmark for sailors on the coast. The people are mostly 
engaged in agricultural pursuits. Cape Neddock and 
Y'ork Village are fine places for summer resort. The 
population of the town is 2,654. 

Kennebunk was set off from Wells in 1820. Perma- 
nent settlements did not take place on the Mousam till 
1718. Up to the time of the Revolution, its increase in 
population and business enterprise was very rapid. 
Ship-building and trade with the West Indies were ex- 
tensively carried on. In 1798, 50 vessels were owned 
in Kennebunk River. 

Previous to the Rebellion, ship-building had become 
extensive. Much of the wealth of Kennebunk was 



gaiued by commerce. It ranks as one of the richest 
towns of Maine. Its beautiful village has quite a num- 
ber of fine residences, and considerable manufacturing 
business is done on its excellent water-privileges. 

The first Congregational church was organized in 
1751, and Daniel Little was ordained its pastor, which 
office he filled most acceptablj' for 50 j-ears. His suc- 
cessor was pastor 28 j^ears. The church is now the 
Unitarian church of the village. There are several other 
denominations in town. 

Many able and distinguished men have been residents 
here. Of later date, we may mention Judge Bourne, 
Sr., Judge Bourne, Jr., and J. M. Stone. The Hon. 
Hugh McCulloch was formerly among the business nicn 
of Kennebunk. There are 

many venerable families, ^..^ 

whose names are still repre- 
sented by worthy descend- 
ants. Population, 2,603. 

Kennebunkport. — The 
Ijoundary between this town 
and Wells was fixed in 1G6() 
Cape Porpoise was so called 
by Capt. John Smith, who 
saw a school of porpoises 
oflf the cape in 1614. Legal 
town meetings were held as 
early as 1688, but the re- 
incorporation of the place, 
with the name of Arundel, 
did not take place till 1719. 
The present name was taken 

in 1821. Steps were taken to build a meeting-house in 
1727. The Indians did not so severely trouble this place 
as others. A fort was erected on Stage Island, which 
was besieged so long at one time that Nicholas Morey, a 
lame man, took a broken canoe, the only thing then in 
their possession, and embarked one dark night for Ports- 
mouth for aid. The inhabitants were taken on the ves- 
sel which came to their relief, and never retui'ned to the 
cape. In the Revolution, two companies of militia 
were raised, commanded by Jonathan Stone and Benja- 
min Durrell. When news of the battle of Lexington 
came, many of the citizens went to Cambridge and joined 
the army, and took part in the battle of Bunker Hill. 
Cape Porpoise harbor was visited but once, when an 
English brig of 18 guns came in. A crazy man, one 
Wildes, went out in a small canoe, and demanded that 
the enemy surrender or leave the port. He was wounded, 
but escaped. The inhabitants soon gathered on Trott's 
Island, and then passed to Git Island, where a conflict 




ensued. A number of the British being killed, they 
finally retreated. Capt. James Burnham was the only 
one killed on the Ameroan side. In 1812, a fort was 
built at the Point, and a company under Capt. Small 
from Limiugton stationed there. The privateers fitted 
out from here were captured. 

At the end of the Revolution, there were but four 
houses within the village limits. Cape Porpoise was the 
centre of business. The custom-house was established 
at the Port in 1800. The village was incorporated in 
1837. Of late years it has become a favorite summer 
resort. 

There appears to have been a church at Cape Porpoise 
:it an early ilale. The first town minister was Rev. John 
Everleth, a Harvard gradu- 
-^_ ate. He was school-teacher, 

blacksmith and farmer, and 
the best fisherman in town. 
Thos. Prentice was ordained 
in 1730, and remained eight 
years. He bought the first 
slave, and introduced pota- 
toes into the place. Rev. 
John Hovey was his succes- 
sor for 27 years. There be- 
ing a dispute over the loca- 
tion of the meeting-house, 
two boys set it on fire and 
consumed it, Apr. 28, 1763. 
The new one was placed on 
Burbank HiU. Silas Wood, 
the next minister, had a pas- 
The number of inhabitants in the 



THE CLjrrS, CAPi. AKUNDJiL, ILL. 

torate of 44 3-ears. 
town is 2,372. 

Wells was incorporated in 1653. John Wheelwright, 
grandson of the celebrated Rev. John Wheelwright, was 
a most earnest, public-spirited citizen. "He was deemed 
the bulwark of Massachusetts against the Indians' as- 
saults on the east." One of the brave women was Mrs. 
Abigail Littlefield. She defended her home against scores 
of Indians, while her husband was haying on the marsh. 

The first preacher employed by the town was probably 
Rev. John Wheelwright. A Congregational church was 
gathered in 1721. Samuel Emery was the first pastor. 
Rev. Moses Hemmenway, D. D., settled in 1759, was an 
eminent theologian. He was pastor over 50 years. 

Wells, whose population is 2,774, has a large and 
productive territory, a pleasant village, and a fine beach, 
with excellent hotels. 

Buxton was early known as Narraganset No. 1, 
having been granted to the soldiers who had fought in 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



the Narraganset war. The grant dates from Boston 
Common, June 6, 1733. The soldiers belonged in Ips- 
wich, Haverhill, Greenland, and other towns in that 
■\icinity. In 1750, 'William Hancock, John Elden, Sam- 
uel Merrill, and four others began a pennaneut settle- 
ment. Great dangers were encountered from the In- 
dians. Buxton gave early attention to building roads, 
l>ridges and mills. It sent a goodly number of soldiers 
into the war of the Revolution. The first glass window 
was a single pane, procured bj- Rev. Mr. Coffin from 
Saco. It was 4 hj 6. He set it in a board for his study. 
He soon obtained from Boston four panes, 7 by 9, and set 
them in sash. The first public school, taught by Rev. 
Silas Moodj', began in 1761. The first meeting-house 
was built of logs, not far from the Lower Corner. 
The Congregational chui'ch was foiTued in 1763, with 
Paul Coffin, a graduate of HaiTard, for pastor. Bux- 
ton, containing a population of 2,546, has excellent 
farms, and fine water-power. Hon. Mark H. Dunnells, 
representative to Congress from Minnesota, is a native 
of this town. 

Berwick (Newichawannock) , whose present popula- 
tion is 2,291, was settled in 1624 bj- emigi-ants sent by 
Gorges to the New World. Rowles, the sagamore of 
the Indians up and down the Piscataqua, sold the lands. 
In his old age he requested that a few hundred acres 
should be marked off for his children, and recorded as a 
pubUc act of the town, so they might not perish as beg- 
gars. The Parish of Unity was organized in 1673. Dur- 
ing the Indian troubles many lives were lost and much 
property destroyed. This town furnished 150 men for 
Pepperell in his expedition against Louisburg. In 1735 
its population was over 3,300. It then included South 
and North Berwick. John, father of John SuUivan, gov- 
ernor of Massachusetts, came from Limerick, Ireland, 
and for some time taught school in the town. He pur- 
chased 70 acres nearly opposite Great Falls, where he 
lived for 60 j-ears. At his death he was 105. 

Jeremiah Wise was pastor of the Parish of Unity for 
48 j-ears. His successor, Jacob Foster, a gi-aduate of 
Han-ard, entered the army of the Revolution as chaplain. 

The history of the Baptists begins with 1768. The 
church formed at Great Hill was the second in the State. 
The village adjacent to Great Falls is a growing place. 

Alfred, the county seat, formerly a part of Sanford, 
and called North Parish or Massabesic, was incorporated 
in 1794. Its forests were often visited by trappers and 
hunters, but Simeon Coffin has the honor of being the 
first settler. This was in November, 1764. He dwelt 
for a time in an Indian wigwam, Daniel Lary, a tanner, 
is supposed to have built the first frame-house in town. 



The Shakers residing here have excellent orchards, and 
are a temperate, industrious and quiet people. The Con- 
gregational church was formed in 1780. 

Among the prominent men of Alfred have been Hon. 
John Holmes, who was active in promoting the separa- 
tion of Maine from Massachusetts, and was afterwards 
TJ. S. senator for 11 years; Hon. Daniel Goodenow, 
LL. D., judge of the Supreme Court; Hon. N. D. 
Appleton, Hon. William C. Allen, Jeremiah Bradbury. 
Esq., Jeremiah Goodwin, Esq., Dr. Abiel Hall, and Dr. 
Usher Parsons, author of "Life of SirWilUam Pepperell." 

The north part of Alfred is hilly, and abounds in gran- 
ite rocks and hard-wood forests. Its beautiful village is 
situated near the centre of the town. There is some 
business in lumber stiU carried on, but farming is the 
main occupation. Its present population is about 1,400. 

The remaining towns in the county are: — Sanford, 
incorporated in 1768, population, 2,403, a thrinng man- 
ufacturing place: South Bervtick (1814, 2,511), a 
manufacturing town with some excellent farms, also the 
site of a flourishing academv ; its prominent men in for- 
mer times being Gen. Ichabod Goodwin, of Revolution- 
ary fame ; Gen. John Lord, a prosperous merchant, whose 
father, Nathan Lord, LL. D., was once president of 
Dartmouth ; and Benjamin Green, U. S. marshal under 
John Quincj' Adams : Lebanon (1767, 1,953), with sev- 
eral excellent farms, and an academy in its west village : 
Paesonsfield (1785, 1,894), one of the largest towns, 
and the seat of a once famous seminarj- ; its eminent men 
being Hon. J. W. Bradbury, a classmate at Bowdoin 
with Longfellow, Hawthorne, CiUey and Cheever, and 
U. S. senator in 1853, when Webster, Clay, Calhoun, 
Cass and Douglass were members ; Dr. Moses Sweat, a 
skilful surgeon ; and William B. Wedgwood, LL. D. : 
Elliot (1810, 1,768), a fine fruit-growing place : Lisi- 
ington (1792, 1,630), having excellent water-power, but 
partially improved: North Berwick (1831, 1,628), 
having a fine gi'owth of pine timber, and the birth-place 
of President Chadbourne of Williams College : Water- 
borough (1787,1,548), mainlj- an agiicultural town: 
HoLLis (1798, 1,544), with abundant water-power, and 
some good farms : Limerick (1787,1,425), one of the 
finest interior towns of the county: Newfield (1794, 
1,193), with its two villages and four churches : Cornish 
(1794, 1,100), a picturesque town, formerly regarded by 
the Indians as good hunting-ground: Shapleigh (1785, 
1,088), having beautiful landscapes: Ltman (1780, 
1,053), so named in 1803 from Hon. Theodore Lyman 
of Boston: Acton (1830, 1,008), with its recently-dis- 
covered silver mines : and Dayton (1854, 612), contain- 
ing a boiling spring, regarded as quite a cmiosity. 



NEW HAMPSHIRE. 



NEW HAMPSHIRE 



BY DANIEL F. SECOMB, ESQ. 



In 1621 Capt. John Mason procured a grant of land 
from the Council of Plymouth, extending from the river 
of Naumkeag, now Salem, round Cape Ann to the river 
Merrimack, and up each of those rivers to the farthest 
head thereof, then crossing over from the head of the 
one to the head of the other, with all the islands Ij-ing 
within three miles of the coast. This district was called 
Mariana. 

The next year another gi'ant was made to Mason and 

Sir Ferdinando Gorges jointly, of all the lands lying 

j between the rivers Merrimack and Sagadahoc, extending 

back to the great lakes and the river of Canada. This 

territorj^ was called Laconia. 

A company was formed in England soon after, styled 
the company of Laconia, who took measures to estabhsh 
a colony and fishery at the river Piscataqua. In the 
spring of 1623 they sent over David Thompson, a Scotch- 
man, and Wilham and Edward Hilton, fishmongers of 
London, with a number of other people, furnished with 
all necessaries to carry out their design. 

One of the parties, under Thompson, landed on the 
southern shore of the river, at a place they called Little 
Harbor, where they erected salt-works, and built a house, 
afterwards called Mason's Hall. 

The Hiltons, with their party, proceeded eight miles 
farther up the river and settled on a neck of land called 
•by the Indians Winnichahannat, which they named Nor- 
tham, and afterwards Dover. 

Near the close of 1623 Mason and Gorges divided 
the territorj' of Laconia into two parts, the part lying 
east of the Piscataqua being assigned to Gorges. This 
part was named by him Maine ; the portion lying west 
of the Piscataqua was assigned to Mason, and bj- him 
named New Hampshire, from the place of his residence 
in England. In this division the rights of each of the 
grantees and the other members of the company in the 
settlements commenced were reserved. Most of the 
proprietors relinquished their claims to Mason and 
Gorges. The latter soon transferred his interest to 
Mason, who thus, in a few j-ears, became almost the 
sole proprietor. Endued with untiring perseverance. 



and sanguine of ultimate success, he continued to send 
over supplies of settlers and means of subsistence. 

While anticipating an improvement in his affairs, he 
was, in 1635, removed by death. Although he commit- 
ted many mistakes in the management of the Colony, his 
name deserves to be held in grateful remembrance as the 
father of New Hampshire. 

By the pro\'isions of his will the bulk of his property 
here was left to his two grandsons ; 1 ,000 acres of land, 
however, was devised for the support of "an honest, 
godly and religious preacher of God's word," and another 
thousand for the support of a grammar school. 

After his death his widow and executor sent over an 
agent to take charge of the plantation. She, however, 
soon became discouraged with an enterprise which 
required a great outlay with but slight returns, and in 
1639 sent over word to her employes that they must pro- 
vide for themselves, appropriating her goods' and cattle 
in the payment of the arrearages of their wages and 
can-ying with them the avails of their shares. Some of 
the settlers left the plantation, others remained, keeping 
possession of the buildings and improvements, which 
thej' thenceforth claimed as their own. In a few years 
the principal agents and stewards had left the Piscata- 
qua, and the proprietor's goods and effects were scattered 
to the winds. 

Being thus left without a government, the settlers at 
Dover and Portsmouth formed themselves into voluntary 
associations for the management of their affairs. This 
arrangement continued but a short time, when the neces- 
sitj' of a stronger and more energetic government was 
felt, which they saw no prospect of obtaining but by 
union with the prosperous Colony of Massachusetts. 
Overtures for that purpose were made, and being ac- 
cepted, in 1641 a union took place, which existed to the 
satisfaction of both parties nearly 40 years. 

In 1638 a settlement was made at Exeter by Rev. 
John Wheelwright and a company of his friends and 
adherents who had been banished from Massachusetts on 
account of their religious belief. Here they formed the 
first Congregational church in New Hampshire. Hamp- 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



ton was settled about the same time by Rev. Stephen 
Batchelder and a colony from England, who formed the 
second church. 

The union of New Hampshire with Massachusetts 
being noticed b}- the heirs of Mason, Joseph Mason was 
sent over to look after their interests. He found the 
lands at Newichwannock in the possession of Richard 
Leader, against whom he brought actions in the count}' 
court ; but the court judging the action not to be within 
their cognizance referred the matter to the General 
Court, who ordered a survej' of the northern bounds of 
their patent to be made. This being done, it was decided 
that some lands at Newichwannock, with the river, 
belonged to Capt. Mason, and a quantity- of land pro- 
portionable to his disbursements, with the privilege of 
the river, was ordered to be laid out to his heirs. Hav- 
ing tarried long enough in the country to observe the 
temper of the government and the management used in 
the determination of his suit, Mason returned to Eng- 
land and the estate was given up, unless the English 
government should interjjose. 

In 1647 the foundation of the present New England 
school system was laid by the legislature. A law was 
passed which required a school to be kept in every town 
which contained 50 families, where all the children might 
learn reading and writing. As the towns increased in 
population thej' were divided into districts for the sup- 
port of schools. 

In 1652, Dover, having a sufficient number of inhabit- 
ants, was allowed to send two representatives to the 
General Court. Strawberry Bank, at that time contain- 
ing less than 60 families, was incorporated as Ports- 
mouth. 

In 1675, Robert Mason, the only sur\-iving heir of 
Capt. John Mason, petitioned to the king the second 
time for the restoration of his property, and the crown 
officers, as before, reported favorably to his claim. The 
king, who was displeased with the government of Massa- 
chusetts and disposed to favor Mason, caused a letter to 
be sent over requiring that government to send agents to 
England within six months, fully empowered to answer 
the complaints made against them b}' Mason and the 
heirs of Gorges, and to receive the royal determination 
in the matter. This letter was sent over by Edward 
Randolph, a kinsman of Mason, who was interested in 
his behalf, and was prepared to use all means to further 
his interests. 

After laying the king's order before the government of 
Massachusetts, Randolph passed into New Hampshire, 
freely declaring the business on which he had come, and 
reading a letter from Mason to the inhabitants, some of 



whom he found ready to complain of the government 
and anxious for a change. The great body of the people, 
however, were satisfied. The inhabitants of Dover in 
open town meeting protested against the claim of Mason 
and appointed Maj. Waldron to petition to His Majesty 
in their behalf to inter|)ose his royal authority that they 
might continue peaceably in the possession of their 
rights under the government of Massachusetts. A simi- 
lar petition was prepared at Portsmouth. ' 

On Randolph's return to Boston he was reproved by 
the governor for making his errand known and endeav- 
oring to cause discontent among the people. After 
about six weeks' stay he returned to England irritated 
at the reception he had met with, and reported that the 
people of New Hampshire were complaining of the 
usurpations of the Boston government, and were earn- 
estl}' hoping that the king would interpose and grant 
them relief from their oppressors. In a strain of bitter- 
ness he inveighed against the government of Massachu- 
setts. Ilis report still further inflamed the prejudice felt 
against that Colony, and prepared the way for the sepa- 
ration which was meditated. 

William Stoughton and Peter Bulkley were sent over 
as agents of Massachusetts to defend her interests, j 
After hearing the parties the judges decided that the j 
towns of Dover, Portsmouth, Exeter and Hampton were 
out of the bounds of Jlassachusetts. This decision was i 
accepted and confirmed by the king in council. I 

In 1679 a royal commission was issued restraining the 
jurisdiction of Massachusetts, and erecting New Hamp- 
shire into a ro3"al province. A form of government was 
provided, a president and council named and the election 
of an assembly provided for. This commission was sent 
to New Hampshire b^y Randolph, who arrived at Ports- 
mouth Jan. 1, 1680. It was received by the officers 
named with regret. They however took the necessary : 
oaths and assumed the government of the Province. 

In the meantime, during Philip's war, incursions were 
made into New Hampshire ; houses were burned and 
persons killed in Somersworth and Durham. Between 
Exeter and Hampton, the whole country was in confusion 
and alarm. The people collected together in large 
houses, which they fortified as well as they were able, 
and armed bands of men scoured the woods in quest of 
the enemy, but met with no great success. 

The winter of 1675 was one of uncommon severity. 
The ground was early covered with snow to a great ! 
depth, and the Indians in the northern part of New ' 
Hampshire, being unable to procure the means of sub- j 
sistence, became inclined to peace. Thej' came to Maj. 
Waldron at Dover, professing sorrow for the past and j 



NEW HAMPSHIRE. 



promises of friendship in the future. A peace was con- 
chuled with them, by which the captives were restored, 
and the colonists had a breathing time of several months' 
duration. Philip being killed in August, 1676, some of 
his followers came north and east and joined the tribes 
in New Hampshii-e and Maine, who were incited by 
them to a renewal of hostilities. Two companies of 
soldiers were sent from Boston to assist in the defence of 
the colonists. On their arrival at Dover thej' found a 
large number of Indians of the Pennacook and other 
New Hampshire tribes collected together for the purpose 
of confirming a peace with Maj. Waldron. With them 
were quite a number of refugees from the southern 
tribes who were known to have been engaged in the late 
war. B}' a stratagem the Indians were put in the power 
of the soldiers, who dismissed those of the New Hamp- 
shire tribes, but secured the refugees, some of whom 
were executed, and the rest sold into slaver}-. Against 
this procedure it is said Maj. Waldron protested. The 
Pennacooks, who had hitherto been peaceable, were 
deeplj' incensed at what thej' deemed a breach of faith 
on his part, and j'ears afterwards took their revenge. 

The war was finally closed in 1678, by a treaty made 
with the chiefs at Casco. 

A general assembly was called together at Portsmouth, 
March 16, 1680. 

During this administration, things went on nearly in 
the old channel, and in the same spirit as before the 
separation. A jealous watch was kept over their rights 
and privileges, and every encroachment upon them was 
withstood to the utmost. 

Near the close of 1680, Mason came over from Eng- 
land with a writ from the king to the president and 
council, commanding them to admit hun to a seat in the 
council, which was complied with. He soon entered 
upon his business, endeavoring to persuade some of the 
people to take leases of him, threatening others, if they 
did not, asserting his right to the Province, and assuming 
the title of lord director. His agents made themselves 
obnoxious to the people by demanding rents, and threat- 
ening to sell the houses of several persons for pa3Tnent. 
The council, taking notice of this, ordered him and his 
agents to desist from their proceedings, upon which he 
refused to sit with them ; and when they threatened to 
deal with him as an offender, he in turn threatened to 
appeal to the king, and published a summons to the 
president and several members of that body, and other 
persons, to appear before His Majesty within three 
months. This was deemed an usurpation over His Maj- 
esty's authority, and a warrant for his arrest was issued, 
which he evaded and returned to England. 



Being convinced that the government he had caused 
to be erected was not likely to be administered to his 
satisfaction. Mason, on his return to England, made it 
his business to solicit a change. In accordance with his 
request, Edward Cranfield was sent over as governor, 
with almost unlimited powers. Of a tj-rannical disposi- 
tion, he soon became an object of popular aversion. 
Failing to induce the assembly to submit to his wishes, 
he dissolved it. Members of the council who were ob- 
jectionable to him were suspended from office. The 
death of others made vacancies which he filled with men 
subservient to his wishes, and the courts were filled with 
officers prepared to enforce his commands. Before these 
tribunals suits were brought by Mason against some of 
the principal inhabitants for holding lands and felling 
timber. Seeing no chance for an impartial trial, no de- i 
fence was offered, and judgment was given against the 
parties. In one instance, an appeal was made to the 
king, but without success. I 

The people were finallj- driven to the necessity of ' 
making a vigorous stand for their rights. C'ommunicat- | 
ing their sentiments to one another, they privately' 1 
raised a sum of money by subscription, and appointed 
an agent to proceed to England and present their com- j 
plaints. The result was, the govei-nor's suits were not I 
sustained. 

Mason, being disappointed in obtaining possession ofi 
the inhabited parts of the Province, endeavored to laj' a 
foundation for realizing his claim to the waste lands- i 
He confirmed the million-acre purchase made of the i 
Indians }-ears before by Tyng and others, for the annual 
rent of ten shillings, and about the same time farmed 
out the mines, minerals and ores of the Province for 
1,000 j-ears, reserving one-fourth part of the roj-al ores 
and one-seventeenth part of the baser ones. Having 
put his affairs in as good order as the times would admit 
of, he sailed for England. 

On the departure of Cranfield, Lieut. Gov. Barefoote 
assumed the chair, and occupied it until the arrival of 
President Dudley. His method of government seems to 
have been similar to that of Cranfield. Attempts to 
levy executions were forcibly resisted at Dover, and 
when the sheriff sought to arrest the rioters, he and his 
assistants were so roughly handled that they were glad 
to escape with their lives. Barefoote himself, in at- 
tempting to assist Mason in a personal contest, was 
assaulted and badly injured. During his administra- 
tion, a treaty was made with the Pennacook and Saco 
Indians. 

When the charter of Massachusetts was forfeited, and 
a new government established for New England, its 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



jurisdiction included Maine, New Hampshire, Massa- 
chusetta, and the Narraganset or King's Province. 

Being left, upon the occasion of the deposition of 
Gov. Andros, ■(vithout a government, the people of New 
Hampshire thought it best to return to their ancient 
union with Massachusetts. A petition for that purpose 
ha^•ing been presented. tlie_v were readily admitted until 
the king's pleasure should be known. This union lasted 
about two j-ears. 

In the meantime Mason had died, and his heirs had 
sold their claims in New Hampshire to Samuel Allen, a 
merchant in London, who solicited a recognition of his 
title from the crown, and a commission for the govern- 
ment of the Pro\-ince, which he finallj- obtained. His 
son-in-law, John Usher, was appointed lieutenant-gov- 
ernor to " act in Allen's absence. The councillors ap- 
pointed to assist him were generaUj' acceptable to the 
people, but Usher was not, as he had been one of the 
adherents of Andros in his oppressive government, and 
also had an interest in Allen's claim upon their lands. 
He arrived with his commission and took the command 
in August, 1692. 

Another Indian war was now in progress. Incited bj 
the recollection of previous wrongs, and by more recent 
troubles on the Penobscot between the French and Gov. 
Andros, on the 27th of June, 1689, the Indians, ha^dng 
by artifice obtained admittance into several houses at 
Dover by night, revenged themselves by killing Maj. 
Waldron and other inhabitants of the place. Others 
were carried into capti^ity and sold to the French in 
Canada. With the exception of some short truces, the 
war lasted until the close of 1699. But few of the New 
Hampshire towns escaped injury from the furj- of their 
savage enemies in this war. 

Soon after Usher's arrival, he made inquiry for the 
papers relating to Mason's suits. These were kept 
secreted for some time, but were finally delivered to him. 
He also exerted himself to have the boundar}' line estab- 
lished between the provinces of Massachusetts and New 
Hampshire. A charter was granted in 1694 of the 
township of Kingston to about 20 inhabitants of 
Hampton. 

Gov. Allen came over in August, 1698, and, his com- 
mission being still in force, assumed authority. 

The Earl of Bellamont, who had been appointed gov- 
ernor of New York, Massachusetts Ba^-, and New 
Hampshire, came into the Province and published his 
commission, July 31, 1699. As the new governor was 
a fiiTO friend to King William, and had no interest in 
oppressing the people, they rejoiced iji the change. The 
government was settled in their favor, and the waj- } 



seemed open for an adjustment of their difficulties and 
disputes. 

Allen now began to take measures to enforce his 
claims. On examining the records of the Superior 
Court, 24 leaves were found missing, in which it was 
supposed the judgments recovered by Mason were 
recorded. No e\-idence appearing of his having re- 
covered possession, the whole work had to be com- 
menced anew. A suit was brought against Waldron, 
one of the principal landholders, in which Allen was 
defeated, judgment being given against him, with costs. 
From this decision he appealed to the king, but his ap- 
peal was not allowed by the court. He then petitioned 
to the king, who by an order of council granted him an 
appeal, and allowed him eight months' time to prepare 
for its prosecution. The appeal being brought before 
the king. Usher managed it on the part of Allen, and 
Vaughan acted as attorney for Waldron, the assembly 
bearing the expense of the defence. 

After hearing the case, the judgment in favor of Wal- 
dron was affirmed, but the order Of council directed that 
Allen should be at liberty to begin de novo by a writ of 
ejectment in the courts of New Hampshire, to tr}- his 
title to the lands or to quit-rents payable for the same. 

In answer to a petition praying that Allen might be 
put in possession of the waste lands, the attorne^'-gen- 
eral reported that Allen's claim to the wastes was valid, 
and that all lands unenclosed and unoccupied were to be 
reputed waste ; that he might enter into and take pos- 
session of them, and if disturbed might assert his rights, 
and prosecute trespassers in the courts there. This re- 
port was accepted, and the assembly of New Hampshire 
were apprised of the royal determination on the appeal 
and petition. 

Allen soon after took possession of the common land 
in each township, and brought a suit of ejectment against 
Waldron, at the same time notifying Gov. Dudlej' of it, 
that he might be present and demand a special verdict. 
The governor being taken ill at Newbury, while on his 
way to tije court, was unable to be present. The jury 
refused to find a special verdict, but found for the defend- 
ant with costs. From this verdict Allen appealed. 

Perplexed by his repeated disappointments, and becom- 
ing low in purse and weakened bj' age, Allen now sought 
an accommodation with the people with whom he was 
desirous to spend the remainder of his days in peace. 
Very advantageous offers were made to Waldron and 
Vaughan if thej- would purchase his title, but thev utterly 
refused to do it. j 

After his death his son, Thomas Allen of London, re- 
newed the suit bj- pernussion of the queen, by bringing 



>JP:W HAMPSHIRE. 



a new suit of ejectment against Waldron in the Court of 
Common Pleas, where it was decided against him. He 
then removed it to the Superior Court where it had been 
tried three 3-ears before. On this occasion the full 
strength of both parlies was brought out, the managers 
on Allen's part being James Meinzies and John Valentine. 
Waldron was represented by John Pickering and Charles 
Storj'. The famous Wheelwright deed here made its 
appearance. The jury returned a verdict for Waldron 
with costs, thus affirming the decision of the court below. 
Being sent out a second time with instructions from the 
court in regard to a special verdict, they returned with 
the same verdict ; thereupon the court ordered judgment 
to be entered. 

An appeal was moved to the Queen in Council which 
the court allowed, on a bond being given to prosecute it ; 
but the loyalty of the people, and the distresses under 
which they labored by reason of war, caused the queen's 
ministry to suspend a final decision. The death of 
Allen in 1715 put an end to the suit, which was not 
renewed by his heirs. 

During Queen Anne's war several expeditions were 
sent out against the Indians with varjing success. At- 
tacks were frequently made upon the settlers, many of 
whom were killed. Others were carried into captivity, 
their houses burned, and their cattle killed. This state 
of affairs continued until July, 1713, when the hostilities 
were ended by a treaty made at Portsmouth. 

It being a time of peace, attention was now paid to 
the improvement of the Province, and the development 
of its natural resources. Its lumber and naval stores 
became objects of close attention both here and in Eng- 
land. Laws were passed and directions sent from the 
liome government for the preservation of all pine trees 
lit for masts, and a surveyor of the woods was appointed 
to cause their enforcement. These acts caused much 
1 trouble among the people. The cultivation of the land, 
the manufacture of iron, and the raising of hemp were 
encouraged. 

In 1719 the Province unexpectedly received an acces- 

j sion of inhabitants from the North of Ireland, the 

I descendants of a colony of Scotch Presb3-terians who 

] had settled in that country during the reign of James I. 

They had borne a large share in the sufferings which the 

Protestants in that country underwent in the reign of 



• In the dispute about the bound.ary lines, the long dormant Mason 
claim was revived, through the instrumentality of some of the Massa- 
chusetts politicians. A flaw having been discovered in the title held by 
Allen from Mason, John Tufton Mason, a descendant from the first pro- 
prietor, was induced by them to make an effort to recover the posses- 
sions of his ancestor. They first treated with him for the release of all 



Charles I. and James II. Some of them were engaged 
in the famous siege of Londonderry-, where they endured 
all but death in its defence. Having spent the winter in 
Haverhill, Mass., they heard of good land about IG miles 
further up the river at a place called Nutfield, where they 
located themselves on a tract six miles square, by per- 
mission of the Assemblj' of Massachusetts. 

In 1722-23, hostilities on the part of the Indians hav- 
ing been renewed, the frontier settlements in New Hamp- 
shire suffered severely. Dover, Kingston, and Oyster 
River were visited, and some of their inhabitants killed 
or can-ied into captivity. Scouting parties ranged 
through the forests and occasionall}' met and despatched 
some of the enemy. The war was closed by a treaty 
made at Boston, in December, 1724. 

In 1 728 the Province was visited by a destructive sick- 
ness to which the name of' the throat distemper was given. 
It first made its appearance at Kingston, from whence it 
spread into other places. Its ravages continued for more 
than a j-ear, during which time not less than 1,000 per- 
sons, 900 of whom were under 20 years, became its ^'lc- 
tims. 

On the 6th day of March, 1740, after repeated and 
long protracted controversies, the boundary line* be- 
tween New Hampshire and Massachusetts was estab- 
lished substantially as at present ; a division eminently 
satisfactory to the former Province, inasmuch as it gave 
it a tract of country 14 miles in breadth, and above 50 in 
length more than had ever been claimed, including 28 new 
townships from the territor3- of Massachusetts. In 1 741 , 
when New Hampshire was finally made a distinct Pro- 
vince, Benning Wentworth, oldest son of the late lieu- 
tenant-governor, John Wentworth, was appointed gov- 
ernor. 

In the expedition against Louisburg in 1745, about 500 
men were engaged from New Hampshire, who aided 
largel}' in the capture of the place. 

With the war between France and England, came 
another war with the Indians who were friendly to the 
French. The settlements in the south-west part of the 
Province, near Connecticut River, were attacked, and 
persons were killed or carried into captivity from Bos- 
cawen, Hopkinton, Concord and Rochester. Scouting 
parties were kept out for the protection of the frontiers, 
but with little success. The war was finally closed in 



those lands in Salisbury, Amesbury, Haverhill, Methuen and Dracnt 
which the line would cut otf, and for £500 currency obtained a quit- 
claim of them. In regard to liis claims in New Hampshire in January, 
174G, he conveyed his whole interest to a company of 12 persons, for 
the sum of £1,500 currency. Controversies, however, in reference to 
the grants, continued until closed by the Revolution. 



HISTOEY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



the summer of 1749. For several jears subsequent to 
this war, the progress of the Pro\-ince was greatly retard- 
ed by the various disputes that prevailed between the 
governor and the assembly. 

War was again commenced by the Indians in August, 
1754, at Plymouth. Soon after an attack was made 
upon Salisbury, and a few days later Charlestown was 
assaulted. During this war not less than 4,000 men were 
raised for various expeditions against the enemj-. Mean- 
while the settlements were continually harassed by the 
attacks of the St. Francis Indians. Hopkinton, Keene, 
Walpole, Charlestown and Hinsdale suffered severely. 

In 1 759, 1 ,000 men were raised who served under Gen. 
Amherst in the successful campaigns of that year. In 
September, Maj. Robert Rogers, with about 200 rangers, 
was sent to destroy the Indian A-illage of St. Francis. 
After a fatiguing march of 21 daj'S, he came within 
sight of the place, and halted his men at a distance of 
about three miles. In the evening he entered the ^•illage 

I in disguise, with two of his officers. On the ensuing 
morning the town was, just before daj", attacked, set on 

1 fire, and destroyed. After experiencing many hardships, 
and suffering much from hunger and fatigue, a remnant 
of the company finally reached their homes. 

In 1756, Daniel Fowle setup a printing-press at Ports- 
mouth, and on the 7th day of October, issued the initial 

\ number of the "New Hampshire Gazette," the first news- 
paper printed in the Province. 

The western boundarj- of the Province remaining un- 
settled, Gov. Wentworth maintained that it extended as 
far west as that of Jlassachusetts and Connecticut. He 
accordingly' granted a township six miles square, situated 
24 miles east of Hudson's River, and six miles north of 
the line of Massachusetts, in the year 1749. Objection 
being made by the government of New York to Went- 
worth's claim, they claiming the territory eastward to the 
Connecticut River, it was agreed to submit the matter to 
the king. Gov. Wentworth, however, continued to make 

I grants of townships in the disputed territory, until the 
commencement of hostihties in 1754 put a stop to appli- 
cations. The same cause prevented a decision being 
made by the king until the close of the war. 

Durilig the war the territory was often traversed by 
the soldiers and the value of the land became known. 
When peace was restored, numerous applications were 
made for grants, and in 1763, 138 townships of six miles 
square had been granted west of the Connecticut River. 
The authorities of New York becoming alarmed, issued 
a proclamation setting forth the right of that Province to 
the territory. This was answered by one from Gov. 
Wentworth asserting the rights of New Hampshire in 



the premises. Finally the case was decided by the king 
in council, who on the 20th of July, 1764, passed an 
order declaring the western bank of Connecticut River 
from where it enters the Province of Massachusetts to the 
45th degree of north latitude to be the boundary-line 
between the provinces of New Hampshire and New 
York. 

This was the beginning of a controversy which lasted 
in various forms for more than 20 years. It was finally 
amicably adjusted. 

The war having been happily closed by the conquest 
of Canada, the English government proposed to reim- 
burse themselves for some of the expense they had en- 
countered in its prosecution by taxing the Colonies. The 
measures taken for that purpose met with a decided op- 
position, and nowhere were these claims resisted more 
forcibly than in New Hampshire. Men whose whole 
lives had been a constant struggle for existence knew 
the value of their rights, and were determined to main- 
tain them. 

Some complaints having been made in England against 
Gov. Wentworth in relation to the grants of land and the 
manner of discharging his duties as survej'or-general of 
the forests, it was decided to remove him. His nephew, 
John Wentworth, being then in England, and in a posi- 
tion to favor him, so used his infiuence with the ministry- 
that he was permitted to resign instead of being censured 
and removed. 

Upon the resignation of Gov. Wentworth, John Went- 
worth was appointed governor and sur\'e3-or-general. He 
was a native of Portsmouth, a son of Mark Hunting 
Wentworth, and a graduate of Harvard College. He 
was received by the people with every mark of respect 
and affection, and exerted himself to merit their good 
opinion. During his administration agriculture and man- 
ufactures were encouraged, schools were established, 
roads built, and all proper means used to develop the 
resources of the Pro\'ince and promote the welfare of its 
inhabitants. But he had fallen upon evil times. Loyalty 
to the king was not consistent with loyalty to the people, 
and after an administration of eight years, he withdrew 
fi-om the Province, the last of the royal governors. 

In 1771 the Province was divided into five counties, 
three of which, Rockingham, Hillsborough and Cheshire 
were organized at once. Strafford and Grafton were an- 
nexed to Rockingham until 1773, when they were organ- 
ized. Five other counties have since been organized, — 
Coos in 1803, Merrimack in 1823, Sullivan in 1827, Bel- 
knap and Carroll in 1842. 

In the troubles preceding the Revolution the governor 
exerted himself to preserve the peace of the Province. 



NEW HAMPSHIRE. 



His prudence and the -Nagilance of the magistrates pre- 
vented an outbreak at Portsmouth when the East India 
Companj' sought to introduce their tea into the place. 
He endeavored, but without success, to prevent the 
sending of delegates to the Congress at Philadelphia. 

On the 14th of December, 1774, a companj' led l^y 
John SuUivan, John Langdon and Thomas Pickering, 
assaulted the fort at New Castle, and carried off barrels 
of gunpowder which were stored there. The next daj' 
another party removed 15 of the lightest cannon, all the 
small arms, and some other militarj' stores. Shortly- 
after a frigate and sloop arrived, with several companies 
of soldiers, whp took possession of the fort and the 
heavy artiUerj*. 

The assault upon the fort was an act of treason, and 
the governor felt it his duty to do all in his power to ar- 
rest the perpetrators. He accordingly issued a procla- 
mation calling upon all officers, civil and military, to assist 
in the effort, and exhorting and enjoining all of His 
Majesty's liege subjects to beware of suffering themselves 
to be seduced by the false arts or menaces of designing 
men. 

A member of the assembly, who had been expelled 
from the house, having spoken his mind freely in public, 
was assaulted by the people and took refuge in the gov- 
ernor's house. The people demanded him, and brought 
a gun mounted on a carriage to the door, upon which he 
was delivered up and conveyed to Exeter. The gov- 
ernor, deeming himself insulted, retired to the fort, and 
the house was pillaged. He finally sailed for Boston, 
but returned in the month of September to the Isles of 
Shoals, where he issued a proclamation, adjourning the 
assemblj' to the next April. This was the final act 
of his administration, and the last time he visited the 
Province. 

On the receipt of the news of the battle of Lexington, 
about 1,200 men marched from New Hampshire to join 
their brethren who had collected in arms in the vicinity of 
Boston. Of these some returned ; others formed them- 
selves into two regiments under the authoritj' of the 
Massachusetts convention. 

When the Provincial Congress of New Hampshire met 
thej^ voted to raise three regiments for the service of the 
country. The men were to serve until the last of the 
next December unless sooner discharged. The command 
of the regiments was given to John Stark, Enoch Poor 
and James Reed. 

Some 1,060 volunteers from New Hampshire, including 
Stark and Reed's regiments, and a full company from 
Ilollis in Col. Prescott's regiment, were engaged in the 
Battle of Bunker Hill. Gen. Sullivan making an appeal 



to the citizens of New Hampshire, for aid to strengthen 
the siege of Boston, 31 companies, numbering 2,058 men, 
were promptly raised, who remained until the evacuation 
of the city the following March. 

On the 5th day of January, 1776, a temporary consti- 
tution was adopted, to continue in force throughout the 
war with Cxreat Britain. Three regiments, numbering in 
the whole 2,000 men, were raised this year. Three hun- 
dred men were posted at the forts in Portsmouth harbor, 
and a regiment recruited in the western part of the State 
was sent to Canada to assist in the operations there. 

On leaving Boston, the three regiments went with 
Gen. Washington to New York. From thence thej' were 
sent up the Hudson and down the lakes to Canada, under 
the command of Gen. Sullivan, to reinforce the army sent 
the preceding year into that country-, which was now 
retreating before a superior force. They met the re- 
treating troops at tlie mouth of the Sorel. Their com- 
mander, Thomas, having died of the small-pox, and the 
second in command having been taken prisoner. Gen. 
Sullivan assumed the command and conducted the re- 
treat with great prudence. At St. John's the pursuit 
ceased. Nearly one-third part of the New Hampshire 
troops are said to have died from sickness this year. 
The forts of Ticonderoga and Mount Independence hav- 
ing been fortified by the militia from the neighboring 
States, the New Hampshire regiments continued their 
march to Pennsylvania, where they joined Gen. Wash- 
ington, and although they were worn down with fatigue 
and almost destitute of clothing, they participated in the 
battles of Trenton and Princeton. They remained in the 
army six weeks after their term of enlistment had ex- 
pired, and two regiments of militia which were sent as 
reinforcements remained until March. 

In 1777 the regiments were reorganized, and the term 
of enlistment extended to three 3'ears, or during the war. 
Stark, who considered himself superseded by the appoint- 
ment of Poor as brigadier-general, resigned his commis- 
sion and left the armj', his place being supplied bj' 
Joseph Cilley. Nathan Hale and Alexander Scammel 
commanded the other regiments. Thej- were stationed 
at Ticonderoga under the immediate command of Gen. 
Poor. On the approach of Gen. Burgoyne'a army, Ticon- 
deroga being found untenable, it was decided to evacuate 
it, and in the retreat the garrison were pursued b}' the 
British who overtook them at Hubbardston. In the action 
which ensued. Col. Hale with several other officers of his 
regiment and about 100 of his men, were taken prisoners. 
The main body of the army continued their retreat to 
Saratoga. 

The people of the New Hampshire grants, finding their 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



country invaded, wrote in the most pressing terms to the 
authorities of New Hampshire for assistance. The legis- 
lature was called together, but the prospect was gloomj-. 
Their means were nearly exhausted, manj- of their men 
were slain or in captivit}-, and a powerful foe was on 
their borders. For a time thej- sat in silence. At length 
John Langdon, the speaker of the House, left his place, 
and said : "I have $3,000 in hard money ; my plate will 
bring as much more. I have also 70 hogsheads of Tobago 
rum, which shall be sold for what it will bring. With the 
avails of this property we will organize an expedition, 
and mj' friend John Stark shall command it. If we suc- 
ceed, I may be repaid ; if we fail, the property is of no 
consequence." Within three days provision was made 
for the expedition, and Stark engaged to command it. 
The result of this expedition was the victory of the 
Americans over the British forces at Bennington, and 
the ultimate defeat of Burgoyne's army. 

John Langdon's speech at Exeter was the turning 
point of the Revolution. 

All danger of an invasion from Canada being removed, 
the New Hampshire regiments, in the year 1778, were 
engaged in the operations at New Jersey and other 
points in the Middle States. At the battle of ]Monmouth 
their bravery elicited the praise of Washington. 

In the summer of 1779 the New Hampshire brigade 
formed a part of the expedition sent under the command 
of Gen. Sullivan against the Indians in central New 
York. In 1780 the New Hampshire regiments served at 
West Point and in New Jersey, where Gen. Poor died. 
The next j'ear a part remained in New York, while the 
others were engaged in the operations around Yorktown, 
and witnessed the surrender of Cornwallis, which practi- 
callj' closed the war. Shortly before this event Gen. 
Scammel died. 

June 2, 1784, the new State Constitution went into 
operation. With the amendments made in 1792, 1851 
and 1876, it remains in force at the present time. 

In 1786 the people of this State, in common with 
those of the neighboring States, were excited on the 
question of a supply of money. A mob at one time 
assembled around the court-house in Exeter when the 
legislature Was in session and held that body prisoners, 
demanding the passage of laws they deemed desirable to 
relieve them from their troubles. This outbreak was 
speedily quelled by the promptitude and firmness of 
President Sullivan. 

June 12, 1788, the delegates of the people of New 
Hampshire, assembled in convention at Concord, ratified 
the Constitution of United States. 

In the war of 1812, New Hampshire men retained the 



good name as soldiers won by their fathers in previous 
wars. Their prowess was displayed on many a bloody 
field, and the names of Miller, Cass, McNiel and Ripley, 
and their commands, will not soon be forgotten. In the 
recent war of the RebeUion the sons of New Hampshire 
were not behind their fellows. The quotas of the State 
were promptly filled, and her soldiers were found in the 
severely contested battles of that conflict, freely giving 
their lives for the sake of the Republic. 

The State prison was erected at Concord in 1812, and 
shortly' after a revision of the criminal laws was made. 
The number of capital oflFences was diminished and 
imprisonment substituted for the whip and the pillory. 
A large addition was made to the penitentiary in 1832. 
In 1877, the latter being filled and inconvenient for the 
management of the inmates, provision was made for the 
erection of new prison buildings at some distance from 
the village. These are now in process of construction. 

Concord having been fixed upon as the permanent 
capital of the State the erection of a State house was 
commenced in 1816. It was completed in 1819. In 
1863-4 the house was enlarged and refitted. 

The New Hampshire Bank, incorporated in 1791, was 
the first banking institution established in the State. 

Near the close of 1804 the first cotton-factorj' in New 
Hampshire was put in operation at New Ipswich. It 
was used at first in the manufacture of cotton yam. The 
fii-st cloth woven by a power-loom in the State was under 
the direction of John Steele at Peterborough, in May, 
1818. From small beginnings the manufacture of cotton 
goods has become one of the most important branches 
of industry in the State. Villages and cities have 
sprung up around the falls in the water-courses ; old busi- 
ness centres have been deserted, and new ones better 
adapted to meet the wants of the population have arisen. 
Besides the cotton manufactures, other branches of 
industry have sprung up, giving employment to thou- 
sands of the people. 

In October, 1838, the Nashua and Lowell Railroad 
was opened to Nashua. In the following year the Bos- 
ton and Maine Railroad was opened to East Kingston. 
From these lines others have been built, so that but few 
of the towns are without railroad facilities. 

We have thus glanced at the history of New Hamp- 
shire since its settlement. The struggle for existence in 
which its early settlers were involved, fostered a race of 
hardy, self-reliant men, who have left their impress upon 
their descendants, and probably at this day no half 
million of people exist on the face of the globe superior 
in intelligence and enterprise to those who claim New 
Hampshire as a birth-place. 




HI H- PUT R(0 
'."Whiip "M(Tiral;nni;-. 



NEW HAMPSHIRE. 



BELKNAP COUNTY. 



BY BEV. LEANDEB 



Perhaps no more suggestive statement describing 
this county can be made, tlian that it furnishes the 
larger part of the shore of New Hampshire's crystal 
gem, Lake Winnipiseogee. By what authority the 
orthography of our childhood's memory has been ch:nig"d 



It is filled with islands ; It is said there are 365, one for 

each day in the year. But as this is affirmed of several 

other places, it is to be doubted if this statement is correct. 

The lake is 30 miles long, and nearly 15 wide, and 

nostles among tlic mountains, which form the southern 




RATTLESNAKB ISLAND, LAKE -WINNrPISEOGEE. 



we do not know. But to-day the above is accepted as 
the coiTect name of the lake, which Indian tradition 
informs us signifies " The smile of the Great Spirit." 
The Creator's orthography, by which he has written its 
meaning before our eyes, has never changed. Even in 
winter, when its mask of ice covers with a sterner mean- 
ing, and hides the smile, it still is beautiful in its repose. 
But when the hills which so nearly encu'cle it are covered 
with their summer garbs ; when the fields at their bases 
are ripening for the harvest ; when the elegant steamers 
that ply its waters begin their trips ; when the summer 
resorts around it are astir with the throngs which come 
to rest and admire, then the lake is simply entrancing. 



extremity of the White Mountain cluster. On the north 
rise the old gray mountains of Tamworth and Ossipee. 
To the west Mount Bellinap and Mount Major. ' To the 
south-west the hills of Alton Bay. To the south-east 
the more even lands of Wolfborough break the moun- 
tainous monotony. The outlet of the lake is about 20 
miles from its southern extremity on the western shore, 
and is the source of the world-renowned Merrimack ; a 
river not as grand as the Connecticut or Penobscot, in- 
deed, but much mightier than they in power. The main 
feeder of the lake is the Merrymeeting River, which has 
its rise from a lakelet of the same name in the town of 
New Durham, not 25 miles in an air-line from the At- 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



lantic. There is a tradition, that the waters of this river 
once flowed down the Cocheco Valley, the head-waters of 
which river flow south-east within a very short distance 
of where the Merrj-meeting flows north-west, seeking 
the Merrimack tlirough the lake, making the distance 
of nearly 200 miles to reach the sea, only 25 miles 
from its source. There is some indication of this. 
Just before the Merrymeeting flows into the lake, at 
Alton Hay, it cuts its way through a " horseback." 



to distinguish between the terms incorporated and char- 
tered. The former is the term used to define the act 
of New Hampshire as a sovereign State. The latter 
is the term used to define the act of the British Crown, 
either dii-ect or through a governor appointed by the 
crown. 

Old Gilmanton was granted, by a charter from King 
George, to 24 persons by the name of Gilman, and to 152 
other subjects of Groat Britain. Mav i:^. 17-27. The 




ILTON EAY. 



which once must have formed a lake whose waters 
would perhaps have flowed the other way. The growths 
of trees, and all the conditions of the ' ' cut " through 
which the river flows, show it to be of quite recent 
formation. 

This county was originally a part of old Strafford, and 
was incorporated Dec. 22, 1840. Its present population 
is 18,549. 

There are ten towns in Belknap County. The early 
history of the countj- will be introduced into that of the 
towns, whose history antedates many years the incorpo- 
ration of the countj'. 

Towns. 
GiLMANTOK. — There are towns to-day in the county of 
greater importance and influence than this. But in the 
early pioneer history, this town leads. It may be well here 



following is the heading and declaration of the charter 
making the grant : — 

" George, by the grace of God, of Great Britain, France 

and Ireland, King, defender of the Faith, &c. 
"To all people to whom these presents shaU come, 
greeting : 
" Know that we of our especial knowledge and mere 
motion, for the encouragement of settling a new planta- 
tion, by and with the consent of our council have given 
and granted, and by these presents, as far as in us lies, 
do give and grant, in equal shares, to sundry of beloved 
subjects, whose names are in a schedule hereunto an- 
nexed." 

It will be seen by this that the history of Gilmanton 
takes us well back into colonial days, when Portsmouth 
was an important town full of loj-al subjects of the crown ; 



NEW HAMPSHIRE. 



to days when the hardj- settlers had to battle not only 
with inhospitable forests, but also with the savages. 
For j'ears the only approach was through bridle-paths 
from Dover. And now, while the tides of modern travel 
thunder on railwa3'S up the vallej-s of the Merrimack and 
Cocheco ; while the steamers on the lake take the place 
of the canoes of the savages, for travel and commerce, 
the old cemetery and Smith's meeting-house, on Meet- 
ing-house Hill, the old theological seminary, long since 



Dec. 30, 1768. It was originally called New Salem. 
The situation of this town, and its scenery upon the 
shore of the lake, render it a favorite summer resort. 
It is an excellent farming town, and has considerable 
mechanical and mercantile enterprise. The population 
is 1,807. 

Sanbornton was chartered March 1, 1770. This is 
an agricultural town. By its dismemberment the thriv- 
ing towns of Tilton and Franklin came into existence. 




abandoned to be used as a simimer resort — Andover and 
Bangor ha-^dng taken its place — all stand, along with the 
square old mansions of Gilmanton Corner, as stranded evi- 
dences of New England's early civiUzation and enterprise. 

Gilmanton has furnished her quota of men in every 
war for national integrity. She has enriched the man- 
hood of the Commonwealth with many noble names. 
Every walk of life, ci-\ic, military and commercial, has 
been honored and adorned by the noble sons of this, one 
of our oldest towns. Population, 1,644. 

Baknstead was chartered March 28, 1761. Rev. 
Joseph Adams and others received this territory as a 
grant from the crown as early as Maj' 20, 1727. This 
is one of the best farming towns in the State. The Sun- 
cook River passes through the town. Population, 1.544. 

Meredith is the next in the historical order, and was 
chartered by John Wentworth, the provincial governor. 



The town lies to the west of Meredith, and has a popu- 
lation of 1,236. 

New Hampton was chartered in 1777, and had pre- 
viouslj' been known as Moultonborough Addition. The 
name of this town was given by Gov. Wentworth in 
honor of his native town. The Freewill Baptist denomi- 
nation has a flourishing school here, the " New Hampton 
Literary and Biblical Institution." The business of the 
town is agriculture. Population, 1,257. 

Alton, a large, irregular-shaped town, diversified by 
mountain and lake scenerj^, was incorporated in 1796. 
The place is delightful as a summer resort. The beauti- 
ful steamer " Mount Washington " makes daily trips 
across the lake, connecting with the Boston and Maine 
Railroad trains. The Advent camp-grounds are situated 
at the Bay. A fine hotel accommodates the many visitors 
who resort here for health or pleasure. Population, 1 ,800. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



Centre Harbor was incorporated in 1797. It is 
chiefly noted as a summer resort. The Boston and 
Maine Company's steamer makes two daily trips to this 
town during the travelling season. The Senter House, 
one of the most elegant summer homes in the White 
Mountain region, is always open, and many smaller and 
less pretentious houses furnish delightful homes. The 
scenery around Centre Harbor, northward toward the 
White Mountains, and southward over the lake, is not 
surpassed in the world for loveliness, although it may be 
in grandeur. The population of the town is 515. 

Gilford, incorporated in 1812, was taken from Gil- 
manton. The enterprising place known as Lake Village 
is situated in this town, although it is more intimately, 
associated with Laconia, which it joins, and forms with 
it really one village. Population, 3,361. 



Laconia, although in area one of the smallest towns 
in the county, and one of the most recently or- 
ganized, being incorporated in 1855, and taken from 
Meredith, is the most important town in the county. It 
is the county seat. Through this town, the vast supplies 
of water which enter the world-renowned Merrimack 
from Lake Winnipiseogee, flow, furnishing an excellent 
water-power which is well improved for manufacturing 
purposes. The population of the town is 3,100. 

TiLTON, a thriving town of 1,147 inhabitants, and for- 
merly a part of Sanbornton, known as Sanbornton Bridge, 
was incorpoi'ated in 18G9. It is the seat of the New 
Hampshire Conference Seminary and Female College. 
Interesting Indian relics are found here. 

Belmont, also incorporated in 1869, was taken from 
old Gilmanton, before noticed. Population, 2,185. 



CARROLL COUNTY 



EY HON. LARKIN D. MASON. 



The early history of Carroll County must be taken in 
connection with that of Straff'ord till the year 1840. At 
that time, this county, together with Belknap, was given 
an independent organization. The south-western border 
of the county is washed by the waters of Lake Winni- 
piseogee, and a portion of its northern boundary extends 
through the midst of mountains. It is estimated that 
more than half its surface is covered with lakes or 
mountains. 

Towns. 

WoLFBOROTJGH, a town of 2,000 inhabitants, on the 
eastern shore of Lake Winnipiseogee, is the most impor- 
tant town in the county. The scenery is of surpassing 
beauty. On the east and north, the lofty mountains of 
Ossipee and Tuftonborough rear their towering heads, 
while numerous lakes nestle within the broad, rich 
valleys lying between the woody hills of the town. 
At the foot of a hill near one of these lakelets is a 
mineral spring, which is a place of considerable resort. 
With these natural attractions, and the ample facilities 
of the fine hotels to give entertainment to summer 
guests, Wolfborough may be styled the Saratoga of 
Carroll County, and perhaps of New Hampshire. 

This town was granted, in 1770, to Gen. John Went- 



worth, Mark H. Wentworth, and others. Among the 
first settlers were John Flagg, Joseph Larry, James 
Lucas, John Kennet, Benjamin Blake and William 
Rogers. These early settlers were mostly poor. Horses 
and oxen were not generally possessed ; hence there was 
a great demand for physical strength. The necessary 
articles of food were brought on the shoulders of men 
from Gilmanton, Rochester, and other more distant 
towns. The first person who permanently established 
himself in town was Benjamin Blake, a hardj' and some- 
what eccentric man, who often remained in his field for 
days, taking his food and sleeping upon the bare earth. 
He served for a time in the northern army ; and when 
returning from Ticonderoga, walked the entire distance 
home barefoot, though the ground was partially' covered 
with snow. Of himself and worthy wife are related 
many incidents illustrative of their hardihood. Jona- 
than, a son born soon after their arrival at Wolfborough, 
became one of the most promising citizens of the town. 
William Fullerton, another of the earliest settlers, was 
drowned while attempting to ford the strait between the 
inner and outer bays near Smith's bridge, soon after he 
removed his family to the township. James Lucas was 
the moderator at the first town meeting, and his de- 
scendants are still prominent citizens. Jonathan Larry 



NEW HAMPSHIRE. 



held paternal relation to the child who first raised its 
infantile cry in Wolfborough. Reuben Libby made a 



incorporated, Feb. 22, 1829. The first minister in town 
was Rev. Samuel Arnold, settled in 1829. The Ports- 




WOLFBOROUGH. 



permanent settlement in town, and stocked it with cattle. I mouth, Great 
He married Sarah Fullerton, and this was the first mar- | tions in this 
riage solemnized in 
the town. The first 
meeting-house erect- 
ed in Wolfborough 
was the one known 
as the town meeting- 
house, which was oc- 
cupied by the Con- 
gregationalists until 
the death of their 
pastor, Mr. Allen, in 
1806. Afterwards it 
was occupied by min- 
isters of different de- 
nominations till the 
year 1840, when it 
was converted into 
a town-house. The 
population numbers 
about 2,000. 

OssiPEE, south of Tamworth, is the shire town of the i Sandwich 
county. It was originally called New Garden, and was town in the 




WOLFIiOKOUOII. 



Falls and Conway Railroad has four sta- 
town. West Ossipee is a favorite resort 

for summer boarders. 

John G. Whittier, 
the poet, has spent 
a portion of the sum- ! 
nioi, for many con- 
secutive years, at 
(he Bearcamp River 
House. The popu- 
tion numbers 1,822. 
This town was, a 
few years since, the 
scene of a revolting 
nuu'der. A man by 
tlie name of Abbott 
killed his wife, and 
attempted his own 
destruction, but was 
auested, tried, and 
sentenced to State 
prison for 30 j'ears. 
, having a population of 1,85-1, is the first : 
L'ounty in tlu' iirodiiction of fruit and maple j 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



sugar. It was granted to Gov. Benning Wentwortli in 
I 1763, and comprised sis square miles. In 1764, the 
grantees received additional territory on the east and 
j south sides. This was incorporated, Oct. 25, 1768, and 
was called, " Sandwich Addition." Rev. Daniel Smith, 
settled in 1827, was the first minister. The first house 
was built in 1725, on land now owned by William M. 
Weed, Esq. 

The scenery of this town is very beautiful. Not less 
than a thousand persons spend their summer vacations 
beside the mountain streams in this vicinity. In Octo- 
ber, 1820, after a long drouth, a hea-\-j- rain set in, and 
continued for several days, causing a heavj- slide from 
Mount Whiteface into the valley at its base. A deep 
ra\-ine was formed in its sides for several miles in extent. 

Hon. Isaac Adams, the distinguished inventor of the 
power-press, has his residence in this town, and gives 
emplojTnent to a large number of men. 

Conway, containing 1,607 inhabitants, and the second 
town in the county in importance, was first settled in 
1764-5, by James and Benjamin Osgood and others. 
Conway village (Pequackett) , on the Great Falls and 
Conway Railroad, contains a savings bank and an ex- 
tensive machine-peg manufactory. 

Conway Centre, a flourishing rural hamlet, is the resi- 
dence of Hon. Joel Eastman. 

North Conway has become a city of hotels, and it is 
estimated that 2,000 strangers spend a portion of the 
summer months in this enchanting village, besides the 
tens of thousands who are transient visitors. This 
region is a favorite resort for artists, no other place 
affording finer views of Mount Washington. The house 
on Mount Kearsarge looms before the \asitor as from no 
other standpoint. The Portland and Ogdensburg Rail- 
road intersects the Great Falls and Conway Railroad in 
this village. 

Conwaj^ Academy, a well-managed literary institution, 
and several churches, furnish educational and religious 
facilities. 

The Kearsarge House, of extensive reputation, has 
accommodations for 300 permanent boarders. The 
broad and fertile interval on the south side of the street, 
with the Saco River meandering through it, together 
with the grand sceneiy of the mountains, give an almost 
enchanting variety of landscape to this most favored 
town. 

Tamworth, a town of 1,344 inhabitants, in the north- 
ern central part of the county, was granted Oct. 14, 
1766, to Jonathan Moulton and others. The first per- 
manent white settler was Mark Jewell, who came about 
the j-ear 1770. 



This town was the head-quarters of the Rev. Samuel 
Hidden, celebrated for his efforts in behalf of the cause 
of education in Carroll County. He was for man}' years 
the faithful pastor of the Congregational church, being 
ordained in 1792. The place chosen for the ceremonj-, 
was a huge rock in the wilderness, capable of seating 20 
people on its flat top. The scene was at once novel and 
striking. In 1862, the seventieth anniversar}- of this event 
was celebrated, and a monument erected commemorating 
the ordination. At this meeting four persons were pres- 
ent who, 70 years before, had attended the ordination 
ser\ice. 

Tamworth is well watered by the Beareamp and Swift 
rivers, which oflfer valuable water-power. The largest 
manufactory of rakes in the world is run by Beareamp 
water at South Tamworth. The first cut nails manufac- 
tured bj' machinery in New Hampshire, were made in 
this town bj- Samuel Folsom. The first screw-auger ever 
made was invented by Nathaniel Weed, a mechanic in 
this town. Iron was manufactured from ore taken from 
the bed of Ossipee Lake, from about 1775 to 1810. 

In 1876, a scene of tragic character was enacted in 
this heretofore quiet and peaceful town. The scene was 
at the beautiful Chocurua Lake, where resided one Syl- 
vester W. Cone. Becoming enraged at some intrusive 
fellows who attempted to bathe in the lake within sight 
of his family, he, instead of taking proper measures for 
their arrest and punishment, fatally shot the leader of 
the company who was advancing toward him. After a 
prolonged trial. Cone was sentenced to Concord prison 
for 30 years. 

MouLTONBOROUGH is Situated north of Lake Winnipi- 
seogee, and touches Squam Lake on the west. It has a 
population of 1,300. Red Hill, which rises about 2,000 
feet above the level of the sea, is composed of a beauti- 
ful sienite, in which the feldspar is of a gray ash color. 
Near the summit, where the ledges of rock are exposed 
to the action of the air, the rock is of a reddish hue. 
The first frosts always change the foliage a deep crimson, 
from which fact the eminence received its name. 

This town was granted Nov. 17, 1763, by the Maso- 
nian proprietors to Col. Jonathan Moulton. The first 
house of public worship was erected in 1773, and was 
blown down by a violent east wind in 1819. The Con- 
gregational church was formed in 1777, and Rev. Samuel 
Perley was the first minister. 

In October, 1767, a colony containing thirteen families, 
settled in Moultonborough, which township was owned 
mostly at this time by Gen. Jonathan Moulton of Hamp- 
ton. These families appear to have been the first to 
make a permanent settlement. One of the colonists, a 



NEW HAMPSHIRE. 



607 



boy 14 years old, tired of this kind of life, resolved to 
recross the lake on the ice to Alton Bay and return to 
Old Hampton. He was found three days after near the 
Weirs, completely exhausted and nearly frozen. He was 
conveyed to Portsmouth, and had both legs amputated, 
and the knee-caps removed. He recovered, and after- 
wards wore a boot resembling a huge oval box. For 
half a century he was a wanderer among the hills of Car- 
roll County, and known to aU its inhabitants as Uncle 
Nat. Mason. He died in Old Hampton in 1836. 

The Ossipee tribe of Indians once resided in this vicin- 
ity, and some 3'ears since a tree was standing in Moulton- 
V)orough, on which was carved in hieroglj-phics, the his- 
tory of their expeditions. Many native implements and 
relics have been found, indicating this to have been at 
one time their favorite residence. In 1820, on a small 
island in Lake Winnipiseogee, was found a curious gun- 
barrel, much worn by rust and age, divested of its stock, 
and enclosed in the body of a pitch-pine tree 16 inches 
in diameter. About GO years ago, at the mouth of Mel- 
vin River, a gigantic skeleton was found which had been 
buried in the sandy soil, apparently that of a man more 
than seven feet high. 

In August, 1784, a huge bear attacked a child of Mr. 
Leach, who had been sent to a pasture with a horse. Be- 
fore the father could reach the spot, the bear took up the 
l)oy and fled to the woods, in the very sight of the father, 
It being night-fall, pursuit was impracticable. The 
parents, after a night of anguish, discovered the hat and 
the bridle which the boy had with him, and following a 
trail of blood about 40 rods, found the mangled bodj', 
one tliigh partly consumed by the savage beast. The 
latter was discovered near the spot and killed. 

Wakefield is situated on the Eastern Raihoad, 50 
miles north-east from Concord. The former name of 
the town was East Town, and it was incorporated Aug. 
30, 1774. The surface is broken and hilly, and dotted 
here and there with ponds. Province Pond lies for 450 
rods on the boundary between this town and Effingham. 
The principal branch of the Piscataqua River takes its 
rise from East Pond in the south-eastern part of the town. 

Capt. John Lovewell surprised and destroyed a party 
of Indians in the early days, near the eastern shore of a 
large pond lying in the south part of the town. This 
pond was named from him, Lovewell's Pond. Pine- 
River Pond is the source of a river of the same name. 



• Upon the summit of this mountain is a commodious summer hotel. 
The view from this house is grand, the White Mountains on the west, 
and the ocean on the east, being plainly visible. 

t About 1788 Col. Jerry Oilman, from Plaistow, N. H., Esquire Weed, 
Mr. Mead and Mr. Emerson settled the inteiTal lying east of Chocu- 



These sheets of water afford several very valuable mill- 
privileges. Along the streams there is considerable 
interval, which is very productive and well cultivated. 

The Congregational chm'ch was organized in 1785. 
Rev. Asa Piper was the first minister. 

The scenery of the town is fine, and the place has 
been quite a favorite resort for tourists. It has a popu- 
lation of 1,185. Two celebrated lawyers, Josiah Hobbs 
and his son Frank, were born in this town. 

TuFTONBORODGH, ou the north-cast shore of Lake 
Winnipiseogee, was originally granted to J. Tufton 
Mason. It was settled about 1780, and incorporated 
Dec. 17, 1795. Among the early settlers were Benja- 
min Beau, Phineas Graves and Joseph Peavey. Rev. 
Joseph KeUum (CongregationaUst), was the first minis- 
ter (1800). The number of inhabitants is about 950. 

Effingham was settled but a few years before the 
Revolution. It was first called Lea\'itt's Town. It was 
incorporated Aug. 18, 1778. Rev. Gideon Burt was the 
first settled minister. He entered upon his duties as pastor 
of the Congregational church in 1803 and was dismissed in 
1805. The best water-power in the county is at Effingham 
Falls. Iron was formerly manufactured by this power 
from ore taken from Ossipee Lake. Population, 904. 

The towns of Carroll County not previously described 
are : — Freedom, incorporated in 1831 ; population, 738 ; 
formerly called North Effingham, and having an impor- 
tant lumber business: Eaton, granted in 1766; pop- 
ulation, 656 : Madison, set off from Eaton in 1852 ; 
population, 646, including a valuable mineral region : 
Baktlett, incorporated in 1790, having at present 630 
inhabitants, and containing beds of iron-ore : Jackson, 
incorporated under the name of Adams in 1800, receiv- 
ing its present name in honor of President Jackson in 
1829 ; population, 475, having an inexhaustible supply 
of tin and iron ore : Chathaji, a town of 450 inhabi- 
tants, originally granted in 1767, and containing the 
noted Kiarsarge Mountain,* 3,400 feet high, and Bald- 
face Mountain 3,600 feet high : Brookfield, incorporated 
in 1794; population, 416; the scene of the revolting 
murder in 1875 of Susan Hanson by James Buzzell : 
and Albany, t granted in 1766, called Burton until 1833, 
having a population of 340. From 1790 to 1793, a 
linen manufactory, established bj'' Col. Jerry Oilman, 
was operated in the latter town, and was the only estab- 
lishment of the kind ever known in the State. 



ma, which bid fair to be a fine farming section, till a murrain called Bur- 
ton-ail appeared among their neat-stock, and swept off their herds. 
The progress of the town was greatly retarded by this disease, render- 
ing it almost impossible to raise cattle. Superstition and tradition 
point to the curse of Chocurua as the cause. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



CHESHIKE COUNTY. 



WILLIAM E. GRAVES. 



The snow was Ijnng deep, covering the rude stone 
walls and fences, that faintlj' traced the lines of almost 
obliterated roads ; 3-et, in the meadows, the fleecy mantle 
seemed to soften and to slowlj' settle and sink away un- 
der the bi-ight sun and westerl3' winds of a cheery spring 
morning, near the close of a long and dreary winter. 
As the daj' advanced and the roads were broken out, the 
fanners sought the woods where the air was fragrant 
with the breath of pines. Noon came, and with it, 
warmth ; and as the hours of afternoon sped on, the 
fainter blue of the sky, and lengthening shadows, foretold 
the approach of evening. But long before the sun had 
set behind the distant Monadnock, the last important 
work of the Colonial legislature of New Hampshire had 
been accomplished, and John Wentworth, its last Pro- 
vincial governor, had approved the act of March 19, 
1771, forming that Province into counties — five in num- 
ber — the one nearest the west bearing the title of 
Cheshire, from a county of that name in the west of 
England. 

Nearly 150 j^ears had passed since the landing within 
the Province of a company of European colonists at a 
place now known as Dover Point. Beyond a doubt, 
they were the first white men whose feet had pressed that 
barren soil. Leanng home and friends for a cheerless 
wilderness — the abode of uncivilized Indians — these 
Colonists had suffered hardships almost beyond endur- 
ance. Dover, Portsmouth, Exeter and Hampton had 
been settled ; Charles II. had made New Hampshire a 
roj'al Province ; its destinies had been swayed 133' various 
provincial governors ; and now its last royal ruler — hav- 
ing signed the act dividing it into counties — was about 
to leave the land of his birth, a voluntary exile, never 
more to return.* 

Time passed on, and the long struggle of the Revolu- 
tion followed. During that eventful period, and for 
many years in the present century, the old charter of 
Cheshire embraced numerous towns not included in its 
I present limits. As the count}" increased in wealth and 
population, the courts were burdened with business, and 

• Gov. John Wentworth left New Hampshire at the beginning of the 
I Revolution. He died at Haliiiix in 1820. 



a part of its territory was set ofl^ to form a new county. 
At a later period the State legislature of New Hampshire 
passed an act dated Jan. 2, 1827, defining the boundaries 
of Cheshire as follows: "Beginning at the south-east 
corner of Rindge ; then westerly bj' the State line to the 
west bank of Connecticut River ; thence, up the same 
bank to the north-west corner of Walpole ; thence by 
the northerlj' lines of "Walpole, Alstead, Marlow and 
Stoddard, to the line of the county of Hillsborough ; 
thence, by the line of the last-mentioned county to the 
bounds first mentioned." Fiftv j'ears have passed since 
the passage of that act, and the boundaries of Cheshire 
remain almost undisturbed. At the present time the 
county contains 22 towns, including the city of Keene, 
for many 3'ears its capital or count^'-seat. 

By no means a level territorj", Cheshire abounds in 
pleasant plains. The largest of these lies in the lovelj- 
valley of the Ashuelot River, and forms the site of 
Keene. Here, a large area of open country — ^three miles 
in extent, and about the same in width — forms one of 
the finest plateaus of fertile meadow and rich interval 
land to be found in the State. Many similar vallej-s, 
smaller in size, but mostly light sandy plains bordered 
bj- upland, are scattered throughout the various towns. 
As a whole, the surface is generallv uneven, with a few 
prominent elevations like the Ashuelot Mountains, and 
the Monadnock, regarded bj' geographers as a continua- 
tion of the White Mountain range. The county of 
Cheshire contains almost everj' variety of soil, and much 
of it is good. Along the vallej- of the Connecticut River 
which washes its western border, the soil is unsurpassed 
for general agricultural purposes, and abundant crops 
amplj- repay the farmer for his toil. 

Both the Ashuelot and the Sugar rivers flow into the 
Connecticut, the western bank of which forms the bound- 
ary between New Hampshire and Vermont. The first 
named of these rivers has its source from a pond in the 
town of Washington, Sullivan County ; and after receiv- 
ing two branches from Keene and Swanzey, and several 
smaller streams in Winchester, empties into the Con- 
necticut River at Hinsdale, in the extreme south-western 
corner of the county. Sugar River flows from the west 



NEW HAMPSHIRE. 



side of Lake Sunapee, where it lias its source, and pass- 
ing tiirough Newport and Claremont, unites witli the 
Connecticut. The Ashuelot and its tributaries, and the 
head Ijranches of tlie Contoocook, witli other streams, 
supply an abundance of water for manufacturing and 
otlier purposes. 

Lakes Sunapee and SpafTord are Lirge sheets of water, 
in the latter of whicli is a picturesque island, containing 
about eight acres. Mount Monadnock, — mostly in Dub- 
lin, but partly- in Jaffrey, and the highest mountain in the 
county — is 3,450 feet above the level of the sea. The 
well-known Bellows Falls on the Connecticut River in 
Walpole, are the finest in the county of Cheshire. The 
Cheshire Railroad, from Fitchburg, Mass., to Bellows 
Falls, Vt., and the Ashuelot Railroad from South Ver- 
non, Vt., to the city of Keene, are wholly within this 
county. 

Cheshire belongs to the third judicial district, a law- 
term for which is held annually on the first Tuesday' in 
July. There are two jury terms for the Supremo Judi- 
cial Court, and for the Court of Common Pleas, both 
commencing at the same time, on the third Tuesdays of 
March and September. 

The vicissitudes of a New England climate are less 
strongl}- marked in Cheshire, than in counties bordering 
on the seacoast ; and its exceeding healthfulness is 
shown by manj' noteworthy instances of longevity, and 
by a sustained and gradual growth which neither war, 
pestilence, nor emigration has been able to overcome. 

In 1 77.5 the countj' was peopled by a stern and hardy 
race of men, who made the forests recede to give place 
to the comfortable habitations and cultivated farms of 
civilization. 

The earliest settlement in this county was made about 
the year 1G82 at Hinsdale, then a part of Northfield, and 
imder the government of Massachusetts. This town was 
incorporated in 1753, receiving its name from Col. 
Ebenezer Hinsdale, at that time a prominent resident of 
the place. It was settled as earlj- as 1G83, and was 
formerl3' known as Fort Dummer, and later as "Bridg- 
man's Fort." In common with all frontier settlements, 
it suffered severely during the Indian wars. At the time 
the fort was built, murders were frequent, and captures 
of the settlers an almost every-day occuiTence One of 
the band of Indians who attacked this fort in 1746, was 
killed by Daniel How, who was at last taken prisoner. 
In the Indian assault of 1747, the savages killed several, 
took others prisoners, and finally burned down the gar- 
rison. The fort was re-built, but was afterwards attacked 
in 1748, when three persons were killed and seven cap- 
tured ; and again, in 1755, when two were killed and one 



taken prisoner. The Rev. Bunker Gay, a Harvard grad- 
uate, settled over the first Congregational church formed 
here in 17G3, died in 1815. A Baptist church was or- 
ganized in 1808. Remains of an Indian fortification, 
l)uilt before the settlement of the town, maj' be seen on 
the point of a hill not far from the Connecticut River. 

Tlie Indians were also a source of much trouble to the 
early inhabitants of Swanzcy, whose settlers came prin- 
cipally from Massachusetts, which gave the first grant of 
that town in 1733, when the plantation bore the name of 
Lower Ashuelot, from the Indian name of the river, 
which was originally Ashaolock. Being unprotected b3' 
Jlassachusetts whose jurisdiction they then acknowl- 
edged, the settlers were forced to abandon the place in 
1747, burying in the ground all their most valuable ar- 
ticles of furniture. During, the absence of the settlers, 
all their buildings with a single exception, were destro3'ed. 
Three j-ears afterward the former inhabitants returned ; 
and when the boundary lines between New Hampshire 
and Massachusetts were finallj- adjusted, Swanzej^ was 
incorporated by the former State in 1753. The Rev. 
Timothy Harrington, a native of Waltham, Mass., the 
first minister of the Congregational church, organized in 
1741, lost the records of the societj' when his house was 
burned by the Indians in 1745. In consequence of the 
war, he withdrew from the town in 1747, resigning his 
right to a lot of land given to the first pastor, and pre- 
senting the church and society a costly silver chalice. He 
was settled at Lancaster, Mass., in the following year, 
and died Dec. 18, 1795, at the age of 80. In the month 
of October, 1753, Keene and Swanzej- united in support 
of the gospel, and this union continued about seven j'ears. 
Rev. Ezra Carpenter, the first minister of the Union So- 
ciety-, remained wiih the people of Swanzey, after the 
dissolution. The Baptist church in this place was 
founded about the year 1804. 

In the westerly' part of Cheshire County, 55 miles 
from Concord, 60 from Dartmouth College, and 80 from 
Boston, lies Keene, first settled under the authority of 
Mason, in 1 734, by parties who remained onl^- for a short 
time. The first who attempted to pass the winter in 
Keene encountered many hardships, and left before the 
winter expired. At this time the lines between New 
Hampshire and Massachusetts had not been determined, 
and it was generally supposed that the valley of the 
Ashuelot would fall within the boundaries of the latter. 
The town was then called Upper Ashuelot, which means 
in the Indian language " a collection of many waters." 
Upper Ashuelot was a frontier settlement in the bosom 
of the wilderness, and was much exposed to Indian as- 
saults — its nearest neighbor being Northfield, Mass., 20 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



miles distant ; while Winchester (Lower Ashuelot) , al- 
though first granted, was almost uninhabited. The town 
of Keene was originally laid out in lots of eight rods 
front and 150 deep, 54 being on the main street, — 27 on 
each side ; and in 1736, the proprietors voted to erect a 
meeting-house, " 40 feet by 35, and 20 feet stud," at the 
south end of main street, the building to be completed 
some time in the month of June, 1737. During the fol- 
lowing year. Rev. Jacob Bacon,* a native of Waltham, 
and a graduate of Harvard, was settled as the first min- 
ister. The same year a fort was erected, for protection 
from the Indians, who, in 1745, killed Josiah Fisher, a 
deacon of the church. A savage attack upon the town 
was made in the following j'car, when all took refuge in 
the fort, which was assailed on every side. During the 
attack, relief came from Swanze3-, when the savages sud- 
denly decamped, carrying off the cattle, and burning 
every house in town. The inhabitants remained in the 
fort till 1747, and then abandoned the settlement. 

In 1 750, fiftj-'two inhabitants returned to Keene, which 
was incorporated in 1753, under its present name, prob- 
ably in honor of an English nobleman, Sir Benjamin 
Keene, British minister at Spain, and cotemporary with 
Gov. Wentworth who granted the charter. The Indians 
who visited the town between the years 1754-55, com- 
mitted no important depredations. Benjamin Twichell, 
whom they carried to Quebec, died on his return to Bos- 
ton. The old town of Keene proved herself especially 
patriotic during the war of the Revolution, On the 
afternoon of the day on which occurred the murderous 
attack of British troops upon the peaceable farmers of 
Lexington, there was raised a company which started for 
Concord the next morning, under command of Capt. 
Wj-man. He was present at the battle of Bunker Hill. 

At a later period, certain contemplated assaults upon 
the few "Tories" in the neighborhood, were prevented 
by the humanity and forbearance of the good people of 
Keene ; and several disturbances which occurred in 1782, 
regarding the adjustment of a divisional line between 
New Hampshire and Vermont, were at last amicably 
settled. Two farms were annexed to Keene from Swan- 
zey, in 1812. 

On the east side of INIain Street there formerlj' stood 
a neat little public house called " Shurtleflfs Hotel," kept 
by Bononi Shurtlefl!", whose wife was a sister of the 
famous Thomas 0. Selfridge of Boston, and whose three 
or four daughters were genteel, sprightlj', intelligent 
young ladies, ambitious of displaj', and of setting a rich 
and elegant table. Here a select few, the elite of the 

• He served as minister till 1747, when, the settlement bcin^ broken 
up, he went to Plymouth. He died at Rowley, in 1787, aged 81. 



New Hampshire bar, were wont to resort during the sit- 
tings of the court. In 1815, the companj' consisted of i 
the chief justice, Jeremiah Smith, Daniel Webster, Geo. | 
Baxter Upham, Judge Ellis, Judge Hubbard of Ver- 
mont, Roger Vose of Walpole, Le^i Chamberlain and 
his elder brother, John C. Chamberlain. The feast of 
fat things which came out of the mouth when this com- 
pany w^ere seated at the table, was more exhilarating 
than that which went in. For comic wit, Vose had no 
superior in New England ; for refined intellectual acu- 
men. Judge Smith was not surpassed. No matter where 
placed, — on the bench, in the halls of legislation, in a 
popular assembly, or in a compan}' of young ladies, — he 
was sure to be first, imparting pleasure and instruction 
to each, and commanding the admiration of all. Web- 
ster was graceful and dignified in manner, uttering but 
few words, but those always forcible. 

It is deser\-ing of mention that a female high school 
was established here by a Miss Fiske, about the year 
1810, and was continued for 20 or 30 j-ears with great 
success and credit to herself, and to her numerous pupils 
far and near. Gov. Washburn, in his history of Lan- 
caster Academy, speaking of the first female teacher of 
that institution. Miss Holmes, — a young lady of dis- 
tinguished learning, ability and accomplishments, — says 
" she was educated at that excellent school, whose repu- 
tation was so long sustained, and at which so many of 
the best- trained minds of New England were educated, 
— Miss Fiske's, of Keene." Miss Fiske, in her quiet, 
unobtrusive employments, accomplished much for the 
public good, and deservedly will her memory be en- 
shrined in manj' grateful hearts. 

Another town granted by the Masonian proprietors 
and incorporated in the year 1774, on the anniversary of 
Washington's birthday, February 22, was named Pack- 
ersfield, from Thomas Packer, who owned about one- 
half of the township. The town was originally called 
" Monadnock No. 6." The first settlement was com- 
menced in 1767 by Breed Batchelder, followed in 1768 
by that of Dr. Nathaniel Breed. The Rev. Jacob Foster, 
first minister of the Congregational church, formed in 
1781, was dismissed in 1791, and died Dec. 3, 1798, at 
the age of 66. Rev. Gad Newell, a graduate of Yale, 
succeeded to the pastorate in 1794, and served 42 jears, 
greatly beloved and esteemed. In 1814, the name of the 
town was changed to Nelson. 

On the boundary between New Hampshire and Mas- 
sachusetts, in the southern part of Cheshire County is 
Richmond, incorporated in 1752, and settled five j'oars 
later bj' emigrants from Rhode Island and Massachusetts. 
The first native of the town was born in 1757, and the 



NEW HAMPSHIRE. 



first Baptist church was formed in 1768. Rev. Maturiii 
Ballou, ordained in 1770, died in 1804. Rev. Artemas 
Aldrich was settled in 1777. A second Baptist church 
was organized in 1776, and Rev. Isaac Kenney was or- 
dained pastor in 1792. There was formerly a large 
societ}' of Friends in Richmond. 

A notable instance of promptness ,n answering the 
summons " to arms !" occurred in the town of Rindgc, 
whose inhabitants were early opposers of British tyranny. 
On the night subsequent to the murderous Are of the 
English troops at Lexington, a messenger arrived at the 
house of the captain of the company of minute-men, with 
news of the commencement of hostilities. The men be- 
longing to this companj' lived in various parts of the 
town ; and so ready were they to obey the summons for 
men that at sunrise on the following April morning no 
less than 54 were assembled on the common readj' to 
march and meet the foe. Three of this number fell at 
Bunker Hill. From its earliest settlement, Rindge has 
been constant in support of the ministr}'. The town was 
incorporated in 17G8, and for a period of 92 3ears had 
onlj' three pastors. The first minister, Rev. Seth Dean, 
served 15 j-ears ; the second. Rev. Dr. Pajson, 37 j-ears ; 
and the third. Rev. A. W. Burnham, about 40 j-ears. 
The Congregational church, the first in town, was organ- 
ized in 1765. The first native was Samuel Russell. 

Another of the Jlasonian proprietors, George JaflTre}', 
gave his name to a Cheshire County town, incorporated 
in 1773, previous to which time the place had been known 
as " Monadnock No. 2." At the first town meeting, held 
iu the autumn of the same j'ear, it was voted to procure 
the services of a minister. In 1774, it was decided to 
build a meeting-house " 60 feet by 45, posts 27 feet," 
with a porch at each end of the house, — " the frame of 
the building to be raised by the middle of June, 1775, 
and be finished by the first of June, 1776." It is worthy 
of record that the frame of this church is asserted to have 
been raised on the memorable June 17, 1775, and that 
those engaged in its erection heard the report of the 
cannon discharged at Bunker Hill. The edifice was not 
completed for many years, doubtless owing to the un- 
settled state of the times in consequence of the war. 
Although money was annually' raised to pay for preach- 
ing, pulpit ministrations were infrequent until 1780, and 
no regularly settled minister was employed till 1782, 
when Rev. Laban Ainsworth, a graduate of Dartmouth, 
was installed as pastor, and continued alone in the work 
for nearly half a century.* 

» From 1830, the active duties of the ministry were performed Ijy a 
junior pastor. Mr. Ainsworth died Mareh 17, 1858, aged 100 years 
7 months and 28 days. 



The famous Mount Monadnock, — a solid mass of 
coarse granite and rough slate rock, interspersed with 
mica, quartz and garnets ; its eastern side abounding in 
plumbago, good for crucibles, but not fine enough for 
pencils, — lies on the boundary' line between JafTrej' and 
Dublin, but mostly in the former town. Many years 
ago, the mountain was nearly covered with evergreen 
wood of a large growth ; but the repeated ravages of fire 
have left nothing but bald and barren rocks, between which 
are small plats of earth giving growth to the blueberry, 
cranberry, mountain-ash, and a variety of shrubs. Low 
whortleberr3--bushes between the rocks produce great 
quantities of fruits ripening in the latter part of August, 
of a very rich flavor, and peculiarly grateful to those who 
ascend the summit at that season. The mountain can be 
distinctly seen in a clear day from the State House in 
Boston ; and in the olden time was a conspicuous land- 
mark for the mariner. The view from its top is ex- 
tremely rural and beautiful. No less than §0 ponds, — 
some of them large enough to contain islands of 8 or 10 
acres, — cluster around its base. Several mineral springs 
surrounding it, — containing carbonate of iron and sul- 
phate of soda, — are more or less valuable. Tons of 
j-ellow ochre, dug near a spring in the vicinity, have been 
exported. At a distance the summit appears rounded, 
and destitute of those high cliffs and mural precipices 
belonging to granite mountains. 

On the height of land between the Connecticut and 
Merrimac rivers lies Dublin, formerly called "Monad- 
nock No. 3," and sometimes North Monadnock. This 
wild, rock}^ tract of land was originally granted by its 
Masonian proprietors to persons who never resided with- 
in its limits. Dread of the Indians drove away the 
earlier settlers, and 12 or 15 persons of Scotch-Irish 
descent took up their abode in the place, sometime pre- 
vious to 1771, the jear in which the town was incor- 
porated, and in memory of home called the place Dublin. 
Bequests, amounting to about $20,000,— for the support 
of schools and preaching, — made by the Rev. Edward 
Sprague and the late Samuel Appleton, have been 
funded by the town. Rev. Joseph Farrar, the first 
minister of Dublin, was settled about 1772. The Rev. 
Mr. Sprague, who contributed the larger portion of 
the fund above mentioned, was ordained in 1777, and 
remained in town till the time of his death, in 1817. 
He had been reared in Boston, and was a graduate 
of Harvard College. Many troubles attended the build- 
ing of the first meeting-house. After its proprietors 
had expended about $600, they voted to give the rough- 
boarded building up to the town. The gift was ac- 
cepted, and the town committee required every purchaser 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



of a " pew-groimd " (as the space upon the floor was 
termed), to build his own pew. Those who failed to 
comply with this regulation forfeited all right of owner- 
ship. Besides this, there were several restrictions that 
caused hard feelings. If a man owned two pews, he was 
not allowed to oscupy the second till the first was com- 
fortably filled ; nor was he allowed to shut it up, and 
keep people from sitting in it. For 10 years the building 
remained unfinished ; and indeed it never was finished 
according to the original plan. The Congregational 
meeting-house built in 1818, stands on such an elevation, 
that the rain which falls from the west roof runs into the 
Connecticut River, and that from the east roof into the 
Merrimack. 

AVhen " Monadnoek No. 4 " was incorporated, in 1773, 
it was called Fitzwilliam, from the Earl of that name. 
Brig. Gen. James Reed, who was the first settler in the 
place in 1 760, afterwards became distinguished as one of 
the bravest oflScers in the Revolutionarj- war. The first 
minister was the Rev. Benjamin Brigham, a Harvard 
graduate, whose pastorate, commencing with the erection 
of a Congregational church in 1771, continued till the 
' period of his death, about the j-ear 1800. A tasteful 
' and convenient church edifice, built in 1816, was struck 
by lightning on the night of Jan. 17, 1817, and entirely 
! consumed. The loss was supplied bj- a new meeting- 
house, dedicated in November, the same year. Gap 
Mountain, partly in Fitzwilliam and partlj' in Troy, is 
famous for its whetstones. 

The town last named was formed from tracts of land 
taken from the towns which now surround it on every 
side, and was incorporated in 1815. Its first minister, 
j Rev. Ezekiel Rich, left in 1818, and was succeeded by 
' Rev. Seth E. "Winslow. The town is small, but large 
I enough to maintain a station on the Cheshire Railroad. 

It is a singular fact that Josiah Willard, one of the 
I principal grantees of the town of ^^'inchcster, first called 
I Arlington, refused to have Dartmouth College located in 
\ that town, on account of his belief that it would have a 
tendenc}" to depreciate the value of his i^ropert}-. The 
I town was first settled about 1732, hy families from 
Northfield, Lunenburg, and other towns in Massachu- 
I setts, and was incorporated in 1733. The original set- 
tlement was broken up in 1745 bj- the Indians, who 
destroyed a commodious house of worship on "Meeting- 
house Hill," near the bend or " bow" of the Ashuelot 
1 River, together with all the dwellings and improvements 
' in the place. The Rev. Joseph Ashley, a graduate of 
Yale, the settled minister of the place, was ordained in 
1736, but left when the inhabitants were scattered b}- the 
Indians. His successor in 1764, was Rev. Micah Law- 



rence, a Harvard graduate, who was dismissed in 1777, 
on account of his "unfriendliness to his country." A 
number of ministers have officiated in the town since his 
time. In 1756, Josiah Foster and his family were cap- 
tured by the Indians. About 100 acres of land were 
detached from Richmond, and added to this town, Jul}- 
2, 1850. 

The picturesque farming town, with its rich meadows 
and uplands inferior to none in the State ; with its prin- 
cipal \-illage * pleasantly situated on an extensive plain, 
where wide streets shaded with elms and maples are 
flanked bj- elegant and costly residences ; the Walpole 
of to-da}-, bears few memorials of the old-time Indian 
village of Great Falls. Its settlement was commenced 
in 1749 b}' John Kilburn-f and family, who were fol- 
lowed two years later by Col. Benjamin Bellows. { For 
a long time after its settlement, the place was exposed 
to hostile attacks from the Canadian Indians and other 
savages, — the colonists having only the protection of a 
small fort with an insufficient garrison. The town was 
incorporated in 1752; and in 1755 the settlers learned 
from Gov. Shirley, that a band of nearly' 500 Indians 
then assembled in Canada had planned an expedition to 
plunder and destroj- all the white settlements on the 
Connecticut River. Fortifying their houses as well as 
they could, the hardy pioneers were but poorly prepared 
for defence when the Indians made their appearance at 
Walpole. Thej- were seen, by Kilburn and his men, who 
hastened home to defend their property, or to die in the 
attempt. Kilburn's house was half a mile from the fort, 
which the Indians had already surprised and taken, 
having killed two men who had been left in charge bj" 
Col. Bellows, who was absent at the time. 

Creeping stealthily along and carefully concealing 
themselves behind the trees, the Indians at length drew 
near the house of Kilburn, who succeeded in getting the 
first fire, which proved fatal to their leader, who fell 
dead upon the spot. With fearful yells, and desperate 
with rage, the savages discharged their muskets, a id 
400 bullets entered the house at the first fire. While 
one band of these savage marauders were butchering his 
cattle, another destroyed his grain, and an incessant 
shower of bullets stormed the ill-fated house. In the 



• The old turnpike road from Boston ran through this village, and by 
a bridge crossing the cataract of Bellows Falls, passed over the Green 
Mountains to Rutland, and from thence through Middlebury and Bur- 
lington by Lake Champlain to Montreal. 

t Capt. Kilburn lived to sec his fourth generation, and the town popu- 
lous and flourishing. He died April 8, 17S9, at the age of 84. 

J In the cemetery, not far- from Bellows Falls, a marble monument in 
memory of Col. Benjamin Bellows has been erected by his numerous 
descendants. 



NEW HAMPSHIRE. 



meantime Kilbiirn and the inmates were b}' no means 
idle. So rapid was the firing that the guns grew hot, — 
each shot telling upon the enemy with deadlj- effect. 
The women were as active as the men, — wasting no 
time in loading the muskets ; and when the supplj- 
of lead gave out, the3' suspended blankets in the roof of 
the house to catch the enemy's bullets, — which were re- 
cast and returned to them with interest. The Indians 
made several attempts to force the doors, but the shots 
from within compelled them to desist. Towards evening, 
seeing their efforts unavailing, the}' graduallj' slackened 
their fire, and when the sun disappeared below the hori- 
zon, the savages evacuated the town and returned to 
Canada. 

There is little doubt that the obstinate resistance of 
Kilburn saved the other settlements. On the return 
of Col. Bellows with 30 men, he met 50 of the savages, 
fought his way through them, and recovered the fort 
without losing a man ! 

In 1817 Mrs. Shepard, widow of Gen. Amos Shepard, 
a wealthy resident in the town of Alstead, left a legacy 
of $1,000 to support a Congregational minister in that 
town ; otherwise for a school in the old meeting-house 
district. In 1818 Maj. Samuel Hutchinson left the 
same amount, to be similarly appropriated. The town, 
originally called Newton, was incorporated in 17G3 ; 
and the first Congregational church, gathered in 1777, 
had for its first minister the Ee^-. Jacob Mann, or- 
dained ill 1782. His more immediate successors were 
Rev. Samuel Mead, in 1791, and Rev. Scth E. Arnold, 
in 1817. Notable religious revivals occurred in this 
town during the years 1788, 1798, 1808, 1815 and 1819. 
Gen. Shepard served as presiding officer of the State 
senate from 1797 to 1804, and was one of the principal 
inhabitants of Alstead from 1 777 to the time of his death, 
Jan. 1, 1812. Alstead Academy was incorporated in 
1820. During the Revolution, the town was one of the 
most patriotic in the State. 

The town clerk of Chesterfield records that Moses 
Smith and AVilliam Thomas, with their families, — the 
first settlers in that place, — " established themselves on 
the Connecticut River." The fact seems hardly worth 
recording, as, if they went to Chesterfield at all, thej- 
could not verj' convenientlj' have established themselves 
any where else, — as the town, throughout its whole 
extent of six miles, borders upon the river. True, they 
might have settled upon the verj' beautiful Spafford's 
Lake, about eight miles in circumference, and containing 
a surface of 526 acres ; or upon a six-acre island in this 
lake, used as a delightful retreat for students of the 
1 academy, in the summer. The Hon. Levi Jackson, for 



six j'ears principal of the academy, was for manj' j-ears 
a representative and senator; and, in 181G-17, a mem- 
ber of the governor's council. He was a native of the 
town, and a graduate of Harvard. lie died in 1821. 
Chesterfield was incorporated in 1752. 

If the Indians who frequented Cheshire County could 
see it now, thej' would doubtless describe it as " the 
county whose towns have many names." For instance, 
Westmoreland, originally known as "Number 2," was 
subsequently called "Great Meadow," and was incor- 
porated with its present name in 1732. Mrs. L3'dia 
How, who died in 1806 at the age of 91, was one of the 
first inhabitants, and mother of the first child born in 
the township. The four families who first settled here 
in 1741 had considerable trouble with the Indians, who, 
in one of their excursions, killed "William Phipps, the 
first husband of Jemimah How ; and, in another, carried 
Nehemiah Ilow, the father of her second husband, a 
captive to Canada, where he died. The first minister, 
Rev. William Goddard, a Congregationalist, was ordained 
in 1764. His successor. Rev. Allen Pratt, was installed 
in 1785. The town is just 100 miles from Boston. 

The French and Indian wars delayed the settlement 
of Marlborough, originally " Monadnock No. 6," after- 
wai-ds called " New Marlborough," from Marlborough 
Mass., the home of its earlier settlers, but incorporated 
under its present name in 1776. One condition of the 
original grant of this townsliip to Timoth}- AVhite and 
others was, that "a convenient meeting-house" should 
be buUt within 10 j-ears. The Congregational church 
formed in 1778, ordained Rev. Joseph Cummings as its 
first minister in the same j-ear. His successor, the Rev. 
HoUowaj- Fish, occupied the pastorate " with great suc- 
cess" from 1793 till the time of his death in 1824,— 
almost 31 j-ears. 

The Ashuelot River passes through the whole length 
of JMarlow, leaving it an abundance of rich meadow 
lands, but no ponds of note, nor any mountains. Incor- 
porated in 1761, it was first settled by William Noyes 
and others, from Lyme, Conn. In 1772 there were 
29 families in the place, and a town government was 
organized in 1 776. The first inhabitants, being Baptists, 
soon formed a church, whose pastor. Rev. Caleb Blood, 
ordained in 1778, left in the following 3'ear, and was 
succeeded by Rev. Eleazer Beckwith, who remained till 
the period of his death in 1809. Bj- a vote of the town, 
Rev. Paul Dustin was settled over a Methodist society. 
He died in 1811. Marlow Academy is under the super- 
vision of the Jlethodist denomination. 

Next to Marlow, with no ponds, lies Stoddard with 
14, the largest of which. Island Pond, covers 300 acres, 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



and is studded with islands. It is another of those 
towns situated on the " height of land," where the rain 
from the roofs runs on one side towards the Connecticut, 
and on the other towards the Merrimack. It was orig- 
inally called Limerick ; but, when the town was incor- 

I porated in 1774, its former name was changed to Stod- 
dard, — in honor of Col. Samson Stoddard, to whom, 
with others, the township was granted in 1769. Manj' 
of the early settlers came from Peterborough, and from 
Leominster, Chelmsford, Westford, and other towns in 
Massachusetts. The first minister. Rev. Abisha Colton, 
a Congregationalist, was installed in 179.3. The Rev. 
Isaac Robinson, D. D., was pastor from Januarj-, 1803, 
till his death in July, 1854, a period of more than 50 
years. 

In the centre of the county, adjoining Keene, is 
Gilsum, first granted in 1752 to Joseph Osgood and 
others, who named the township " Boyle." In 1763 the 
land was re-granted to Messrs. Gilbert and Sumner, 
who, combining the first S3-llable of their names, formed 
the word Gil- sum, under which appellation the town 
was incorporated the same year. A Congregational 
church and society, formed in 1772, were unable to 
complete their meeting-house till 1794. Rev. Ellas Fish, 
the first minister, settled in 1796, died in 1807. The 
society was incorporated with no denominational name, 
but simply- as a Christian organization, in 1816. 

Half-a-dozen miles from Keene, in the 3-ear 1787, a 
new town was incorporated named Sullivan, in honor of 
Gen. John Sullivan, then chief magistrate of the State, 
under the title of President. In acknowledgment of the 
courtes}'. Gen. Sullivan presented the town a book in 
which to keep its records. A Congregational church was 
organized and a small meeting-house erected in 1791. 
Rev. William Muzzej-, a graduate of Harvard, the first 

i minister, was ordained in 1798, and served as pastor till 
1827. A new meeting-house was dedicated in 1808. At 
the raising of the frame, a dinner was provided, and 
liquor ad libitum, prayers being otfered by the Rev. Mr. 
Muzzey ! 

In the summer of 1763 Peter Ilaywara commenced 
clearing a piece of wild land, upon which he settled the 
following year. Whilst clearing the farm, his home was 

j at the fort in Keene ; going to his work in the morning, 

! and returning at evening, — his onl}' protection from 
savages, then lurking near, being his dog and gun. This 
was the first settlement made in the town of Surrj-, — 
named from Surrj', England, and incorporated in 1769. 
It was originally part of Gilsum and AVestmorelnnd. 
The first Congregational church was formed in 1769. 
Rev. David Darling, who had just graduated from Yale, 



was ordained as pastor in the following year. His suc- 
cessor, the Rev. Perley Howe, a Dartmouth graduate, 
was ordained in 1795. 

The smallest town in Cheshire Countj^ is Roxbury, 
formed from portions of Nelson, Marlborough, and 
Keene, and incorporated in 1812. A Congregational 
church, formed in 1816, ordained Rev. Christopher Page, 
its first minister, the same year. The meeting-house is 
in the centre of the town. 

Tuwxs. 

Keene is one of the handsomest cities in New Eng- 
land, its main street extending one mile in a straight 
line, almost a perfect level, and bordered by beautiful 
trees. It is connected with Boston by the Cheshire 
Railroad, over which is a great amount of travel to 
Saratoga Springs, Canada and the West. It is also 
connected by the Ashuelot Railroad with Springfield and 
New Y''ork. It is a place of large business, its location 
furnishing great facilities for trade. The width and 
uniform level of its streets ; its smooth, dr}' sidewallis ; 
the abundance of beautiful shade-trees, behind which, 
half-hidden, many beautiful residences are seen ; the 
pleasant gardens, ornamented with every variety of 
flower; its large and comfortable hotels, handsome 
stores, beautiful public buildings, and generally thrift}' 
appearance, — all render the city peculiarly attractive. 
Its population is about 6,000. The viaduct over a 
branch of the Ashuelot River, near the South Keene 
station, is a beautiful specimen of granite masonry-, and 
its City Hall one of the largest and best in the State. 
Its banks have a combined capital of $300,000 ; and, 
besides its high schools and academies, its institutions 
for savings and fire-insurance companies, its factories 
of all kinds, iron foundries, steam saw-mills, and 25- 
horse-power engines, there is a machine-shop, built of 
brick, 160 feet bj- 40, where are made planing, moulding, 
sash, mortising and various other machines, some of 
which are sent to nearly every quarter of the globe. 

Among the many distinguished men, not heretofore 
mentioned, who, at one time or another, have found a 
home in the humble town, the thrifty -vallage, or the 
proud little city of Keene, may be noted the names of 
Judge Daniel Newcomb ; Peleg Sprague, M. C. ; the 
two governors Dinsmore, father and son ; Gen. James 
Wilson and his father, also M. C. ; Joel Parker, the 
able, upright and higlil}' esteemed chief-justice of New 
Hampshire, afterwards Royall professor of law, at 
Harvard University ; Levi Chamberlin, eloquent in the 
senate and at the bar ; John Prentiss, the veteran editor 
of the "Keene Sentinel," started by him in 1799 — the 



NEW HAMPSHIRE. 



third in senioritj- of all newspapers extant in the vState ; 
and the reverend and learned Dr. Barstow, author of a 
historj' of New Hampshire. 

■\Valpole, the best agricultnral town in the county, 
and containing about 2,000 inhabitants, has many de- 
lightful hills, valleys, meadows and uplands, and one 
lofty eminence, Fall Mountain, a part of the range of 
Mount Toby. The largest village lies at the foot of this 
mountain, on an extensive plain, where its principal 
street is bordered with substantial dwellings, stores, 
business-blocks, churches, hotels and manufacturing es- 
tablishments. Walpole Common, with its handsome 
shade-trees, is an ornament to the town. Drewsville, on 
Cold Elver in the northern part, — a busy, bustling til- 
lage, — is a prosperous and pleasant place. The Cheshire 
Road accommodates Walpole with all needed railway 
facilities. 

Winchester, pleasantly situated on the Ashuelot 
River, has probably more water-power than any other 
town in the county. It has two villages, two post-offices, 
and a bank with a capital of Si 00, 000. The town has a 
population of 2,100. Its forests contain much valuable 
lumber. In 1822, there were sent to Connecticut market, 
from this town, nearly a quarter of a million white-oak 
staves, and about 1,000,000 feet of pine lumber, and 
large quantities of shingles, clapboards and laths. The 
Ashuelot Railroad is of great advantage to the town. 

SwANZEY has good mill-sites on the Ashuelot and 
South Branch rivers, the only streams of note. The 
town numbers about 1 ,650 inhabitants ; has three post- 
offices, and the four manufacturing villages of Swanzey, 
West Swanzey, Westport and Unionville ; also a steam- 
mill at the Centre for grinding grain, and for the manu- 
facture of pails, chair-stuff, clothes-pins and other wooden 
ware. A branch of the Connecticut River Raibroad passes 
through the town. 

Hinsdale, with its famous bridge, built in 1802, and 
re-bnilt in. 1820, over the Connecticut River, opposi.e 
Brattleborough Village, in Vermont, has about 1,630 in- 
habitants. Beside its farming interests, it has a cashme- 
rette and a carriage manufactory, a pail factory, tannicry, 
and two bobbin-shops, five or six saw-mills, two grist- 
mills, and several small manufacturing and mechanical 
industries. 

Chesterfield is undoubtedly a well-to-do, if not a 
wealth}- t iwn, since " it raises and sends to market beef, 
pork, butler and cheese," — all staple commodities that 
poor people find it difficult to raise. That they " send 



them to market," shows that these comforts are not 
needed at home. Hence Chesterfield, with its popula- ' 
tion of 1,300, must be a thriving place. 

Westmoreland has about 1,260 inhabitants in its three 
villages, which have excellent water-privileges and some 
good farming lands. There are several saw and grist- 
mills ill the town ; also a carding-machine and a carriage 
manufactory. The remaining towns in the county are : 
Jaffrey, with a population of 1,256, — the birthplace of 
Hon. Joel Parker, for many years chief justice of the 
State ; Alstead (1,215), — with its academy, paper-mill 
and iron foundries ; Fitzwilliam (1,140), — with its rich 
meadow-lands, and beautifully romantic scenerj- ; Rindge 
(1,197), — the birthplace of the late Rev. Edward Pay- 
son, D.D., of Portland, Me., and the native home of 
Hon. Marshall P. Wilder,* born here in 1798 ; Marl- 
borough (1,017) , — a superior grazing and grain-growing | 
town ; Dublin (930) , — with its three villages, four churcli- 
ediflces and two post-offices ; RiCHMONDt (868), — whose 
sales of home-made manufactures (palm-leaf hats, &c.), 
amount to $50,000 annually; Troy (767), — whose in- 
habitants are mostly farmers ; Nelson (741), — contain- , 
ing cotton, woollen and chair factories, three shoe manu- 
factories, one tannery and a blacksmith-shop ; Marlow 
(716), — with eight or ten saw and grist-mills, a carriage 
manufactory, two tanneries and a tin-shop ; Stoddard 
(667), — containing saw and grist, clapboard and shingle i 
mills, a pail and two rake factories, also two glass estab- i 
lishments, each of which has two pot-uirnaces emploj-ed 
six months of the year, manufacturing about §10,000 
worth of window-glass and glass-ware of various kinds ; 
GiLsuM (590) , — with its woollen mill, tannery and chair- 
factory ; Sullivan (347), — a quiet farming-town, with 
some valuable mills; Surry (318), — a rural town, 
with fertile meadows and rich interval land ; and Rox- 
BURY (174), — nothing if not agricultural. For "some 
reason, — emigration, perhaps, or possibl}' a want of en- 
terprise, — the population of this town is less than half of 
what it was fifty years ago. Yet the grazing lands are 
excellent, and abundant crops reward the farmer with all 
the various products peculiar to Cheshire County. 

» Mr. Wilder removed to Boston in 1825. Eminent for his knowledge 
of agriculture and horticulture, he has filled the office of President of the 
Massachusetts Senate ; of the Mass. Historical Society ; of the Norfolk 
Co. Agricultm-al Society ; of the U. S. Agricultural Society ; and of the 
Historic and Genealogical Society. He is still living, in November, 
1879. 

t Beautiful specimens of " iolite," a rare mineral, of considerable 
value, have been found in this town. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



COOS COUNTY. 



BY J. II. HUNTINGTON. 



It was not until 1C42 that white men came within the 
present limits of Coos County. The story of their coming 
is this. The people who had settled on the seacoast of 
Maine and New Hampshire had eveiy daj- seen the 
mountains, except when thej- were concealed by clouds or 
haze. In summer, the gray summits of the great moun- 
tains lifted themselves above the surrounding forests, 
and in late spring and earh' autumn, long before snow 
fell on the coast, the white crests of the mountains 
must have been objects of admiration and wonder. 
Besides the dwellers along the coast had heard of won- 
derful lakes in the interior of Laconia, and they dreamed 
that the mountains might contain abundant mineral 
wealth. These were the motives that led Derby Field 
and others to explore the wilderness. It is probable 
that Field was the first white man who ever stood upon 
Mount Washington, or came within the limits of Coos 
County-. It is stated that about a month after Field's 
first visit, he went again with five or six in his companj'. 
The glowing accounts that he gave " caused divers 
others to travel thither, but they found nothing worth 
their pains." Among these are mentioned Thomas Gorges 
and Mr. Vines, two magistrates of the province of Sir 
Fcrdinando Gorges, who went about the end of August 
of the same year. Prof. E. Tuckermanf in 1843 en- 
deavored to trace the path of these early explorers, and 
he had little doubt that Field entered the valley of Ellis 
River and left it for the great south-east ridge of IMount 
Washington, the same which has since been called Bootts 
Spur. 

In " Josselyn's Vo^yages," published a year or two 
later, we have rare and interesting accounts of the mj-- 
thology of the White Mountains. Not finding minerals 
or precious stones but only high mountains with narrow 
valleys and deep gorges, there were no inducements for 

• The to\vns of Coos County are Berlin (population 529), Cambridge 
(28), Can-oil (378), CLarksvUIe (269), Colcbrook (1,372), Columbia 
(752), Dalton (733), Dummer (307), Errol (178), Gorham (1,161), 
Green's Grant (64), Jefferson (825), Lancaster (2,248), Martin's Grant 
(17), Milan (710), Millsfield (28), Northumberland (955), Pittsburg 
(400), Randolph (138), Shclburne (259), Stark (464), Stewartstown 
(909), Stratford (887), Success (5), Wentworth's Location (38), and 
Whitfield (1,196). 



further explorations. The Indians at this time were not 
A'ery numerous in New Hampshire. War, famine and 
the pestilence of IGIG had taken away the very life of all 
these northern people. Entu'e villages had been swept 
awaj", and tribes became extinct. Those that were here 
belonged to the Abeuaqui nation, and were called Nip- 
mucks. Of the thirteen New Hampshire tribes, three 
lived partlj- within the limits of Coos County. The 
" swift deer-hunting" Coosucks lived on the Connecticut 
and cultivated the Coos intervals. The " death-dealing" 
Ameriscoggins set up their lodges on the banks of the 
Androscoggin, where the waters teemed with fish and 
the forests abounded in moose. The Pequawkcts had 
flourishing villages on the Saco interval, and they " wor- 
shipped the great Manitou of the cloud-capped Agio- 
chook." Besides this, the Arosagunticook or St. Francis 
tribe made Coos County, their hunting-ground, and that, 
long after all the other tribes had disappeared. Potter 
says that " AVonnalancet in the autumn of 1675, for fear 
of molestation, and thinking that he might not be able 
to restrain his warriors from attacking the English, with- 
drew with his people farther into the wilderness, and 
passed the winter about the head-waters of the Con- 
necticut. ' Here,' says Gookin, ' was a place of good 
hunting for moose, deer, bear, and other such wild 
beasts.' Here Wonnalancet lived with much of trouble 
and hardship rather than be in any way drawn into the 
war his companions were making upon the English." At 
the close of the war (1G76) he led his people back, and 
was made the victim of base treachery. 

After the exploration of Field and others, it was more 
than a centurj' before we again hear of the white man in 
Coos County. The English were pushing their settle- 
ments up the valleys of the Merrimack and the Connect- 
icut. Trappers penetrated the wilderness far above the 

t The name of Dr Edward Tuckcrman is most intimately associated 
with the study of the lichens that grow upon Mount Washington. Ycai- 
after year he sought the mountains, climbed even,' summit, and followed 
the streams of every r.irine. He collected from 1837 to 1840, and then 
again from 1842 to 1853, spending each year several months among the 
mountains. The ravine named for him is a fitting monument to his real 
and knowledge, and is pointed out as an object of interest to the tourists 
who, in the summer season, visit the White Mountain region. 



NEW HAMPSHIRE. 



settlements, and they often met the Indians on these 
hunting excursions, and were on friendly terms with 
them. But the French as well as the Indians were be- 
coming jealous of the extension northward of the English 
settlements. As the latter contemplated laying out two 
towns in the spring of 1652, which should embrace the 
Coos Meadows, the Indians remonstrated and threatened. 
It is probable, however, that their threats were not known 
to all the settlers, for four joung men from Londonderry 
were hunting on Baker River in Rumney. Of these, two, 
John Stark and Amos Eastman, were surprised and cap- 
tured by the Indians in April, 1752. They were taken to 
Canada, but were shortly after ransomed by Capt. Stevens 
of Charlestown, N. H., and Mr. Wheelwright of Boston. 
From this, and a circumstance to be mentioned hereafter, 
it is altogether probable that John Stark, afterwards so 
famous in American history, was the first white man who 
ever saw the broad intervals of the Upper Coos. 

Notwithstanding the threatening attitude of the French 
and Indians, a company was organized in the spring of 

I 1753 to survey or lay out a road from Stevenstown 
(Franklin) to the Coos Meadows. Capt. Zaccheus 
Lovewell was commander, Caleb Page, surveyor, and 

I John Stark, guide. 

The best known of all the expeditions to the Coos 
countrj' was that of Capt. Peter Powers in 1654. They 
were ten daj's in reaching " Moose Meadows," which are 
supposed to have been in Piemiont. Ou June 30th thej' 

I reached John's River in Dalton. This river thej' called 
John Stark's River, probably for the reason that John 
Stark hunted with the Indians ou this river. They went 
as far north as Israel's River in Lancaster, when the^- 
concluded to go no farther with a full scout, but Capt. 
Powers, and two of his men, went five miles farther up 
the Connecticut, probably as far as Northumberland, 
where thej' found that the Indians had a large camping- 
place, which they had left not more than a day or two 
before. On July 2d they broke up their camp on Israel's 
River and began their march homeward. Capt. Powers, 
with his command, was the first body of white men who 
camped on this broad interval of Coos County. 

In the spring of 1755, when an expedition was being 
fitted out to attack the French at Crown Point, so little 
was known of the country between the Merrimack and 
Lake Champlain, that it was supposed that the Coos 
Meadows were upon the direct route from Salisbury Fort 
(Franklin) to Crown Point. Hence Gov. Wentworth 
directed Col. Blauchard when on his march to stop and 
build a fort upon the Connecticut at these meadows. 
While he was delayed in making his preparations for the 
march, Capt. Robert Rogers, with his compau3' of 



rangers, and a detachment from other companies, was 
sent forward to Coos to build the fort. It was located on 
the east bank of the Connecticut, just south of the mouth 
of the upper Ammonoosuc, and was called Fort Went- 
worth, in honor of the governor. 

The autumn of 1759 is noted for the expedition of 
Maj. Robert Rogers and his rangers against the St. 
Francis Indians. The expedition itself was successful, 
but the return was disastrous. Many of this companj' 
never reached their homes. Wearied, exhausted, cold 
and almost destitute of provisions, a portion of the band 
struck the Connecticut River, in November, at the upper 
Coos, which they mistook for the lower Coos. Here they 
separated. One of their number, named Bradley, ac- 
cording to tradition, started, with a party of four or five 
men, for home. It is supposed that they all perished 
with hunger and cold amid the snows of the wilderness. 

In the following spring a party of hunters found the 
bones of a man in Jefferson, near the White Hills. 
Near by were three half-burnt brands piled together, and 
a quantity of silver brooches and wampum lay scattered 
about. The hair was long and tied with a ribbon such 
as Bradley wore. No arms were with him, nor any 
signs of any companion. 

Not many years ago a sword of peculiar make was 
found in the village of Lancaster, and in the early set- 
tlement of the country some guns were found in the Con- 
necticut, at Fifteen-Miles Falls. It is said, also, that a 
man named Hall, one of the rangers, perished in one of 
the chief sources of the Connecticut, and the stream now 
bears his name. 

After war and bloodshed for 15 years, peace came to 
the New Hampshii-e frontier by the conquest of Canada, 
the people began to be inspired once more with the hope 
of better da^'s. 

To David Page, Jr. and Emmons Stockwell, belongs 
the honor of being the first men who came to what is now 
Coos County for the purpose of making a permanent 
settlement. It was in the autumn of 1763 that they 
left Haverhill, pushed boldly into the wilderness, and 
pitched their camp on the meadows in the township of 
Lancaster. Here they spent the winter, felled trees, 
made a clearing, and prepared the land so that they 
could put in a crop the coming spring. April 19, 1764, 
David Page came to Lancaster with his large family, 
and with him probably came Edwards Bucknam, and 
several other j'oung men. 

Stockwell was one of Rogers' Rangers, and is repre- 
sented as having been a man of great muscular power. 
Bucknam was a skilful and accurate sun'eyor, propri- 
etors' and town clerk, and afterwards general of militia. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



His daughter was the first child of Lancaster, and a child 
of Emmons Stockwell was the first son. In her old age 
Mrs. Stockwell could call around her 190 descendants. 

For 3-cars the river was the only highwaj' that fur- 
nished communication with the settlements at Haverhill 
and Charlestown. In summer, canoes hewed from the 
trunks of huge pines were used, but on the rapids they 
had to be pulled up by ropes, or in descending were let 
down by a man standing on the bow with a pole to pre- 
vent their being dashed upon the rocks. For light trans- 
portation they used birch canoes which could be taken 
out and carried around the rough water. In winter they 
used sleighs and oxen with sleds, but upon the rapids 
there was always danger of breaking through the ice, 
and sometimes men and teams were drowned. The first 
summer the settlers had 12 acres of corn. It grew, as it 
seemed to them, as corn never grew before, but on a 
fatal night, August 25th, it was killed by frost. But 
they came here to stay, so on the open land about Beaver 
Brook they cut the luxuriant growth of blue-joint for 
their cattle, brought corn from Ilaverhii], but lived chiefly 
on the meat of the moose. 

It was not long before the people of Lancaster had 
neighbors, for in 1767 Thomas Burnside and Daniel 
Spaulding came with theii- families and settled in North- 
umberland. This township was at first called Stoning- 
ton. Like many others it was granted years before 
it was inhabited. 

Shelburne was first chartered in 1768, and then re- 
chartered in 1771. Among the settlers who arrived here 
between the years 1770 and 1772, were Hope Austin, 
Benjamin and Daniel Ingalls, Thomas G. Wheeler, 
Nathaniel Porter and Peter Poor. The last was after- 
wards killed by the Indians. 

From 1770 to 1775 various townships and tracts of 
land were granted in this region. 

In 1770 there were a few people in Lancaster, some in 
Northumberland; and in 1772 (others say 1768), Col. 
Joseph Whipple came to JeflTerson, and brought with him 
12 men, besides several women. One of these, after- 
wards Mrs. Stalbird, from the practice of medicine be- 
came known in every household in all the settlements. 

At the beginning of the Revolution the number of 
inhabitants in Lancaster was 60 ; in Northumberland, 
57; in Stratford, 41 ; in Cockburn (Columbia), 14; and 
in Colebrook, 4. Of the last town, Capt. Eleazer 
Rosebrook was one of the pioneers. 

By the war of the Revolution these towns were reduced 
to the greatest distress. Being on the ver}- frontier, 
they were every day subject to Indian raids. Several 
persons were captured on the Connecticut and carried 



to Canada. These, however, were soon exchanged. 
This serious exposure led the settlers to the determina- 
tion of abandoning the country, and for this purpose 
thej^ collected at the house of Emmons Stockwell ; but 
he had no idea of leaving the fertile fields on which he 
had spent so many days of hard labor, and when they all 
had had their talk he said, " My family and I shan't go." 
This changed the opinion of several who had determined 
to leave. There were, however, veiy few accessions to 
the colony during the entire war. They early petitioned 
for soldiers, and a block-house was maintained during 
the war on the site of Fort Wentworth. Agents of the 
British government frequently visited the Indians, who 
were living on the head waters of the Androscoggin, and 
tried to induce them to take up arms against the United 
States. But agents from the States went among them, 
gave them presents, and furnished them with supplies. 
As earl}' as October, 1776, Capt. Joseph Heath had a 
talk with some of the Indians, and Sabattos was sent to 
notifjf others of the time and place of a proposed confer- 
ence. Capt. Heath met the Indians on the 19th of 
October, and agreed with them on the part of New 
Hampshire to furnish certain supplies. A fulfilment of 
this agreement kept the Indians peaceably disposed until 
near the close of the war. 

In August, 1781, an Indian raid from Canada was 
made upon Shelbm-ne, then containing six families. Sev- 
eral houses were plundered in this and other places, some 
persons killed and others carried into captivitj'. 

About this time another partj' made a raid on Jeffer- 
son. They seized Col. Joseph Whipple and a Mr. Go- 
tham. They allowed the colonel to go into an adjoining 
room to make some preparations for the journey to Can- 
ada, when he took the opportunity to escape through an 
open window, and succeeded in reaching the woods. 
When the Indians started in pursuit, Mr. Gotham fled in 
an opposite direction, and thus both escaped. The 
Indians consoled themselves by plundering the house, 
and, having obtained abundant spoils, they departed for 
Canada. It was about this time that the savages made 
the attack on Lancaster. These were the last raids 
made by the Indians on the frontier of Coos County. 
Col. Joseph Whipple was the most prominent man in all 
this northern colon}', and was chosen to represent the 
towns in the legislature. 

When the war ended people came and settled their 
fertile lands, built saw and grist mills, while scientific 
men * came also and explored the mountains, and called 

* One of the most important, because one of the earliest and most 
appreciative, contributions to the literature of this county is found in 
" Dwight's Travels." 



NEW HAMPSHIRE. 



the attention of the world to the magnificent seenerj- and 
the rare flowers that they found. A party made the 
ascent of Mount Washington, July 24, 1784. It con- 
sisted of Dr. Manasseh Cutler of Ipswich, Mass. ; Dr. 
Jacob Little of Kennebunk, Me. ; Dr. Fisher of Beverly ; 
Dr. Jeremy Belknap, the historian, and several others. 
Dr. Belknap, who afterwards published on account of 
the expedition, sajs that eight of the partj' reached the 
summit. 

As the State increased in population, new counties 
were formed, and Coos, the sixth in order, was incor- 
porated Dec. 24, 1803. This name is said to mean 



ceiving supplies from the States. The war was unpop- 
ular with the Federalists, and they did not scruple to 
sell the enemy a few cattle, nor receive from Can- 
ada those little luxuries of which they were deprived by 
the embargo. On account of this state of affairs, a com- 
panj' under the command of Capt. Ephraim H. Mahurin 
was stationed at Stewartstown. It entered the service 
July 27, 1812, and was discharged Jan. 27, 1813. With 
the exception of the captain all the officers and the 
men were from Grafton County. Capt. Mahurin was an 
officer of customs on the frontier, and did much to sup- 
press the smuggling of those times. He was afterwards 




CI V\MORD 



crooked, but the best authorities sa}- that the meaning 
of the word is pine, or pines. 

The year following the treaty of 1783 two families 
established themselves on Indian Stream, and in 1804 
Seth Wales made a settlement near them, and Gen. 
Moody Bedell followed in 1811. Having means, they 
constructed roads, built bridges, and made many other 
improvements. 

But tills northern section had scarcely begun to see 
the fulfilment of any of its great projects for improve- 
ment before the country was again threatened with war, 
and this took Gen. Bedell from the settlement. Coos 
County being upon the frontier, was in immediate dan- 
ger of raids from Canada ; besides, the enemy was re- 

* The original Crawford House was very near the White Mountain 
Notch, and on the north side of the valley. It was built in 1828, and 



sheriff and deputy-sheriff of Coos Count}' for more than 
25 years. Maj. John W. Weeks of Lancaster did gallant 
and most efficient service in this war. He served also in 
many capacities in town, county and State, and was 
elected representative to Congress in 1829, and served 
two j-ears. 

But the war at length ended, and the peopie again re- 
turned to the arts of peace. The mountains began again 
to attract attention. William Maclure, who afterwards 
published a geological map of the United States, and 
George Gibbs, came to study the geolog}- of the region ; 
and Capt. Partridge, founder of Norwich University, 
measured the height of the mountains. 

In 1819 Abel Crawford opened a foot-path to Mount 

burned in 1855. The present Crawford House was built in 1859, to re- 
place the one destroyed by fire in the spring of that year. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



"Washington. It began at the Notch and followed the 
south-west ridge. Three years later, Ethan Allen Craw- 
ford, who had succeeded to the estate of his grandfather, 
made a path along the Ammonoosuc to the base of the 
mountain, and thence it followed very nearly the course 
of the railway. Afterwards Mr. Horace Fabj'an, from 
a point on this path, near the base of Mount Pleasant, 
made a path to the top of that mountain, and it joined 
the main path from the Notch between Pleasant and 
Franklin. The next step was the building of a carriage- 
road in 1855 to the point near the base of Mount Pleasant, 
where the path diverged. This road was soon after ex- 
tended nearly to Cold Spring Hill. 

The agricultural interests of the county were ad- 
vancing apace, and in 1819 the legislature incorporated 
"The Coos County- Agricultural Societ3-," with Adino N. 
Brackett as president. Settlements were now being ex- 
tended northward, and Gen. Moody Bedell in 1820 began 
clearing three miles below the outlet of Connecticut Lake. 
He sought for many jxars to have his claims to these 
northern lands confirmed bj' the legislature, but his efforts 
were all in vain. Here, July 8, 1822, was born his son, 
John Bedell, who served with distinction as an officer in 
the Mexican and the Civil war, and at the close of the 
latter was made a brevet brigadier-general for gallant and 
meritorious conduct on the battlefield. For two succes- 
sive years he was Democratic * candidate for governor, 
and died at his home in Bath, N. H., Feb. 26, 1875. 

Nothing shows better the interest that people began to 
take in the mountains than the fact that in July, 1820, a 
party, chiefly from Lancaster, ascended the mountains 
b^' the new path, and gave names to all the higher sum- 
mits in the immediate vicinity of Mount Washington ; but 
when the latter received its name is still involved in ob- 
scurity, probably however just at the close of the Revo- 
lution. About a month after this visit, J. W. Weeks, A. 
N. Brackett, C. J. Stuart and Richard Eastman spent 
seven days in levelling from Lancaster to the tops of all 
these mountains. August 31 they camped on the summit 
of Mount Washington. They must have been the first 
persons who ever spent a night upon the very top of the 
mountain. 

In 1821 Ethan Allen Crawford had built a stone cabin 
near the summit, and this year, for the first time, three 
young ladies, the Misses Austin of Portsmouth, ascended 

* Coos County has had among its citizens many who were influential 
in the Democratic pai-ty. Among these was Hon. Jared Wamcr Wil- 
liams, LL.D., a resident of Lancaster. After holding important State 
offices, he was in 1837 elected to Congress and served two tenus. Ten 
years later he was elected governor of New Hampshire, and was re- 
elected to that office. In 1853 he was appointed to fill a vacancy in the 
United States Senate. He died Sept. 29, 186i. 



the mountain. They were women of courage, too, for 
they staj-ed three whole days in this rude cabin waiting 
for the storm to pass awaj-. The3- were at length, how- 
ever, rewarded by one of the finest of prospects, and 
thus their name has become associated with the history 
of the mountains. 

Hayes D. Copp settled in Martin's Grant in 1826. He 
is still living, hale and hearty, and in November, 1871, 
he walked with the writer from the Glen House to the 
summit of Mount Washington in three hours. The jear 
Copp came Mr. Hanson built a farm-house at the Glen, 
and he was the first man in this region to keep travellers. 
In 1825 William Oakes of Ipswich, Mass., came to the 
mountains. He was the most enthusiastic of all the 
explorers. His perseverance in collecting plants was 
the wonder of all the country people. He collected in 
1825-26, and again in 1843, and continued each j-ear 
until his accidental death in 1848. This year his book 
on the scenery of the White Mountains was published. 

In the northern portion of the county a new element 
of discord appeared. The commissioners who had been 
appointed to estabUsh the boundary between New Hamp- 
shire and Canada could not agree upon which was the most 
western branch of the Connecticut River. The United 
States Commissioners contended that Hall's Stream was 
the one intended in the treaty, and the British Conunis- 
sioners were sure that it was not. In consequence of this 
disagreement the local authorities claimed all the land 
west of Indian Stream, and the Provincial govern- 
ment located a township east of Hereford, which they 
called Drayton ; built a road from Hall's to Indian 
Stream ; and in 1831 required the inhabitants to perform 
militaiy dut}- ; j-et the government of New Hampshire 
exercised its control there, and its officers executed 
the processes of the courts within that domain. The 
number of inhabitants had increased to nearly 500, and 
some began to talk of resistance to the government 
of New Hampshire, while others talked of fijrming an 
independent government of their own. This was pre- 
cipitated by an attempt of two officers of customs to 
collect duties of citizens of Indian Stream Territory, who 
brought then- produce into New Hampshire and Ver- 
mont. 

This affair at length assumed a threatening aspect, 
and a war between the United States and Great Britain 
was imminent. But the statesmanship of Webster averted 
the calamity, and the line was definitely fixed bj^ the 
Webster-Ashburton Treaty of Aug. 9, 1842. 

In 1838 an act was passed to provide for a geological 
survey of the State. Dr. Charles T. Jackson was ap- 
pointed State geologist, and entered on his duties next 



NEW HAMPSHIRE. 



year. J. D. Whitney was appointed assistant in 1840, 
and he here began a career which has made his name 
known wherever geology is studied. In the explorations 
of this survey, they penetrated the wilderness as far as 
Mount Cai-mel. Besides their scientific work, they called 
attention to the remarkable scenery of the northern por- 
tion of the State. Dr. Jackson was of the first party who 
made the first ascent of Mt. Washington on horseback. 
From this time a new era dawned on these mountains. 

The establishment of a second geological survey in 
1868 was one of great importance to Coos County, not 
only showing the geological structure of the northern 
portion of the State, but doing important work in botany, 
zoology-, and topography, as well as meteorologj'. The 
writer travelled over almost the entire wooded section of 
the county on foot, sometimes camping in the forests for 
weeks at a time. 

The geological structure of the county north of Sims 
Stream in Columbia is less complicated than in many other 
portions of the couutj'. For the most part we have strat- 
ified rocks, argillite and chloritic schists. A band of erup- 
tive rocks commences in Colebroolt, and it can be seen 
in Stewartstown at Bear Rock ; from thence it can be fol- 
lowed northward to the Provinces near Third Lake. The 
immense deposits of diatomeceous earth on the western 
border of Umbagog Lake, which are of great interest, were 
first pointed out by the survej-. Gold was found in the 
drift on Indian Stream, and may yet prove to be of some 
value. Several interesting dikes are found in the vicin- 
ity of Dixville Notch, and a sienitic rock is worked just 
south of Colebrook Village. South of Sims Stream there 
are great ridges of intrusive granite, and sienitic rocks, 
with gneiss and schists. The great mass of the Pilot 
range is a feldspar porphyrj-, while the White Mountains 
are gneiss and mica schist, with some great dikes of 
diabase. It has been shown by Prof. C. H. Hitchcock, 
the State geologist, that the great ice-sheet once ex- 
tended over the top of Mount Washington. 

In 1838 Pittsburg, the northermost town in the State, 
was incorporated. The northern boundary of New 
Hampshire, which is also the northern boundary of Coos 
County, was fixed by the commissioners appointed under 
the treaty of Aug. 9, 1842. It follows the water-shed 
between the Connecticut and St. Francis rivers, from 
Crown Monument to Hall's Stream. The total length of 
tliis line is 110 miles, but a direct course between the 
extreme points is 32.7 miles. Thirty-three iron monu- 
ments mark this boundary at various points along its 
course. From the head of Hall's Stream the boundary 
follows that stream to the line of ^^ermont. 

The project of building a house on the summit of Mount 



Washington received serious consideration for a number 
of years. It was esteemed, however, a most hazard- 
ous undertaking, for everybody said that a house could 
not stand there for a day in winter. Yet there were two 
men, J. S. Hall and L. M. Rosebrook, who were willing 
to risk their time and money in building a house on the 
top of the mountain, and they did it in 1852, and the 
house stands there to-day. The next summer S. F. 
Spaulding & Co. built the Tip-Top House on "the most 
bleak crag of Mount Washington." John H. Spaulding 
kept these houses for several years. He was a Lancastsr 
man, a real lover of the mountains, not for the salce of 
lucre, but because he appreciated their grandeur and 
beauty. He wrote a pleasing little book, "Historical 
Relics of the White Mountains," and furnished many 
bright sketches for the county papers. As soon as it 
appeared that the top of the mountain was of some value, 
there was a contest to see who was the owner of this 
propertj'. By the early surveyors this high, barren sum- 
mit was considered worse than worthless ; hence they 
were not particular in determining the exact limits of 
the tracts of land on the border of which they were sit- 
uated. In June, 1853, a company was chartered to build 
a caiTiage road from the Glen to the Tip-Top House, with 
a capital stock of $50,000. The road was completed to 
the summit in 1861. 

The summit of Mount Washington was occupied dur- 
ing the Tvinter of 1870-71 b}- J. H. Huntington, princi- 
pal assistant on the geological survey ; Mr. S. A. Nelson 
of Georgetown, Mass. ; Serg. (now Lieut. ) Theodore 
Smith, U. S. A. ; Mr. A. F. Clough ; and Mr. Howard A. 
Kimball. Thej- are the first persons who are known to 
have occupied a station for meteorological observations 
where there are winds of so great velocities. Winds of 
125 miles per hour have been repeatedly measured, and 
one observer claims to have measured a velocity of 180 
miles. 

During the late civil war, although Coos County was 
situated so that men were constantly crossing its border 
to avoid the draft, its citizens were true and loyal, and 
ever ready to respond when called upon to take their 
part in the great conflict. Coos County did not, how- 
ever, receive the honor which is justly' its due. 

One whose memory the people of Coos County delight 
to honor on account of his great bravery is Col. E. E 
Cross. He was born in Lancaster April 22, 1832. By f 
life upon the plains and in Arizona, where he frequently 
met the most warlUce of savages, the Apaches, he was 
well fitted to be a leader in our civU war. That he was r 
most gallant soldier is the testimony of every one. As 
colonel of the Fifth Regiment he led it through many a 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



blood}- fight, until, at the battle of Gettysburg, he was 
mortally wounded. 

The Atlantic and St. Lawrence Railroad was com- 
pleted to Gorham in June, 1851, and through Coos 
County in 1853. The year the road was finished it was 
leased to the Grand Trunk Railway for a term of 999 
years. 

There were men who saw the possibilities of the Bos- 
ton, Concord and Montreal, and the White Mountain 
railroads, if the latter could be extended northward 
through Coos County to the Province of Quebec, with a 



New Hampshire by opening up, as it did, an immense 
area of valuable timber land, and the encouragement 
which it gave to the building of hotels and houses for the 
accommodation of summer travel. It may be added in 
this connection that the success of this railroad enterprise 
was almost entirely due to the personal efforts, foresight, 
and capital of Mr. Lyon, whose accidental death occurred 
at the Pemigewasset House, April 11, 1878. 

In 1858 Mr. Sylvester Marsh obtained a charter for the 
Mt. Washington Railway, but the road was not completed 
until 1869. There was no confidence in the undertak- 




branch at the bisc of Mount Wishmgton No one saw 
it more clearlj than Mi. John E. L^on, who was made 
president of these corporations for many years. In 
November, 1870, the road was opened to Lancaster, and 
by Jan. 1, 1872, a branch road had been opened to 
Pierce's Mills, in Bethlehem. In August, 1872, the 
main road was opened to Northumberland. The branch 
was extended to the Twin Mountain House in time for 
the summer travel of 1873. This j-ear there was a union 
of the two corporations under the name of the Boston, 
Concord and Montreal Railroad. The road from the 
Twin Mountain House to the Fabj^an Place was opened 
in July, 1875. In July of the following year, the branch 
from the Fabyan House to the base of Mount Washing- 
ton was completed. The completion of this system of 
railroads was of great material advantage to northern 



uig until Ml Marsh had shown its feasibilitj' b} building 
a section himself, and putting on an engine constructed 
under his patent. Others then joined in completing the 
enterprise. Mr. Walter Aiken has been the successful 
manager of the road almost from the beginning. 

The Portland and Ogdensburgh Railroad extends 
through the southern part of the county. The White- 
field and Jefferson Railroad, recently fitted for a first- 
class passenger and freight road, renders the north side 
of the mountains much more accessible, and opens up 
a field for tourists, hitherto comparatively unknown. 
King's Ravine, with its grand rock scenery, will shortly 
become as familiar and famous as are the great ravines 
on the east side of Mount Washington. 

The first newspaper published in the county was the 
" White Mountain iEgis," which appeared at Lancaster 



NEW HAMPSHIRE. 



in 1838. It was shortly after removed to Haverhill, 
Grafton County. About the same time the "Coos Dem- 
ocrat," a paper of opposite political principles, was 
started. In 1859 it was removed to North Stratford, 
and soon after ceased to exist. 

In 1854 the "Coos Republican " was estabUshed at 
Lancaster. Four years after, the paper passetl into the 
hands of Col. Henry 0. Kent. It was subsequently pub- 
lished under the auspices of the " Coos Republican As- 
sociation," and since April, 1878, when its office was 
destroyed by fire, has been in charge of Mr. James S. 
Peavey. In November, 1870, the latter gentleman began 

the publication of the 

"Northern Sentinel" at 
Colebrook, which paper is 
now owned hy A. Baker. 
The " Northern News " was 
also established at Cole- 
brook. The "Mountain- 
eer " is a lively paper, 
printed at Gorham by V. 
V. Twichell. 

The only daily paper of 
Coos County is published 
during the summer months 
upon the summit of Mount 
Washington. 

Far up among the hills of 
Northern Coos, almost on 
the very border of Quebec 
Province, is a small lake 
which has an area of scarce- 
ly- more than three acres. In 
early spring, while as yet the snow lies along its border, 
the woods resound with the croaking of numerous frogs, 
which, here undisturbed, find a congenial habitat. This 
little lake in the cold, dark forest, 2,500 feet above the 
level of the sea, is the source of the Connecticut River. 
Its outlet, a mere rill leaping over the rocks in beautiful 
cascades, now flows into Third Lake. This lake contains 
an area of about 250 acres, and is sun-ounded by lofty 
hills, except on its southern border, where the undula- 
tions are more gentle. Its outlet, a stream ten feet 
wide, is in the south-east corner.. From Third Lake 
the Connecticut flows four and a half miles, when it re- 
ceives from the east a tributary nearly as large as itself. 
One and a quarter miles farther south it flows into Sec- 




ond Lake. This lake is also surrounded by high hills, 
but they recede farther from its shores, while in the dis- 
tance they rise to mountain heights. Besides the Con- 
necticut, it receives two tributaries from the north-east 
and one from the north-west. It is the most beautiful 
of our Northern lakes. The graceful contour of its 
shores, the symmetry of its projecting points, the stately 
growth of the primeval forest, the carpet of green that is 
spread along its border and extends through the long 
vista of the woods, the receding hills and the distant 
mountains, present a combination of the wild, the grand, 
and the beautiful that is rarely seen. On its borders 

the moose and the deer feed 

almost undisturbed, on its 
tributaries the beaver builds 
its house, and the otter 
slides into the clear and lim- 
pid stream, while the shores 
are still the resort of the 
sable and the mink. The 
outlet is on the west side, 
near the southern bor- 
der. The descent at first 
is gentle, but the distant 
roar that greets the ear 
indicates that rapids are 
near. So it rushes on 
over its rocky bed, occa- 
sionally forming deep ed- 
dies, only to become more 
rapid still. For a mile 
and a half from the lake it 
forms a series of wild cas- 
cades, which continue for half a mile. Then, after 
receiving two tributaries from the west, it flows into 
Connecticut Lake. Here we find rich farms and the 
habitations of men upon the border of the great forest. 
Thus extremes meet, — nature and culture, the past 
and the present. But the river itself flows on by farm 
and village and city, until it mingles with the waters of 
the ocean. 

" Land of the cliff, the stream, the pine, 
Blessing and honor and peace be thine ! 
Still may the giant mountains rise. 

Lifting their snows to the blue of June, 
And the south wind breathe its tenderest sighs 

O'er thy fields in the harvest-moon I " 



HISTOEY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



GRAFTON COUNTY. 



BY PROF. JOHN K. LORD. 



The county of Grafton is situated on the western side 
of the State. It touches Sullivan and Merrimack coun- 
ties on the south, Belknap and CaiToU on the east, Coos 
on the north, while its western side borders on the Con- 
necticut Eiver for about 70 miles. Its length from 
north to south is about 60 miles, and its width from east 
to west about 40 miles. Its area is 1,460 square miles. 
In agriculture it ranks first in the State ; 442,738 acres, 
some of which are the finest farming lands in New Eng- 
land, are under cultivation, and 230,300 are woodland. 
Besides unincorporated territory Ijdng in the northern 
and mountainous part, the county contains 39 towns. 

The territory embraced in Grafton County was never, 
within the memory of the whites, the settled abode of 
the Indians. It was covered by a thick forest of beech, 
maple, oak and white-pine, and was a favorite hunting- 
ground for the Indians who lived to the south and to the 
north of it. In the summer they planted corn on the 
I rich meadows of the Connecticut VaUey, and, perhaps, 
on the Pemigewasset, but on the return of winter retired 
to their homes. As the white settlers advanced north- 
ward thej' coveted these rich hunting-grounds, which thus 
became the scene of long and bloodj' border wars. In 
the spring of 1712 Lieut. Thomas Baker, who had been 
captured by the Indians and taken to Canada in 1709, 
but returned the following year, started from Northamp- 
ton, Mass., with a company of 33 white men and one 
Indian guide. He came upon a gi-oup of wigwams, 
where the \'illage of Plymouth now stands, and com- 
pletely destroyed it, taking a large booty of fiu's, besides 
killing many natives. He immediately' retreated, but 
the Indians pursued and soon overtook him. A brisk 
skirmish ensued, in which the Indians were repulsed. 
In the progress of the fight, Baker and Waternomee, the 
chief of the Indians, met. They saw each other at the 
same moment and instantly fired. The Indian's bullet 
gi-azed Baker's eye-brow, but Baker shot the Indian 
through the heart, who, leaping into the air, fell dead. 
Subsequently, Baker brought his party to Dunstable, 
now Nashua, without the loss of a man. The memory 
of this expedition was preserved by changing the name 
of the Asquamchumauke to Baker's Eiver. 



In the war between France and England that began in 
1743, the Indians joined the French, and the following 
eight years witnessed repeated incursions of the Indians, 
which the system of defence by forts, adopted by the 
Province, was powerless to prevent. The peace of Aix- 
la-Chapelle did not put an end to these wars, and they 
continued with varying intensity tiU the subjugation of 
the Indians by the whites, more than ten years later. 

In 1701 Gov. Wentworth chartered 12 towns in Graf- 
ton County. Enfield, Hanover and Lebanon received 
their charters July 4 ; Cockermouth (now Grafton) and 
Lyme, July 8 ; Canaan, July 9 ; Grafton, August 14 ; 
Bath, September 10 ; Orford, September 25 ; Campton 
in October ; Holderness, October 24 ; and Lyman, No- 
vember 10. Holderness had been chartered once before, 
Oct. 10, 1751, and was the first town chartered in the 
coimty, but the grantees failing to fulfil the conditions 
of the charter, a new one was granted as above. 

The first settlement in the county was in Haverhill, in 
1761. Col. Jacob Bailey of Newbury, Mass., and Capt. 
John Hazen of Haverhill, in the same State, were given 
cause to expect a charter of a township, and took imme- 
diate measures to take possession of the land. Col. 
Bailey took possession of the township in Vermont, 
and called it Newbury, from his home. Capt. Hazen 
took the township on the east of the river and called it 
Haverhill. He sent Michael Johnston and John Pettie 
with some cattle to make a beginning. Thej^ took their 
station on the Little Ox Bow, which was covered with a 
luxuriant growth of grass. Thej' built a hut and shed 
for the cattle and passed the winter alone. In the spring 
of 1762 Capt. Hazen came with men and assistance. 
With him was Col. Joshua Howard of Haverhill, Mass., 
who lived in the new town which he helped to establish, 
till his death in 1839. Uriah Morse and his wife Hannah, 
came from Northfield, Mass., and were the first family in 
town. A child was born to them in the following year, 
which was the first of English parents in the county. 
May 18, 1763, a charter for the town of Haverhill was 
granted to Capt. John Hazen and 74 others. This Capt. 
Hazen was one of the most energetic men on the border. 
He had been an efiicient officer in the French and Indian 



NEW HAMPSraRE. 



war. At the close of the war he threw himself boldlj' 
into the scheme for settling the Coos meadows, but on 
on the breaking out of the Revolution he adhered to the 
roj'alists, and took no active part. He died in Albany 
about 1790. Among the arrivals of the next j'ear was 
Ezekiel Ladd, who became a judge of the county court. 
So rapidly did the town increase, that in 17G7 it had a 
population of 172. For many j-ears the nearest grist- 
mill was in Charleston, GO miles down the river, to which 
the gi'ain was taken in the summer in canoes and then 
brought back in the winter on the ice. 

In the fall of 1764 the Rev. Peter Powers came to 
Newbury and organized a church for the two towns of 
j Newbury and Haverhill. Jan. 24, 1765, he received a 
call to its pastorate. As there were no ministers in the 
neighborhood by whom he could be installed, the town 
voted that he should be installed " down country where 
it is thought best." Accordingly he was installed in 
Hollis, Feb. 27, 1765, and was the first settled pastor in 
the countj-. In 1769 there came to the town Charles 
Johnston, who became a colonel in the Revolutionarj' 
war, a justice, — -the only one in the town before 1773, 
— and a judge of probate for the county. 

The second settlement was in Lebanon in 1762. The 
town had been granted the previous j-ear to William 
Dana, John Hanks, and 63 others from the towns of 
Norwich, Mansfield and Lebanon, Conn., and was named 
from the last of these. 

In 1767 the number of inhabitants in Lebanon was 
162. The first church was organized in 1768; and, in 
1772, the Rev. Isaiah Potter was installed over it, and 
continued to be its pastor for 45 years, till his death, July 
2, 1817. 

The year 1763 witnessed the settlement of Plymouth 
and Holdemess. The men who took possession of 
Plymouth were almost entirely from Hollis ; and their 
energetic character, together with the fertility of the 
intervals and the easy communication with the lower 
towns bj'^ waj' of the river, gave Pljinouth a rapid 
growth. In 1762 eight men from Hollis came up to \-iew 
the country. Their impression was very favorable, and, 
on their application, a charter was issued July 15, 1763, 
to Stephen Ames, Joseph Blanchard, Elnathan Blood, 
and 60 others. Eight men were emplo3-ed in making 
clearings during the siimmer, and some of them remained 
through the winter. The next year saw many new 
arrivals ; and, b}' 1767, when the census was taken, the 
number in the town was 227, — the largest in the countj'. 
The first care of these godly men, the descendants of 
the Puritans and Pilgrims, was to found a church; and, 
April 16, 1764, they met in Hollis and organized a church 



before a single family had moved to Plymouth, and six 
months before the organization of any other church in the 
county. Rev. Nathan Ward, who preached the first ser- 
mon in the county, was installed in July, 1765, and con- 
tinued as pastor of the church at Pl^-mouth for 32 years. 
Among the grantees and settlers of Plj-mouth, David 
Hobart was one of the foremost. He became a colonel 
in the Revolution, and led a regiment under Stark at the 
battle of Bennington, but his name appears in history 
under the erroneous spelling of Hubbard. 

Holdeniess was probably named from the Earl of 
Holdemesse, who was secretarj' of state in 1751. The 
first settler was William Rper of Durham ; but the 
majority came from Barrington, Mass. Hon. Samuel 
Livermore, who was one of the original grantees, and 
who gained nearly iialf the town by purchase, came in 
1765. In 1769 he became king's attorney-general, and 
continued to hold the office after the establishment of 
popular government. He was for several years a dele- 
gate to the old Congress, and in 1782 he became chief 
justice of the Superior Court. He was United States 
senator from 1792 to 1802, when he resigned on account 
of ill-health, and died in 1803. 

Lyme, which received its name from Lyme in Connecti- 
cut, was next settled ; and, in 1765, the five towns of 
Bath, Compton, Enfield, Hanover and Orford were occu- 
pied, and shortly afterwards chartered. 

The first settlement in Hanover was in the eastern 
pnrt of the town by Col. Edmund Freeman, to whom, 
wath ten of the same name, and 52 others from Connecti- 
cut, the town was granted. The increase was small till 
the foundation here of Dartmouth College in 1770 by 
the Rev. Dr. Eleazcr Wheelock. This institution was 
established by royal charter bearing the date Dec. 13, 
1769.* 

Dr. Wbeelock came to Hanover with a few students in 
August, 1770, and immediately began to prepare his 
dwellings. He came to an unbroken wilderness. On 
the plain he had chosen for a site, the pines rose nearly 
300 feet toward the sky. The only welcome which he 
received was the howl of the wolf and the growl of the 
bear. It was a strange place to found a seminary of 
learning ! But the corner-stones were laid in faith and 
prayer, and the future growth of the college proved the 
wisdom of the founder. Later in the fall his family, 
students and attendants, in all about 70, joined him, and 
the season was spent in preparations for the winter. In 
January of 1771, Dr. Wheelock organized a church, of 
which he was pastor till his death. The following years 

» For an account of initiatory steps leading to the establishment of the 
college at Hanover, see page 385. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



were years of intense activity and labor. Dr. Wheelock 
■was president and professor of the college, pastor of the 
church, superintendent of the fann, magistrate for the 
town ; in short, the soul of the college and the settle- 
ment. The clearing of the land, and the sowing and har- 
vesting of the crops, went on together with the work of 
instruction. The students took their recreation in felling 
trees or hoeing corn. About 3,000 acres were given to 
the college in its immediate vicinitj-. 

The first commencement was held in the open air, in 
August, 1771, when four young men received their di- 
plomas. Gov. "Wentworth and a company of gentlemen 
came from Wolf borough to honor the occasion, and 
after the exercises there was a barbecue of an ox in the 
clearing in front of the college-building. One member 
of that first class was John "SVheolock, afterward presi- 
dent of the coUege ; and among its first students was 
John Ledyard, the famous traveller, who died in Cairo, 
Egjpt, in 1789, as he was setting out on an exploring 
expedition into the interior of Africa. 

Under the burden of these manifold cares Dr. Wheelock 
administered the new institution with great success till 
his death, April 24, 1779. He was a man of extraordi- 
nary powers. To an indomitable will, great executive 
ability, thorough understanding of men, and wisdom in 
their management, he added remarkable kindliness, 
generositj' and piety. 

President Wheelock was succeeded by his son. Dr. 
John Wheelock, who, after a presidency of 36 years, 
was removed from the office by the trustees in 1815.* 
He was succeeded by Francis Brown, D. D. In 1820 
Rev. Daniel Dana was elected president, who, after one 
year, was succeeded by Bennet Tyler, D. D. Upon the 
resignation of Dr. Tyler in 1828, Nathan Lord, D. D., 
was chosen president, and performed the duties of that 
office till 18G3, when he was succeeded by the Rev. Asa 
D. Smith, LL. D. The present official head of this insti- 
tution is Rev. Samuel C. Bartlett, D. D. 

In addition to its academic, Dartmouth has an excel- 
lent medical department, established in 1 798 through the 
exertions of Dr. Nathan Smith, an eminent physician of 
his daj' ; and a scientific department established, in 1851, 
by the gift of $50,000 by Abiel Chandler of Walpole, N. H. 

• In the latter part of Dr. John "VVheelock's presidency arose the quar- 
rel which resulted in the celebrated " Dartmouth Colleee case." A dis- 
agreement between the president and a majoiity of the trustees resulted, 
! in 1815, in open rupture. The president accused the trustees of pen-ert- 
j ing the funds, and attempting to subvert the charter of the coUege ; and 
appealed to the legislature for an investigating committee. The latter 
body meantime claimed the right to amend a charter of which it was the 
guardian, and in 1816 passed acts creating a new corporiition, in which 
the property was vested, and changing the title of the college to Dart- 



For several years after 1765, one or more towns were 
settled almost every year. The first settlers came to 
Canaan and Alexandria in 1766 ; to Warren in 170 7 ; to 
Groton and Thornton in 1770 ; to Dorchester and Graf- 
ton in 1772; to Orange and Woodstock in 1773; to 
Franconia in 1774, and to Bridgewater and Wentworth 
in 1776. Of these towns Canaan, Warren, Groton, 
Grafton and Woodstock were twice chartered, and Dor- 
chester three times. In several cases the original names 
have been changed. 

Lisbon was originally Concord. Nov. 20, 1768, it was 
re-chartered under the name of Gunthwait, which it held 
for a few yeyirs, when Concord was resumed, and this 
continued until 1817, when Lisbon was taken. Littleton j 
was first called Chiswick, but was re-granted in 1770, | 
under the name of ApthorjD, and in 1784 this town was ] 
divided into Littleton and Dalton, the latter of which is 
now in the county of Coos. Ellsworth was called Tre- 
cothick till 1802, while Coventry became Benton in 1840. [ 
A part of Cockermouth (Groton) and Plymouth was in- 
corporated by the name of Hebron, June 15, 1792. 
June 24, 1819, Bristol was taken from Bridgewater, and 
on the 29th of the same month, a grant was made to 
Josiah GiUis and Moses Foss, Jr., and others, which was 
known as Gillis and Foss Grant, until 1829, when it was 
incorporated July 1, by the name of Waterville. In 
1854, July 13, Monroe was taken from Lyman. In 1868 
a part of Holderness was set off into the new town of 
Ashland. In 1876 Easton was taken from Landaff, and 
in 1877, Livermore was formed of the unincorporated 
grants north of Waten'ille. 

The difficulties and hardships in the settling of these 
new towns were similar to those in case of the others. 
The lack of communication necessitated the coarsest fare 
and the plainest living. The food often consisted of 
bean porridge, and the flesh of whatever game might be 
taken in the forest. The furniture was such as could he 
made with an axe and a saw, and the clothing was made 
from leather and homespun. The ground had to be 
cleared of the dense growth of trees before any crop 
could be planted, and a constant watch kept against the 
bears and the wolves that liy day and by night prowled 
around the log huts. During the long winters the snow 



month University. The old trustees began a suit for the recovery of the 
college property, which was decided against them in the Supreme Court 
of the State. It was earned by appeal before Chief Justice Marshall in 
the Supreme Court of the United States, where the judgment w.-is 
reversed, and the principle of the inviolability of chartered property 
was fully established. It was by his elaborate and convincing argu- 
ment on behalf of the plaintiffs in this case that Daniel Webster, at 
the age of 35, took rank among the most distinguished lawyers of the 
country. 



NEW HAMPSHIRE. 



lay three or four feet deep for several months 
at a time, and the onlj- occupations were felling trees and 
hunting. Besides the bears and wolves, the forest con- 
tained lynxes, moose, deer, beavers, otters, and other 
small animals, while the brooks and rivers swarmed with 
trout and salmon. In the winters the only means of 
locomotion were snow-shoes, and the only means of trans- 
portation were hand-sleds.* 

The county of Grafton f was incorporated March 19, 
1771. The act which divided the Province into counties 
had been passed nearly two years before, April 27, 
17C9, but the time of its operation had been left to the 
pleasure of the governor, and he had thought best to 
delay it. 

By an act of the governor and councU the county re- 
ceived its full privileges in 1773. The question of the 
location of the county seat now arose. After a pro- 
tracted and earnest controversy between the eastern and 
western sections of the county, Haverhill was finally 
settled upon as the shire town. 

The county had hardly become established when the 
discontents that had been rising throughout the country 
cuhninated in the Declaration of Independence and the 
war of the Revolution. That the fire of patriotism 
burned as brightly here as anywhere, there is no doubt. 

While the county was never distressed with the actual 
presence of the foe, — there being little indeed in the 
wilderness to tempt the approach of the British army 
from the south — there were jet fears and real danger of 
invasions bj' both British and Indians from Canada. 

The vigorous attitude of defence, however, in which 
the border towns constantly stood, together with the 
crafty temporizing policy of Vermont authorities, pre- 
vented the approach of any real danger, until the expe- 
dition of Burgoyno in 1777. When the news came that 
the British were actually coming in force down Lake 
Champlain, and that one detachment was to proceed to 
No. 4 (C'harlestown) , and another to Coos (Haverhill), 
the whole country was alive, riymouth and adjacent 
towns sent a companj- of 45 men. Haverhill and vicin- 
ity' sent another, Orford, Ljme and Piermont another, 
and other towns their quota. After the victory at Ben- 
nington, some of the troops went on to New York, and 
under Gen. Gates, took part in the battles of Stillwater 
and Saratoga. The complete success of the American 



• The first settler of Canaan, John Scofield, who came to the town in 
the winter of 1706, brought all the property which ho possessed for his 
new home, U miles on a hand-sled. Months would frequently pass over 
a company of settlers without the sight of a new face, and it was only 
after years of loneliness and toil, that the construction of even rude roads 
brought relief to such isolation, and the priyations attendant upon it. 



arms in Vermont and New York, put an end to the real 
danger to New Hampshire. 

The patriotism of the great body of the people was 
unmistakable, but here, as elsewhere, were some who 
sympathized with the royal cause, and did what they 
could to advance it. Their operations were always 
secret, but if detected led to speedy punishment. One of 
these Tories was Col. John Fenton of Pljmouth. He was 
a man of note in the county, and a member of the Assem- 
bly. Having advised his constituents and others to re- 
frain from giving their support to the war, he was 
imprisoned. Afterwards he was permitted, at the 
instance of Gen. Putnam, to leave the country. 

Grafton County had an opportunity, which it was not 
slow to improve, upon the organization of the new gov- 
ernment incident to the opening of the Revolution, to 
declare its attachment to the great principle of local self- 
government. The Provincial Congress had voted that 
£200, lawful money, should be required as a qualification 
for the office of representative. Against this measure, 
Grafton County earnestly, not to say indignantly, pro- 
tested, insisting that under the circumstances the Assem- 
bly had no authoritj', constitutional or natural, thus to 
prescribe a mode of procedure in election ; that for cor- 
porate towns thus to be unwillingly restricted in their 
choice of representative by an arbitrary property qualifi- 
cation, was inconsistent with liberty, and was not to be 
tolerated. For several years, accordingly, or until the 
adoption of the permanent State Constitution in 1784, 
Grafton County, though cheerfully consenting to bear its 
share of the burdens of government, yet refused to send 
delegates to the Provisional Assembl3^ 

Probably one reason why Grafton County was not 
unwilling to yield to this disaffection, was the advan- 
tageous inducements offered about this time by Vermont 
to the Connecticut Valley towns, to withdraw their alle- 
giance from New Hampshire, and cast in their lot with 
the Grants. Certain it is that several of these river 
towns, embracing, indeed, a large share of Grafton, 
Cheshire and Sullivan counties, did, in the spring of 
1781, formallj- dissolve their eonnectiou with New Hamp- 
shire, and adopted the Constitution of the more demo- 
cratic State of Vermont. I 

After the return of peace and the establishment of a 
settled government, the county grew apace. Its pro- 



t So named by Oov. \ycntworth, in honor of Arthur Augustus Fitz- 
roy, Dulio of Grafton. 

+ But for the intervention of Congress, which made the amendment 
of this eastern compact a condition of Vermont's admission to the 
Union, all this section of New Hampshire would, doubtless, still bo 
embraced in the Green Mountain State. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



ductive fields were very attractive to settlers. No por- 
tion of tlie State was more fertile. In 1 790 its popula- 
tion was 13,472. There was a stead}' increase until 1840, 
when the census gave 42,311 inhabitants. From that 
date to 1860, owing to the tide of western emigration, it 
barely held its ovra, ha\'ing in the latter year, 42,260. 
From that time the combined effect of emigration, and 
the war of the Rebellion, was to diminish the population, 
so that in 1870 the number was 39,103. In 1803, the 
northern portion was set off into a new county called 
Coos. The boundary ran along the northern line of Lit- 
tleton and Bethlehem to the White Mountains. 

The cause of education has always been well supported 
in the count}-. Dartmouth College, as has been seen, was 
founded in the infancy of the settlements, but preliminary 
education was not neglected. Common schools were at 
first impossible, but as soon as a few families were estab- 
lished in a neighborhood, some one of their number be- 
came a private instructor, and at the earliest practicable 
opportunity schools were established. In 1 767, Lebanon, 
whose first settler had come in 1762, voted to estabUsh a 
school. Orford, settled in 1705, provided for a school in 
1770. One of the earliest academies in the State was 
incorporated at Haverhill in 1794. They were also es- 
tablished at Orford in 1836, at Canaan in 1839, and at 
Bath in 1848. Several others have been established but 
have graduall}' decayed. Many of the towns have graded 
schools, and Bristol, Lebanon and Littleton have high 
schools. 

In 1792 a general militia law was passed under which 
Grafton County raised three and one-half regiments, 
comprising all the " free able-botlied white male citizens 
from 18 to 40 years of age." On the breaking out of the 
war of 1812, these regiments, with several others, were 
formed into the " Western Brigade," under the command 
of Brig. Gen. John Montgomery. 

There were men from the count}' in the Florida and 
in the Mexican wars. In the war of the Rebellion the 
county spared neither her men nor treasure. The 
county fm'nished 3,376 men, beside those who responded 
to the first call. Of this number over 400 were killed, or 
died in consequence of wounds and exposure. 

Grafton County is mainly an agricultural one, in this 
respect taking the lead of all in the State. On its 
western border, the intervals along the Connecticut River, 
extending back toward the hills, from half a mile to a 
mile and a half, are among the richest lands in the State, 
while the meadows along the valleys of the Mascoma, 
Pemigewasset and Baker rivers, are scarcely inferior. 
The hills, which have a general southern slope, are also 
very productive. On the western side, at a varying dis:. 



tance of from three to six miles from the Connecticut, is 
a range of hUls, often interrupted in the southern part 
but more continuous in the north, having a general ele- 
vation of from 1,500 to 2,000 feet, but rising in one or 
two instances to a greater height. Moose Moxmtain in 
Hanover has an altitude of 2,326 feet, and Mt. Cuba in 
Orford of 2,927 feet. Toward the south in Orange, 
Cardigan Mountain has a ridge 3,156 feet in height, 
while farther north, in Benton, Moosilauke lifts a single 
sharp Tpeak 4,811 feet. This range expands in the 
north-eastern part of the county into the group of moun- 
tains known as the Franconia, and into the lower White 
Mountains. These mountains, which are separated from 
the larger group of the White Mountains by the cele- 
brated White Mountain Notch, have no peak as high as 
several in that group, but are hardly inferior in grandeur 
of scenery and points of particular interest. Among the 
natural wonders is the "Old Man of the Mountain," a 
peculiar arrangement of five granite blocks which jut 
from an almost peri^endicular cliff on Mt. Cannon, 
1,000 high, in such a way as to present, viewed from 
the right point, the rugged features of an old man. The 
Franconia Notch is a narrow gap between Mt. Cannon 
and Mt. Lafayette, which expands into a pass about 
six miles in length, through which, from a small pond 
l}ing at its upper extremity, flows the Pemigewasset. 
On the east of this pass is the " Flume," a deep chasm 
cut through the solid rock, within which a bowlder about 
ten feet in diameter is suspended and kept from falling by 
the slight contraction of the sides of the chasm. Beneath 
it flows a rapid stream from the mountains. The highest 
p')int in this group is Mt. Lafayette, which has an eleva- 
tion of 5,259 feet, and the second is Mt. Lincoln, 5,101 
feet. Besides Twin Mountain, which comes next (4,920 
feet) and its southern peak (4,900 feet), there are 19 
mountains in this group above 4,000 feet in height. 

A considerable portion of the county is covered with 
trees. The forests are everywhere decreasing, through 
the activity of the demand for lumber. 

The county is well watered. Besides the Connecticut, 
the Pemigewasset, which unites with the Winnipiseogec 
to foiTfi the Merrimack, is the main river, and rises in 
Profile Lake among the Franconia Mountains. Its length 
is 52 miles, and its fall 1,085 feet, of which 1,150 arc 
in the. fii'st nine miles. There are few large bodies of 
water in the county. The largest lying entirely within 
its limits is Newfound Lake in Hebron, Bristol and 
Bridgewatcr having an area of nearly seven square miles. 
Squam Lake, about two-thirds of which hes in Iloldcr- 
ness, contains 11 square miles. Mascoma Lake in Enfield 
is of much smaller dimensions. 



NEW HAMPSHIRE. 



All of the towns, except those Ij-ing along the ridge in 
the centre and those in the mountainous districts, have 
the benefit of railroad communication. 

Towns. 

Lebanon is the most important town in the county. 
It stands first in population, wealth, and manufactures, 
but fifth in agriculture. It is situated in the south- 
western comer of the count}' on the Connecticut. The 
town has a population of 3,094. Its growth during the 
decade ending in 1872-73 was very rapid, but since that 
time it has barely held its own. It contains three vil- 
lages, all on the railroad. East Lebanon is situated at 
the outlet of Enfield Pond. Four miles down the Mas- 
coma is the thriving manufacturing village of Lebanon. 
There are four churches, and a good high school, for 
which a commodious brick building costing $20,000, was 
erected in 1873 ; two banks, and a weekly newspaper. 
The river falls within the village 100 feet, aflbrding an 
abundant water-power. The largest manufactory is that 
of Mead & Mason, who manufacture doors, blinds, fur- 
niture, &c. Sc3-thes, snaths, and rakes ai-e manufac- 
tured by different companies. There is a large grist- 
mill, and also a manufactory for cabinet organs. 

West Lebanon, on the Connecticut River, one mile 
above the mouth of the Mascoma, is the terminus of the 
Northern Railroad. It is opposite the mouth of the 
White River, and the beauty of the two valleys renders 
its situation unusually attractive. The Tilden Female 
Seminar}', taking the name of its largest benefactor, 
William Tilden, Esq., of New York, is located here. 
The seminary building, which is of brick, three stories 
high, and 96 feet in length by 55 in width, was erected 
in 1854. In 18C5 the propert}- was leased by Hiram 
Orcutt, A. M., a teacher of much experience, under 
whose careful management the institution has steadily 
prospered. In 18G8 an additional gift of $20,000 by 
Mr. Tilden was expended in the enlargement of the main 
building. 

Littleton is the second town in the count}' in popula- 
tion and wealth, and the third in manufactures. Oppo- 
site the western side of the town are the Fifteen Miles 
Falls in the Connecticut, which begin in Dalton and end 
in Monroe. In that distance, the river falls 400 feet. 
The population of the town is 2,740. The one village 
is situated on tiie Ammonoosuc, and since the opening 
of the railroad has grown with great rapidity, it being on 
the direct route of White Mountain tra\'el. The town 
contains two banks, an equal number of newspapers, 
five churches and a school-house, which is by far the best 
building in the place. The industrial interests of the 



town include the manufacture of starch, churns and 
scythes. There is also a woollen-mill, now idle. The 
lumber business is quite extensive, and the value of the 
yearly productions is in the neighborhood of $500,000. 

Hatehhill is the most important agricultm'al town in 
the county. Here are the rich intervals on the Connec- 
ticut, the celebrated Ox Bow, where the Indians raised 
their corn, and of which the whites were so eager to gain 
possession. The hay crop of Haverhill exceeds that of 
any other town in the State by nearly 1,000 tons. The 
estimated value of its farm products is $272,000. There 
are nine saw-mills, turning out yearly about 5,000,000 
feet of lumber, three grist-mills, the same number of 
starch-factories, and valuable whetstone quarries. At 
Woodsville there is a large box-factory, and another for 
shovel handles. Paper is also manufactured. A soap- 
stone quarry in the north part of the town produces a 
stone of superior quality. East Haverhill is largely 
interested in the lumber business. Haverhill, often 
called Haverhill Corner, is the largest village. It is 
well laid out, with a fine common in the centre, and com- 
mands a fine view of the surrounding country. There 
are two chiu'ches and an academy, one of the oldest in 
the State. Haverhill is one of the shire towns of the 
county. North Haverhill, opposite the Great Ox Bow, 
consists of a single street, lined on either side \^ith 
houses. Woodsville, opposite Wells River, is a thriving 
and rapidly growing village. The population of the 
town is 2,271. 

Lisbon, whose population is 1,844, is well watered by 
the Ammonoosuc and its tributaries. The articles of 
manufactm-e, which are various, include carriages, of 
which there is an extensive factory. In the eastern side 
of the town, adjoining Franconia, is found a deposit of 
iron ; and in the west part are veins of the more precious 
metals. Limestone is found in the eastern portion of 
the town. There are three churches, a high school and 
a village library association. 

Enfield, with a population of 1,662, produces manu- 
factures amounting to $450,000 annually. There are 
five ponds of considerable size in this town. On the 
northern side of Mascoma Lake, at the entrance of the 
river, is situated the prosperous village of Enfield. The 
principal part of the manufacturing is done here. On 
the south-west side of Mascoma Lake is a settlement of 
the Shakers, whose possessions have gradually increased 
until now they own all the land for two miles along its 
border. Their farms are in the highest state of cultiva- 
tion. They have about 20 acres devoted to the raising 
of garden seeds and medicinal herbs, of which they sell 
a great quantity. The Shakers make large quantities of 



IIISTOEY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



butter and cheese, and manufacture tubs, pails' and 
brooms. The number in this settlement is 300. 

Hai<ovek, containing 2,085 inhabitants, is an impor- 
tant agricultural town. East of an extensive and fertile 
plain, the land graduallj- rises to Moose Mountain, which 
extends along the eastern edge of the town. The vil- 
lage of Hanover is one of the most charming in the 
State. Situated on the plain it commands a view from 
Ascutuey on the south to INIoosilaukc on the north. Its 



town of the county, is large and prosperous. It is on 
the Boston, Concord and Montreal Railroad, and both 
the offices and shops of the road are here. It is the 
natural business centre of quite a large district, and has 
a large manufacturing interest. Tlie liberahtj- of the 
railroad management has materially aided the prosperitj' 
of the Tillage. It has erected a verj- fine hotel, with 
accommodations for 3j0 guests, — the Pcmigewasset 
House. — which has added much to the attractions of the 




CrLVER HALL, 



160 dwellings cluster around a common of five acres, 
which is surrounded by rows of magnificent ehns and 
maples. There are two banks, and a new brick school- 
house, erected in 1877 at an expense of §11,000. Tlie 
college church fronts the green on the north, and has 
accommodations for 1 ,000 hearers. The chief attraction 
of the village is Dartmouth College, with its nine build- 
ings. There are five working departments : the academi- 
cal, medical, engineering, scientific and agricultural. 
The two buildings of the latter department furnish a 
commons hall and a museum. In the last-named building 
are placed the specimens collected b}' the State geologist. 
Pltmouth (population about 1,500), the second shire 



place. The court-house, a brick structure, is a model of 
its kind. The manufactures, which amount to $225,000 
yearly, consist mainly of the "Plymouth" buck glove, 
leather gloves and lumber. There are two churches, — 
Congi-egational and Baptist. The State Normal School 
is located here. 

• Other towns in Grafton County are : C.inaan (popula- 
tion, 1,877), containing four villages and an academy: 
Orfokd,* LrME and Piermost, with a respective popula- 

• Just south of the tillage is the finest bam in the State, built by Mr. S . 
S. Houghton of Boston at a cost of §30,000. The dimensions are 260 by 
60 feet, with an L 160 by 60 feet, and it covers over half an acre. It was in- 
tended as a stock-barn, while the finished portion is used as a residence 



NEW HAMPSHIRE. 



tion of 1,118, 1,358 and 792, each situated on the Con- 
necticut River, the former having rich interval laud, 
i rendering the town one of the best agricultutural town- 
ships in the State, and also containing the eminence 
known as Mt. Cuba, and a village of surpassing loveli- 
ness : Bath (1,168), another river town: Ashland 
(885) , situated on Squam River, not far from its junction 
with the Pemigewasset, engaged in extensive and varied 
manufactm-es : Bristol (1,416), another important man- 
ufacturing town at the junction of Newfound River and 
the Pemigewasset: RcMNEr (1,164), one of the most 
romantic places in the State, Ij'ing in the valley of 
Baker's River, with Mount Stinson on the east, and 
Mount Carr on the west: Landaff and Holdeeness 
(population, 882 and 793), agricultural towns of con- 
siderable importance: and Campton (1,226), a farming 
town, having some manufactures. 

None of the remaining towns in the county have large 
manufacturing or agricultural interests. Wentworth 
(population, 971), has some interval, but the great 
majority of all the territory is broken, hillj', and even 
mountainous. Mica is obtained in Geafton (907), and 



in tlic towns around the White and Franconia mountains 
mucli lumber is prepared. Agriculture, however, is the 
main occupation. The towns in the northern part, 
notably Bethlehem (998) and Franconia (550), are 
among the most celebrated resorts for summer travellers. 
Owing to the entire absence of the weed known as 
" Roman wormwood," the supposed cause of the disease 
called " hay fever," Bethlehem has become the favorite 
retreat during its season. It is estimated, that in Beth- 
lehem alone uearlj' $200,000 are invested in hotels and 
summer boarding-houses. The Sinclair House will accom- 
modate 150 guests. The Maple wood House is the 
largest, and wUl accommodate 400 guests. 

Franconia is also very attractive to summer travellers. 
At the foot of Cannon Mountain, near Echo Lake, is the 
Profile House, the laigest hotel in the White Mountain 
region. It has had at one time over 600 guests. It is 
probably the most attractive of all the mountain hotels. 
The unsurpassed grandeur and beauty of the scenery, 
and the large number of natural objects of curiosity 
and wonder, attract numerous visitors from all sections 
of the couutr}'. 



HILLSBOROUGH COUI^TY. 



BY REV. DANIEL GOODWIN. 



Hillsborough CorNTT ranks first in the State in 
population, wealth and manufactures. It was incor- 
porated March 19^ 1771, and received its name from 
the Earl of Hillsborough, one of the privy council of 
George III. It contains 31 towns, 10 having been in- 
corporated in the reign of George II., 12 in tlie reign of 
George III., and the remainder by the government of 
New Hampshire. 

It is situated in the southern central part of the State, 
in the beautiful valley of the Merrimack. It is bounded 
on the north bj' Merrimack County ; east by Rockingham 
County ; south by Massachusetts ; west by Cheshire and 
Sullivan counties, and has au area of 287,451 acres of 
improved land. 

The county is noted for its beautiful and historic rivers, 
which have contributed much to its relative importance, 
in respect to wealth, character and influence. Chief 
among these streams is the Merrimack, with its numer- 
ous tributaries, which furnishes double the available 



water-power, it is said, of all the rivers of France, and 
turns more spindles and other machinery than anj^ other 
river on the face of the globe. There are also numerous 
lakes and ponds, among which we may mention the 
famous Massabesic Lake in the eastern part of the 
count}'. Small and beautiful bodies of water are found 
also in Hollis, Broolcline, Amlierst and elsewhere. 

The mountains of this county, though less lofty than 
those further northward, are by no means devoid of his- 
toric associations and interest. They vary from some 
1,200 to more than 2,200 feet in height. Among the 
more noted are the Uncanoonucs, Paclv, Monaduock, 
Crotched Mountain, Bald Jlountain and Duncan Hill. 

The Merrimack Valley, with its flowing streams and 
fertile vales, became, from the first, an object of inter- 
est and attraction to the white man, as it had long been 
to the Indian. As early as 1652, it was explored and 
surveyed by Capts. Willard and Johnson, under the pat- 
ronage of certain parties in Boston, who laid open to the 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



eager gaze of the adventurer its rich basin and valuable 
fishing-grounds. 
I Numerous tribes and families of the Indians had estab- 
] lished themselves along the various streams and valleys, 
j subsisting mainly by hunting and fishing, and by culti- 
vating the maize-plant. As they were the original occu- 
pants of the soil, and had their settlements and cleared 
fields, they had a valid claim to the land they occupied. 
Mason and Gorges, who had received from the king of 
I England a patent or title to large tracts of land in North 
America, apparently holding that the Indians had no 
rights which the white men were bound to respect, 
I entirely ignored the claims of the natives. The early 
settlers thought differentlj', and purchased of the Indians, 
and paid for, every foot of land the}' obtained. Hon. 
Charles Bell, in his semi-centennial address before the 
New Hampshire Historical Society, says: "There is 
abundant e\'idenee still sur\-i-\nng to show that every rood 
of land occupied by the white men for a century after 
the}- sat down at Piscataquack, was fairly purchased from 
the Indian proprietors, and honestly paid for." 

Previous to 1673 numerous grants of land had been 
made to various parties, and in that j-ear these grants 
were merged in one township, and incoi-porated under 
the name of Dunstable. This township was ver}- large-,, 
including more than 200 square miles of land, and em- 
bracing what are now Nashua, Ilollis, Dunstable, Hud- 
son and Tyngsborough, with part of Amherst, Milford, 
Litchfield, Londonderry, Pelham, Brookline, Pepperell 
and Townsend. 

In 1741 the boundary' line between New Hampshire 
and Massachusetts was established, severing the town- 
ship of Dunstable, and bringing about two-thirds of its 
territory within the jurisdiction of the former State. 
This transaction, though distasteful to man}- at the time, 
had, nevertheless, a beneficial influence upon the welfare 
and prosperity of the territory in question. 

In 1 74G the territory was again divided, by the legis- 
lature of New Hampshire, forming the towns of Dun- 
stable, IloUis, Merrimack and Mouson, now called 
Milford. 

Among the early proprietors of Dunstable, and lead- 
ing men of the Colony — some of whom, with their fami- 
lies and friends, moved hither at an early period, and 
took up their residence — were Gov. Dudley and Rev. 
Thomas Weld, who married daughters of Hon. Edward 
Tyng, Thomas Brattle, Peter Bulliley, Ilezekiah Usher, 
Elisha Hutchinson, Francis Cook, and others. These 
men became assistants and magistrates in the Colony. 

This southern portion of Hillsborough County must 
have been settled previous to 10 73. Dunstable was the 



frontier settlement for over 50 years, and hence was , 
subjected to the hardsliips and cruelties incident to occa- 
sional conflicts with the savages. Though the Indians 
of this region were naturally of mUd disposition, and 
although they had actually sold their landed possessions i 
to the colonists, and been paid therefor, yet it was not 1 
without bitter regrets and gloomy forebodings that they 
at last beheld their loved hunting-grounds and the burial- 1 
places of their ancestors passing into the hands of a 
foreign race. These regrets easily kindled into resent- ' 
ment and rage. Another circumstance which added fuel 
to the flame was the obvious diminution of their own 
numbers, and the somewhat rapid increase of the colo- ■ 
nists. 

Although during the bloody conflict known as King 
Philip's war there was little or no fighting within tlic 
limits of old Dunstable, yet su(;h was the wide-spread 
alarm, that all the inhabitants left the town, except the 
stout-hearted Jonathan T}-ug. He petitioned the Gen- 
eral Court of Massachusetts for aid, which was granted. 
A small detachment of soldiers was sent to his relief. 

In 1G91 the Indians made two attacks upon Dunsta- 
ble, and killed several persons. These were trying 
times, and large numbers of the inhabitants fled a second 
time, and sought protection elsewhere. In 1702, 1706, 
and again in 1724, the savages made inroads into the 
southern portion of Hillsborough County, and kUled or 
captured several i>ersons. In 1 725 Capt. John Lovewell 
of Dunstable raised a company of volunteers, and 
marched in pursuit of the Indians. They fell into an 
ambuscade at Lovewell's Pond, in Frycburg, Me. 
Eleven of the whites were wounded, and 16 killed, 
among the latter Capt. Lovewell, Lieut. Farwell, and 
Ensign Robbiiis of Dunstable. The famous chief, Pau- 
gus, fell during the fight. 

This event, though disastrous to the settlers for the 
time, nevertheless taught the Indians a salutarj- lesson, 
that " swift retribution was sure to follow their savage 
cruelties to the settlers." 

A word should be said with respect to those persons 
who settled in the northern and western portions of the 
county, outside of the limits of old Dunstable. They 
were mostly English and Scotch-Irish — largely of the 
latter nationality. The last named, though not of 'Ma.s- 
sachusetts Piuitan or Pilgrim stock, nevertheless held 
"like precious faith" with those, and were no less 
ardent lovers of liberty and free institutions. Perse- 
cuted in England, they had fled to Ireland. Persecuted 
still, in 1718 a company of 120 families emigrated to 
this country, and 16 of these families settled the next 
year in Nutfield, now Londonderry. Here, by their 



NEW HAMPSHIRE. 



industry and economy, they prospered and increased. 
Colonies -went out in all directions. "A large number 
of the pioneers of civilization in New Hampshire, Ver- 
mont, Maine, New York and Nova Scotia, were from 
this town." During 25 j^ears subsequent to 1750, "ten 
distinct settlements were made by emigrants from Lon- 
donderry, all of which have become towns of influence 
and importance in New Hampshire." 

These colonists, by their integrity, industry, economj-, 
and firm religious faith, made a deep and salutary im- 
pression upon every community in which they lived. 
The names of McGregor, Pinkerton, Taylor, McKeen, 
Duncan, Bell, Patterson, Aiken, McFarland, Gregg, 
Stark, Thornton, Greeley and Adams fill an honored 
place in the secular and ecclesiastical historj' of our 
State. 

The Scotch Presbj'terian element, thus introduced 
from Londonderry, became an important and valuable 
factor in the early, and no less in the later, history of 
Bedford, New Boston, Antrim, Peterborough, Manches- 
ter, Litchfield, Hudson, Francestown and Deering. 

The second element of immigration which entered 
largely into the early history of this county was from 
Massachusetts, of English origin, and of the Puritan 
faith. At first there was some want of harmony between 
the two elements, and misunderstandings arose ; but, in 
process of time, the two classes of immigrants came to 
know and appreciate each other's character and virtues, 
and the result was co-operation and assimilation. 

In most of the towns above named, the Presbyterian 
element predominating, churches of that order were 
organized at the outset. In Amhei'st, Milford, Hollis, 
Merrimack, Wilton, Mount Vernon, Lyndcborough, New 
Ipswich, Hillsborough, Mason, Temple, Hancock, Brook- 
hne and Nashua, settlers of English ancestry being most 
numerous. Congregational churches were the first eccle- 
siastical product. Churches of other denominations 
sprang up in various towns of the county at a later 
period. 

The original settlers of this county were the warm 
friends and generous patrons of popular and liberal edu- 
cation. The meeting-house and school-house were the 
first pubUc edifices erected by their hands. Appleton 
Academy, at New Ipswich, chartered in 1789, and Fran- 
cestown Academj', chartered in 1818, have ever main- 
tained a high rank, and been liberally patronized. In 
the cities and larger towns, the high school, with its 
ample equipments, takes the place of the academ}-. 

As we have seen, some of the towns of this county 
were organized at an early period. The principle which 
led to this organization was that of mutual protection 



and security'. These town organizations are the purest 
democracies the world has ever seen. Together with the 
church and the school, they are the corner-stones of the 
temple of liberty. Through their combined agency, we 
have free men, free thought, free speech. 

"Town meetings," saj-s De TocqueviUe, "are to lib- 
erty what primary schools are to science ; they bring it 
within the people's reach ; they teach men how to use 
and how to enjoy it." As another writer has fitly said, 
" This element of popular liberty was so important 
through the whole colonial history of New England, that 
it has been affirmed with great truth, that the American 
Revolution had its birth in the town-meetings and school- 
houses of the scattered colonists." 

In the arduous struggle for liberty, known as the 
Revolution, Hillsborough County bore an important part. 
Mr. Fox, in his " History of Dunstable," saj's that, in 
Maj', 1775, this county, with a population of 15,948, 
had G50 men in the army ; that is, more than one in every 
25 of its inhabitants. The famous hero and veteran. 
Gen. John Stark, then a resident of this county, was a 
prominent leader in the bloody straggle. This gallant 
soldier and his noble compatriots, by their courage and 
valor displayed at Bunker Hill and Bennington, did 
much toward securing the final success of the colonists. 

The bench and bar of Hillsborough County have com- 
prised many men of high ability and eminence. Among 
these may be mentioned Judge Timothy Farrar, first 
judge of the Court of Common Pleas, under the new 
constitution of New Hampshhe, — a man whom Daniel 
Webster held in the highest esteem for his abilities, his 
integrity, and his judicial impartialitj' ; also, Judge Jere- 
miah Smith, "distinguished as a jurist of great legal 
acuteness and rare integritj'," eminent not only as an 
attornej', but also as a peace-maker, in his native town 
of Peterborough. At a somewhat later period, the 
BeUs, Athertons, Woodburj'S and Pierces have been 
prominent in the annals of the State and nation. 

Hillsborough County has been frequently represented 
in the gubernatorial chair of New Hampshire. Of 
natives or residents of the county, the following named 
gentlemen have hold that important position : Jeremiah 
Smith, Levi Woodburj', David L. Morrill, Benjamin 
Pierce, John H. Steele, Frederick Smyth, James A. 
Weston, Ezekiel Straw and Person C. Chenej-. 

It is scarcely necessary to add, that a president of the 
United States, Frankhn Pierce, was a native of this 
county. 

The pulpit of Hillsborough County has been, from the 
beginning, one of great influence and power. It has 
largely controlled the educational interests, and given 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



shape to the politics of the county. " The ministers of 
the ' standing order,' " saj'S Prof. Sanborn, in his " His- 
tory of New Hampshire," "became politicians in the 
higliest and noblest sense. They sought to make human 
law identical with the divine." 

It should be added that the early ministers of this 
countj' were not only men of marked abilities and strong 
character, but also of high culture. Rev. Stephen 
Farrar, first pastor of the church in New Ipswich, was 
one of whom it was said, that "sanctity of manners, 
devotion to God, and benevolence to man, were the 
great leading traits of his character." Rev. Dr. John H. 
Church of Pelham, a sound theologian and an instruc- 
tive preacher, acquired a wide fame by his zealous pro- 
motion of education and all matters of public interest 
and utility. Rev. Ephraim P. Bradford was settled in 
New Boston. One who knew him well says : " Mr. 
Bradford was literally one of nature's noblemen ; of 
princely person, with sonorous, commanding voice, ex- 
ceedingly fluent and accurate in speech, moulded some- 
what after Johnson's style." Such were his talents and 
abilities that he might have acceptabl}- filled any pulpit in 
the land. Rev. Dr. Humphrey Moore of Milford ; Rev. 
Dr. Whiton of Antrim ; Rev. Dr. Day of Hollis ; Rev. 
Dr. Silas Aiken of Amherst, and later of Park Street 
Church, Boston, were prominent among the ministry of 
the county. 

Rev. Nathan Lord, D. D., president of Dartmouth 
College for many years, and possessing a world-wide 
fame as a disciplinarian and educator, was for some 12 
years pastor of the church in Amherst. Many others 
might be named who " served their own generation by the 
will of God," with no less of fidelity and consecration. 

The medical profession in Hillsborough County has 
embraced many men of high attainments and great skill. 
Dr. Edward Spalding, a graduate of Harvard in 1798, 
located in Amherst in 1806, gained a wide reputation as 
a skilful physician and surgeon. In social qualities, 
Christian urbanity and unwavering principle, he had no 
superiors. 

Dr. Daniel Adams of Mount Vernon was distin- 
guished as a phj'sician, and as the author of the excel- 
lent arithmetic which bears his name. He was marked 
by fine social qualities and firm religious faith. 

Ebenezer Rockwood, M. D., assistant-surgeon in the 
war of 1775, settled first in Hollis, and afterwards in 
Wilton, where he gained, and retained for more than 50 
years, the confidence of his fellow-citizens. He was 
largely instrumental in the formation of the Orthodox 
Congregational church in that town, and was afterwards 
one of its strongest pillars. 



Dr. Jonathan Parker, a contemporary of the preceding, 
was a physician of considerable eminence in Litchfield. 

Matthew Thornton, one of the signers of the Declara- 
tion of Independence, was, before the Revolution, a 
lAysician of repute. His residence was Merrimack. 

Reuben Dimond Muzzey, a well-known physician and 
author, was a native of Amherst. He was for a time 
professor in Dartmouth College, Ohio Medical College 
and Miami Medical College. 

Our county has not been prolific in journalists. The lale 
Isaac Hill, though a native of Massachusetts, commenced 
his journalistic career in the town of Amherst, N. H. 
He established the "New Hampshire Patriot " in Con- 
cord, in 1809. 

Luther Roby, a native of Amherst, removed to Con- 
cord, where, in 1822, he established the " New Hamp- 
shire Statesman." 

John Farmer, the celebrated antiquarian, a native of 
Chelmsford, Mass., spent a considerable portion of his 
life in Amherst, N. II. 

The far-famed Horace Greeley was a native of Am- 
herst. " Possessing but few of the advantages enjoyed 
by youth at the present day, by his energy and perse- 
verance he wrought his way up from poverty and ob- 
scuritj' to a commanding position among the journalists 
of the country and the world. The ' Tribune,' with 
1,250,000 readers, was a power in the land, and its 
editor-in-chief well deserved the title given him by a 
distinguished contemporary, — ' Our later Franklin.' lie 
died Nov. 29, 1872." 

The inhabitants of Hillsborough Count}- have been 
distinguished, from the outset, by patriotism and public 
spirit. The annals of the Revolution, and of the war of 
1812, furnish ample proof of this fact. Nor did the 
people fall behind in the late protracted and sanguinary 
struggle of the Rebellion. Several of the New Hamp- 
shire regiments were raised and furnished with officers, 
wholly or largely within this county. It might seem 
invidious to particularize where all did so well. Suffice it 
to say, that the soldiers of Hillsborough Countj^ gave a 
good account of themselves " in the day of battle." 
Among oflScers coming from this countj-, may be named 
Gen. Aaron F. Stevens of Nashua ; Gen. Joseph C. 
Abbott, Manchester; Col. Thomas L. Livermore, Mil- 
ford ; Col. Samuel G. Langley, Manchester ; Col. Charles 
Scott, Peterborough; Col. Oliver W. Lull, Milford; 
Col. Michael T. Donohoe, Manchester; Col. George 
Bowers, Nashua; Col. Dana W. King, Nashua; Col. 
John F. Marsh, Hudson. 

The number of soldiers furnished by the county during 
I the war was 4,G83. It is thought that not less than one- 



NEW HAMPSHIRE. 



tliird of this number were killed, or died of -wounds 
received or sickness coutracted in tlie sci^vice. 

Manchester is the most important citj-, located in the 
eastern part of the count)', and mainly upon the eastern 
side of the Merrimack. This town, then called Derrj-- 
ucld, was incoiporated in 1751. It was settled as earlj- 
as 1736 bj' Archibald Stark (father of Gen. John Stark) 
and others. In 1775, the town contained only 2fi5 in- 
habitants ; in 1820, only 762. The present population 
is nearly 30,000. A most wonderful growth within the 
last GO j-ears. 

" The rise, growth and prosperity' of this — the largest 
citj- in the State — have been almost wholly dependent 
upon its great manufacturing interests. There are now 
in the city four large corporations ; viz., the Amoskeag, 
the Stark, the Manchester and the Langdon, with an 
aggregate capital of §6, 750, 000 ; besides manj' other 
manufacturing establishments of less importance." 

The manufacture of cotton goods was commenced in 
1809, at Amoskeag Village, on the west bank of the 
river, and then included \^'ithin the limits of Goffstown. 
The next j'ear, as the business proved successful, a stock 
compan}' was formed and incoq^orated, under the title of 
the "Amoskeag Cotton and Wool Company." Great 
success attended the efforts of the company. In 1830-31 , 
immense tracts of land, comprising more than 1,500 
acres, were purchased on the east side of the river. A 
new compan}' — the "Amoskeag Manufacturing Com- 
pany" — was formed, in which the old compan}' was 
merged. A new stone dam was constructed ; also, two 
canals, with guard locks. The present capital of the 
company is $3,000,000. They have ten mills, which are 
among the largest in the couutrj'. Thej' emploj- 4,000 
persons, have an annual paj'-roU of $1,100,000, and 
manufacture 3'early 24,000,000 yards of cloth. 

Besides, this corporation owns all the land and all the 
water-power used and occupied by all the other mills and 
shops. The needful land and power is rented to the 
other corporations at low rates. From a recent report 
of the treasurer, it appears that the annual dividends for 
the last 40 j'cars have averaged 13 per cent. ; the total 
value of the property Is now §5,300,000 ; there is also a 
reserve fund of some $1,700,000. 

The Stark Mills Company was incorporated in 1838, 
with a capital of $1,250,000. 

The Manchester Print Works, originating in 1839, has 
a capital of $2,000,000, and occupies six mills. 

The Langdon Mills Company' was incorporated in 
1857, with a capital of $500,000. 

The ^Manchester Gas-light Company, incorporated in 
1841, with a capital of $100,000, had laid, in 1873, 



twenty-one miles of gas-pipe, and has capacity' to furnish 
daily 300,000 feet of gas. 

The Manchester Locomotive Works has a capital of 
$150,000, employs 675 hands, and has an annual product 
of 150 locomotives, besides castings of every description. 

Besides the above, we must not omit to mention the 
Manchester Water Works, which bring water from Lake 
Massabesic, and are capable of furnishing over five mil- 
lions of gallons daUy, — enough to supply a city of 
125,000 inhabitants. The entire cost was about $625,000. 

Manchester is well supplied with schools and other 
literar}' institutions. It has 45 schools, 36 of which are 
gi-aded. The estimated value of school-houses and lots 
is $220,000. 

jSTo city in New England makes better provision or 
more generous appropriations for school purposes than 
docs Manchester. 

The State Reform School, chartered in 1856, stands 
on a delightful eminence, on the east side of the river. 
The grounds contain 110 acres, and the buildings are of 
suitable size and character. The institution is reforma- 
tory rather than penal, and is supported by annual ap- 
propriations bj' the Legislature, and b}- donations, and 
the income of certain legacies. 

The leading newspapers are the " Mirror and Ameri- 
can " (daily), "Mirror and Farmer" (weekly), "Man- 
chester Dailj' Union," "Union Democrat" (weekly), 
and the " New Hampshire Journal of Music " (monthly) . 

Manchester has a fine public librar}- of some 20,000 
volumes, in a beautiful edifice erected for the purpose at 
a cost of $30,000. 

The city is well supplied with banks, in which is 
placed more than one-fourth of the whole amount depos- 
ited in all the savings banks of the State. 

There are 15 public halls, of which the Citj- Hall, 
built in 1845, at an expense of $35,000, Smj'th's Hall, 
and Music Hall are the cMef. 

The combined Vallej- and Pine Grove cemeteries, con- 
taining some 60 acres, are pleasantly located along the 
meandering Mill Brook, and are laid out with much care 
and taste. Other cemeteries — three on the west side 
of the river — are found within the city limits. 

The churches of the city represent the leading denom- 
inations, and are 17 in number. 

There are some singular circumstances connected with 
the early religious history of the town. Not till 90 years 
after the incorporation of the town was a minister settled 
within its limits. No house of worship was completed 
within the town, nor were public schools introduced, tUl 
very near the close of the last century. As a correlative 
fact, it may be added that " for nearly a century after 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



the settlement of the town, neither lawj-er, doctor, nor 
minister was found among its permanent inliabitants. 
And so far as known, no man born in town during that 
period devoted his life to the pursuit of any one of those 
professions." These circumstances cannot, we believe, 
be paralleled in American history. 

The Congregational pulpits of the city have been ablj' 
filled. Rev. C. W. Wallace, D. D., was pastor of the 
First Church for nearl}^ 30 years. The Franklin Street 
Church has enjoyed the pastoral ministrations of such 
men as Rev. H. M. Dexter, D. D., of Boston, Rev. 



^M%'. 




HIGH -SCHOOL BLILUI 



Pres. S. C. liartlett ot Dartmouth College, and Rev. 
W. J. Tucker, D. D., of New York City. 

The gubernatorial chair has been filled since 1865, 
eight years in tlie thirteen, b}- gentlemen from Manches- 
ter. Messrs. Frederick Smyth, James A. Weston, Eze- 
kiel A. Straw, and P. C. Cheney each occupied the chair 
of State for two years. 

The Bench, the Bar, and the Press have found able 
representatives in Manchester. We need not mention 
such men as Hon. Daniel Clark, Hon. John B. Clarke, 
Hon. G. W. Morrison, Hon. David Cross, Hon. C. R. 
Morrison, Hon. Isaac W. Smith, Judge C. W. Stanley, 
Hon. Samuel N. Bell, Hon. Lewis W. Clark, Hon. James 
F. Briggs, Hon. Moody Currier, Hon. J. P. Newell, 
and G. W. Riddle, Esq. 



The whole number of persons emplo3"ed in the various 
professions, in trade, and in transportation, is estimated 
at 2,700, or nine per cent, of the population. The city 
has an extensive trade, affording a good market for the 
country around within a radius of eight to fifteen miles, 
thus furnishing facihties for marketing to an outside pop- 
ulation of some 15,000 persons. 

Nashua is the second and onl}- remaining citj- in Hills- 
borough County. It is beautifully situated on the west 
side of the Merrimack, and is nearly cquallj- divided by 
the Nashua River, which gives name to the city. On the 
south the city extends to the State line. It has 
an area of 18,898 acres, and has an agreeably 
diversified siu'face. Together with the other 
towns which were, as we have seen, comprised 
within the limits of " old Dunstable," Nashua 
was chartered in 1673. It took its present name 
Jan. 1, 1837. Its present population is about 
13,000. It is abundantly supplied with water- 
power, furnished bj- the Nashua River and bj- 
Salmon Brook. 

In June, 1823, the Nashua Manufacturing 
Company was incorporated, with a capital of 
$300,000. Mill No. 1 was erected, and went 
into partial operation in 1825. The corporation 
now has a capital of $1,000,000 ; employs 1,100 
hands, and manufactures 17,500,000 yards of 
cloth per annum. 

About 1825 the Indian Head Company was in- 
corporated, which, in 1830, became the Jackson 
Company. This company runs 22,000 spindles, 
and turns out 9,000,000 yards of cloth each year. 
The Vale Mills, at the Harbor, erected about 
1845, have a capital of $500,000, and employ 
some 80 hands. 

About 1845, several manufacturing enterprises 
sprung up. Among them were the manufacture of shut- 
tles and bobbins ; that of locks and knobs ; also, Wil- 
liams's Iron Foundry, with Gage's Machine Shop. The 
Nashua Iron Companj' was incorporated in 1847. It 
now has a capital of $500,000. At a somewhat later 
period, the Underhill Edge-Tool Companj', Otterson's 
Iron Foundry, the Francestown Soapstone Works, 
Gregg's Door, Sash and Blind Factory, the Nashua Card 
and Glazed I'aper Companj', and other similar enter- 
prises, were started, and came into successful operation. 
Nashua ranks second among the cities of the State in 
respect to the value of its manufactures. 

The schools and school-houses of Nashua are highly 
creditable to the city. The high-school building is tho 
finest structure of the kind which the State affords. It 



NEW HAMPSHIRE. 



Ga- 



was completed in 1874, and cost $100,000. In location, 
architectural beaut}-, and in furniture and equipments, it 
it leaves nothing to be desired. Altogether, the city has 
17 school-houses. 

The Nashua Literary Institution, incorporated in 1840, 
is under the charge of David Crosby, so long and favor- 
ably known as an educator. 

Nashua has an excellent public library, comprising 
more than 6,000 volumes, free to every citizen of the 
city. 

Two newspapers — the "Telegraph" and the 
zette" — are published in the city, each appear- 
ing in a daily as well as a weekl}- edition. 

There is no lack of banks and hotels in Nashua. 

The first church was organized Dec. 16, 1085, 
and the first pastor. Rev. Thomas "Weld, was 
ordained on the same day. It has had, during 
the interval of 193 years, 15 pastors, of whom 
Rev. Joseph Kidder held the pastorate 51 years. 
There are now 1 1 churches in the citj-. There 
are many public and private edifices which do 
credit to the intelligence and liberalitj- of the 
citizens of Nashua. The city hall is a fine struc- 
ture of brick. 

The Pennichuck Water Works were constructed 
in 1854, and furnish the city with an abundant 
supply of pure, soft water. 

The railroad facilities of Nashua, comprising 
six radiating lipes of road, are excellent. 

Among the first settlers of Nashua were the 
names of Weld, Blanchard, Waldo, C'uuimings 
and Lovewell. 

Nashua counts among her prominent citizens 
at the present time, Gen. Aaron F. Stevens, 
Hons. G. Y. and A. W. Sawyer, Hon. Samuel 
T. Worcester, Hon. George A. Ramsdell, Col. 
Gilman Scripture, Hon. B. E. P^merson, Hon. Charles 
Williams, Dr. Edward Spalding, Hon. Frank McKean 
and Hon. O. C. Moore. 

The several cemeteries are well laid out, and kept in 
good condition. 

MiLFORD is situated on the Souhegan River, about 1 1 
miles north-west from Nashua. The location is pleasant. 
The citizens are enterprising and prosperous. Tlie town 
was incorporated in 1746, and took its present name in 
1704. It has a population of 2, OOG. Manufacturing and 
trade are important branches of business. Still, manj- 
of the inhabitants are engaged in farming, and thrive b}' 
it. There are annually manufactured in this town 813,- 
000 yards of cotton goods ; $260,000 worth of carpets, 
&c., and 153,000 pounds of knitting and tidy j-arn. 



valued at $107,000. Nearly all branches of business are 
carried on here. 

There are 13 schools in the town, 5 churches, 2 banks, 
and 1 newspaper, — -the " Milford Enterprise." 

The Congi-egational church was organized Nov. 19, 
1788. Rev. H. Moore, D. D., was ordained and installed 
Oct. 13, 1802, and continued in office till 183G. 

Milford has a fine town hall, erected at an expense of 
$45,000. 

Among the earlj- settlers of Milford we find the names 
of Burns, Hopkins, Jones, Peabody, Hutchinson, Brad- 




MOLNT PLI ISVNT SCHOOL-HOLSE, NASHUA. 

ford, Town, Wallace, and Capt. Josiah Crosby, who was 
an officer in the Revolution. 

The citizens of Milford evinced their patriotism in the 
late war of the Rebellion ; no less than GO men, among 
them Col. O. W. Lull, having laid down their lives in the 
war, or in consequence of it. 

Those famous singers, the " Hutchinson Familj-," are 
lineal descendants of the Nathan Hutchinson mentioned 
in the earlj* records among the first settlers. 

Prominent citizens, at the present time, are Hon. 
Bainbridge Wadleigh ; Gilbert Wadleigh, Esq. ; Robert 
Wallace, Esq. ; C. S. Averill, Esq ; Hon. William 
Ramsdell, William Gibson, Esq., and others. 

Peterborough is a thriving and energetic town, situ- 
ated in the western part of the county, on the Contoo- 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



cook River. The first permanent settlement was effected 
in 1749. All of the first settlers were of the Scotch- 
Irish nationalitj'. The town was incorporated Jan. 17, 
1760, and took its name from Peter Prescott of Concord, 
Mass. The present population is 2,236. 

There are several villages in the town, each of which 
is more or less a centre of trade and manufacturing 
interests. 

The centre village is situated at the confluence of the 
Nubanusit and Contoocook rivers, and is a ver^- thriving 
and enterprising place. Peterborough is predominantly 
a mercantile and manufacturing town, although it com- 
prises some valuable and productive farms. The aggre- 
gate amount of money invested In manufactures is said 
to be $525,900 ; giving employ.nent to some 500 persons. 

The town has 14 schools, including a high school; a 
town library of some 4,000 volumes ; a newspaper, — the 
" Transcript," — and five chm-ch edifices. 

The first church was organized as Presbyterian, at or 
before the jear 1766. At a later period this church 
became Unitarian. 

Of prominent citizens in the past, Jeremiah Smith 
stands at the head. Col. James Miller, afterwards gen- 
eral and governor of Arkansas, who bore a conspicuous 
part in the battle of Lundy's Lane, and who, on being 
ordered by Gen. Brown to take a certain battery, made 
the ever-memorable reply, " I'll tiy, sir ! " was a native 
of Peterborough. In the words of another: "Peter- 
borough has furnished many eminent men, who have 
adorned the bench, the chair of State, the pulpit, the bar, 
tlie halls of legislature and of Congress." 

Weake is one of the most important and wealth}- 
fanning towns iu the county. Its population is 2,093. 
The town took its name from Hon. Meshech AVeare, an 
earlj' magistrate of New Hampshire, and was incorpo- 
rated in 1764. 

The inhabitants are mainlj- devoted to the cultivation 
of the soil, although there are some important manufac- 
tories in the town. The products of the soil are esti- 
mated at the annual amount of $192,399. 

There are 16 schools in the town, and 6 churches, 
besides 2 societies of Friends. Clinton Grove Seminar}-, 
C. II. Jones, principal, is located here. 

Wilton is located on the Souhegan River, some 15 
miles west from Nashua, and on the Lowell, Nashua and 
Greenfield Railroad. The situation is beautiful and 
romantic, particularly so with reference to the East vil- 
lage. It was fii-st settled in 1738 by three families, two 
named Putnam and one named Dale, from Danvers, 
Slass. Hannah Putnam was the first white child born iu 
the town. 



The town was incorporated June 25, 1762, and derives 
its name from Wilton, a manufacturing district in En- 
gland. It has at present a population of 1,974. 

There are manufactures of various kinds in the town. 
It is said that but one other town in the State — Bed- 
ford — produces annuall}- a greater quantit}- of milk. 

The soil of Wilton is of a superior qualitj-, and jnelds 
rich returns to the industrious husbandman. 

The town has 13 schools, a public library of some 
1,200 volumes, and 4 churches. 

The first Congregational church was organized Dec. 14, 
1763, Rev. Jonathan Livermore, pastor. Under its third 
pastor. Rev. Mr. Bedee, it became distinctivel}- Unitarian 
in its faith and relations, and so continues. 

The second Congregational church was formed July 
18, 1823, consisting of 17 seceders from the first church. 

Among the enterprising men still remaining in Wilton, 
are C. II. Bums, Hon. D. Whiting, and Dr. Josiah 
Freeman. 

GoFFSTOWN lies on the Piscataquog River, west from 
Manchester. The town was named from Goffe, one of the 
early settlers. It was incorporated June 16, 1761. 
Present population, 1,656. 

The common employment of the inhabitants is agri- 
culture. Over 200,000 quarts of milk are annuallj- sold. 
Considerable manufacturing of various kinds is carried 
on. 

The town has 14 schools and 4 churches. The first of 
these churches (Congregational) was organized Oct. 30, 
1771. Rev. Joseph Currier was the first pastor. A 
Presbj-terian church was formed in the town soon after. 
On the settlement of Rev. D. L. Morrill in March, 1802, 
the two churches were united as a " Congregational- 
Presb3-terian church." Mr. Morrill, at a later period, was 
United States senator, and also governor of the State. 
Another pastor was Rev. Henry Wood, afterwards editor 
of the " Congregational Journal" ; also American consul 
at Beirut, Syria. 

In the southern part of the town are those two remark- 
able mountain protuberances known by the Indian name 
of the " Uncanoonucs." 

Among the prominent citizens of days gone b}' were 
Robert McGregor, who built the first bridge across the 
Merrimack at Amoskeag Falls ; Charles Frederic Gove, 
Esq., who filled several high olHccs in the State and 
county ; Jonathan Aiken, attorncy-at-law, and father of 
Rev. James Aiken, once settled in Ilollis. 

Hillsborough is situated in the north-western part of 
the county, and is watered by the Contoocook and Hills- 
borough rivers, which unite in the southern part of the 
town. The surface is hilly and uneven, and the soil 



NEW HAMPSHIRE. 



strong and productive. The first settlement was made 
in 1741, by Samuel Gibson, James McCalley, Robert 
McClurc, James L\-on, and otliers. 

Col. John Hill of Boston obtained a grant of the 
township from the Masonian proprietors, and hence the 
name. 

The first white children born in the town were John 
McCalley and Mary Gibson, who intermarried at a later 
period, and received as a gift a tract of land from the 
proprietors. 

The town was incorporated Nov. 14, 1772. Its present 
population is 1,595. 

The chief employment is agriculture, although there is 
also a consideraljle amount of manufacturing. More than 
$60,000 worth of leather is manufactured yearly ; also an 
equal amount of gentlemen's underclothing. 

The town has 17 schools, one newspaper, the 
" Hillsborough Bridge Messenger," two banks, and three 
churches. 

The First Congregational Church (at the Centre) was 
organized Oct. 12, 17G9. Rev. Jonathan Barnes was set- 
tled as pastor Nov. 25, 1772, and continued in office till 
1803. 

The Congregational Church at the Bridge was organ- 
ized May 29, 1839. Its first preacher was Rev. Samuel 
G. Tenney. 

Col. Benjamin Pierce, a soldier of the Revolution, and 
afterwards governorof NewHampsliIre, was a prominent 
and influential citizen of this town and of the county. 
He came from Chelmsford, Mass., and settled in Hills- 
borough shortly after the Revolution, in which he had 
borne a gallant part.* 

Col. Pierce was the father of Franklin Pierce, after- 
wards President of the United States. 

Among professional and business men at the present 
time may be mentioned H. D. Pierce, Esq., F. H. Pierce, 
Esq., Dr. A. C. Burnham, and J. S. Butler, Esq. 

Amherst is situated on the Souhegan River, about ten 
miles north-west of Nashua. The village is located in a 
fine plain, some two miles north of the river, and is sur- 
rounded by beautiful and sublime scenery. 

Amherst was, for many years, the most important 
town of the county : latterlj', however, Manchester and 
Nashua have borne away the palm. 

It was granted by Massachusetts in 1733, and was 
early known as " Souhegan West." The first settlers 
were Samuel Walton and Samuel Lampson, who came to 

* When Col. Pierce was called to fill the office of sheriff of the county, 
he found three aged men lying in Amherst jail for debt : one had been 
incarcerated for four years. No crime but poverty had been alleged 
against them. The heroic colonel was moved with compassion, and 



the place in July, 1734. It was incorporated in 1760, 
and took its name from Gen. Amherst of the English 
armj-. 

The present number of inhabitants is 1,353. The 
people of Amherst arc priucipall}' engaged in farming. 
Over 90,000 gallons of milk are sold, and over 36,000 
pounds of butter are annually made in the town. 

There is one large foundry, and several smaller manu- 
factories. 

One newspaper, established Nov. 10, 1802, entitled 
the " Farmer's Cabinet," is published. 

The town library- contains 1,000 volumes. There are 
eleven schools and three churches. The Congregational 
church was organized Sept. 22, 1741, " by six members, 
in the simplest form of Congregationalism, out of a pop- 
ulation of fourteen families." On the following daj-, 
Sept. 23, Rev. Daniel Wilkins was ordained pastor. He 
has been followed by an able succession of ministers, 
including such men as Pres. Nathan Lord, Rev. Dr. Silas 
Aiken, Rev. Dr. W. T. Savage, and the present able and 
efficient pastor. Rev. J. G. Davis, D. D. 

Among prominent natives or residents of the town, in 
former da3-s, or at the present time, we may mention 
Judge Samuel Dana, from whom descended Judge Samuel 
Dana Bell, Senator James Bell, Dr. Luther V. Bell, and 
Hon. Samuel N. Bell; William Gordon, who though 
dying at the age of 39, had filled the offices of senator, 
member of Congress, and attorney-general ; Col. Robert 
Means, member of the State senate, father of Rev. James 
Means, formerly of Concord, Mass. ; Hon. Jedediah K. 
Smith, who filled important State and national offices ; 
Hon. Clifton Claggett, who, for some years, was at- 
torne3'-gcneral of New Hampshire, and a member of the 
eighth, fifteenth and sixteenth congresses ; and Hon. 
Charles II. Atherton, who was for more than 40 j-ears 
register of probate for the county, and for more than 
50 years a leading member of the Hillsborough bar. 
His son, Hon. Charles G. Atherton, who settled in 
Nashua, was representative to Congress, also senator 
for a term of years, and died while holding the senatorial 
office. 

Amherst, it appears, furnished more soldiers for the 
Revolutionary army than any other town in the State. 

New Ipswich is situated in the south-west corner of 
the count}', and is some 24 miles west from Nashua. 
The Souhegan River flows through the town, furnishing 
excellent water-power for mills and factories. 

actually paid out of his own pocket the debts of the three nnforttmate 
men, and restored them to their families and to liberty. This generous 
act gave him, as was fitting, unbounded popularity throughout the 
State. 



640 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



The principal tillage is at the centre of the town, in a i 
beautiful and fertile vallej-. 

The town was settled prior to 174!l. 

The first settlers were Eeuben Kiddor, Archibald White, 
Joseph and Ebenezcr Bullard, and others. These were 
soon re-enforced by the Adamses and Appletons from Ips- 
wich, Mass., the Farrars from Lincoln, and the Barretts 
from Concord, — names which have since been conspicuous 
in the historj- of the township. The town was incorpor- 
ated Sept. 9, 1762. Present population, 1,380. 

The people are generall}- engaged in agriculture, j-et 
their manufacturing enterprises are important. The 
" Columbian Manufacturing Company " owns a large cot- 
ton manufactory in the town. 

Appleton Academy, a famous institution, incorporated 
in 1789, is an honor to the town. 

There are thirteen public schools, one savings bank, a 
good public library, and three churches. 

TheFirst Church was organized in 1751. Rev. Stephen 
Farrar was ordained pastor in 1760. He continued in 
office for 49 years. 

Pres. Jesse Adams of Bowdoin College, was a native of 
New Ipsftich ; also Jonas Chickering of pianoforte fame ; 
aJso Prof. Ebenezer Adams of Dartmouth College ; like- 
wise Samuel Appleton, Esq., a distinguished merchant of 
Boston ; and John Preston, Esq., a prominent lawyer in 
the count}-. 

The people of the town have been somewhat marked 
by literary tastes and habits. Its college graduates, 
prior to 1853, numbered some 45. The first cotton-mill 
in the State was built in this town in 1803. 

New Boston is situated due west from Manchester, 
and some ten miles distant. Several streams of water 
flow through the town, the largest of which is the south 
branch of the Piscataquog River. The town is hill}', with 
a strong, productive soil. "Jo English Hill" is in the 
south part of this town. 

New Boston was settled in 1733, and incorporated 
Feb. 18, 1763. The first settlers were Cochrane, 
Wilson, Caldwell, McNeil, Person, and Smith. 

The present number of inhabitants is 1,241. Most of 
the people are emploj'ed in the cultivation of the soil. 

There are fifteen schools in the town. 

The Presbyterian Church was organized in 1768. 
Rev. Solomon Moore, the first pastor, was ordained in 
September of that year. The Baptist Church was organ- 
ized Dec. 6, 1787. 

This town has produced a large number of men of 
eminence in the learned professions and in business. 
The Cochrane, Crombie, Gregg, Dodge, Buxton and 
Clark families have been prominent in the State. 



Rev. Edward Buxton, Rev. W. R. Cochrane, and Rev 
Henry Marden of the Turkej- mission, belong to this 
town. Hon. Perley Dodge, Hon. Clark B. Cochrane, 
and Hon. Royal Parkinson also belong here. ! 

HoLLis was settled in 1731, and incorporated in 174G. 
It took its name from the Duke of Newcastle, whose 
famil}' name was HoUis. The first settler was Capt. 
Peter Powers. Eleazer Flagg came in 1722. 

The present population is said to be 1,080. The | 
business of the town is mainh' agricultural. This town 
ranks highest in the county in the products of the 
orchard. The annual production of milk amounts to 
more than 350,000 quarts. The coopering business has 
assumed considerable importance in the town. 

The town has 14 schools, and a social library of 1,600 
volumes. 

The onl}- church, the Congregational, was organized 
at some time prior to the settlement of Rev. Daniel 
P^merson, which took place April 20, 1743. He retained 
the sole pastorate till Nov. 27, 1793. 1 

The town of Hollis has hitherto held a very high rank 
in a literary and intellectual point of view. Many men 1 
of distinguished business enterprise, and in the learned 
professions, have gone forth from this ancient town. 

From a catalogue now before the writer, it appears 
that, up to 1877, no less than 62 of the natives or resi- } 
dents of Hollis have been college graduates. Probabl}' 
no other town in the State can furnish a parallel to this 
case. 

Among the number we maj- mention Benjamin Mark 
Farley, an able and successful lawyer ; Rev. Samuel ' 
Worcester, D. D., pastor of the Tabernacle Church, ' 
Salem, Mass. ; Prof. Ralph Emerson of Andover Theo- I 
logical Seminary ; Joseph E. Worcester, LL.D., the dis- 
tinguished lexicographer; Hon. Samuel T. Worcester of' 
Nashua ; Rev. Joseph Emerson, pastor of the Third 
Congregational Church in Beverly, Mass., and afterwards 
principal of a female seminary ; also Rev. Noah Worces- 
ter, D. D., author of " Bible News." 

Bedford, the second town of the county in agricul- 
tural importance, was incorporated May 19, 1750. Its 
population is 1,221. C. W. Wallace, D. D., Silas Aiken, 
D. D., and Hon. Zachariah Chandler of Michigan, were 
born iu this town. 

Merrimack, a farming and manu.acturing town of 
1,066 inhabitants, was incorporated in 1746. Rev. 
Jacob Burnap, D. D., was pastor in the town for a 
period of 49 years. Robert McGaw, a wealthy citizen, 
deceased some j-ears since, founded "McGaw Normal 
Institute," a thri\-ing school in the town. 

Hudson lies on the Merrimack River, opposite Nashua. 



NEW HAMPSHIRE. 



It was incorporated June 5, 1746, as "Nottingham 
AVest," and received its present name in 1830. Popula- 
tion, 1,066. 

Francestcwn, incorporated June 8, 1772, present 
population 932, is the site of Francestown Academj-, a 
flourishing institution. Farming is the principal occupa- 
tion of the people. A quarrj- of freestone here has been 
very extensively worked. From James 'Woodbury, one 
of the early settlers, a soldier in the old French war, and 
who stood beside Gen. Wolfe, when he fell at Quebec, 
have sprung Hon. Levi Woodburj', Rev. Marsh Wood- 
bur}-, and other eminent men. 

Antrim, named from a town in Ireland, mainly a farm- 
ing town, but manufacturing silk and twist, and also 
j seed-sowers, was incorporated March 22, 1777. The 
population is 1,056. Rev. John M. Whiton, D. D., was 
pastor of the Presbjiierian church in Antrim for 45 3'ears. 
Rev. John Nichols, missionar}^ to India, Rev. Seneca 
Cummings, missionary to China, Hon. D. M. Christie of 
Dover, and Judge G. W. Nesmith, were born here, 
this town. 

Pelham, a town of 861 inhabitants, was settled in 
1721, and incorporated in 1746. Agriculture is the lead- 
ing industry. It has, however, some manufactures, and 
stone quarries. 

Greenville, population 975, has large cotton-mills, 
lumber-mills, a fui-niture manufactory and a flouring-mill, 
besides various smaller mills and shops. It was formerlj- 
a part of Mason, and was incorporated in June, 1872. 

Ltndeborougu, named from Benjamin Lj-nde, Esq., 
and situated in the central part of the county, was incor- 
porated April 23, 1764. It contains 820 inhabitants. 
Centre Mountain occupies a portion of this town. Rev. 
W. Boutwell, missionary to the Indians, was born here. 



Hancock, an agricultural town, was incorporated Nov. 
5, 1779. Present population, 792. 

Mason was incorporated Aug. 26, 1768. Some of the 
finest graperies and peach-orchards in the State are to be 
found here. The celebrated soldiers' monument, erected 
in Salisbury in 1878, was quarried and wrought at the 
Glen quarry in this town. Population, 685. 

Other towns in the countj' are : — Brookline, incor- 
porated in March, 1769, under the name of Ruby, which 
name was changed to Brookline in 1 778 ; population, 741 ; 
the industries being agriculture and manufacturing : 
Greenfield, given town privileges June 15, 1791 ; a 
farming town of 560 inhabitants : Deering, named by 
Hon. John Wentworth in honor of his wife, whose maiden 
name was Deering ; incorjjorated Jan. 17, 1774 ; popula- 
tion, 722 ; the native place of Rev. Thomas A. Merrill, 
D. D. of Middlebury, Vt., and containing 11 schools and 
an academy : Mount Vernon, incorporated Dec. 15, 
1803 ; population, 601 ; having a flourishing village on 
an eminence noted for its fine scenery : Litchfield, a 
small but prosperous town, situated on the Jlerrimack ; 
incorporated as a township by Massachusetts, July 5, 
1734, and chartered by New Hampshire, June 5, 1749 ; 
containing 345 inhabitants, and for 12 3'earsthe residence 
of Hon. Wiseman Claggett, an able lawyer who came 
here from England, and purchased a farm : Temple, in- 
corporated Aug. 26, 1768, population, 421 ; having a 
small but pleasant village nestling among towering 
hills : Bennington, manufacturing cutlery, paper, lum- 
ber, &c., incorporated in 1842 ; population, 405 : 
Sharon, incorporated June 24, 1791 ; population, 182 ; 
and Windsor, having a deep and productive soil, ob- 
taining town privileges in 1798, and containing less 
than 100 inhabitants. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



MEREIMACIv COUNTY, 



BY ASA McFARLAND. 



The incorporation of Merrimack Countj- arose out 
of the necessities of people who dwelt in the western 
portion of the great and populous countj' of Rocking- 
ham, which extended from the shore of the Atlantic 
Ocean in a north-westerly direction, to the confluence of 
Merrimack and AVimiipiseogee rivers, and those who j 
inhabited the equall}' large countj' of Hillsborough, which 
embraced all the towns from the border of Massachusetts 
near Peppcrell and Tyngsborough, to the town of Wil- 
mot, a distance of about 50 miles. The towns severed 
from Rocldngham County to form Merrimack, were 
Allenstown, Bow, Canterbury, Chichester, Concord, Ep- 
som, Loudon, Northficld, Pembroke and Pittsfield ; from 
Hillsborough were taken Andover, Boscawen, Bradford, 
Dunbarton, Henniker, Hooksett, Hopkinton, Newbury, 
New London, Salisbury, Sutton, Warner and Wilmot. 
Since the formation of Merrimack County the town of 
Franklin (in 1828) was constituted of portions of San- 
bornton, Salisburj' and Northfield, and the towns of 
Danbury and Hill were severed from Grafton County 
and annexed to Merrimack. 

The territory now within the county of Merrimack 
was first inhabited by white people about the year 1725. 
Tliese were the successors of an aboriginal race, bj' whom 
the early settlers were kept in peril many j'cars. The 
tribe of Indians known as the Pennacook, had their head- 
quarters iu what is now Concord ; but according to well 
authenticated history, that ti'ibe sustained friendly rela- 
tions with the white settlers. It was wandering Indians 
by whom the infant settlements were assailed, instigated 
to savage deeds by inhabitants of Canada. Within 
100 years of this time, near the site of the dwelling in 
which this history was prepared, stood the log meeting- 
liouse in which the pastor and his little flock assembled 
every Sunday, with loaded muskets at their side, for tha 
public woi-ship of God. This house was built in 1727, 
was 40 by 25 feet, with holes at its sides and ends 
through which to point and discharge fire-arms, should 
the companj' be assailed by Indians. Several towns ad- 
jacent to Concord were frequently put in peril by the 
same dusky foe. 

Within a mile and a quarter of the State House, is a 



granite shaft, in the form of an obelisk, about eight feet 
in height, erected in memory of five men who were killed 
by Indians on the 11th of August, 1746. Sis miles 
north of the State House, on an island at the confluence 
of Contoocook and Merrimack rivers, is the spot where 
occuiTcd an event of such tragic character as to obtain a 
permanent place in the earlj' annals of New England. 
This small tract is known as Dustin's Island. Mrs. Dus- 
tin was taken from the dwelling she inhabited in Haver- 
hill, Mass., and conveyed up the Merrimack River, to 
the far-off and lonelj' island, where her captors laid down 
to sleep, and passed "from the slumber of midnight to 
the slumber of death." 

Mrs. Hannah Dustin was the wife of Thomas Dustin 
of Haverhill, Mass. , and when an attack was made upon 
that place by the Indians, March 15, 1G97, she was in 
bed, with an infant seven days old at her side. Hearing 
the war-whoop of savages as they approached, Mr. Dus- 
tin, at work in a field near his dwelling, ran to the rescue 
of his family, seven of whom appear to have reached 
such an age as to take to flight. Seizing his gun, and 
finding it impossible to remove the mother and infant, he 
mounted his horse and urged his children onward, de- 
fending them against their pursuers. He appears to have 
saved all his household who accompanied him in the flight, 
and all found temporary refuge in an unoccupied house. 
Mrs. Dustin had for nurse one Mary NeflT, several j-ears 
her senior, a woman, according to tradition, of kindly 
disposition and much fortitude. Mrs. Dustin and Mary 
were seized, the infant killed by being dashed against a 
tree, and the two women compelled, in an inclement sea- 
son of the year, to accompany their savage captors to 
the far-off island, 50 miles from the place of departure. 

The deadly plan, formed by Mrs. Dustin it is supposed, 
was conceived as soon as she reached the spot destined 
to be a resting-place between Massachusetts and Canada. 
The company consisted of Mrs. Dustin and Mary Neff, 
two Indian men, three women, seven children, and a lad 
named Lannardson. Mrs. Dustin learned that her des- 
tination was Canada, and had no doubt of barbarous 
treatment when there ; and ascertaining through the boy 
Lannardson the place on the head where blows would be 



NEW HAMPSHIRE. 



most fatal, and liow scalps are removed, at once formed 
the plan for her deliverance from such fearful bondage. 
The nurse and Lannardson were at once mjide aware of 
the puri^ose, and at the midnight hour, tomahawk in 
hand, Mrs. Dustin made an end of the dusky group. 
Ten were slain ; one woman supposed to have been killed 
arose and ran into a thicket, and a favorite Indian boy 
was spared. 

Mrs. Dustin followed up her sanguinary deed by re- 
moving the scalps of the ^-ictims, took such food is 
was in the camp, the gun and 
the tomahawk with which she 
killed her captors, scuttled all 
the canoes except one, and 
with that set out upon the 
homeward journey, and after 
great hardship, reached Hav- 
erhill in safety. These are the 
most material facts regarding 
a transaction which causes the 
little island in the Merrimack 
River to be of enduring in- 
terest, and which the distin- 
guished Mrs. Sarah J. Hale, 
late of Philadelphia, but a na- 
tive of Newijort, in this State, 
commemorated in a poem en- 
titled "The Father's Choice." 

A few years since a monu- 
ment, to perpetuate the mem- 
ory of Mrs. Dustin and the 
transaction with which her 
name is so closely connected, 
was erected on the island. 
The figure of a woman of 
heroic proportions, tomahawk 
in hand, rests upon a mas- 
sive pedestal, all of granite. 

South-west of the State house in Concord is the pre- 
viouslj' mentioned granite shaft, which was erected with 
imposing services, Aug. 22, 1837, to perpetuate the 
Indian massacre of 174G. It is about seven feet high, 
and has upon the side nearest the highwa}', this inscrip- 
tion : — "This monument is in memorj- of Samuel Brad- 
ley, Jonathan Bradley, Obadiah Peters, John Bean, 
and John Lufkiu, who were massacred by Indians, 



* The remark ascribed to a company of New Hampshire patriots on 
their way to Bunker Hill, indicates the mettle of her sturdy sons in 
those early days. " Stand aside and let us pass if you are not going to 
march," they cried to a party of militia who were undecided what 
course to pursue. 




Aug. 11, 174G. Erected 1837 by Richard Bradley, son 
of Hon. John Bradley, and grandson of Samuel Brad- 
lej-." This tragical occurrence created the utmost con- 
sternation and profound grief in the infant settlement. 
The little company were on their way from one portion 
of the town to another, and consisted, it is said, of seven 
men, all armed with muskets. Two were captured and 
taken to Canada, whence the Indians came who com- 
mitted the deed. The party of savages is supposed 
to ha-\e numbcied about 100. The conflict was se- 
vere before the terror-stricken 
little company were destroyed. 
Between the years 1744 and 
1760, frequent incursions were 
made upon the frontier settle- 
ments of New Hampshire, by 
Indians of the St. Francis 
tribe. Some of the settlers 
were kiUed, some carried into 
captivity and their property 
destroyed. Such was the case 
in Canterbury, Epsom, Salis- 
burj', Boscawcn, Hopkinton, 
and Concord. To protect the 
settlers against these assaults, 
block-houses were constructed 
at suitable places, into which 
the inhabitants retired in times 
of danger; while parties of 
armed men ranged the forests 
in search of their hu-king foes. 
Among the leaders of the 
settlers we find Capt. Jeremiah 
C'lough at Canterbury, one of 
the first inhabitants there ; 
Peter Brown, also of Canter- 
bury ; Capt. Ebenezer East- 
man of Concord, and several 
Ebenezer "Webster, Nathaniel 
Some of the last were among 
the rangers who served under Rogers and Stark, and en- 
dured almost incredible suflferings in their campaigns.* 

The county of Jlerrimack is the most central of the ten 
into which the State is divided. Its surface is sufficiently 
diversified to be in hai-mony with the general topography 
of a mountainous State. Kearsarge Mountain t — the 



t This eminence, 2,943 feet above the sea-level, has recently acquired 
national celebrity, since a w.ir-vessel named for it performed gallant 
service during the Hebellion by destroying the " Alabama," which 
was sunk beneath the waters of the English Channel, after a liricf 
encounter with the " Kearsarge," Capt. Winslow, June 19, 18G4. 



Xl'MENT, CONCOKU. 



of his sons ; and later, 
Abbott and John Shute. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



highest land in central New Hampshii-e — is its most 
conspicuous object. 

From the summit of this mountain, a prospect of 
great extent, beaut}- and grandeur is obtained. In clear 
weather the eye takes in portions of every county in 
New Hampshire, from Monadnock in the south-west, 
near the border of Massachusetts, on to those sublime 
peaks in the counties of Carroll, Grafton and Coos, 
which have become magnets by which people from all 
portions of the Union are drawn within our borders dur- 
ing the summer months. 

Through this county several rivers of m.agiiitudc and 
importance make their 
way ; chief of these is 
the Merrimack, which is 
said to propel more ma- 
ehinerj' than anj' other 
stream of water in the 
world. The waters of 
the Winnipiseogee join 
the Merrimack at Frank- 
lin ; and the Contoocook 
— the sources of which 
are in the south-west, 
near Monadnock Moun- 
tain — forms a junction 
with the Merrimack at 
Fisherville, a busy set- 
tlement at the mouth of 
the Contoocook, com- 
posing AVard 1, Concord. 

The largest portion of 
the people of Merrimack 
Count}- are emplo3-ed in 
agricultui'e ; relatively, 
however, less than in several other counties of New 
Hampshire. The county is of somewhat compact form, 
and most of the towns are within 15 miles of the shire 
town. 

The wholesomeness of the climate of this county maj' 
be inferred from the remarkable longevity of manj' of 

• Concord is the birth-place of men who became conspicnons in 
Y.-irious positions, some of whose names are here given : Hon. Richard 
II. Aver, born Jan. 12, 1778; was the tirst sheriff of Jlerrimacli Connty. 
He died in Manchester Feb. 5, 1853. Rev. Ezra E. Adams, bom Aug. 
29, 1813; was seamen's chaplain at Cronstadt and Havre, and pastor in 
Nashua and Philadelphia. He died Nov. 3, 1871. Nathaniel H. Carter, 
Esq., editor of the " New York Statesman," distinguished in literature, 
died Jan. 2, 1830, at Marseilles, France, aged 42. Abicl Chandler, 
bom Feb. 26, 1777 ; teacher and merchant, and founder of Chandler 
Scientific School ; died at Walpole March 21, 1851. George Kent, Esq., 
liora May 6, 1796; was a leading lawyer, and several years one of the 
proprietors and editor of the " New Hampshire Statesman." Hon. 



HOME OF FRANKLIN PIERCE, CONCOKl). 



its people — not less than 45 having celebrated their 
centennial within the past 75 years, while four reached 
the extremely advanced age of 105 jears. The total 
number of inhabitants, according to the census of 1870, 
was 42,151. 

Towns. 

Concord, * a city of about 15,000 inhabitants, the 
second in New Hampshire as to numbers and date of 
incorporation, obtained its charter as a city in 1853. 
When granted by the legislature of Massachusetts, in 
1725, it was an inhospitable waste, on the frontiers of 
civilization, and there j-et remain within its borders sev- 
eral ancient buildings 
^^- that were fortified b}- 

the early settlers against 
the savages, and be- 
neath the roofs of which 
men, women and chil- 
ren alike sought shelter 
u hon the shades of night 
_ ilhcred around them. 
.I.m. 17, 1725, a tract 
of land was granted bj- 
tlie legislature of Mas- 
■- u husetts to 103 pro- 
I I u tors, and the name 
111 Pennacook was be- 
-towcd upon it. Such 
of these proprietors as 
dwelt here in the first 
t^\ent3' 3-ears were sub- 
ject to great privations, 
and were often in dead- 
ly peril. They were in 
danger by night and by 
day. They labored in fields and sustained public worship 
in a log-house on Sundays with fire-arms at hand or 
within easy reach. On one occasion their worst appre- 
hensions were realized. Aug. 11, 1746, when a small 
company of men were on their way from one of the scat- 
tered settlements to another, distant about two miles, 

Edward Kent, bom Jan. 8, 1802, was governor of Maine from 1838 to 1841, 
and subsequently judge of the Supreme Court, and minister to Brazil. He 
died May 19, 1877. Asa McFarland, Esq., born May 19, 1804, spent 
most of the business portion of his life in the office of the " New Hamp- 
shire Statesman," as proprietor and editor. Chandler E. Potter, Esq., 
bom March 7, 1807, editor and historian, died in Flint, Mich., Aug. 3, 
1868. Hon. Philip Carrigain, bom Feb. 20, 1772, was secretary of State, 
and author of a map of New Hampshire. He died March 15, 1842. 

The list of men who occupied conspicuous positions, but whose 
birth-place was elsewhere, is very considerable. The following may 
be mentioned : Rev. Israel Evans, chaplain in the army of the 
Revolution ; successor of Rev. Timothy Walker, as pastor of the only 




NEW HAMPSHIRE. 



thcj' Tvero assailed b^- Indians l3ing in ambusli, and five 
wore killed. 

Pennacook, the name of a tribe of fricnnlj- Indians, 
became Rumfurd a few jears after the grantees took 
possession of I he tract assigned them. It bore the latter 
name from 1733 to 1775. The first settlers were a 
religious, self-den3-ing and self-reliant people. Rum- 
.ford had its representatives in what was known as the 
Frcndi war — 1 744-45 — and men from this infant set- 
tlement were in the expedition against Louisburg. Com- 
ing up to the war for independence, everj- requisition 
made upon the men of Concord was promptlj' answered. 
Thej- were quick to realize the public danger and prom|'t 
in responding to the call to arms. The men of that day 
rendered effective service at Bunker Hill and Benning- 
ton, an entire companj- marcli- 
ing on short notice to the last- 
named battle-ground, and con- 
tributing to the discomfituie of 
Burgo3-ne, and to the iibiii, 
hopes inspired 113- that c^ent 

Bj- an act of the legislatui 
of Massachusetts, passeil M n 
25, 17G5, Rumford became i 
town, and was given the n xmt 
of Concord. At that time thi 
population was loss than 1,000 

The New Hampshire legi&l i 
ture had, from an early time 141 
to the j'ear 1808, been a nn- ^= — ~ 

, , , .. . , STATE HOVS 

gratory body, its sessions ha\- 

ing been held in Exeter, Portsmouth, and Concord. 
From the year above given the sessions of what was 
known in the beginning as the " Great and General 
Court," have been held here. 

The present State house was commenced in 1816, and 
completed in 1819. More than ten years ago the build- 
ing — a structure composed of granite — underwent en- 
largement and improvement, at an expense of $150,000. 

Exclusive of the Capitol, edifices devoted to the pur- 

cluirch in town at that time, ordained in July, 1784. Rev. Asa Mc- 
Farland, D. D., third pastor; native of 'VVorcester, Mass.; died Feb. 
18, 1827, aged 57 ; in office 27 years. Hon. Isaac Hill, founder of the 
" New Hampshire Patriot"; native of West Cambridge, Mass.; U. S. 
senator and governor of New Hampshire; died March 22, 1851, aged 
62. Thomas W. Thompson, U. S. senator, died Oct. 1, 1821, aged 55. 
Rev. Nathaniel Bouton, bom in Norwalk, Conn. ; 42 years pastor of 
the First Congregational Church ; died June 6, 1878, aged 78. John 
Farmer, Esq., bom in Chelmsford, Mass. ; a distinguished antiquarian 
ami historian ; died Aug. 13, 1838, aged 49. Hon. Nathaniel G. Uphara, 
native of Rochester; justice of the Supremo Court; U. S. commis- 
sioner in London; died Dec. U, 1869, aged 68. Hon. Franklin Pierce, 
a native of Hillsborough, N. H. ; president of the United States ; died 



poses of t 
j-cars ago, 
buildi 



\irf' 



State are the pi-ison, built more than CO 
d the asylum for the insane, an extensive 
to which additions are still made, as occasion 
requires. Concord is also the shire of Merrimack 
County. The churches arc as good at least as the best 
domestic habitations, and the school-houses afford visi- 
ble and conclusive proof of the interest made manifest 
for popular education. 

The cliief or central portion of the city is upon the 
west or right bank of Merrimack River, and from rising 
ground a mile from that stream extensive views are 
obtained. From the dome of the State house the pros- 
pect is beautiful and extensive. Fertile meadows, 
through which the river passes, and the majestic sweep 
of that stream as it passes on to mingle its w-aters with 
the ocean ; the man}' and beau- 
tiful public buildings beneath 
the 630 ; and habitations of the 
people, together with gardens 
iiid lawns, compose a picture 
the remembrance of which long 
leinains in the memory. 

There are three considerable 
\ lUages outside the centre, not 
including Fishervillc, namely, 
List ai,d West Concord and 
Jlillville. Fisher\ille, upon the 
Contoocook River, is six miles 
from the State house, and has 
become a busy, enterprisins 

, CONCOKI) .< i o 

and piospcrous manufacturing 
village of about 2,500 inhabitants. Manufacturing is also 
conducted in West Concord, a village of several hundred 
inhabitants, about three miles from the Capitol. East 
Concord is tlu-ce miles away, and is reached by a massive 
iron bridge across Merrimack River. Millville, two 
miles from Main Street, is distinguished as the scat of 
St. Paul's School — the Eton and Rugb}- of New Eng- 
lanel ; an establishment for the education of boj's, of 
whom there are now about 200. 



Oct. 8, 1869, aged 64. Nathaniel P. Rogers, Esq., a native of Plymouth ; 
one of the earliest anti-slavery advocates, and first editor of the 
" Herald of Freedom "; died Oct. 16, 1846, aged 52. Hon. Ira Perley, 
born in Boxford, Mass. ; chief justice of the Supreme Court; died Feb. 
26, 1874, aged 74. Hon. David L. Morrill, native of Epping; U. S. 
senator and governor -of New Hampshire; died Jan. 28, 1849, aged 76. 
Hon. Henry A. Bellows, a native of 'Walpole; chief justice of the 
Supreme Court; died March 11, 1873, aged 69. Gen. Joseph Lord, 
native of Amherst; first mayor of Concord; died Aug. 29, 1859, aged 
69. Hon. Walter Harriman, bom in Warner; colonel of the eleventh 
regiment New Hampshire volunteers, governor, secretary of State, 
naval officer in Boston during the presidency of Gen. Grant. Hon. 
Onslow Steams, governor of the State. 




HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



In its course through Concord, Merrimack River is 
crossed bj' two railwaj- and five highwa}- bridges. Con- 
toocook River forms a junction with the Merrimack at 
Fisherville, where are two bridges, one of iron, costing 
817,000. 

There is an ancient house in Concord known as " The 
Count Rumford Place." It occupies an agi'ceable posi- 
tion near the west bank of Merrimack River, about one 
and a quarter miles south of the State house ; and, 
although it has become decaj'ed, wears, even in its 
decline, the air of an ancestral abode. Benjamin Thomp- 
son (Count Rumford) was a native of Woburn, Jlass., 
and came to Concord as a teacher of jouth. He here 
married the widow of Benjamin Rolfe, a daughter of 
Rev. Timoth}^ Walker, more than 50 j'cars pastor of the 
onlj' church existing in Concord through his entire min- 
istry-. Thompson was of imposing presence, engaging 
manners and enterprising spirit. He became acquainted 
with influential men in the Province, and attracted the 
attention of Gov. John Wcutworth, from whom, in 1774, 
he received a commission of major in the New Hamp- 
shire militia. He subsequently, however, went abroad, 
having contracted the dislike of those with whom he was 
acquainted because of his presumptive opposition to the 
cause of the Colonies against the mother countr}-. After 
visiting England and France he entered into the service 
of the Duke of Bavaria. Because of inventions and 
reforms by which the subjects of the Elector were mate- 
rially benefited, the title of Count was confen'cd upon 
Thompson, to which he appended Rumford, in token of 
his having spent the early portion of his life in Rumford, 
on the Merrimack. Sarah Thompson, a daughter, was 
born in Concord, and here spent the earlj' portion of her 
long life, but joined her father abroad, and there spent 
many years after his decease, residing much of the time in 
London. She, however, in 184:5, returned to the home 
of her j-outh, and here died, Dec. 2, 1852, aged 78. 
The pension of 81,000 a jear bestowed by the Elector of 
Bavaria upon her father was continued to her ; and so 
extremely- frugal were her tastes and iiarsimonious her 
habits, that she left an estate of more than 840,000, 
and by will set apart $15,000 with which to found an 
as3dum for orphan female children bom in Concord. 
AV^hen that bequest shall have become sufficient, this 
charitable institution will be put in operation on the 
Count Rumford Place here spoken of ; a site well adapted 
for the purpose. 

The business of Concord is of vcr}- mixed character ; 
textile fabrics, however, being manufactured only at 
Fisherville and West Concord. But it is a noticeable 
and gratifying fact that it has not felt reverses in busi- 



ness affairs to the same extent as some other p ipulous 
New England towns. 

Concord granite is becoming as famous as Carrara 
marble, and the supply is inexliaustible. This granite is 
of light color, easily wrought into forms of beauty, and 
is without those particles of iron which cause discolora- 
tion of walls by the action of the elements. 

Franklin, a populous and busy town, was incorpo-* 
rated in 1828, and formed of portions of Sanbornton, 
Northfield, Andover and Salisbury. From its incorpo- 
ration there has been no check to its growth. The con- 
fluence of the Winnipiseogee and Merrimack rivers is in 
Franklin, and the water-power is abundant all the year 
round. 

It is a town of moderate territorial extent, containing 
only about 9,000 acres. Paper-making, and other indus- 
tries requiring water-power, were conducted in this place 
more than 50 years ago, a significant, though feeble, 
prophecy of its present magnificent enterprises. The 
Franklin mills produce flannels ; the Franklin Woollen 
Companj-, broadcloths ; and there are machine-shops, 
saw and grist mills, door, sash and blind manufactories, 
&c. The manufactured products of Franklin are put 
down at not less than 82,000,000 annuall}-. 

The circumstance that Daniel Webster, the great 
American statesman, was born in that part of Salisburj- 
which now constitutes a portion of Franklin, invests the 
town with additional interest.* The Webster mansion 
is agreeably situated amongst elms on the western bank 
of Merrimack River, and not far distant is the cemetery 
to which, about 70 years ago, was committed the body 
of his father, a man of much distinction in his daj- and 
generation. The mansion of the son has been converted | 
into an asylum for orphans, and an ediQce of brick, for 
the uses of that institution, was erected a few 3-ears ago 
near the original structure. To this portion of FrankUn, 
as picturesque as it is fertile, Mr. Webster was in the 
habit, down to near the close of life, of going at least 
once a year. 

Webster Pond, upon which Mr. Webster often sailed, 
has now become famous amongst the picturesque sheets 
of water which abound in New Hampshire. 

Hon. George W. Nesmith, a native of Antrim, Hills- J 
borough County, a lawyer, now far advanced in j'ears, 
and until disqualified by the constitutional limit (70 
years) , an associate justice of the Supreme Court, has 
resided in Franklin from early manhood, and constantly 
labored to shape the character and promote the growth 
of his adopted town. Population, 2,300. j 

• The track of the Northern Railroad passes through the Webster j 
farm. ' 




BIRTiirLACE OF DANIEL WEBSTER, FRANKLIN, N. H. 




HPLACE OF HORACE GREELEY, AMHERST, N. H. (See p^gc C31.) 



NEW HAMPSHIRE. 



Pembroke has had large increase of its inhabitants 
■within a few years, in consequence of manufacturing 
operations in Suncook, a village on the south-west cor- 
ner of the town, and partlj- in Allenstowu. It is sep- 
arated from AUenstown by Suncook River, a stream by 
which a great amount of machinery is propelled. Sun- 
cook village was the site of manufacturing to some 
extent early in the present centurj', and there were two 
paper-mills in the village GO years ago. Of late it has 
become a populous business place, with two church edi- 
fices, and the usual equipments of a town. 

Pembroke was granted by the government of Massa- 
chusetts, in 1727, to Capt. John Lovcwell and his brave 
associates, in consideration of their services against the 
Indians, and was called Suncook, its Indian name. The 
first survey was in 1728, and settlement commenced soon 
after, but inhabitants came in slowlj-, because of fre- 
quent alarms caused by Indians. The number of 
grantees was 60, of whom 40 accompanied Capt. Love- 
well to Pequawkett. James Carr, an early inhabitant, 
was killed by Indians Maj' 1, 1748, two years after the 
massacre of the Bradleys and others in Concord. 

Pembroke is one of the most •agreeable towns in New 
Hampshire. The chief highway extends from Suncook 
River, — ihe boundar}' line between Pembroke and Con- 
cord, — through a highly cultivated region, to the south- 
ern lino of the tonn, a distance of several miles. It is 
one of the few towns in the State which have paid the 
last dollar of indebtedness caused by the civil war. 

Sixty years ago. Dr. Amos Blanchard, a youug physi- 
cian, died in Pembroke, and made a bequest by which 
he founded Pembroke Academy, which, going into oper- 
ation soon after the decease of its founder, has been well 
sifstained ever since. 

The soil is good in this town, especially its interval 
lands, on the Merrimack and Suncook rivers. Popula- 
tion, 2,:>18. 

Among the natives of Pembroke may be mentioned 
Hon. Asa Fowler, born Feb. 2.''>, 1811, justice of the 
Supreme Court. 

HoPKiXTON, until the formation of Merrimack County 
(182.3), was the half-shire of Ililsborough County. It 
is one of the'bcst towns in the State, and the chief vil- 



* A history of the town, by Cliarlcs Caiicton Coffin, Esq., a native, 
was recently issued ; a large and fully illustrated volume. 

t The town is renowned for natives who acquired distinction ; namely : 
Hon. William Pitt Fessenden, born Oct. 16, 180G ; lawyer at Bridgton 
and Portland, Me. ; United States senator and secretary of the treasury ; 
died Sept. 8, 18G9. Gen. John A. Dix, born July 24, 1798; officer in the 
United States army at the age of 15 ; lawyer at Cooperstown, N. Y. ; 
United States senator; minister to France; governor of New York; 
miijor-gencral in the United States army, and secretary of war, and 



lage the place of abode of an intelligent and cultivated 
people ; while, scattered over its hills, are educated, in- 
dustrious and prosperous tillers of the soil. On C'ontoo- 
cook River, three miles from the town-house, are falls 
where are several mill-sites, and a populous settlement 
of several hundred inhabitants. Hopkinton was granted 
b}- Massachusetts, Jan. IG, 1735, to inhabitants of Hop- 
kinton, of that State, and was for a time known as New 
Hopkinton. The earlj' settlers were so much molested 
by Indians during the French war, that they abandoned 
their farms, and returned only at the conclusion of that 
strife. 

There ai'e few if anj- places in the State that leave a 
more agreeable impression upon the traveller than Hop- 
kinton. There is an air of ancestral grandeur in many 
of the dwellings ; and rows of stately trees along the 
streets, in summer adding to the comfort of the present 
generation, and at all times affording gratifying proof of 
the forethought of those who went before, are a con- 
spicuous feature of this goodly town. The legislatui-c 
held several sessions in Hopkinton in the latter part of 
the last contur}' and early in this. Hon. Matthew Har- 
vey, when governor, resided in Hopkinton. Hon. John 
Harris, a justice of the Superior Court ; Hon. Horace 
Chase, judge of probate man}' years ; Hon. Joshua Dar- 
ling, a jiublic man widel}- known in his day ; Hon. Ba- 
ruch Chase, president of the Merrimack County Bank, 
were severally residents of Hopkinton. An Episcoi^al 
church was formed early in the present century. Popu- 
lation, 1,814. 

BoscAWEX,* supposed to be named for Admiral Bos- 
cawen of the British navy, was settled about the same 
time as Concord, and incorporated in 1760. Until sun- 
dered, and the western portion incorporated as AVebster, 
in compliment to Ezekiel Webster, a brother of Daniel, 
Boscawen was, territorially, one of the large towns of 
New Hampshire. In 1860 the number of inhabitants 
was 2,274, and, afterthc division, 1,637. From the first 
the town has sustained a highlj- reputable character. f 
Indeed, Scotland is no more renowned for the honesty, 
intelligence and sturdv character of its inhabitants, than 
Boscawen for its sons and daughters, who. whether in 
Western States, — to which some emigrated more than 



recently deceased. Nathaniel Greene, Esq., born May 20, 1797, printer, 
editor and postmaster of Boston, died Nov. 29, 1877. Charles Gordon 
Greene, bom July 1, 1804, printer, editor and naval officer in Boston. 
Charles C. Cofiin, w.ar correspondent of the Boston " Journal," and 
journalist, born July 26, 1823. Moses G. Farmer, Esq., born Feb. 9, 
1820 ; said to " stand in the front rank of scientific men." Rev. Samuel 
Wood, D. D., ordained in Boscawen, and installed pastor of the Con- 
gregational church Oct. 17, 1781, sustaining the position until near the 
close of a long life. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



50 years ago, — in various parts of New England, or 
upon the paternal acres, have well performed their part, 
whatever stations in life they occupied. It is an excel- 
lent farming town. A busy and populous manufacturing 
place, known as Fisherville, is partly in Boscawen. 
Merrimack River is the boundary between this town and 
Canterbury. 

PiTTSFiELD is a prosperous town of over 1,600 inhab- 
itants, 17 miles north-east of Concord. Suncook River 
passes though the place, and propels the wheels of a fac- 
tory which has been in operation manj- years. The sur- 
face of the town is uneven and rocky ; but some of the 
best farms and most skilful agriculturists in the county 
are found in Pittsfield. The town was incorporated 
.March 27, 1782, and was in early times a part of 
Chichester. Hon. Moses Norris, Jr., a native of this 
town, was United States senator, and died in Washington 
Jan. 11, 1855, aged 51 years. 

Andover, settled in 1746, incorporated June 25, 
1779, is chiefl}' an agricultural town, though its manu- 
factured products are by no means inconsiderable. Being 
within the shadow of Kearsarge Mountain, and having 
an excellent hotel, the town has become the resort of 
summer travilleis. Population, 1,20G. 

Wakner is large in territory, and has a population of 
1,667. Its chief village is upon a stream known as 
Warner River, and is one of those busv and agreeable set- 
tlements, of which there are many among the hills of New 
Hampshire, to which excursionists resort in the summer 
months. The famous Kearsarge Mountain is chiefly in 
\Varner, and a carriage-road thither was recentl}- built by 
a few inhabitants at great expense and patient toil, under 
an act of incorporation. 

Wurner was granted by the legislature of Massachu- 
setts in 1735 to inhabitants of Salisbury and Amesbury, 
Mass. , and was for several years known as New Ames- 
bury ; afterwards as Jenness Town. It was incorporated 
Sept. 4, 1774, by the name it has since borne. 

Among the natives or inhabitants of Warner who 
acquired distinction, may be named Levi Bartlett, widely 
known as a contributor to agricultural publications ; 
Walter Harriman (see Concord) ; Nehemiah G. Ordway, 
sergeant-at-arms in United States House of Representa- 
tives, and Aquila Davis, an officer in the war of 1812. 

Hexnikek, situated upon Contoocook River, has long 
sustained the reputation of an industrious, thriving and 
moral town. Many natives received a collegiate educa- 
tion. Tlie centre village is of attractive appearance. 
Some manufactures are carried on in the west village. 

Henniker was granted, July 16, 1752, to James and 
Robert Wallace and others of Londonderrv, but settle- 



ment did not begin till 1761. It was incorporated in 
1768, and is supposed to have been named for John Hen- 
niker, a London merchant. Hon. Nathaniel Bradlej- 
Baker, governor of the State in 1855, tvas born in Hen- 
niker Sept. 29, 1819. He died in Iowa Sept. 12. 1876, 
aged 56. Hon. James W. Patterson of Hanover, repre- 
sentative in Congress, and senator one term, is a native 
of Henniker. Population, 1,288. 

HooKSETT was incorporated July 3, 1S22, and is com- 
posed of territory severed from Chester, Gotfstown and 
Dunbarton. The manufacture of cotton-cloth was com- 
menced at the falls on the Merrimack more than 50 3'ears 
ago, and is still continued. The manufacture of brick is 
the source of much income to those who are engaged in 
it. The house of Gen. Natt Head, governor of the 
State, constructed of brick made by the owner of the 
mansion, is an imposing, elegant and conspicuous object 
on the east side of the river. Hooksett is situated on the 
Merrimack, midway between Concord and Manchester. 
The population is 1,330. 

Loudon, formerly a part of Canterbury, was settled in 
1760, and incoqiorated in 177.). The inhabitants are 
mostly agriculturists, artd jjossess many excellent farms. 
Loudon Ridge, a long swell of land, constitutes an 
agi-eeable feature in the landscape, whence an extensive 
view is obtained into adjacent and more distant towns. 
Population, 1,282. 

Salisbury,* justh' celebrated for the distinguished 
men who were born within its limits, was granted by 
Massachusetts, and known first as Bakerstown ; after- 
ward changed to Stevenstown. It was incorporated 
March 1, 1768, when it was named Salisburj-. Among 
its earlv inhabitants were Philip Call, Nathaniel Meloon, 
Benjamin Pettengill, and John and Ebenezer Webster. 
The earl}' occupants of the soil were much molested by 
the Indians. Nathaniel Meloon, his wife and their three 
children, were taken to Canada by the savages, and sold 
in Montreal. The wife of Philip Call was killed ; and 
on the same day in 1753, Samuel Scribner, Robert Bar- 
ber and Enoch Bishop — the latter of Boscawen — were 
captured, and Scril^ner and Barber sold to the French. 

Until the construction of railways, Salisbury was upon 
the great thoroughfare between Concord and Connecticut \ 

* Hon. Ichabod Bartlett, of this town, was a representative in Con- 
gress six years. He died Oct. 19, IS.53, aged 67. Rev. Samuel Colcord I 
Bartlett is president of Dartmouth College. Hon. Daniel Webster, bom 
Jan. 17, 1782, was a lawyer in Boscawen, Portsmouth and Boston; rep- 
resentative and senator in Congress, and secretary of state. He died at 
Marshfield, Mass., Oct. 24, 1852. Hon. Ezekiel Webster, Ixjrn April 11, 
1780, a lawyer in Boscawen, was a senator in the State legislature. He 
died April 10, 1829, aged 49. Hon. William H. Bartlett, bom Aug. 20, 
1827, an associate-justice of the Supreme Court, died Sept. 24, 1S67. 



NEW HAMPSHIRE. 



River, and all the travel, b}- stage-coach and other car- 
riages, and wagons with heavy merchandise, passed 
through it, and the place was correspondingly prosperous. 
Its location is in the highest degree picturesque, having 
the noble Ivearsarge Mountain on its western burdi r, and 
other hills in more distant positions ; the whole compos- 
ing a prospect with which the e^-e never becomes weary. 
Population, 897. 

DusBARTON, almost wholly an agricultural town, is 
about nine miles from Concord. In early times it was 
known as Stt^rkstown, but became Dunbarton for Dun- 
barton, Scotland. The first settlements were made about 
1749 by people of Scotch descent. The town has from 
the first sustained a high rank, and been distinguished 
for the rectitude, intelligence and general thrift of its 
inhabitants. The soil is productive, and, from its rising 
ground, a perfect view is obtained over a large area of 
the State. 

Several natives of Dunbarton obtained distinction by 
no means confined to the place of their birth. Rev. 
Abraham Burnham, D. D., born Nov. 15, 177G, was pas- 
tor of the Congregational church in Pembroke 43 years ; 
died Sept. 21, 1852. Rev. Amos W. Burnham, his 
brother, born Aug. 1, 1791, was elergj-man iu Rindge 4C 
years; died Apr. 9, 1871. Prof. Charles G. Burnham, 
born in 1807, was a teacher and the author of an arith- 
metical work. Prof. Mark Bailej' was teacher of elocu- 
tion in Yale College. Amos Hadley, Esq., born May 14, 
1825, was a teacher in Concord, and at one time asso- 
ciated in the management of the " State Capital Re- 
porter." Joseph G. Ho}!, LL. D., was teacher in Exeter 
Academy, and chancellor of Washington University, St. 
Louis, where he died Nov. 26, 1862, aged 47. Caleb 
Stark, Esq., born Dec. 3, 1759, son of Gen. John 
Stark of the Revolutionar}' war, served as aid to his 
father; was a merchant in Boston, manufacturer in Sun- 
cook Village in the early jxars of this centurj-, and 
farmer in Dunbarton, where his mansion is still to be 
seen. He died in Oxford, Ohio, in 1838. 

The first ordained clerg3'man in Dunbarton was Rev. 
Walter Harris, D. D., born in Lebanon, Conn., June 8, 
1761, whose pastorate — his only one — commenced in 
1789, and ceased not long before his death, Dec. 25, 



1843. He exerted a wide and salutar}' influence, reach- 
ing far beyond the town. Population of Dunbarton, 

The remaining towns of this county are : Sutton, 
granted in 1749; settled in 1707; population, 1,155; 
containing a portion of Kearsarge Mountain, and the 
birth-place of Jonathan and Matthew Harvey, formerly 
representatives in Congress ; Gen. John Eaton, United 
States commissioner of education at Washington ; Hon. 
John S. Pillsbury, governor of Minnesota ; Hon. Bain- 
bridge Wadleigh, United States senator : Wilmot, incor- 
porated by the name of Kearsarge, June, 1827 ; popula- 
tion, 1,072; agriculture being the leading industry: 
Canterbury,* a farming town of 1,170 inhabitants; 
granted iu 1727, containing a settlement of Shakers: 
Bradford, incorporated in 1787; population, 1,080; 
the home of Mason W. Tappan, an eminent lawyer, 
representative in Congress six years, and at present 
attorney-general of the State: Epsom, granted May 18, 
1727; an agricultural town; the native place of Dr. 
Noah Martin, governor of the State in 1852-3 : 
Allenstown, chartered July 2, 1831 ; settled about the 
year 1728; population, 804: New London, incorpo- 
rated June 25, 1779, by the name of Dantzic; the seat 
of Colby Academj', a beautifully located and flourishing 
institution ; the native town of Gen. Anthony Colby, 
governor of the State in 1846, and Hon. Jonathan E. 
Sargent, chief justice of the Supreme Court; population, 
960: NoRTHFiELD, incoriwrated June 19, 1780 ; popula- 
tion, 833 ; mainly devoted to farming : Chichester, 
incorporated in 1727, but not settled until 1758 ; contain- 
ing a number of valuable farms ; population, 871 : Bow, 
a hill}' and rugged town; granted in 1727; population, 
745 : Webster, incorporated July 3, 1860 ; population, 
690 : Hill, formerly New Chester ; incorporated Nov. 
20, 1778, and given its present name in 1836 for Hon. 
Isaac Hill, then governor of the State ; population, 620 : 
and Newbury, incorporated as Fishersfield in 1778 ; re- 
ceiving its present name in 1836 ; one of the hill towns 
of New Hampshire, Sunapee Mountain being a con- 
spicuous object in the landscape ; population, 600. 

• Since the year 1812, nine persons, each 100 years old or over, have 

died in this town. 



HISTORY OF KEAV ENGLAND. 



ROCKINGHAM COUNTY. 



BY PROF. LAROY F. GRIFFIN. 



Rockingham County originallj- contained all the ear- 
lier settlements of New Hampshire, and for a century 
its history is that of the State. Its later history, so far 
as it is material, is embraced in that of the several towns 
of which it is composed. 

This county comprises the southern portion of New 
Hampshire, including all its coast. It has but one har- 
bor, that at Portsmouth. The surface along the coast is 
generall}- level, with marshes of considerable extent, 
especially' in Hampton and Hampton Falls. Inland it is 
hilly, though there are no verj' high mountains. The Pis- 
cataqua, iu the eastern border, is the only river of con- 
siderable size. The Exeter River, fonnerly known as the 
Swampscot, is the next in size, and is navigable at high 
tide as far as the falls, at Exeter. But the soil is well 
watered, and between the ranges of hills small streams are 
found. Agriculture is the ])rincipal emploj-ment, the 
soil yielding good returns ; but there are some manufac- 
tories, especially at Exeter and New Market. 

The population constantly increased from the time of 
the first settlements until after 18G0 ; since that time, the 
tendency to congregate at villages and cities has caused 
a constant diminution, especially in the northern por- 
tion. In some of these towns raanj- farms, that a few 
years ago were highl}- productive, have been abandoned 
and allowed to grow up again to forests. 

Towns. 
Portsmouth,* the onlj- seaport in the State, is situ- 
ated on a peninsula, on the south side of the Piscataqua, 

* Several interesting Revolutionary incidents are connected with the 
history of this ancient town. Upon the enactment of the celebrated 
" Stamp Act," in 1765, George Meserve was appointed distributor for 
New Hampshire, but before landing at Boston, in consequence of the 
excited opposition of the people, he resigned. On liis arrival at Ports- 
mouth, he was compelled to make a second and more formal resigna- 
tion, before going to his house. When the stamps arrived they were 
deposited in the castle, as there was no one to receive them. 

The Stamp Act was to take effect November 1 . On the preceding day 
the " New Hampshire Gazette," a paper established at Portsmouth in 
17-36, appeared with a mourning border. On November 1st a funeral 
ceremony was held over the Goddess of Liberty. On depositing her in 
the grave she showed signs of life, and was borne otf by a rejoicing 
multitude. 

There was a rumor that Meserve intended to distribute the stamps 



three miles from the ocean. The location is pleasant 
and healthy, the buildings principally of brick, and 
though somewhat antiquated, it contains many elegant 
mansions. 

In 1G23 the Plymouth Companj^ sent men to lay the 
foundations of the place. David Thompson, a Scotch- 
man, built a house at Odiorne's Point, the first house 
erected in town, and afterwards called Mason's Hall. 
About eight years after, Humphrc}' Chadborne built the 
" groat house," on the back of the river, at the corner 
of Court and "Water streets. 

May 28, 1653, the name, which by the accident of an 
abundance of strawberries had been Strawberry Bank, 
was allowed by the General Court at Boston to be 
changed to Portsmouth. There were then between 50 
and 60 families. 

The harbor of Portsmouth is safe and capacious, one 
of the best in the whole country. At low tide the chan- 
nel contains 40 feet of water, and it is protected from 
storms by islands and headlands. The river is three- 
quarters of a mile wide, with a depth of 70 feet at low 
water, and a current of five miles per hour. The tide 
rises ten feet, so keeping the channel free from ice. 

The scenerj- around the citj- is charming. Every ele- 
vation presents a magnificent landscape, the drives aie 
delightful, and the climate favorable. 

The place has sufiered much from fires. In December, 
1.S02, 102 buildings were burned; four 3-ears later, 14; 
and finally, in December, 1813, 15 acres were burned 
over, consuming 397 buildings, 

in spite of his resignation. The Sons of Liberty, alarmed, compelled 
him to swear that he would do nothing with his office, and took away 
his commission. 

The first cargo of tea that arrived at Portsmouth was stored in the 
custom-house, and soon after, at the request of the town, Mr. Parry, the 
consignee, sent it to Halifax. A second cargo, after causing some dis- 
turbance, found a similar destination. 

Near the close of the year 1774, an express from Boston brought the 
intelligence th.at the king had prohibited the importation of gunpowder 
into the Colonies. Armed vessels were also on their way with troops. 
A company of men, led by John SulUvan of Durham, and John L.mg- 
don and Thomas Pickering of Portsmouth, at once seized the fort, re- 
moved 100 barrels of powder and several small cannon, and distriliuted 
them among the to%vns. On the next day the armed frigate " Scar- 
borough " arrived, and took possession of the fort. 



NEW HAMPSHIRE. 




The first church was erected at least as early as 1G39, 
and was for the Episcopal service. It was upon what is 
now known as Church Street, north of the court-house. 
St. John's Church 
is the lineal de- 
scendant of this 
old first meeting- 
house. There are 
five churches be- 
side this one, the 
North Congrega- 
tional being or- 
ganized as early 
as 1671. There 
are also two mar- 
ket-houses and an 
almshouse. The 
Athenaeum is a 
prominent institu- 
tion, and contains a library of valuable works. The city 
is a part-shire town, and has a court-house and a jail. 

There are four light-houses in the district. Fort Con- 
stitution is on the north- t\ est pomt of Grcit Island 

The navy yard is on Na\3 Island and his e\er} facil 
it3' for building the largest 
vessels. It contains al out 
05 acres, principally- en 
closed by quay walls of spht 
granite. The wharves hi\e 
water-depth enough for the 
largest men-of-war, and the 
tide has worn so deep a 
channel as to preclude the 
possibility of fonning bars 
A coips of marines, TMth 
their officers, are stationed 
at the j-ard. There is a 
balanced dry dock, capable 
of receiving and raising the 
largest men-of-war. The 
facilities for ship-builduig 
here are such that scveial 
of the largest and most ef- 
fective vessels have been 
launched. Among the num 
ber may be mentioned the 
"Portsmouth," the steamer "Saranac, 
' ' Congress." 

Within the city are several banks and newspapers. 
The " New Hampshire Gazette " was the first newspaper 
established in the State. 




the frigate 



The Auburn Street Cemetery, or " Proprietoi-s' Bury- 
ing Ground," is situated on elevated ground, at the foot 
of Auburn Street, and comprises 13 acres. In the cen- 
tre is an artificial 
l)ond surrounded 
by a lawn. The 
grounds are hand- 
somely laid out, 
and contain some 
clcf^ant and taste- 
tul monuments. 

The manufac- 
tures of the city 
include cotton fa- 
biics, some iron, 
an 1 ship-building. 
1 he steam factory 
Ins a capital of 
fe J 10,000. The 
spacious mill contains 27,000 spindles and 450 looms, 
and about three million yards of lawn are made j^early. 
The town was organized in 1G33, and included Kit- 
terj Me On May 28, 1G43, it was incorporated with 
its piesent limits. It was chartered as a city Julj' 6, 
1849. The wealth of the 
city is considerable, and it 
has been very prosperous, 
though the transfer of the 
import trade so largely- to 
Boston has materially re- 
tarded its growth. In 1870 
the population was 9,211. 

Among the earlj' settlers 
of Portsmouth were three 
brothers from Wales, John, 
Robert and Richard Cutt 
(afterwards Cutts). John 
was the first president of 
New Hampshire, appointed 
in 1C79. He and Richard 
were the largest landhold- 
ers in the town in 1660. 

Thomas Pickering, a son 
of John, and a grandson of 
the John who settled here 
in 1G55, was a marked man 
in the Revolutionaiy period. He planned the seizure of 
the powder in the castle, in 1774, and led the party who 
accomplished the feat. He was killed in March, 1779. 
The estate still remains in the hands of his descendants. 
No person in New Hampshire exerted a greater in- 



ri)os HOT-sr loiiThMon 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



fluence on the affairs of the Revohitionaiy period than 
John Langdon, born in 1740. After a mercantile educa- 
tion, he entered upon a sea-faring life, but was drawn 
from it hy the disturbances of the Revolution. After his 
part in the removal of the powder from the fort, he be- 
came a delegate to the Continental Congress in 1775. 
He was present at Burgoyne's surrender, in command of 
a company of cadets. He was speaker of the Pro\'incial 
Legislature in 1776, and also in 1777. 

-He subsequent!}- held important official positions, and 
in 1778 was delegate to the convention which framed the 
United States Constitution. In November of the same 
j-ear he was elected a member of the United States senate, j 
and was its first presiding officer. Dartmouth College \ 
conferred the degree 
of LL. D. upon him 
in 1805. He died ^_^ 

Sept. 18, 1819. 

Daniel Webster be- 
came a resident of 
Portsmouth in 1807, 
and married Grace 
Fletcher in June of 
the following 3'ear. 
He went there as a 
young lawyer, and 
his influence was at 
once felt at the bai, 
and in the commu- 
nity. After a shoit 
time, his State placed 
him in the council of 
the nation, and at the 

end of nine years he removed from Portsmouth and 
made Boston his place of residence. 

Exeter. — The second town in the count}', and the 
shire town, is Exeter. The village is situated around 
the falls of the river, known by the Indians as Swamp- 
scot, but now generally called Exeter River. Below the 
falls, the river spreads out to a considerable breadth, 
and the tide rises to the falls. The town is pleasantly 
situated on both banks of the stream, and contains many 
fine private residences. The people are largely en- 
gaged in agricultural pursuits, the soil being generally 
productive. 

Tlie prosperity of Exeter has been largely due to the 
enterprise and success of her mechanics. The largest 
and most important industrj- has been the Exeter Manu- 
facturing Company, incorpoi-ated in 1828. Its principal 
building is 175 feet long, 44 feet in width, and six stories 
high, and it has several smaller mills. It manufactures 




cotton cloth, producing upwards of a million and a half 
of yards annually. 

There are, besides, several carriage manufactories, the 
largest producing about 200 caiTiages per year. The 
Exeter Machine-shop is largel}' eraploj'cd in the man- 
ufacture of steam-engines, with boilers of a peculiar 
pattern, consisting of cast-iron tubes, called the safety 
boiler ; a paper-mill, a tannerj', and several small manu- 
factories are also located here. 

Exeter was settled in 1638 by Rev. John AVheelwright, 
his sister Anne Hutchinson, and others from Massachu- 
setts. A part of a house still standing is pointed out 
bj- tradition as Anne Hutchinson's residence. The}' pui'- 
chased the land directly from the Indians, and at once 
formed a church and 
^^m a town. This church, 

"^ ""^°°^ organized 1638, was 

the first in the State. 
There are at present 
SIX churches in the 
town. The Baptist, 
erected in 1875, is 
one of the finest in 
the State. The town 
also has a very fine 
building containing a 
town hall, a court- 
loom, and a jail. 

Phillips Academy 
was founded in 1781 
by the liberal dona- 
tion of Dr. John Phil- 
lips, a resident of the 
town. His endowment was sufficient to give the acad- 
emy a wholesome independence, and make it a power 
for furnishing boys a superior training in preparation 
for a college course. 

The first principal was Benjamin Abbot, LL. D., who 
commenced his labor in 1788, and continued in that 
position for fifty years. He was succeeded in 1838 by 
Gideon L. Soule, LL. D., who had already been his as- 
sociate nearly eighteen years, and who still lives, princi- 
pal emeritus. He retired from active duty in 1873. A 
marked feature of the institution has always been the 
liberal aid furnished to indigent pupils, some twenty of 
whom receive assistance from funds given for that pur- 
pose. The present principal, Mr. Albert C. Perkins, is 
assisted by a corps of five teachers. 

The present beautiful building was erected in 1872 to 
take the place of one previously destroyed by fire ; and 
there are two boarding-houses also belonging to the in- 



VINVHY, r-VETER 



NEW HAMPSHIRE. 



etitution. The value of the buildings is about $95,000, 
and the endowment funds amount to $140,000. 

The Eobinson Female Seminaiy was designed b}' its 
founders to do for girls what Phillips Academy does for 
bojs. It is free to pupils residing in town. A fund of 
about $150,000 was given b^- the will of the late William 
Robinson. The institution was chartered in 18G7, and 
organized the same j'ear. The school-building, valued 
at $80,000, is ver^' beautifull}- located. 

Exeter has alwajs had among its citizens men of 
marked ability' and influence in the State. Hon. Samuel 
Tenney was noted for his scientific attainments ; Gen. 
Nathaniel Folsom, and Gen. Nathaniel Peabody were 
members of the Continental Congress ; Hon. Nicholas 
Gilnian was a member of the old Congress, president of 
tlic State senate, and a United States senator from 1805 
to his death in 1814 ; lion. John Taylor Gilman was an 
active patriot of the Revolution, and governor of the 
State from 1794 to 1816. Lewis Cass, too, was a native 
of this town, but went to Ohio at the age of seventeen. 
He was distinguished both in the historj^ of his adopted 
State and in the annals of the nation, having been a 
} member of Gen. Jackson's cabinet, a minister to France, 
and several times in the U. S. senate. Exeter can claim 
j several members of the bar, too, at the present day, who 
have gained a national reputation. Among these may be 
mentioned Hon. Amos Tuck and Hon. Charles H. Bell. 
Hon. Gilman Marston was colonel of one of the earlier 
New Hampshire regiments in the war of the Rebellion, 
and afterwards rose to the rank of a brigadier-general. 
The population of Exeter is 3,437. 

New Mauket is the third town in the county, and has 
a population of 1 ,987. It was originally a part of Exeter, 
and was detached and Incorporated as a separate town, 
Doc. 15, 1727. Great Bay, a body of water four miles 
wide, after passing through Little Bay, forms the current 
which becomes the Piscataqua. It is formed by the 
united waters of the Swampscot, Winnico, and Lamprey- 
rivers. The Piscassick River flows through the northern 
portion of the town into Durham ; the Lamprey through 
the north-east part, and the Swampscot through the south- 
east. These rivers furnish good water-power, and the 
larger part of the prosperity of the town is due to 
mechanical pursuits. The soil is, however, good, and 
many are engaged in agriculture. 

The New Market Manufacturing Company for the 
manufacttire of cotton sheetings, was incorporated in 
1823. 

The Congregational Church was organized in 1730. 

Mrs. Fanny Shute, who died in 1819, was noted for 
her youthful adventures. When 13 months old, she was 



taken by a party of Indians, carried to Canada, and sold 
to the French. She was educated in a nunnery, but was 
redeemed and restored to her friends after thirteen years 
of captivity. 

Derry. — This town was originallj- a part of London- 
derry, from which it was taken and incoqjorated as a 
separate town July 2, 1827. It has a population of 
1,809. 

The town possesses a productive soil, is well culti- 
vated and well adapted to grazing. The people are | 
remarkable for industry, wealth and length of life. 
Beaver Pond is one mile in length by IGO rods wide, 
nearly surrounded by gently sloping hills. There are 
three religious societies in town : one Presbj'terian, one 
Methodist and one Congregational. 

The Pinkerton Academy, with a fund of $1G,000, 
accommodates both sexes, giving special attention to 
fitting students for college. The Adams Female Acad- 
emy has a fund of $4,000. Miss Taylor, for many years 
principal, has won an excellent reputation for her ability 
and her many sterling qualities. She was appointed 
in 1860, and continues the principal. Miss Marj" Lyon, 
the founder of Mt. Holyoke Seminary, was once a 
teacher here ; and also Miss Grant, noted throughout 
New England. 

Deerfield * is, superficially, one of the largest towns 
in the county, containing 25,815 acres. It is, however, 
rather sparsely settled in many parts, and only contains 
1,7G8 inhabitants. Originally a part of Nottingham, it 
became a distinct town Jan. 8, 1766. It possesses some 
of the finest natural scenery in the State, and some of 
the elevations command an extensive prospect. Pleas- 
ant Pond lies partly in this town and partly' in North- 
wood. Moulton's Pond, a small basin in the west part 
of the town, has no visible inlet, but two streams flow 
from opposite sides of it, and sounding has never dis- 
covered the bottom. One of the streams flows east to 
the Lamprey River, and the other west to the Suncook 
in Epsom. 

The surface is very uneven, furnishing large swells 
and deep valleys. The soil renders good returns to the 
husbandman, though difficult of cultivation. Pine, 
maple and hemlock timber grows extensively hereabouts, 
while considerable maple sugar is annually made. 

The Pawtuekawaj' Mountains are on the line between 
this town and Nottingham, and the highest elevations 
are in the latter town. The}' consist of three distinct 
elevations, the Upper, Middle and Lower mountains, 
and are based on mica-slate, which, decomposing rapidly, 

• So called because a Mr. Bacheldcr killed a deer and presented it to 
Gov. Wentworth just at the time of incorporation. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



furnishes a fertile soil at their base. The highest is 892 
feet above the sea. Saddleback Mountain, between the 
town and Northwood, consists of mica-slate, and is 
1,072 feet above sea level. From its top, the ocean, 30 
miles distant, can be seen with the naked eye. Notting- 
ham Mountain is on the line between this town and 
Epsom. On its south side is a shelving ridge of rocks, 
three-fourths of a mile long, known as "Indian Camp." 
A natural flight of stone steps, on the east of the ledge, 
leads to the top. There is a bed of iron-ore in the east 
part of the town, and various compounds of iron are 
everywhere distributed among the rocks. 

In the east part of the town, near the Pawtuckaway 
Mountains, for about 20 j-ears subsequent to 1840, sub- 
terranean reports or explosions were heard, of a volcanic 
nature. Thej' reseml)led the blasting of rocks, or the 
reports of cannon, and were accompanied bj- movements 
of the earth, sometimes sufficient to overthrow stone 
walls. They have now entirely ceased. 

The town was settled in 1756 and '58, by John Rob- 
ertson, Jacob Smith, Isaac Shepard, Benjamin Bachel- 
der and others. Theophilus and Eliphalet Griffin pur- 
chased a tract of land here in 1749, and settled upon the 
farm which still remains in possession of their descend- 
ants. The names of 18 persons are recorded as killed 
during the Revolution. 

The Congregational church was gathered in December, 
1772, and Rev. Timothy Upham ordained, who remained 
its pastor until his death, Feb. 21, 1811. Many quaint 
reminiscences of his ministry are still preserved in the 
town. 

Hon. Richard Jenness, respected as a magistrate, rep- 
resentative, senator and judge, died July 4, 1819. 
Joseph Mills was an officer in Col. Cilley's regiment in 
the Revolution. 

Seabrook is one of the coast towns. Its southern 
portion was formerly a part of Massachusetts, and the 
old line from the " Bound Rocks," at the mouth of the 
river, on which is the inscription, "A. D. 1G57, H. B.," 
can still be traced to a rock near the "Brick School 
House," marked " B. T.," thence inland. 

The west part of the town is undulating, and the soil 
is light but productive, while along the coast there are 
extensive marshes. A portion of the inhabitants are 
engaged in farming ; boat-building is carried on exten- 
sivel}^ and many are engaged in manufacturing shoes. 
Several men belonging in town command vessels, and 
fishing is quite an industrj-. 

The early settlers of the town were from Massachu- 
setts, and came as early as 1G38. At that earl^- daj- 
ihey suffered much from the depredations of hostile 



Indians.* Among the early settlers may be named 
Christopher Hussey, Joseph Dow and Thomas Philbrick. 
The land cleared by the latter still remains in the hands 
of his descendants. 

The are five churches in the town. The Old South 
Meeting-house, near the centre, was erected in 1763, and 
was occupied by the Presbj-terian and Congregational 
societies alternatel3'. The Friends' meeting-house is in 
the north part of the town, and was built in 1765. 

Dearborn Academy, founded in 1851, is a substantial 
brick building, 54 bj- 40 feet. The late Dr. Edward 
Dearborn, an eminent ph3'sician and distinguished citi- 
zen, secured to it an endowment of $15,000. 

Meshech Weare, usually mentioned as a resident of 
Hampton Falls, resided within the limits of the town. 
He was distinguished for his influence in the Revolution, 
and he became the first governor of the State. A hand- 
some monument to his honor stands in the village of 
Hampton Falls. 

Seabrook was granted June 3, 1768, to Jonathan 
Weare and others. Its present population is 1,G09. 

Salem, in the south-western part of the count}', was 
chartered May 11, 1750, and now contains 1,603 inhab- 
itants. The surface is uneven, but the soil is fertile. 

The Spiggot River flows through the centre of the 
place, and furnishes good mill-privileges. The town 
contains a woollen-mill and several factories and ma- 
chine-shops. The Congregational church was formed 
Jan. 30, 1740, and Rev. Abner Bagley ordained. There 
are two other churches. Hon. Silas Betton, a graduate 
of Dartmouth, was elected to Congress in 1802. 

Candia, a town of 1,456 inhabitants, is on the highest 
land between the Merrimack and the ocean, so com- 
manding an extensive view, and rendering the town 
exceptionall}' healthy. The White Mountains, AVachu- 
sett, Plum Island and the ocean can be seen from the 
village. Farming is the principal occupation ; the soil is 
good, and fruit and vegetables find a ready market at 
Manchester, with which city the town is connected by the 
Portsmouth and Concord Railroad. Shoe manufacturing 
is also carried on. 

The town was settled in 1748 by William Turner ; and, 
in 1755, John Sargent and others joined him, and it was 
incorporated Dec. 17, 1762, being taken from Chester. 
The town was very active in promoting the Revolution, 
and 69 names of soldiers are found in its records. A 
Congregational church was gathered in 1771, with Rev. 
David Jewett as pastor ; and there are two other churches. 

*A widow Hussej', of high repute amons the Friends, was liillcd; 
iilso Thomas Lancaster, while on his way to mill, a Mr. Jonathan 
Green, Nicholas Bond and a young child. 



NEW HAMPSHIRE. 



NoRTHWOOD, population 1,430, was originally a part 
of Nottingham, and was made a separate town Feb. 6, 
1773. It was settled March 25, 1763, by Moses God- 
frcj-, John Batchelder and Increase Batchelder, from 
North Hampton. Solomon Bickford and famil}- of Dur- 
ham followed in December, and his son Solomon was the 
first white child born in town. The Baptist church was 
organized Nov. 17, 1779, and Rev. Edmund Pillsbury 
ordained. The Congregational church was erected in 
1781. There is also a Freewill Baptist church. 

There are six ponds in the town, Suncook, the largest, 
being 750 rods long, and 100 wide. The north branch 
of the Lamprey River has its source near Saddleback 
Mountain, where there is a single farm from which the 
water flows in four directions. On the side of the ridge 
cr3-stalline spar is found. Plumbago also exists in small 
quantities. 

Northwood Academy, founded in 1866, is a flourishing 
institution, under the management of Rev. Mr. Cogs- 
well, who has been principal since its organization. It 
is located at the part of the town called " the Narrows." 
Northwood Seminary, also founded in 1866, is located at 
the east part of the town. 

Londonderry, population 1,405, covered, originally, 
64,000 acres ; but several towns have been taken from it. 
The soil is so fertile that it is reported to be the best 
town for agriculture in New England, and there are no 
waste lands. Beaver's Pond is a beautiful circular sheet 
of water, about 300 rods in diameter, and is the source of 
Beaver's River. The town contains three churches, the 
oldest being the Presbyterian, which society dates from 
1719. 

This town was settled in 1719 by a colony of 16 
families from Londonderry, Ireland. Its original name 
was Nutfield. The land of the town was included in 
Rev. John Wheelwright's purchase from the Indians, and 
the settlers bought it from Col. John Wheelwright. 
Their first pastor was Rev. James McGregore, and his 
son David was the second. The town was incorporated 
June 1, 1722. 

The original settlers gave their attention to farming ; 
and, though none of them became wealth}-, they were 
industrious and forehanded. They introduced the culti- 
vation of the potato, and the manufacture of linen cloth, 
with the use of the small wheel driven by the foot. The}' 
were never molested bj' the Indians. 

A company of 70 men, commanded by Capt. George 
Reid, took part in the battle of Bunker Hill, and about 
the same numlter were at the battle of Bennington. 
Capt. David MeClary, a brave officer, was killed. Maj.- 
Gen. John Stark, who was prominent in the early part of 



the Revolution, especially during the siege of Boston, 
was a native of this town. 

These so-called Scotch-Irish have produced many noted 
men, and their dcscendiints can now be found in promi- 
nent positions in all parts of the land. Among these maj- 
be mentioned, as natives of the town, Joseph M. Keene, 
D. D., first president of Bowdoin College ; Arthur 
Livermore, Jonathan Steele and Samuel Bell, judges of 
the Superior or Supreme Court ; Samuel Bell, afterwards 
chief justice of the Supreme Court, as was also Hon. 
Jeremiah Smith. Matthew Thornton was a member of 
the Continental Congress in 1770; and Gens. Miller 
and McNeil were distinguished officers in the war of 
1812. 

Epping was originally a part of Exeter, but was made 
a separate town Feb. 12, 1741. Lamprey River is here 
joined bj' the Pawtuckawaj', and furnishes water-power for 
several small woollen-mills. The town has three churches, 
and a population of 1 ,270. 

The Congregational church was the first organized, 
and Rev. Robert Cutler was the first minister, ordained 
in 1747. He was succeeded March 8, 1758, by Rev. 
Josiah Stearns, who died July 23, 1788. His son was a 
deacon of the same church, and his grandson is the 
present pastor. When the town contained only this 
church, taxes were laid upon all to support preaching ; 
and, in 1769, Jonathan Norris, a Quaker, was imprisoned 
for refusing to paj^ his tax. 

Hon. William Plumer was a native of the town, and 
one of her most distinguished citizens. He held high 
positions in the State, being governor for four years, and 
at one time was United States senator. Henrj' Dearborn 
was an officer during the whole of the Revolution ; rep- 
resentative in Congress ; secretary of war ; major-general 
in the war of 1812, and United States minister to Portu- 
gal. John Chandler, a native of the town, was a mem- 
ber of Congress ; brigadier-general in the war of 1812 ; 
president of the Maine senate, and United States senator. 
Hon. B. F. Prescott, an ex-governor of the State, is a 
citizen of the town. 

Hampton, population 1,177, has a fertile soil, well 
adapted to tillage and mowing. All the lower part of 
the town near the ocean is dehghtful. The beach is one 
of the most noted smnmer resorts. Boar's Head, an 
abrupt eminence extending into the sea, divides the two 
beaches. There are several hotels near the beach, and a 
large number of private cottages. 

The Indian name of the town was Winnicumet. The 
first house was erected in 1636, and the place was settled 
two years later by emigrants from Norfolk, Eng. It was 
incorporated the same year, and included North Hamp- 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



ton, Hampton Falls, Kensington, and part of Seabrook. 
A Congregational church, the second in the State, ivas 
formed in the same jear, and Rev. Stephen Bachelor 
ordained. This church now possesses a fund of §12,000 
for the support of the ministrj-. A Baptist societj- was 
organized in 1817. Hampton Proprietarj- School was 
incorporated in 1810. It has a large and convenient 
building, and has gained considerable reputation as the 
Hampton Academj-. 

Chester, a town of 1,153 inhabitants, and situated on 
a branch of the Exeter River, has a fertile soil, and 
contains several large and valuable meadows. Good 
graphite is found in considerable quantities, and sulphur 
imbedded in tremolite. Massabesic Pond, Ij'ing partlj- 
in the town, is the largest bod^' of water in the county, 
and contains about 1,500 acres. The Indians had a 
settlement upon its banks. There are also two caves, 
somewhat noted, one on the east side of the pond, and 
the other on Rattlesnake Hill. 

In October, 1710, about 80 persons from Hampton 
and Portsmouth associated to obtain a grant in the 
" chestnut country-," and stationed three men to hold 
possession. After some difficulty- thej- obtained a grant 
of 10 miles square, thus including a part of Derry, the 
whole of Auburn and Raymond, and part of Hooksett. 
A settlement was immediately commenced bj- several 
persons from Rajmond and Hampden, the most promi- 
nent of whom were Samuel Ingalls, Jonathan Goodhue, 
Ebenezer Dearborn, Robert Smith, B. and E. Colby, 
and John and S. Robie. For a time Love well's war 
with the Indians retarded the growth of the place. 
They, however, committed no depredations, save that 
they seized and bound Thomas Smith and John Carr, 
and carried them thirty miles ; but thc3' escaped while 
the Indians slept. May 8, 1782, the town was chartered 
with its present name. 

A meeting-house was erected in 1720, and Rev. Moses 
Hale was settled the next year. The same year the first 
comers settled Rev. John AVilson, a Presb^'terian, and 
erected a meeting-house in 1738. Thej' now resisted all 
attempts to install a Congregational minister, and after 
one was finally settled, Ihcy refused to pay taxes for his 
support, and James Campbell and John Tolford were 
lodged in Exeter jail for the refusal. After a long law- 
suit a decision was given in their favor. The place con- 
tains two other churches and an academy. 

NoTTiXGHAM, in the northern part of the county, has 
a popuLation of 1.130. The centre of the town is an 
eminence, rising 450 feet above sea level, and a few 
years sinr-e it was the centre of all the business of the 
town, ^.ow the stores, liotels, and all business are to bo 



found at the foot of the hill, about one mile north of the 
square. A large part of the town is rock3- and uneven, 
but well adapted to pasturage. The Pawtuckaway Moun- 
tains, on the line between the town and Decrficld, con- 
sist of three distinct elevations, rising abruptly from 
near Round Pond, known as the Upper, Jliddle and 
Lower mountains. A dike of greenstone trap crosses 
the latter, and divides it into two nearly- equal parts. 
This dike is columnar, and inclines at an angle of about 
45 degrees, while on the east it forms a flight of stone 
steps, each about nine inches high, called " The Stairs." 
Near the centre of the town is a large ledge of white 
granular quartz. 

Nottingham was incorporated Ma}- 10, 1722, and set- 
tled in 1727, by Capt. Joseph Cilley and others. A 
Congregational church was formed in 1742. Gen. Joseph 
Cillej' commanded the first New Hampshire regiment in 
the Revolution, and was distinguished for his bravery 
and patriotism. Hon. Thomas Bartlett was one of the 
Committee of Safetj' ; lieutenant-colonel under Stark at the 
capture of Burgoyne ; and commanded a regiment when 
Arnold betrayed "West Point in 1 780. Gen. Henry But- 
ler was an officer of the Revolution, and major-general of 
the State militia. 

Raymond, south of Nottingham, has a population of 
1,121. In the north part of the town is a cave, in a 
ledge, near the summit of a hill about 100 feet high, 
called from its appearance, " The Oven." 

Raymond was originally a part of Chester, and called 
Charming Faro, but was made a town May 9, 17G5. 
A Congregational church was organized about 1800, and 
there are two other churches. Hon. John Dudley, who 
died Maj- 21, 1805, was a distinguished Revolutionary 
patriot, a member of the Committee of Safety, speaker 
of the House, and judge of the Superior Court. 

Kingston, in the southern jiart of the countj', has a 
population of 1,054. 

Lieut. Gov. Usher granted the charter of this town 
Aug. 6, 1G04, to James Prescott, Ebenezer Webster and 
others, from Hampton, and it included East Kingston, 
Danville and Sandown. The proprietors at once erected 
garrisons and began to cultivate the lands, but were very 
much anno3ed by Indians. In 1707 Stephen and Joseph 
Oilman were seized near Exeter, but escaped. In 1702 
Ebenezer Stevens was wounded, and Stephen Gilman 
killed; and in September, 1724, Jabez Colman and son 
were killed while at work in the fiehl, and four children 
captured. One of them escaped at the time, and the 
rest were afterwards redeemed. 

The Congregational society was formed about 1725, 
and Rev. Ward Clark was the first minister. The town 



NEW HAMPSHIRE. 



now contains two churches, several carriage factories, 
and a tannery. Kingston Academj- is a flourishing 
school, with a fine edifice. Hon. Josiah Bartlett was a 
plij-sician who distinguished himself during the ravages 
of the throat distemper ; he was also prominent in the 
Revolution, first president of the State, and first gov- 
ernor under its free constitution. 

Rye, extending along the seacoast for six miles, has a 
population of 993. There is a small harbor near Goss's 
mill. Fishing is carried on to some extent. About a 
quarter of a mile from the meeting-house is a granite 
quarry. There are three beaches, which have become 
famous for summer resort, Wallis's, Sandy and Jenncss's. 
There are five hotels open to visitors during the summer 
months. 

The town was settled in 1635, and incorporated in 
1719, and the Congregational church was organized July 
20, 1726. There are two other religious societies in the 
place. When first settled the inhabitants suffered much 
from Indians. Breakfast Hill, in the west part of the 
town, takes its name because during the Indian invasion 
of 1696, the savages, after fishing at the shore, stopped 
here for their morning meal, and were sui-prised and cap- 
tured by a part}^ of rangers. Two years before, John 
Locke was killed while reaping grain. At Sandy Beach, 
in the same year, 21 persons were killed or captured. 
During the French war 14 persons lost their lives, and 
38 persons during the Revolution. 

The remaining towns of the county are: — Hamp- 
STEAD, granted by Gov. Benning Wentworth, in 1749, 
population 935 : Brentwood, incorporated in 1742, pop- 
ulation 895, a manufacturing town of considerable impor- 



tance : Plaistow (1749, 847), whore considerable quan- 
tities of brick are manufactured : Newton, settled in 
1720, population 856, where was organized the first 
Baptist church in the State : Auburn, incorporated in 
1845, population 815, with its famous cavern called the 
"Devil's Den": South Newmarket (1849, 808), hav- 
ing an iron-foundrj' and machine works : Stuatham 
(1716, 769), a famous fruit-growing place: Windham 
(1739, 753), with its woollen-mill and mattress factorj- : 
North Hampton (1742, 723), the birth-place of Maj. 
Gen. Henry Dearborn: Greenland (1703, 695), with 
its productive gardens and orchards : Hampton Falls 
(1712, 697), formerly a part of Hampton : New Castle 
(1C93, 667), a rocky island in Portsmouth harbor, the 
site of Fort Constitution, and the native town of Hon. 
Theodore Atkinson, for many j-ears chief justice of the 
Province: Kensington (1737, 642), originall}- belonging 
to the town of Hampton: East Kingston (1738, 553) : 
Danville, incorporated under the name of Roake, in 
1760, and receiving its present name in 1836, population 
496 : Fremont, incorporated in 1764, and called Poplin 
until 1854, population 587: Sandown (1756, 496), con- 
taining Phillips' Pond, the source of Exeter River : At- 
kinson (1767, 488), named in honor of Theodore Atkin- 
son, for many years secretaiy of State, the site of one 
of the oldest academies in New Hampshire : South 
Hampton (1742, 448), with its Barnard free school: 
Newington (1764, 414), connected with Goat Island by 
Piscataqua Bridge, erected in 1793, at a cost of $65,461 : 
and GospoRT, on one of the Isles of Shoals, formerly a 
famous fishing town, and now a favorite resort for sum- 
mer recreation. 



STRAFFORD COUNTY. 



BY WILLIAM E. GRAVES, ESQ. 



Like the Swiss cantons, nearly all the counties in the 
" Switzerland " of America are noted for irregularity of 
shape. Strafford, with its strange outline, is certainly- no 
exception tc the rule. If not the oldest county in the 
State, no other can claim seniority of age, — its act of 
incorporation bearing date March 19, 1771, when the first 
five counties formed in New Hampshire were created by 
a colonial legislature. 

By common consent John Wentworth — then the pop- 



ular provincial governor of the State — was accorded 
the privilege of naming these counties. Prompted, per- 
haps, by feelings similar to those which led him later to 
name a new town in honor of his wife, whose maiden 
name was Frances Deering, the royal governor, it is 
said, "called the counties after his friends," — Augus- 
tus Henry Fitzroy, Duke of Grafton; the Eari of Hills- 
borough, of the privy council of George III. ; Charles 
Watson Wentworth, Marquis of Rockingham, and Wil- 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



liam Wentworth, Earl of Strafford, being thus specialty 
honored. 

To this large count}' of Strafford, reaching the vicinity 
of the White Mountains, Conway was annexed in 1778. 
From the summit of its loftiest elevation could be seen 
broad masses of luxuriant vegetation, suiTounding large 
lakes and wide-spreading ponds ; hills, valleys and moun- 
tain streams, with dense forests hanging around the base 
and creeping up the sides of lofty mountains, or stretch- 
ing miles awaj- as far the eye could reach. The oak, 
maple and walnut ; the beech, fir and hemlock, and the 
tall, stately pine,* flourished on their native hills, while 
in the plains and the valleys grew the graceful elm ; the 
ash, birch and cherry ; the poplar and the locust, or the 
gay sumach, with its red-clustered berries covered with a 
crimson down. 

Few lands surpassed Strafford in the wild beautj' of its 
scenery. 

Rich in botanical specimens, almost every indigenous 
plant grew here in wild profusion. The red man knew 
their various virtues, as did the Winnecowetts and 
Newichawannocks, who had their homes in Strafford 
Count}' before the white man trod the soil. The Great 
Spirit, it was said, had taught these things to the 
Indians, whose moccasined feet crushed the wild blue sage 
of the wilderness, or softly pressed the vervain growing 
in grassy fields. There were the green flowers of the 
sweet fern ; the golden-colored tansj' ; the white-flower- 
ing boneset, and the mountain cranberry, with its creep- 
ing, shrubby, evergreen leaves, growing in thick beds on 
dry sandy ridges sloping gracefullj- away to the valleys. 

There were acres of grassy plains dotted with daisies, 
and valleys through which many a sparkling brook ran 
murmuring over the rocks and pebbles resting on its 
gravelly bed ; mountain rivulets, whose clear waters 
were pleasant to the taste ; and ponds, upon whose reedy 
shores grew the gaud}' yellow tiger-lily and the delicate 
fleur-de-lis ; island-studded lakes, lovely as a poet's 
dream ; beautiful bays and inlets, where low lands, bear- 
ing tlie solitary flower of the wake-robin and the purple 
queen-of-the-meadow, were flanked b}' dark-green moun- 
tain forests ; and, beyond all, were ridges of a bolder 
aspect and a loftier height ; picturesque rocks, looking 
in the distance like cathedral towers, behind which rose 
the lofty summit of the " Crystal Hills," whose shining 
tops glittered in the- sunlight, or were lost in the clouds. 



• Mention is made of a white pine gi-owing here to tlie height of 200 
feet. The " broad arrow " which niarlied them for the English navy, 
was, not infrequently, found on trees of the largest size in early 
colonial times, not only in New Hampshire, but in the neighboring 
forests of Maine. 



But this beautiful wilderness was the red man's home. 
To his wild fancy, fleecj' clouds floating in the calm blue 
sky seemed like heavenly realms. The bright stars and 
the silver moon ; the summer sunshine and the solemn 
silence of the woods ; the moaning winds and the driving 
storm, were his teachers ; and the smile of the Great 
Spirit was in the glassy lake over whose still bosom the 
unlettered Indian softlj' paddled his bircli canoe. Yet all 
this was to pass away. It was enough that his lands 
were wanted by a stronger race of people, whose love of 
fame and the profits of discover}' led them to plant a col- 
ony in "the land of their dreams," where the valleys 
were veined with silver, and the sands sparkled with 
gold. 

It was as early as the j'ear 1598 that European vessels 
visited the shores of New Hampshire. No important 
discoveries, however, were made of the bays and rivers 
until the spring of 1G03, when Capt. Martin Pring sailed 
for three or four leagues up a river which he called Pis- 
cataqua {pi'scatus, fish, aqiut, water), from the abundance 
offish found. The first settlement made b}' the English 
in any part of the State occurred at or near Dover, in 
1623, — only three years after the landing of the Pilgrims 
at Plj'mouth. 

In the west of England, during the summer of 1622, 
several merchants and men of wealth, two at least of 
whom had been governors, and one a captain in the royal 
nav}', formed a partnership which they called " The 
Company of Laconia." These men, having heard the 
romantic tales told by a few ignorant natives from the 
"New World," had conceived extravagant ideas of 
immediate wealth, waiting only for development in a wild, 
mountainous region of the western continent called La- 
conia, believed to be full of precious metals concealed in 
mines. By colonizing the country they could work these 
mines, grant lands subject to quit-rents and feudal ten- 
ures, establish a fanciful system of lordships, and live 
like princes of the realm. 

The scheme throughout was impracticable. No schools 
were instituted, no form of government adopted, and 
agriculture was entirety neglected. Of the original pro- 
prietors, many of whom embarked their whole property 
in the purchase of these American possessions, one 
afterwards became president, and the other secretary of 
the famous English " Council of Ptymouth," — a body of 
men, who, during the 15 j'ears of their official existence, 
seem to have done all in their power to perplex the Col- 
onies of Massachusetts and New Hampshire, and many 
worthy persons in the mother country, by continually 
conferring on various people interfering parcels of land. 
Neither of these two wealthy English proprietors lived to 



NEW HAMPSHIRE. 



see success ; but the}- transmitted to their heirs a succes- 
sion of lawsuits, crushed hopes and mortifications. 

Early in the 3-ear following, they set to work to people 
the vast region they had bought in "New" Hampshire, 
as one of them called it from his old Harapshire home in 
England. They had hard work to hire any to reside iu 
the eountrj- thej' claimed, and to face and endure the dis- 
tresses of an American wilderness three thousand miles 
from home. However, money, tools and provisions were 
supplied in abundance ; and, thus equipped, tliej' sent 
out a small company of London fishmongers, among 
whom were the brothers, Edward and William Hilton, to 
plant a colon}', which, b}' establishing fisheries, might be 
self-supporting. On a neck of land which the Indians 
called Winnichahannat, they landed, and laid the founda- 
tion of one of the most beautiful cities in the State. The 
settlement was at first called Northam ; finally, Dover. 
Eor man}' years it was familiarly known as Hilton Head, 
or Hilton's Point. Not unlike many of the first settlers 
of New England, they purchased the soil of its rightful 
owners — the Indians — as far north as Little John's 
Creek, giving in pa}ment a barrel of rum ! The simple 
natives, it is said, received with friendship those whom it 
would have been easy to exterminate ; and the party of 
emigrants hastily erected salt-works and one rude house. 
Five years later, in 1628, we are told, the colonists 
were surprised to meet Indians in the woods of Dover, 
I hunting with firearms. The sale of these had been for- 
j bidden, and such a violation of the law had not even been 
suspected. The colonists soon learned, however, that 
the Indians had purchased their guns and ammunition of 
a trader at Weymouth, in the Massachusetts Colony. 
The oflTender was at once seized and sent a prisoner to 
iMigland. But the Indians had already learned with fatal 
skill the use of firearms. Charmed with an instrument of 
destruction so potent, when compared with the bow and 
arrow, the colonists rued to the latest day the dire conse- 
quences of the traffic at Weymouth. 
I In 1631 Capt. Thomas Wiggen was sent over by 
I "the company of Laconia," to look after their interests 
around Dover, and with him came a few emigrants to 
recruit the Colony, which was in need both of men and 
money. Two }ears later, a number of families came 
from the west of England to join the people of Dover, 
and brought with them the Rev. William Leveridge, who 
is mentioned as " a pious Puritan," and " the first min- 
ister who preached the gospel in New Hampshire." This 
second company of emigrants included some "men of 
property," and others " rehgiously inclined." Their 
principal object, however, was trade, and they commenced 
to build a town by tlividing the land on Dover Neck into 



small lots, and building a meeting-house. It was, prob- 
ably, but a year or two from the time of this minister's 
arrival, that the first church was built. They selected a 
beautiful eminence commanding a view of the rivers on 
its borders stretching their arms in ever}' direction, and 
of the placid Piscataqua on its way to the sea, — where 
one could stand and watch the busy settlers down by the 
beach, or catch a gUmpse of some staid matron, pail in 
hand, on her way to the spring.* Here they built their 
first house of worship, and surrounded it with " entrench- 
ments and bastions. "t 

With no efficient government, either civil or ecclesiasti- 
cal, it is not surprising that the people of Dover experi- 
enced a variety of troubles. Finally, for want of sup- 
port, Mr. Leveridge was obliged to leave the place. He 
retired south into Massachusetts, and found a home in 
Plymouth Colony. 

Years passed on. Around the colonists was a repul- 
sive wilderness, in which they had scarcely gained a foot- 
hold. Instead of subduing forests and cultivating the 
soil, they had searched for mines, contenting themselves 
with the uncertain and meagre profits of Indian trade, 
the fisheries and salt-making. Before them was priva- 
tion, and the prospect of struggling forever with pov- 
ert}', sickness and the undying hostility of the Indians. 
"The same cold wilderness still stretched before their 
eyes. The river, broad and deep, rolled on, reflecting 
only the wildwoods that had intermingled their branches, 
and cast the shadow of ages over the waters. The same 
soil, rugged, but strong and productive, yet waited for 
the hand of industry, and refused to yield to anything 
but to patient toil. It could not give what it did not 
possess. It furnished wood and iron in abundance. But 
silver nor gold would it reveal." J; After ten years the 
English proprietors began to feel the Colony a burden, 
and most of them abandoned it to its fate. 

These scenes, so intimately connected witn the early 
history of the State, took place in territory now known 
as Straflferd County. The town of Dover, in those days, 
included, in addition to its present limits, Madbury, 
Durham, Lee, Somcrsworth, Rollinsford, and a part of 
Newington. Excepting the Society of Friends, whom 
the magistrates, by cruel penalties, drove from Dover as 
"vagabond Quakers," in 16G2, the Congregationalists 
seem to have been the oldest rehgious organization in the 
place. The church with which it was united in the sup- 



• Hall's Spring, where the lirst settlers obtaliicJ their water, is pointed 
out at the present day. 

t Remains of the intrenchnients and bastions still mark the place 
where the old meeting-house stood on Dover Neck. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



port of public worship, was organized in 1638, about 15 
3-ears after the first settlement of the town. According 
to the usage of many churches at that time, it elected as 
officers a pastor, ruling ciders and deacons. No record 
is found of ruling elders in the church here later than 
1 6G2. At that time there were three, — Elders Nutter, 
Starbuck and Wentworth. Elder Wentworth preached 
occasionallj-, and was ancestor to the several New Hamp- 
shire governors of that name.* 

In 1C41 Dover was taken under the jurisdiction of 
Massachusetts, whose General Court, to settle long- 
existing church troubles in the former place, appointed 
Daniel Maud, its minister, in 1642. Soon after his 
death, — at the close of a successful ministerial service, 
continuing 13 jears, — the Rev. John Raj-ner, who came 
from England, where he had served 18 j-ears as pastor of 
a church at Pl3-mouth, became his successor. He con- 
tinued at Dover to the last, dying in 1669. His son. 
Rev. John Rayner, Jr., a Harvard graduate, succeeded 
him, and was ordained in 1671. • The next pastor of the 
church was Rev. John Pike,t who died in 1710. The 
following year witnessed the settlement of Rev. Nicholas 
Sever, who withdrew in 1715, on account of an impedi- 
ment in his speech. He died in 1764. The Rev. Jona- 
than Gushing became pastor in 1717, and for a period of 
47 j-ears continued to discharge the duties of his minis- 
terial office. He retired in 1764, and died in 1769. 

The Rev. Jeremy Belknap, D. D., the celebrated his- 
torian of New Plampshire, was ordained colleague with 
Mr. Gushing in February, 1767. After a ministry of 19 
I years he removed to Boston, where he was settled in the 
I following 3-ear. He died in that city June 20, 1798, at 
the age of 54. Rev. Robert Gray succeeded Dr. Bel- 
knap at Dover, and removed from the town in 1805. Two 
I years later. Rev. Galeb H. Sherman was ordained, 
remaining until 1812, when Rev. Joseph W. Clary 
assumed pastoral relations with the church. The Metho- 
dist society in Dover was incorporated in 1819 ; and, at 
one time, the Societj' of Friends, established here at an 
early period, comprised about one-third of the population. 
Perhaps the most prominent of the early settlers of 
Dover was Maj. Waldron, who, in 1640, built a saw-mill, 
and, soon after, a grist-mill at Cocheco Lower Falls. 
For years Waldron's was the frontier house and trading- 

• It may possibly be a matter of some little local pride, that the teni- 
tory now known as Strafford County furnished for the State three gov- 
ernors bearing the name of Wentivorth, — father, son and nephew,— 
all of whom were bom within its l)orders. To the last of these Strafford 
County is indebted for its name. He was the ablest of the Wentworths. 
Notwithstanding his English proclivities, he was widely esteemed for 
his affable manners, his love of agriculture, and his administrative 
ability. Favoring the cause of the mother county at the breaking out of 



post for the people, whose principal occupations were cut- 
ting and exi^orting masts, planks, boards and staves, in 
addition to the fishing. At Dover Neck the descendants 
of Job Clements still retain the sword worn by him as 
one of the councillors of Edward Cranfield, the English- 
appointed lieutenant-governor and commander-in-chief of 
New Hampshire in 1682. 

Very few settlements suffered more from Indian depre- 
dations than Dover. During the summer and winter of 
1675, the people were obliged to abandon the pursuit of 
business, and take the gun in defence of their families 
and their homes. Sentries were stationed on roofs, and 
the principal houses were intrenched. It was in 1676 
that Maj. Waldron committed a deed that, 13 years after, 
cost him his life. In pursuit of savages, after the death 
of Philip, two companies of soldiers from the south, 
under command of Gapts. Syll and Hawthorne, came to 
Cocheco, where the^' met about 400 Indians of different 
tribes assembled at the house of Maj. "Waldron, with 
whom they had just formed a treaty- of peace. Syll and 
his colleague were determined to attack them, but were 
prevented by Waldron, who proposed to take them by 
stratagem. The plan succeeded. Two hundred of the 
most friendly Indians were released ; seven or eight, who 
were known to have murdered white people, were hanged, 
and the remainder were t.iken to Boston, from whence, it 
is said, they were "sold into slaver}-." A peace was 
declared in 1677. 

For twelve years the people of Dover had livt'd in 
comparative peace with the Indians, who, true to their 
natural temperament, rarel}- forgive a wrong. Though 
troubles of a lesser form beset the communitj', it increased 
in population and power. Even the poorer people were 
prospering, and the frugal and industrious were growing 
wealth}'. The Indians came and went at i)Ieasure, — ■ 
trading with the whites, or seeking food and shelter. 
But the seizure of the 400, thirteen years before, still 
rankled in their breasts. Those who had been released 
remembered the breach of hospitality, while many of 
those who were sold into slaver}- had found the way 
back to their native wigwams, only to stir up a spirit of 
vengeance against the whites. 

In the forenoon of June 27, 1689, the Indians were 
observed to be gathering in unusual numbers. Many an un- 

the Revolution, he was obliged to retire, and embarked for Nova Scotia, 
where he was governor for several years. He was honored with the 
degree of LL. D. from the Universities of Oxford and Aberdeen, and 
from Dartmouth College. He was made a baronet before he left New 
Hampshu-e. He died at Halifax April 8, 1820, aged 84. 

t Rev. John Pike was the father of Nicholas Pike, who graduated at 
Harvard College in 1766, and was afterward author of a popular school- 
book known as " Pike's Arithmetic." 



NEW HAMPSHIRE. 



known face was seen among them, and as the afternoon 
wore apace, the number seemed to multipl3'. Some of 
the people were suspicious, and suggested to Waldron 
that the Indians meditated mischief. In a laughing man- 
ner he replied, "Go, plant your pumpkins, and I will 
tell j-ou when the Indians will break out ! " A young 
man told him during the evening that the town was full 
of Indians. He answered, "I know the Indians well 
enough, and there is no danger." Some squaws had 
thrown out dark hints a short time previous, but they 
were not heeded. Mesandowit, while supping at the 
Waldron house, said: "Brother Waldi'on, what would 
you do if the strange Indians should come? " " I could 
assemble a hundred men b}- lifting m3' finger," the major 
carelessly replied. 

There were five garrisoned houses about Cocheco ; viz., 
Waldron's. which stood near the present corner of Second 
and Franklin streets ; Heard's and Otis's, on the north 
side of the river; Peter ColHn's house, and another 
belonging to his son, on the south side. In the course 
of the evening, two squaws called at each of the five 
houses, begging permission to spend the night by the fire, 
as was fi equentlj' the custom, and they were admitted to 
all except the j'ounger Coffin's. Near the midnight hour, 
when everything was still, save the hoot of the owl, or 
the roar of the falls, the squaws carefully opened the 
doors of the diflferent houses, and gave one prolonged 
whistle. Ere its last echoes had died away, the Indians 
sprang from their hiding-places, and began the attack. 
After placing a guard at the door of the Waldron house, 
thej^ pushed their way to the major's apartment. Although 
78 years of age, he seized his sword and vigorously 
defended himself until stunned by a blow from behind. 
They dragged him to the hall, placed him in a chair, and 
dancing around him, cried, "Who shall juilge Indians 
now?" After compelling his familj- to spread the table 
with eatab'es, each of the savages successively cut him 
across the breast, exclaiming, " I cross out m^' account ! " 
and then cut off his nose and ears, placed them in his 
mouth, and at last despatched him with his own sword. 

Otis was killed, and his family captured, — as was also 
the Waldron family. Both houses were burned. Heard's 
garrison was saved by the barking of a dog, and the 
presence of mind of Elder Wentworth of RoUinsford, who 
happened, that night, to be on a visit at the house. 
Coffin's house was entered ; but, bearing him no malice, 
they only searched the rooms for valuables. The younger 
Coffin refused to surrender ; but they brought his parents, 
and threatened to kill them before his face, when parental 
affection conquered, and he opened the door. Both of 
the Coffin families were taken prisoners, but escaped 



before morning. Mrs. Heard, her three sons, and a 
daughter, with others, were returning from Portsmouth 
at the time of the attack. Hearing the noise, the3' all 
escaped but Mrs. Heard, who, weak from fright, crawled 
to the nearest bush, where she remained until morning. 
Towards daj-light, an Indian came and looked at her 
several times, and after gazing at her, retired. At last 
she recognized in him an Indian whom she had con- 
cealed thirteen years before, when the 400 were captured. 
At that time he declared that he would never harm her, 
nor her family, in an}' future war. 

Twentj'-three people were slain, and 29 taken prison- 
ers. Both of the mills and six houses were destroj'ed. 
News of the intended attack had reached Boston some- 
time before, and a messenger had been despatched to in- 
form the people of Cocheco of the impending danger. 
Unfortunately he was detained at Newbury, and arrived 
24 hours too late. 

A long and wearisome Indian war followed, in which 
Dover was a continual sulTerer. On Sunday, July 26, 
1693, the people living about Cocheco were attacked while 
returning from church at the Neck. Three were killed, 
three wounded, and three taken prisoners. Peace was 
declared in 1699. 

Two meeting-houses had been built on the Neck, — 
the first in 1638, the other in 1653. In 1665, it was 
" ordered that mr. Petter Coffin should be Impowered 
bj' this meiLting to A Gree with some workmen to Build ■ 
a Terrett upon this meitting house for to hang the Bell 
wich wee have bought of Capt. Walldren." Business for 
a number of }"ears having centred about Cocheco, a 
vote was taken to build a meeting-house on Pine Hill. 
Nicholas Sever was pastor at that time, and the inhabi- 
tants of this frontier town enjoyed a season of peace. 

Another contest with the savages commenced in 1723, 
when Joseph Ham was killed, and three of his children 
were captured. Not long after the Indians kille 1 , 
Tristram Heard. Nor did they spare the Quakers, who • 
were quite numerous in Dover. One of these, John 
Hanson, who lived in Knox Marsh, — half a mile west of 
the present Fair grounds, — was away with his eldest 
daughter, attending a weekly meeting. The Indians at- 
tacked his house, killed and scalped two small children, i 
captured his wife with her infant fourteen days old, her 
nurse, two daughters, and a son, and carried them to j 
Canada. The following summer Hanson redeemed his 
wife, three younger children, the nurse, and Ebenezer 
Downs, — another Quaker taken about the same time. 
The eldest daughter, seventeen years of age, had married 
John Siberoix, a Frenchman, and refused to return. 
Several months afterward, the same Indians that had 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



borne awaj- the Hanson family returned, intending to 
capture them again. Being discovered, their plan was 
frustrated. 

From the close of the Indian wars to the Revolution, 
nothing peculiar marlvs tlie historv of Dover. Durham 
(including Lee) was taken from the town, receiving its 
act of incorporation in 1732. The inhabitants of Dur- 
ham had petitioned to be set off as a separate town in 
1669. About twelve j-ears after the Hiltons' settlement 
at Dover Point, a number of families found their way 
up a branch of the Piscataqua, and settled on what is 
now called Durham Point, at the mouth of Oyster River 
(so called from the excellent oysters found in its waters) . 
The place was included in the limits of Dover, and called 
Oj-ster River settlement. The names of Mathews, (or 
Mathes) , Williams, Goddard, and Smart, are mentioned 
as among the first settlers.* 

In 1649, Valentine Smith, a merchant from Boston, 
and Thomas Beard, obtained a grant of the falls on 
Oyster River (now the site of Durham Village), and 
erected a saw-mill. In a few years, the Falls had mono- 
polized the business of the vicinitj". Durham, being a 
frontier settlement, also suffered much from the incur- 
sions of the Indians, but was not molested to any con- 

I siderable extent until 1C94, during the "French and 
Indian War," when the settlement at the Falls was sur- 
prised by about 200 Indians from the Norridgewock tribe 
of Maine, and the Pennacooks of Amoskeag Falls and 
vicinity. Twelve garrison-houses defended the settle- 
ment ; but for many j-ears the people had grown care- 
less, passing the nights in their unprotected dwellings, 

I while those in the garrison-houses had but little ammu- 
nition. 

I The day was just beginning to dawn on the morning 
of July 18, 1694, when an Indian discharged his musket 
in the air. At the signal a host of savages rushed from 
their hiding-places, and commenced a general attack on 
the place. Of the twelve garrison-houses, those be- 

, longing to Adams, Drew, Edgerly, Meeder and Beard 

I were destroj-ed. Fourteen persons were killed in the 
house of Adams. Drew surrendered on the promise of 

j » There arc in Durham several farms that have remained in the same 
family, without change of name, since their first occupation by white 
people, for six or seven generations, during a period of more than two 
hundred years. Such is the Woodman place, owned by Prof. Wood- 
man of Dartmouth College. The lands of Bumham, Bunker, Mathews, 
and others, have come down in smiilar succession ; also the Smith place, 
owned by Joseph Smith, who bears in full the name of the original 

t It was customary in those days for persons living back in the settle- 
ment, to collect on the Sabbalh, and, fur protection, proceed in a body 
to church. Thomas Chesley, a young man living in Durham, was be- 
trothed to a Miss Randall living in what is now Lee. As people were 



his life, but was afterwards killed. The remaining three 
houses were abandoned, their occupants escaping to the 
woods. Other garrisons were preserved by the vigorous 
efforts of the inmates. Bickford's house being situated 
near the river, he sent his family off in a boat before it 
was attacked. Retiring to his house he defended it by 
keeping up a continual fire upon the enem^', changing 
some portion of his garments every time, and giving 
orders in a loud voice, as if a number of men were there. 
The defenceless houses were all set on fire, some of their 
occupants escaping to the woods, while others were shot 
in the attempt. The wife and child of John Drew were 
taken two miles up the river, and left in the care of an 
Indian. Feeling suddenly sick, he asked Mrs. Drew 
what was good for him. She replied, ^'■Occapee" (rum). 
Not disliking the remedy, he drew forth a bottle which 
he had stolen, took about half its contents at a dose, and 
soon fell asleep. Mrs. Drew and her child, of course, 
escaped. Thomas Drew and his wife, a recently wedded 
couple, were taken prisoners. He was carried to Can- 
ada ; she to an Indian village at Norridgewock, in Maine. 
Four 3'ears after, the}- returned and lived together until 
she was 89 and he 90 j-ears of age. After her captivity 
she was tlie mother of 14 children ! 

The good people of Oj-ster River settlement, after a 
long struggle with those of Dover, obtained a meeting- 
house of their own in 1651, agreeing to pay a minister 
an annual salary of $250. Previously, through mud and 
snow, over hill and stream, — unless prevented bj' sick- 
ness, — they had been obliged to attend meeting at Dover 
Neck. Men, women, and children, would gather on the 
Sabbath, and through the crooked, intricate paths, find 
their way to the little meeting-house on the hill, t 

The first minister that preached in Durham, Rev. Mr. 
Fletcher, left in 1656, after remaining in the town a j-ear ; 
and a Rev. Mr. Hall officiated there in 1662-63, con- 
tinuing but a siiort time. Dissensions in ecclesiastical 
affairs continued till 1675, about which time John Buss, 
a physician, — never ordained as a preacher, — com- 
menced to minister to the parish as its pastor, and held 
the position more than 30 j-ears. His valuable librar}- 

returning from meeting, one Sabbath, — the old folks on horseback and 
the younger ones afoot, — Cheslcy and the young lady, lover-like, loit- 
ered behind. As they were talking of their future prospects in life, an 
arrow from the bow of some lurking Indian pierced the neck of the girl, 
who fell back a corpse into the arms of her lover. A shout from Cheslcy 
brought back the people, who bore the dead girl to the nearest house. 
As they entered, some blood fell to the door-stone, and to this day the 
stone is pointed out, with the blood-marks of two hundred years ago 
still visible ! From that time young Cheslcy swore vengeance against 
the Indians, and ended his da3-s fighting them. It is asserted that, at 
one time, meeting twelve of the savages skinning a heifer, he killed 
eleven of them ! 



NEW HAMPSHIRE. 



was burned hy the. Indians in 1G94. He died in 1736, 
at the age of 108. In 1718, a Congregational Church 
was organized, with Eev. Hugh Adams as its pastor, 
who continued 21 years. He was succeeded, in 1741, bj- 
Rev. Nicholas Oilman, of Exeter, who died after seven 
years of ministerial service. Rev. John Adams, — a 
nephew of the first Congregational minister, — was the 
third settled pastor. His ministry continued nearly 30 
3'ears, and ended in 1778. Rev. Curtis Coe, called to 
occupy his place, was ordained in 1780. His term of 
office occupied a period of 26 years. He was the last 
minister of Durham supported by a town tax. The next 
pastor, after an interval of eleven years, was Rev. 
Federal Burt, ordained in 1817. He died in 1828, at the 
close of a successful ministry of nearly eleven years. 
Rev. Robert Page occupied the pastorate from 1828 to 
1831, succeeded by Rev. Alvan Tobey, ordained in 1833. 
The Christian Baptists, now called the " Church of the 
Disciples," a successful religious organization in Durham, 
have flourished here for 60 or 70 years. 

From 1703 to 1724, the town suffered more or less 
from Indian atrocities. 

A portion of Durham was incorporated as the town of 
Lee in 1766. Joseph Sias signed the warrant calling 
the first town meeting. Miles Randall was chosen mod- 
erator, and afterwards town clerk. Robert Thompson, 
Ely Clark and Nicholas Dudy, comprised the first board 
of selectmen. At a meeting held in December, the same 
year, it was " voted, that Zaccheus Clough inspect into 
the affairs of Eev. Mr. Samuel Hutchins." Mr. H. was 
preaching in the parish when the town was incorporated. 
He continued as pastor of the church until about the year 
1800, when he was succeeded by the Rev. John Osborne, 
who, after thirty or more years of service, was followed 
by the Rev. Israel Chesley. The ministry of the three 
filled a century ! 

Something of historic interest to the people of Lee 
attaches to Wheelwright's Pond, — named from the Rev. 
John Wheelwright (founder of Exeter), who was a 
brother-in-law of the famous Anne Hutchinson. Some 
time in May, 1690, a party of Indians burned several 
houses in the vicinity of the pond, killing many persons, 
and carrying others into captivity. A number of whites, 
— including two companies of scouts raised in Exeter, 
and other places, — a few weeks later, surprised the sav- 
ages near this beautiful pond, where a severe engagement 
followed. Three officers and twelve men were killed, 
besides a very large number of Indians. 

Two years after the incorporation of Lee, a wedge- 
shaped tract of land called Madbury, — taken from Dover 
and Durham, — was incorporated as a town. This oc- 



curred in 1768, after an existence of thirteen years as a 
separate parish. The famihes of Demeritt, Drew, Em- 
erson and Davis were among its earlier settlers, — the 
warrant for the first parish meeting being signed bj' 
Solomon Emerson, who was afterwards chosen moderator, 
Ebenezer Demeritt being appointed town clerk, and John 
Wingate, Paul Gcrrish, and James Davis, selectmen. 
John Demeritt was selected to represent his parish in the 
General Assemblj- at Exeter, in December, 1776. The 
Rev. Samuel Hyde was the first minister settled in Mad- 
bury, where he continued as pastor for many years. A 
meeting-house erected soon after he came into tlie parish, 
has long since been used as a town-house. Although we 
find no record of a regular church organization, the Rev. 
Eliphaz Chapman officiated as minister from 1771 until 
1773, when the Rev. William Hooper, a Baptist preacher, 
formerly of Berwick, became his successor, and continued 
preaching for several years. Many of the people attend 
public worship, as formerly, in Dover and adjacent 
towns ; and there are a number of Friends in Madbur}- 
that belong to the church in Dover. Mahorrimet's Hill 
(now Hick's Hill) , named from an old Indian chieftain, 
who made the spot his home, recalls to mind the original 
occupants of the place which, — not unlike the neigh- 
boring towns, — suffered severely during the Indian 
wars ; and when the Revolution broke out, it gave its 
mite to the country towards gaining independence. 

The same patriotic spirit manifested by the people of 
Madburj' was shown by the men of Harrington, who, in 
town meeting assembled, Feb. 7, 1774, passed resolu- 
tions affirming the right of her citizens to liberty, pledg- 
ing themselves to oppose ' ' the introduction and use of 
tea, and all other taxed articles among the people." 
The territorj' comprising Barrington and Strafford was 
granted to the town of Portsmouth, and incorporated as 
Barrington bj- proclamation of Samuel Shute, governor 
of the Province of New Hampshire, dated May 10, 1772. 
It was divided among the tax-payers of Portsmouth, in 
proportion to the amount of taxes paid by them as 
individuals, on condition that a house of worship and 
40 dwelling-houses be built within seven j-ears, — 
the dwelling-houses to be surrounded by at least three 
acres of cleared land, to be occupied b}' families of actual 
settlers. Among the earliest of these were the Gate 
family, who built the garrison-house taken down several 
3'ears ago, and James Swain, whose dwelling-house is 
now standing, — said to be the first frame-house built in 
town. Many of his descendants are now living. 

The first annual meeting of the proprietors was held 
in Portsmouth two or three weeks after the act of incor- 
poration was signed by the governor. Robert Wibert 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



•was moderator, and Clement Hughes, clerk. The first 
annual meeting held in Barrington was at the house of 
Capt. William Gate in 1759. Arthur Danielson was 
moderator, and Clement Hughes, clerk. The first settled 
minister was Rev. Joseph Prince, ordained in 1754. 
His ministerial labors closed in 1768. His successor, 
the Rev. David Tenne}-, settled in 1771, asked and re- 
ceived a dismission in 1778. The Rev. Benjamin Balch, 
whose pastorate commenced in 1784, continued till his 
death in 1815. 

Prominent among the active men at the beginning of 
the present centur}- were Thomas AV. and Samuel Hale, 
John and David AValdron, and Job Otis. 

In 1820, the town of Barrington being inconveniently- 
large, and dissatisfaction arising from other causes, the 
northerlj- part was set off and incorporated as the town 
of Strafford. Its earliest settlers were the families of 
Berrj', Foss, Winkly and Perkins, — the names of Berrj' 
and Foss being now borne bj- about one-fourth of its 
voters. Elder Micajah Otis was ordained as pastor of 
the Freewill Baptist Church in 1799. The society has 
flourished, and the pulpits of its four churches are sup- 
plied by four settled pastors. The first minister ordained 
in Strafford, after its separation from Barrington, was 
the Rev. William Sanders, installed in 1822. 

The same hand that approved the act creating Bar- 
rington, also signed the charter incorporating Rochester, 
on the same day. May 10, 1722. One of the oldest 
towns in the State, the main road to Dover, now as 
then, passes over Rochester Hill, where the early settlers 
made their homes. The name given to the town is sup- 
posed to be in honor of the Earl of Rochester, Lord 
Treasurer of England. Fragments of the original charter 
bearing the Provincial seal and the signature of the 
British governor, Samuel Shute, are still preserved in 
the town clerk's ofHce. The early settlement of Rochester 
was delayed by the Indian wars. Capt. Timothy Roberts, 
to whom the honor of being the first permanent settlei' 
has usually been given, moved his family within the 
limits of the new township, and settled near the line of 
Dover. He was soon followed by Eleazer Ham, and 
others, mostly from Dover. In 1737, there were 60 fami- 
lies in the town, and in 1744 nearly one hundred and fifty. 

• This edifice is the present house of worship of the Congregational 
society, which received its act of incorporation in 1823. It has h.ad 12 
settled pastors, one of whom. Rev. Joseph Haven, was their minister 
for nearly 50 years. Three of the pastors died and were buried in 
Rochester. 

t The three villages in the town arc Rochester village, Gonic and 
East Rochester. Rochester village is situated upon an extensive plain, 
and was formerly called " Norway Plains," from the fact that Norway 
pines once covered that whole region. A hundred years ago, the village 



In 1746, Joseph Richards, John Wentworth, .Joseph 
Head, and Gershom Downs were surprised on Rochester 
Hill, by Indians in ambush, and killed, others being 
taken prisoners. At this time there were serious thoughts 
of abandoning the settlement. The cultivation of their 
little farms was carried on at the hazard of their lives. 
Neighbors assisted each other by working together in 
companies, with armed sentinels continually on the watch. 
The number of settlers was constantlj- being reduced by 
those who were killed, or captured and carried to Canada. 
In 1747, Samuel Drown was wounded in the hip bj' the 
bullet of an Indian sharpshooter. In 1748, the wife of 
Jonathan Hodgdon was killed by the Indians for refusing 
to go with other captives to Canada. 

The first meeting-house was built on Rochester Hill, 
by the proprietors of the township, in 1731. It was 
' ' forty feet long, thirty feet wide and eighteen feet 
stud." By an act of the General Court, in 1737, the 
inhabitants of the town (no longer the proprietors), 
were authorized to raise by taxation money to support 
the ministry. Rev. Amos Jlain, a graduate of Harvard 
College, was the first settled minister, — a church being 
organized the same year. Joseph Walker, Elizabeth 
Ham and Mary McFee were the first persons admitted 
to the church, and Stephen Berry and Joseph Walker 
were the first deacons. Rev. Mr. Main^the pastor, died 
in 1760, and the town — as usual in those days — paid 
the funeral expenses. One item in the bill was $56.25 
for rum ! 

In 1780 the town was divided into parishes, corre- 
sponding nearly to the present towns of Rochester, Farm- 
ington and Milton. The first parish (Rochester) built a 
new meeting-house that year, on what is now the com- 
mon. In 1842 this house was removed to a more central 
location, where it was enlarged and improved.* 

In 1781 the Society of Friends built a meeting-house 
in Rochester on the Dover road, near Judge Dame's. 
This building was afterwards taken down, and its materials 
were used in building a new meeting-house near Gonic t, 
from which place it has since been removed to its pres- 
ent location. A Friends' meeting-house was also built 
at Meaderborough, \ some time previous to 1805. In 
1823 there were 20 families belonging to one meeting, and 

consisted of only 18 or 20 dwellings. " Gonic " is a contraction of the 
word " Squamagonic," the Indian name of the falls near that place. 
The word is supposed to mean " water from the clay place hill." 

X Meaderborough road, extending along a ridge of land toward Farm- 
ington, is thickly settled by prosperous and intelligent farmers, many of 
whom belong to the Society of Friends. The first settler in that portion 
of the to^vn was Benjamin Meadcr, who was soon followed by four 
brothers. From them and their descendants is derived the name Meader- 
borough. 



NEW HAMPSHIRE. 



1 5 to the other. In 1 838 a collection of books for a 
! Friends' library was commenced. 

! The first Methodist preaching in town occurred in 
j 1807, at the school-house, on the Rochester Hill road. 
Warren Bannister and Ebcnezer Blake, of the Tufton- 
borough circuit, preached once in four weeks, on week 
days. In 1825 a meeting-house was built, the corner- 
stone being laid with imposing Masonic ceremonies. In 
1826 the society was incorporated. In 1867-G8 the 
present beautiful church-edifice was erected at a cost of 
$20,000. The society is regarded as one of the most 
flourishing in the conference. 

In 17G7 there were in Rochester four slaves: two 
male and two female. The last slave died in 1783. 

In 1752 Master John Forst kept the first school in 
town, and, as the records say, "boarded 'round." Prob- 
ablj- he taught only the indispensable branches, reading 
and writing, with a very little of arithmetic. Paper was 
scarce in those days, and most of his " scholars" used 
white-birch bark as a substitute. The school continued 

16 weeks and the town paid him $75 for his services, in 
depreciated currencj- ! The schools were very irregular 
for some jears after this. 

During the Revolution the town bore its part, sending 
a full company to join the army at Cambridge immedi- 
ately after the Concord figlit. The men were recruited 
at Stephen Wentworth's tavern ; the town paying boun- 
ties and supplying lead and blankets. Capt. David 
Place commanded a companj' of minute-men at Ports- 
mouth and at Cambridge ; afterwards, with Capt. John 
Brewster, commanding companies in the second Conti- 
nental regiment, which served in the northern armj' 
under Gen. Sullivan, in 1777. Capt. John McDuffie, 
also, commanded a compan}- in the same armj-, taking 
part in the battles at Saratoga and Stillwater and at 
Ticondcroga. 

The first magistrate in the town was John Plumer, * 
ai)pointed judge of the court by Gov. Wentworth when 
tlie count}- was organized. Josiah Main, son of the 
first settled minister, served 33 years as town clerk, 
having accepted the office in 1771, — the year in which 
Strafford County was incorporated. Wild animals were 
abundant in the early history of the town. Six bears 
were killed in 1751. The first mention of a pauper was 
made in 1749. After a lawsuit, the town of Somers- 
worth was held liable for his support. 

That part of Strafford County that now bears the 
name of Somersworth. was settled some time after 

• Jiiilfrc Plumer continued in office tlirough .and after tlic Revolution, 
the latter part of the time as cUief justice. He lived to be 95 years old, 
and died in 1815. 



Waldron began the settlement at Cocheco Lower Falls, 
probably about 1670, at or near Humphrey's (now Hus- 
scy's) Pond. The people gradually pushed farther and 
farther into the wilderness. The Heard family- had com- 
menced a clearing and built a garrison north-west of 
Varney's (now Garrison) Hill. Others found their 
way still farther into the north of Dover, seldom going 
beyond two or three miles from a garrison-house, to 
which they could fly in time of peril. About 1675 a 
family settled two miles north of Salmon Falls, on the 
Indigo Hill road, and tradition sa3's they built a garrison. 

During the earlier Indian wars, Somersworth experi- 
enced very little of the desolating effects that befell 
other more populous neighbors. The Indians roamed 
the country in small bands, and on their way to some 
large community, often attacked the lonely farm-houses 
l^'ing in their track. Many names might be mentioned 
among those who fell victims to the prowling savages 
lying in ambush in the marsh between Varney's and 
Otis's Hill.t 

Created a parish in 1729, Somersworth was incorpo- 
rated as a town in 1754. Before this, it was a part of 
Dover. Its earliest settlers were William Wentworth, 
John Hall and William Stiles, who came here between 
1650 and 1700. The first meeting-house, built in 1729, 
was taken down in 1773, a more commodious edifice 
having been erected the previous year. The steeple of 
this building was struck by lightning, in a violent thiui- 
der-storm at mid-day, Maj- 4, 1779, and in about an 
hour the house was in ashes. The bell was melted, and 
fell in a state of fusion. The third meeting-house was 
erected in 1780. The first minister of Somersworth, 
Rev. James Pike, a Harvard graduate, was ordained in 
1730, and died in 1792. Rev. Pearson Thurston, a 
graduate of Dartmouth College, installed in 1792, re- 
moved in 1812, and died at Leominster, Mass., in 1819. 
The house in which Mr. Thurston lived was consumed by 
fire in 1812, together with the church records, communion 
vessels and a valuable librarj'. Col. Paul Wentworth 
by his will bequeathed to the parish in this town the sum 
of $2,500, the interest of which was to be expended for 
pious and charitable uses. He also gave a silver tankard 
and cup for the use of the church. He died on St. 
John's day, June 24, 1748. 

It was about 1750, that Andrew Home came from 
Dover and purchased land where Great Falls is now 
located. He erected a house near the present site of the 
Boston and Maine Railro.ad depot; and, shortly after- 

)■ From the summit of Otis's Hill, the highest in Somersworth, may be 
seen the White Mountains, the steeples of the meeting-houses in Ports- 
mouth, and the masts of the shipping in the harbor. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



ward, a grist-mill at tlie falls. Tliose wlio had explored 
this region, years before, had returned with glowing 
accounts of the beautiful scenery in that A-icinity, and of 
the magnificence of a fall, where the water dashed from 
ledge to ledge down a distance of a hundred feet or 
more. It being the largest on the Salmon Falls River, 
they termed it the "Great Falls." Hence the name of 
one of the most beautiful \'iUages in New England. 

From the close of the French and Indian wars to the 
opening of the Revolution, the history- of Somersworth 
is one of uninteresting progression. From a few scat- 
tered farms in a wilderness, it had sprang up into a 
populous town. The first breath of wind that bore the 
news of the tyrannical acts of the mother country to the 
hills of New Hampshire stirred the blood of this hitherto 
quiet people. In their little meeting-house,* nearlj- the 
whole male population of the town gathered oh the 21st 
of April, 1775, and "voted that twent}' men immedi- 
ately- march from the town to meet the enemy." From 
their rendezvous on the "training lot," they marched 
over the winding roads, — through Dover, through Dur- 
ham, New Market and Exeter, — one and another in 
the various towns grasping the musket and joining the 
ranks, until they had swelled to a thousand, and disap- 
peared in the smoke of the battle. The town furnished 
more than 60 men during the war. 

Before business began to centre at Great Falls, the 
people of Somersworth attended .church at RoUinsford 
Junction. In 1825 the pioneer preacher of Great Falls, 
Rev. Eleazer Steele, a Methodist divine stationed at 
Dover, preached to a small audience the first sermon ever 
delivered in the place. 

The territory included in the present limits of Rollins- 
ford was settled as early as 1630, in the vicinity of Sal- 
mon Falls, by persons sent over from England bj' the 
" Company of Laconia" ; and, in 1634, were built at the 
' falls saw and grist mills, which were burned several 
jears after. 

About the year 1700, a party of men commenced a 
rival settlement near RoUinsford Station, and began to 
clear land and build houses. For manj- years the set- 
tlers in these parts travelled the rough, circuitous road 
to Dover Neck, on the Sabbath, until 1713, when a 
place of worship was erected at Cocheco Falls, where 
the law compelled attendance, — a law which was repeat- 
I edlj- enforced ! There the people from the remotest part 
of RoUinsford gathered until 1729, when a church was 
established, a meeting-house built, and this town, includ- 
ing Somersworth, was set off as a separate parish by the 
name of Somersworth. Three houses of worship were 
* Near the present location of RoUinsford Junction. 



successively built near the old bui-ying-gronnd, the 
village in its vicinity being, at that time, the centre of 
business. Among the earlier settlers we find the names 
of Wentworth, Rollins, Pike, Carr and Wallingford. 
The town derives its name from the families of Rollins 
and Wallingford. 

The Indians made savage raids upon the people of 
this section in 1675, and at inter\-als, during the years 
that followed. In 1690 they destroyed the whole village, 
and burned the barns, with the horses and cattle in them. 
Cocheco and other neighboring settlements immediatel3' 
raised a large company of men who started in pursuit of 
the enemj-. One Thomas Toogood, it is said, joined 
this party, and during the fight was taken prisoner bj- 
an Indian. After inquiring his name, the Indian pro- 
ceeded to prepare strings to secure him. While thus 
engaged, Toogood snatched his gun, and retreated 
gradually, keeping his weapon pointed toward the Indian, 
and threatening to fire if he made any noise that would 
alarm the Indians on the other side of the stream. The 
Indian could do nothing but stand and shout after him, 
^'■No-good! No-good!" Toogood safely escaped. 

Elder Wentworth, a resident of this town, was at 
Dover the night Maj. Waldron was killed. He was 
spending the time at the Heard garrison, wliile MrS^ 
Heard and a portion of her family- were gone to Ports- 
mouth. Wentworth, aroused b}' the bark of a dog, 
closed the door, and, falling on his back, placed his 
feet against it. The Indians fired several shots at the 
door, but failed to hit him. Thus the occupants of the 
house were saved. 

From Dec. 19, 1754, to July 3, 1849, RoUinsford was 
a part of Somersworth. 

The founder of the sect of Freewill Baptists,t so 
numerous in this county, was Elder Benjamin Ran- 
daU, who commenced his labors in New Durham in 
1780. This town was incorporated in 1762, the tract 
embracing it having been granted to Ebenezer Smith and 
others, 13 years before that date, on condition that 40 
famiUes should permanently settle in it within five years 
from the declaration of peace. Another article in the 
agreement required the erection of a meeting-house, a 
grain and a saw mill, within two j-ears ; also, the support 
of a preacher. Maj. Thomas Tash \ made earl}' exer- 
tions in founding the settlement of this town, and built 
the two mills at his own expense. With the assistance 
of Paul March and others, the required number of set- 

t This denomination was recognized as a distinct sect by an act of the 
legislatnie, Dec. 7, 1804. 

t He served as captain and major dnrinjitbe French and Indian wars, 
and as colonel during the war of the Revolution. 



NEW HAMPSHIRE. 



tiers was obtained lij- a bounty of 50 acres of land to 
each settler. 

Rev. Nathaniel Porter, a Congregationalist, was or- 
dained in New Durham in 1775. He removed from the 
town about three years before the arrival of Elder Ran- 
dall,* who, in the house of Elder Joseph Boodey, organ- 
ized the first Freewill Baptist church in America. The 
house is still standing. Elder Nathaniel Berry, who 
died in 1865 at the age of 77, had charge of the Free- 
will Baptist church in this town nearly 40 years. 

Among the distinguished men of the past ma}' be 
mentioned Hon. Henry Wilson, who was born on a farm 
about two miles south of Farmington village. This 
town, former!}' a part of Rochester, was incorporated 
Dec. 1, 1798. At the time of its formation, it had a 
population of 1,000. Tiie population in 1868 was 3, .300. 
Benjamin, Samuel and Richard Furber were ampng the 
first who settled in this section, together with Samuel 
Jones, Benjamin Chesley and Paul Demeritt. The}' 
selected a spot near Merrill's Corners, where " Furber's 
Store " is known as the oldest in town. The first meet- 
ing-house was built on Roberts' Hill, about two miles 
south of Farmington village. The first school-house 
was built at Merrill's Corners, in the south part of the 
town, about 1791. From its superior adaptation to 
Ihrming pursuits, the town is supposed to have derived 
its name. 

Another section of Rochester was taken from it and 
incorporated as the town of Milton, in 1S02. The town 
was first settled in 1775. The first meeting-house was 
built in 1803. It was really the town bouse, and was 
open to all denominations. Its first minister was Rev. 
James Walker, a Congregationalist. TJie plan of the 
niecting-house is on record at the town clerk's office, 
together with the names of early pew-owners, among 
which may be found those of Plumer, Jones, Bury and 
Lord, many of whose descendants ^are now living in 
Milton. The pews sold at prices ranging from thirty to 
a hundred dollars, the highest-priced pew being bought 
liy Joseph Plumer, an old and esteemed citizen of those 
times. His descendants still live in the old homestead 
on Plumer's Ridge, where was built the first school-house 
on a site now occupied for the same purpose, in District 
No. 1. The first saw and grist mill was built by a Mr. 
Knox, in 1805, on a site now utilized by the felt works. 

Between Milton and New Durham, in the extreme 
northern part of the county, is the small town of Mid- 
dleton, whose first settlers came here a hundred years 
ago, mostly from Lee, Somersworth and Rochester. 

* Elder Randall continued preaching, and travelled more or less until 
at last lie died of consumption, in 1808, aged 60 years. A plain marljle 



The town was incorporated March 4, 1778 ; and in 1794 
the town of Brookfield was severed from it. For many 
years these two towns united in sending a representative 
to the legislature. In 1826 David Davis, Esq., who repre- 
sented these towns in the General Assembly, caused a 
special act to be passed allowing each town a member, — 
neither of which had the constitutional number of voters. 

Milton's increase in population has been notably small : 
numbering 476 persons in 1859, the census of 1870 re- 
turned only 482. Its first minister was the Rev. Nehe- 
miah Ordway, who graduated at Harvard College in 
1764, and settled here in 1778. His successor. Elder 
John Buzzell, established a Freewill Baptist church, 
which has since been the prevailing religious sentiment. 

Although the soil of Milton yields scanty returns, 
and, like most northern towns in the county, is better 
adapted to grazing, yet many of its people arc in pros- 
perous circumstances. All the lands in Strafford County 
are somewhat hard of cultivation, but the patient laborer 
finds an ample reward for his toil. The county possesses 
a large hydraulic power, and manufacturing establish- 
ments are constantly increasing on its streams. Losing 
a large share of its territory in 1840, by the formation of 
Belknap and Carroll counties, — the former taking 18 
towns, the latter 14, — it is now smaller than any county 
in the State, but still retains its former independence 
and power. 

Bounded east by the State of Maine, with llie coun- 
ties of Carroll and Brlknap on the north — Merrimack 
and Rockingham counties lying on the south and west — 
the Lamprey, Bellamy, Cocheco, Isinglass and Salmon 
Falls are its principal rivers. The Salmon Falls is navi- 
gable for sloops to South Berwick, and the Cocheco to 
Dover. Prior to 1841 these two rivers furnished the 
principal mode of travel and transportation to and from 
the county. 

The Boston and Maine Railroad, which extends 
through the south-eastern part of the county, was com- 
pleted in 1843. The Dover and Winnipiseogee (for- 
merly Cocheco) Railroad, from Dover to Alton Bay, — a 
distance of 28^ miles, — was incorporated in 1847. It 
was commenced in 1848, and finished in 1850. The 
Portsmouth, Great Falls and Conway Railroad was in- 
corporated in 1844. This road, commenced in 1847, was 
finished to Rochester in 1849, and to Union Village, in 
Wakefield, in 1850. Thence its line extended to the 
White Mountains. The Portland and Rochester Rail- 
road, from Portland, Jle., to Rochester, N. H., was 
completed in 1871. 

shaft marks his resting-place in the family burying-ground, on New 
Durham Ridge. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



Of the eight national banks in Strafford CoiTnty, Dover 
has three ; while Farmington, Gouic, Great Falls, Roch- 
ester and Somcrsworth have one each. The only State 
bank in New Hampshire is at Rollinsford, ha\ing a cap- 
ital of $50,000. 

Of the eight savings banks in the county, Farmington 
has one ; Somersworth one ; Rochester and Dover, three 
each. 

According to the U. S. census of 1870, the population 
of Strafford County is 30,199. Before Carroll and 
Belknap counties were taken from it, in 1840, its popu- 
lation was 61,095. 

Strafford County belongs to the first judicial district 
of the Supreme Court, a law terra of which is held annu- 
ally at Dover. The trial terms of the court are held at 
the same place, on the third Tuesday of March, and 
fourth Tuesday of October ; and the term of the Court 
of Common Pleas on the third Tuesdaj"^ of January, and 
the third Tuesday in August, of each j"ear. 

Towns. 

Dover, one of the most interesting and important 
cities in New Hampshire, owes much to the Bellamy and 
Cocheco rivers, which flow through it in a south-easterly 
direction, adding greatly- to its beauty, as the county seat 
of Strafford. From the close of the Revolution to the 
introduction of cotton manufactures, the town grew 
slowly. There had been saw-mills, grist-mills, fuUing- 
radls, oil-mills, a nail-factorj-, and ship-yards, in con- 
tinuous succession, extending through a period of 180 
years, ending in 1821, when the Dover Factory Companj- 
was incoiporated. This was afterward merged into the 
Cocheco Manufacturing Company, which was incorpo- 
rated in 1836. In addition to the Print Works, which 
manufacture the well-known Cocheco prints, the com- 
pany has in operation in its mills 60.000 spindles and 
1,200 looms, manufacturing 11,000,000 yards of cloth 
annually. 

Here, also, are mills for the manufacture of all kinds 
of machinery, and factories for making glue and sand- 
paper, oil-cloth and can-iages ; a planing-mill, soapstone 
works, the Dover Gas-light Company, &o., &c. The 
manufacture of boots and shoes is also an important 
industry. 

Besides the jail, court-house and county offices, the 
cit}' has man}' handsome business blocks, neat-looking 

• In enforcing the Jaw requiring eacli town to " provide a schoolmas- 
ter," tlie court made a special exception of Dover, in 1693, the town 
being at that time " too much impoverished, by the freqii 
of Indian enemies, to Bustam any considerable burden for other 
poses than its own defence." 



dwellings and costly private residences, with a few old- 
time mansions, upon whose generous, well-kept grounds 
and tasteful surroundings, increasing population and the 
growth of trade will sooner or later make sad inroads. 

As an enterprising city, Dover possesses all the re- 
quisites of a rapidly-growing manufacturing metropolis, 
two of the school-houses* near its central part being 
rarely surpassed for their convenience and beauty. It 
has four national banks ; several institutions for savings ; 
10 churches, each having a commodious edifice; com- 
fortable hotels ; societies for agricultural and literary 
improvement ; a library and post-office f ; one high and 
12 district schools ; the Franklin Academy, chartered in 
1818; with pther social and business advantages pro- 
portionate to its wealth. Dover received its city charter 
Sept. 1, 1855. The Hon. Andrew Peirce was its first 
maj'or. 

The little flags, waving in the breeze at Pine Hill 
Cemetery, tell the story of Dover's patriotism during the 
war of the Rebellion. 

Population, 1870, 9,874; State, 1878, 10,360.+ 

SoMERswoETH, joining Dover, of which it was formerly 
a part, is situated on the Salmon Falls River, — the old 
Indian Newichawannock, — where it occupies one of the 
most beautiful and romantic sites in all Strafford Count}-. 
It has but one village, called Great Falls, where most of 
its inhabitants reside, and where all of its manufactur- 
ing interests are centered. On the same spot, in 1820, 
there was only one house, a grist-mill and a saw-mill. 
Three years later was incorporated the Great Falls Manu- 
facturing Compan}-, which at one time owned the largest 
broadcloth and carpet mill in America. The woollen 
business was abandoned in 1834. The companj* has a 
capital stock of $1,500,000; five mills, with 92,500 
spindles and 2,155 looms. Annuallj-, 4,924,374 pounds 
of cotton are consumed, manufacturing 16,000,000 j-ards 
of sheetings, shirtings, drilling and cotton fiannels. 
Fifty looms for weaving bags were introduced in 1868, 
turning out 2,000 bags daily. The average number of 
operatives employed (three-fourths being females) is 
1 ,800. The monthly pay-roll aggregates $36,000. 

A bleachery, belonging to the company, employs about 
35 hands. 

The Great Falls Woollen Companj-, owning a substan- 
tial, fine-lookmg mill, 100 by 64 feet, five stories high, 
with dj'e-house, store-house and counting-room building, 

t The post-office at Dover (one of the first ten created in the conn- 
try) was cstabhshcd in 1791. It required three weeks, at that time, for 
a letter from Philadelphia to reach the post office at Dover. 

X The word " State " has reference to the returns made by the selectmen 
in 1878. In some towns the selectmen failed lo make reliable returns. 



NEW HAMPSHIRE. 



was incorporated in 18G3, with a capital of $100,000. 
It cmplojs 120 hands, with eight sets of machiiieiv, on 
fanc}' cassimeres, tweeds and flannels, consuming 9,000 
pounds of clear wool daily, and paying out $3,000 
monthlj- for labor. 

The Somersworth Machine Companj-, incorporated^ in 
1848, with a capital of $.30,000, consumes annually 700 
tons of coal, and 7,000,000 pounds of iron. The weekly 
compensation to emplo3L'S is $1,800. The compan3- have 
three foundries, one at Dover, one at Salmon Falls, and 
one at Great Falls. That at Salmon Falls manufactures 
mostly stoves, of which 4,000 are made per year. At 
Great Falls, mill-machiner3', gas and water pipes, and 
all kinds of heavj' and light castings ai-e made. Here, 
also, are large jewelry, watch-making and dry-goods 
establishments. 

The town has six churches ; 14 graded public schools, 
including a high school ; a library of 4,000 volumes ; 
two banks, a post-office, and an institution for savings. 

But the glorj- and pride of Somersworth are its manu- 
factories. Population, 1870, 4,504 ; State, 1878, 5,857. 

Rochester, the birth-place and home of manj' distin- 
guished men, has also manj' enterprising manufacturers, 
who, by industry and perseverance, have surmounted 
poverty and amassed wealth. 

Its first manufactmiug corporation, the Mechanics' 
Company, which commenced the manufacture of blan- 
kets at " Norway Plaino " in 1834, failed in 1841, f.il- 
lowed by the Gonic Company, which met a similar fate. 
Wetmore and Sturtevant took the remains, dividing the 
mills and privileges between them. Wetmore eventu- 
allj' failed, or abandoned the business. Sturtevant, by 
skiU and business abilitj', succeeded. In 1846 other 
persons were admitted, and a company was incorporated 
as the " Norway Plains Company." The capital has 
been from time to time increased, — in a great measure 
from the profits of the business, — until, from $00,000 in 
1847, it now amounts to $250,000. The mills have 25 
sets of machinery, and make 95,000 pairs of blankets 
and C20,000 3-ards of flannel annually. 

At Rochester Village, E. G. & F. Wallace have estab- 
lished what is believed to be the largest shoe-factory in 
tlie State. With it is connected a large tanning and 
currying establishment — so that raw hides, taken in, are 
sent to market in the form of shoes of many descriptions. 
Three hundred thousand pairs are manufactured annu- 
ally. The Wallaces commenced with nothing. By pa- 
tient industrj' they have built up a large business, and 
made themselves wealthy. 

At tlie Aallage of Gonic, and at East Rocl)ester, there are 
also successful manufactories of plain and twilled flannels. 



Two railroads enliven tlic appearance of Rochester, 
which has two lines of telegraph, three churches, three 
banks, three postal villages, and 19 graded school dis- 
tricts. 

Of its 205 soldiers, enlisted during the Rebellion, 63 
were lost in the service. 

In addition to its eminent men, elsewhere mentioned, 
the history' of Rochester would be incomplete without 
some brief notice of prominent persons who, by birth or 
adoption, ma}'; justly claim a place on the list of her dis- 
tinguished sons. 

Lieut. Col. John McDuffle, born in 1724, was at the 
capture of Louisburg in 1758, and commanded a detach- 
ment of men under Gen. Wolfe at the siege of Quebec. 
He served in the Revolution, from the battle of Bunker 
Hill until 1778, and was afterward representative and 
State senator. He died in 1817, aged 93. 

Hon. Nathaniel Upham, a successful merchant and 
public-spirited citizen, and a resident in Jloehester from 
1802 to 1829, was a member of Congress from 1817 to 
1823. 

Hon. David Barker, Jr., born in Rochester, and a 
lawyer of fine talents, was a member of Congress from 
1827 to 1829. 

Hon. James Farrington, a physician of some celeljrity, 
resided here from 1818 till his death in 1859, and was a 
member of Congress from 1837 to 1839. 

Hon. Jacob II. Ela, born here, has been U. S. marshal 
for New Hampshire, a member of Congress, and has 
filled various political offices of distinction. 

Rev. Thomas C. Upham, D. D., has been for more 
than 30 years a professor at Bowdoin College. 

Jonathan P. Cushing, who graduated at Dartmouth, 
paid his expenses through college by working at his 
trade as a saddler, and afterwards became president of 
Hampden Sydnej- College, Va. He died in 1835. 

Hon. Nathaniel G. Upham, formerly judge of the 
Superior Court of Judicature, was U. S. commissioner 
to Great Britain, in President Pierce's administration. 

Francis W. Upham, LL. D., a native of Rochester, 
and formerly law-partner with Hon. Robert Rantoul, 
afterwards became I'rofessor of Mental Philosophy at 
Rutgers College, New York. 

Hon. Noah Tebbetts, a native of Rochester, and a 
graduate of Bowdoin College, served as representative 
in the Legislature, and afterwards as judge of the Court 
of Common Pleas, till his death in 1844. 

Hon. Charles W. Woodman, born in Rochester, and a 
practising lawyer in Dover, was a judge of the Court of 
Common Pleas from 1854 to 1855. 

Hon. Theodore C. Woodman, a native of Rochester, 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



and a lawyer in Bucksport, He., has been Speaker of 
the Maine House of Representatives. 

Richard Dame, a representative and State senator, 
served as executive councillor in 1809-10, and as judge 
of the Court of Common Pleas,* from 1816 to 1820. He 
was a member of the Society of Friends, and died much 
esteemed in 1828, aged 72. 

Isaac and Seth Adams, f poor in early life, by abiUt}- 
and perseverance attained great wealth. The former 
invented the famous Adams printing-press. The latter 
was for a long time engaged in the sugar-refining busi- 
ness at South Boston. 

Hon. James II. Edgerly was appointed judge of pro- 
bate for Strafford County in 1866. 

Charles Main, a descendant of the first minister of 
Rochester, is known as one of the most wealthy and suc- 
cessful merchants of San Francisco. 

Hon. John P. Hale, formerly a distinguished lawyer 
of Rochester, is said to have held a lieutenant's commis- 
sion in the army, received from the hands of Gen. Wash- 
ington. He died in 1819. He was father to the late U. 
S. senator and minister to Spain, Hon. John P. Hale, 
who entered Bowdoin College in 1823, with ex-President 
Pierce and Nathaniel Hawthorne as his classmates. 

Population, 1870,-5,137; State, 1878,-5,137. 

RoLLiKSFORD, whosc manufacturing interests centre in 
its one village of Salmon Falls, — pleasant in the orderly' 
arrangement of its buildings, and its manj' ornamental 
shade trees, — has two substantial mills, one being erect- 
ed on the spot wkere its predecessor, built in 1821 and 
burned ia 1830, was afterwards rebuilt, and, with its 
companion mill, merged into the fiourishing cotton- fac- 
tories of the Salmon Falls Manufactunng Companj', run- 
ning 32,000 spindles and 980 looms, — using 10,000 bales 
of cotton per year. 

For a small town RoUinsford takes high rank in agri- 
culture, and is one of the best fruit-growing towns in the 
State. 

Chief Justice Charles Doc of the Supreme Court, is a 
resident of RoUinsford. 

Population 1870,-1,500; State, 1878,-1,596. 

Fakmington, a very good "farming town," as its name 
implies, has one notably enterprising village, with 18 
stores and 17 shoe-factories, turning out, in 1868, 1,015,- 
000 pairs of shoes, valued at more than a million and a 
quarter of dollars. 

• Before the division of Strafford County in 1840, Rochester was one 
of the three towns where terms of court were regularly held. The 
town furnished a court-house fur the use of the county, and at one time 
efforts were made, which proved unsuccessful, to have the jail located 
here. Daniel Webster and Jonathan Mason used to visit Rochester in 
the practice of their profession. 



In connection with its fame as the birth-place of Henrj- 
Wilson, it appears that Jeremiah Jones was the first man 
born in this town that was sent to the Legislature. He 
was elected six successive terms, and nominated for the 
seventh, but refused to run. His majority at the first 
election was One ; at the last, 158. 

Two former members of Congress — both old resi- 
dents — were the Hon. Nehemiah Eastman, an able law- 
j-er and State senator, who died in 1856 ; and Dr. Joseph 
Hammond, for many j-ears Farmington's only phj-sieian, 
who died in 1836. 

Population, 1870,— 2,300; State, 1878,-2,776. 

Barrington, with its many ponds and admirable mill- 
sites ; with its woollen-mill, and its wooden-ware indus- 
tries, has also its "Dexil's Den," a cave of some noto- 
riety, extending 100 feet into the solid rock. i 

Stone-house Pond, nearly cii-cular, and shaded by for- 
est trees, is a favorite place of resort for pleasure-seek- 
ers. On its north-western shore rises a perpendicular 
ledge, 150 feet in height. A fissure in the base, capable 
of sheltering several persons, gives the name to the pond. 

Prof. S. Waterhouse, of Washington University, St. 
Louis ; Col. J. W. Kingman, justice U. S. Court, 
Wj-oming Territorj' ; and Hon. Frank Jones, formerly 
mayor of Portsmouth, and member of Congress, were 
born in this town. 

Population, 1870,-1,583; State, 1878,-1,468. 

Durham, in the extreme south, where ship-building 
was in former times extensively carried on, exports an- 
nually 1 ,000 tons of hay. 

Of the many distinguished men who have had their 
homes in this town, perhaps none will be held in more 
grateful remembrance than Maj. Gen. Sullivan, of Rev- 
olutionary fame. 

Population, 1870,-1,260; State, 1878,-981. 

Lee, with its lovelj* scenerj' and healthful atmosphere, 
so inviting to extreme old age that few physicians have 
ever made it their home ; with its valuable mill sites, and 
inexhaustible body of excellent cla}' for bricks, is one 
of the few towns which earlj' took an extraordinary in- 
terest iu securing efficient and successful schools. It is 
a patriotic little place, having always cheerfully furnished 
its quota iu all our national struggles. 

Population, 1870,— 776; State, 1878,-694. 

Milton, mainlj- an agricultural and stock-raising town, 
manufactures about $100,000 worth of woollen and cotton 

t By the will of Seth Adams, who was bom in Rochester in 1806, and ; 
died in 1873, the income of a perpetual fund of $600,000 was appropriated j 
for founding, building and supporting the " Adams Nervine Asylum," 
where persons not insane may find rest and protection, without having 
the stigma of insanity branded upon them. This institution in Boston 
(W. Roxbury district), will be opened for patients about Jan. 1, 1880. ' 



NEW HAMPSHIRE. 



goods, and half a million dollars' worth of boots and 
shoes. 

Population, 1870,-1,598. 

Madbukt, a small, triangular-shaped town, contains 
mosll}' a farming population ; while Middleton, a better 
grazing town, is nearl}' half woodland and swamps. 

Population, Madbury, 1870,-408 ; State, 1878,-419. 
Middleton, 1870,-540; State, 1878,-350. 

New Durham, in whose principal %'illage are the 
Eureka gunpowder works, is a town of saw-mills, grist- 
mills, and shingle-mills, — with wood and lumber as the 
chief articles of trade. 

Population, 1870,-974; State, 1878,-864. 

Straffokd is the youngest and last-incorporatea town 
in the county, which it honored in adopting its name. 
Formerly the agricultural part of Barrington, it joins 



Farmington, and shares with it some of the best farming 
lands in the State. Lumbering is carried on to some ex- 
tent, and stock-raising receives a large share of attention. 

From the tops of its "Blue Hills," to the east, a fine 
view of the south-west part of the State of Maine is pre- 
sented ; while, to the south-east, the ocean with its snowy 
sails is distinctly seen. To the south, the highlands of 
Massachusetts, and Unconnunucs Mountains in Goffs- 
town, rise full to view. 

To the west, the Sunapee and Kearsarge mountains 
rear their bald summits to the clouds ; while to the north 
that "Switzerland of America," the White Mountain 
region, towering above the rest of New England, meets 
the astonished vision of the lover of the beautiful and 
sublime. 

Population, State, 1878,— 1,GG8. 



SULLIVAIf COUKTY. 



BY \VILLI.\M E. GRAVES. 



Near the centre of New Hampshire's western border, 
washed liy the majestic Long River,* lies, or rather 
rises — sceminglj' from all points of the compass — a 
naturallj' picturesque and wildly romantic region, cover- 
ing nearly GOO square miles of land, swollen, as it were, 
to a lofty height between the Connecticut and Merrimack 
rivers, and called the County of Sullivan, from that 
grand old patriot. Gen. John Sullivan, of Revolutionary 
fame. 

Remarkabl}' rich in its scenery and in its history, the 
county has the same general aspect that it wore, within 
the writer's remembrance, 50 years ago. The same un- 
dulating hills and quiet valleys ; the same romantic and 
|)astoral glens ; the same lakes and ponds, streams and 
water-courses, — all of surpassing loveliness ; the same 
rocks piled on rocks ; and the same varieties of forest 
trees, — the rock f and white maple ; the black ash ; the 
black, j-ellow and white birch ; the beech, elm and bass ; 
the red oak ; the pine, spruce and hemlock ; the fir and 
the cedar, — arc still here in all their glory. The same 
lightning-scarred, tall old pines, wearing the wealher- 
slains of centuries, and sharing the solitude with an 

* The Indian word spelled " Connecticut," eignifles, in English, the 
" Long River." 
t The hard, or rock maple, is the sugar maple of this region. 



occasional, but inevitable crow, wheeling aloft or perched 
on some splintered stem, still stand stark and stiff like 
ghosts or spectres, at twilight or in the moonlight, — 
clinging to lofty mountain-sides as in days of yore. 
The Grand Monadnock, the Haystack, and old Kear- 
sarge, in neighboring counties, look from within its 
limits, just the same ; and for more than 250 years, the 
phj-sical features of the county have undergone little or 
no change. 

Long ago were found, here and there, relics of the 
Indians, who probably never made this elevated land a 
place of permanent abode. Through these valleys, now 
teeming with culture, no doubt they tracked, with fleet 
and silent foot, the wary game. But the woods and 
fields echo no longer to the thrill of the Indian bow- 
string, and the wild ieasts who shared the forests with 
the red men have long since disappeared. 

Were it in our power to transport the reader to the top 
of Croydon or Grantham Mountain, to the summit of the 
Sunapee, or to the granite apes of the cone-shaped 
Lovewell's Mountain, — all hing in this county, — there 
would be no need for wearisome detail, while he feasted 
his eye on some of the finest scenery in Western New 
Hampshire. Alas that her mountains — not excelled in 
grandeur by the loftier pinnacles of Europe — maj- not 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



jet lajr claim to the enchanting associations of the Paj-s 
de Vaud, in Switzerland, or of the famous Pass of St. 
Bernard ! 

The streams that course the western slopes of this 
romantic highland region dash from ledge to rock, and 
go rippling and murmuring on through fertile meadows 
I to the blue Connecticut, whose shores of scenic beautj' 
are lovelier far than the bolder lands Ijiug on the banks 
of the " beautiful blue Danube." Not generally uneven, 
here and there lofty mountain-peaks and ridges lift their 
rounded but rocky summits almost to the clouds. Near 
one of these vast elevations lies, in its broad expanse, — 
nine miles in length, — Lake Sunapee, known to the In- 
dians as " the beautiful lake of the high land." Here, 
too, well stored with pickerel and trout, are other placid 
lakes, embosoming green islands ; and bej-ond, pleasant 
valleys and cultivated farms. From these lofty moun- 
tain-heights, the eye sun-eys one of the wildest and most 
enchanting scenes. Here, also, on its eastern slope, 
spring the sources of that mighty river, the Merrimack, 
having more than half a million inhabitants within the 
reach of its waters ; and, with its countless tributaries, 
plaj-ing down from the mountains of New Hampshire, 
turning hundreds and thousands of spindles, set in mo- 
tion by a strong and sturdy- tide of water that "does 
more work in a month than anj^ other river in the world." 
The people who inhabit these hills and valleys include 
men of all avocations, trades and professions, but mostlj- 
liardy and honest, independent farmers, cultivating their 
own farms. Besides the Connecticut on its western 
boundary, the Ashuelot and other smaller streams run 
through the county in different directions, supplying 
abundant water-power, enabling the loom, the spindle 
and the forge to elaborate their products of utility and 
beautj-. The soil along the valleys of the numerous 
streams is pailicularly fertile, and is easily tilled ; but 
where the lands are stony, or moist and strong, the 
laborer wrings from the earth's reluctant lap the bread of 
toil. The early settlers came mostly from Massachu- 
setts, Connecticut and Rhode Island. Some of their 
number were present at Stillwater, Saratoga, Monmouth 
and at Bennington. They followed Stark, and Sullivan, 
and Cilley, Henry Dearborn and James Reed ; and were 
actively engaged on every battle-field, from Bunker Hill 
down to the surrender of Cornwallis in 1781. 

With Cheshire on the south, Hillsborough on the east, 
Grafton on the north, and Vermont just across the Con- 
necticut River on its western boundary, Sullivan, bj- no 
means the youngest, is comparatively a new county, — 
Cheshire being despoiled of about one-half of its original 
lands to give Sullivan an existence, at the time of its 



incorporation, July .'), 1827. It belongs to the third 
judicial district of the Supreme Court, a law term of 
which is held at Newport on the third Tuesday in De- 
cember. The trial terra of this court is held in the same 
town on the fourth Tuesday of January and the first 
Tuesdaj- of September ; and the terms of the court of 
Common Pleas on the same days of each 3"ear. Gen- 
erally, the people of SuUivan have no especial fondness 
for " going to law." Nevertheless, they are in the habit 
of claiming what lielongs to them ; and, as the State 
took an early part in the struggles of the Revolution, her 
sons in Sullivan County seem to have brought with them 
that indomitable will, and that love of theii" rights, which 
have clung to them to this day. 

The commencement of the troubles which led to the 
Revolution greatly retarded settlements in this county, 
notablj' that of the town of Acworth, incorporated in 
1766, and first settled in 1768.* A town government 
was organized in 1771, when there were less than four- 
teen houses in the place. Acworth's first minister was 
Rev. Thomas Archibald, of Londonderry, N. H., a grad- 
uate of Dartmouth, settled in 1789 over a Congregational 
church formed by eight members in 1773. From Feb. 
28 to May 13, 1812, of 58 deaths in the town, 53 were 
caused by spotted fever. The town is famous for large 
crystals of beryl, of a brilliant aqua-marine color. One 
of these beautiful precious stones, eight inches in diam- 
eter, was sold in New York for a large sum, and is now 
in the imperial cabinet at Vienna. In all the wars in 
which the countrj' has been engaged, the military history 
of Acworth has been not merely creditable, but brilliant. 
In 1812, the town was com[ielled to make a draft to de- 
termine who should stay at home, rather than who 
should go to the defence of New Hampshire's seacoast. 
Twenty-nine Acworth soldiers lost their lives during the 
war of the Rebellion. 

One of the healthiest towns in this corset-shaped coun- 
ty, boasts of Lovewell's Mountain, where snow is found 
in its northern gullies almost anj^ year as late as the 
4th of July. The township was originally granted by 
Masonian proprietors to Reuben Kidder of New Ipswich, 
by whom its settlement was commenced in 1768. It was 
then called "Monadnock No. 8" ; afterwards, from the 
date of its settlement, "Camden," which name it re- 
tained till Dec. 13, 1776, when the town, in honor of the 
country's greatest Revolutionarj' general, was incorpo- 
rated under its present name of Washington. The set- 
tlers were encouraged to come to the place by the offer 
to each of 150 acres of land. A grist-mill and a saw- 

• The centennial anniversary of the settlement of Acworth was cele- 
brated, Sept. 16, 1868. 



NEW HAMPSHIRE. 



mill were erected the j-ear after the settlement, most of 
the earl}- inhabitants coming from Massachusetts. The 
records show that they not only practised great self- 
denial and economy, but were men of industrious habits, 
and accustomed to toil and hardships that would be 
deemed intolerable by the present generation. The first 
settlements were on the elevation of land near the sum- 
mit of Lovewell's Mountain, — so named' from Capt. 
John Lovewell, the famous Indian fighter, who slew seven 
of the savages in single combat, near the spot where the 
First Congregational meeting-house was afterwards built 
in 1780, at which time the Rev. George Leslie,* its first 
minister, was Installed. Washington Village — or the 
" middle of the town," as it is usually called — was a 
place of great business activit}' in old "stageingand 
turnpike daj'S," but the railroad has ruined it, leaving the 
place — like many other New Hampshire hill-towns — 
high and dry above the level of the locomotive. Wind- 
ing around, and for a distance of sis miles gradually 
creeping down the side of Lovewell's Mountain, the 
road reaches a sunnj- vaUey l3'ing at its base, forming the 
site of East Washington, first settled by Dea. William 
Graves, a native of Sudbury, Mass. He was then a 
3'oung man, fresh from the battle-field of Bunker Hill, 
for which service he received a pension from government 
during the declining j'ears of his life. To this day, nearly 
all the residents of that place — now the most, thriving 
portion of the town — are more or less directlj- related to 
his family of one son and eleven daughters, who on many 
a cold winter's midnight were aroused to help drive away 
the bears that came down from the mountain, and hung 
around their humble habitation. 

AVest of Washington lies Lempster, high on the west- 
erlj'-sloping boundary of the " height of Fand" between 
the Merrimack and Connecticut rivers. The town was 
incorporated in 1761, and settled about the j'ear 1770 by 
emigrants from Connecticut. The first church, formed 
with seven male members in 1781, was of the Congrega- 
tional denomination, and the Rev. Elias Fisher was its 
pastor from 1787 till his death in 1831, a period of about 
44 years. 

In the extreme south-western comer of the county, 
about six miles from Bellows Falls, is Langdon, incorpo- 
rated in 1787, and named from Gov. John Langdon, of 
Revolutionary fame. Seth Walker rommenccd a settle- 
ment here in 1773, and was followed the year after by 
Nathaniel Rice and Jonathan Willard. The first church 

• Mr. Leslie was nine days on the road travelling from Ipswich, Mass., 
to Washington, N. H. Such were the facilities for travel in those days. 

t Rev. Grant Powers, in his " History of the Coos County," states 
that the only family in Plainfield in 1765, was that of Francis Smith, 



of the Congregational order, was founded in 1792. 
Among the names of the early preachers were those of 
Lazell, Hartwell, Spaulding and Taft, the latter of whom 
did most of the preaching from 1795 to 1803, when he 
turned politician, and was chosen representative to the 
General Court. After this all real interest in religious 
matters calmed down to the chilling coolness of Cold 
River, a considerable branch of which passes through 
Langdon, uniting with a main branch near the south line. 
As, in the nature of things, an unalloyed low tempera- 
ture never lasts long, this frigidity of feeling in spiritual 
matters was followed by a warm conflict between the peo- 
ple, who were partly Universalists and in part Congre- 
gationalists. In 1804, Abner Kneeland — afterwards 
widely known as a noted preacher in New England — was 
invited to settle as pastor in opposition to a strong re- 
monstrance bj' a minority of the church. In 1810 he 
was chosen representative, and in 1811 left to settle over 
the First Universalist Church in Charlestown, Mass. 
The church clerk moved to the West, and carried off all 
the records, with which also the visible organization of 
the church for many j-ears disappeared. 

This lapse of religious fervor — common to all coun- 
ties — found no counterpart in the zeal with which its 
educational needs have been so fully supplied by numer- 
ous high schools and academies, justly the pride of Sul- 
livan County. One of the best endowed and most pop- 
ular in the State is "Kimball Union Academy," a flour- 
ishing institution, incorporated in 1813, and pleasantly 
situated on a beautiful plain in Meriden, the principal 
■village of Plainfield, whose forests of pine trees border 
the banks of the Connecticut River, opposite Hartland, 
Vt. Plainfield was incorporated in 1761, receiving its 
name from a place in Connecticut where the proprietors 
of the town held their first meeting. Its earliest known 
settlers — bearing the names of Nash and Russell — came 
in 1764.t In 1765, or about that date, the Congrega- 
tionalists organized the first church, over which Rev. 
Abraham Carpenter was settled, it is said, " without any 
action on the part of the town," — Mr. Smith Carpenter 
receiving in 1779 the grant of land allotted to the first 
settled minister. The old church in East Plainfield is 
occasionally occupied. About one-half of Grantham 
was annexed to Plainfield in 1856. 

The town of Grantham, about 12 miles distant from 
Dartmouth College, was incorporated in 1767. Here, 
as in Croydon, are the highest mountains in Sullivan 

whose wife was " terribly " homesick, and declared she "would not 
stay therein the woods." Those, therefore, who are represented as being 
settlers in 1764, must have become discouraged and left, or the date 
must be wrong. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



County.* Tomahawks and other Indian implements have 
been found in Croydon, but no indications of anj- per- 
manent settlement by the savages. It was incorporated 
in 17G3, and settled three j-ears later by families from 
Grafton and Sutton, Mass. The first minister. Rev. 
Jacob Haven, was ordained in 1778. Man^- of its earlj- 
inhabitants continued in the Revolutionarj- armj- till the 
surrender of Burgoyn 

In 17G9, the sufferings of the settlers from the failure 
of the crops was great. In Goshen, — a township in- 
corporated in 1791, — the inhabitants were compelled to 
go to Walpole for supplies On one of these journeys, 
Capt. Benjamin Rand was detained b}- a severe snow- 
storm, preventing all progress for six days, his wife and 
cliildren, in the meantime, being left entirelj- destitute 
of provisions. One of his children, 5 3ears of age, was 
kept alive by the mother with milk from her breast, her 
infant having died a short time previous. 

One of tlie 1 G towns that seceded from New Hamp- 
shire and joined Vermont in 1788, is Cornish, incorpo- 
rated in 17G3. The familj- of Moses Chase of Sutton, 
Mass., is believed to have been the first to settle in the 
town in 1765.t Its first minister was Rev. James 
Wellman, settled in 1768. 

About 100 miles from Boston is Claremont, named 
from the country residence of Lord Clive, an English 
nobleman, and incorporated in 17G4. The first settlers 
were Moses Spafford and David Lj-nde, in 17G2. The 
first minister. Rev. George A^Tieaton, a Congregational- 
ist, ordained in 1772, died the following year at the age 
of 22, and was succeeded bj- the Rev. Augustine Hub- 
bard, settled in 1774. 

Manj- years ago, the idea of uniting the Connecticut 
and Merrimack by a canal through Lake Sunapee, was a 
favorite project in this county, and Massachusetts and 
New Hampshire were to share the expense. In 181G, 
the result of a survey- demonstrated that the fall from 
the lake to cither of these rivers exceeded, each way, 
aliout 820 feet, and the enterprise was abandoned as im- 
practicable. The town of Sunapee, on the western bor- 
der of the lake, was settled in 1772 b}- emigrants from 
Rhode Island, and was incorporated in 1781 under the 
name of Wendell, from John Wendell, one of its prin- 
cipal proprietors. The change to the present name was 
made in 1850. 

The town of Unity received its name from the happy 
termination of a dispute which had long subsisted be- 
tween certain inhabitants of Kingston and Hampstead 
claiming the same tract of land under two different 

• The Cro.vdon, or Oiantham Mountains. 

t When tbcy arrived they found a camp, for many years kno«-n as 



grants. It was^ incorporated in 1764, the first settlement 
being made in 17GD. Charles Huntoon, one of the first 
settlers, died here in 1818, at the age of 93. 

A branch of the Sugar River has its source in Spring- 
field, first granted in 17G9 as the township of " Protect- 
worth," which name was changed to Springfield when 
incorporated in 1794. Israel Clifford was the first set- 
tler in 1772. Heath's Gore was annexed to the town in 
1817, and a small Congregational church was organized 
about the j-ear 1820. Latterly, the town has greatly 
fallen off in population. 

The lively town of Newport was a famous place sixty 
years ago, when the old Masonic Corinthian Lodge was 
in all its glory, and when the mail-stage ran regularly 
three times a week over the old Cro^^don and Cornish 
turnpikes, from Boston to Windsor, Vt. Incorporated 
in 17G1, Newport's first settlers came mostly from North 
Killingworth, Conn., in the fall of 17G3. Upon the first 
Sabbath they assembled for public worship under a tree ; 
afterwards they met in a private log-house, where the}- 
continued their services for seven 3-ears. Thej- had no 
preaching, but listened to one of their number who read 
passages from Scripture, and from published sermons. 
Both the Baptists and Congregationalists organized soci- 
eties in 1779, the latter church being one of the earliest, 
in 1831, to make total abstinence from the use of ardent 
spirits a condition of membership. 

Of all towns in the county, Charlestown — fonnerly 
known on the frontier as " Number 4," and distant 40 
miles from anj- settlement — suffered the most from hos- 
tile attacks by the Indians. The old fort built in 1 743 
was assailed in 1746 by the savages, who killed Seth 
Putnam, one of its defenders, carrying several captives 
to Canada. For 15 years, the carlj- settlers suffered 
almost cver3-thing from savage cruelties, abandoning the 
town in 1747, when Gov. Shirley ordered Capt. Phineas 
Stevens, a native of Sudbur}-, Mass., one of the first 
settlers, to defend the frontier. His unquestioned brav- 
ely, in holding the fort three days, with only 00 men, 
against the continued assaults of a combined force of 
400 French and Indians, who repeatedly- set the fort on 
fire witli combustibles, at length disheartened the enemy, 
who abandoned the attack and returned to Canada. 
For his gallantrj- on this occasion, a costly sword was 
presented to him by Commodore Sir Charles Knowles, 
and from this circumstance the town, when incorporated 
in 1753, took the name of Charlestown (Charles' town). 
The first minister was Rev. John Dennis, who, on ac- 
count of the French and Indian war, was ordained at 

the " Mast Camp," erected for the accommodation of a company em- 
ployed in procuring masts for the royal navy. 



NEW HAMPSHIRE. 



Northfield, Mass. (40 miles distant), Dec. 4, 1754. 
During tlie Revolution, Charlestown * nobly bore her 
part. 

Towns. 

Claremont, whose snioothl3--sloping hills are crowned 
with rounded summits, and whose handsome buildings 
indicate the wealth and prosperit}- of the town, ma,y well 
boast of its delightful meadows lying on the banks of 
the Connecticut, which waters its western border. But 
the larger share of its prosperilj' is due to the Sugar 
River, which runs through its principal village, aftbrding 
immense water-power, — the fall in three-quarters of a 
mile being 150 feet. Each 20 feet furnishes sufficient 
water-power to carry 20,000 spindles, the entire fall in 
the town being 250 feet. Here are the Sunapee and the 
Monadnock cotton-mills, and the Claremont Machine 
Works, manufacturing engine-lathes and planers for 
j which the highest premiums were awarded at the Crj'stal 
! Palace. Here also are the Home Mills ; a cassimere 
fiictory ; and the Claremont Manufacturing Company-, 
incorporated in 1852, with an authorized capital of 
8500,000. The company has three mills and nine en- 
gines, manufacturing 250 tons of paper per j'ear, and 
blank-books to the amount of $50,000. Two weekly 
newspapers, four hotels, and fifty stores, enliven the 
town and its village of West Claremont. Number of 
inhabitants, 4,053 ; valuation, over $2,000,000. 

Newport is an attractive place, the fact of its being 
i shire town of the county, and its central situation, 



• About the year 1760, Charlestown was a principal stopping-place, 
during the French war, for soldiers and officers passing to and from 
'lieonderoga and Crown Point, across the Green Mountains. As a 
small company of soldiers, with a young lieuten.ant (afterwards Col. 
William Henshaw, of Leicester, Mass.), near the close of the war, were 
returning home through a dense forest over these mountains, by marked 
trees, they found a soldier by the wayside, apparently dying, left by his 
companions five or six days before. It was late in the fall, when the 
nights were cold. The little stock of food and fuel, which his compan- 
ions had kindly provided, and supposed would last longer than his life, 
was nearly consumed. On offering him assistance the sick man begged 
them to let him alone, to die in peace. But the young lieutenant, be- 
lieving his life might be saved, determined to act the part of the Good 
I Samaritan. Contrary to the sick soldier's entreaties, the lieutenant 
ordered his foul garments to be carefully removed ; the soldier himself 
to be thoroughly washed and cleansed ; to be clothed in comfortable rai- 
ment, with which the company were fortunately provided ; and directed 
his attendants to speak words of encouragement and kindness ; to stay 
i l)y him, supplying his wants, till able to walk, and then help him to 
I reach the first settlement. It was all he needed. In thixo days he ar- 
rived at the public house in Charlestown, wIrtc, u itii t. mi - t •( jny, he 
! grasped the hand of his kind deliverer, and, with lV<_liiij;s «lii. li thuked 
! his utterance, told him that no words could express his gratitude to 
j the man who had saved his life against his own remonstrance. 
I Capt. Phineas Stevens, who figures so prominently in the early his- 
' tory of Charlestown, was in many respects a remarkable man. Although 
1 a native of Sudbury, his father removed from tljat town, witli his fam- 



rendering it a place of considerable business. Including 
North^ille, its other village, the number of inhabitants 
is 2,163. Its principal village is almost walled in by 
hills, surrounded by lofty elevations, and mountains 
towering in the distance. The scenery in summer is 
romantic and beautiful, while in winter it is wild and 
sublime. A broad street, a mile long, bordered with neat 
and tasteful dwellings, surroimded by well-kept gardens ; 
with meeting-houses, stores and hotels, runs through the 
^dllage. The count}' buildings are substantial and coii- 
venientlj' located. Rare opportunities for hunting and 
trout-fishing render the town a place of consideral>le 
resort. It contains four church-edifices, three woollen- 
mills, two tanneries and a scythe-factory, an academy, 
incorporated in 1818, and the Sugar River Bank, with a 
capital of $50,000. 

Charlestowu, one of the shire towns of the county 
in 1771, is pleasantly situated in a delightful and fertile 
valley on the banks of the Connecticut River, over 
which is a substantial bridge, connecting the town with 
Springfield, Vt. Here are few mill-privileges, but its 
three villages have each a post-offlce and a railroad 
station, and the main avenue in the principal village 
is a long, pleasant street, shaded on either side with 
beautiful trees. The town numbers 1,742 inhabitants, 
and is a considerable mart for wool, bought up in the 
surrounding country, and sent from here to various 
markets. 

Col. William Hej-wood, 42 years town clerk ; Col. 



ily, at an early period, to Rutland. Here, at the age of 16, young Phin- 
eas, with his three little brothers, followed his father one morning to the 
meadow, where they watched his movements while engaged in making 
hay. Suddenly, without the slightest warning, several Indians sprang 
from an ambush, and with savage yells made a fierce onslaught upon 
the unoffending family, capturing them all, save two of his little broth- 
ers, who were instantly killed. To relieve themselves of a burden the 
cruel savages were about to slay the youngest brother, a child four years 
old, when young Phineas, by signs to the Indians, made them under- 
stand that if they would spare the child's life, he would carry his little 
brother on his back all the way to Canada— which, with their permis- 
sion, he actually did! The captives were conveyed there by way of 
Lake Champlain; and, after reaching their place of destination, were 
sold to the French, — as usual in such eases, — but were afterwards re- 
deemed. As a general thing, the Indians who visited Charlestown 
seemed to prefer prisoners to scalps, killing only those who were too 
weak or too young to accompany them on the march ; or those who 
attempted to escape, or who appeared too formidable to he successfully 
encountered. Capt. Stevens's only surviving son, Sanmel Stevens, af- 
terwards became the fir.-t npix'smtariw of Cliark'srown to the General 
Court, in 1768, the year it. uhi.i, ilir lii>t miLtiiiL'-hou.st. was built in 
that to%vn. [Charlestown wa^ oiiuinally MippoM.! to lie in MassacliU- 
setts, but when the boundary linr wa. e^tabn^hca in 1741, the town was 
located in New Hamp^liirc] Lain- in lite, this same son served as reg- 
ister of prob.ite for Clii-.-liin County, rontinuing to hold that office till 
nearly 90 years of .igi'. His latlirr, Capt. Phineas Stevens, continued 
in the service of his coimtry, and died in November, 1756. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



Samuel Hunt, 20 j-ears sheriff of the county ; Hon. Sim- 
eon Olcott, chief justice Supreme Court, and M. C. from 
1801 to 1805; Hon. Benjamin West, a distinguished 
lawyer; Hon. Caleb Ellis, M. C. in 1804; Gov. Henry 
Hubbard ; Chief Justice John J. Gilchrist; and the late 
Hon. Ralph Metcalf, governor of the State of New 
Hampshire from 1855 to 1857, were distinguished resi- 
dents of this town. 

Plainfield, with its 1,589 inhabitants, has also at 
Meriden the "Kimball Union Academy," intended 
mainlj- for the instruction of pious j'oung men for the 
ministry. To the late Hon. Daniel Kimball belongs the 
honor of having established so meritorious an institution. 

Cornish has a bridge crossing the Connecticut, con- 
necting this town with Windsor, Vt. Good mill-priv- 
ileges are on Briant's and on what is called Blow-me- 
down brooks. Its only village is Cornish Flats. The 
town contains 1,3.34 inhabitants, a tannery, and two 
carriage manufactories. 

The Hon. Salmon P. Chase, late chief justice of the 
U. S. Supreme Court, and the Rev. Carlton Chase, 



bishop of the Episcopal Church in New Hampshire, 
were born in Cornish. 

AcwoRTH, containing 1,050 inhabitants, has a few 
mill-privileges on Cold River, its only important stream. 
The remaining towns in the county are : Washington 
(839), most of whose vitality seems centred in the pros- 
perous village of East Washington, with its churches j 
mirrored in the mill-pond reflecting Lovewell's Moun- j 
tain; Unity (839), justly celebrated for its excellent 
breeds of cattle and sheep; Sunapee (808), always 
romantic, and of late a favorite summer resort ; Spring- j 
FIELD (781), priding itself on its fine cattle and sheep ; 
Lempster (678), a well- watered stock-raising town, 
having a high school, a tannery and a boot and shoe 
manufactory ; Crotdon (652) , a farming and cattle- 
raising town; Grantham (608), with its medicinal 
spring and its bed of j-ellow ochre; Goshen (507), 
famous for its fine sheep; and Langdon (411), a 
quiet town, largely devoted to stock-raising, whose dairy 
products have given it a wide reputation throughout 
Sullivan County. 




VERMONT 



BY REV. 11. II. HOWARD, A.M. 



" 'Tis a rough Kind of rock and stone and tree, 
WTiere breathes no castled lord or cabined slave, 
But thoughts, and hands, and tongues are fica." — Anon. 

It is Stephen A. Douglas, we believe, a native of 
the State, to whom is attributed the well-known saj-ing, 
that Vermont is an excellent place to emigrate from. 
Vermonters generallj', however, are of the opinion that 
a far more appropriate motto for their rock-ribbed, j-et 
plucky and enterprising State, is: "We build school- 
houses and raise men." 

Lj-ing betweeri 42° 44' north latitude and the Canada 
line, and comprehending the territorj- between the Con- 
necticut River and Lake Champlain, a territory formerl3' 
known by the name of the New Hampshire Grants, Ver- 
mont constitutes the north-western part of that section of 
the United States known as New England. The length 
of the State from north to south is 157^ miles. The 
average width is about 57 miles, and the whole surface of 
the State about 9,000 square miles. 

The face of the country is generally uneven, and the 
central parts mountainous. The Green Jlountains, 
which give name to the State, and which extend quite 
through the State from south to north, keeping nearly a 
middle course between Connecticut River and Lake 
Champlain, are found to rise, in several places, to a 
height not less than 4,000 feet. The loftiest of these, — 
Mansfield, Camel's Hump, Shrewsbury and Killington 
peaks, — lifting up their blue heads among the clouds, 
and clad with the perpetual verdure of their hardy ever- 
greens even to their towering summits, command the 
attention, and, bj' their sublimity, inspire and impress the 
observer throughout almost the whole extent of the 
State. 

The principal streams of Vermont, rising among these 
mountains, and, following the several declivities, finding 
their waj' into the Connecticut River on the east, or into 
Lake Champlain on the west, are West River, Black, 

• The late Hon. David Read of Burlington, in his slictch of the town 
of Colchester in the "Vermont Historical Magazine" (p. 754), says 
that the Isle La Motte, in the county of Grand Isle, has the honor of 
being the lirst point within the limits of Vermont where a civilized estab- 



Ottaquechee, White, Wells and Passumpsic ; and Otter 
Creek, Winooski or Onion, Lamoille and Jlissisquo. 
Black, Barton and Clyde rivers run northerly into Lake 
Memphremagog. All these arc quite considerable 
streams, are well stored with fish, and abound in falls 
and rapids capable of affording water-power for propelling 
machinery to almost anj- extent. 

The earl}' historj- of this State is altogether unlike that 
of any other in the Union. Vermont was never organized 
as a Province under the crown of England ; was never 
recognized bj- the crown as a separate jurisdiction. She 
constantly refused, moreover, to submit to any provincial 
government, — never once recognized the authority 
either of the Province she was nominally placed under, or 
of an}- other external power. The inhabitants of the 
New Hampshire Grants, therefore, under the circum- 
stances, found themselves, from the first, without a gov- 
ernment, — a community bound together onlj- b}- their 
common interests and their social affections. " The his- 
torj- of Vermont is hence," says Mr. Thompson, " that of 
a people assuming the powers of government, and ad- 
vancing bj- successive steps from a state of nature to the 
establishment of a civil compact, and to a reguLir and 
efficient organization." 

Eakly Settlkment. 
It was not, according to Prof. Zadock Thompson, 
until after the final conquest of Canada by the English, 
in 17G0, that any considerable settlements were effected 
in the territory now known as Vermont.* Hitherto, and 
especiallj' during the colonial and Indian wars, this ten'i- 
tor}' had sensed only as a thoroughfare and battle-ground 
for the two great contending parties Situated nearlj- at 
an equal distance from the French on the one hand, and 
the English on the other, it was constantly exposed to 
the depredations of both, and became the favorite Imking- 
place of their respective and ever-dreaded Indian alUes. 

lishment and occupancy were commenced; and that Colchester Point 
was occupied by the French (as a military post) about the same time, 
— 1664,— nearly I-O years earlier than the date of the estiiblishment 
on the Connecticut River. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



Indeed, it was principalh- on this account that tlie set- 
tlement of this section of the countiy had so long — for a 
wliole eentuiy after Massachusetts and Connecticut had 
become prosperous and populous Colonies — been regarded 
as dangerous and impracticable. 

" The first civilized establishment within the present 
limits of Vermont," saj's Prof. Thompson, " was made 
in 1 724, b^- the erection of Fort Dummer in the south-east- 
ern corner of the township of Brattleborough. Hitherto, 
the whole of this tract of countrj- had, from time immemo- 
rial, been in possession of the native Indians, though it 
does not appear that, subsequent to the discover}- of this 
countr\- bj- Champlain in 1609, the natives had ever 
resided here in verj' considerable numbers. The western 
parts, including Lake Champlain, were claimed bj- the 
Indians ; the noith-eastern parts, including Lake Mem- 
phremagog, by the St. Francis and other Canadian tribes ; 
while the south-eastern parts on the Connecticut River 
were regarded as belonging to the natives in the neighbor- 
hood of Massachusetts Baj'. Certain establishments 
were, at times, made upon the shores of these waters by 
several tribes ; but there is reason to believe that this 
territorj' was rather regarded bj- them as a hunting-ground 
than a permanent residence." 

As earl}- as the year 1752, an attempt was made to laj- 
out a township where the town of Newbury now stands ; 
Ijut before the survej- was completed, a partj- of St. 
Francis Indians, perceiving the design of the English, 
forbade their proceeding ; and to that extent, at this earl}' 
period, was the resentment of the Indians dreaded, that 
the undertaking was immediatelj- abandoned. 

Soon after the erection of Fort Dummer, several block- 
houses were built for the protection of settlers in what 
is now called Vernon ; and before the year 1754, settle- 
ments had been commenced in Vermont as far up the 
Connecticut as Westminster and Rockingham. This 
advance, however, was checked b}- the breaking-out of 
w-hat is called the French war, terminating onl}' with the 
linal conquest of Canada in 1 7G0. During this war, these 
feeble settlements were continually harassed and annoyed 
by the French and Indians, — the inhabitants being hardly 
able to cultivate their fields without being ever}' moment 

• The early settlers of Vermont were principally from the Colonies 
named above. Thomas Chittenden and the Aliens were all from Con- 
necticut. 

t In 1765 the government of New Yorlc, having acquired authority 
from the British crown to exercise jurisdiction over the New Hampshue 
giants as far eastward as the Connecticut River, caused a division of the 
territory to be made inio counties. The south-western parts about Ben- 
nington were annexed to the county of Albany ; the north-western, 
towards Lalie Champlain, were erected into the county of Charlotte ; 
and, on the east side of the niount.iin, Cumberland County was formed 
of the south-eastern portion, and Gloucester County of the north- 



exposed to serious molestation, if not to the deadly fire 
of a lurking foe. " Their block-houses were frequently [ 
surprised and taken, and the inhabitants either massacred 
or carried into hopeless captivity." 

Previous to the conquest of Canada b}- the English, a 
few scattered settlers, probably not amounting, in the 
whole, to more than two or three hundred, had located along 
the banks of the Connecticut River in the present county 
of Windham. But, meanwhile, in their expeditions to 
and fro against the French, the English colonists, prin- 
cipally from Massachusetts and Connecticut,* had made 
themselves acquainted with the fertility and value of the 
lands lying between the Connecticut River — more par- 
ticularly, between the Green Mountains — and Lake 
Champlain ; and the conquest of Canada having now 
finally removed all the difficulty and danger connected 
with settling them, swarms of adventurers commenced 
directly to emigrate thither ; so that, from the year 17G0, 
the population of Vermont began rapidl}- to increase. 

In 1764 settlements had been begun in most of the 
townships on Connecticut River as far north as Newbury, 
and in several townships also on the west side of the 
Green Mountains. Prev-ious to the year 1770, scarcely 
any settlements had been made on the west of the moun- 
tains to the northward of the present county of Benning- 
ton. But during the next j-ear, 1771, settlements were 
begun in several townships in Rutland County. This 
j-ear was memorable as that in which was taken the first 
census of the inhabitants on the grants on the east side 
of the mountains. By this enumeration it appears that, 
in 1771, the two eastern counties f contained 4,669 
inhabitants. The whole number of inhabitants in the 
territory at this time is roughly estimated as about 7,000. 
No complete census of the State was taken till the j-ear 
1791. As the settlements, however, were rapidly extending 
during the five j-ears succeeding the j-ear 1 771, it is thought 
that we may safely conclude, that, at the commencement 
of the Revolutionar}- war, the whole population of Ver- 
mont w-as not less than 20,000. And, though, upon the 
advance of Burgoyne along the lake, the settlers retired 
toward the south, verj' few of them remaining upon their 
farms to the northward of Bennington County,! yet, at 

eastern. This was the first division of Vermont into counties, and the 
only division of the kind previous to the Revolution. Subsequently, as 
the population increased, these counties were divided and subdivided, 
until they assumed their present and fixed proportions. 

I That these settlers were true to the American cause we are assured 
by the testimony of Burgoyne himself. In his private letter to Lord 
Germain, dated Saratoga, Aug. 20, 1777, he says : " The Hampshire 
gi-ants in particular, a country unpeopled and almost unknown in the last 
war, now abounds in the most active and rebellious race on the conti- 
nent, and hangs like a gathering storm on my \e{l." — Thompson's ITis- 
toiy of Vermont, \ 



VERMONT. 



the close of the Tvar, ■we nevertheless find the population 
incidentally estimated, says Prof. Thompson, by Dr. 
Williams, as not less than 30,000 souls. At the close of 
the Revolution, the tide of emigration to Vei-mont again 
set in in greater volume than ever before. Invited by the 
mildness of the government, the comparative exemption 
of the State from taxation, and the fertility and cheapness 
of the laud, settlers now came flocking in from all the 
older States, so that, from this time, not onh* were large 
additions annually made to the population, but vrithal to 
the various resources of the State. 

Early Struggles and Controversies. 

Vermont was born in the midst of tumults and of 
strife. No other State, we may safely afllrm, save 
Kansas, ever suffered such persecution, or came up out 
of such tribulation. 

The king of Great Britain having repeatedly recom- 
mended to the assembly of New Hampshire to make 
provision for the support of Fort Dummer, that post was 
generally supposed to have follen within the jurisdiction 
of that Province. As this fort was situated on the west 
side of the Connecticut, it was assumed that New Hamp- 
shire extended as far westward as Massachusetts. 

Jan. 3, 17-19, Gov. Benning Wentworth made a grant 
of a township of land, six miles square, situated, as he 
conceived, on the western border of New Hampshire, 
and, in allusion to his own name, called it Bennington. 
Other like grants were also made, until in 175-1 the}' had 
amounted to 16 townships. After the declaration of 
peace between England and France, the governor of New 
Hampshire, bj- advice of his council, ordered a survej' to 
be made of the Connecticut River for CO miles, and three 
tiers of townships to be laid out on either side. So 
numerous meanwhile did the applications for lands now 
become, that, during the j-ear 1701, no less than 60 town- 
ships, six miles square, were granted on the west side of 
the Connecticut, while the whole number of grants, in one 
or two j-cars more, had amounted to 138. Gov. Went- 
worth was manifestly on the highroad to wealth ; for by 
the fees and other emoluments received in return for 
these grants, and b}' reseiTing 500 acres in each town- 
ship for himself, it could not be otherwise than that he 
was rapidly accumulating a fortune. But this fortunate 
governor was not always thus to pursue this pros- 
perous career unmolested. The government of New 
York, coveting the profits of these lands for itself, sud- 
denly affected to be gi'eatly alarmed at tliese assump- 
tions and high-handed proceedings on the part of the 
governor of New Hampshire, aid forthwith took vigorous 
measures to checlc them. To this end a proclamation 



was issued, Dec. 28, 1703, arrogating to itself sole juris- 
diction over this territory, and founding its claim upon the 
grant made bj- Charles II. to the Duke of York in 1064 
and in 1074, which embraced, among other parts, "all 
the lands from the west side of the Connecticut to the 
east side of Delaware Bay." To annul the effects of this 
proclamation, and to inspire confidence in the validitj' of 
the New Hampshire Grants, the governor of New Hamp- 
shire (March 13, 1764), put forth a counter-proclama- 
tion, declaring that the grant made to the Duke of York 
was obsolete, and exhorting the settlers to be diligent 
and industrious in cultivating their lands, and not be 
intimidated by the threatenings of New York. New 
York now made application to the crown for a confirma- 
tion of its claims, falsel}' and fraudulently averring mean- 
while that this was in accordance with the wishes of the 
inhabitants on the territory. The claims of New York 
were confirmed July 20, 1764. 

Though verj- greatly surprised at this royal decree, the 
settlers on the New Hampshire Grants yet regarded it 
as an occasion for no serious alarm on their part. They 
considered it as simply effecting a change of jurisdiction. 
It was immaterial to them, other things being equal, to 
which jurisdiction they submitted. It had never once 
occurred to them that this change could in any way affect 
their title to lands on which they had settled — lands 
which they had dulj' purchased and paid for, and for 
which they had obtained deeds under grants from the 
crown. Meantime, had the government of New York 
been sufficiently far-sighted to have given the royal 
decision the benefit of an interpretation in harmonj' with 
the above-mentioned and certainly verj' reasonable ex- 
pectations, clearlj' there would have been no trouble, no 
controversy-, no bitterness, — none of those implacable, 
rancorous animosities which led to that protracted and 
most painfully exciting border warfare. Unfortunately 
that government did not give the royal decision such an in- 
terpretation ; but, contending that it had a retrospective as 
well as prospective application, or operation, it insisted 
that the order deciilod not only what should there- 
after be, but what had always been, the eastern limit of 
New York ; and that, hence, all the grants made bj' 
New Hampshire were, of necessity, illegal and void. 

Imagine, now, the consternation that seized on the 
minds of the unsuspecting settlers ; and especiallj' so as 
the government of New York proceeded at once to en- 
force its interpretation of the royal decree by demanding 
of the settlers the immediate surrender of their charters, 
— by attempting to compel them either to re-purchase 
their lands, or otherwise, incontinently to abandon them. 
As might have been anticipated, while a few complied 



HISTORY OF SEW ENGLAND. 



with this order, the great majoritj- of the settlers per- 
emptorilj- refused. Such refusal, not unnaturall}-, was 
followed bj- actions of ejectment in the courts at Albany, 
and these, in turn, of course, bj' judgments against the 
protesting settlers, or original proprietors. 

The original settlers of the New Hampshire gi'ants 
were doubtless a somewhat rude, uncultivated race of 
men ; but, for all that, thej- had manhood and common- 
sense. The_y knew little, it is likely, of the etiquette of 
refined society, or of the elegancies of " starred and 
spangled courts ; " but they had manliness enough to 
know when they were trodden on, and to spurn indig- 
nantlj' the heel that crushed them. The}- boasted little 
skill in the rules of logic, but natui-e had endowed them 
with powers of reasoning sufficiently strong to see that, 
having purchased their lands in good faith of one royal 
governor, to be required to re-purchase them at an ex- 
orbitant price of another, was an outrage, — was the 
sheerest tyranny, and that tamely' to submit to it, on 
their part, were cowardl}- and unworth}'. 

Indignation meetings were called, associations were 
formed, and resolutions adopted, declaring that, having 
reason to regard the views and proceedings of the York- 
ers as those of speculating ai.d unprincipled land-jobbers, 
and satisfied, in view of what had already transpired, 
that they had nothing whatever to hope from the cus- 
tomary forms of law, therefore thej' felt authorized, at 
least until his majesty's pleasure should be more fully 
known, to advise the most determined resistance against 
the unjust and arbitrarj- decisions of the court ; felt fully 
justified in requiring that, when the executive officers of 
New York came to eject the inhabitants from their right- 
ful possessions, they be met bj' avowed opposition, and 



• It appears that, at an early day, committees were appointed in tlie 
several towns on tlie west siJe of the mountains, and that these com- 
mittees, having met in convention, or general asscmlily, to concert 
measures for the common defence, decreed tliat no person should take 
grants under tlie government of New York ; should take, accept or hold 
any office of honor or profit under the Colony of New York ; that all 
civil or military officers who shall act under the authority of the gover- 
nor or legiskiture of New York will do so at their peril. 

These decrees had all the force of law, and the infraction of them was 
always punished with exemplary severity. The punishment most fre- 
quently inflicted was the application of the "beech seal" to the naked 
back, and b.inishmcnt from the grants. This mode of punishment de- 
rived its name from allusion to the great seal of the Province of New 
Hampshue, which was affi.xed to the charters of the to\vnships granted 
by the governor of that Province, of which the beech rod well laid upon 
the naked backs of the " Yorkers " and then- adherents was humorously 
considered a confirmation. 

That the reader may have a just idea of the summary manner in 
which the convention committees proceeded against tht)se who violated 
their decrees, we will lay before them the following sentence of one 
Benjamin Hough as a sample. Having been arrested and brought he. 
fore the committee of safety at Sunderland to answer to the charge 



in no case be allowed to proceed in the execution of 
their business. 

This decidedly pronounced position, it needs hardly be 
said, at once occasioned a spirited and determined resist- 
ance, on the part of the inhabitants of the grants, to the 
civil officers sent out, from time to time, by the State of 
New York, to apprehend the "riotous" Yermonters, 
" several of these," says a quaint writer of that period, 
" having been seized bj- the people, and severely chastised 
with tioigs of the ivilderness." * 

In the mean time, for the sake of rendering their re- 
sistance still more effectual, a convention of representa- 
tives from the several towns on the west side of the 
mountains was called. This convention, after mature 
deliberation, appointed Samuel Robinson of Bennington 
an agent to represent to the court of Great Britain the 
grievances of the settlers, and to obtain, if possible, a 
confirmation of the New Hampshire grants. Though 
only partially- successful in his mission, yet, in conse- 
quence of the representations thus made at the British 
court, his majestj- issued a special order prohibiting the 
governor of New York, upon pain of his majesty's high- 
est displeasure, from making anj' further grants whatso- 
ever of the lands in question, till his majestj-'s further 
pleasure should be made known concerning the same. 
In spite, however, of this explicit prohibition, the gov- 
ernor of New York continued to make grants ; and writs 
of ejectment continued to be issued, — the General Assem- 
bly of thatPiovince going so far, indeed, as to charac- 
terize tlic recusant Yermonters as "rioters," "a mob," 
"outlaws," a "lawless banditti," and, accordingly, to 
denounce against them the pains and penalties of trea- 
son and rebellion, to be inevitablj' visited on them, uu- 



of having accepted the office of justice of the peace under the authority 
of New York, and of having officiated in that eapacitj-, he pleaded the 
jurisdiction and authority of New York, but was answered by the 
decree of the convention to the contraiy. The committee, therefore, in 
the presence of a large concourse of people, pronounced upon him the 
following sentence: "That the prisoner be taken from the bar of this 
committee of safety ^ and be tied to a tree, and there, on his naked back, 
receive 100 stripes, and be banished from the district, and to svjfer death 
in case of his return." 

Other punishments were sometimes resorted to, some of which were 
puerile and trifling. A gentleman of Arlington, an active partisan of 
New York, having spoken reproachfully of the proceedings of the con- 
vention, and of the Green Mountain Boys, and having been requested 
in vain to desist, was arrested, and, having been carried to the Green 
Mountain Tavern in Bennington, was tried ; when the committee, after 
hearing his defence, ordered him to be tied to an arm-chair, and hoisted 
to the sign (a catamount's skin stuffed, setting upon the sign-post 
twenty-five feet from the ground, with large teeth grinning towards 
New York), and there to hang two hours in the sight of the people, as 
a punishment merited by his enmity to the rights and liberties of the 
inhabitants of the New Hampshire Grants. The sentence was executed 
to the no small merriment of a large concourse of people. — Thompson. 



VERMONT. 



less they speedil\- gave over their resistance, and peace- 
fully and unconditionaUj' submitted to the lawfully con- 
stituted authorities. 

Regarding these threatenings as originating solely in 

j the avarice of an unprincipled set of speculators, who 
coveted their lands, with their valuable improvements, 
and as designed mainl}*, hence, to terrif3' them into sub- 
mission ; and quite confident, moreover, that popular 
sentiment was largely in their favor — that the great body 

[ of the people of New York even felt no interest in en- 
forcing the claims of that Province to the lands in ques- 
tion — the settlers on the New Hampshire Grants were bj' 
no means intimidated by these ominous outgivings. 

I . o o 

Hitherto the opposition to tlie claims of New York 
1 had been confined principally to the inhabitants on the 
west side of the mountains. The settlers on the grants 
in the vicinity of Connecticut River had, many of 
j Ihem, surrendered their original charters, and taken out 
new ones under the authority of New York. In several 
of the towns, having thus submitted quietl}' to the juris- 
diction of that Colony, and not having hence been driven 
to desperation by the executive officers of New York, 
tlie people here stood in a measure unconcerned, though 
by no means altogether indiflTerent, spectators of the con- 
troversy in which the settlers of the more westerly grants 
were so deeply involved. But now an incident occurred 
which had the effect of arousing the spirit of opposition 
to New York throughout the grants on the east side of 
the mountains as well, and constraining the people of 
that section to make common cause with their brethren 
on the other side. 

The meeting of the delegates from the several Ameri- 
can Provinces at Philadelphia, Sept. 5, 1775, to consult 
upon measures for the common safety, was followed bj' an 
almost universal suspension of the royal authoritj' in all 
the Provinces, — the courts of justice being either shut 
op, or adjourned without doing any business. New 
York, however, refused its assent to the patriotic meas- 
ures recommended b^' that body. Meantime the stated 
session of the court for the county of Cumberland, on 
the New Hampshire Grants, was to have been holden at 
"Westminster, March 13, 1775. Muc'.i dissatisfaction pre- 
vailing in the county because New York had refused to 
adopt the resolves of the Continental Congress, exertions 
were made to dissuade the judges from holding the court, 
but in vain. Whereupon certain of the inhabitants of 
Westminster and the adjacent towns took possession of 
the court-house at an earl}' hour, to prevent the officers 
of the court from entering. The court party appeared 
before the court-house armed with swords, guns and pis- 
tols, and commanded the people to disperse. This the 



people refused to do. At a later hour some of the court 
party, being still refused admittance into the court-house, 
fired into the building, killing one man and wounding 
several others. The wounded men, together with several 
who did not succeed in eflfecting their escape, were seized 
and dragged to prison. The news of this massacre at 
once fired the hearts of the j-eomen on the eastern slope 
of the mountains with irrepressible bitterness and rage 
against the authorities of New York. A meeting of 
committees from the several townships was at once held 
(April 11, 1775) at Westminster, at which spirited and 
patriotic resolutions relative to this unhappy transaction 
were enthusiastically adopted, it being then and there 
voted, among other things, "that it is the manifest duty 
of the inhabitants, on the eternal and immutable prin- 
ciples of self-preservation, wholly to renounce and resist 
the administration of the State of New York, until such 
times as the lives and proijerty of the inhabitants can be 
secured thereby." * 

Meanwhile to such a pitch was the indignation of the 
settlers raised by these proceedings throughout all the 
New Hampshire Grants, that, probably, but for the open- 
ing of the American war at Lexington, on the 19th of 
April, the two communiiies would have actually become 
embroiled in open hostilities. So nearlj', and that on the 
very eve of the American Revolution, were the settlers 
of these two sections brought to the direful and remedi- 
less disaster of civil war. 

As all lesser lights, however, pale in the superior splen- 
dor of the sun, so, upon the opening at Lexington of the 
first scene of the great drama of the Revolution, all 
minor or local controversies among the colonists natural!}' 
were for a while absorbed in the more momentous con- 
troversj' with the mother country. And yet, though thus 
for a season overshadowed by the novelty, grandeur and 
importance of the contest now opening between Great 
Britain and her American Colonics, the claim of New 
York to jurisdiction over the territory of Vermont was by 
no means forgotten. So far fiom this, New York im- 
proved the very earliest opportunity to make apijlication 
to Congress for a confirmation or a recognition of her 
title to the territorj- in question. At this crisis, mean- 
while, another claimant, an earlier one, for these rich 
lands, appears. Encouraged bj' the strife prevailing be- 
tween Vermont and New York, also by certain divisions 

* It 6 an interestins reflection that this little fracas at Westminster 
may have detennined the issue of the American Revolution, and so the 

destiny of tlic whole American continent. Unifying Vermont as it did, 
the latter was enabled to throw ber nndividcd strength against the Biit- 
ish at Bennington, securing a victory which so broke the back of Bur- 
goyne as to render possible the American victory at Saratoga, which 
was doubtless the crisis of the Revolutionary war. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



rife in the Connecticut Valle}-,* and b}- the unsettled 
state of affairs in the countr\' gonerallj-, New Hampshire, 
who, since the roj-al decision of the controversy between 
New Hampshire and New York in favor of tlie latter in 
17G4, had made no attempt to continue her jurisdiction 
over the disputed territory, returns to the conflict, and 
laying claim to the ^hole State of Vermont, as grants 
originally made by that Province, made due api)lication, 
in turn, to Congress for a confirmation of her claim. In- 
deed, at one time, the prospect was that, the other States 
taking naturally but little interest in these local contro- 
versies, and the adjustment of them being obviously' a 
matter of extreme perplexity and embarrassment to Con- 
gress, New Hampshire and New York would be left to 
cut and can'e and di^^de up this territory between them- 
selves, just about as they could themselves mutually 
agree — New Y'ork probably accepting for her share the 
western and New Hampshire the eastern slope of the 
State. Just at this juncture, also, strange to saj', Massa- 
chusetts, as if this stripling Vermont had not already 
enough to contend with, appears upon the scene, and 
either to disappoint parties which seemed to be thus re- 
solved upon the annihilation of Vermont, or for some 
other cause, intcriwsed her claim for at least a portion of 
this disputed territorj' as clearl}' within her jurisdiction. 
And thus, at the same time that with one hand she was 
doing brave battle against the common enemy, an enemy 
hanging constantl}' upon her borders, and every moment 
threatening invasion, Vermont, though yet in her infancy, 
was called with the other to combat this triangular or 
tri-headed foe, — was left, year after j^ear, to maintain 
her independence against the plots and policy of these 
three beleaguering, veteran and powerful States. 

In this emergency', and while civil war between these 
factions was daily becoming more and more imminent, — 
four parties claiming the same tract of country, of whom 
throe appeal to Congress to settle the controversy, while 
the fourth appeals to that bodj* simplj' for recognition as 
a State, and for even-handed justice, — Congress could 
not well avoid taking up the matter. And, preliminarj- 
to some future adjustment of difficulties, Congress recom- 
mended on the one hand that those inhabitants of the 
New Hampshire Grants who did not acknowledge the 
jurisdiction of either of the aforementioned States, re- 
frain from exercising any power over such of the inhab- 
itants as did acknowledge such jurisdiction ; and that, on 
the other hand, said States refrain in the meantime from 
executing their laws over such inhabitants as did not 
acknowledge their respective jurisdictions. 

• At about this time, a few of the Vermont towns in tlie Connecti- 
cut valley agitated the project of uniting with cenain New Hampshire 



These tentative advices seem to have quieted all par- 
ties but Vermont. New Hampshire and New Y'ork 
especially promptly complied with the aforesaid recom- 1 
mendations, and authorized Congress to settle the whole 
diificulty. Not so the stanch and sturdj- Green Moun- 
tain State. She had already duly declared herself free 
and independent ; had assumed the powers of govern- ' 
ment and had exercised them in all parts of her territory' ; 
and she should now commit herself to no policj* that 
might involve the possible surrender of her sovereignty 
at the behests of partisan members of a body in which 
she was not rejiresented. Readj' she was, and always 
had been, to bear her full proportion of the burden and 
expense of the war with Great Britain ; but she was not 
so lost to all sense and honor, that after 3-ear3 of war 
with Britain, in which she had expended so much blood 
and treasure, she should now give up ever^-thing worth 
fighting for — -the right of making her own laws, and of 
choosing her own form of government — to the arbitra- 
ment and determination of any body of men under 
heaven. 

June 2, 1780, Congress showed its teeth a little by re- 
solving "that the proceedings of the inhabitants on the 
New Hampshire Grants were highly unwarrantable, and 
subversive of the peace and welfare of the United States : 
and that thej' be strictlj' required to abstain in the future 
from all acts of authority, civil or military-, over those 
inhabitants who profess allegiance to other States," 
Undaunted, however, by this grim reprimand, Vermont, 
through her governor and council, at once responded to, 
these instructions by declaring that she considered the 
same altogether impertinent and subversive of her own 
natural, inalienable rights to liberty and independence ; 
as well as clearly incompatible at once with the principles 
on which Congress grounded its own independence, and 
that provision of the Federal Constitution by which Con- 
gress was expressly forbidden to intermeddle with the 
internal policy and government of unrepresented territo- 
ries. She further intimated that, if Congress and the 
neighboring States persisted in the course thej' were at 
present pursuing, she could, in the end, have no motive 
to continue hostilities with Great Britain, and maintain 
an important frontier for the benefit of a country that 
meantime insisted on treating them as slaves ; and con- 
cludes b3' obsen-ing that if the present poUcy be stead- 
fastl3' pursued by Congress, it will simply remain for her 
finally to appeal to God, and to an impartial world, to 
saj' who, under the circumstances, must be accountable 
for the awful consequences which must ensue. After 

to\vns along the other li.ink of the river, and forming a new and inde- 
pendent jurisdiction. It amounted to nothing. 



mature deliberation, the scttlomcnt of the controversy, 
on the part of Congress, was voted indefinitely post- 
poned. 

Such was still the posture of affairs in Vermont at the 
close of the Revolutionary war. 

Meanwhile, unsettled and embarrassing as was the 
state of her relations to Congress and to the neighboring 
States, the internal tranquillity of Vermont had yet been 
for some time but little disturbed. Iler political institu- 
tions had been graduall}' maturing, and the organization 
of her government had assumed a regularity and effi- 
ciency which commanded, to sa3' the least, the obedience 
and respect of the great body of the citizens. New York, 
to be sure, had not relinquished her claim to jurisdiction 
over the territorj- ; but she had of late made no serious 
effort to exercise it, contenting herself with opposing 
the admission of Vermont into the Union, and encourag- 
ing, as she had opportunity, the few disaffected citizens 
of the latter State to resist its authoritj', and to stir up 
disturbance and strife.* 

Meantime, before the ciose of the war of 1784, all 
disturbances whatsoever had been completely' quieted 
throughout the State. The Yorkers on the territory, 
finding themselves very harshlj' handled by the civil and 
militarj' authority' of Vermont, concluding finall3', mani- 
festly, that discretion was the better part of valor, either 
submitted and took the oath of allegiance, or otherwise 
abandoned the country. This effectual dispersion of her 
partisans practicallj' terminated the attempts of New 
York to maintain her authority in Vermont. Though 
continuing nominally to assert her claim to the State, 
until persuaded in 1790 to acknowledge her indepen- 
dence, she probably from this period relinquished all 
hope of overthrowing her government, or of preventing 
the final acknowledgment of her independence by Con- 
gress. 

Vermont in the Revolution. 
The career of Vermont in the Revolution, though not 
conspicuous, was jet active and honorable. She did 
what she could. Beset upon everj- hand by States seek- 
ing in every way to embarrass and overturn her govern- 
ment, and steadfastly, and even haughtilj', denied the 
privilege of admission to the Union, and hence the com- 
forting assurance, that in the event of the final success of 
the Colonies, she should share the fruits of the victory, 

• During the year 1783, there was more or less disturbance in Wind- 
liam County on the part of certain partisans of New Yorlj, who, bein^ 
naturally opposed to the independence of Vermont, embraced every 
opportunity to eniban-ass the newly organized government, and at sev- 
eral times had actually resisted its authority liy force. In this state of 
things. Gen. Ethan Allen was directed to call ont the militia for enfore- 



Vermont j-et promptly responded to the call of patriotic 
duty, cast in her lot with the Colonies, and cheerfully 
bore her share of the burden connected with that great 
contest for liberty-, union and American independence. 

It earlj' became obvious to the Americans, that if they 
were effectually to withstand invasion and subjugation at 
the hands of Great Britain, they must obtain possession 
of the military posts on Lake Champlain. The first 
active measures for accomplishing an undertaking so 
desirable as the reduction of these posts, appear to have 
been taken by several enterprising gentlemen of Con- 
necticut. Hastening forward to Bennington, with a view 
to engaging Ethan Allen in this business, thej- proceeded 
to Castleton, where, at an early day, they were joined by 
Allen and his recruits. 

Earlj' in the history of the controversy with New York, 
a militarj' association had been formed, of which Ethan 
Allen — ardent, unyielding and bold, a man eminentlj- 
fitted bj' nature and experience for the circumstances and 
exigencies of the times — was appointed colonel command- 
ant, and Seth Warner, the cool, calm, cautious, yet 
intrepid mountaineer, was appointed second in command. 
This organization, under the direction of men thus so 
peculiarly qualified, by virtue of an unwonted vigor of 
both bodj' and mind, for the responsibilities devolving 
upon them, subsequentlj- became renowned in our earlier 
and Revolutionary annals as the "Green Mountain 
Boj's," — a band of hardj' and brave men long a terror at 
once to Yorkers and red-coats. 

Allen readily undertook to conduct the enterprise look- 
ing towards the reduction of the militarj- posts on Lake 
Champlain. Ticonderoga was to be the first point of 
attack. In the evening of the 9lh of May, 1775, Allen, 
with his men, reached Orwell, opposite to Ticonderoga, 
without the garrison having obtained any intimation of 
his proceedings, or having had their suspicions awakened 
of any contemplated hostile visit. Though his whole 
force consisted of 270 men, 200 of whom were Green 
Mountain Boys, j-et, in consequence of unavoidable 
delaj-s, but 83 men had been landed on the New York 
side of the lake, when, a little after daybreak on the 
morning of the 10th of Maj-, 1775, Allen was obliged to 
begin his march toward the fortress. With so great 
expedition and silence, meantime, was this march elTected, 
and with so little difficulty was his entrance into the fort 
attended, that it was not until awakened from their 

ing the laws of Vermont, and for suppressing disturbances and insur- 
rection in the county of Windham. Allen proceeded from Bennington 
at the head of 100 Green Mountain Boys, and, on arrival at the scene of 
disturbance, issued the following proclamation : " I, Ethan Allen, declare 
that unless the people of Guilford peaceably submit to the authority of 
Vermont, the town shall be made as desolate as Sodom and Gomorrah." 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



slumbers by the huzzas of the Green Mountain Bojs, 
already in possession of, and drawn up on, the parade- 
ground within the fort, that the garrison and its com- 
mander, Capt. De Laplace, were aware of what had 
occurred. How this doughty commander, without wait- 
ing to dress, hastened to the door of the barrack, and 
how Allen sternly commanded him to surrender, and 
how, when the British officer inquired by what authority 
the surrender was demanded, he was informed that it 
was by the authority of the Great Jehovah and the Con- 
tinental Congress ; and how that, under the circum- 
stances, he surrendered at discretion ; and how that, on 
account of this exploit, Ethan Allen has always been 
known as the hero of Ticonderoga, — are not these 
facts familiar to every American school-boy ? 

Elated by this success, the Yermonters pressed on until 
they obtained full possession of Lake Champlain. Un- 
happily, in consequence of the failure on the part of Maj. 
Brown to co-operate with him in the contemplated assault 
upon Montreal, Allen, though fighting with desperate 
courage, yet, being greatly outnumbered, was fluall3- 
taken prisoner by the British on the 25th of September, 
with 38 of his men. He was immediately loaded with 
irons and sent to England, continuing in captivity there 
until finally exchanged. 

Shortly after this, the British general (Carleton) who 
had captured Allen was in turn himself severely pun- 
ished by Col. Seth Warner. Attemjjting to cross, with 
his troops, from Montreal to Longueil, they were sur- 
prised, just before reaching the south shore, b^-an attack 
on the part of Warner, who, having been watching them 
ever since their embarkation, opened upon them such a 
well-directed and incessant fire of musketry' and grape, 
that the enemy was thrown into the greatest confusion, 
and soon retreated with precipitation and disorder. 

Only two battles were fought on the soil of Vermont 
during the Rovolutionar}- war, — the battles of Hubbard- 
ton and of Bennington. 

Gen. Burg03"ne was driving everj'thing before him 
down the Champlain Valley. The Americans, retreating 
from Ticonderoga, were pursued bj' Gen. Eraser, who, on 
the morning of the 7th of July, 1777, overtook and 
attacked them at Hubbardton, under Seth Warner. The 
conflict was fierce and bloody. With only seven or eight 
hundred men, Warner disputed the progress of the enemj' 
with the utmost bravery and resolution. The gallant 
Col. Francis fell fighting at the head of his troops. 
Warner, well supported by his officers and men, charged 
the enemy with such impetuositj' that they were thrown 
into disorder, and at first gave way. Re-enforced, how- 
ever, at this critical moment, the latter recovered, formed 



anew, and again advanced upon the Americans. The 
fortunes of the day were soon decided. Overpowered by 
numbers, and exhausted by fatigue, the Americans fled 
from the field in every direction. The loss of the latter 
in killed, wounded and prisoners, was 324. 

The British having supposed that a large portion of the 
inhabitants on the New Hampshire Grants were opposed 
to the Revolution, and that it was necessarj' only to 
march an enem}' into their country, and furnish them with 
arms, to bring them all round the royal standard, Bur- 
gojTie had issued a proclamation addressed to the inhabi- 
tant* of the country, assuring them of his protection on 
condition of submission to the king. To their honor, 
however, be it said, notwithstanding the darkness and 
gloom which at this time enveloped American afl'airs, verj- 
few were found disposed to abandon the cause of their 
countrj'. So far from this, on the 15th of July, the com- 
mittee of safety of Vermont, asseral)led at Manchester, 
not only agreed to raise all the men they could to oppose 
the enemy, but at the same time wrote in the most urgent 
terms to New Hampshire and Massachusetts to send on 
a body of troops to their assistance. In response to this 
call, the legislature of New Hampshire immediatel3- ral- 
lied their militia, and hurried them forward, under Gen. 
John Stark, an officer of some reputation in the French 
war, and who had also distinguished himself at the battle 
of Bunker Hill. Agreeabl3' to his orders. Stark, with 
about 800 men, made haste to join the Vermont troops, 
who, to the number of about 600, were collected at Man- 
chester under the command of Col. Seth Warner. Not 
long, meantime, were these patriots to wait for an oppor- 
tunit3' to displa3' their courage, and to win unfading 
laurels. 

Having learned that a large quantit3' of provisions were 
collected at Bennington, designed for the American arm3', 
and still laboring under the delusion that a majority of 
the people in that quarter were friendl3- to the royal 
cause, Burg03Tie detached a select bodv of about 500 
regular troops, under the command of Col. Baum, to sur- 
prise the place and secure these stores, of which he was 
in perishing need, for his own arm3-. Gen. Stark, who 
was now at Bennington, receiving intelligence of this con- 
templated attack, proceeded, on the 16th of August, to 
intercept and to make a general attack upon the enemy. 
After about two hours' hard fighting, the enem3» were 
overpowered and utterl3- routed, — their commander, 
mortall3' wounded, falling into the hands of the victorious 
Americans, as also nearl3' all his men. The enemy's loss 
was 207 killed. That of the Americans was trifling in 
comparison. 
Though the battle of Bennington was of no great magni- 



tude, — a mere ontl3ing skirmish, — jot, in consideration 
of its influence upon the fortunes of the war, it was, after 
all, important and decisive. Since the fall of the gallant 
Montgomerj-, an uninterrupted series of reverses and 
defeats had attended the American arms in the northern 
department ; in consequence of which many of the most 
ardent friends of the cause of freedom had begun to 
despond. But this splendid victory of Stark, achieved 
principally, too, bj- undisciplined militia over veteran 
regular, troops, proved naturally as encouraging to the 
patriots as it was disheartening to the British, and volun- 
teers from every quarter now flocked to the American 
standard. 

Meanwhile, as brilliant and signal as had been their 
feats with the sword, even more brillant and signal, if 
possible, during this Revolutionary era, were the feats of 
these Vermonters in diplomacy. Indeed, the history of 
the American Revolution is, perhaps, marked bj^ a no 
more singular and notable episode than that to which 
reference is now about to be made ; while one cannot but 
be impressed by the spectacle of a handful of men accom- 
plishing by policy what thej could have never done by 
power, — baffling, and for two or three years holding at 
bay, an armj- 10,000 strong, and thus averting, notwith- 
standing an utterly exposed and unprotected frontier, 
ruinous invasion and devastation. 

The Revolutionary war was still wearing on. The claims 
to independence, on the part of Vermont, were still 
unacknowledged bj' Congress, and New York was still 
importunate and vexatious. Under these circumstances 
the British generals in America entertained hopes of 
turning these disputes to their own account by detaching 
Vermont from the American cause, and making it a 
British Province. The first intimation of their views -and 
wishes in this regard was communicated in a letter, from 
Col. Beverly Robinson, dated New York, March 30, 
1 780, to Ethan Allen. The British agents gave assurance 
that if Vermont would return to her allegiance she should 
become a royal Colonj', with privileges equal to those 
enjoyed hj any other Coionj- ; while those who assisted 
in accomplishing this object would be suitably honored 
and rewarded. Allen immediately communicated the 
contents of this letter to Gov. Chittenden, and, not long 
after, inclosed the communication itself in a letter to 
Congress. Subsequently the governor appointed Ira 
Allen one of a commission, on the part of Vermont, to 
negotiate an exchange of prisoners with British officials 
in Canada. A cessation of hostilities with Vermont was 
one of the conditions of this exchange. During this 
interview the British agents availed themselves of the 
opportunity to explain their views, and to make formal 



proposals for the establishment of Vermont under the 
roj'al authority. The Vermont commissioners received 
these proposals with some attention, and, though they 
avoided expressing any definite opinions, they jet inti- 
mated that they would hold these proposals under advise- 
ment. They separated pleasantlj^ and with the under- 
standing that the armistice, which had already been 
agreed upon, should be continued while these negotia- 
tions were pending, the British officials meantime flatter- 
ing themselves that they were in a fair way to effect their 
purposes. In April, 1781, Ira Allen was appointed to 
settle a cartel with the British for another exchange of 
prisoners. The cartel being soon agreed to, the subject 
of the armistice, and the establishment of the royal 
authoritj' in Vermont, of course, came once more under 
discussion. Allen acknowledged that the people of Ver- 
mont were growing remiss in the prosecution of the war, 
and fears were beginning to be entertained by some lest 
its termination in favor of America might subject them to 
the government of New York, — a government by them 
esteemed to be the most detestable in the known world. 
He did not hesitate to state, that to any such an event 
they would vastly prefer to become a separate Colony 
under the crown, and that the United States should be 
again brought under the dominion of Great Britain. 

In September, 1781, Col. Allen and Maj. Faj' had 
another interview with the British agents, on which 
occasion the latter went so far as to suggest a plan of 
government for the Colonj- of Vermont ; all of which was 
duly discussed and finally agreed upon by the parties. 
But the British agents were now growing somewhat 
impatient, and weie beginning to insist that Vermont 
should at once declare herself a British Province. The 
Vermont commissioners, however, urged that such a 
proposition would then be premature, — that the inhabi- 
tants in some parts of the territory were not j'et suffi- 
ciently brought over to British interests to warrant so 
pronounced and decisive a step. 

The British agents yielded this point with reluctance. 
They thought the present an eminently favorable oppor- 
tunity for bringing their negotiations to a decision, and 
accordinglj' used every art to persuade the Vermont com- 
missioners to advise their State, without delay, to declare 
herself a British Province. At length the British agents 
suggested one further proposition, — their ultimatum, — 
one which must be complied with, or the armistice would 
positively be ended ; and that was, that a proclamation 
should be issued by the British general in October, during 
the session of th6 Vermont legislature, declaring Vermont 
a Colony under the crown, and confirming the plan of 
government alreadj' agreed on ; and that the legislature 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



of Vermont must accept the same, and take suitable 
measures for carrying it into effect. 

After some further discussion, the Vermont commis- 
sioners judged it better, on the whole, to accede to this 
proposition, unpalatable as it was, than, in the present 
defenceless state of the frontier, to incur the risk of a 
discontinuance of the armistice. 

The legislature met at Charlestown early in October, 
and about the same time a powerful British army was 
landed at Ticonderoga. The aforesaid negotiations, 
meantime, were known to not more than a dozen men in 
Vermont. The crisis is approaching. A communication 
from Col Allen to the British agents announces that mat- 
ters are going on favorably for their designs ; but, in 
view of certain unfavorable news just received from the 
seat of war, suggests that it would hardl}' be expedient 
to publish the proposed proclamation just yet. A brief 
delay would, doubtless, render it far more timely aud 
effective. In less than an hour after this communication 
reached Ticonderoga, an express arrived there from the 
south with the news of the capture of Cornwallis and his 
whole army. Before night the British had embarked all 
their troops and stores, and, with all haste, had returned 
to Canada. Thus were the negotiators in Vermont, at 
the last moment, relieved from their embarrassment and 
dangei ; and thus was finall}' terminated an enterprise in 
which a few sagacious and daring individuals, by their 
negotiations and management, secured the extensive 
frontiei of Vermont, exposed, though it was, to an army 
of 10,000 of the enemy. 

The Civil Polity of Vermont. 
The New Hampshire Grants, having never been recog- 
nized by the king as a separate jurisdiction, and having 
ever refused submission to the authority of New York, 
were, at the commencement of the Revolution, nearly in 
a state of nature, so to speak ; that is, they were with- 
out an}' internal organization under which the inhabi- 
tants could act with system and effect, — their onl)'rall}-- 
ing point, or bond of union, being their common inter- 
est in resisting the claims and authority of New York. 
Yet, while the same interests which tluis drove them to 
resistance gave quite all the effect of law to the recom- 
mendations of their committees, and invested with su- 
preme authority the dictum of the few bold and daring 
spirits whose sagacity and energy served to give impulse, 
system and direction to their operations, the partial 
relief, on the other hand, now experienced from the 
oppressions of New York, served clearly t > discover to 
the inha\)itants of the grants the frailty of their bond of 
union, and to convince them of the necessity of a better 



organization, both to enable them to maintain the 
gi'ounds which they had assumed in relation to New 
York, and to render efficient aid to their countrymen in 
the contest now opening with Great Britain. 

With a view to moving wisely in this important mat- 
ter, counsel was first sought of Congress. A convention 
of delegates fiom the several towns assembled at Dorset 
on the IGth of January, 1776, forwarded a petition and 
an address to that bodj', in which, after giving a brief 
sketch of the controversy with New York, they avowed 
their unwavering attachment to the cause in which the 
Colonies had unsheathed the sword, and expressed their 
willingness to bear their full proportion of the burden of 
prosecuting the war ; but were careful to declare their 
unwillingness to be considered in any manner sulyect to 
the authority or jurisdiction of New York ; or to be 
called upon, whenever their services should be required, 
as inhabitants of that Province. 

To this first petition of the inhabitants of the grants 
to Congress, it was answered, by the committee to whom 
it was referred, that the petitioners had, for the present, 
better submit to the government of New York, and 
assist their countr3-men in the contest with Great Britain, 
with the understanding, however, that such submission 
should not prejudice their right to any lands in contro- 
versy, or be construed to affirm, or admit, the jurisdic- 
tion of New York over the country, when the present 
troubles should be ended. Considering this report of 
the committee unfavorable to the grants, the agent, ]\Ir. 
Heman Allen, by whom this petition had been forwarded, 
asked leave to withdraw it, and thus Congress was pre- 
vented from coming to any decision upon the subject. 

Meanwhile, the Declaration of American Independence 
having now been bj' Congress published to the world, in 
order to ascertain the state of public opinion as to what 
course it were best, under the circumstances, to pursue, 
it was determined that a general convention should be 
called for that purpose. Delegates accordingly from 3o 
towns assembled at Dorset, July 24, 1776. At this ses- 
sion it was agreed: (1) To enter into an association 
among themselves for the defence of the liberties of 
their country ; (2) That thej' would not associate with, 
or submit to, the provincial government of New York, 
while all such inhabitants of the grants as should thus 
associate, or submit, should be regarded as enemies to 
the common cause ; (3) That suitable measures be taken, 
as soon as may be, "to declare the New Hampshire 
Grants a free and separate district."* On the 1.5th of 
.Tanuarv, 1777, the convention met again at Westminster. 
The sentiments of their constituents having, in the mean- 
time, been well ascertained, and being fully convinced 



that there was now no other way of safety left, the dele- 
gates, on the 16th of that month, published the follow- 
ing declaration : " This convention, whose members are 
dul^' chosen, by the free voice of their constituents, in 
the several towns on the New Hampshire Grants, in pub- 
lie meeting assembled, in our own names, and in behalf 
of our constituents, do herebj- proclaim and declare that 
the district of territory comprehending, and known by 
the name and description of, the New Hampshire Grants, 
of right ought to be, and is hereby declared forever here- 
after to be, a free and independent jurisdiction, or State, 
to be forever hereafter called, known and distinguished 
by the name of Vermont." 

This declaration was unanimousl}' adopted b}' the con- 
vention, after which resolutions were adopted noticing 
Congress of the steps thej* had taken, renewing their 
expressions of lo^altj' and attachment to the eonnnon 
cause, and praying that their declaration might be 
acknowledged, and that delegates from Vermont might 
be admitted to seats in that bodj'. 

"Happy was it," sa3S another, "for the new State 
that these measures, so wise and so judicious in them- 
selves, were adopted and supported with that firmness 
and temperance which were alone adequate to secure a 
happj' result." 

Fully persuaded that their independence must now be 
supported with the same firmness and spirit with which it 
had been declared, Vermont at once addressed herself to 
the task of forming a constitution. Meeting b}- adjourn- 
ment at Windsor, on the first Wednesday of June, the 
same convention which had declared the independence 
of Vermont appointed a committee to make a draft of a 
constitution for the State. They also adopted a resolu- 
tion recommending that the several towns appoint dele- 
gates to meet in conA-ention at Windsor, on the 2d day 
of July following, for the purpose of discussing and 
adopting said constitution. In compliance with this 
resolution, the convention assembled at Windsor, on the 
2d of July, and a draft of a constitution was read, 
and, after due deliberation, adopted. f Having appointed 
a committee of safety to act during tlieir recess, and 
having ordered that the first election under the constitu- 
tion should take place in December, 1777, and that the 

• Third resolution adopted at an adjourned session, Sept. 25. 

t " While the convention was deliberating; npon, and adopting the 
several articles of this important instrument, they received the news of 
the evacuation of Ticondcroga by the American troops on the 6th of 
July, — an event which left the whole western border of Vermont ex- 
posed io the enemy, and spread alarm and consternation through this 
and the neighboring States. ' In this awful crisis,' siiys Allen, in his 
history of Vermont, 'the convention was for leaving Windsor; but a 
severe thunder-storm came on and gave them time to reflect ; while 
some members, lees alarmed at the news, called the attention of the con- 



delegates then elected should meet at Bennington in Jan- 
uar}' following, the convention adjourned. Public atten- 
tion, however, having been so much engrossed b}- the 
advance of Burgoyne as to prevent the election taking 
place at the time appointed, the convention was again 
called together at Windsor by the council of safety, on 
the 25th of December, when they revised the constitu- 
tion, and postponed the day of election to the first Tues- 
d.ty of March, 1778, and the meeting of the Assembly to 
the second Thursday of the same month.]: 

The Legislature of Vermont met for the first time on 
the 12th of March, 1778, at W^indsor, and the same day 
a petition was presented from IG towns on the east side 
of Connecticut Kiver, praying to be admitted to a union 
with Vermont. 

Hitherto the New Hampshire Grants had embraced 
simply what at present constitutes the temtorj' of Ver- 
mont, nor had the young State the least ambition to ex- 
tend its domain. These petitioners, meantime, repre- 
sented that their territory had hitherto been held in sub- 
jection to New Hampshire solel}' hy force of the royal 
commissions ; that hence, when in consequence of the 
Declaration of Independence the royal authority ceased 
in the Colonies, their allegiance to New Hampshire 
ceased, and thej' were left to form a separate government, 
or to unite with such neighboring government as would 
consent to the union. The Legislature was seriously 
embarrassed by this application. Man}' regarded the 
contemplated union a dangerous measure, as likelj' to 
embroil the State in difficulties with New Hampshire. 
The Legislature was disposed to reject the application ; 
but after considerable deliberation it was finally voted, 
March 18, 1778, to refer the decision of the question to 
the people. Upon the re-assembling of the adjourned 
Legislature on the 4th of June, at Bennington, it ap- 
peared that a majority of the towns were in favor of the 
union with the 16 towns from New Hampshire, and June 
1 1 , it was voted that the union take place. Meantime, as 
was b}' many anticipated. New Hampshire, justly in- 
censed at these proceedings, uttered loud complaints, 
and appealed to Congress to interfere on her behalf ; 
while a remonstrance was also addressed to Gov. Chit- 
tenden, urging him to exert his influence with the Legis- 

vcntion to finish the constitution, which was then reading, paragraph by 
paragraph, for the last time. This was done.' " — Thompson. 

X Since about the time of the admission of the State into the Union, 
the Legislature has met annually in the beginning of October. For sev- 
eral years its sessions were held in different to^vns, — Bennington, Wind- 
sor, Burlington, Middlebury, &c. At the session held at Danville, in 
180.5, an act was passed fixing upon Montpelicr as the permanent scat 
of the government of the State, from and after the year 1808. The 
Legislature assembled, accordingly, for the first time, at Montpelicr, 
the established capital of the State, in October, 1S08. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



lature of Vermont to dissolve a connection which would 
probabl}- endanger their peace, if not, indeed, also their 
political existence. 

Fully sensible, upon reflection, of the impolicy as well 
as injustice of aiding in the dismemberment of New 
Hampshire, and quickened somewhat in the discbarge of 
duty b^' the earnest and positive remonstrance of Con- 
gress, as well as of their sister State, the people of "\'er- 
mont were wise enough to embrace the first opportunity 
to retrace their steps in this regard, and dissolve a con- 
nection that tluis threatened their ruin. 

Notwithstanding this dissolution of the union between 
Vermont and the 16 towns of New Hampshire, most of 
the inhabitants in the western part of the latter State 
were still anxious to be annexed to Vermont. At a con- 
Tcntiou called for the purpose of discussing the matter 
(Jan. 16, 1781), and of which a large majority was 
found to be opposed to the jurisdiction of New Hamp- 
shire, and in favor of a union with Vermont, a committee 
was appointed to confer with the latter State on the sub- 
ject of union. This committee, on February 10, informed 
the Assembl}' of Vermont, then sitting at Windsor, that 
"the convention of the New Hampsliire towns was 
desirous of being united with Vermont in one separate 
independent government, upon such principles as should 
be mutuallj' equitable and beneficial." Vermont resolved 
that, "in order to quiet the present disturbances on the 
two sides of the river, and the better to enable the inhab- 
itants to defend their frontier, the Legislature of this 
State do la.y a, jurisdictional claim to all the towns cast 
of the Connecticut represented by this convention." The 
convention of the New Hampshire towns was at the same 
time sitting at Cornish, on the opposite side of the river ; 
and, after repeated communications between the commit- 
tee of this convention and the committee of the Legis- 
lature of Vermont, the articles of union were finally 
agreed upon. By these articles it was stipulated that the 
constitution of Vermont should be adopted bj' the New 
Hampshire towns, and that, if the towns in Vermont and 
also the New Hampshire towns should finally favor the 
measure, the union should then be dul^- consummated. 

The Assembly of Vermont met again at Windsor, 
agreeable to adjournment, April 4. And the convention 
of the New Hampshire towns also re-assembled at Cor- 
nish. On the 5th of April a committee of the conven- 
tion informed the Assembly that not less than 35 towns 
on the east side of the Connecticut River had consented 
to the union. On examining the returns from the towns 
in Vermont, it was found that 36 were in favor of, and 
seven opposed to, the union. Whereupon a committee 
was appointed to inform the convention of the facts, and 



that the Assembly was ready to receive the members re- 
turned from the New Hampshire towns on the morrow, 
at 9 o'clock in the morning. Accordingly on the next 
daj- 35 representatives from towns on the east side of 
the Connecticut River took their seats in the General 
Assemblj' of Vermont. 

Meantime, on account of the unjustifiable measures of 
New York already referred to, and in consequence of 
repeated solicitations, from several towns in New York 
which bordered on Vermont, to be taken into union with 
that State, the Legislature of Vermont had already, Feb. 
14, 1781, laid jurisdictional claim to all the lands west 
of her present territorj' and east of the Hudson. Hav- 
ing now completed her eastern union, she turns once 
more to attend to the one on the west. On the 15th of 
Maj- a committee, appointed bj- the General Assembly 
for the purpose, attended, at Cambridge, New York, a 
convention of delegates from the towns in New York 
which desired a union with Vermont, with a view to mak- 
ing the necessary arrangements for effecting the same. 
Articles of union having been duly agreed to, and, on 
the IGth of June following, these having been confirmed 
by the Legislature, representatives from these districts 
were likewise admitted to seats in the General Assembh- 
of Vermont. 

By the unions thus formed, not onlj- had Vermont 
doubled the extent of territory within her jurisdiction, 
and added greatlj- to her numbers and resources, — quieted 
the disaflfection of her people at home, and restored con- 
fidence to her friends abroad ; placed her territory in a 
condition to invite emigration from the neighboring 
States, and laid the foundation for a large and powerful 
communit}', — but she had taught her hostile neighbors 
that this claiming jurisdiction over territory which did not 
strictly belong to them was a game that two or more 
might play at, — drawing from them thus concessions for 
which justice alone had sought in vain, and averting that 
dismemberment of her territory which would otherwise 
have almost surel}- taken place. 

True, when the objects contemplated by these some- 
what audacious measures had been fully accomplished, 
both these unions, so auspiciously entered into, were dis- 
solved,* and Vermont consented, for reasons entirely 
satisfactory- to herself, to assert her jurisdiction onl3- over 
her original and proper territory. But, for the time 
being, driven bj- stern, inexorable necessity to defend 
her own rights, she determined, and wisel}', so to man- 
age her own affairs as best to secure, at all events, at 
once her safety- and her independence, — against the arms 

• Though not without the earnest protests, in each case, of the inhab- 
itants most immediately interested. 



VERMONT. 



of the British on the north, on the one hand, and against 
the wiles and wicliedness of her enemies nearer home, 
on the other. 

IIer Admission into the Union. 

Vermont had a long struggle in effecting her admission 
into the Union. Eveiy advance in that direction was 
for years met either bj' evasion or flat refusal. The 
reason for this course is apparent. Saj's Prof. Thomp- 
son : " Tiie contest wiih the mother country was 3-et 
undecided and its issue doubtful ; and the grounds which 
the several parties in this dispute had assumed were such 
that Congress could not hope to malce a decision which 
would satisfj'them all ; and to irritate either of the States 
concerned to such a degree as to drive them to an aban- 
donment of the common cause, might paralyze the efforts 
of Congress, and prevent the attainment of that liberty 
and independence for which they were struggling." Hence 
the strangely' partial, evasive and vacillating policj' of that 
bodj' relative to the affairs of Vermont. 

" In April, 1777, Thomas Young, a distinguished citi- 
zen of Philadelphia, addressed a communication to the 
inhabitants of Vermont, in which he represented it as 
the opinion of several of the leading members of Con- 
gress, that Vermont should proceed in her organization, 
form a constitution, and appoint delegates to Congress ; 
and he declared it to be his own individual opinion that 
Congi-ess would not hesitate to sanction their proceedings, 
or to admit their delegates to a seat in that honorable 
body. This communication was prefixed to a resolution 
which Congress had passed on the 15th of May, 177G, 
which recommended to the assemblies and conventions 
of the united Colonies where no government, sufficient 
for the exigencies of their affairs, had already been es- 
tablished, to adopt such government as, in the opinion 
of the representatives of the people, should best conduce 
to the happiness and safetj' of their constituents. This 
resolution was regarded, by the author of the communica- 
tion, as a full license from Congress to assume the 
powers of government, and he recommended that no 
time be lost in avaihng themselves of the present oppor- 
tunity to establish a separate dominion." 

Now, while New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Con- 
necticut were ready (that is, at the outset) to admit 
Vermont as a new member of the Federal Union, and 
applauded the spirit and boldness with which she asserted 
and maintained her rights, New York, on the other hand, 
regarded all transactions of the kind advised above as 
open acts of treason and rebellion against the lawful 
authority of that State, and hence earnestly remonstrated, 
in a letter addressed to the president of Congress, 



May 28, against the proceedings of Mr. Young, and of 
those members of Congress who had given him counte- 
nance. With a view to bringing Congress to a decision 
on the subject of this controversy, on the 23d of June, 
one of the New York delegates laid before that bod}- 
the aforementioned letter of Thomas Young to the in- 
habitants of Vermont. Congress now, for the first time, 
took up the matter ; and the petitions and communica- 
tions from New York and the New Hampshire Grants 
were referred to a committee of the whole. This com- 
mittee, on the 30th of June, among other things, re- 
solved : (1) "That Congress would not recommend or 
countenance anj'thing injurious to the rights and juris- 
diction of the several communities herein represented ; 
(2) That the inhabitants of the New Hampshire Grants 
cannot be justified, in their declaration of independence, 
hy the example of the united Colonies, nor b^' ixny act or 
resolution of Congress ; (3) That the petition of Vermont 
to be recognized as an independent State, and to have her 
delegates adtnitted to seats in Congress, be dismissed." 

Still later, in June, 1781, Vermont, having completed 
her eastern and western unions, as elsewhere related, 
appointed Jonas Fay, Ira Allen, and B. Woodward del- 
egates to the American Congress to negotiate her admission 
into the Federal Union. Full powers were given them 
to complete the arrangement ; and, if the}' effected their 
object, they were authorized to take their seats in Con- 
gress as representatives of Vermont. These delegates 
arrived in Philadelphia about the beginning of August. 
On the 7th of this month, 1781, Congress took up the 
subject of their mission, and appointed a committee of 
five persons to confer with the delegates from Vermont 
and agree with them upon the terms of admission, pro- 
vided Congress should see fit to recognize Vermont as 
an independent State. On the 18th of August a con- 
ference took place between this committee and the dele- 
gates from Vermont. On the 20th the committee made 
their report to Congress, whereupon that bodj- (Aug. 20, 
1781) adopted the following resolution : — 

"■Resolved, That it be an indispensable preliminar}' to 
the recognition of the independence of the people inhab- 
iting the territory called Vermont, and their admission 
into the Federal Union, that they explicitly relinquish all 
demands of lands, or jurisdiction on the east side of the 
Connecticut, or the west side of its original State line." 

" Vermont and New York both," says Mr. Thompson, 
"were dissatisfied with this resolution, — Vermont be- 
cause it required, as a condition of her admission into the 
Union, that she should di-ssolve the agreeable connections 
she had just formed, and alienate one-half of her present 
territory, resources and importance ; New York because 



HISTORY OF SEW ENGLAND. 



it recognized the claim against which slie had so long 
and so earnestly' contended — actually allowing Vermont 
to have something left which she could call her own." 

The foregoing resolutions, it is true, held out a faint 
prospect of an admission into the Federal Union with 
her original territory : yet, having lost much of her con- 
j fidence in the assurances of Congress, and having now 
consolidated lier unions at home very much to her own 
satisfaction, Vermont felt herself in a condition to de- 
mand something better than the relinquishment of one- 
half of her territory and population to secure the inde- 
pendence of the other half. Hence, after deliberating 
and debating on the subject for several days, the Assem- 
bly, on the 19th of October, voted that they could not 
compl}- with the foregoing resolution of Congress. 

In the meantime, in consequence of the mutually bel- 
ligerent attitude of Vermont and New York, and the 
nnhappil3' increasing l)itterness obtaining between these 
two communities, affairs seemed rapidly to be reaching 
an alarming crisis ; and all parties were beginning to 
tremble at the prospect of a civil, in the midst of their 
Revolution arj' -war, — a calamity that must have proved 
fatal to the cause of American liberty and independence. 
Fortunateh", just at this juncture. Gov. Cliittenden re- 
ceived a letter from Gen. W^ashington, dictated by his 
paternal solicitude for the good of his country, and for a 
happy termination of the troubles in relation to Vermont, 
kindlj' counselling the State of Vermont to withdraw her 
jurisdiction to the confines of her own limits, and then 
seek and obtain, as lie was morally certain she then 
would, a recognition of her independence and sovereignty 
at the hands of Congress.* 

Such a communication from Gen. Washington might 
be reasonably expected to exert a powerful influence 
upon the minds of the leading men of Vermont ; and the 
event showed that it did. At tlie next meeting of the 
legislature, which was held at Bennington, this letter was 
laid before that body. Knowing that it came from a man 
who had the interests of the whole country at heart, and 
from one, moreover, whose assurances must be based 
upon a wide and statesmanlike comprehension of facts, 
his advice was received with the greatest deference, and, 
after mature deliberation upon the subject, the Assembly, 
Feb. 22, 1782, resolved to compl3- with the preliminary 
required bj' the resolution of Congress of August 20, aud 
relinquish all claims to jurisdiction bej-ond tlie bounds 
therein mentioned. 

• Vermonters may well cherish for the memory of Washington the 
profoundest and most tender rcg-ard. Indeed, it is but just to say that 
the two men whose names are here associated were endeared to the 
people of Vermont by their long, able and disinterested public services, 
as were none others. In their abilities and virtues they reposed the 



Having thus complied with the requirements of Con- 
gress, Vermont now confidently expected an immediate 
recognition of her independence, and an admission into 
the Federal Union, and with it a termination of the dis- 
agreeable controvers3' with New York. Accordingly the 
legislature proceeded to choose four agents, Jonas Fay, 
Moses Robinson, Paul Spooner and Isaac Tichenor, to 
arrange the terms of admission, and then take their seats 
in Congress as representatives of Vermont. On the 31st 
of March, 1782, these proceedings of the State of Ver- 
mont, by which that State had fully complied with the 
requirement of the resolution of tiie 20th of August, were 
officially laid before Congress. Congress now again took 
up the subject, and referred it to a committee of five, 
who, on the 17th of April, reported " That, in tlie opinion 
of the committee, Vermont had fully complied with the 
resolution of the 20th of August as preliminary to the 
recognition of her sovereignty and independence, and 
admission into the Federal Union ; and that the con- 
ditional promise of such recognition and admission by 
Congress is therebj' become absolute and necessary to be 
performed." 

It was then moved that the district or territorj- known 
as Vermont, thus defined and limited, be, and hereby is, 
recognized and acknowledged by the name of the State 
of Vermont, as free, sovereign and independent ; and 
that a committee be appointed to treat and confer with 
the delegates from said State, upon the terms and mode 
of the admission of said State into the Federal Union. 

By the treatment, however, accorded to this recom- 
mendation of the committee, it became evident, to the 
surprise and utter astonisliment of the Vermont delegates, 
that Congress did not intend even yet to come to any 
decision in regard to the affairs of Vermont. 

After having addressed a dignified but spirited com- 
munication to the president of Congress, in which they 
reminded that body that, having, in the most ample 
manner, complied with their requirements, and having 
officially communicated said compliance to them, they 
cannot but regard the failure of Congress to execute 
their part in the premises a violation of their plighted 
faith, as also an act of injustice to themselves, exposing 
them, as it did, to the main force of the enemy in Can- 
ada, witli no aid whatever from the United States in 
whose cause they had so freely fought and suffered, the 
agents immediately withdrew from Philadelphia and re- 
paired to their homes. 



■oiiliiillv contributed, in after years, — after that 
HI. iii!ii r i)f the confederacy, and the government 
1.1 l.u. 11 iilaccd upon the fouhdiition of its present 
\v upon tliese two eminent public servants the 
highest positions in the gift of the people. 



fullest confide 
Vermont had 
of the United 



When these proceedings of Congress came to be 
knonii in Vermont, universal and intense dissatisfaction 
was the result. Having taken the step she had in per- 
fectly good faith, and in accordance with the advice of 
gentlemen of tlie first cliaracter in America, the people 
of Vermont were now tempted to the opinion that the 
resolution of the 20th of August had been designed prin- 
cipally to dupe the Assembly to a compliance for the 
purpose of so wealcening the State as to render it less 
dangerous to contravene her designs and wishes. Not- 
withstanding the pain and mortification of their disap- 
pointment, and though their faith in the virtue and 
integrity of this Congress was so sadl}' sliaken that the3- 
determined never more to urge upon it their right to a 
co-federation with the United States, yet, that it might 
appear to the world that Vermont was not in fault, at 
their next ensuing assemblj', in October, the}- again ap- 
pointed agents with full powers to complete arrange- 
ments for her admission into the Union, while they them- 
selves resolved, in the future as in the past, to rel^' on 
their own strength, resources and management for de- 
fence and safety, — to 

'• Bow to no patron's insolence ; rely 
Ou no frail hopes ; in freedom live and die." 

Years elapse. Hostilities between Great Britain and 
America had ceased, and now, on the one hand. Con- 
gress was freed from its embarrassments with regard to 
Vermont ; while Vermont, on the other, on account of 
tlie withdrawal from her northern frontiers of the British 
forces whose efforts had been so long palsied by the art- 
ful policy of a few individuals, was released from all her 
fears. On the 20th of January, 1783, the preliminary' 
articles of peace were signed, which formall}- terminated I 
the Revolutionary war, and established the independence | 
of the united Colonies. Meantime the people of Ver- 
mont, having now no external foes to dread, ceased to [ 
be speciallj- solicitous for an immediate organic union : 
with the confederated States. 

The adoption of the new Federal Constitution, how- . 
ever, in 1787, awakened fresh interest in this matter. 
This Constitution was ratified by the States, and the 
first Congress assembled under it March 3, 1789. 

The policy, proceedings and measures of this new 
Congress seemed to be marked b}- so much wisdom, pru- 
dence and equity, that the confidence of the people of 
Vermont in the Federal Government, so effectually weak- 
ened by the evasive and vacillating policy of the former 
Congress, was now in a fair way to be restored. But the 
ancient difficult}' with New York still remained unsettled. 
One serious difficulty only, however, now stood in the 
way of such a settlement. A new political generation 



had come upon the stage, — a generation whicli, so far 
from inheriting the feuds of the former, could not but 
perceive that Vermont was now to remain a free and in- 
dependent State, and probably felt but little, if any, 
anxiety that it should be otherwise. " But the former 
governors of New York had made grants of large tracts 
of land in Vermont, the validity of which the govern- 
ment of Vermont had refused to admit ; and the grantees 
hence were constantly complaining to the government of 
New York of the injuries done them in not being per- 
mitted to take possession of their propert}-. Now, 
though New York felt under no verj- strong obligation to 
refund what had been extorted for these grants bj- that 
cupidity of the royal governors of the Province before 
the war, still she was disposed, if practicable, to com- 
promise the matter, and have the difficulties adjusted on 
amicable terms." 

The new New York, meantime, had come to be more 
than willing that these difficulties should be adjusted, 
and actually to desire Vermont's confederation with the 
United States. Bj' the exclusion of Vermont from the 
Union, it was perceived that the Eastern States were 
deprived of their just representation in Congress ; while, 
on the other hand, it was obvious to New York, tliat, 
once their old difficulties composed, the interests and in- 
fluence of Vermont would, in almost everj' instance, 
coincide witli her own. The result was, public opinion 
called at once for a reconciliation. 

In accordance witli these conciliatory views the Legis- 
lature of New York, July 1'), 1789, passed an act ap- 
pointing commissioners with full powers to acknowledge 
the sovereignty of Vermont, and adjust all matters of 
controversy with that State. On the 23d of October 
following, the Legislature of Vermont app<iinted com- 
missioners, on their part, to treat with those of New 
York, and to remove all obstructions to the admission of 
Vermont into the Union. The commissioners on botli 
sides were very anxious that an adjustment should be 
effected, and hence approached the question in a thor- 
oughly conciliatory spirit. 

There was but one point that admitted of any debate, 
and that was the amount of compensation which the 
claimants under New York grants should receive from 
Vermont on account of her having re-granted the same 
lands, and excluded the New York grantees from their 
possession. The settlement of this point, after two or 
three meetings, was amicably agreed upon. Whereupon, 
Oct. 7, 1790, the commissioners for New York, by vir- 
tue of the powers to them granted for that purpose, and 
in consideration of the payment b}' the State of Vermont 
to the State of New York, on or before the first day of 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



January, 1792, of the sum of $30,000, declared the con- 
sent of the Legislature of New York that the State of 
Vermont be admitted into the union of the United States ; 
and that, immediatelj' upon such admission, all claims 
of jurisdiction of the State of New Y'ork ^^ithin the 
State of Vermont, all rights and titles to lands within 
said State, under grants from the government of the 
Colony of New York, shall forever cease. Oct. 28, 

1790, the Legislature of Vermont, having formally and 
readily agreed to the plan concerted by the commission- 
ers, passed an act to pay the sum of $30,000 to the State 
of New Y'ork, at the time proposed. 

There remained now but a single step more to be 
taken in order to gain that dignity and station after 
which this struggling j'oung State had so long and hero- 
ically aspired. 

The difficulties with New York adjusted, the Legisla- 
ture proceeded to call a convention for the purpose of 
ascertaining the views of the people in regard to a union 
with the United States. This convention assembled at 
Bennington, Jan. 6, 1791, and, after deliberating and 
debating the subject for four days, it was finally' voted, 
105 to 2, that application be made for admission into 
the Federal Union. 

On the 13th of January, 1791, the Legislature of 
Vermont, having been convened at Bennington, chose 
Hon. Nathaniel Chapman and Lewis R. Morris, Esq., 
commissioners to attend Congress, and negotiate the ad- 
mission of Vermont into the Union. The proceedings of 
this convention and Legislature of Vennont having been 
duly laid before the President, on the 18th of February, 

1791, Congress passed an act, which was passed without 
debate or a dissenting vote, which declared "that on the 
4th day of March, 1791, the said State, bj- the name and 
style of the ' State of Vermont,' shall be received and 
admitted into their Union as a new and entire member of 
the United States of America." And thus was ter- 
minated finall}- all controversies, both State and national, 
with regard to Vermont. 

"From the lime of her admission into the Federal 
Union, Vermont's history loses," as Mr. Thompson well 
observes, "in a great measure, its separate and peculiar 
character, and becomes either a part of the history of 
the United States, or resembles, in its leading features, 
that of the other individual States." 

From this era, meantime, in the history of Vermont, 
the government, though occasionallj' slightly agitated by 

• During this same period of harmony and union, the Legislature of 
Vermont adopted and digested a judicious and noble code of laws. 

The legislative proceedings of Vermont during the administration 
of Gov. Chittenden were characterized hy extreme simplicity. It 



the bickerings of partj", and the tumults of political 
strife, has yet gone steadily onward in its career of pros- 
perity, diffusing its blessings, and maintaining its benig- 
nant swaj', through every portion of the community. For 
several years after the admission of the State into the 
Union, and notably during the long gubernatorial term 
of Gov. Thomas Chittenden, 18 yea.TS, the political tran- 
quillity of the State was scarcely affected by the policy 
and intrigues of demagogues and aspirants for office.* 

Subsequent!}', at one time, partisan politics and the 
spirit of faction attained to quite a marked development. 
Early in the present century, especially, the popular 
mind became considerably inflamed touching political 
issues, and political affairs were characterized by more or 
less rancor and violence. About the time of the "last 
war" with Great Britain (1812-15), party spirit reached 
its greatest height, the Federal, or the old, conservative 
party, assailing wath gi-eat bitterness the Administration, 
or Democratic part}-. After this storm had passed by, 
however, and partly in consequence of the struggle it- 
self, these internal divisions and political animosities died 
away, and from that day scarcely an^-thing has occurred 
to mar the general harmony. 

Vermont, as well as her sister States of New England, 
has been singularly fortunate in the character of the 
statesmen who laid the foundations of her government. 
Indeed, if ever an age ma}^ be said to have produced in- 
dividuals seemingly moulded by nature particularly for 
the exigencies of the times in which the}- lired, that may 
be said to have been true of the infancy of Vermont. 

Prominent among these fathers of the State were Ira 
Allen, the sagacious statesman, the incomparalile diplo- 
mat, and incorruptible and indomitable patriot ; Ethan 
Allen, who, in a private communication to Congress, 
once, with characteristic force and fervor, declared, "I 
am as resolutely determined to defend the independence 
of Vermont, as Congress is that of the United States ; 
and rather than fail, / Wi7Z retire with my Uanhj Green 
Mountain Boys into the desolate caverns of the mountains 
and tcage war ivith human nature ct large; " and Thomas 
Chittenden — Vermont's first governor, her favorite, 
fatherly and farmer statesman, and through whose in- 
strumentality chieflj-, there is reason to believe, she 
achieved her independence, and won the proud, the en- 
viable distinction of 

" — Fair freedom's chosen home — 
Our own beloved Green Mountain State." 

was not then the custom of the governor to make a speech or deliver 
a message at the opening of the Legislature. Isa;tc Tichenor, his 
successor, was the first to introduce into Vermont this custom of the 
other States. 



ADDISON COUNTY.* 



BY "WILLIAM F. BASCOM, ESQ. 



The count}' was established Oct. 18, 1785. Oct. 12, 
1787, its limits were restricted very nearly to the present 
boundaries. Three towns were subsequently added, and 
one was withdrawn. The countj- now contains 23 towns. 

The western border of this count}- first came to the 
knowledge of Europeans in 1609. On the 4th of July 
of that year, Samuel Champlain, coming from Quebec, 
entered the northern extremity of the lalve, accompanied 
by two other Frenchmen and a war party of 60 Algon- 
quin and Huron Indians. Proceeding up the lake in 
canoes, he encountered on the 29th, in the evening, a 
party of Iroquois Indians, " at the point of a cape which 
juts into the lake on the west side." These were ene- 
mies of the Algonquins and Hurons ; and here, on the 
morning of the 30th, a battle was fought between the 
hostile parties. The place of this encounter was prob- 
ably in the vicinity of Ticonderoga. The Indians of his 
party informed him that the country east of the lake was 
inhabited by the Iroquois. Abundant relics, found in 
many places within the county, such as arrow-heads, 
pots, hammers, pestles, stone gouges, &c., prove that 
there had been Indian settlements in this part of the 
' State. Hostilities with other tribes apparently induced 
them to retire to parts of the country less exposed to the 
incursions of enemies ; and thus the English settlers 
found no Indians in possession of tlie lands. 

In 1690, Capt. .Jacobus D'Warm, from Albany, built 
a small stone fort at Chimney Point in Addison. This 
liy some is supposed to have been the first occupation by 
civilized men of any part of the territory of Vermont. 
In 1730, some French settlers came from Canada and 
built at the same place a block-house and wind-mill. 
This became a thriving settlement, and was the first in 
the State west of the mountains. The next year, 1731, 
the French built, on the opposite side of the lake. Fort 
Frederic, subsequently known as Crown Point. This 
gave additional securit}' to the settlement at Chimney 
Point. During the next ton years this settlement was 

• The following is a list of the towns in Addison County, and their 
population for the year 1870: Addison. 911; Avery's Gore, — ; Erid- 
port( 1,171; Bristol, 1,365; Cornwall, 9G9; Ferrisburgh, 1,7GS; Goshen, 
330; Granville, 726; Hancock, 430; Leicester, 630; Lincoln, 1,174; 



extended north on the lake some four miles. The re- 
mains of old gardens and cellars, to be seen as late as 
1867, indicate a somewhat dense population here at this 
early day. 

The settlers at Chimney Point were undisturbed until 
the capture of Ticonderoga, July 27th, 1759, by Gen. 
Amherst. The French troops abandoned and burnt the 
forts at Crown Point and Chimney Point, and, taking 
the settlers with them, retired to Canada. This was the 
end of the French settlement at this point, after an 
occupation of 29 years. Amherst immediately began to 
rebuild the fort at Crown Point, which was completed in 
three years, at an expense of £2,000,000. While lying 
here, in 1759, he sent out a detachment of 200 men 
under Col. Stark, to make a wagon road from Crown 
Point to Charleston, on the Connecticut River in New 
Hampshire, then called ^^umber Four. A good military 
road was made tlirough Addison, Bridport, Shoreham, 
Whiting and Sudbuiy, on to Pittsford, Rutland and the 
mountains. Thence Lieut. Hawks made a bridle-path 
over the mountains. 

Upon the conquest of Canada in 1760, perils froni the 
French and Indians being now at- an end, the way was 
opened apparently for occupation of Vermont by Eng- 
lish settlers, and in 1761 applications began to bo made 
for charters. 

The controversy with New York, which was not ad- 
justed till 1791, retarded for a time the settlement of the 
territory. The first settlement of a permanent character 
witliin the limits of this county, we are told, was near 
Chimney Point, in Addison, on the clearing made by the 
French. The pioneer in this settlement was Benjamin 
Kellogg, of Canaan, Conn., who had been one of Am- 
herst's soldiers, and had hunted on these lands while 
stationed at Crown I'oint. On returning to Connecticut 
in 17G0, ho informed his neighbors of the inducements 
offered by the French clearing, and came up witli others 
to hunt in the autumns of 1762, '63, '64. In the spring 

Middlebury, 3,086; Monkton, 1,006 ; New Haven, 1,355; Orwell, 1,192; 
Panton, 300; Kipton, 617; Salisbury, 902; Shoreham, l,22r); St.irks- 
boro', 1,351; Vergennes, 1,570; Waltham, 210; Wcybridgc, 627; Whit- 
ing, 430. Total, 23,484. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



of 1705, Zadock Everest, David Yallance and another 
person came from Connecticut and commenced clearing 
about three miles north of Chimnej' Point, on the faiTQS 
on which the}' respectively- lived and died. In Septem- 
ber of that 3'ear, Kellogg came again, together with 
John Strong, and Strong, with the aid of Everest, Yal- 
lance and Kellogg, built a house, on the foundations and 
around the chimnej' of an old French house. The whole 
part}' returned that autumn to Connecticut. In 1776, 
Kellogg, Strong, I. Everest, T. Yallance and others, 
with their families, came and occupied lands, some in 
Addison, and some in Panton. Most of these settlers 
were on lands supposed to be in Panton, but afterwards 
found to be in Addison. A survey of this tract was 
made as early as 17G2 bj- Dea. Ebenezer Frisbee of 
Sharon, together with Isaac Peck and Abraham Jackson, 
who surveyed the lines of the town of Panton, and laid 
out seventy' 50-acre lots on the shore of the lake. 

In the spring of 1766 John Chipman cleared on his lot 
in Middlebury seven or eight acres, which was the first 
clearing in that town. He came with fifteen other joung 
men for the purpose of making preparation for a settle- 
ment. Some of the party were destined for that part of 
New Haven, now in Waltham, bordering on the Creelc 
above the Falls at Vergennes, and some for the old 
French settlement in Addison.- Among the latter was 
David Yallance, who afterwards settled in that place on 
the farm recently owned bj- David Yallance Chambers, 
his grandson. This company came from Salisbury, 
Conn., with a cart and oxen, which convej'ed their 
farming tools and other freight. TLey made their way 
through the wilderness in Yermont, sometimes cutting 
out a path, along the Battenkill River to Otter Creek, 
which they followed to Sutherland Falls in Pittsford. 
Here thej- made a canoe from a large tree, in which 
were placed their tools and provisions and men enough 
to row it, while the rest with the oxen travelled along 
the bank. The cart was fastened to the stern of the 
canoe ; but at Middleburj- the canoe was loaded upon 
the cart, and drawn bj' the oxen around the bend on the 
east bank to the foot of the Lower Falls in Wej-bridge. 
Here the canoe was transfen-ed to the water, and they 
followed the river to Yergennes. 

This 3'ear Donald Mcintosh, one of Reid's men, is 
said to have begun a settlement on a tract now included 
in Yergennes. During this year, also. Col. Ephraim 
Doolittle, with twelve or fourteen others, among whom 
were Daniel and Jacob Hemenwaj', Paul Moore, John 
Crigo, and Elijah Kellogg, from Worcester County, 
Mass., came to Shoreham, built a log-house and cleared 
about 25 acres. Families came on slowly, and onl}- six 



are known to have lived in the town before the Revolu- 
ary war. In 1768 Col. Philip Stone of Groton, Mass., 
commenced preparations for a settlement in Bridport, 
and about the same time two families bj' the name of 
Richardson and Smith settled under New York titles, 
and three others bj- the name of Towner, Chipman and 
Plumer, under New Hampshire titles. Several jears 
before the Revolutionary war, John Charter, a Scotch- 
man and recent immigrant, commenced a clearing on the 
Lake shore, just south of Mount Independence, in Or- 
well. Andrew Barton settled in Waltham, then a part 
of New Haven, in 1768, and several families from 
Salisbur}', Conn., among whom were John Griswold 
and five sons, came in 1769. A settlement was com- 
menced in Panton in 1770 by John Pangborn and O. 
Squire from Cornwall, Conn., who were soon followed 
bj' Timothj' Spaulding, Peter Ferris from Nine Partners, 
N. Y., Edmund and Elijah Grande}', Phineas Spaulding 
and Phineas Holcomb. In 1773 Benjamin Smalley, 
John Chipman and Gamaliel Painter settled in Middle- 
bury with their families; and in 1774, Robert Torrence 
with his family, and others who came without families. 
In 1774 eight families settled in that part of Cornwall 
subsequently annexed to Middlebury ; and Eldad An- 
drus, Samuel Blodget, Sardius Blodget, Solomon Lins- 
ley, Aaron Scott, and Nathan Foot in the northern and 
central parts of Cornwall. To these were added in 1 775 
Ebenezer Stebbins, Joel Linsley and John Ilolley, and 
in 1776 Jonah Sanford, Obadiah Wheeler, and James 
Marsh Douglass. Surveys were made in Whiting in 
1772, and John Wilson, from Wrentham, Mass., with 
several other families, took possession in 1773. Monkton 
was first settled in 1774 by Barnabas Barnam, John 
Bishop, John Stearns and Ebenezer Stearns. This year, 
also, Joshua Graves and Amos Story settled in Salis- 
bury, and Jeremiah Parker and Samuel Daniels from 
Massachusetts, in Leicester. In 1775 Thomas Sanford, 
Claudius Brittell, David Stow and Justus Sturdevant, 
with their families, settled in Weybridge. There were 
one or two settlers in Ferrisburgh before the war. 

From this brief survey of the settlements, it appears 
that during ten years, from 1765 to 1775, settlements 
had been begun in fifteen towns, and in some of them 
considerable progress had been made. The war, com- 
mencing with the battle of Lexington April 19, 1775, 
nearl}- put an end to further settlement for many years. 
The settlers already on the ground did not immediately 
withdraw, and many of them assisted in the capture of 
Ticonderoga by Ethan Allen in 1775, and took a more 
or less active part in the great struggle for independence 
now oj)ening up so ominously before them. 



At the adjourned meeting of the Dorset Convention 
(Sept. 25, 1776), to consider the expedienc}- of declaring 
Vermont an independent State, there were four delegates 
from this county, — David Vallance of Addison, Samuel 
Benton of Bridport, Gamaliel Painter of Middebury, and 
John Gale of Panton. This body adjourned to meet at 
Westminster Jan. 15, 1777, and in that session declared 
the district known as the "New Hampshire Grants" a 
free and independent State. In the published records of 
that session no names of delegates from this county are 
given. In the convention which met at Windsor July 2, 
1777, and foi-med the constitution of the State, Gamaliel 
Painter of Middlebury was a delegate, and, so far as ap- 
pears, the only one from this county. Up to the time of 
this convention there had been no regular government in 
tliis part of the State. All the authority of a general 
character was exercised by conventions and committees 
of safety. But the people were peaceful and orderly, 
and had, as yet, very little need of a government. 

Perils from wild beasts were considerable, while the 
country was 3'et an almost unbroken wilderness. Forests 
heavy and dense covered the whole territory, furnishing 
lurking places for bears, wolves, lynxes, and other ani- 
mals. Encounters sometimes of a serious, and some- 
times of a ludicrous, character occurred, especially with 
bears, which were very numerous. 

The settlers were distressed for want of grist-mills, 
and those along the lake used to go as far as Stillwater, 
N. Y., for grinding. They also suffered for want of 
stores and roads. Neighbors sometime joined together 
and went up in bateaux to the head of the lake, and 
thence to Albany to procure necessaries for the settle- 
ment. As to roads there were none other than foot- 
paths, or bridle-paths, through the dense forests. But 
the men were as hardy and undaunted a body of pioneers 
as ever subdued a wilderness. Wild beasts learned to 
flee at their approach ; the oak, beech, hemlock and 
maple fell before their sturdy strokes ; and the light of 
the sun, let in upon their small clearings, began to relieve 
somewhat the solitariness of their secluded homes. The 
wilderness in spots was beginning to blossom ; and the 
reign of peace, law, and a well-ordered civilization 
seemed about to be set up, where hitherto the wild beast 
and wilder Indian had alone held sway, — a dawn of 
better dajs, which, however, as just intimated, was sud- 
denly overcast, more especially by the retreat of the 



• Of the five ships known to have been sunk, three were subsequently 
raisid and two were visible in low water, lying, where they sank, more 
tlKin 80 years afterward. A brass cannon was taken out of one of them 
by Mr. Ferris, many years since, which is said to have been used at the 
battle of Plattsburgh. Arnold, on his retreat with his men by land to 



American forces from Canada in 1776, and the approach, 
in the early part of the summer of 1777, of Burgoyne 
with his army of British, Tories, and Indians. 

During this period Addison Count}^ was the scene of, 
or became associated with, many interesting Revolution- 
ary incidents and transactions. The settlers here ren- 
dered Gen. Gates efficient aid, in getting out timber and 
other material for the fleet by means of which. he hoped 
to recover and maintain command of the lake. And on 
Arnold's retreat from his bootless naval enterprise, after 
the battles at Valcour Island, Oct. 11 and 13, 1776, the 
American fleet was run into a small bay in Panton, still 
bearing Arnold's name, and the ships * there were blown 
up and abandoned. 

Meanwhile strolling bands of Indians and Tories fre- 
quently disturbed the inhabitants, and some families in 
the western and north-western towns retired southward 
to places of greater securitj'. 

On the approach of Burg03'n^, with his powerful army, 
early in July, 1777, many of the inhabitants abandoned 
their improvements and fled, some to the south part of 
the State, and some to Connecticut and Massachusetts. 
A few of the more daring, or more hopeful, remained till 
1778. The only history of this period must be a narra- 
tive of personal adventure, in which hairbreadth escapes, 
daring feats,- and great privations and sufferings come 
everywhere to view. The lake and forts being in pos- 
session of the British, the whole country on the east side 
was exposed to marauding parties of British, Indians 
and Tories, who carried otf all such movable property 
as was left and was desired by them. Several of the 
men were taken captive and held as prisoners until 
the surrender of Burgoyne in October. 

The most extensive depredations were made in No- 
vember, 1778, by a large British force which came up the 
lake in vessels, and scoured the country on both shores. 
They plundered, burnt, and destroyed all property they 
could find, and made prisoners of the men who remained 
on their farms. Every town in the county, where a set- 
tlement had been made, suffered from these ravages. 
Every house and barn was burned, except the house of 
Asa Hemenway in Bridport, and the barn of Col. John 
Chipman in Middlebury. This barn was built of green 
timber, and the Indians could not set it on fire. They 
tried their hatchets upon it, but to very little effect ; and 
it stands to this day with some of the timber partially 



Ticonderoga, halted for refreshments at the house of Zadock Everest, 
in Addison. All Mr. Fcrris's nit.vable property was either taken or 
destroyed by the British. The cattle, horses and hojcs were shot, the 
orchard-trees were cut down, the fences burnt, and nothing was left but 
his house and bam. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



charred, and marks of the hatchets plainly- visible. The 
form on which it stands belonged to the late Jonathan 
Seek}-, and is now occupied by his children. 

Peter and Squire Ferris of Panton, were captured 
while on a deer hunt near the mouth of Putnam's Creek, 
on the west side of the lake, and carried on board the 
steamer '"Maria," then l3"ing at Crown Point. The same 
night, detachments from this vessel burnt nearh" all the 
houses along the lake from Bridport to Ferrisburgh, 
making prisoners of all the men, and leaving the women 
and children to take care of themsehes. Mr. Ferris's 
house and all his other buildings were burnt. Fortj- per- 
sons were brought on board the next daj' ; and in a few 
daj-s the number of captives amounted to 244. 

These prisoners were all carried to Quebec, and their 
subsequent fortunes were various. Some died of cold 
and starvation. Some dug through the walls of their 
prison at Quebec, and, after long wanderings in the 
wilderness of New Hampshire and Maine, reached their 
families. Others remained in captivity till exchanged 
for British prisoners in June, 1782. Of the 244 captives, 
however, only 48 are known to have returned. 

It is said that Asa Hemenway of Bridport remained on 
his farm daring the war. Paul Moore of Shoreham also 
remained, though twice captured. 

After the peace of 1783, the first settlors nearly all 
returned to the towns in which improvements had been 
begun before the war. They were rapidl>- followed b}' 
others, and by 1788 inhabitants were found in all the 
towns which now constitute the county, except Goshen, 
Lincoln and Ripton. The site at the falls where the vil- 
lage of Middlebur3' stands, was originally a dense hem- 
lock forest, and did not attract settlers, who came for 
farms. The beginnings of a settlement were made there 
in 1774 or 1775, by Abijah Washburn of Salisburj-, 
Conn., who took possession of the water-power on the 
east side of the falls, and built a saw-mill. He did not 
bring his family, and after erecting the mill returned to 
Connecticut, and did not come back till after the war. 
The mill was destroyed by the Indians during his ab- 
sence. In 1783 John Hobson Johnson built a cabin at 
the head of the rapids, on the west side of the river, a 
little below the present site of the railroad bridge, being 
the first resident in that vicinity after the war. He kept 
a ferry and a place of refreshment for travellers. In 
1784, Daniel Foot gained possession of 100 acres, includ- 
ing the whole of the falls, on the west side of the river, 
and erected a large building for a saw and grist mill. 
Until a short time before the completion of this grist- 
mill, the inhabitants went to Pittsford for their grinding, 
taking their grain up the river in boats or on rafts. 



I On the west side of the river, Stillman Foot, who built 
{the first bridge, erected in 1786 a dwelling-house, the 
oldest in the village remaining until a recent date. It 
was the house owned and occupied by Daniel Henshaw 
for many jears, and subsequently was the residence of 
J. S. Bushnell. In the late extensive fire at the west 
end of the bridge, this house was burned. 

It had been the hope of Daniel Foot that the centre of 
the town, or \nllage, would be on Foot Street, where he 
had a large amount of land ; and for many jears town 
meetings and religious meetings were held there. It was 
a handsome tract ; but the laws of business and of the 
growth of population were against it. and not any lack 
of enterprise on the part of Mr. Foot. These laws 
Gamaliel Painter was one of the first to pereei\e, and in 
1787 he removed his family from the soutli part of the 
town to a house built on gi-ound near the south line of 
the front-yard of Mrs. R. Wainwright's residence. To 
his sagacity and enterprise Middlebury Village is largely 
indebted for its early growth. The public buildings and 
business came here ; and in 1 792 the courts were trans- 
ferred from Addison, and the callage soon became the 
largest in the county. 

Notwithstanding the privations and sufferings of these 
early times, most of the towns were rapidly settled, and 
by the year 1800 the total population of the countj- was 
14,745. In some of the best farming towns, such as 
Addison, Bridport, Waltham and AVeybridge, the popu- 
lation of that year was almost the same as in 1870, while 
in three of tliem, Cornwall, Orwell and Shoreham, it was 
larger than in 1870 b3'an average of more than 200 each. 

The machinery of justice was put in operation in this 
county soon after the war. The limits of the counts- 
were defined Oct. 18, 1785, and Addison was made a 
shire. The situation of Addison on the lake, and its 
earlj- settlement, gave it a leading position at first, which 
enabled it to give its name to the county, and caused it 
to be for seven years the shire town. John Strong of 
Addison was appointed first chief Judge, Gamaliel Pain- 
ter of Middlebury and Ira Allen of Colchester assistant 
judges, and Noah Chittenden sheriff. The first term of 
the county court was held at Addison on the first Tues- 
day of March, 1786. 

The first court-house in Middiebury was begun jn 
1796, and occupied by the court in 1798. Previous to 
this time, the courts were held in private dwellings, and | 
at the public house of John Deming in Middlebury. It 
stood on land conveyed to the county by Gamaliel 
Painter, five or six rods north of the house now occu- 
pied by Mrs. R. Wainwright. A jail had been pre^-i- 
ously built on the same lot. I 



The court-house \^'a,s built wiih reference to accommo- 
dating the legislature, which was then accustomed to 
remove its annual sessions from one principal town to 
another. The sessions of the General Assembly in 1800 
and 1806 were held in this house, the interior of which 
was one high room, arched overhead. 

The County of Addison is one of the most fertile and 
productive in the State. In the early years of its his- 
tory the chief product of the soil was winter wheat, and 
the jicld was from 25 to 40 bushels per acre. From 
1820 to 1830 the agriculture of the county was in a 
transition state. The rearing of cattle and sheep was 
increasing, and the production of wheat growing less 
and less. About 1827 or 1828, an enemy appeared which 
no skill could baffle. This was the wheat midge ; and 
the ravages of this insect put an end to the raising of 
winter wheat altogether about the jear 18o7. The pro- 
cess of transition had by this time been completed, and 
the farmers were found raising cattle or sheep as their 
main business. The greater part turned their attention 
to wool-growing, and in 1840 more sheep and a larger 
product of wool, in proportion to population and extent 
of territory, were raised in this county tlian in any other 
in the United States. 

The tariff of 1828 encouraged the growth of wool, 
and prices varied for years from 50 cents'to $1 a pound. 
Of late years, the farmers have not found the wool of so 
much account, but have raised many sheep to supply the 
western market ; and this has led to much care and ex- 
pense in introducing superior breeds. Spanish merino 
sheep were introduced into the county as early as 1816, 
and for years the large flocks were a mixture of these 
with the native sheep. But more and more has attention 
been given to breeding the pure merinos, and for them 
large prices have been and still are obtained. The me- 
rino sheep raised in this county have now for some j-ears 
been regarded by the most eminent breeders as the best 
in the world. The continued low price of wool has quite 
generally diverted the attention of the farmers to the 
raising of cattle for the dairy and for beef. The soil of 
the c junty is generally admirable for grass, and the beef 
raised here and fatted on grass alone is the best found 
in the Boston market, and the butter and cheese are no- 
where excelled. Much attention has been given of late 
3-ears to the introduction of Short-horn, Jersej-, and 
Ayrshire breeds. 

The reputation of the county for breeding superior 
horses has hardly been less than for the rearing of sheep. 
The breed most valued is the Morgan, a variety of which 
called the Black Hawk, from a celebrated Morgan horse 
of that name owned by the late David Hill of Bridport, 



has been a favorite not onlj- in the countj- and State, but 
throughout all New England. 

About one-fourth part of Addison County is moun- 
tainous, and the eastern part extends over the first or 
western range of the Green Mountains. It is good 
grazing land, but generally too steep and stony for till- 
age, except the alluvial lands on AVhite River and its 1 
tributaries and some other streams. 

In the towns west of the mountains the surface is level 
or rolling, interrupted by two eminences of some magni- 
tude, one called Snake Mountain, 1,310 feet high, lying 
in the western part, on the borders of Addison, Brid- 
port and Weybridge ; and the other called Buck Moun- 
tain, which extends north and south centrally through 
Waltham. On the borders of Lake Champlain, espe- 
cially in Addison, Panton and Ferrisburgh, are extensive 
flat lands composed of clay and vegetable mould, which 
are remarkably productive of grass. In nearly all the 
western towns, clay mixed with vegetable substances 
abounds, and is the best land for grass, but too stiff for 
eas}^ tilling, and liable to suffer in wet or diy seasons. 
In the clay districts are some elevations, which are gen- 
erally loam, and afford easy tillage and fine crops. On 
these lands, and clay lands covered with vegetable mould, 
if well drained, large crops of winter wheat can be pro- 
duced. There are extensive flats on Otter Creek, in 
Leicester, AVhiting, Salisburj', Cornwall and Middlcbury, 
having a covering of vegetable mould, which extends to 
the depth, in some places, of ten feet. Originally this 
tract was a swamp, and some of it still is. Similar 
swamps are found in New Haven and Shoreham. When 
cleared and drained, these lands are unsurpassed for 
grass, being greatly enriched by the annual overflow. ] 

The forests have been largely cleared off, and, unfor- [ 
tunateiy, from much rough and rocky land, once covered 
with heavy timber, which now bears almost nothing. i 

Ottpr Creek, the largest river in the county, and the ! 
longest in the State, rises in Dorset, and, flowing north i 
through Rutland Count}-, enters this county in Leicester, 1 
and, passing through centralh', empties into the lake in 
Ferrisburgh. It ha^ a great number of fine mill-sites, 
as have most of its tributaries. There are many small j 
lakes or ponds, especial!}' in Orwell and Bristol, but the 
only body of still water of much magnitude within the 
county is Lake Dunmore, which lies in Salisbury and 
Leicester, and is about four miles long and three-fourths [ 
of a mile wide. Its outlet is Leicester River. At its 
northern extremity, in Salisbur}', is a fine hotel, which is 
much frequented by visitors in the summer. 

There is much good marble in the county, but blocks 
suflftciently large for statuary, and free from defects, have 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



not j-et been quarried. In the north part of Middlebur^- 
is a quarrj" from which some marble is taken at the pres- 
ent time. Limestone, excellent for building-stone, is 
found in Cornwall, Middleburj', and Wejbridge, and, for 
the manufacture of lirao, abounds in other towns. Lime 
has for a long time been made at Leicester Junction 
by the '-Brandon Lime and Marble Companj-." The 
" Leicester Marlile-Lime Companj-," recentlj' formed, 
manufactures lime from an inexhaustible quarrj- of pure 
marble-Ume rock, closelj' resembUng Italian dove-mar- 
ble, and susceptible of the highest polish. 

In Leicester, at the foot of the mountain, in the east- 
ern part of the town, is an extensive deposit of ochre, 
kaoline, manganese and iron. This deposit is a continu- 
ation of the well-known lignite beds of Brandon. In 
18GG-C8, a companj- was formed, under the name of the 
" Leicester Mineral Paint Companj-," for manufacturing 
paint from the ochre. Steam-mills were erected for 
washing, grinding and packing the various shades of 
paint*!. The mills have been in nearly constant opera- 
tion since the formation of the company. 

Towns. 

MiDDLEBURY, tho slurc towu of the county, was char- 
tered Nov. 2, 171. 1. The town was organized March 29, 
1786. The village is in the northeast part of the town, 
on both sides of the river, called Otter Creek. Its 
business interests are in a thriving condition. The 
water-power is great at the Falls, and is only used in 
part. There are two good newspapers ]iublished in the 
village, — the '- Middleburj- Register" and the "Addison 
Countj- Journal." 

The Congregational Church was organized Sept. 6, 
1790. There are also Methodist, Episcopal and Roman 
Catholic societies here. 

The eastern part of the township lies upon the Green 
Mountains, but the remainder is level or rolling, and the 
land is arable and fertile, producing good crops of grain 
and grass. 

The village, through its industries, institutions and 
public men, has long held a high position in the countj- 
and State. It early became an educational centre ; and 
the College, the Addison Countj' Grammar School 
and the Female Seminarj- were all valuable institu- 
tions. The two last mentioned have now been super- 
seded bj- an excellent graded school. The school-build- 
ing was erected in 1868-9, at a cost of more than 
$50,000. 

Middlebury College was chartered Nov. 1, 1840. At 
the first commencement in 1802 there was one gi-aduate. 
The whole number of graduates up to 1878 is 1.243. 



The buildings, grounds, apparatus, cabinet and hlirarj- 
are estimated to be worth 812;'), 000. The college campus 
comprises 30 acres. The buildings are of limestone, 
quaiTied in Middlebury, Cornwall and Weybridge. The 
lilirarj- contains about 13,000 volumes. The grounds 
have been plentifullv supplied with shrubbery, comprising 
about 60 varieties of trees, most of them indigenous to 
our own soil, but manj- of them of European origin. Rev. 
Calvin B. Ilulbert, D.D., is president of the college. 

Samuel Miller, born in Springfield, Mass., April 2, 
1764, was the first lawyer who settled in the town. He 
came to Middleburj- in 1789, and soon entered upon an 
extensive practice in this and other counties. He was 
especiallj- devoted to the prosperitj- of the village and of 
the college. He died April 17, 1810. 

Hon. Daniel Chipman, LL. D., born in Salisburj-, 
Conn., Oct. 22, 1765, and a graduate of Dartmouth Col- 
lege, came to Middleburj- in 1794, and three years later 
was appointed State's attornej-, and held the office seven 
years. In 1814 he was elected representative to Con- 
gress. In 1846 he pubUshed the life of his brother, Hon. 
Nathaniel Chipman, LL. D., formerly member of the 
United States Senate and chief justice of Vermont. 
He subsequently published memoirs of Col. Seth Warner 
and of Thomas Chittenden, first governor of the State. 
His death ocdurred April 23, 1850. He was especially 
well acquainted with the early history of the State and 
devoted to its interests. Quick in perception, powerful 
in argument, and conversant with constitutional law, he 
was eminent both as a lawj-er and as a statesman. 

Among other of the past residents of Middleburj- maj- 
be mentioned Hon. Horatio Sej-mour, LL. D.,born in 
Litchfield, Conn., in 1778, removing to Middlebury 
in 1799, an able lawj-er and United States senator for 
two terms, died Nov. 21, 1857; Hon. Samuel Swift, a 
native of Amenia, N. Y., author of a historj- of Middle- 
bury and Addison Countj-, who died Jan. 7, 1875, at the 
age of nearlj- 93 years ; Hon. William Slade, a native of 
Cornwall, a member of Congress from 1831 to 1843, and 
subsequently governor of Vermont, whose death occurred 
in January, 1859 ; Hon. Gamaliel Painter, born in New- 
Haven, Conn., in 1742, to whom the village of Middle- 
buiy was largely indebted for its grow-th and early 
ascendancj- in the countj-, and who, on his death in 
1818, left to the college his propertj-, amounting to about 
§13,000 ; Hon. Samuel S. Phelps, a native of Litchfield, 
Conn., but removing to Middlebury in 1812, judge of the 
Supreme Court of ^'ermont and United States senator, 
died in 1855 ; Hon. Edward J. Phelps, son of the pre- 
ceding, born in Middlebury in 1822, an eminent lawyer, 
and at one time solicitor of the United States treasury. 



at present residing in Burlington ; and Kev. Truman M. 
Post, D.D., born in Middlebur}' in 1810, a distinguished 
pulpit orator, now of St. Louis. 

Among the present distinguished citizens are Philip 
Battell, Esq., 'who maj' truly be called the father of the 
Middlebury Historical Society and of the Pilgrim An- 
niversary, commonlj^ called " Forefathers' Day," and to 
whose sesthctic ideas and sagacious forethought the vil- 
lage is chicflj' indebted for the condition of its Central 
Park and other attractions ; and Hon. John W. Stewart, 
a successful lawj-er, and quite recently' governor of the 
State. 

New Havek was chartered Nov. 2 , 1 761 , and organized 
in 1785. The religious societies of the town are three 
in number. Among the pastors of the Congregational 
Church was Rev. James Meacham, afterwards a professor 
in Middleburj' College, and subsequently for manj' years 
a representative to Congress. Beman Academj'' is a 
thriving literary' institution. This is one of the most 
prosperous towns in the county. The town has furnished 
a large number of students to Middleburj- College, among 
whom maj^ be named Otto S. Ho^'t, an able clerg3'man ; 
Milo P. Squier, D. D., appointed in 1850 professor in 
Beloit College, Wis. ; Rev. O. P. Hoyt ; Rev. Milo J. 
Hickock ; and Matthew Phelps, an officer in the war of 
1812. 

Or"well was organized Dec. 12, 1787, when 33 elec- 
tors were present. Among them, together with settlers 
who came in a year or two afterwards, were the ances- 
tors of a large part of the present residents of the town. 
The Congregational Church was organized in 1789, and 
Rev. Sylvauus Chapin, the first pastor, was settled March 
30, 1791. In the uorlh-west part of the town is Mount 
Independence.* 

Orwell furnished some soldiers to the war of 1812 ; 
but its patriotic ardor was especially displayed when the 
news of the invasion at Plattsburgh arrived. The news 
came bj' an express agent about sunset on the 9th day 
of September, 1814. During the night measures were 
taken to give notice of the danger ; and on the morning 
of the 10th, about 150 citizens were under arms, and on 
their way to repel the invasion. Orwell is a thriving 
town, and among the foremost in the wealth and intelli- 
gence of its people. 

• It derived its name as follows : — In 1776, while a large body of Con- 
necticut troops weie stationed on this mountain, news of the Declara- 
tion of Independence reached the garrison on the IStli of July. This 
caused much rejoicing among the troops, and tlicy named the eminence 
Mount Independence. The eleviition of this mountain, which is a little 
south-east of Fort Ticonderoga, is 160 feet. It was originally heavily 
timbered, but the trees were all cut down by the soldiers. Across it 
the American troops retreated, on the evacuation of Fort Ticonderoga 



Prominent among its citizens in the past was Hon. 
Apollos Austin. Born in Suffield, Conn., about 17G0, 
he entered the army in the Revolutionary- war when he 
was 17 years old, and served to the end of the war. 
Engaging in the business of general merchandise in Or- 
well, he amassed a property of about half a million of 
dollars, and, after giving large sums to his children in his 
lifetime, left an estate of $400,000. Other citizens have 
been Hon. Thomas D. Hammond, lion. Eoswcll Bottum, 
Hon. Joseph Chittenden, and Hon. "VViUiam R. Sanford. 

There have been 23 college graduates in this town. 
Among these were Oliver Hulburd, an eminent preacher ; 
Carlos Wilcox, Congregational minister, and a dis- 
tinguished poet, born Oct. 22, 1794, died May 29, 1827 ; 
Enoch Cobb Wines, an eminent writer on prison dis- ' 
cipline ; WilUam F. Bascom, teacher and lawyer ; and 
Francis Wheeler, an able and eloquent Congregational 
preacher, of Poughkeepsie, N. Y. 

Cornwall was organized March 2, 1784. The Con- 
gregational Church was organized July 15, 1785. The 
third pastor was Rev. Jedediah Bushnell, who was dis- 
missed after a pastorate of 33 j-ears. 

The Lane Library Association, named after Gilbert C. 
Lane, a resident of the town, has a valuable library of 
about 2,000 volumes. ' 

Several mineral springs are found, which have medi- 
cinal properties. Cornwall, though not populous, has 
been distinguished for the number of its educated and I 
eminent men. Fifty natives of the town have had a 
collegiate education. Eighty have entered the several 
professions. 

Rev. Joel II. Linslcy, D. D., born July 15, 1790, and 
a graduate of Middleburj' College, was pastor of the 
South Congregational Church in Hartford, Conn., eight 
years, and subsequently president of Marietta College, 
Ohio. 

Rev. J. R. Andrus, born April 3, 1791, graduated at 
Middlebury- College in 1812, and devoted himself to the 
work of African colonization, as the first agent of the 
Colonization Society. He died in Africa in Januar}-, 
1821, widely lamented. 

Rev. Reuben Post, D. D., son of Roswell Post, was 
born Jan. 17, 1792, and graduated at Middlebury Col- 
lege in 1814. Studying theology at Princeton, N. J., he 

by St. Clair, in the early morning of July G, 1777. The military road, 
on which they marched for Hubbardton and Castlcton, passed on the 
south side of East Creek to a point about a mile and a half south-west 
of the village, thence southerly, crossing the creek near the south Une 
of the town. The old crossway, always understood to have been the 
work of the soldiers, was, as late as 1855, distinguishable where it 
crossed the creek on the farm of the late Joseph Stacy. There are said 
to be other indications of the road on the farm of the late Eli Root. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



was installed in 1818 pastor of the First Presbj'terian 
Church in Washington, D. C, and in 183G removed to 
Charleston, S. C, -(vhcre he became pastor of an inde- 
pendent Congregational Church, with which he remained 
until his death in 1859. While in Washington he was 
part of the time chaplain to Congress. The late Presi- 
de::!, John Quincy Adams, was a regular attendant on 
his ministrj-. 

Rev. Lyman B. Peet, born Marcli 1, 1809, graduated 
at Middlebury College in 183G, and, pursuing theological 
study at Andover, entered the ministry' and became a 
missionary first at Bankok, Siam, and suljsequently at 
Fu Chau, China. 

Rev. Henr}' N. Hudson, .graduated at Middlebury Col- 
lege in 1840. He earlj' distinguislied himself as a lec- 
turer on Shakespeare, and has published the " Life, Art, 
j and Characters of Shakespeare." 

i Rev. Hiram Mead, S. T. D., born May 10, 1827, and 
a graduate of Middleburj- College, is now pastor of a 
church in Oberlin, Ohio, and professor in the theological 
department of Oberlin College. 

Rev. Charles M. Mead, brother of Hiram, born Jan. 
28, 1837, graduated at Middlebury College in 1856. He 
studied theologj- at Andover Theological Seminarj-, and 
soon after graduating was appointed a professor in that 
institution, which position he now holds. 

Shoreham was organized in 178G. It is one of the 
best farming towns in the county. The surface is gen- 
erally level, and the soil is claj- and loam, and produces 
fine crops of grain and grass. The attention of the 
farmers is chiefly given to dairj'ing. There are four 
religious organizations in the town. The Congregational 
Church was formed, March 25, 1794. On the Common, 
south of the Congi-egational Church, is a plain marble 
shaft, resting on a granite base, erected at a cost of 
$2,000 by the town of Shoreham, to commemorate her 
dead, fallen in the late civil war. This town has fur- 
nished one governor to the State five j-ears, and about 
50 college graduates. One of them. Rev. Byron Sunder- 
land, D. D., graduated at Middlebury College in 1838, 
and is the weU-known eloquent and able pastor of a 
Presb3-terian Church in Washington, D. C. Hon. Silas 
11. Jenison, born in Shoreham Maj' 17, 1791, was as- 
sistant judge of the County Court six j-ears, lieutenant- 
governor two years, governor five 3-ears (from 1836 to 
1841), and judge of probate from 1842 to 1847. He 
died in September, 1849. Hon. Charles Rich of Shore- 
ham was born in AYarwick, Mass., Sept. 13, 1771, and 
came to Shoreham in August, 1787. For seven j-ears 
he was assistant judge of the County Court, was twelve 
times representative of the town in the General Assembly, 



and ten jcars a representative in Congress, dying before 
the expiration of his last term, Oct. 16, 1824. j 

Bristol was chartered June 26, 1762, by the name of i 
Pocock, and was organized IMarch 2, 1789, and its name | 
changed to Bristol Oct. 21 of that j^ear. | 

The four religious societies all have church edifices. | 

About one-third of the town lies west of the Green 
Mountains, and is verj' level and productive. The remain- 
der is broken, and much of it is incapable of cultivation. 
A mountain, extending through the tqwn from north to 
south, is cut through by a deep and wide ravine known 
as " The Notch." The part south of the Notch is called \ 
South Mountain, and the part north. Hog's Back. This 
latter mountain is a fine feature in the landscape ; and it 
is to be regretted that it bears so infelicitous a name. 
New Haven River, coming down from the Lincoln Moun- 
tains, passes through the village, bends around to the 
south, and flows through New Haven into Otter Creek. 
A more delightful place of resort for summer A-isitors is j 
not easily found. The Bristol Scientific and Literary 
Institution, popularly- called Bristol Academy, fronts the 
Central Park. 

Hon. W. C. Danton, late judge of probate in Rutland 
County, and now one of the justices of the Suprciiu' 
Court, is a native of Bristol, and graduated at Middle- 
bury College in 1857. 

Vergennes was formed from the adjacent corners of 
Ferrisburgh, New Haven and Panton, and was incor- 
porated as a city bj- act of the legislature, Oct. 23, 1788. 
The town was organized March 12, 1789. The organ- 
ization, under the cit}' charter, was eflfected Julj' 1, 1794. i 
It lies at the head of na^ngation on Otter Creek, eight j 
miles from its mouth. As the river passes through the i 
city it falls man^- feet, and is divided b3- two small j 
islands into three channels, forming three distinct falls. | 
Below the city to the lake, the shore of the river is bold, i 
and ships of 300 tons burthen can discharge their lo.ads 1 
at almost any point. The facilities for ship-building are { 
great, and the flotilla commanded by McDonough at i 
Plattsburgh was fitted out here. Vergennes is sur- - 
rounded bj' a fertile country', and has an extensive 
trade. 

There is here a fine public library, founded by Susan 
B. Stevens, containing 1,400 volumes. The "Vergennes 
Vermonter," a valuable weekly newspaper, is conducted 
bj' H. C. Johnson, Esq. 

The city contains four churches, a graded school, and 
the State Reform School. 

Hon. George W. Grandey has been for 18 years mayor 
of the city, four-and-a-half years State's attorney for the 
county, and has several times been elected a member 



and speaker of the State House of Representatives, and 
a member of the Senate. 

Hon. F. E. Woodbridge, besides filling important 
State offices, was for six successive j^ears elected a 
member of Congress. Vergennes is the residence of the 
Hon. John Pierpont, for many 3eai-s one of the judges 
of the Supreme Court, and now chief justice. 

Addison lies on the western border of the county, its 
southern line being a little southeast of the old fort at 
Crown Point. It was chartered Oct. 14, 1761. It is 
generally level except on the eastern border, where 
Snake Mountain lies. There are now onlj' two religious 
societies which sustain preaching, the Methodist in the 
western part of the town, and the Baptist in the eastern- 
The edifice of the Congregational Church still stands in 
a dilapidated condition, but the societj-, organized Nov. 
24, 1803, has not sustained preaching for about 25 years. 
The first pastor was Rev. Job Swift, who graduated at 
Yale College in 17G5. The oldest living member of this 
church is Mrs. Marina Wright, now in the 9Cth year of 
her age, who united ynth the church Jan. 6, 1805, and 
still resides in Addison, retaining good health and men- 
tal faculties in a sound condition. Visible traces of some 
of the old French cellars remain on the shores of the 
lake, at Chimney Point, but all traces of the fort and 
chimneys have disappeared. 

The remaining towns of this county, interested chiefly 
in agriculture, each well supplied with schools, an<J 
maintaining two or three churches, are Starksborough, 
chartered Nov. 9, 1780, and settled in 1788 by George 
BidweU : Ripton,* a mountain town, chartered April 13, 



• A history of this town, written by John M. Weeks, Esq., was 
in 1850, and pulilishcd in 1860, with revision and notes, by his son, Rev. 
George N. 'Wcclis. It abounds in interesting details and is well written. 
The author, son of Holland Weeks, was born in Litchfield, Conn., May 
22, 1788, and came to Salisbury in 1789. The Vermont beehive, patented 
in 1S36, was his invention, and was the first improvement by which the 
honey could be saved without destroying the bees. He published a 
treatise on the instincts and habits of the honey-bee, which had an 
extensive sale in this country and in EngUind. In 1S41 he obtained a 
patent for eight diflerent classes of hives, containing new principles in 
addition to the old. His son and editor graduated at Middlebury Col- 
lege in 1853, and was tutor in the institution from 1855 to 1856. He is 
a scholarly, cultivated and genial clergyman in the Protestant Episcopal 
Church. 

t Among the few college graduates from Panton was Bushrod W. 
Converse (M. 1833), who is remembered as distinguished by superior 
scholarship and marked ability. He died in one of the Western States 
about 1847. 

I The first minister of the Gospel in Monkton was Joseph Hoag, a 



1781 : Panton,! organized in 1784, its chief eminence 
being known as Cobble Hill : Salisbury, a hill town : 
MoKKTON,]: chartered June 24, 17G2, organized March 
28, 178G : Leicester, chartered Oct. 20, 17G1, organized 
in March, 1786, famous as the birthplace of Rev. Steven 
Olin, D.D., the second president of Wesleyan University, 
and whose fother, Hon. Henry Olin, was a man of verj- 
hlgh repute: LrNCOLN, chartered Nov. 9, 1780, and 
organized March 13. 1798, abounding in picturesque 
and romantic mountain scenery : § Granville, on the 
eastern slope of the Green Mountains, chartered Aug. 3, 
1781, as Kingston, and named Gran^-ille Nov. 6, 1834: 
Hancock, chartered July 31, 1781, and organized June 
18, 1792 : Goshen, chartered Feb. 2, 1792, settled about 
1807 : Ferrisburgh, an eminently flourishing farming 
town, organized March 29, 1785 : Bridpout, a fine agri 
cultural and dairj' communitj-, chartered Oct. 10, 1761 
organized March 29, 1784, the place of residence of the 
distinguished apiarist, J. Erwin Crane, who owns about 
225 hives of bees, and who sold during the year 187J 
three or four tons of honey, marketing the same in Bos 
ton and New York: "Waltham, incorporated in 1796, 
and organized the ensuing year, the smallest town in the 
county, without one church organization, yet one of the 
most flourishing farming districts in the State, the al- 
luvial deposits along the margin of Otter Creek affording 
especially productive lands : Weybridge, || chartered 
Nov. 3, 1761, a fine dairy-farming town, with several 
water privileges along the Otter Creek, some of which 
are improved: and Whiting, chartered Aug. 6, 1763, 
and organized in March, 1785. 

Friend, whose daughter, wife of David Iloag, now lives at Monkton 
Ridge, in the 83d year of her age. 

5 The scenery is particularly romantic and grand as one comes up into 
the tgwn from Bristol ; and on the road descending from Warren, the 
distant outlook, through Bristol Notch, upon Lake Champlain and its 
islands and the Adirondacks beyond, is very well worth a ride over the 
mountains from the east to obtain. A little to the north of this road, in 
Lincoln, towers the summit of Potato Hill, so called. This is another 
instance of a grand object belittled by naming it from its fancied re- 
semblance to an insignificant one. 

II On the open ground in front of the Congregational Church edifice is 
a monument erected to the memory of the late Gov. Silas Wright, who 
came from Amherst, Mass., when a year old, to Wcybridge in 1796, and 
graduated at Middlebury College in 1815. He was men^ber of the 
United States House of Representatives two years. United States senator 
twelve years, and governor of New York two years. Among the Mid- 
dlebury graduates from this town was L. P. Lathrop, of the class of 
1839, who became Professor of Chemistry and Natural History in Bcloit 
College, Wis. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



BENNINGTON COUNTY, 



BY D. K. SIMONDS. 



Bennington County, composed of 17 towns, is situa- 
ted in the south-western corner of the State, with New 
York on the west and Massachusetts on the south. 
From its location and early settlement, it bore a ver}' 
prominent part in the earl}- contest with New York, and 
also in the war of the Revolution. 

The Green Mountains extend through the county on 
the east side, and the Taconic range on the west. These 
mountains are covered with wood and timber to their 
tops, at some points nearlj' 4,000 feet above the level of 
the sea, while the valleys are covered with farms and 
dotted with villages. When first settled, the land was 
remarkable for its fertility, large crops resulting with 
imperfect tillage, especially of wheat, which, with pot 
and pearl ashes, was largely exjjorted to Albanj- and 
New Y'"ork, and formed the chief source of revenue. A 
bad system of agriculture, however, which robbed the 
soil and gave nothing back, gradually reduced the pro- 
ductive power of the land, so that it now ranks as one 
of the poorest agricultural counties in the State. 

The first settlement in the county was made in the 
town of Pownal, in 1724, bj' some Dutch families who 
followed up the Hoosac River. They claimed to have 
titles from the New Y'ork authorities, though some, if 
not all, were undoubtedly squatters, occupying the land 
without any color of authoritj^ A few more families 
followed at different times, but the settlement amounted 
to little until 1762, when the land was taken up under a 
charter granted by the governor of New Hampshire in 
1760. Some attempt was made to eject the squatters, 
and the controversy- lasted, in some instances, for more 
than 40 years ; but in most cases the first occupants suc- 
ceeded, in one way or another, in holding their lands. 

The township of Bennington was chartered in 1749 
by Benning Wentworth, colonial governor of New 
Hampshire, and was the first township granted in the 
State. Owing to the unsettled state of the countrj- 
caused by the French and Indian war, no attempt at 
settlement was made until 1760, when Capt. Samuel 
Robinson, of Hardwick, Mass., who had been over the 
territory formed by this lownship in the expeditions to 
Canada, joined with some of his neighbors of Hardwick, 



Amherst and Sunderland in Massachusetts, and pur- 
chased titles of the original proprietors, with a view to 
settlement. The first company arrived in June of that 
j-ear. Others speedily followed, so that during the next 
few years there was a steady influx of hardy pioneers, 
not onl}' to this but also to adjoining townships. Capt. 
Robinson seems to have been a leader in this movement, 
and gave advice and direction to the new settlers. It is 
said that he advised them to locate according to reli- 
gious preference ; the Congregationalists in Bennington, 
the Baptists in Shaftsburj-, the Episcopahans in Arling- 
ton, and those of no preference in Pownal. AVhether by 
Robinson's direction or not, it is a fact tliat these towns 
were settled in this manner, and these peculiarities still 
exist in a marked degree. 

Most of the towns in the county increased in popula- 
tion ver^- rapidly, thougli wo have no means of knowing 
their exact standing until the first census in 1701, when 
Pownal, Sandgate and Rupert had more people than in 
1870, and some other towns nearly as many. From the 
best data we can procure, it appears that Bennington, in 
1777, had a population of about 2,000, and was then, 
and for some time afterwards, the most important town 
in the State, Pownal and Shaftsbury coming next. 

While these people were exceedinglj- l)usy in making 
to themselves homes in the wilderness, the proclamation 
of the acting governor of the province of New Y'ork, i:i 
December, 1763, claiming this territory as belonging to 
that province, and that these people were all trespassers, I 
fell upon them like a thunderbolt from a clear sky. 
Go%-. Wentworth was at once appealed to as the grantor I 
of the lands, and he immediatelj- issued a counter proc- i 
lamation, which for a time allajcd the fears of the in- j 
habitants of the New Hampshire Grants, as the territorj- 
was then called. It was not long, however, before the 
contest was renewed with exceeding bitterness, and 
lasted until the breaking out of the Revolutionary war. 
This contest most intimately affected the people of Ben- 
nington County, from its exposed situation on the New 
Y'ork frontier.* 

Ethan Allen, who came to the gi-ants from Connecti- 

• For .nil account of these difficulties sec the Vermont State bistorv 



cut, was cmijlojed to defend the suits brought against 
the settlers by the New York authorities, and while in 
Albany was approached by the York leaders, who tried 
at first to intimidate, and afterwards to bribe him with 
smooth words and promises. Neither course was suc- 
cessful, Allen telling them that "The gods of the val- 
leys are not the gods of the hills." When asked his 
meaning, he replied, " Come up to Bennington, and we 
wiU. show 3"ou what it means." 

Allen was well calculated to become the leader of the 
" Green Mountain Boj's." Of large stature and im- 
mense strength, bold and defiant, to whom fear and 
weariness were alike strangers, he at once became a 
pillar of strength to his friends and a torror to his ene- 
mies. His word was law 

with the settlers, and ins 
counsel was alwaj's sought 
in times of danger and hf 
ficultj'. And 3-et bene ith 
a rough exterior he po'- 
sessed a remarkabl}' ttn 
der heart.* At one tunc 
the sheriflT of Albanj' Ccun 
ty, in which this portion ol 
the grants was claimed to 
be, summoned a posse of 
over 700 armed militia, 
and accompanied by m:in\ 
of the prominent citizt nt, 
of Albany, determined to 
overawe the inhabitants 
The}' went to the farm of 
Jas. Breakenridge, in the 

south-west part of the town of Bennington, but the set- 
tlers had received word of their approach, and had as- 
sembled to the number of two or three hundred, well 
armed. These men were disposed about the woods on 
the premises, so that their exact number could not be 
ascertained by the sherilT's part}-, though they man- 
aged to create the impression that they were verj' nu- 
merous. Fifteen or twentj- were also posted in the 
house, which was furnished with loop-holes for muskets. 
A demand for them to surrender was made b}- the sheriff, 

• A single anecdote will illustrate. In May, 1780, two daughters of 
Eldad Taylor, of Sunderland, aged seven and four years, wandered into 
the forest and became lost. As soon as their absence was discovered, 
search was made for them by their parents, but without avail. The 
neighbors were summoned, and the search prolonged through the night, 
with no success. The next day help was obtained from the neighbor- 
ing towns, and the search continued until the afternoon of the third 
day, when, by previous agreement, all returned, and still no traces of 
the lost children. The tired woodsmen, while deeply sympathizing 
witli tlie iifHicfcd parents, gave it as their opinion that further search 




which was answered by gi-oans. lie seized an axe and 
started for the door, but a voice from within warned 
him that the first blow should be the signal for his death. 
At the same time the demonstrations from the men 
posted in the woods caused the sheriff's men to begin 1o 
stampede, and he reluctantly gave up the attempt. Sim- 
ilar attempts were made in other quarters, with like 
results. 

Altercations between the opposing parties were quite 
frequent. John Munroe, a New York justice of the 
peace, living near the line of Shaftsbur}-, with some of 
his dependents, surprised and captured Capt. Baker in 
Arlington, wounding Baker, his wife and child. Baker 
was taken into a sleigh and driven rapidly towards Al- 
bany. Word was sent to 
Bennington of the cap- 
ture, and ten men at once 
started in pursuit. The 
captors were overtaken be- 
i"ore reaching the Hudson, 
and Baker, half dead with 
loss of blood, was taken 
l)ack to his family in Ar- 
lington. Notwithstanding 
these frequent personal en- 
counters, there is no rec- 
ord of the loss of a single 
life. When a person who 
openly sympathized with I 
the Yorkers was arrested, : 
and tried after the rude 
fashion of the time, the 
sentence of the committee ' 
was sometimes punishment, but generally the "beach 
seal," which was defined in the language of that day as > 
"stripes with twigs of the wilderness, well laid on." 
One offender was sentenced to be drawn up in a chair to 
the sign of the Catamount Tavern in Bennington, there 
to remain two hours subject to the taunts and derisions 
of the multitude. The sign of this tavern was a huge 
catamount's skin stuffed, raised on a pole 20 feet high, 
with teeth grinning towards New York. This tavern 
was a famous resort in those days, and in it the Council 

would be useless. It was hardly possible that the children could then 
be alive, and many of them had pressing duties at home. At this June- ! 
tiire Ethan Allen, wlio had been consulting with the parents, mounted a | 
stump and commanded attention. AVith tears streaming down his 
weather-beaten chcelvs, he asked the men before him to make one more 
effort, to make the case of these heart-broken parents their own, and 
not to give up as long as there was a remote possibility of success. 
The appeal was irresistible; every man at once prepared for another 
effort, and before darkness again shut do^vn upon the mountains, the 
children were restored to their overjoyed parents. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



of Safety used frequently' to meet, and here thc3- -n-cro in 
session during tlie battle of Bennington, in 1777. The 
old tavern was standing as late as 18G0, but fras burned 
down in that j-ear bj- the torch of the incendiar}-. 

The breaking out of the war for independence swal- 
lowed up all minor contests. While New York was 
rather slow to adopt the patriot cause, and manj" of her 
people remained Lojalists, the Green Mountain Bojs 
were eager to join the ranlcs against the common foe. 
Thej- had an efflcieuL militia organization, readj- for ser- 
vice at a moment's warning, and it is not strange that 
the first aggressive movement against the mother coun- 
try-, VIZ., the capture of the strong fortresses of Crown 
Pomt and Ticonderoga, should have originated among 
the Green Mountains. 

That the plan of talcing these forts originated in the 
grants is proved b}- a letter from John Brown of I'itts- 
field, to Dr. V/arrcn and Samuel Adams of Boston, 
dated at Montreal, March 29, 1775. Mr. Brown had 
been sent to Canada b}- the Massachusetts Committee of 
Safety, to ascertain the temper of the people of that 
Province. The following is an extract from Brown's 
letter :— 

"One thing I must mention, to be kept a profound 
secret. The fort at Ticonderoga must be seized as soon 
as possible, should hostilities be commenced bv the 
king's troops. The people on the New Hampshire 
Grants have engaged to do this business, and in my 
opinion they are the most proper persons for the job. 
This will effectually curb this Pro\dnce, and all the troops 
that ma}' bo sent here." 

Brown had passed through Bennington on his way to 
Canada, and it seems the people had communicated to 
him their plans, which must have been made in 1774. or 
Tery early in 1775. The plan was not carried into im- 
mediate execution, for Allen, in his narrative of it, 8333 : 
"While these matters were deliberating, a commitree 
from the Council of Connecticut arrived at Bennington 
with advice and directions to carrj' into execution the 
surprise of these garrisons, and, if possible, to gain con- 
trol of the lake, which was done without loss of time." 
The committee from Connecticut raised 39 men in Berk- 
shire Countv, Mass., on their waj-, and relied on the 
grants to furnish the balance of the men and the leader. 
The leader was ready, and the men had only to be sum- 
moned.* Within three daj-s Allen had gathered his little 
force, and was on the shore of Lake Champlain, 60 miles 
from his starting point. 

Earl3-inl776 the British sent large reinforcements to 
Canada, which enabled them to take the offensive, and 
of this movement see page BS3. 



soon the Americans lost all they had gained in that coun- 
tr}', and were compelled to take refuge in the forts on 
Lake Champlain. The Green Mountain Bo3-s, under 
Warner, formed the rear-guard in tlie disastrous retreat, 
and saved our arm}- from total destruction. Warner's 
regiment was mostl3- from Bennington County. 

In the spring of 1777, Gen. Burg03Tie took command 
of a large and finel3' equipped bod3' of veteran soldiers 
for the purpose of gaining control of the lake, and open- 
ing up communication with Gen. Howe on the Hudson, 
and thus cutting the American Colonies in twain. The 
strong fortress of Ticonderoga, which should have proved 
a bar to their progress, was rendered untenable through 
failure of Gen. St. Clair to fortif3- Mount Defiance, which 
commanded the fort, and the American arm3- was com- 
pelled to fall bade. Their retreat was covered, and the 
arm3- saved from total rout, bv the rear-guard under Cols. 
Warner and Francis, who engaged the enemy in a desper- 
ate fight at Hubbardton. The check to the British was 
but temporary ; the Americans, being greatly outnum- 
bered, retreated to Manchester, while the enemy kept on 
the west side of the Taconic Mountains towards the Hud- 
son. Burgoyne issued a pompous proclamation calling 
upon the inhabitants of the grants to submit to the 
authority of the king, in which case he would afford 
them protection ; but if the3- would not submit, he threat- 
ened to let loose upon them his Indian allies, of which 
he had a large number. The onl3- effect this proclama- 
tion had on the settlers was to cause the flight of all 
north of Manchester, very few, if any, asking the pro- 
tection of the British. A little later (Aug. 20th) Bur- 
g03'ne wrote to a friend : " The New Hampshire Grants, 
in particular, a countr3' unpeopled and almost unknown 1 
during the last war, now abounds in the most active and 
most rebellious race on the continent, and hangs like a 
gathering cloud on my left." 

In the meantime the people of the grants, in conven- 
tion assembled, had declared themselves independent, 
not onl}' from the jurisdiction of New York, but also 
from that of New Hampshire and all other states or 
nations. The government was left in the hands of a 
Council of Safety, composed of a few of the leading men 
in the State, which council first assembled at Manches- 
ter, and afterwards adjourned to Bennington. The first 
question to be met by the council was a very difficult 
one, — the defenc3 of the State from the victorious army 
of Burgoyne. Their onl3' protection was the depleted 
regiment of rangers under Col. Warner, and the scat- 
tered and poorly-armed militia. To put this militia in 
the field it was necessary to raise quite a sum of money, 
an article which the settlers did not possess to any great 



extent. After due deliberation, the council adopted the 
bold measure of confiscating the property of all Tories, 
which plan proved successful, and was subsequent!}' 
adopted b}' the other colonies. Between August, 1777, 
and October, 1786, the council and State confiscated 
Torj' property to the amount of £190,433. This served 
the twofold purpose of furnishing supplies to the patriots 
and deterring the wavering from joining the British. 

An urgent appeal was also sent to New Hampshire for 
aid, and Gen. Stark was soon on the way with 700 New 
Hampshire militia. 

By the last of July, Burgoyne had succeeded in reach- 
ing Fort Edward, on the Hudson, but his communication 
with his base of supplies on the lake was over a rough 
and difficult road, and his army soon began to suffer for 
want of pro^^sions and horses. To remedy this diffi- 
culty, and also to punish the people of the rebellious 
grants, he sent a strong force to Bennington to capture 
a quantit}' of stores which had been gathered there. 
His instructions to Baum, who commanded the expedi- 
tion, were : "Obtain horses, for j-our dragoons ; send me 
1 ,300 horses ; seize Bennington ; cross the mountains to 
Rockingham and Brattleborough ; try the affections of 
the country ; take hostages ; meet me a fortnight hence 
at Albany." Baum's force consisted of 1,500 men, a 
large proportion being veteran troops, with two field- 
pieces, accompanied by a large foice of Tories and In- 
dians. Stark had under his command the New Hamp- 
shire miUtia, a small body of Berkshire County (Mass.) 
militia, under the command of Col. Simonds, and the 
Vermont militia. The number of the latter will never 
be known, as very many of them went into the battle 
"on their own hook," armed with muskets, fowling- 
pieces, and even with scji/hes and axes, for want of bet- 
ter weapotis. His whole effective force, however, did 
not exceed that of the enemy. 

Baum set out on his expedition August 13th, and met 
with little opposition until he reached the vicinitj' of 
Bennington, on the afternoon of the 14th. Here the 
evidences of serious opposition became so strong that 
he determined to fortify himself in a strong position, and 
send back for reinforcements. He spent the night of the 
14th and all day the 15th in erecting breastworks and 
strengthening his position, which was well chosen on the 
brow of a steep hill, which was protected in front and 
on the right flank by the Waloomsac River, while exten- 
sive forests were on the left and in the rear. Stark, 
with the main body of his troops, encamped on the 
night of the 13th about two miles from Baum, on the 
road towards Bennington. It was his intention to have 
attacked the enemj' on the morning of the loth, but a 



heavy rain set in which lasted all day and precluded all 
offensive operations except slight skirmishing. The 
morning of the 16th dawned without a cloud in the skj', 
and Stark was early on the move. An-iving at the top 
of the hill on the opposite side of the river from the 
British, who were now in plain sight, he halted his men, 
and pointing to the redoubt, said: "There are the red- 
coats, bo3-s, and they are oin-s, or to-night Mollj' Stark 
sleeps a widow." 

Stark was smarting under the injustice of Congress, 
which, during his absence from the army on a recruiting 
expedition, had advanced several officers of inferior 
rank to be his superiors, causing his retirement. No 
doubt his peculiar situation made him desperate, and he 
was fully determined to win the battle or die in the at- 
tempt. His plan of b.attle was to engage the enemy on 
all sides at once, and was carried out to the letter, the 
thick forests enabling him to make the proper disposition 
of his troops. Col. Nichols, with 200 men, made a wide 
detour to get in the rear of the enemy by the left flank, 
and Col. Herrick, with 300 men, made the same move- 
ment on the right. Meanwhile Stark, with the main 
body, kept up a show of advancing in front, to divert 
the attention of the enemy and allow the flanking parties 
to get in position. It was three o'clock when the two 
detachments met in the rear of the British, and the pre- 
concerted signal of attack was given, and the advance 
made from all sides. The outlj-ing bodies of Tories and 
Indians were soon driven oflf or captured, and the struggle 
for the redoubt began. It was a desperate fight, between 
raw militia on the one hand and disciplined troops, pro- 
tected by breastworks defended by cannon, on the other. 
The final assault was a hand-to-hand encounter, for the 
British would not give up until overcome b}' brute force. 
Stark, who had been at Bunker Hill, Trenton, Princeton, 
and in several engagements in the French war, said in 
his report, that it lasted two hours, and was the hottest 
engagement he ever saw. Nothing could withstand the 
valor of the patriots. Stark wrote: "Had each man 
been an Alexander or a Charles of Sweden, he could not 
have behaved more gallantly." 

The victory was complete. Nearly all the British were 
kiUed or captured ; seven hundred prisoners were sent 
under guard to Bennington ; the wounded were being 
cared for, and the spoils of victory gathered. Some of 
the militia who lived in the vicinity, had started for 
home ; others, hungry and tired out, were preparing a 
hastj- meal or lying down to rest, when the noise of 
heavy firing was heard in front. Breyman was on the 
way, with 1,000 fresh troops and with cannon for the 
relief of Baum. It was a critical moment, but the tired 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



patriots gathered for another struggle. The}- waited for 
no orders, but hastened to oppose the progress of Broj-- 
man. Here a desperate struggle was going on. Tlie 
cannon of the Briiisli were taken and retaken, and the 
militia were finall}- driven back step by step. Defeat 
seemed inevitable. At this moment word passed along 
the line that Warner had come. His regiment of ran- 
gers, which had been reduced to 120 men at Hubbardton, 
had been stationed at Mancliester. Learning that there 
was likely to be an engagement at Bennington, they 
hastened to the field, and arrived not a moment too soon. 
The brave men who had borne the burden of the fight 
fell back and gave them room. Their well-directed vol- 
ley carried consternation into the ranks of the enem}-, 
who were soon on their way Iiack to the Hudson. Their 
retreat became a 
rout, and but for 
the darkness most 
if not all of them 
would have been 
captured. It was, 
indeed, a glorious 
daj' for Stark, for 
Vermont, and for 
the cause of in- 
dependence. Bur- 
goyne lost nearly 
one -fourth of his 
men, and the rest 
became dispirited. 
His Indian allies 
forsook him. the 
Tories ceased to flock to his standard, and his subse- 
quent surrender was only a question of time. The 
American cause, which had been en^• eloped in gloom 
from disasters on everj- hand, from this day grew brighter 
to the perfect da}-. 

As the line has been since run, this battle occurred on 
the soil of New York, though there were very few, if 
an}-, New York men engaged in it, unless they were loy- 
alists who joined the British. All the settled towns in 
Bennington County were well represented in the battle, 
but the exact number will never be known, as the militia 
had no thorough organization. Bennington, however, 
had two enrolled companies in the engagement. Capt. 
Samuel Robinson's muster-roll, at the time of the battle, 
contained 76 names ; the roll of Capt. Elijah Dewey's 
company, which was also present, has not been pre- 
served. 

Thus, for a time, the territory was relieved from the 
danger of invasion by the enemy. Subsequent attempts 



-i^ii^jii. y 




FIRST CHUl 



were warded off by stratagem. Vermont was refused 
representation in the Continental Congress. She would 
not acknowledge the jurisdiction of either New York or 
New Hampshire, but was really independent of all the 
world. Taking advantage of this anomalous condition 
of affairs, the British sought to form an alliance with the 
leaders in the new State, either for the puriMJse of join- 
ing the British cause, or at least to keep neutral. This 
idea was encouraged on the part of Allen, Warner, and 
some of the other leaders, but was kept a profound 
secret from the people at large. In this way, for three 
years, the country was protected from a second invasion 
from Canada, though their action in the matter has been 
severely condemned 1)}- some persons, who think they 
see treason in such conduct. The general verdict of 
history, however, 
^ is that there were 
no stanchcr pa- 
triots in the Eng- 
'■-li colonies than 
. .Id leaders in 
mont, of whom 
iiington Coun- 
iirnished much 
...I larger portion. 
The first church 
in Vermont was 
organized in Ben- 
nington in 1762, 
but was formed by 
" separatists" from 
the Congregational 
t-luuvlK's 111 Hardwick. Sinulerlaud and Westfield, Mass. 
Many of the dissentere migrated to the new colony, and 
the First Congregational Church of Bennington, with 
Rev. Jedediah Dewey of the Westfield Church as pas- 
tor, was the result. The church grew strong and pros- 
perous under the ministrations of Mr. Dewey, who re- 
mained its pastor until his decease in 1778. In 1765 
a remarkable revival occurred, and similar ones at sub- 
sequent periods. The first "meeting-house," 50 feet 
by 40, with a porch 20 feet square, was built in 1765 
by a tax on the inhabitants aided by individual sub- 
scriptions. In this primitive church occurred many in- 
teresting meetings and events connected with the carly 
history of the church. This church was in old Benning- 
ton, now called Bennington Centre. 

The first Baptist Church in the State was organized in 
Shaftsbury in 1768. Subsequently three other Baptist 
chm-ches were organized in this town, all more or less 
flourishing, but the number is now reduced to one. 




Members of the Episcopal Church held meetings in 
Arlington as early as 1764, though no church was erected 
until 1786, and that was not completed until 1803. 
Churches of this denomination were also organized at 
Manchester and Sandgate at an early day, and later at 
Bennington. Rev. Abraham Brownson was pastor of the 
church at Arlington for 23 years. Methodist churches 
have been formed at a comparatively recent date in Ben- 
nington and several other towns. 

Common schools were established in the several towns 
in the county immediately after their settlement. Clio 
Hall, tlie first academy in the State, was incorporated 
at Bennington in 1780. It flourished for several years, 
and afterwards gave place to Union Academy, which 
was incorporated in 1817. Dorset Grammar School 

was incorporated in 1804, and 

Dorset Academy in 1807. ^^^ ^ -S^- -^^H 

Arlington Academy was in- ^ 
corporated in 1817. Mount ^ 
Anthony Seminary was estali- 
lished at Bennington at a late i 
date, and is still doing a good 
work, though the others men- 
tioned have all ceased to exist. 

In 1829 Burr Seminar}^ wa^^ 
incorporated at Manchestci 
receiving its name from Josejih 
Burr, a wealthy citizen, who 
left $10,000 for its endow- 
ment, provided the citizens of 
the town would contribute a 
like amount for the erection of a building. This amount 
was secured, and a substantial stone building erected. 
In 1849 Josiah Burton left $10,000 for the endowment 
of a female department. The school at the outset was 
designed for preparing young men for the ministry, and 
attracted a large number of students. Rev. Dr. Lj'man 
Coleman, who is still living, was the first principal. 
The school has generall}' been very prosperous, and 
has exerted a wide influence for good, its graduates being 
scattered all over the country, many of whom have be- 
come distinguished in the various wallcs in life. 

The people of this countj' have been generallj' law- 
abiding, and there have been but two cases of capital 
punishment in its historj'. The first person executed 
was David Redding, a notorious Tor}', who carried on 
his operations in aid of the British, until thej- could not 
be overlooked bj' the sturdj' patriots. There was no law 
for the punishment of crimes, but they were a law unto 
themselves. All power was lodged in the local com- 
mittees of safety, and before one of these Redding was 



BURR AND BURTON SEM 



brought. A jury of six men was empanelled and the 
evidence heard. His guilt was proved beyond a doubt, 
and, the verdict being against him, he was sentenced 
by the committee to be hung, and the da}' of his execu- 
tion fixed. A large crowd from the surrounding countiy 
assembled to see the sentence carried out, and the 
feeling against him was very bitter. After the gallows 
had been erected and he was brought out, John Burn- 
ham, a J'oung lawyer from Connecticut, arrived, and, 
learning the manner of his trial and conviction, protested 
against his execution, on the ground that he had been 
tried by a jury of only six men, while ever}' principle of 
law required the jury should be composed of twelve men. 
The people did not relish such fine distinctions of law, 
and demanded that he should be hung at once. Ethan 

^ Allen, who had just returned 

SSSsss:^ fiom his captivity in England, 

mounted a stump and demand- 
ed attention. He advised the 
people to return peaceably to 
their homes, and to assemble 
agiin on a certain day and 
tht > should witness an execu- 
1 11 111, for if Redding was not 
g at that time he would be 
himself. A jury of twelve men 
WIS summoned, and Redding 
again tried and found guilty, 
and hung June 11, 1778. 

Archibald Bates of Shafts- 
bun was hung at Bennington 
in 1839 for shooting his sister-in-law without provoca- 
tion. FifLeen thousand people witnessed his execution. 

Towns. 
Bennisgtox. — Among the first settlers of Bennington 
are included the names of many who were prominent in 
the early history of the State. Capt. Samuel Robinson, 
Peter and Eleazer Harwood, Samuel and Timothy Pratt, 
Leonard and Samuel Robinson, John Fassett, Joseph 
Saff'ord, John Smith, John Burnham, Benj. Rudd, 
Elisha Field, Samuel Montague, James Breakenridge, 
Ebenezer Wood, Samuel and Oliver Scott, and Joseph 
Wickwire were among the immigrants of 1701. The 
first child born was Bcuj. Harwood, Jan. 12, 1702, 
who lived in town until his death, Jan. 22, 1851. Among 
later arrivals were Stci)h(Mi ami Jonas Fay, also Joseph 
and David Fay, Gen. Ebenezer Walbridgc, Nathan Clark, 
Col. Seth Warner, Gen. Ethan Allen, Gov. Isaac Tich- 
enor. Col. Samuel Herrick and Nathaniel Fillmore. 
The latter was grandfather of the late President Fillmore. 




HISTORY Of new ENGLAND. 



Anthony Haswell was an early settler and established 
the old '•Vermont Gazette" in 1783, which was pub- 
lished by him and his son John C. Haswell until 1849. 
Moses Eobinson was governor of the State in 1789, 
having previous]}- been chief justice of the Supreme 
Court. He was also elected senator in Congress on the 
admission of the State to the Union in 1791. Jonathan 
Robinson was chief judge of the Supremo Court from 
1801 to 1807, when he was elected United States senator. 
Isaac Tichenor was chief justice in 1791, United States 
senator in 179G, governor of the State from 1797 for ten 
successive years, and again in 1808, and senator in 
Congress from 1814 to 1821, besides filling several other 
offices. He was a man of great personal popularity, and 
held the office of governor when all the other State 
offices belonged to the opposite political part}'. Nathan 
Clark was an early settler of great influence. He was 
often chairman of the committee of safety, and was 
speaker of the first State legislature. John S. Robinson 
was governor of the State in 1853, and at a later period 
Hiland Hall served as governor and also as representa- 
tive in Congress. He is still living at an advanced age. 
The principal village in town, for the first 50 years of 
its histor}', was Bennington Centre, and here was situ 
ated the court-house, jail, first church,* &c. The fine 
water-power one mile east of this village, however, 
began to attract settlers, and soon the cast village, 
called Algiers, outgrew its more pretentious neighbor on 
the hill. For the past 30 years nearly all the business 



• This church was used as barracks for Hessian prisoners after the 
b.ittle of Bennington. 

t One of the most remarltablc murder trials on record was held in 
JIancbcstcr in 1819. Stephen and Jesse Boorn were tried for the murder 
of their brother-in-law, Kusscll Colvin, and were found guilty and sen- 
tenced to be bung. The supposed murder occmTcd seven years bcforci 
and the evidence against tliem at the outset was entirely circumstantial 
and of the most vague and meagre character. Colvin was a man of 
weak intellect, and at times partially deranged. On these occasions he 
would wander away from home and be gone sometimes for months. He 
was not on good terms with the Booms, and quarrels were frequent. 
After one of these quaiTels he disappeared, but, as this was nothing 
imusual, little was said about it. Several years passed away and he did 
not return. People began to talk about the matter, and some suspicious 
circumstances were related. These stories were enlarged upon, and an 
uncle of Colvin's wife dreamed that Colvin came to him and told him 
that he had been murdered by the Booms and his body buried in a cer- 
tain locality. The place was searched, and some bones found. An old 
hat and pocket-knife belonging to Colvin were also found. This was 
enough to cause the wildest excitement. The two Booms were an-ested 
for murder and held for trial. While in jail they were visited by sev- 
eral influential people, who told them that their conviction was certain, 
and that they might as well confess, and an cflbrt would be made for a 
commutation of their sentence. Under this pressure they confessed, 
and told all the details of the murder, making them coincide with the 
suspicious circumstances brought up against them. It was principally 
on account of this confession that they were found guilty, as the other 



has been done at tlie new village, which has become one 
of the most flourishing and enterprising villages in the 
State. A large amount of manufacturing is carried on, 
principally in woollen and knit goods. The \illage of 
North Bennington has two or three cotton factories, and 
is al-o a place of considerable business importance. In 
1852 a terrible freshet occurred at the latter village by 
the breaking awa}- of a pond or reservoir near the upper 
part of the village. Twelve or fifteen buildings were 
swept awaj', and one life was lost. The damage was 
estimated at $50,000. 

In 1877 the centennial celebration of the battle of 
Bennington was held. The President of the United 
States and several members of his cabinet were present, 
and also the governors of several States. The legislature 
of Massachusetts attended in a body. The most noted 
military organizations and bands of Massachusetts, New 
Hampshire, and Connecticut were present, together with 
a regiment of Vermont militia and some companies 
from New York, making a very fine military display. 
The principal address was delivered by Dr. BartKtt. 
president of Dartmouth College. The number of guests 
present is variously estimated at from sixty to one hun- 
dred thousand, quite severely taxing the hospitalit}- oi' 
the historic town; but like their heroic ancestors 100 
jears before, with a little help from their neighbors, they 
proved equal to the occasion. Bennington has a popula- 
tion of 5,760. 

Manchester,! unlike most of the other towns in this 



evidence proved entirely worthless. They were both sentenced to be 
hung, and everybody believed them guilty. The sentence of one of 
them was commuted to imprisonment for life by the State Legislature, 
and the other remanded to jail to aw,ait his execation. As the time 
drew near ho asked his counsel, Gov. Skinner and Leonard Sargent, 
afterwards lieutenant-governor of the State, and who is still living, if 
nothing more could be done for him. They replied that there was no 
hope. He stoutly affirmed his innocence, notwithstanding his previous 
confession, and said that Colvin was still alive for anything that he 
knew. The counsel evidently did not place much confidence in his 
statement, but promised to do what they could to find Colvin ; and a 
notice of inquiry was sent to the " Rutland Herald," a paper at that 
time of very limited circulation. This notice was copied into the " New 
York Evening Post," and by chance fell into the hands of a man living 
in New Jersey who had seen a man who lived with one of his neighbors 
who answered to the description given. On returning home he went to 
sec the man, and from careful questipning became convinced that he 
was Colvin, although he denied his identity. Word was sent to Man- 
chester of the discovery, but Manchester people would not be con- 
vinced. A former resident of Manchester, who lived in New York, 
went to New Jersey, recognized Colvin, and finally induced him to re- 
turn with him to Manchester, where he arrived just in time to save the 
life of an innocent man, and where he was recognized by his old neigh- 
bors, though there were people who would not believe their own eyes, 
they had been so thoroughly possessed with the idea that the murder 
was a reality. Colvin related so many incidents that had previously 
occurrejl that there was no doubt whatever of his identity. 



VERMONT. 



State, was first settled b}- people from New York. The}' 
purchased their titles, however, from the original pro- 

! prietors, who obtained the grant of the township from 
Gov. Wentworth of New Hampshire. It seems that a 

j party of explorers from Amenia, N. Y., came up with 
the intention of settling In Salem in the same State, but, 
ascending Equinox Mountain to get a better view of the 
countr}-, they were struck with the beautj-of the valley to 
the east, which valle}' they subsequentlj' purchased and 
settled. The first settlement was made in the south 
part of the town in 1764. Among the first comers were 
Samuel Rose, Gideon Ormsby, Jeremiah French, Elia- 
kim Weller, Stephen, James and Ezra Mead, Benjamin 

j Puidy, Samuel and Thomas Soper. Martin Powell and 
William Marsh soon after joined them and became 
prominent in town affairs. These settlers had the same 
trouble with New York claimants of their lands as the 
people of the other towns, and were just as determined 
in their resistance. Manchester also furnished her quota 
of men in the Revolutionary war. Nathan Smith was 
an officer in Warner's first regiment of rangers ; and a 
portion of the regiment was recruited in this town. A 

i good number also participated in the battle of Benning- 
ton. Among them were John Roberts and his four 
sons. Capt. Nathan Smith was one of the very first 
men over the English breastworks. In 1 780 Manches- 
ter had three companies, comprising 150 men, all of 
her fighting population, either in the field or ready 
for service at a moment's warning. Among the later 
settlers who gained prominence were Joel Pratt, Robert 
Pierpoint, Dr. Ezra Isham, Joseph Burr, Nathan Bur- 
ton, and Richard Skinner. The latter was elected a 
judge of the Supreme Court and also governor of the 
State. In the war of 1812, 34 citizens of this town 
volunteered, two of whom were killed. 

For the past 20 years Manchester has been justly 
celebrated as a summer resort, and has been well patron- 
ized. The scenery is fine and the air cool and delightful. 
The village is kept remarkabl}- neat, there being plenty 
of shade and three miles of marble sidewalk. Aside 
from the summer business, the chief occupation of the 
people of this town is farming. The population is about 
1,900. 

I Dorset was settled in 1768 by Felix Powell, Isaac 
Lace}-, Benjamin Baldwin, Abraham Underbill, John 
Manley and George Page, the last four being from New 
York. Dea. Cephas Kent kept a tavern during the early 

I days, which was a noted resort for the patriots. At his 

j house in 177G was held a convention of delegates from 
the several towns in the State, at which it was resolved 

i ih:it this State be free and independent of all the world. 



There were 51 delegates present, representing 35 towns. 
Dea. Kent had six sons, four of whom were in the battle 
of Bennington, and one of them lived till 1849, lacking 
only a few days of being 100 years old. Isaac Farwell, 
one of the first children born in town, is still living, his 
one hundredth birthday being celebrated July 14, 1879. 
The early settlers of this town were distinguished for 
their good qualities of head and heart. Rev. Dr. Wm. 
Jackson was pastor of the Congregational Church from 
1793 till 1842, and was a man of much more than or- 
dinary ability, exerting a deep and lasting influence 
upon the community. 

The chief industry of Doi-set, aside from agricultural pur- 
suits, is quarrying and sawing marble, of which there is an 
inexhaustible supply of almost every quality, that of the 
Vermont Italian quarries being the most favorably known. 
This is a light marble, striped with blue veins, and is 
very durable for out-door work. Pure white marble is 
also found in great abundance. The Dorset marble is 
well and fivvorably known throughout the Union, and a 
large quantity is sold every year. The population of the 
town is 2,200. 

Shaftsbury was settled in 1763, the following names 
appearing upon the roll of the first settlers : Spencer, 
Cole, Willoughby, Clark, Doolittle, Waldo, Burlingamc, 
Andrus, Bearsley, Downer, and Mattison. Thomas 
Mattison was first town clerk, and held the office formoro 
than 40 years. He was followed by Jacob Galusha, and 
he by Hiram Barton, the present incumbent, making but 
three in 116 years. Among the first settlers was Maj. 
Gideon Olin, a man of prominence in the State, chitf 
justice for four years, and representative in Congress in I 
1806 and 1807. Abram B. Olin, who was appointed 
judge of the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia 
by President Lincoln, and who died very recentl}', was a 1 
native of Shaftsbury. Jonas Galusha was one of the i 
older settlers, a captain in the militia, and was present i 
at the Bennington battle. Besides filling many import- | 
ant positions in the county and State, he was governor j 
for nine years. 

Jeremiah Clark was chief justice, and member of the 
State Council. lie pronounced the death sentence on 
David Redding, the first man executed in the State. 
George Nilcs, one of the early settlers, lived to the age 
of 105 years. When 100 years old he would show the i 
"boys" how to mow, and retained his strength to a won- i 
derful degree. David Millington was the inventor of the 
system of wax grafting. The early settlers were full of 
patriotism, and dealt in a summary manner with the few 
Tories in their midst. John Munro, who livid near the 
west line of the town, accepted a commission under the 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



New York authorities as justice of the peace, but he was 
never allowed to act in his official capacitj', and was 
finally compelled to leave town. A companj' of 31 men 
was raised in this towii for service in the Revolutionar}' 
war. 

Shaftsburv has 2,027 inhabitants. 

PowT^AX, a town of 1,705 inhabitants, was first settled 
by a few Dutch squatters in 1724, who, however, re- 
mained after the town was chartered in 1760, and most 
of them were successful in resisting all attempts to dis- 
possess them of their lands. The real settlement under 
the charter began in 1762. Charles Wright and his three 
sons, Samuel, Josiah and Solomon, were among the first 
settlers. George Gardner, who came from Hancock, 
Mass., lived to be 114 j-ears of age. He planted an 
orchard when he was 85, and enjoyed the fruit many 
j'ears. Gen. Josiah Wright became a prominent man in 
town. He was judge of probate for 13 j-ears, and chief 
judge of the county court eight years, and member of 
the State council, ten j-ears. His brother Solomon was 
also judge of the county court, and held other offices. 
They belonged to opposite political parties, each being 
an acknowledged leader, and the strife between them 
often waxed wann, sometimes causing hard feelings. 
Generally, however, the political warfare was waged with 
[lersonal good feeling, but it lasted for many j-ears. A 
company of soldiers was raised in this town for service 
during the war of 1812, commanded by Capt. Dan- 
forth. 

Arlington was first settled in 1762. The prominent 
men among the first settlers were Capt. Jehiel Hawlej-, 
Remember Baker, Lemuel Buck, David Buck, Nathan 
Canfield, Israel Canfield, James Hard, Zadock Hard, 
David Crofut, Eliakim Stoddard, Daniel Burritt, and 
Andrew Burritt. Jehiel Ilawley was a lo3-alist, and se\-- 
eral others were inclined in the same direction, which 
caused a great deal of trouble during the Revolution, 
most of them being driven from their homes and their 
property confiscated. Thomas Chittenden, Matthew 
Lyon, John Fassett, Jr., and afterwards Ethan Allen, 
moved into town and took possession of confiscated prop- 
erty. Chittenden was the first governor of the State, 
and held the office 19 years. Matthew Lj-on was after- 
wards a member of Congress. None of the last named 
remained in town for a great length of time. After the 
war was over, some of the Tory exiles returned to town, 
and settled down into good citizens, while others settled 
elsewhere or died in foreign lauds. Capt. Ilawle}' died 
on Lake Champlain, on his way to Canada. Nathan 
Canfield rather inclined towards the loj-alists, but he did 
not leave the town and was never seriousl3- molested. 



He had a very large family of children, and his descend- 
ants still live in town. Abel Benedict was killed at the 
battle of Bennington, fighting on the side of the king. 
Five or six who joined Burgoyne were taken prisoners I 
with him at Saratoga. Notwithstanding some of the 
prominent men in town were Tories, there were also 
man}' patriots who risked their lives for their countrj-'s in- 
dependence. Abel Hawley kept a tavern here at the time, 
which was, as it seems, a rendezvous for both parties. 
Samuel Adams, who lived in the west part of the town, 
recruited a company of Tories for the purpose of joining 
Burgoyne's army, and had his head-quarters here, secretly 
of course. After the battle of Hubbardton, when the | 
patriots were quartered at Manchester, Col. Lyon, with a [ 
small force, proceeded to collect cattle from the Tories [ 
for their subsistence. Adams collected some of his men 
and hid in the bushes where Lyon and his party 
were to pass, and fired upon them from his ambuscade. 
One man was mortally wounded, and the others fled, 
leaving the cattle to return to their owners. Adams 
never appeared in town again, and died in Canada, where 
his descendants still live. I 

Arlington has a population of 1,636. 

RuPEKT. — The early settlement of this town is some- ; 
what in obscurity, from the fact that the proprietors' 
clerk, Joseph Cass, was a noted Tory, and ran away 
with the records, and the}' were never recovered. It is, 
however, known that Isaac Blood, Barnabas Baruum, 
Amos Curtis and Jonathan Eastman settled in the east 
part of the town about 1765. Aaron Rising and Oliver 
Scott settled in the west part of the town in 1773. In 
1771 a settlement was made in White Creek by persons 
claiming the land under New York authoiity. The New 
Hampshire grantees drove them off and burned their 
cabins. The sheriff of Albany County soon appeared 
with an armed ])osse to arrest the rioters, as they were i 
termed. The settlers, having an intimation of the ! 
sheriff's purpose, all turned out, and, under the lead of 
one Harmon, drove them off with clubs and guns. Upon 
the advance of Burgoyne in 1777, the settlers all fled, 
and their homes were destroyed by the Tories and 
Indians. In 1780 most of them returned, and in that 
year David Sheldon settled here, coming from Suffield, 
Conn. He was a man of great influence in the town, 
representing it 13 times in the State legislature. He 
was also judge of the county court for many years. ' 
Grove Moore and Josiah Rising were also prominent 
men. Israel Smith was one of the early settlers, thungh | 
he subsequently removed to Rutland. He was chief] 
judge of the Supreme Court in 1797, and was elected to 
Congress in 1803, which office he resigned on being 



VERMONT. 



elected governor in 1807. Dr. Josiali Graves, the first 
phj-sician in town, was also a count}' judge. Nathan 
Burton moved into town at a later date. He was chief 
judge of the country court for several jears. In June, 
1785, Reuben Harmon, Jr., petitioned the State legisla- 
ture for the exclusive right of issuing copper coin for the 
term of two j-ears, which was granted ; and the time 
was subsequentlj' extended eight j-ears. Quite a large 
amount was coined bj' him, and pieces of this coinage 
arc now sometimes met with. This was the first, and so 
far as we know, the onl}' authorized coinage of monej' 
in the State. Rev. Ichabod Spencer, D. D., long a 
noted divine of Brooklj-n, N. Y., was a native of this 
town. Rupert has a population of 1,017. 

Sunderland, a town of 553 inhabitants, was settled 
in 17G4, the names on the first record being Gen. Gideon 
Brownson and Col. Timothy Brownson, Joseph Bradley, 
Amos Chipman, Abner and Charles Evarts, Abner Hill, 
and Reuben Webb, nearl}' all being from Connecticut. 
Ethan and Ira Allen also lived in this town, the latter 
for several years, when he held the ofBce of State treas- 
urer. The little building which he used for an office is 
still standing. He was also secretarj' for the Council of 
Safety, and an influential member of that body. Timo- 
thy Brownson was elected judge of the county court in 
1779. Jeremiah Evarts, for a long time secretar}' of the 



American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, 
and well known as a Christian philanthropist, was a 
native of this town, where his boyhood was spent. He 
was the father of Hon. William M. Evarts, the present 
Secretary of State. The people of this town did their 
full share in the Revolutionary war, several of them 
being in the battle of Bennington. 

Other towns of Bennington Countj' are : — Winhall, 
settled about 1780, containing a population of 842: 
READSBOROUGn, a town of 828 inhabitants, settled as 
early as 1779: Sandgate, settled in 1771 ; population, 
706 : Stamford, the first settlement being made by a 
man named Raymond, about the year 1777 ; population, 
633 : Peru, settled in 1773, chartered under the name of 
Bromle}', but in 1803 given its present name ; popula- 
tion, 500 : Landgrove, settled in 1709 byCapt. William 
Utley ; population, 302 : and Woodford, settled about 
the j-car 1779; population, 400. There are iron-mines 
in this latter town, and a furnace for making bar-iron 
was erected as early as the j'ear 1800. During Jeffer- 
son's administration a furnace was erected for the manu- 
facture of anchors for war vessels. Still another fur- 
nace was afterward erected for the manufacture of bar- 
iron, but none of them are now in operation. Sears- 
burg and Glastenbury have a respective population of 
235 and 119, 



CALEDONIA COUNTY, 



BY HON. HENRY CLARK.. 



The county of Caledonia, lying in the north-eastern 
division of the State, is one of the best farming sections, 
and rich in its manufacturing enterprise. It is bounded 
on the north by Orleans County, on the east by Essex 
County, on the south-east b}' the Connecticut River, on 
the south by Orange County, and on the west by Wash- 
ington and Lamoille counties. It contains about 700 
square miles, with a population of 21,708. 

The territory embraced in this county, in the earlj' 
history of the State, formed a part of the countj' of 
Gloucester. In 1781 the eastern part of the State was 
divided into three counties, Windham, Windsor and 
Orange. Nov. 5, 1792, Caledonia County was incor- 
porated from Orange County, including all that part of 
the State north of that county, and extending so far 



west as to include Montpelier and adjoining towns. The 
county was organized Nov. 8, 179G, and Danville made 
the county- seat, and so remained until 185G, when St. 
Johnsbury became the shire town. In 1811 a re-division 
of counties was made. Orleans and Essex counties were 
taken from Caledonia County, and six towns incorpo- 
rated with Washington. The county now consists of 16 
towns. 

It is not certainlj' known when this part of Vermont 
was discovered. The Indians probably owned and oc- 
cupied it because of the rare facilities offered for fishing 
and hunting. The St. Francis tribe roamed over this 
section, as far down at least as White River Falls, 
although their principal settlement was in Canada. They 
had an encampment at Newbury, and cultivated "the 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



Meadows" on the Great Ox Bow. Some of llie St. 
Francis tribe lived and died in Newbury. Capt. Jolin, 
a noted cliief of tliis tribe, was a firm friend of the 
American cause, and during the Revolutionarj* war re- 
ceived a captain's commission. 

The French war and the fear of the Indians retarded 
the settlements on the Connecticut River. In 1760 no 
settlements were made and no towns chartered on that 
river north of Charlestown, N. H. In 17G1, the towns 
north of AYells River were surveyed. The towns first 
chartered bj- Benning Wentworth, governor of New 
Ilampsliire, were, Ryegate, Sept. 8, 17C3 ; Barnet, Sept. 
IG, 17G3 ; and Peacham, Dec. 31, 17G3. 

Barnet was the first town in the county tliat was 
settled, Jon.athan Fowler, Jacob, Elijah and Daniel Hall 
being the earliest settlers (March 4, 1770). The first 
house built in the county was erected by the Hall 
brothers, near Stevens River. Sarah, daughter of Elijah 
Hall, was the first child born, and Barnet Fowler, son of 
Jonathan Fowler, was probabl}- the first male child born 
in the county. In October, 1773, there were 15 families 
in town, and in 1775 it began to be rapidlj- settled bj- 
emigrants from Scotland, who soon composed the great 
niajoritj- of the inhabitants. Soon after the Revolution- 
ary war they succeeded in establishing* churches, ac- 
cording to the Presbyterian form, and emigi-ants from 
Scotland came and preached in Barnet and Ryegate. 
Rev. Peter Powers, pastor in Newburj- from 1775 to 
1784, was probabl}- the first minister settled in the 
countj'. Rev. John Witherspoon, D. D., visited Barnet 
and Ryegate two or three times, and preached and bap- 
tized. On one of these occasions he rode the saddle on 
which his son sat at the battle of Germantown, and 
which bore the mark of the ball which killed him. In 
1773, emigrants from Scotland, having purchased the 
south half of the town of Ryegate, began to make 
settlements therein. The first inhabitants of the town 
were Aaron Hosmer and his family, who had camped on 
the Connecticut River, two miles above "Wells River, but 
most of the early settlers were Scotch. Jonathan Elkins 
selected a lot in Peacham in 1774, and settled thereon in 
the spring of the following jear. 

Danville was chartered Oct. 27, 1784, and a few years 
afterwards Dr. Jonathan Arnold procured the charters 
of St. Johnsbury, Lj'ndon, Burke and Billj-mead (now 
Sutton), and named them for his four sons, John, Lyn- 
don, Burke and William. John was dead, and his father 
called the town named for him, St. Johnsburj-. Rye- 
gate, Barnet and Peacham, the towns first chartered, 
were settled before the Revolutlonar3- war. The re- 
maining towns were chartered between 1780 and 1790. 



In the winWr of 1773, Davi.l Allen and James White- 
law sailed from Greenock, Scotland, reaching Phila- 
delphia M.aj- 24. Thej- finally bargained with Rev. 
John Withcrspoon, D. D., then president of New Jersey 
College, for land in a section now known as Rj'egate, 
and in November following, together with James Hen- 
derson of New York, a carpenter and one of their ship- 
mates, eflfectcd a settlement in that place. 

Thej- found there a countrj-man, John Ilyndman, who 
with his family had moved into town a few months be- 
fore and was engaged in building a house, and thcj' 
helped to complete it. Their houses, built of logs and 
covered with bark, were finished about Jan. 1, 1774. 
The remainder of the winter was spent in making an 
opening in the wilderness. In May a large accession to 
the colonj- arrived from Scotland. These were men of 
sterling worth, and some of their descendants are among 
the most prominent at the present time. 

In 1774 the town received another accession from 
Scotland. The next year the war of the Revolution 
commenced, and in consequence there were few addi- 
tions for a number of years. After peace was declared 
the town received man}' valuable additions from Scot- 
land. In common with the other carl}- settlements the 
people were subjected to gi'cat hardships and privations. 

The town of Barnet from the first took an active part 
in the declaration of the independence of the State of 
Vermont, and the formation of tlie constitution and gov- 
ernment. Alexander Harvey represented the town in 
three conventions in 1777, which declared the State 
independent, and formed a constitution and organized a 
government. 

There is a tradition in the Stevens family that the 
town was called Barnet from the circumstance that the 
great-grandfather of Enos Stevens, one of the first set- 
tlers, who emigrated to Mass.achusetts in 1G88, came 
from Barnet, Eng. 

The ecclesiastical history' of Barnet is perhaps the 
most peculiar fact in its earlj- historj-. The company of 
Perth and Sterling, whose agent was Col. Alexander 
Harvey, agi'ecd to bu)' a tract of land in America in 
order to settle together, and have a settled minister 
among them. Harvey's tract in Barnet was purchased 
for them in 1774 and settled early in 1775; but the 
Revolutionary war checked the emigration. Scotch 
families from Ryegate moved in toward the close of the 
war, after which it was rapidly settled in different parts 
liy emigrants from Scotland. Among the first move- 
ments of the people after securing their homes, was to 
find a minister, and John Gray of Ryegate travelled 
on foot 140 miles to secure the ser^nces of Rev. Thomas 



VERMONT. 



Clark, a Scotch clergyman belonging to the Associate 
Presln-terian Church, and settled in Salem, N. Y. He 
came and preached some time in Barnet and Rj-egate, the 
latter part of the summer of 1775. He revisited these 
towns two or three times during the Revolutionary war. 
Rev. John "VVitherspoon, D. D., president of Princeton 
College, New Jersey-, a signer of the Declaration of 
Independence, and a member and chaplain of Congress, 
who owned lands in Rvegate, Newbmy, and Walden, 
and whose son was settled in the north part of Ryegate, 
visited that section in 1775. In 1782 he preached in 
Ryegate and Barnet. He visited that section again in 
1786. Rev. Hugh White, a Scotch clerg3-man, preached 
in Rj-egate in 1775. Rev. Peter Powers of Newbur3' 
was the first settled pastor in the county, and remained 
from 17C5 to 1784. In 1784 Ryegate voted unanimously 
to choose the Presbyterian form of religious worship. 
So on to this day have the descendants of this Scotch 
ancestry continued to worship according to the ordi- 
nances of religion established by the fathers. The few 
churches of this peculiar form are the only distinctive 
Presbyterian churches in Vermont. 

The town now known as Danville, was originally 
granted by New York, and called Hillsborough ; a 
name significant of this peculiarly elevated and hilly 
region. In issuing the Vermont charter the old name of 
Hillsborough was set aside. During the early struggle 
of the then New Hampshire Grants for a separate State 
existence, the eflTorts of Ethan Allen and his associates 
were encouraged and assisted bj' the French consul, then 
at Boston, Hector St. John Crevecoeur. Allen and his 
associates, wishing to show their appreciation of these 
timely- services, named several townships in honor of dis- 
tinguished Frenchmen. Danville was named in honor of 
the celebrated French admiral, D'Anville. 

In March, 1784, Capt. Charles Sias, with his family, 
made the first actual settlement in Danville. His wife 
was the first white woman who dared to breast the long 
and dreary winter of the unbroken wilderness. Mr. Sias 
came from Peacham, drawing his effects and familj- on a 
hand-sled. He brought with him ten children, seven sons 
and three daughters. The snow was verj- deep and the 
waj' was trackless. The family began their labors in 
the wilderness b^- tapping the maples, which stood thick 
around them in the groves, affording them sugar in 
abundance, and supplying in a great degree the lack of 
other food. 

In the spring of 1786 some 50 emigrants from New 
Hampshire and Essex County, Mass., had settled in 
Danville as " Squatters." The township was chartered 
October 31st of the same year. In the winter of 1787 



40 additional families came, and, from this time, settlers 
came in rapidlj'. March 20, 1787, the town was organ- 
ized. The first child born in town was in the summer of 
1787, and was named Danville Howard. In 1789, so 
rapidlj' had emigration poured in, it was estimated there 
were no less than 200 families in town, where, six years 
before, a solitary man sat himself down among the 
wooded hiUs. The sufferings of that time were very 
severe, because of the scarcity of provision consequent 
upon a so rapid increase of population. Maple sugar 
formed the chief article of food. Large quantities of 
corn and other provisions were brought from Essex 
County, Mass., a distance of nearlj' 200 miles. 

Soon after the township was granted, difficulties be- 
gan to arise among the settlers and the several grantees, 
respecting the quantity' of land to which they were en- 
titled. The General Assembly, to whom the matter was 
finally referred, issued a new or " quieting" charter to 
the proprietors, Nov. 12, 1802. This is a peculiar fea- 
ture in the organization of the town of Danville, an act 
which has never been extended to anj' other town. Hard- 
wick was first chartered in 1780. Soon after Peter Pago 
of Swanzej', N. H., came, accompanied bj^ a man named 
SaflTord, and commenced a clearing near the centre of the 
town. After clearing two acres, both men left discour- 
aged. In 1792, Mark Norris made the following record 
in a certain "cyphering book " : "I dro-\'e the first sleigh 
through the woods from Deweysburgh to Greensborough 
that was ever drove through bj' man, to my knowing, 
which was on the 4th of January, 1792. I moved into 
Hardwick, the first that ever moved in to settle the 
town, on the 13lh day of March, 1792." His cousin, 
Nathaniel Norris, soon followed, and Peter Page, befoi'e 
alluded to, returned. "When he had moved his family as 
near as he could to his shanty, by the road, he put on his 
snow-shoes, placed his wife and three children (the young- 
est of whom was put in a bread-trough) on a hand-sled, 
drew them to their new home, and then returned for his 
goods. They hved a year in their rude hovel without 
floor or chimney, building their fires at one side, and 
ha^-ing a hole in the roof for the smoke to escape. He 
brought all the provision on his back, either from 
Peacham, 20 miles distant, or from Cabot, 8 miles. 
Water gruel was sometimes their onlj- sustenance. John 
Page, the babe that rode into Hardwick in a bread- 
trough, afterwards removed to Westmore. Ho died at 
Montpelier in 1835, while representing his town in the 
Vermont legislature. Peter Page the father and 
pioneer, died in December, 1852, aged 83. 

In 1793 three more families moved into Hardwick, 
among them an old man named James Sinclair, who emi- 



HISTOEY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



grated from Scotland, settled in New Market, N. H., and 
fought in the battle of Bunker Hill. He died soon after 
his arrival, and was the first person buried in the town. 
A log was dug out for his coffin, and a slab split from 
another log was nailed or pinned on for the cover. 

The town of Lj-ndon was located in the summer of 
1780, by Hon. Jonathan Arnold, Daniel C'ahoon, and 
Daniel Owen of Providence, R. I., an exploring com- 
mittee of an association of about 50 of the most enter- 
prising citizens of that citj- and its vicinitj-, to select 
ungranted territory for a township in which to settle a 
colon}- in the new State of Vermont. Before its charter 
the ten-itory selected was called Bestbury. The town- 
ship appears to have been the hunting and fishing ground 
of the Indians, and many arrow-points of flint, and other 
implements of stone were found bj' the early settlers. 

The town was granted by the General Assembly of 
Vermont, Nov. 2, 1780, to Jonathan Arnold and his 
associates, — in all 53, inclusive of the governors of Ver- 
mont and Rhode Island, and the Rev. James Manning, 
D. D., of Providence, and others. The name of Lyn- 
don was given it in honor of the oldest son of the first 
grantee, Josias Lyndon Arnold, who was a native of 
Pro-\ndence, liberally educated, professionally a lawyer, 
and also a poet. He settled at St. Johnsburj' at an earl}' 
day, but it is said his social and educational tastes did 
not perfectly harmonize with backwoods life. He was 
probably the first lawyer settled in the present limits of 
the county. He died in 1792, and left a widow and 
daughters. The widow * afterwards married Hon. Charles 
Marsh of Woodstock, and was the mother of George P. 
Marsh, the distinguished scholar and foreign minister. 

The grant of the township being to citizens of Rhode 
Island, most of its early settlers came from that State 
and its vicinity, Seekonk and Rehoboth, Mass. Others 
came from the interior of Massachusetts and the valley 
of the Connecticut River in Massacluisetts, Vermont, 
and New Hampshire ; and some from the interior of 
New Hampshire — Sandwich, and its neighborhood. The 
first settlement was begun by Daniel Cahoon, Jr. He, 
with a few chosen men, made a clearing on a right al- 
lotted to his father, as original proprietor, in April, 1788. 
The town was organized July 4, 1791. There were at 
that time 59 inhabitants. In May, 1793, Daniel Cahoon, 
Sr., moved his family into town, occupying a portion of 
the log-house erected by his son in 1788. He was the 
only one of the original proprietors who settled in Lyn- 
don. He died Sept. 13, 1811, aged 74 years, having 

• SUe was also the grandmother of Susan Lyman, the accomplished 
wife of Vermont's distinguished statesman and senator, Hon. George 
F. Edmunds. 



been gored by a bull when passing through a liarnyard. 
The concourse at his funeral numbered nearly 900. 

In 1812, Rev. Phineas Peck, a Methodist minister, was 
permanently settled as the first minister, and a third of 
the ministers' lot conveyed to him. This is the fii'st 
instance in the history of Vermont where a preacher of 
the Methodist denomination was the first settled town 
minister, and accorded the charter grant of land. The 
Caledonia County grammar school at Lyndon, was in- 
corporated, and the building erected, in 1831. Lyndon 
has furnished more resident members of Congress than 
any town in the State, having had five gentlemen in the 
National Legislature ; viz., AVilliam Cahoon, Benjamin 
F. Deming, Isaac Fletcher and Thomas Bartlett, Jr., 
besides Charles W. AVillard of Montpelier, a native of 
Lyndon, who was in Congress for six years. 

There is very little peculiar in the organization and 
settlement of Peacham, whose even plane of history has 
given it the reputation of a staid and substantial New 
England town. Its devotion to education has been one 
of its marked characteristics, which has honored her and 
blessed the world. Peacham received its corporate ex- 
istence from Benning Wentworth, governor of New 
Hampshire, Dec. 31, 1793. The first meeting of the 
proprietors was held in Iladley, Mass., Jan. 18, 1764. 
At this time, the machinery of the town was put in 
working order, but the power to propel it was in London, 
while the chief overseer had his residence in Portsmouth, 
N. H. For nearly 20 years after this, the town re- 
mained in almost unbroken silence. The disturbed con- 
dition of the country, arising from the contested claims 
of New Hampshire and New York, and the American 
Revolution, retarded its growth. A few inhabitants 
endeavored to make homes for themselves in 1775, but 
lived in constant peril. Early in that year, Dea. Jona- 
than Elkins, of Hampton, N. H., came with a few others, 
and began cutting down the woods ; but from fear of the 
enemy, soon after returned to Newbury. The solitude 
was broken in 1776 by the marching of several companies 
of soldiers along a line made by blazed trees from New- 
bury to Champlain. 

It was in early spring, and they marched on snow- 
shoes ; but upon hearing of an invasion from Canada, 
they soon returned. The few settlers fled with them. 
Mr. Elkins, with John Skeels and A. McLaughlin, re- 
turned in the fall, and spent the winter together in 
Peacham. Harvey Elkins, the first white male child in 
Peacham, was born in October, 1777. In 1780, a block- 
house was built for security from the enemy. The sea- 
sons of alarm were not unfrequent, though it is not 
known that any one was killed in the limits of the town. 



A few were taken prisoners, among whom were Cols. 
Elkins of Peacham, and Johnson from Newburj' in 1781, 
and two by the name of Bailej- in 1782. Col. Elkins 
was carried to Quebec, thence to England, and was there 
exchanged for one of equal rank. Col. Johnson returned 
on parole. 

After the close of the war population rapidly increased. 
It was a point of considerable commercial importance in 
Indian trade, and as the military' road, survej'ed b}' Gen. 
Hazen in 1779, from Peacham to Champlain, became 
famous as a medium of transit across the country, the 
land came rapidly under cultivation. In 1784, the town 
was full3- organized. In 1795, the attention of the peo- 
ple was turned to the question of building an academy, 
and of using the same building both for a school and 
public worship, and the question prevailed, and Caledonia 
County Grammar School,* located in Peacham, received 
its charter, bearing date, Oct. 27, 1795. The school was 
opened, Dec. 1, 1797, and Ezra Carter, Esq., was the 
first principal. It has prospered since, with an annual 
aggregate of 200 pupils. Among the various principals 
have been Jeremiah Evarts, S. C. Bartlett, Noah Worces- 
ter and John Lord. Hon. Thaddeus Stevens, Chief 
Justice Isaac F. Redfield, William M. Evarts, and Rev. 
Wilbur Fisk, D. D., rank among its pupils. 

The Congregational Church was organized with 12 
members, April 14, 1794. The last survivor of this 
number was Marj- Bailey, 2d, who died in Glover, in 
1844, aged 92 years. Rev. Leonard Worcester was 
ordained pastor of the church, Oct. 30, 1799, and labored 
faithfully in the work of the ministrj- among this people 
for forty j-ears, and was buried in their midst, June 1, 
184G. The first meeting-house was built on Academy 
Hill in 1806. The present pastor of the church is the 
fourth from its beginning. This church has always taken 
a great interest in the cause of humanity, temperance 
and missions. Fifty years ago, there were 30 distilleries 
in Peacham in operation. It has been the banner town 
of the State in temperance and attendance upon public 
worship on the Sabbath day. From 1800, the progress 
of Peacham has been steadily onward. 

Several interesting incidents are connected with the 
settlement of St. Johnsbury, the most important town in 
the county, and among the more influential in the State. 
Sixteen years before its settlement, a tract of land on 
the Passumpsic River — including the whole of .St. Johns- 
bury, together with a portion of Concord and Waterford 
— was granted bj' King George III. to certain of his 
" loving subjects of the Province of New York." It was 
formally chartered to John Woods and William Swan 
• Said to have been the first free school i 



and their associates, by Cadwalader Colden, who in 1770 
was governor-general of New Yurk. The charter was 
dated. New York, Aug. 8, 1770, and, in honor of the 
Earl of Dunmore, the township received the name of 
Dunmore. This document is still preserved in the state- 
house at Albany. 

The New Hampshire grants difficulties arising soon 
after, prevented tlio settlement and tillage of the lands 
under the Dunmore charter. In the adjustment of the 
conflicting titles under the New York and Vermont char- 
ters, a board of commissioners was appointed to settle 
the claims of the New York grantees. They had the 
choice of paying ten cents an acre on their lands and 
retaining them, or giving up their title and locating 
grants in Western New York. In 1787, one Moses 
Liitle presented a petition to the legi.slature as one of 
the proprietors of Dunmore, setting forth that he had 
purchased 10,000 acres of the land at a high price, ap- 
plying for redress, which was refused. Oct. 27, 178G, 
Thomas Chittenden, then governor of Vermont, granted 
a charter to Dr. Jonathan Arnold and his associates of a 
tract of land in what was tlien Orange County, to be 
known as the " Township of St. Johnsbury." Some few 
settlements had been made the year previous to the 
granting of this charter. The name St. Johnsbury was 
suggested to Ethan Allen by St. John de Crevecoeur, the 
French consul at New York, in a letter under date of 
Maj'31, A. D. 1785, and, on Allen's recommendation, 
was adopted. The names of Danville and Vergennes 
were also adopted at the request of Mr. St. John. The 
charter provided reservations of land for the State col- 
lege, a county grammar school, for support of an Eng- 
lish school in said township, and for tlie settlement of 
a minister. 

In the latter part of 1786, the first permanent settle- 
ment of the town was made by James Adams, Martin 
Adams, James C. Adams and Jonathan Adams, on the 
meadows near St. Johnsbury plain. The families were 
scattered who braved out the first winter, going to Bar- 
net grist-mills for their flour, and to the stores of that 
town for their rum and sugar, travelling by rough-cut 
sled-paths. In the spring of 1787, Dr. Arnold came 
with 16 others. He was a most efficient and enterprising 
man among the settlers. He had been several years a 
member of Congress from Rhode Island, and was the 
largest land proprietor of St. Johnsbury. Thus com- 
menced what is now one of the most populous and enter- 
prising towns in the State. 

The settlement was rapid after this date by immigra- 
tion from New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Rhode 
Island. The first town meeting was lield in 1 790. Dr. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



Joseph Lord opened the first tavern, and astonished his 
neighbors by importing from IMontreal the first cooking- 
stove brought into town, antl said to have been made in 
Scotland. The first clock in St. Johusbur^- was pur- 
chased before 1800, by Nathaniel Edson, for $75, and is 
at the present date in running order. Dr. Arnold, the 
early pioneer, died three years after the organization of 
the town, and thus passed away one of the most ener- 
getic, gifted and cultivated of Vermont's early pioneers. 
In 1797, St. Johnsburj' was set off from Orange Count}', 
and, with 18 others, united to form the new county of 
Caledonia. 

The town of "Wheelock has in its charter a peculiarit}' 
which is probably not found in anj- similar document in 
the United States at least. The town, by its charter, is 
exempt from taxation by the State, and it occurred in this 
wise. In 1 785 the legislature of Vermont, in recognition 
of its claims upon the State for the education of a lai^c 
number of her children, gave bj' charter this town to Dart- 
month College and Moor's Indian Charity School, located 
at Ilanovcr, N. II. , one moiety to the college and the other 
moiety to the school. In the same instrument the town 
was incorporated and named after Rev. John "Wheeloclj:, 
D. D. , the first president of the college. In the charter it 
is provided that so long as and while the said college and 
school actuall}' applj' the rents and profits of this land to 
the purposes of the college and school, the land and tene- 
ments in town shall be exempt from public taxes, so that 
the town has never been called upon to pay State taxes. 
The town enjoys all the rights and privileges of other 
towns in the State, and pays none of the expense of 
maintaining the State government. 

There is little of historic or especi.-il interest in the 
carl}' settlement of the remaining towns in Caledonia not 
thus far noted in this sketch; viz., Burke, Groton, Shef- 
field, Sutton, Walden, and Goshen Gore. 

The first mills erected in the count}' were a saw and 
grist mill built by Col. Ilurd of Haverhill, N. II., in 
1791, at the falls on Stevens River in Barnet. 

Barnet, Ryegate and Peacham, being New Hampshire 
Grants, were involved in the controversy with New York, 
and took an active part in declaring Vermont independ- 
ent, and establishing its government. 

In 1777 a general call was made for soldiers, and 
Caledonia County sent armed men to Saratoga, who 
witnessed the surrender of Burgoyne and his army. 
Militia were afterwards enlisted to guard the frontier, 
soldiers sent to the American army, and provisions fur- 
nished according to their ability. 

The county was called "Caledonia," the ancient name 
of Scotland, because of the large number of emigrants 



from that country who had purchased largo tracts of land 
in the county, and had made flourishing settlements. 

The nearest post-office in the county for many years 
was at Newbury, Orange County. Mail facilities were 
probably extended to Ryegate, Peacham and Danville 
about 1799. In 1808 the mail route was extended to 
Barnet and St. Johnsbury. i 

The early settlers of the county were not forgetful of 
the education of tlieir children, and not onh' established I 
the common school but the academy. Caledonia County 
Grammar School was chartered and endowed by the 
legislature, Oct. 27, 1795. Successful academies also 
exist at St. Johnsbury, Danville, London and Barnet, 
with large and elegant edifices. I 

The legislature of Vermont held its session at Danville, 
the county seat, in October, 1805. 1 

The "Green Mountain Patriot," published atPeaeh.am 
by Amos Farley and Samuel Goss, commenced in Febru- 
ary, 1798, and continued till March, 1807, when it was 
removed to lilontpelier, and is now published at that 
place under the title of " The Argus and I'atriot." "The 
North Star," published at Danville, commenced the first 
week in January, 1807, and is still published by George 
E. Eaton, the grandson of the first proprietor. The 
papers now published in the county, besides the foregoing, 
arc "The Vermont Union" at Lyndon, and " Caled(5- 
nian" at St. Johnsbury. 

The Connecticnt and Passumpsic Rivers Railroad was 
constructed from White River through the eastern part 
of the county. In 187G the Portland and Ogdensburgh 
Railroad was completed, running from Porlland through 
St. Johnsburj' and the towns of Danville and AYalden 
westward to the town of Swanton on Lake Champlain. i 

The Caledonia County Agricultural Society is one of 
the most successful associations in the State. The agri- 
cultural products of the county are gi'eater than those of 
any other county in the United States of equal popula- 
tion. It is especially famous for its cattle, sheep, and 
horses. The Scotch were early noted for making excel- 
lent butter, and no better is made than in the valley of 
the Passumpsic. Vast quantities are exported from the 
county every year to Boston, where it always brings the 
highest price, and has frequently gained tlie highest pre- 
mium. 

Caledonia has been rich in hor men as well as in her 
natural resources, furnishing governors, judges, senators 
and members of Congress equal to any other county in 
the State, as will be seen by the following enumeration : 
Four governors, two lieutenant-governors, six judges of 
the Supreme Court, two senators, eight members of 
Congress, and one United States district attorney. 



VERMONT. 



Towns. 
St. Johnsbdry is the most populous and flourishing 
town in tlie countj'. Ljing niiou the Passumpsic River, 
it contains some of the best lands in the State, and is a 
good farming township ; but its chief interests lie in 
manufactures. Moose River, a considerable stream, 
comes in from the north-east, and Sleeper's River, a 
smaller tributary, from the north-west. The amount of 
available water-power furnished by these streams within 



The scale manufactory of E. & T. P'airbanks & Co., 
located on Sleeper's River, is possibly the most exten- 
sive in the world. The ostalilishment employs on an 
average 300 men, and the annual product of scales 
amounts to about a half million of dollars. 

A few j-ears since ex-Gov. Horace Fairbanks, having 
the intellectual welfare of the people of the town of his 
birth and residence in view, erected an elegant brick 
edifice, constructed upoa the most approved plans of 




ST JOHNSBIUT 



St. Johnsbury exceeds that of anj' other town in north- 
eastern Vermont. The centre village lies upon the Pas- 
sumpsic River, in the northerly part of the town. It 
contains a grist-mill, saw-mill, tannery, straw-board 
manufactory, and two churches. East St. Johnsbury, a 
thriving village located upon Moose River, contains a 
church and several industrial establishments. The vil- 
lage of St. Johnsbur}', called the Plain, has seven 
churches, an academj', a grammar school, three banks, 
and several establishments of mechanical industry. The 
manufacturing interests of St. Johnsbury are varied and 
extensive, embracing almost every variety of wooden and 
metallic wares, machinery, agiicultural and household 
im[)lements. 



modern architecture, costing $40,000, and placed therein 
books and paintings at a cost of $100,000, and gave it 
the name of the " St. Johnsbury Athenfeum Free Li- 
brary'," which is open to the public every week-day. 
Ex-Gov. Fairbanks bears the expense of its mainte- 
nance. 

The St. Johnsbury Academy is one of the most flourish- 
ing in the State. The edifice is built of brick, and stands 
at the lower end of the Plain. It was liberally endowed 
by the late Joseph P. Fairbanks, a gentleman who was 
actively indcntified with the interests of religion, educa- 
tion, and social progress in the community. Its high 
standing and well-earned reputation give it that favor 
and influence in the community to which its antecedents 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



so justly entitle it. Mt. Pleasant Cemetery was laid 
out and dedicated in 1852, and is probablj' unsurpassed 
in natural Ijeauty and location bj- an}' other in the State. 
The Caledonia Count}- court-house, a fine structure, and 
once the best in Vermont, stands on the brow of the hill 
at the junction of two of the main streets. On its grounds 
has been erected a handsome marble monument in honor 
of St. Johnsbury's " soldier dead." The ample Caledo- 
nia Count}- Fair Grounds are located south of the Plain. 

The Plain, as St. Johnsbury is familiarly called, is a 
handsome village. The main street is bordered with 
ample blocks, stores, shops, and pleasant residences. 

AVithin the last two decades the town has made its 
most rapid growth and internal development. The 
opening of the railroads, the removal of the county 
buildings from Danville, mailing it the shire town, and 
the extensive manufacturing and railroad interests, have 
all tended to increase the importance of the place as a 
business centre. Population in 1S70, 4,GG.5. 

Dr. Jonathan Arnold, the first principal inhabitant 
and proprietor of St. Johnsbury, was born in Providence, 
R. I., Dec. 14, 1 741. As a member of the Rhode Island 
Assembly he was author of the act of May, 1776, repeal- 
ing the laws providing for the oath of allegiance to the 
mother country. He was a member of the old Congress 
from that State in 1782, '83 and '84, and was a surgeon in 
the Revolutionary ai-my. He came to St. Johnsbury in 
1787. He was town clerli, judge of the Orange County 
Court, and a member of the Governor's Council. On a 
marble slab, in the cemetery overlooking the valley of 
the Passumpsic and the beautiful village he founded, we 
read the simple inscription, " Hon. Jonathan Arnold, 
died Feb. 1, 1703. Aged .52." 

Josias Lyndon Arnold, son of the preceding, was an 
accomplished and cultured man, and a poet of consider- 
able attainments. He died in 1 79G at the early age of 28. 
His brother, Lemuel Hastings Arnold, a native of St. 
Johnsbury, was at one time governor of Rhode Island, 
and member of Congress for several terms. 

Dr. Luther Jewett, who came to St. Johnsbury from 
Canterbury, Conii., in 1800, contributed largely, for half 
a century, to the character of the town. He was a 
member of Congress from 1815 to 1817. He died in 
1800, aged 87 years. His son,* Milo Parker Jewett, 
LL.D., born in St. Johnsbury in 1808, is at present 
president of Vassar Female College. 

Hon. Ephraiui Paddock, a native of Massachusetts, 
but long a resident of St. Johnsbury, was judge of the 
Supreme Court from 1828 to 1831, and one of the origi- 
nators and warmest supporters of the St. Johnsbury 
Female Seminary. He died July 27, 1859, aged 79. 



Eleazer Sanger, who died in 1851, aged 70 years, was 
the first settler at St. Johnsbury Centre. He raised a 
family of 12 children. 

Erastus Fairbanks, born in Brimfield, Mass., Oct. 28, 
1792, taught school in St. Johnsbury for a time, and was 
subsequently engaged in manufacturing there. In 1825 
he formed a partnership with his younger brother for the 
manufacture of platform scales. The enterprise proved 
very successful, and the scales have attained a world- 
wide reputation. Air. Fairbanks was elected governor of 
Vermont in 1852 and 18G0. The people will ever appre- 
ciate the great labors, especially as war governor, of 
Erastus Fairbanks. Nor will they less honor his noble 
benefactions and deeds as a Christian philanthropist. 
He died Nov. 20, 1874, aged 72. He left two sons, ex- 
Gov. Horace Fairbanks, and Col. Franklin Fairbanks, 
and two daughters. 

Hon. Luke P. Poland, a native of AVestford, Vt., is a 
resident of St. Johnsbury. He has been chief justice of 
the Supreme Court of Vermont, a representative and 
senator in Congress. 

Lysdon, the second town in population and Imsiness 
in the county, is in the central part. It was surveyed 
before any of the towns around it, and was laid out 
exactly square. Its soil is a rich loam, free from stone, 
easy to cultivate, and very proiluctive. Several sites of 
excellent water-power for mills and machinery are located 
in the town. The most noted of these are the "Great 
Falls" and the "Little Falls," both being on the main 
branch of the Passumpsic River. 

There are three populous villages in the town, Lyndon 
Comer, L}-ndon Centre, and Lyndonville. Lyndon Cor- 
ner is quite a brisk business place. It contains two 
churches, an academy, a national bank, two extensive 
carnage manufactories, and several smaller industries. 

Lyndon Centre contains two church edifices, and the 
Lyndon Literary Institute, which is under the care of 
the Freewill Baptists. It also has several small manu- 
facturing establisliments. On elevated ground in the 
village cemetery, stands a tall Italian obelisk, upon 
marble pedestals and granite base, inscribed to the mem- 
ory of about 20 Revolutionary oflScers and soldiers who 
have died in town. 

Lyndonville is a prosperous village, where are located 
the workshops and general offices of the Passumpsic 
Railroad. The removal of those works" from St. Johns- 
bury to Lyndon has resulted in founding a large and 
prosperous village. 

The population of the town is about 2,200. 

Rev. Wilbur Fisk, D. D., an eloquent divine, son of 
Isaiah Fisic of Lyndon, was born at Brattleborough, Vt., 



Aug. 31, 1792, but spent his earlier j-ears in tliis town, 
lie graduated at Brown University- in 1818, becoming a 
Jlethodist preacher. He was principal of the academj' 
at Wilbraham, Mass., for several jears. In 1830 he 
was elected the first president of Wesle3-an University at 
Middletown, Conn., over which he presided until his 
death, Feb. 22, 1839. He was twice elected a bishop of 
the Methodist Church, which position he declined. He 
published " Notes of Travel in Europe." 

Among other eminent residents of Lyndon may be 
mentioned Dr. William Calioon, connected with the 
College of Physicians and Surgeons under Dr. Valentine 
Mott, as assistant phj-sician, who died in 1848 at the 
early age of 23 ; Hon. Isaac Fletcher, a native of New 
Hampshire, an a])lc lawj-er, and member of Congress, 
died in 1842 ; Hon. Nicholas Baylies, born in Uxbridge, 
Mass., in 1794, judge of the Supreme Court in 1833 and 
1834, removing to Lyndon in 1835, where he died Aug. 
17, 1847 ; Hon. Isaiah Fisk, father of the distinguished 
Wilbur Fisk, chief justice of the Countj' Court eight 
j-ears ; Hon. Thomas Bartlett, a native of Burke, State 
attorney from 1839 to 1841, and subsequently member 
of Congress ; Gen. E. B. Chase, president of the Ver- 
mont Agricultural Society for three years, and prominent 
in political and business life ; Hon. Henry Chase, an 
able lawyer ; Hon. Charles W. Willard, for six j-ears a 
member of Congress ; and the late Hon. George C. 
Cahoon, the historian of Lyndon. 

Danville is among the most prominent towns in the 
county in historic interest and population, and was the 
shire town from 1795 to 1855. It is located in a high 
region, lying along the base of a still more elevated and 
broken range of country to the westward, and which 
extends far into the northern portion of the State. It is 
well watered and well timbered. There are three medi- 
cinal springs strongij' impregnated with hj'drogen gas 
and iron. 

Danville has five villages. The oldest and largest, 
Danville Green, is pleasantly located on elevated land 
near the centre of the town and in the midst of a fine 
farming country. It commands a beautiful view of the 
White Mountains and Franconia Notch. Each village 
is well supplied with churches, schools, and industries. 

Danville in its early history had a marked influence in 
the State. Many of its citizens were recipients of the 
I highest honors in the gift of the people. The legislature 
met at this place in 1805. 

The Congregational Church was organized Aug. 7, 
1792. Rev. John Fitch, first pastor, was installed Oct. 
30, 1792, his pastorate extending 23 j-ears. The acad- 
emy, incorporated in 1840, was called Phillips Academy, 



in honor of Paul D. Phillips, who gave $4,000 as an 
endowment. 

Various causes have combined to lessen the influence 
and popularit3' of this place of late, and it has settled 
down into a staid, quiet, and substantial New England 
town. Population, 2,21 G. 

Among the prominent citizens of Danville have been 
Eli Bickford ; Hon. Israel Putnam Dana, whose mother, 
Hannah, was the eldest daughter of Gen. Israel Putnam ; 
Ebenczer Eaton, founder of the "North Star"; Hon. 
Benjamin F. Denning ; and Hon. William A. Palmer. 

Barnet, one of the principal towns in the countj-, lies 
on the Connecticut River. The soil is productive, es- 
pecially that of the extensive intervals along the river ; 
the other parts of the town are uneven and elevated. 
The territory' it covers is well watered and eminently 
adapted to farming purposes. There are four large 
ponds, and few towns in the State have so many 
streams. 

There are four villages and seven churches in the 
town. Barnet Village is situated at the Falls on Ste- 
vens River, and is quite thickly settled. It contains 
woollen mills, and other smaller manufactories. The 
remaining villages are Mclndoe's Falls on the Con- 
necticut River, and so called from an early settler who 
owned lands at that point. Passumpsic Village, sit- 
uated on the ri\cr of the same name at Kendall's 
Falls, at which are mills of various kinds ; and West 
Barnet, situated, at the north end of Harvey's Lake, on 
Stevens River. 

The Scotch settlers were generally very robust and 
retained their strength to an advanced age. Many of 
them lived until 90, and some of them until 95 j-ears 
of age. The wife of Robert Twaddell, one of the early 
inhabitants, lived to the age of 99, and Claude Stewart to 
100 years and 4 months. 

Heur}' Stevens, son of Enos Stevens, born in Barnet, 
Dec. 13, 1792, was one of the originators of the Vermont 
Historical Societj', and was its president for 10 j'ears. 
His own private historical collection, at his death, con- 
sisted of 3,485 bound volumes, 6,500 pamphlets, 400 
volumes of newspapers, and nearl3- 20,000 letters, bear- 
ing date from 1726 to 1860. He died at Burlington in 
1862. 

Henr}- Stevens, Jr., a graduate of Yale College, spent 
several years in London as an agent for the purchase of 
rare and valuable books. He is still engaged in the 
exchange of books between the institutions of England 
and America. 

Among the most prominent families in Barnet are 
those of the descendants of Col. Alexander Harvey, one 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



of the earliest settlers, and to whom was horn 1 6 chil- 
dren. Eight sons and five daughters were married. 
Hon. Walter Harvey and Hon. Robert Harvey have 
occupied various and highly honorable official positions. 
Peter Hanxy of Boston, another son, was the friend, 
associate and biographer of Daniel AYebster. Alexander 
Harvey married a grand-daughter of Gen. John Stark. 

Nine persons connected with the Associate Presbj-- 
terian Congregation of Barnet have become clergymen. 
Rev. David Goodwillie was born in Scotland, and wag a 
graduate of the University of Edinburgh. He emigrated 
to America in 1788, and settled in Barnet in 1790. He 
ministered to the same congi-egation for 40 years. 

The population of Barnet is 1 ,D45. 

Hakdwick,* the most westerly town in the county-, 
was chartered Aug. 9, 1781. There are four villages: 
Hardwick Street, the oldest, situated on high land, near 
the north line of tlie township, settled in 1793, and for- 
merly a place of considerable l)usiuess ; East Hardwick, 
on the Lamoille River, near the centre of the town ; 
South Hardwick, also on the Lamoille ; and JIaekville, 
on a branch of this river, named after a family of Macks, 
who first settled it in 1834. 

The town has tluee chiu'clies and several manufac- 
tories. 

One of the most refined and best educated families iri 
Hardwick was tluit of Joel Whipple. Three noble sons, 
Francis, Horatio and Charles, were liberall}' educated, 
I with the ministry in view, but died jouug and very much 
i lamented. 

Rev. J. B. Hardwick Xorris, son of Nathaniel Non-is, 
the second man who came to settle in the town, was the 
first child born in the settlement in 1792, and named 
Hardwick in honor thereof. He was, for more than 
40 years, a faithful itinerant minister of the Methodist 
Church. 

The population of Hardwick is al)out 1,500. 

BuKKE, an excellent farming town in the north-eastern 
part of the county, was organized Dec. 5, 1796. It con- 
tains three villages, Burke, East Burke and West Burke. 
East Burke was once nearly destroyed bj- a freshet. Mr. 

• In 1837 there arose a tiew featare in the religious history of Hard- 
wiclt composed of a company of people who called themselves "New 
Lights." A man who had been previously a Universalist became sud- 
denly infatuated that he was inspired from God and succeeded in 
enlisting followers. The motto of this Ijand was " Liberty of Con- 
science," which was inscribed upon the building in which their meetings 
were held. Large crowds assembled to listen to their performances, 
which consisted of jumping, swinging the arms, rolling on the floor, 
frightful yelling, Ijarking in imitation of dogs, foxes, &e. After sitting 
in silence for a while, some text of Scripture was uttered in a loud 
scream, and the exhortations consisted chiefly of texts of Scripture, and 
generally concluded with denunciations of ministers and churches. 



Hall, however, with energy and enterprise, rebuilt the 
place, so that now there are here two churclies, stores, a 
hotel, starch-factorj-, umbrella-stock factory, and the 
mills of the Lyndon Lumber Compan3-. 

In 184G an avalanche occurred near the village, which 
can-ied away the roof of a house occupied liy a Mr. and 
Mrs. Newell, people aged about 70 years. The house 
was filled with earth to the depth of five feet, burj-ing its 
occupants. They were found lifeless ; and, with fitting 
funeral ceremonies, were laid in one grave. 

Thomas Bartlett, one of the early settlers, and lib- 
erally educated, was long an honored and veiy influential 
citizen in the town. He was the father of Hon. Thomas 
Bartlett of Lyndon, the distinguished lawyer and mem- 
ber of Congress. He died June 19, 1857. 

The three sons of Burke who gained the widest fame 
were Hon. Thomas Bartlett, Jr., of Lyndon, Rev. 
Charles W. Cushing, and Dr. Selim Newell, of St. 
Johnsbur}'. 

The popuhition of the town is nearly 1,200. 

Peaciiam is in the second range of townships westerly 
from the Connecticut River, and its principal business 
point is seven miles from the railroad at Barnet. It has 
many excellent farms. Beautiful scenery is at han<l 
from the high hills. In one direction the beholder looks 
upon an unbroken wilderness, and in the other cultivated 
farms are spread out before the gaze. 

Peacham has two principal villages, and two small 
villages. It has an academy', churches, a starch-factory, 
and the usual mechanical and other business incident to 
an agricultural community. 

It has been fortunate in its religious and educational 
influences, and few towns have had for their citizens more 
marked men, manj- of its sons having attained a na- 
tional, and a few a world-wide fame. Hon. Tliaddeus 
Stevens, whose fame as the " great American Com- 
moner" is world-wide, was born in Peacham, April 4, 
1793. His parents were poor, and he was disabled phys- 
ically, and was sickly ; but his mother toiled with all Iter 
strength to secure for him an education. Graduating 
from Dartmouth College in 1814, he removed to York, 

The career of this sect was short. Rev. Chester AV right, a strong man 
and able preacher, then pastor of the Congregational Church, resolved 
to stem this tide of fanaticism, and accordingly announced ho would 
preach a sermon at a certain date relative to their proceedings, and in- 
vited the general public. Some of the leaders of this new sect were 
present. He was interrupted in the midst of his sermon by yells and 
derisive remarks ; but the offenders were soon arrested, and the ser- 
vices were eontinned and closed as nsnal. The eyes of the people 
were opened to the mid vagaries of these fanatics, and their followers 
began to leave them, until the band was finally disi>ersed, although its 
effects had long a deleterious influence upon the religious interests of 
the community. 



VERMONT. 



Pcnn., and engaged in teaching. He subsequent!}' prac- 

: tised law for several jears at Gettysburg, and in 1828 
entered politics. In 1848 he was elected to Congress, 
where he ©imposed the " Missouri Compromise," the " Fu- 
gitive-slave Law," and the " Kansas-Nebraska Bill." 
He was again elected to Congress in 1859, and became a 
recognized leader in that bodj-. His subsequent career 
demonstrated his intense hatred of slavery, and his un- 
swerving patriotism. He died in Washington, Dec. 11, 
18C8. 

Hon. John Mattocks, governor of Vermont, but a 
native of Hartford, Conn., practised law in I'eacham 50 
years. 

I His last days were embittered bj' the shocking death 
of his youngest son. At his grave, he said to the assem- 
bled multitude, " With the mangled bod}' of my son, I 
burj' m}' ambition and love of the world, and God grant 
that they ma}- never revive." He soon after joined the 
Congregational Church, of which he continued a member 
till death. He left an ample fortune,— $80,000. He 

! died Aug. 14, 1847, aged 70 j'cars. He was one of the 
eminent men of the State, — a celebrated lawyer, and a 
popular man, having been elected to cverj- office for which 
he was a candidate. 

j Oliver Johnson, a distinguished living journalist, was 
born in Peacham in 1809. He was associated with Gar- 
rison in " The Liberator" three 3-ears, an associate editor 
of " The New York Tribune " four years, and was at one 
time editor of " The Anti-Slaverj' Standard," New York. 
Other prominent natives of Peacham have been Hon. 
John C. Blanchard, born in 1787, several times a mem- 
ber of Congress, who died in 1849 ; Mellen Chamber- 
lain, born in 1795, a lawj-er, who was drowned on the 
Danube Eiver while making a tour of Europe ; William 
Cliamberlain, born in 1797, professor of languages at 
Daxlmouth College, died in 1830 ; Rev. Horace Herrick, 

i a leading Congregational clergyman ; Eev. John Mat- 

! tocks, D. D., also an able clergyman ; and Oliver P. 
Chandler, a lawyer and financier. 

Hon. William Chamberlain, a native of Ilopkinton, 
Mass., came to Peacham in 1780. He was a member of 
Congress for four terras, and died in 1828. 

j Rev. Leonard Worcester, born in HoUis, N. H., Jan. 
1, 17C7, was pastor of the Congregational Church in 
Peacham 40 j'cars. He had 14 children, and four of his 
sons entered the ministry. His death occurred, Rlay 28, 
1840. 

The population of Peacham is 1,140. 
Walden, chartered Aug. 18, 1781, contains the most 
elevated improved land in Vermont. Tiic snow covers 
the land nearly seven months of the year. 



Gen. Hazcn, in 1779, while building the militarj' road 
from the Connecticut to Ticonderoga, constructed a 
block-house, and left a small garrison of men in charge 
of an officer named Walden, and at his request the town 
took his name. This block-house was occupied for sev- 
eral 3-cars by the first settlers, and in it was the first 
school, first sermon, and first birth ; and at one time a 
man named Sabin occupied it with his wife and 26 chil- 
dren. The first settlers were mainly from Now Hamp- 
shire. Nathaniel Perkins and his familj' were the first 
settlers, in 1789. 

There is no village in the town, and it has never had 
a common centre. Hon. James Bell, a distinguished 
lawyer, was the most prominent citizen Walden ever 
had. Hedied April 17, 1852. 

Gen. George P. Foster, a brave officer in the late civil 
war, and late U. S. marslial of Vermont, was a native 
of this town. He died March 19, 1879, at the age of 43 
years. 

The population of Walden is aljout 1 ,000. 

The towns of Caledonia County not previously de- 
scribed are, Ryegate, a town of 935 inhabitants, noted 
for its granite quarries and its picturesque scenery, and 
the birth-place of several distinguished clergymen ; Sut- 
Tox, population, 921, chartered under the name of Billy- 
mead in 1782, and organized July 4, 1794, celebrated 
for its manufacture of mai)lc sugar, and the native place 
of John and Charles Weslej', twin sons of Rev. L. T. 
Harris, noted for their similarity of appearance, those 
best acquainted with them not being able to distinguish 
one from the other ; Watekfohd, situated on the Con- 
necticut River, organized in 1793, having 878 inhabit- 
ants, and the native town of Col. R. C. Benton, Hon. 
Jacob Benton, member of Congress, and Jonathan Ross, 
judge of the Supreme Court ; Wiieelock, on Miller's 
River, organized March 29, 1792, containing grist and 
saw mills, a tannery, a starch-factory, &c., population, 
822 ; Sheffield, organized March 25, 179C, having six 
lumlicr-milLs, and a |)opuhition of 811 ; Groton, organ- 
ized March 29, 1797, containing an academy and several 
manufactories, population, 811 ; Newaek, first settled 
in 1797, a farming town of about 600 inhabitants; 
KiKBY, organized Aug. 8, 1807, a town well adapted to 
agricultural pursuits, and having a population of 417 ; 
and Stannard, population, 228, organized in 1805, and 
named in honor of Gen. George I. Stannard, one of the 
most distinguished of Vermont officers in the war of the 
Rebellion. The first permanent settler of this town was 
Elihu Sabin, a native of Dudley, Mass., and one of a 
family of 26 children. He was distinguished for great 
muscular strength. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



CHITTENDEI^ COUNTY.* 



BY REV. R. H. HOWARD, A.M. 



The count}- of Chittenden was incorporated Oct. 22, 
1787. Bounded on the north bj- the counties of Grand 
Isle, Franklin, and Lamoille, south by the county of 
Addison, east bj' Lamoille and Washington, and west bj' 
the west line of the State, it has quite an irregular out- 
line, and contains a land area of about 520 square miles. 

The aboriginal occupants of this section were Abena- 
quis Indians. Indeed, long after the French and Eng- 
lish had taken possession and commenced the settlement 
of the countrj- to the north and south of them, a rem- 
nant of this tribe still lingered upon their rightful soil 
at the mouth of the Lamoille Eiver ; nor, it is said, have 
the}' even j'et altogether relinquished their claims upon 
this territorj-. They have left it, it is true, and have 
united themselves with the St. Francis tribe in Canada, 
but they still claim an interest In this soil, and have 
repeated!}-, and within a comparativel}' recent date, sent 
their delegates to the legislature of Vermont to seek 
some compensation for their lands. 

It would appear that the French, before the conquest 
of Canada, were the first civilized occupants of the 
count}' of Chittenden ; they and their Indian allies, dur- 
ing the period of the French wars, making this section 
one of the chief rendezvous of their hostile excursions 
against the English settlements in the valley of the 
Connecticut. It was through this section they generally 
led their captives and carried their plunder on their way 
to Canada. 

The first English people who were known to settle in 
this locality were Ira Allen, and his uncle, Remember 
Baker. Exploring the country along the Winooski in the 
fall of 1772, they came into the county the spring fol- 
lowing and settled at the lower falls on the Winooski 
River, where, as a matter of security against both the 
Yorkers and Indians, whom at that time they held in 
nearly equal enmity, they constructed a block-house, or 
fort, which they christened Fort Frederick, and in which 
they lived. 

• For the materials embraced in the following sketch of Chittenden 
Comity the writer acknowledges his indebtedness to that voluminous 
and incomparable work, " The Vermont Historical Gazetteer," by Miss 
Abby M. Hemeuway. 



At the commencement of the Revolution about 40 
families had settled upon the lake shore and along the 
Winooski River. On the defeat and fall of Gen. Mont- 
gomery, however, at Quebec, and the retreat of the 
American forces under Gen. Sullivan from Canada in 
the spring of 177G, nearly all these fled south among 
their friends for security. On the declaration of peace 
in 17S3, Stephen Lawrence was the first to return with 
his family ; and dui-ing the same year most of the for- 
mer occupants returned to their farms, and brought with 
them many new settlers ; the very great fertility of the 
soil inviting a rapid and effectual settlement of the 
country. f The most of these immigrants and early 
settlers were from Connecticut and western Massachu- | 
setts. j 

The general surface of the county, not unlike the main | 
portion of western Vermont, is uneven and hilly. The 
first range of townships, bordering on the lake, is pleas- 
antly diversified with lidges and valleys, having but few 
elevations <?f sufficient height to be worthy of notice. 
In the north part of this range of townships, however, 
there are two elevations known as Cobble Hill and Rat- 
tlesnake Hill, that rise from 500 to 600 feet above the 
surrounding plain. The Green Mountains bound the 
prospect on the east, and the Adiroudacks on the west, 
while between these two, the valley of Lake Champlain, 
extending to the north and south as far as the eye can ! 
reach, affords a prospect of unsurpassed beauty. | 

The east line of the county is just east of Camel's i 
Hump Mountain and of the highest point of Mount i 
Mansfield, the summit of the latter being 4,359 feet ! 
above the level of the sea. 

The county is watered by numerous springs that gush 
forth from the surface of the ground at almost every 
point desired. There are also several streams, affording 
ample power for driving mills and factories. The 
Winooski River, taking its rise in Caledonia, and trav- 
ersing Washington County, at length breaks through the 

t At the end of eight years after the close of the Revolution (1791), 
the population within the present limits of the county was 3,875 ; in 
ISOO it was 9,395,— more than onc-thu-d of the population at the prcs- 



Green Mountains near the east line of tliis county and 
falls into the lake between the towns of Burlington and 
Colchester. The LamoUle passes through the north- 
westerlj^ part of the count}-. There are also numerous 
streams of smaller capacity, on most of which saw-mills, 
giist-mills, and manufactories of various kinds have 
been erected.* 

Chittenden County is one of the most important in 
the State on the score of its agricultural interests, 
which, in common with those of all other sections of 
the State, have been especially prosperous since the 
opening-up of several lines of railway. These — one 
passing through the county from north to south, parallel 
with the lake, and the other from east to west along the 
Winooski Eiver — afford to the farmer a sur^Drising 
advantage over his old mode of transportation to market. 

The county is admirably situated for the development 
of commercial as well as agricultural thrift. Its advan- 
tages in connection with the conmierce and na\'igation of 
the lake are ob%-iouslj- superior to those of an}' other 
portion of the State. Its proximity to the broadest part 
of the lake affords the most accessible points of ship- 
ment on its eastern shore, while the harbor of Burling- 
ton, protected bj' a breakwater, is not onlj' the natural 
stopping-place of the steamers and other craft that pass 
along the lake, but the point where all the leading lines 
of railroad concentrate and have their principal depots. 

Though not distinguished for its manufactures, yet 
Chittenden County is deserving of at least honorable 
mention for what it has done and is still doing in this 
connection. Winooski, a flourishing village situated on 
the river of the same name, and located parti}- in Bur- 
lington and partly in Colchester, is the seat of most of 
the industries of the county. One of the largest 
woolen mills of New England is to be found here, while 
mills and factories for various purposes, by their steady 
and remunerative activity, evince the thrifty condition of 
this kind of business in this locality. 

Burlington has also of late years come to be quite a 
commanding and prosperous manufacturing centre, as 
also a commercial and lumber metropolis. 

Chittenden County yields an excellent article of build- 
ing stone. The county has also inexhaustible deposits 
of white and variegated marble. 

* Never will the writer forget the mass meeting at the Burlington 
town-hall the evening after Fort Sumter was struck. Hon. George P. 
Marsh, who was already on his way to the cars for his mission in Italy, 
from which he has not yet returned, halted long enough to address his 
fellow-citizens there assembled. In the midst of bis eloquent and pas- 
sionately patriotic address, two men were unsuspectingly employed in 
stretching some bunting from gallery to gallery in the rear of the 
audience. A few caught sight of it and began to cheer. Others tuniod 



The territory embraced within the present boundaries 
of the county forms but a small part of the limits of the 
earlier county jurisdictions. The counties of Albany 
and Charlotte, under the authorities of Xew York ; and 
Bennington, Eutland and Addison, under the laws of 
Vermont, — have in turn extended their jurisdiction over 
this section of the State, and last of all, since the county 
of Chittenden was incorporated (in 1787), it has in turn 
been repeatedly shorn of its liberal proportions, settUng 
down at last (1839) to its present comparatively narrow 
limits of only 1.5 towns. 

The partisan prejudices and political animosities which 
had long prevailed between the two old parties, Federal 
and Democratic, reached their highest pitch of intensity 
when the question of England's right of search — a ques- 
tion involving, by common consent, in its results, the 
greater one of our independence and nationality — camo 
to enter into, and to become the test issue of, the politics 
of the times ; arra}-ing against each other, as it did, 
political leaders of such marked influence and ability as 
C. P. Van Xess, Xathan B. Ilaswell, Jabez Penniman, 
Heman Lowrey, and their political friends on the one 
hand, and Da^'id Farrand, George Robinson, David 
Russel, Martin Chittenden, and their associates on the 
other. 

But notwithstanding the two great political parties 
were arrayed in such mortal hostility against each other, 
even up to the brink of ci\-ll war and bloodshed, the 
spirit of patriotism and devotion to the Union triumphed. 
■When the hour of actual trial finally came, all, with 
scarcely an exception, were ready resolutely to defend 
the country against threatened and approaching danger. 

The very gratifying fact, so signally developed in con- 
nection with the warof 1812, that the people of Chittenden 
County, whatever their individual political preferences, 
are yet devotedly attached to the interests and institu- 
tions of the State and nation, received a still more im- 
pressive illustration and confirmation in connection with 
the histoiy of the late war of the Rebellion, when this 
contest was actually initiated.* Never, perhaps, in the 
history of any people, was greater imanimity or resolution 
displayed on all sides than here in support of the admin- 
istration, old party opponents shaking hands together, 
and all the political feuds and animosities of the past, 

about and took up the cheering. Presently the whole audience joined 
in. The excitement and enthusiasm increased. The speaker paused. 
The whole congregation spontaneously rose to their feet, and shouted 
and hurrahed, in view of tliat dear old flag, until there was scarcely 
a dry eye in the house. Patriotism, from being a mere idea, became 
a principle and intensely emotional in that hour, — a single instance, 
however, only of the great uprising that prevailed throughout all the 
Northern States. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



ill the presence of the supreme necessity- then upon them, 
vanishing like the mist before the storm. 

The sj'stem of common-school ecUication, recentl3" ma- 
tured and put in working condition bj- the aid of legisla- 
tion and the efforts of the Board of Education in the 
State, is emincntl3' successful and highl3- appreciated. 

Christian churches abound in the countj-, cheerfullj- 
supported by an orderl}- and church-going people, the 
lofty spires of their several edifices constantly arresting 
the attention of the traveller, and not onlj' impressively' 
directing his thoughts heavenward, but withal notifying 
him, while yet afar off, of his approach to nestling vil- 
lage, or bustling, teeming town. 

Nearlj- all the towns of the county were chartered at 
about the same time, 17G2, '3 and '4, bj' Gov. Went- 
worfh of New Hampshire. The population of the several 
towns in 1870 was as follows: — Averj''s and Buel's 
Gore (unorganized), 29; Bolton, 711; Burhngton, 14,- 
387 ; Charlotte, 1,430 ; Colchester, 3,011 ; Essex, 2,022 ; 
Richmond, 1,300; Shclburne, 1,190; South Burlington, 
791; St. George, 111 ; Underhill, 1,6.55; Westford, 
1,237; Williston, 1,411. 

Towns. 
BcRLiNGTOX,*- "Beautiful for situation, the joy of the 
whole " Champlain valley is Burlington, — "Queen Citj' " 
of the north. Situated ou a gentle slope, eminently suit- 
able for the site of a spacious village, or inland city, at 
the head of Burlington Baj-, said to be unrivalled for the 
beautj' of its scenery- even by the Baj' of Naples, Bur- 
lington, bj' common consent, is unsurpassed on the score 
of the attractiveness of its location by an}' other city of 
the Union. Approaching it from the lake, j'ou see what 
appears to be a large village, or a small citj', extending 
about a mile or more in each direction, sloping gradually- 
upward from the shores of a semi-lunar baj' to a ridge 
300 feet above jou, on which stand the college edifices, 
— the whole scene grandly backed against the Green 
Mountains, flanked bj- Mansfield on the left and Camel's 
Hump on the right. Looking westward from almost anj' 
part of the village, the beholder has before him the lake, 
with its outline diversified by far-receding bays, and its 
surface reflecting the clouds and all the imagery of the 
sky and suiTounding hills, and, bej-ond, the Adirondack 
Mountains, " in forms endlessly diversified, sn-eeping 
easily or boldl}-, in simple majest}-, abrupt and precip- 
itous, or soft and elegant, lifting themselves in ridges 
like the waves of a tumultuous sea." 

• This name is supposed to have been derived from the Buriing fam- 
ily, of Westchester (,'ounty, N. Y., extensive landholders in several 
towns chartered at the same time with Burlington ; and though they 



The city is built upon eight streets running parallel to 
the lake, crossed b}- four running up from the lake to the 
college hill, and by severql shorter ones. Its public 
buildings are creditable, many of them, but none are 
conspicuous for architectural beautj' if we except two 
or three churches and the new and spacious Howard 
Opera House. 

The shade-trees along the streets and in the parks 
impart to the whole citj', during the summer season, 
a beautiful grove-like appearance. 

The charter for this township was granted by the 
Province of New Hampshire, June 7, 17G3. Down to 
1774 the settlers generallj' supposed that they were 
within the jurisdiction of New York, though claiming 
the validity' of their title under New Hampshire. It is 
thought that one great reason which contributed to the 
rapid settling of Burlington and the adjacent towns, just 
prior to the Revolution, was the desire, on the part of 
those emigrating to this State from Massachusetts and 
Connecticut, of avoiding as far as possible the conten- 
tions and strife then existing in the southern portion of 
the grants, arising from the conflicting claims of New 
York and New Hampshire, manj-, no doubt, even in 
Bennington County, being well pleased to escape the 
turmoils and skirmishes in which they had for j-ears been 
engaged, bj' diving still deeper into an open and unpro- 
tected wilderness. 

The Allen brothers and Remember Baker, within a 
few years after the granting of the cliarter, became the 
owners, by purchase of original grantees, of a large por- 
tion of the lands in the vicinitj' of Onion River. Five- 
sevenths of the town of Burlington, at different times, 
belonged to Ira Allen. The first surveys within the 
limits of the town were made in 1772. The first settler 
was one Felix Powell, who came to the place in 1773. 
His lands occupied the whole of Appletree Point, run- 
ning northward neailj' to Onion River. He erected a 
log-house on the point, but subsequentlj- sold to James 
Murdoch, and removed to Manchester. The next set- 
tlement was commenced bj' Lemuel Bradley and others, 
who made clearings and erected buildings on the inter- 
val near the falls, opposite tlie Allen settlement in Col- 
chester. During the Revolutionaiy war the town was 
entirely abandoned. From the close of the war it was 
rapidlj- settled. In 1793 Stephen Lawrence, who nine 
3"ears before had purchased a tract of land here, moved 
his family- into town. John Doxy, Frederick Saxton, 
and John Collins came the same year. In 1791 the pop- 
were not among the original grantees of that town, yet nevertheless 
owned several tracts of land in it acquired after the cliarter had been 
granted. 



Illation amounted to 332. John Collins, Job Boj-nton, 
Jlr. King and Mr. Ke3es, together with the Loomis 
famil}- and Frederick Saxton, formed a settlement at the 
head of Pearl Street. Timothy Litus settled at Muddy 
Brook, and erected the first saw-mill built in town. This 
was previous to 1788, Isaac Webb was one of the first 
settlers in the south, and John Van Sicklin in the south- 
east part of the town. The late Erastus Bostwick of 
Hinesborough, who recently died at the advanced age of 
94, used to saj' that when he first came to Burlington, 
some time previous to 1791, there were but three houses 
at the village, or bay, as it was then called. The}- were 
situated near the foot of Water Street. Capt. Job 
Boynton and Capt. King had settled here, the latter 
keeping tavern at the north-east corner of King and 
Water streets. A few logs fastened to the shore of the 
lake were the beginning of the old wharf. Lumbermen 
had temporary huts in the vicinitj- of the " Square," 
which was then covered with bushes and shrubber}-, with 
now and then a pine tree. Some small houses were 
scattered along at the head of Pearl Street, and from 
thence to the falls, where Ira Allen lived in a large two- 
story house. William Coit built the first house on 
Court-house Square, which was finallj- occupied bj' John 
Howard as a hotel. The first school-house built in 
town was situated just east of the convent, and taught 
b}' one Nathaniel Winslow. 

On the opening of the present century, the develop- 
ment of the resources of this town became very rapid. 
Farms were cleared ; roads were opened up ; schools 
and churches were organized ; immigrants crowded in ; 
capital came also, and business thrived. A very consid- 
erable wholesale trade was built up. Agriculture espe- 
cially flourished ; and Burlington, being the natural point 
of communication between a large inland agricultural 
district and the distant markets, became one of the great 
business capitals of the North. In the midst of this 
full tide of prosperit}', however, a crisis was reached. 
The opening of the railroads, about thirty years ago, 
changed at once the whole current of business, and for 
a time seemed likclj' to rob Burlington entirely- of its 
commercial importance. Direct communication being 
thus opened between the southern cities and everj- town 
on the railroad, and there being hence no further need 
of a central forwarding station between the rural pro- 
ducer or country store-keeper and the market, Burling- 
ton was suddenly left quite without an occupation. 
Traffic rushed bj' its doors to its ultimate destination 
each way, and what was once the metropolis, at least of 
Chittenden County, had all at once awaked to find itself 
a mere waj'-station. 



This place, however, being the only point on the 
lake, from the extreme southern to the extreme north- 
ern limits of the State, at which the railroad and lake 
navigation come together, it at length became appa- 
rent that Burlington possessed unrivalled facilities for 
prosecuting the lumber trade, — a revelation affording a 
verj' simple and natural explanation, not only of the vast 
accumulations of lumber that now encumber its enor- 
mous wharves, but for the wonderful revival of enter- 
jDrise that has of late ensued in the community generall}-. 
The discover}' aforesaid was considered withal to justify 
the transfer of large iron- works from an inland region, 
traversed only by common roads, to a point where the 
bulky raw material can be brought by water, and from 
which the manufactured article can be hurried to market 
b}- rail. Various other manufactures have found it for 
their interest to locate at Burlington ; aU eflfectually con- 
spiring rapidly to make this city what she bade fair to 
be in 1840, but what she despaired of being in 1850, — 
the most important business centre of Northern New 
England. 

During the period when Burlington was in its earlier 
prime, one of its most important industries was the man- 
ufacture of window-glass, commenced in 1827 by the 
Champlain Glass Companj', and discontinued in 1848. 
During this same period, Catlin's flouring-mill at Wi- 
nooski, and the Winooski Mill Company, were in a 
flourishing condition. The first re\'ival of business in 
Burlington is doubtless to be dated from the building in 
1850 of the Pioneer Mechanics' Shop, at the lake, — the 
nest-egg from which, in a sense, all the modern indus- 
tries of the locality have been hatched. The first cargo 
of lumber that arrived here from the Canadas for the 
eastern market, was brought bj- L. G. Bigelow, Esq., 
and Enos Peterson in 1850. 

Burlington City was chartered Nov. 22, 18G4. The 
first maj-or was Albert S. Catlin. 

In addition to the excellent public schools of the cit}-, 
there is located hero the Vermont Episcopal Institute, 
which is at present well sustained. The crowning glory 
of the cit}', however, is the University of Vermont, 
founded about 1793, Rev. Daniel Saunders being tlie 
first president. Its most illustrious presiding officer was 
Dr. J^ames Marsh, the eminent metaphysician. The 
present superintendent of this excellent institution is 
Rev. Matthew II. Buckham, D. D., by whom the affairs 
of the university are being most efficiently administered. 
Besides the literary department, there is a very flourish- 
ing medical school. 

There was no minister settled in Burlington until 1810, 
and no house of worship erected until 1812. Rev. 



HISTORY OF KEW ENGLAND. 



Daniel C. Saunders -was the first stated preacher in town. 
Jlr. Samuel Clark, Unitarian, and Mr. Daniel Haskell, 
Orthodox, were settled about the same time. The citj- 
is well supplied with flourishing religious societies, each 
represented by superb as well as commanding church 
edifices. 

The Home for Destitute Children, a most excellent 
institution of the kind, was chartered about 15 years ago. 

The Fletcher Free Library was founded July 14, 1873, 
bj' Mrs. Marj- L. and Miss Mar^' M. Fletcher, they en- 
dowing the same with $10,000. Nor has this b}' any 
means been the limit of tiie benefactions of these elect 
ladies. They have recently- purchased the famous Catlin 
estate, in the rear of the university', transformed it into 
a hospital, with all the modern appliances, and endowed 
the same so munificently as to render it a perpetual 
source of blessing to suffering humanity-. 

The principal newspaper in Burlington is the "Free 
Press," G. G. Benedict, editor. It was founded in 1827. 
The " Sentinel," however, was the oldest paper, ha\ing 
been commenced in 1801. 

Among the notable events of Burlington history maj- 
be mentioned the visit of Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, 
father of Queen Victoria, in 1793, the \'isit of Lafa3-ette 
in 1825, when he laid the corner-stone of the new college 
building, and the mammoth Whig conventions of 1840 
and 1844. 

Prominent among the early settlers and citizens of 
Burlington, were Col. Stephen Pearl, land-owner, mer- 
chant, magistrate, farmer, town clerk and selectman — a 
man of fine and imposing presence, of genei'ous habits 
and bountiful hospitalitj- ; Timothj' Pearl, brother of the 
foregoing ; Col. James Sawyer,* son of Col. Ephraim 
S. [who, with his four sons, served in the war of the 
Revolution as regular officers in the army, and who, as 
commander of the "Worcester (Mass.) County regiment, 
served at the battles of Bunker Hill and Saratoga] , a 
Revolutionarj- soldier who was present at the taking of 
Yorktown ; George Robinson, a man of boundless wit 
and humor, and an able lawyer ; Thomas, Ephraim and 
Samuel Mills, brothers, long connected with the Burling- 
ton " Sentinel " ; Elnathan Kej-es, a prominent law3'er, 
a man of powerful mind, — an honored and distinguished 
citizen ; Col. AVilliam C. Harrington, also a lawyer ; 

* James Sawj-er had four sons, all of ■whom achieved distinction : Capt. 
Horace B. ; George F., a purser on the frigate " Cumberland," aftei-n'ard 
destroyed by the "Merrimack"; Fred'k Augustus, first lieutenant of 
the nth Vermont regiment in the war of 1812 ; and James L., a lawyer. 

t A magnificent shaft — a Tuscan column of granite, 42 feet in height 
— marks his last resting-place in Green Mount Cemetery, a burial-place 
romantically overlooking the Winooski valley. It has been well said 
that Vermont is indebted for her independence, and the establishment 



Hon. John C. Thompson, an attorney', one of the ablest 
and most prominent men of the State ; Daniel Farrand, 
judge of the Supreme Court, a man of vast learning, of 
wit and talent ; Warren Loomis, said to have been the 
most brilliant man the town ever produced, graduating 
at Burlington in the first class (1804), and dying when 
only 37 — a lawyer; Dr. Robert Moody, a skilful and 
successful phj"sician, — thrown from his caniage and 
killed ; Rev. Luman Foote, an Episcopal clergyman, and 
the first editor of the Burlington ' • Free Press " ; E. T. 
Englesby, for manj- years president of the old Burling- 
ton Bank ; Ethan Allen of Revolutionarj- and Ticonder- 
oga fame, born Jan. 10, 1737, in Litchfield, Conn., twice 
married, who came to Burlington in the spring of 1787, 
devoting himself to farming, having selected for his res- 
idence the beautiful tract of interval north of the village 
known as the Van Ness farm, where he resided until his 
sudden death, which occun-ed about two years subse- 
quently to his arrival ;| Hon. Samuel Hitchcock, than 
whom none was more conspicuous for ripe scholarship 
and zealous promotion of the prosperity of his adopted 
State ; Moses Catlin, who erected, on the commanding 
eminence east of the college, now occupied by the 
Fletcher Hospital, the imposing residence long known as 
the Catlin mansion ; Guy Catlin, a younger brother of 
Moses, and, together with the latter, prominentlj' con- 
nected with manufacturing interests at Winooski ; John 
Howard, who died Feb. 24, 1854, aged 84 3-ears, one of 
Burlington's earliest and most honored hotel keepers, 
and raising up several sons meantime, Sion Earl, Daniel 
D. and John F.,l distinguished for their business quah- 
ties, public spirit and probit3- ; Samuel Hickok, an 
eminent merchant, whose store is believed to be the 
oldest brick building in town, for 57 years one of the 
foremost of the enterprising public-spirited citizens of 
this growing town; Hon. Alvin Foote, a graduate of 
Dartmouth, and a reputable lawyer; Hon. Cornelius 
Peter Van Ness, long a leading lawyer and politician in 
the State, reflecting great lustre on its annals, as legis- 
lator. State's attorney- and governor, by the splendor of 
his legal and forensic talents and attainments ; Hon. 
Charles Adams, eminent, not less for his uprightness j 
than for his rare legal attainments, dying Jan. 12, IHfil, ' 
aged 7G years ; Hon. William A. Griswold, one of Ver- 

of her government, mainly to three individuals, — Thomas Chittenden, 
and Ira and Ethan Allen : the first her chief magistrate, the second her j 
diplomatist, the last her military chieftain. If Washington was a ter- | 
ror to the enemies of American Independence, Ethan Allan was a terror 1 
to all the enemies of Vermont. ^Vith all his foults, his name by Ver- ' 
monters will always be cherished in grateful remembrance. 

X The latter is the builder of the Howard Opera House, perhaps the j 
finest public hall in the State. 



VERMONT. 



mont's most eminent statesmen and law3'ers ; and Col. 
Archibald Hj'de, once collector of the port. 

Among those who have been prominent in town affairs 
in still more recent times, may be mentioned Timothj- 
Follett, the first president of the Rutland and Burlington 
Railroad ; Rev. Zadock Thompson, Vermont's naturalist 
and honored historian, a man of learning and of modest 
worth ; Chauncej" Goodrich, for many years Burlington's 
genial publisher and horticulturist ; Sion Earl Howard, 
a successful merchant ; L. G. Bigelow, a lumber mer- 
chant, a man of very strong humanitarian impulses, and 
of a correspondingly strong and active mind ; Rt. Rev. 
John Henry Hopkins, D. D., D. C. L. (Oxon.), born in 
Dublin, Ireland, Jan. 30, 1792, consecrated to the Epis- 
copate of the diocese of Vermont, Oct. 31, 1832, died at 
Rock Point, Jan. 9, 1868, — a man of varied genius and 
of encyclopaedic attainments, a musician, an architect, 
author, orator, and conspicuous for his success in all 
these directions ; Milo Bennett, a just and learned judge ; 
Gamaliel B. Sawj'er, a man of remarkable mental vigor 
and intellectual acquirements, one of the most facile 
writers in the countrj- ; David A. Smalley, for manj' 
years a prominent lawyer, and a Democratic leader in the 
State, judge of the Supreme Court during several of the 
last j-ears of his life ; while George P. Marsh, U. S. min- 
ister to Italy ; and U. S. senator, G. F. Edmunds, are 
from this citj-. The recent death of the late Gov. Asahel 
Peck of Vermont, removes an old-school judge of the 
Supreme Court of the State, who will long be remem- 
bered for his penetrating and inflexible sense of justice 
on the bench. 

One of the most brilliant and gifted of Burlington's 
sons was J. Sullivan Adams, born in 1820, familiarl}- 
known as "SuU Adams." Soon after his graduation he 
identlQed himself earnestl}^ with the temperance work — ■ 
the Washingtonian movement — and became one of the 
most eloquent and successful temperance workers of his 
da}-. He was no less eloquent as an educational or 
political orator. Nobly generous, he was unboundedlj' 
popular. He was an ardent patriot and an intense abo- 
liLionist. For several j'cars he was the very successful 
secretary of the State Board of Education. He died 
April 9, 1876, in Jacksonville, Fla. 

SiiELBUENE, named in honor of the Earl of Shelburne, 
for beauty of location, fertility of soil, variety and excel- 
lence of agricultural products, the high moral and intel- 
lectual character of her citizens, constitutes a no unworthy 
member of the common sisterhood of towns that stretch 

* Said to have been the first Episcopal minister in Vermont, 
t Removing from Guilford, Conn., to Shellnirne, when only 14 years 
of age, he subsequently raised a family of U children. 



along the shore line of the Champlain vallej'. Situated 
about midway on the line of the shore, a little to the 
south of the "broad lake," the view sweeping awaj' to 
the east and west, easily takes in the Green Mountains 
on the one side and the Adirondacks on the other. 

The land, generally level, is 3'et gentlj' rolling, and the 
farms, especially in the more central and western portion, 
wide-spreading, and under the highest cultivation, are 
unsurpassed for their productiveness and beauty. 

The earliest settlers of Shelburne ^re said to have 
been John Potter and Thomas Logan, two Germans, 
who, coming to the township in 1768, located on two 
different jjoints extending into the lake, and bearing 
their names, respectively. Potter's and Logan's points. 
Whether man}' of the ten families that, previous to the 
Revolution, had settled near the lake, returned after the 
war, is not known. On the declaration of peace, 
the lands of the town were rapidly taken up and occu- 
pied by permanent settlers. Among these earlier fathers 
of the town may be mentioned Moses, Ziba and Uzal 
Piersons, Daniel, Levi and Elisha Comstoek, Jonathan 
Lyon, Frederick Saxton, Richard and Elhanan Spear, 
Benjamin Harrington, Joshua and Jira Isham, Rev. 
Bethuel Chittenden* and his son Bela,t Asa R. Slo- 
cum,| Nathaniel Gage, a man of singular probity, and 
who died at the advanced age of 89 j'ears, and Samuel 
Mills, a Revolutionarj' soldier, having settled on a hill- 
farm in the east part of the town. Among the prominent 
and especiallj- honorable citizens of a later day may be 
mentioned Ashael Nash, Robert and Lavater White, 
Hyman Holiberd and Dr. Jonathan Taylor. 

Though the principal industry of this town is agricul- 
tural, 3'et at the "Falls," a village on the Plot River, 
about two miles from the Centre, a saw-mill was early 
erected, also a forge. Later a grist-mill, and also 
clothing-works were put in successful operation at the 
same locality. In 1862 these buildings were swept away 
Ijy a flood. 

From the beginning of steam-navigation on Lake 
Champlain, Shelburne Harbor on the "Point," has been 
utilized as a convenient place for mooring during the 
winter and repairing steamers. Steamboats of the largest 
size are often built here, for which business there are 
very superior facilities. 

The first religious society organized in town was the 
Congregalionalist, dating about the beginning of the 
present centur}'. The first minister settled, however, 
was Episcopalian, Joel Clapp, an exemplarj' man, who 

X Returning from Burlington in the evening of Jan. 3, 1830, his life- 
less mangled body, as his horses reached liis home, was found dangling 
under the wagon. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



soon won popularity and influence. The old " White,'' 
or Union Church — a large old-fashioned New England 
meeting-house — was erected in 1808. The Congrega- 
tionalist Soeietj- waning, this building came to be princi- 
pallj- occupied by the Episcopalians. The first Methodist 
Church edifice, of brick, was erected in 1831, situated 
on the south side of the common or green ; which, how- 
ever, after having served its generation, has latelj' given 
place to a more elegant and commodious structure of 
stone. The Methodist is at present the only surviving 
religious society in town. The old WMte Church was 
burned manj- j-ears ago. 

John S. D. and Joseph W. Taylor, from this town, 
and graduates of the University of Vermont, have greatly 
honored their profession as teachers. The former is now 
deceased. Rev. Isham Bliss, an Episcopal minister, a 
graduate of, and at present a professor in ■ the Ver- 
mont Universit}', and Curtis S. Chittenden, D. D. S. and 
M. D. S. of Hamilton, Ont., an eminent dentist, and at 
present president of "The Royal College of Dental 
Surgeons of Ontario," are sons of this town. Hon. Ezra 
Meech, once elected member of Congi-ess (in 1819), 
and probably the wealthiest man in town and the largest 
land-owner in the State, died Sept. 26, 1856, aged 83. 
Frederick Maeck, an eminent physician and surgeon, 
and father of the late Hon. Jacob Maeck, a distinguished 

! lawj-er of Burlington, was for manj' j-ears a prominent 
citizen of this town. 

Colchester is beautifully located on Lake Champlain 
and Winoosld River.* The soil of this town is varie- 
gated, consisting in part of sandy loam, covered origin- 
ally with white and pitch pine forests. These lands, 
lying for the most part in low ridges, with a rolling 
surface, are very fertile, and well adapted to grazing, 

' wheat, oats, potatoes, &c. 

I The first persons who took possession of Colchester 
under its present charter were Ira Allen and his uncle, 
Remember Baker. This was in 1772-3. The first set- 

i 

• It was along this stream and through this valley that the barbarous 
Ronville went and returned whcu he sacked and burned Dcerfield. 
Here, with noisy pomp, on their return, they brought along the old 
church-bell of that devoted settlement, the tirst probably that ever 
uttered its sounds in the valley of the Winooslci. Here, too, they led 
along with theii- bloody hands the 112 captives that had survived the 
massacre — among whom was theu- pastor, the venerable John Williams 
—half-clothed and half-starved, wading through the deep snow on their 
way to Canada. While this valley was thus used as the war-path of the 
French and their savage allies, tJiis stream was called French River. 
After it came into the hands of the English it was kno^vn by the name 
of Onion, which is the English of Winooski. 

t Gov. Thomas Chittenden was born at Guilford, Conn., Jan. 6, 1729. 
Early in the spring of 1774 he removed with his family to the New 
Hampshire Grants, and purchased a tract of land on the Onion Biver 
in the township of Williston. Seated upon the beautiful and fertile 



tlement was on the Winooski, near the present Fall's 
Bridge. 

At the centre village there are two church edifices and 
an equal number at Winooski village on the Colchester 
side, besides numerous manufacturing establishments, 
and a large woollen factoiy. 

Colchester has its Interesting subjects of biography as 
well as history, including the names of Judge Joshua Stan- 
ton, John Law, William Manson, Jabcz Penniman, He- 
man AUen, Gen. Enos, and Remember Baker. The most 
eminent citizen Colchester ever had was Maj. Gen. Ira 
Allen. Born at Cornwall, Conn., April 21, 1751, he 
came to Vermont when only 21 years of age. He earlj* 
made large purchases of land near Onion River, and by 
promoting the settlement and business at Winooski 
Falls, where his home was located, he contributed more 
perhaps than anj' other citizen to the prosperity of that 
pai-t of the town. No man did more to secure the inde- 
pendence, and to establish the politj' of Vermont on its 
present foundations, and to carry the State safely and 
triumphantlj' through all the manifold complications that 
beset her during the Revolutionarj* war than Ira Allen. 
It is to his liberalit}- and efforts principally the State is in- 
debted for the founding of the Universitj- of Vermont, and 
its location on its beautiful site between the faUs and the 
lake. This first and foremost of Vermont's early states- 
men and founders died Jan. 7, 1814. His last j'ears 
were spent in Philadelpliia, where in poverty and distress, 
he passed away in the 63d year of his age. And, it is 
said, there is no stone or record, or living witness to 
point out to friend or foe his humble grave. 

Williston, a town situated in the centre of Chittenden 
County, and called Williston in honor of Samuel Willis, 
one of the grantees, was first settled in May, 1774, by 
Thomas Chittenden and Gen. Jonathan SpafTord. Among 
the first settlers were the Murrays, the Talcotts, the 
Millers, Brownells, Frenches and Ishams. The residence 
here of Thomas Chittenden, f and the fact of its being 

banks of this stream, well directed labor had procured hun a comfort- 
able home, when, in the midst of his various improvements and pleasing 
anticipations, the war of the Revolution commenced ; and so exposed to 
the depredations of the merciless savages did these frontier settlements 
become that he was obliged temporarily to remove southward as far as 
Arlington. During the long and perplexing controversies -nith New 
York Mr. Chittenden rendered invaluable service to the State as presi- 
dent of the Council of Safety. Upon the formal organization of the 
State he was elected its first governor, and continued to be re-elected to 
that high office for 18 years. What George Washington was to the 
whole country, that pre-eminently was Thomas Chittenden to Vermont. 
He was the father of it. It was his mind more than any other that 
directed the controversy with New York, the negotiations with the Brit- 
ish in Canada, whereby an anny of 10,000 was held at bay for years, 
and the finally successful appeals to Congi'ess for the admission of the 
State into the Union. He died Aug. 25, 1797, in the 69th year of his age. 



more rapidlj' settled than some of the adjoining towns, 
led to WUliston's being, for a long time, the centre of an 
extensive business, while it counted among its citizens a 
large number of the leading and prominent men in the 
county. It abounds in some of the most productive and 
best cultivated farms to be found in the State. 

The Congregational Church was organized Jan. 23, 
1800. Rev. A. C. Collins was the first pastor. The 
church edifice was built in 1832. Two other churches 
are located here. 

For nearly half a century Williston Academy afforded 
ample facilities for the acquisition of a thorough aca- 
demic education. 

The remaining towns of the county are CnARLOTTE,* 
sometimes in the early records written Charlotta, a very 
fine farming town, situated in the south-west corner of 
the county-, first settled in 1784 by Derric "Webb, a Ger- 
man, and Elijah "Wolcott ; embracing two villages sepa- 
rated by a ridge of hills : IIinesburgh, formerly noted 
for its manufacturing interests, but now devoted mostly- 
to farming, remarkable for the picturesqueness of much 
of its scenery, and whose charming village is the seat of 
an academy incorporated in 1824, and ever since one of 
the most permanent and successful institutions in the 
State : Milton, an agricultural town lying along the 
eastern shore of Lake Champlain, and occupj'ing the 
north-west corner of the county ; settled in Februar3-, 
1782; organized in 1788: Underbill, named after two 
brothers who held shares in the original charter, settled 
about 1 785-6 by Darius Post, Moses Benedict and Ab- 
ner Eaton; organized in 1795, lying on the western 
slope of the Green Mountains, Mt. Mansfield, the high- 



est land in the State being near the north-east corner ; its 
first religious (Cong.) society having been organized in 
1801, and first church built in 1805 : Richmond, f settled 
in 1775, incorporated in 1794, organized in 1795, lying 
on the Winooski, the soil of its lands bordering on the 
river composed of deep, rich alluvial deposits and very 
fertile : Jericho, a quiet inland town, its eminent citizens 
having been Rev. Simeon Bicknell, Arthur Bostwick, 
Rev. Samuel Bostwick, Hon. Noah Chittenden, Hon. 
Martin Chittenden, once governor, Dea. Thomas Barnej-, 
Hon. Truman Galusha and Joseph Brown: Essex, J 
first settled by immigrants from Massachusetts, the hardy 
pioneer finding the territory one unbroken forest, " save 
where the rude tornado had levelled the giant pines ; " its 
first church organized in 1797, and its first house of wor- 
ship built in 1803, Rev. David Hulburt haying been at 
the time settled as pastor : Westford, a fine farming 
town reclining on the western slope of the Green Moun- 
tains, settled in 1787, organized in 1793, a saw-mill, 
grist-mill and forge having been built at the Centre on 
Brown's River in 1795, its first church having been or- 
ganized in 1801: Bolton, § situated mid-way between 
Burlington and Montpelier in the valley of the Win- 
ooski, and amidst the wildest and most romantic sce- 
nery : Hdntington, a mountain town, and within the 
eastern boundarj' of which is the summit of Camel's 
Hump, settled in 1786, and organized in 1790: St. 
George, the smallest township in the State, settled in 
the spring of 1784, the birthplace of Rev. Elnathan 
Iligbee, D.D., president of the Gettysburg Theological 
Seminary; — and South Burlington, set off from Bur- 
lington in 1864, an excellent farming town. 



ESSEX COUNTY. 



BY HIRAM A. CUTTING, M. D. 



Essex County, together with Orleans, was incorpo- 
rated from Caledonia County in 1798, but the former 

• Charlotte's most distinguished son was the Rev. Calvin Pease, D.D., 
at one time the esteemed president of the University of Vermont. 

t The most notable object in this village is the old round church, 
with IG sides, and steeple rising from the centre, built originally, .ind 
owned by several societies. The most eminent citizen Richmond ever 
had w.as William Penn Briggs, born at Adams, Mass., March 14, 1793, 
removing to Richmond in 1828, where he resided until his death. He 
«as one of the most eminent jury-lawyers in the State. 

I An unusually flourishing academy has been maintained at the centre 
for many years. 



count}' was not fully organized until the following j'car, 
at which time Lunenburgh and Brunswick were estab- 

§ The first temple of" the people called Methodists " in this town con- 
sisted of a high rock, visible by the traveller, at the back of a level 
meadow, about 40 rods from the railway, and about Ih miles cast from 
the Joncsville station. It is about 50 feet high, has a natural grotto, and 
three regular stone steps. This singular sanctuary was dedicated in 
1800. Bishop AVliatcoat was present. 

II Dr. H. A. Cutting, who resides at Lunenburgh, is a son of 
Stephen C. Cutting, of Concord, in which town he was born Dec. 23, 
1832. He was educated for a physician, receiving the degree of M. D. 
from Dartmouth College ; also the degree of A. M. from Norwich Uni- 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



lished as half shires. At the October session of the 
Legislature in 1800, officers were elected, and, a year 

I later, the shire was changed to Guildhall, where it has 
remained. 

Essex County is about 45 miles from north to south, 
and 23 from east to west. It is bounded north by Can- 
ada, east and south b\- the Connecticut River bordering 
its bank for more than 65 miles, south-west by Caledonia 
County, and west by Orleans County. Along the valley 
of the Connecticut it is beautifully picturesque, and no 
more romantic and lovely scenery can be found. The 
soil, though much of it is stony, is very productive. 
Geologically, the rocks may be divided into two great 
classes, sedimentary and eruptive. To this first class 

[ belong all of those rocks which at some time have been 
derived from pre-existing rocks, but nearly all of the 

j sedimentary have been greatly changed, not only in theii- 

' general structure, but in their texture and composition. 
Some, however, have not. In some places on the east 
of the county, the sandstone is so friable that the grains 
of sand of which it is made up can be easily separated 
by the fingers alone. The place where those rocks can 
be seen to the best advantage is outside of the county in 
Newark, at a saw-mill on the road from East Haven to 
Island Pond. There are other places where the change 
is so gi-eat that we cannot tell whether they are stratified 
or not. In fact, Prof. J. H. Huntington has recently 
shown that some are eruptive that were before considered 
stratified. Adopting the plan of the recent geological 
sur\-ey in New Hampshire, we find the following forma- 
tions in Essex County : 

Stratified Groups. — Cenozoic : Modified drifts, includ- 
ing river teiTaces, glacial drifts, &c. Paleozoic : Cal- 
cifcrous mica schist. Upper Huronian : Lyman group. 
Lower Huronian : gneiss, fibrolite schists, mica schists, 
and feldsparthic schists. Eruptive masses : Concord 
granite, S3"enitic granite, diabase and diorite. 

The granite rocks occupy a large V- shaped area in the 
north part of the county. Southward the apex of the 
V is in the town of Granby, south of the road from 
Guildhall to Victory. In this area are several kinds of 
granite. In some places it is desirable building-stone, 



versity. On account of ill health he did not enter a profession, but 
located at Lunenburgh as a merchant in 1854, under the firm of J. G. 
Darling & Co. While he was successful as a merchant, he largely de- 
voted his time to study, — especially to the study of microscopic anat- 
omy, geology and atmospheric phenomena. He is a member, either 
active or honorary, of some twenty scientific, historical and medical 
societies, among which arc the " Vermont Medical Society," " Vermont 
Historical Society," "AVhite Mountains Medical Society," Fellow of the 
" American Association for Advancement of Science," and " Natural- 
ists'' Society of Rome," Italy, and member of the " Dartmouth Micro- 



and has been quairied in Norton and Brunswick. In 
Ferdinand the granite is of an entirely different char- 
acter, and that quarried at Brunswick is a fine-grained, 
light-colored granite of good qtialit}'. With the granite 
rocks, especially southward, there are schists, and in the 
north corner of Granby, not far from Moose River, 
there is a granite that closely resembles the Concord 
granite of New Hampshire. But here there is the clear- 
est evidence that it is eruptive. It not only penetrates 
the schist, but it contains man_v fragments of it. This 
probably extends into Victorj-, but the forest hinders pos- 
itive knowledge. Near Brunswick Springs, but about 
three-fourths of a mile from the river, there is a beautiful 
porphyritic granite. The crystals of feldspar are about 
an inch in length. 

Syenitic Granite. — In Lemington there is granite rock 
unlike either of those we have mentioned, which prob- 
ably forms the entire mass of Mount Monadnock, and 
extends into New Hampshire, where it has some marked 
peculiarities. j 

Diabase and Diorite. — These rocks generally occur i 
in narrow dikes, and are of a dark-green color, compact 
and tough. Every town contains more or less of the 
dikes, but a remarkable one crosses the Portland and 
Ogdensburg Railroad near Miles Pond in Concord, con- 
taining 22| per cent, of iron. 

Stratified Rocks. — Gneiss and Feldspar, Mica Schists. 
— There are two well-marked areas of these rocks. 
That on the east side of the county begins on the south | 
(probably in Granbj') , extends north-west through Maid- [ 
stone, well-marked outcrops of which can be seen near 
Maidstone Lake ; thence it continues through Bruns- | 
wick, and the Notch Mountains south of the Nulhegan 1 
are composed of this rock. 

The western band begins with Miles Pond, embraces [ 
Miles Mountain, where the rock is largely- gneiss, and j 
contains fibrolite. Extending northward, it is interrupted 
by the graphic granite south of Island Pond in Brighton, 
to appear again in Bluff Mountain, which is its probable 
limit northward. 

Fibrolite Schist. — In the west of Granby, there is quite 
an area of an argillitic mica schist, that contains an 



scopical Club," " Boston Historical Society," " Geographical Society of 
Wisconsin," &e. Prof. Cutting has published several pamphlets, and 
papers upon " Insects," " Ozone," " Geology," " Microscopy," " Rev- 
elations of the Microscope," and natural history in general. Also upon 
the " Atmosphere," and a work upon the " Climatology of Vermont." 
He is State Geologist and Curator, and manager of the Vermont State 
Cabinet of Natural History, appointed in 1S71. Ho has a large library, 
and an e:-tensive cabinet of minerals. In 1878, he was appointed " Lec- 
turer in N itural Science " at Norwich University, and had the honorary 
degree of Ph. D. conferred upon him by that institution in 1879. [Eds.] 



VERMONT. 



abundance of fibrolitc and andulusito, and there is a rep- 
etition of i,his rock in Victory, extending into East 
Haven. It is also found in limited amount on the cast 
side of the count}-, and with the feldspathic mica schists 
and gneisses. 

The Lyman Group. — The rocks are so called from 
their great abundance in the town of L3man, N. II., 
from whence thej- extend northward to the line of the 
Provinces. These rocks occupy- a large area in the towns 
of Concord, Luneuburgh and Guildhall ; extending also 
into Maidstone, where the}' cross the river into New 
Hampshire. They consist almost altogether of light 
argillites, and besides there are a few black slates. 
The Essex Copper Mine in Concord is in this rock. The 
vein of copper is xnry irregular, and though much money 
has been spent, but little return has been made, and it is 
now abandoned. Several other small veins in Concord 
! and Lunenburgh have been partiallj- examined, but none 
of them have proved valuable. 

Calciferous Mica Schist. — This rock occupies a limited 
area in the count}', and is confined to the western part 
of East Haven and Brigliton. It consists of argillites, 
silicious limestones, and friable sandstones ; some of the 
richest soil of Vermont. 

Glacial Drift. — Everywhere we find that the material 
which makes up the soil, and the bowlders that are found 
so abundant in some sections, have all been transferred 
from points northward of where they are now found ; so 
that the soil is often composed of an entirely different 
material from the rock on which it rests. The bowlders 
in an open country can be traced to the ledges from 
which they were derived, but on account of the forests 
in this county, this in most places would require much 
time and labor ; still, in every neighborhood are many 
curious and wonderful things to be seen by any one who 
will carefully observe the rocks. 

Modified Drift — On the Connecticut River, particularly 
in Lemington and Colebrook, are many interesting gravel 
ridges that are supposed to have been formed by glacial 
rivers, as the ice retreated up the valley. There is also 
a A'ery peculiar ridge of coarse material in the vicinity of 
Island Pond. 

River ten-aces Dorder the Connecticut from the Prov- 
ince Line to the southern border of this county. They 
consist of the present flood plane, 10' or 15 feet above 
the ordinary stage of water, and a terrace- from 40 to 
1 20 feet in hciglit. They are sometimes from one-fourth 
to one-third of a mile in width. 

Streams, Ponds, Mozmtains, &c. — There are many 
small streams in this county, and as the land is hilly 
and often mountainous, they furnish abundant water- 



power for every town. Among the largest are Moose, 
Nulhegan, Clyde, Pherrin's and Coaticook rivers ; Wil- | 
lard's, Paul's, Averill's, Neale's, Miles' and Hall's streams 
and various brooks too numerous to mention ; all of 
which afford an abundance of trout for the fisherman. 
There are also over 30 lakes and ponds within the county, 
the largest of which are Maidstone Lake in Maidstone, 
and Island Pond in Brighton. These ponds contain a 
great vaiiety of fish, and some are so seldom visited by 
the sportsmen as to be literall}' alive with the finny tribe, 
that awaits the man that is hardy enough to brave the 
black flies, and dangers of the unbroken forest. 

Hills are abundant, and every town has one or more, 
dignified by the name of mountain, as 
Miles Mountain in Concord, . . . 2,700 feet. 

Mount Tug, in Lunenburgh, . . . 2,210 " 
Umpire Mountain, in Victory, . . . 2,500 " 

Notch Mountain, in Brunswick, . . . 2,400 " 
Monadnock Mountain, in Lemington, . . 3,000 " 

In Miles Mountain there are a number of natural grot- 
tos, or caverns in the rock, several of them of consider- 
able size, and one similar cavern in Mount Tug. 

The area of the county is about 620 square miles, and 
a large share of the land is covered with a dense growth 
of forest trees, mostly spruce, yet pine and hemlock, to- 
gether with the sugar-maple, birch and beech, give an 
ever-varying appearance to the forests, and furnish lum- | 
ber in abundance and variety. The greater portion of i 
the inhabitants live near the larger streams, and a major- ' 
ity live in or near the Connecticut River valley. In Con- 
cord and Lunenburgh the land is more generally settled, 
but still, parts of these towns, together with the larger 
share of the other towns in the county, are yet an i 
unbroken wilderness. | 

Climatology.— For so small a section of country, there 
is a greater difference in climate than is general in this 
latitude. The slope of the land doubtless has much to 
do with this, yet the difference in soil, and the amount of 
water in the vicinity, must also have its effect. The close 
proximity of the White Mountain range, on which snow 
lies for about nine months each year, together with the 
elevation of the land, which is usually over 1,000 feet 
above the sea level, give a purity and coolness to the 
atmosphere which not only afiect vegetation, but health 
also ; rendering this county, perhaps, the healthiest sec- 
tion of New England, giving us a death-rate of little 
over ten to the thousand annually. In the valley of the 
Connecticut the season is often ten days earlier than 
among the hills of the interior, and most crops culti- 
vated in Vermont can be readily grown here, as the 
frosts seldom do injury, either in spring or autumn. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



For 30 jears the writer has kept a full record of the 
weather. For this period the heat of summer has not 
exceeded 1 00 degrees, and but twice has the thennometer 
touched that point. It has once touched 45 degrees be- 
low zero. The extreme heat of summer is seldom above 
90 degi-ees, and tlie cold of winter is not often greater 
than 25 degiees below zero. 

The diagrams opposite are carefully prepared from 
actual observations. The first shows the comparative 
1 ainfall for C8 years ; deduced from various observations 
on the Atlantic coast, from Maine to Maryland. The 
average rainfall on this coast line is about 47 inches ; 
and the average at the northern part of the coast of 
Maine, is probably about 37 inches, while in Maryland 
it is about 55 inches. In Lunenburgh it is 41 inches, 
but the near proximitj- to the White Mountain range 
doubtless increases the annual rainfall, as, on Mount 
Washington, 20 miles away, it is from 50 to 75 inches. 
The clouds seem to hang about the mountains, thus 
increasing rainfall. 

The figures at the left of the diagrams indicate the 
percentage of the rainfall, which is indicated by the black 
lilled spaces ; 1.00 indicates the mean amount. 

The second diagram indicates in the same manner, the 
rainfall at Lunenburgh from 1848 to 1874 ; while diagram 
4 indicates the rainfall at Lake Village, N. H., where it 
is not quite so irregular as upon this side of the AVhite 
Mountain range. Diagi-am 3, shows in the same man- 
ner the variation of the snowfall at Lunenburgh. In 1865 
it was but 41 inches, while in 1872 it was 167^ inches, 
the medium amount being 83 inches. 

The average number of stormj' days in a year for this 
period has been 120, and the average number of fair 
days, 118, the remainder being cloudj-. This shows that 
our time is pretty equally divided between fair, cloudy 
and stormy weather. In summer the excess is fair ; in 
winter, stormy and cloudy. 

The amount of snowfall, many times, gives little indica- 
tion of the depth of snow at any one time upon the 
ground. Yet as in 1866, when the snowfall was 12 feet, 
five of it was upon the ground in cleared land, and seven 
of it in woodland, on the 18th day of March. In 1872, 
with 14 feet of snowfall, March 18th, it was no more 
than four feet deep in woodland, and it would not aver- 
age two feet in cleared land, and the deepest it was at 
one time, that winter, was not more than four and a half 
feet. 

In 1801 there were manj- hail-storms iu this \icinity. 
While some were of great extent, almost every town 
suffered more or less from local storms. Now and then 
one of these limited storms not only ruined the crops, 



but killed the fruit trees and damaged buildings, and, in 
one or two instances, injured cattle. 

Jan. 1, 1862, snow fell 14 inches. Then there came 
a high wind, that drifted the snow so badly, that not 
only were carriage roads blocked, but railroads had their 
trains delayed from one to two days. A St. Johnsbury 
farmer had to tunnel a drift as large as his barn to get 
his cattle out to water. 

In 1865 there was no thunder or electrical phenomena 
of any kind during the year. 1868 was the warmest 
summer during the period of my obsen-ations ; July 13, 
14 and 15, the thermometer for several houi's was 100°, 
with man}' other daj's at 95°, 

There were also man}- hea\'y thunder showers. Octo- 
ber 3, 4 and 5, of 1869, will long be remembered for the 
great rain-storm. From 4 to 6 inches of rain fell 
throughout New England, and much damage was done 
everj-where ; roads were washed away, buildings under- 
mined, as at St. Johnsburj-, and mills destroj'ed. 

In 1870, January 15, there was a sharp shower of 
rain, with the thennometer at zero, closing with it 2° 
above. On the 12th of February about three inches of 
dirty snow fell. Bj- melting some of it, I ascertained 
that the amount of diii, was about three grains to the 
square foot, which would give 360 pounds to the square 
mile. As the storm extended over at least 400 square 
miles, some 7,200 tons of meteoric dust fell in this 
stonn. 

In the summer of 1870 there was hardly a day with- 
out a thunder shower in Vermont, and the showers 
passed over very frequentlj-. Hay was in consequence 
secured in bad condition, and all crops were dam- 
aged. Lightning struck many times in Lunenburgh. 
June 20 it struck a green white-ash tree, shivering it to 
splinters, and ploughing nine furrows in different direc- 
tions from the base of the tree, man}' of them several 
rods in length, and larger than could be cut with a 
plough. August 2 it struck a horse in pasture, burning 
off his hair, or puUing it out, also cutting a hole in his 
head two inches long, and throwing off his shoes. The 
horse recovered from the shock. On October 20 oc- 
cuiTed a great earthquake for New England. Brick 
walls and plastering in houses were cracked, manj- chim- 
neys toppled over, and people generally were frightened. 
The shock lasted from two to three minutes, and was 
probably the heaviest experienced in New England for a 
period of at least 70 j-ears. 

1871 was very dry, and closed into winter without 
usual rains. Streams had not been as low for over 50 
years. On the 5lh of February, the thcmometer was 
40° below zero, and j-et on the 23d of the same month 







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we had thunder showers, also butterflies and grasshop- 
pers, both in Vermont and New Hampshire. Thej- both 
found it cold enough afterwards. March 9, several but- 
terflies were seen about the streets of Burlington ; also 
in Concord, N. H. There were also May flowers in 
March. April 8th was one of the warmest days of the 
season. 

First Settlement, &c. — The first settlement of the 
county was made in Guildhall (then supposed to be 
Lunenburgh), by David Page, Timothy Nash and 
George Wheeler, in 1764. They had to bring their pro- 
visions from Northfield, Mass., in canoes, by river navi- 
gation, over 165 miles. During the war of the Revo- 
lution, they were constantly annoyed by the Tories and 
Indians, who killed their cattle, plundered their houses, 
and carried some of their number into captivity. By the 
year 1785, quite a number of families had made their 
homes in " Upper Coos," as the valley on both sides of 
tlie Connecticut was then called. Much of the count}- 
was surveyed by Eben A. Judd, who after a time built a 
mill in Guildhall, and also brought goods to sell to the 
settlers, quite a share of which was New England rum. 
In the controversy about pitched lots occupied by the 
settlers, and the right of New Hampshire to survej^ their 
lands, there were often long discussions, which some- 
times resulted in quaiTels, and thej' now and then came 
to blows. It is not known that any were really killed in 
such fights, but they sometimes used pitchforks, and 
other dangerous weapons. 

Indian History. — This county was never much settled 
by Indians, but was used as a hunting-ground, and 
through it was the main highwaj^ for the St. Francis 
tribe of Canada, and those Coos Indians living in the 
valley of the Connecticut. It was, as it were, disputed 
territory, as both claimed the right to hunt in it ; and we 
have the best reasons to suppose that there were frequent 
ambuscades within its borders. There have been a few 
stone tomahawks, arrow-points and other Indian reUcs 
found within its limits, but they are not abundant. About 
niidwaj' of the Fifteen Mile Fall on the Connecticut, in 
the town of Concord, is a small meadow known as the 
Carpenter meadow, from Aaron Carpenter, who settled 
here in 1795. When he came, this meadow was covered 
by a handsome gi-owth of maple, free from underbrush, 
seemingly one of the most beautiful spots in the valley. 
One of his early clearings was made here, and in cutting 
the trees, various marks were found showing that this 
place was visited 39 years before. This was ascertained 
by cutting out the marks and counting the grains. 
Leaden bullets were also found beneath the surface of 
the timber, that had, by its growth, closed the hole for 



as many j-ears. This was deemed conclusive evidence 
that white men had had a skirmish here, using fire-arms. 
Then came the question, Who was it? 

In 1759, Maj. Rogers made his ever-memorable expe- 
dition against the St. Francis Indians. After being 
iiarassed in his return, he found himself at Lake Mem- 
phremagog without food, and his men much exhausted. 
He divided his party into three squads, so they could 
better obtain food, and they agreed to meet at the lower 
Coos. He kept up Barton River, and down the Pas- 
sumpsic, waiting for his men at No. 4. Another de- 
tachment came in bj- Wells River, but of the third there 
is no record of the way they came, but a part onlj- 
returned. Now it is highly probable that they kept east 
of Maj. Rogers, coming in on the Nulhegan, and down 
the Connecticut valley. That here they had a skirmish 
with the Indians, and succeeded in holding their ground, 
as is shown by two graves, which were opened, and the 
bones of two men were discovered buried by white men 
in a recumbent posture. Some years later, when plough- 
ing this meadow, several pieces of muskets were found, 
and a year or two after, when the river was very low, 
some gun-barrels were found in the river, corroded 
through by rust. Eleven pieces, in all, were found, and 
it was thought that they were the parts of four or five 
muskets. These were doubtless thrown into the river, 
to keep them from the Indians. Another musket, 
equally corroded, was found on Cook's Meadow, in Lu- 
nenburgh, six miles from the above-described place in 
Concord. This all forms a chain of circumstantial evi- 
dence in favor of the theory advanced. That there was 
a skirmish here at about that time, no one can doubt. 

But we were speaking of tbe earlj' settlers at about 
1800, when the count}' had log-house homes in most of 
the river towns. Living at the distance of 130 miles 
from the seaboard, all heavy articles, such as salt, iron, 
and in fine all the articles of civilized life that could not 
be obtained from the wilderness, or soil, or found in the 
waters, had to be transported over hills and mountains 
upon tiie backs of horses or men, guided through the 
forests onl}' by spotted trees, being obliged to ford or 
swim streams that ran across their route, often swollen 
by rains. With no mills for the manufacture of lum- 
ber, and from 60 to 85 miles to the nearest grist-mill ; 
surrounded with hostile Indians that much of the time 
could get five dollars for the scalp of a white man, — all 
this must have thrown a shadow deep and dark across 
the path of the early settlers of Essex County, and 
hard}' indeed must be the men and women to brave it. 
And so they were. Their currency was mostly the fur 
of animals, and "salts" made by boiling down the lye 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



of ashes, wliich, when made and carried to market, often 
brought no more than one cent per pound. 

Maj. Benjamhi AVhitcomb was the most prominent 
trapper and hunter of Essex Count}-, often spending 
months at a time in the -wilderness, subsisting upon 
game, and falling infrequently- with Indians, and camp- 
ing and hunting with them. He served under Putnam 
in the old French war, was in several fights, and was 
finally- taken prisoner b}- the Indians and earned to Que- 
bec. After Ticonderoga was taken b}- Allen, AVhitcomb 
hastened there, and served as a scout. He won his ma- 
jor's commission bj- going into Canada and shooting a 
British general. His retreat from his perilous position, 
pursued by bloodhounds, his subsequent capture in New 
Hampshire, and final escape b}- the hands of an Indian 
he had at one time befriended, are interesting incidents 
in the annals of that period. In due time he was given 
his major's commission and paj-, and in his old age re- 
ceived a major's pension. 

Essex County Indians. — The Indians in this part of 
the country were of the St. Francis tribe of Canada. 
This country was called bj- them " Coos," which signifies 
" The Pines." The}- had a trail from the territory of 
that tribe in Canada to the Penobscot River in Maine. 
After crossing the INIemphremagog, they would take the 
Clyde River, which would lead them to Island Pond, 
then cross to the Nulhegan River, and down that to the 
Connecticut, thence to the Upper Ammonoosuc, and up 
this river to some point in the present town of Milan, 
N.H., where they crossed to the Androscoggin, thence 
down the last-named river. On this trail they passed 
through the settled portion of IMaidstonc, and were a 
source of great annoyance to the inhabitants. During 
the Revolutionary war the Indians received $5 bounty for 
each captive alive, or scalp that was taken by them. 

The Tories were leagued with the Indians in oppo- 
sition to the Revolutionists, and as the latter could get 
no assistance from government, they were obliged to 
rely entirely upon their own resources for self-defence 
against this internal enemy. 

The inhabitants of both sides of the Connecticut River 
in this vicinity, united together for the purpose of self- 
protection, and chose a committee of safety and built 
forts for the protection of the women and children. 
There were three forts built — two in Northumberland, 
one at the mouth of the Ammonoosuc River, one in 
Maidstone, and one in Stratford, nearly opposite Mr. 
Joseph Merrill's, in the north part of the town. When- 
ever the alarm was given that the ' ' Indians or Tories were 
coming," the women and children would flee to the forts. 

One incident, worthy of remembrance, as showing 



somewhat of the trials and hardships to which young 
mothers were subject in those days of unremitting fear 
and anxiety, is as follows: — The young wife of Caleb 
Marshall, on whose farm one of those forts was built, 
after seeing the most valuable of her household goods 
buried in the earth, mounted her horse, with a child of 
about two years, and an infant of three weeks old, and 
went on, unattended, through the wilderness and sparsely 
settled towns a portion of the way, to her own and hus- 
band's parents, in Ilampstead, N. II., a distance of 160 
miles, where she arrived in safety. 

Ward Bailey was chosen captain to take command of 
these forts and the forces raised to guard them. The 
young and able-bodied men were sent as scouts to the 
woods, to prevent surprise from the enemy, and those 
who were not able to go to the woods' on this duty were 
left in the immediate charge of the forts. Capt. Bailcy 
was living in Maidstone at this time. His house was a 
few rods north from Col. Joseph Rich's present residence. 
He was very active in opposition to the Tories and 
Indians, which rendered him particularly obnoxious to 
them. A party of these savages and Tories came from 
Canada for the purpose of capturing Capt. Bailey, Mr. 
Hugh and other of the inhabitants of Maidstone. They 
went first to the house of Thomas Wooster, in the north 
part of the town, and took AVooster, his hired man, 
John Smith, and James Luther, who was at the house 
of Mr. AVooster, visiting the girl who subsequently be- 
came his wife, little thinking of the grievous calamity 
about to befall him. AVith a view of securing John 
Hugh and some of his sons, the party encamped just 
back of Mr. Beattie's orchard, in the woods at that time, 
intending to make the attack the next morning at break 
of day. As it happened by accident, that morning, Mr. 
Hugh and his eldest son, John, got up very early, in- 
tending to go over a line of sable-traps which they had 
set, running directly west from the river some five miles. 
Thinking that their guns might want cleaning, they 
washed them out, and in order to dry them, put in a 
charge of powder and fired them off. At this the Indians 
took alarm, supposing they were discovered, and that a 
large force had collected to give them battle. They took 
what prisoners they had secured to Canada ; were pur- 
sued by some of the settlers who hoped to rescue the 
captives, but were unsuccessful, and returned home. On 
their long tedious march through the wilderness, the 
sufferings of these cajjtives were intense, particularly 
from hunger. AA'hen the Indians stopped to eat their 
scanty meal, Luther would sit down before them and 
watch with a desiring eye : they would now and then 
throw him a bit, saying, " You all one dog, take that ! " 



Mr. Luther was afterward redeemed from his captivity, 
and married the girl from whom he was thus unexpect- 
edly taken, and lived with her in the town of Canaan, to 
a good old age. Mr. Wooster made the Tories believe 
he was also a Tory, and was released. The hired man 
finally succeeded iu effecting his escape. 

During the excitement on account of the Tories and 
their allies, a }"oung man, Ozias Caswell, being engaged 
in carting a heavy load of hay from a meadow, his oxeu 
refused to draw the load up the steep bank, and Caswell 
was exceeding vexed at his ill luck : finally he took the 
oxen from the load and set it on fire, giving an alarm 
that the " Indians had burned his hay," which caused all 
the inhabitants to flee to the forts witli much confusion. 
No Indians being found, Caswell was charged with hav- 
ing raised a false alarm, and after a long time acknowl- 
edged his guilt and was severely punished for the offence. 

Courts. — The first Essex County court was holden at 
Luncnburgh, on the 3d Wednesday of December, 1800. 
The next term was holden at Brunswick, on the 3d 
Wednesday of June, 1801, — Hon. Daniel Dana, chief 
judge ; Samuel Phelps of Lunenburgh, and Mills De- 
Forest of Lemington, assistant judges ; and Joseph Wait 
of Brunswick, sheriff. The first trial in this court was 
at this term. 

War of 1812. — When the war with Great Britain in 
1812 was declared, political feeling ran very high, and 
each party was read}' and willing to injure the opposite. 
Every opportunity was eagerly embraced, and every prov- 
ocation possible given. So, after the lapse of 70 years, 
it is impossible to arrive at the facts in all cases. One 
case was the shooting of Beach bj' Dennett, an officer of 
customs. The account at that time published is as fol- 
lows : In September of 1813, Mr. Samuel Beach of 
Canaan, Vt., wishing to repair a mill-dam in Canada, 
obtained a permit from the governor to take over a yoke 
of oxen to work on the dam.. He accordingly sent a 
man forward with his team. The oxen were taken from 
him by Lieut. John Dennett. Mr. Beach, when endeav- 
oring to obtain his oxen, was shot dead by Dennett. 
He and his associates were put in Guildhall jail, 
from which Dennett escaped the following spring. Tlie 
next August he was retaken, but not until mortally 
wounded by his pursuers. It appears that Dennett re- 
sisted, and was shot, while attempting to kill Mr. Mor- 
gan, by a Mr. Sperry, another of the pursuers. 

John Hugh of Maidstone, was appointed one of the 
deputy collectors of customs for Veiinont in 1811, and 
continued so until 1814, when his brother, Samuel Hugh, 
was forcibly taken from his own house in Canaan by a 
band of ruffians from Canada, and carried a prisoner 



out of the United States. The circumstances connected 
with this outrage were as follows : There were parties 
from Canada engaged in smuggling through property, 
chieflj' cattle, from the States, and it is to be regretted 
that many of our citizens were then as now found who 
were anxious to give "aid and comfort to the enemy." 
It was a duty of the officers of customs to put a stop to 
this contraband business, and they did so, but not with- 
out the loss of several lives. 

Hearing that a large drove of cattle was being started 
through by the smugglers, Samuel Hugh gathered to- 
gether a number of men and pursued them. Among the 
number were Ephraim Mahurin, Eleazer Slocum, William 
McAllister, one Cogswell, and several others, all 
armed. The party did not succeed in overtaking the 
drove of cattle until they got over the line, and had been 
delivered to the purchasers, who were also in force ex- 
pecting a conflict. Samuel Hugh was a powerful man, 
over six feet high, and weighed over 200 pounds. Two 
men bj' the name of Morrill, also powerful men, attacked 
him at once, and having knocked one of them down, the 
other was in the very act of snapping a loaded gun at 
Hugh's breast before he could use his own weapon again 
when some one from the American party more expert 
fired his rifle and Morrill fell dead. As several guns 
were discharged at the same time, it was never known to 
whom Hugh was indebted for his life. 

In the melee, another of the Canadian party was 
wounded. His name was also Morrill, and a brother to 
the one who was killed. There was also a third man b}' 
the same name, a nephew of the others. It was he who 
made the first attack on Hugh, as before mentioned. He 
had previously discharged his gun at him loaded with 
ball and buck-shot. The charge passed through Mr. 
Hugh's clothing, but did no injurj' to his person. But 
about four weeks after the affair, in the dead of night, 
Samuel Hugh's house was surrounded by an armed party 
from Canada, together with their friends and sympa- 
thizers iu tlie States, amounting to nearly 100 persons. 
He had just moved into a new house. The first intima- 
tion of their presence was the breaking-in of almost 
every window. The family, consisting of Mrs. H. and 
a number ol small children, were thrown into great alarm 
and distress, and clung around their natural protector. 
Seeing guns levelled at him from every direction, one of 
which was snapped at him but missed fire, he managed 
to free his person from his wife and children to prevent 
their being shot, for he had no doubt the part}- came to 
murder him. This was unquestionably the object of 
some of them, but they were prevented by the more con- 
siderate and less guilty portion of the company. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



Immediately all the stock, and whatever property thej- 
could la^' their hands on, was taken and hurried off. Mr. 
Hugh himself was placed on a horse, with his feet tied 
under the horse, and armed men walked on each side 
to guard him. This was in extreme cold weather iu 
November, 1814. The news spread like wild-flre, and, as 
soon as a large party could be collected (which was not 
until the next day at noon) to rescue Mr. Hugh, they 
started in full pursuit. But before they got through the 
woods they found that they were too far behind to over- 
take the enemy, and returned. 

Mr. Hugh was first taken to Stanstead. Here he sent 
across the line to David Ilopkinson, his brother-in-law, 
who resided in Derbj-. On Mr. Ilopkinson's appearance 
he himself was arrested on some pretext, and kept 
closely guarded by keepers three days, and could render 
no assistance. From Stanstead Mr. Hugh was carried 
to ilontrcal, thrown into prison and heavil3' loaded with 
irons. Here Mon-ill Magoon — afterwards notorious for 
his counterfeiting and other crimes, for which he was 
executed — was his keeper. During his stay here, Ma- 
goon intimated to him that for a certain sum he would 
secure his escape. This sum was subsequently raised 
and sent on, but before it came it was decided that Mr. 
Hugh could not be tried at Montreal, but that he must 
be sent to Three Rivers. At the last-named place he 
was tried, and on their failing to prove the homicide he 
was convicted bj' the court of some minor offence, and 
sentenced to be branded and imprisoned for three 
months. 

Again Mr. Hugh was loaded with chains and confined 
in a dark, loathsome cell. His sufferings from vermin 
and filth, with fare that Christians would have hardly 
offered their lowest brutes, soon reduced Mr. Hugh to a 
mere skeleton compared with what he was before en- 
tering a British prison. In addition to this, all manner 
of abuse and indignities were heaped upon him. Soon 
after peace was declared, his friends got up petitions 
which were forwarded to the governor of Vermont, and 
he procured what ofiicial papers were necessary, and 
authorized Seth Cushraan of Guildhall to go to Canada 
and present them to the governor-general of that prov- 
ince. This had the effect to set Mr. Hugh at liberty, 
who returned to his family, having been imprisoned 
upwards of one year. 

The legislature of Vermont granted to his wife, Pattj- 
Hugh, 81,000. 

During the same year a smuggler of some notoriety 
purchased 40 head of cattle in Caledonia Count}', and 
started them toward the Canada line, in Canaan. As the 
principal highway at that time was up the Connecticut 



River Valluv, it was Wwre the customs officers were on the 
lookout. When within a mile of the line, officer Beck- 
with, of St. Johnsbury, with a posse of men, suddenly 
deprived him of the cattle, and headed them towards 1 
Caledonia County. He arrived at Lunenburgh at night, 
and put up at Judge Gates' hotel, and the cattle were 
turned into a back lot, with 20 men to watch them. At 
midnight came the smuggler with 40 men to retake the 
cattle. A lieutenant of the United States ai-mv, acting 
as recruiting officer, was at Concord, about ten miles 
away, with 20 recruits. A message was at once sent 
for him, and the townspeople were rallied. The loyal 
landlady, fearing there would be trouble with her guest, 
immediately dressed him in her " gown and bonnet," 
and, throwing a shawl over her own head, they walked 
through the crowd who were after him to Dr. Thcron 
Webb's, where he was secreted. They soon left searching 
for him, and scoured the farm in the darkness for the 
cattle. 

The lieutenant and recruits arrived in sight at daylight, ' 
and saw so many men and heard so much noise that they 
loaded their guns and rode to the rescue. The owner 
had found his cattle and got them headed towards Lan- 
caster, and our townsmen had completely blocked the 
road. The officer now came forward and took command. 
Clubs were called into use in pelting the cattle to drive 
them over each other. The latter, being frightened, 
soon broke over the fence, ran for the woods, and were 
scattered. Some settled their politics b}^ " wrestling." 
and the one that could " throw " was right ; others liy 
swearing. A little Frenchman took his opponent, a man ■ 
of 180 pounds, astride his neck, ran with him several 
rods, rolled him the "longest way " down a bank, and left 
his politics head down and heels up beside a stone wall. , 
The owner, finding that it was of no use, threatened ven- 
geance and retired. The officer took the cattle and the 
government sustained him. 

The Grand Trunk Railway was chartered in 1848, 
and built through the county in 1853, passing through 
Bloomfield, Brunswick, Ferdinand, Brighton, Warren's 
Gore and Norton. The principal station, also custom- j 
house buildings, is in Brighton, at Island Pond. This 
is the end of the Portland division of the road. This rail- 
road runs through a wild country. When it was first 
survej'ed, it was intended to run up the valley of the 
Connecticut to Canaan, but on account of offers from 
the Canadians to build to Island Pond and estabUsh the 
custom-house there instead of on the line — they then 
owning only the Canada end of the road, and the 
expense being greater to them in building to Canaan — 
it was finally changed to the present route. • 



The Portland and Ogdensbnrg Railroad, chartered in 
1864 as the Essex County Railroad, and afterwards 
consolidated, was commenced in 1869, and completed 
through Concord and Lunenburgh in 1876. There are 
other railroads chartered through the count}-, but no 
present prospect of any others being built. 

Towns. 

GriLDnAiL was chartered b}' Gov. Wentworth, of New 
Hampshire, Oct. 10, 1761. It was gi-anted to Elihu Ilall 
and 63 others. These original proprietors appear to 
have been residents of New Haven County and vicinit}-, 
in Connecticut. Various gifts of land were offered to 
first settlers in " Coos," but the first actual settlements, in 
this region, supposed to be in Lunenburgh but afterwards 
found to be in Guildhall, were brought about by other 
means. 

It will be recollected that, during the French and In- 
dian war, several unsuccessful expeditions were planned 
and attempted for wresting Canada from France. One 
of the means employed by the authorities of the Province 
of Massachusetts to induce j'oung men to enlist in one of 
these expeditions, was an oflfer to appentices of freedom 
from their indentures. One of those who accepted this 
offer was young Emmons Stockwell, an orphan, whose 
parents died when he was very young. Upon the failure 
of the expedition to wliieh he was attached, the soldiers 
composing the same became disorganized and separated 
into small parties and returned on their own account. 
It was winter, and the suflferings of these men proved so 
severe that manj' died by the waj'. It was the fortune 
of young Stockwell and his party to strike the Connecti- 
cut River near its head-waters, and follow its course until 
they reached settlements, and by this means he became 
acquainted with much of this beautiful valley. Mr. Stock- 
well arrived home ragged and penniless, and returned to 
and completed his apprenticeship ; and, in the spring of 
1764, David Page, David Page, Jr., aged 18 j-ears, Em- 
mons Stockwell, — now 23 years old, — Timothy Nash, 
George Wheeler, and a Mr. Rice left Lancaster, Mass., 
for the purpose of commencing a settlement in the Con- 
necticut valley. They intended to locate their settlement 
on what has since been known as the Great Ox Bow, in 
Newbury ; but, on reaching that place, they found it al- 
ready occupied by two men, a Mr. Johnson being one of 
them ; consequently they continued their journey north- 
ward, and, on the 19th of April, they crossed the stream 
since known as " Israel's River," in Lancaster, N. H., 
and pitched their camps on both sides of the Connecticut, 
on land since called the Stockwell Place, on the New 
Hampshire side — on land now owned by Messrs. Allen 



and Small, on the Vermont side. They continued to oc 
cupy the lands on both sides of the river in common for 
some time, cutting and clearing off and planting to corn 
1 7 acres the first season. This first product of Indian 
corn in this region was described by Mr. Stockwell as 
being full in the milk and standing 12 feet high, the ears 
as high as his shoulders, on the 26th of August, and, the 
next morning, was frozen through and completely spoiled. 
" But," he continues, " it was no worse here than in 
Massachusetts." His partj' took with them from Mas- 
sachusetts 20 head of cattle, and in the course of the 
season added 20 more, all of which were kept through 
the next winter. 

The first houses of these settlers were rather temporary 
camps or cabins, and when Mr. Stockwell made a per- 
manent location it was upon the New Hampshire side of 
the river, upon the same farm on which his son Emmons 
and family now reside. He was said to be a man of 
iron constitution, weighing about 240 pounds, and insen- 
sible to fear ; and Mrs. Stockwell was in all respects 
quaUfied to be a companion and a helpmeet suitable for 
him. In proof the following fact is adduced : 

Indians were quite numerous in these parts, and they 
frequently called in small parties at the houses of the 
settlers to stay all night, and frequently to have a 
"drunk," as they termed it. Their place of crossing 
the river was at this settlement, and the canoes of the 
white men their means when travelling by land, and 
their call, the " war-whoop," — not in hostility, however. 
Many times did Mrs. Stockwell, on dark and rainj' 
nights, on hearing the Indian whoop, go alone, with her 
firebrand for a light, and take the canoe over and bring 
the savages to her house. Their house was a general 
resort for the Indians, with whom Mr. Stockwell traded, 
purchasing their furs and giving various articles in re- 
turn ; but his authority, or that of Mrs. Stockwell they 
never disputed — the tapping of his foot upon the floof 
being sufficient to quiet them when most rude or riotous. 
They raised a family of 15 children, their third child, 
David Stockwell, being the first child born in Guildhall, 
and when the youngest of the 15 had reached 21 j-ears, 
not a death had occurred in the family. 

Mrs. Stockwell lived till her 80th .year, and when she 
died her family could count 130 of her descendants then 
living. 

The first Congregational church was built in 1805. 
In 1828 it was taken down and moved from its hill loca- 
tion into the river valley. This house was finally' aban- 
doned, and in 1844 a new church was erected at the 
village, which is in the east corner of the town. In 1865 
there was a Methodist church also erected there, and the 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



" Essex County Grammar School" has been moved from 
Concord to this place. As this is the shire town, the 
county buildings are in this village. 

The population of the town is 483. 

Brighton. — This town was purchased from a land 
agent in Providence, E. I., b3- Hon. Joseph Brown, in or 
about the year 1806. It was named by him Random, as 
it was a random purchase. The charter, signed bj- the 
Hon. Thomas Chittenden, governor, and Thomas Tol- 
man, secretary, was granted to Col. Joseph Nightingale 
and Go others, Aug. 30, 1781. The town was organized 
in March, 1832. 

Nov. 3, 1832, the name of the town was changed to 
that of Brighton, that name being chosen by the inhab- 
itants of the town. 

The first person who settled in Brighton was Enos 
Bishoj) in 1820. John Stevens followed in 1821. John 
Cargill commenced in that part called Caldersburg about 
the same time. John Kilby built a log cabin and moved 
his famil}- in October, 1827. Seneca Foster and family 
followed nine weeks afterwards. John Kilby built the 
first framed house in 1828. Mr. Rosebrooks buUt the 
first framed barn. He was the first justice of the peace, 
having been appointed in 1828. When Mr. Bishop and 
Mr. Stevens came into town, they were obliged to travel 
on foot 16 miles from the Connecticut River through a 
dense wilderness, and for a long time had to bring their 
siipjilies from there in the winter on hand-sleds, the snow 
being so deep it was impossible to use teams, and the men 
themselves could travel in no way except on snow-shoes. 

The first missionary who visited the town was Rev. 
Mr. Heath, of the Methodist persuasion ; afterwards the 
Rev. Simeon Parmelee, for over 30 years pastor of the 
Congi-egational church. 

In the year 1858 a Roman Catholic Mission was 
established, and the j^ear following a church edifice 
greeted. 

The village of Island Pond, located upon the line of 
the Grand Trunk Railroad, is the great half-way place 
between Portland and Montreal, and the port of entry 
for all the traffic over the road, all the cars stopping 
liero over night. The railroad company have erected 
buildings here at a cost of $58,000. 

Hon. George N. Dale has been for many years a resi- 
dent of Brighton. He has held many prominent positions 
in the county and State, and was lieutenant-governor in 
1870-71. He is recognized as one of the best public 
speakers in New England. 

Population, 1.535. 

Concord. — The town was granted Nov. 7, 1780, and 
chartered Sept. 14, 1781, to Reuben Jones and 64 



others. There was no settlement made till 1788, when 
Joseph Ball came with his family from Westborough, 
Mass. In 1795 there were but 17 families in town ; in 
1798, 40 families. 

The early settlers came principally from Royalston 
and AVestborough, Mass., or towns in their vicinity. 
One portion of the town was settled by " Woodbury s " 
from the foi-mer place, and has ever been known by the 
name of " Royalston Corner." The first town meeting 
was held March 3, 1794. 

Concord Corner, situated in the south-westerly part of 
the town, dates nearly from the first settlement, and was 
for man}- 3-ears its business centre, but has now been su- 
perseded by the West Concord village, which was founded 
by John Chase in 1837. The first store was built there 
by C. S. Hill in 1840, and the first hotel in 1844, since 
which it has become an enterprising village, being not 
onl}- the business centre of Concord, But of Kirby, and 
parts of several other adjoining towns. Since the build- 
ing of the Portland and Ogdensburg Raih-oad, in 1875, 
the business has been more scattered, as North Concord, 
Miles Pond, and East Concord, all being extensive lum- 
ber stations, take business that formerly- went to West 
Concord. 

The first church in the county was buUt at Concord 
Corner in 1816, by the Congregational societj'. It cost 
over $3,000, being for the times a large and elegant 
church. In the autumn of 1811 the first Sabbath school 
in Vermont was instituted in this town. 

The first Normal School in America was also estab- 
lished here in 1823 by Rev. S. R. Hall, LL. D., and in 
this school also the first blackboard representations were 
used for instruction, and the first school blackboard was 
there made. 

Population, 1,276. 

LuNENBUKGH was chartered July 5, 1763, by Gov. 
Benning Wentworth to David Page and others. The 
first settlement made was in the north-east part (and is 
now in Guildhall), in 1764, by David Page, Timothy 
Nash and George Wheeler. The first settlers suffered 
severe privations for a number of j-ears. 

It is diflBcult to determine when the first settlement 
was made in the present limits of the town, but prob- 
ably as earlj- as 1768, by Uriah Cross, Thomas Gustin 
and Ebenezer Rice, who made their log-huts near the 
bank of Connecticut River, where game and fish were 
most easily obtained. Moose and deer were plenty, and 
salmon, at the head of the Fifteen Miles Falls, were 
caught with but little trouble, in the night, with torch 
and spear. Some weighing 40 pounds were taken bj' 
the first settlers. 



The land in this township lies in swells, running back 
from the Connecticut Eivcr to the west, where it rises in 
a range of hills near Victorj' line. The most noted is 
Mount Tug, probabl}' deriving its name from the diffi- 
culty of going over it. The timber on the high lands is 
geuerall3- hard wood ; in the low, mostlj' hemlock and 
spruce. On the intervals and plains on the Connecticut 
River, the timber was originallj- white pine. The first 
settlers on these broad and productive meadows, in 
clearing their lands, would haul these huge trees to the 
bank, and roll them into the river, congratulating them- 
selves that thej' had so eas}- a way of getting rid of them, 
never dreaming that such timber as they were floating 
down stream would be worth from $30 to S40 a thousand. 

The village is near the centre of the town, .where the 
"town plots," or citj' lots, of one acre each, were once 
"laid off, with streets adjacent." The Portland and 
Ogdensburg Railroad have their central station at the 
head of the Fifteen Miles Falls. The town contains 
three churches. 

The Congregationalists built their first church aoout 



tlic time the Concord church was built. In 1842 this 
church was taken down, and a new one wiis liuilt, which 
was burned in 1849. A new house was built in 1851, 
which now stands. 

The Methodist church was built in 1839. The Baptist 
church is on a hill about two miles from the village. 

Population, 1,000. 

The remaining towns of Essex County are : Bloom- 
field, settled in 1796 by Thomas Lamldn, having an 
extensive lumber business and a population of 455 ; 
Canaan, a frontier town, settled in 1785, population, 
420; Brunswick, organized in 1796, population, 220; 
Maidstone, settled prior to the Revolution, an excellent 
farming town of 255 inhabitants ; Victory, settled in 
1822, having large tracts of lumber firests ; Lemington, 
chartered in 17G2, containing Monadnock Mountain,* 
and a population of 190; Gkanby, settled in 1791, 
population, 174 ; and East Haven, settled in 1804, pop- 
ulation, 190. Besides these, there are the unorganized 
towns of Ferdinand, Averill, Norton and Lewis, and 
Warren's, Waenek's and Avery's Gores. 



FRAI^KLIK COUNTY 



BY HON. HENRY CLARIC 



Franklin County occupies the north-western corner 
of Vermont. Its history is one of great interest, as 
among the earliest portions of the State settled. Jacques 
Cartier, the French navigator, was probablj- the first 
European whose ej-e ever rested upon the territory now 
comprising this count3-. This was in 1535. Samuel 
Champlain navigated the lake to which he gave his 
name, and touched upon the shores lying along the boun- 
dary of Franklin County Jul^- 4, 1609. The name given 
this section was Iroquoisia, comprising, probablj-, the 
territorj' now called Swanton, Ilighgate, St. Albans 
and Georgia. Franklin County, as it now stands, once 
formed a part of six of the original counties of Vermont. 

* A slide from the easterly side of this mountain took place in the 
summer of 1805, in the night. It filled a largo pond at the foot of the 
mountain, and afforded a chance for building the county road, which is 
built over the place that the pond used to occupy. Lewis Smcrrage 
lived on the banks of the Connecticut, at a short distance from the slide 
at the time it took place. Ho was so frightened by the tremendous 
noise made by the great quantities of rocks, trees, &c., which came 
down from the mountain, that lie jumped out of his bed, and scrambled 
under it, thinking, as he afterwards said, that the day of judgment had 



It was incorporated Nov. 5, 1792. In 1797 the Gen- 
eral Assembly made another division of counties, still 
farther restricting its original limits. In 1835 four towns 
were taken to form the county of Lamoille. The count}- 
is now bounded north by the Province of Quebec, east 
liy Orleans and Lamoille counties, south by Chittenden 
County, and west b}- Grand Isle County, from which it 
is separated by a part of Lake Champlain. The eastern 
part extends on to the west range of the Green Mountains, 
and is high and broken ; the western part is generallj- 
level, and is a good farming country. The Missisque 
River waters the north, and the south is watered by the 
Lamoille. The scenery in difl"erent parts of the countj' 

come. The next morning he found his meadow nearly covered with 
water, which had been forced out of the pond by this remarkable and 
destnictive land-slide. 

t Franklin County contains the followmg towns : — Bakersfield, pop- 
ulation iu 1S70, 1,404 ; Berkshire, 1,609 :' Enosburgh, 2,077 ; Fairfield, 
2,393; Fakfax, 1,948; Fletcher, 868; Franklin, 1,602; Georgia, 1,006; 
Ilighgate, 2,200; Montgomery, 1,423; Richford, 1,481; St. Albans, 
7,021; Sheldon, 1,697; and Swanton, 2,080. Avery's Gore has a popu- 
lation of less than 50. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



is picturesque. The hills, vallej-s, ponds, rivers and 
streams contribute to render it attractive to the eye, 
while its productive qualities, natural advantages, and 
facilities for T\-ater and railroad transportation to market, 
make it a desirable home for the farmer and manufac- 
turer. It is the largest butter and cheese producing 
count}' in the State, and one of the most important in 
the United States. Iron-ore, marble, and lime are 
among its productions. 

Franklin County has been the scene of more insurrec- 
tions and raids than any other section of the State. The 
first was the "Black Snake" affair, in 1808, which has 
been so admirably described by the late Dea. Luther L. 
Butcher of St. Albans. The embargo which was laid 
upon the foreign trade of the United States by the act of 
Congress, passed Dec. 22, 1807, was the cause of wide- 
spread ruin and distress. President Jefferson deemed 
the measure indispensable, as a just retaliation for the 
course pursued hy Great Britain in the seizure of our 
vessels,^he plunder of our commerce, and the impress- 
ment of our seamen. The effect was to greatly increase 
the price of foreign merchandise and render our own 
almost valueless. There arose a fierce opposition to the 
embargo in all parts of the country. Among the inter- 
ests that great!}- suffered was that of the manufacture of 
ashes. Although of compai'atively small moment, it 
was of great importance to the new settlements in north- 
ern Vermont. The timber was cut down and consumed 
to ashes. These were conveyed to the nearest store and 
exchanged for provisions and other articles. In some 
parts the ashes were worked into black salts, lightening 
the labor of transportation, which in some cases was 10 
or 20 miles to a market. At this time potash brought 
a remunerating price in the not far off maiket of Mon- 
treal. In many sections not a dollar in money during 
the year was realized from any other source ; and but for 
this all business would have been seriously impeded. 
The embargo, therefore, was a serious blow to this inter- 
est. The merchants held large stocks, and with ruin 
staring them in the face, the temptation to run their 
ashes across the line to Montreal was too great for their 
patriotism, and smuggling began on an extensive scale. 
To prevent this a numerous force of revenue officers 
was placed along the Canadian line, to which were 
added military guards at some points. Maj. Charles K. 
AVilliams of Rutland was stationed wilh a military force 
at AVindmill Point, on Grand Isle. Jabez Penniman of 
Colchester was the collector of customs. A twelve- 
oared cutter, called the " Fly," belonging to the customs 
department, cruised about the oullet of the lake and 
made smuggling somewhat hazardous. The smugglers 



had possession of a boat called the " Black Snake," with 
a crew of powerful and desperate men, completely 
armed, who had for a long time defied the government 
officials, and continued to freight large quantities of 
potash across tlie line. A merchant and well-known 
smuggler of St. Albans, Jolin Stoddard, employed the 
"Black Snake" to transport cargoes from St. Albans 
Bay into Canada. The boat had made several trips with 
complete success, but at length was encountered by 
officer Joseph Stannard, who commanded the crew, in the 
name of the United States, to surrender. Stoddard was 
on board and urged on the men. Stannard having no 
force to aid witnessed their safe escape into Canada. 
The smugglers were determined not to surrender, as the 
boat carried nearly a hundred barrels. At a freight of 
86 per barrel it was a pacing enterprise. The collector 
now applied to Maj. Williams for a military force to pro- 
ceed in the revenue cutter "Fly" to find and capture 
the "Black Snake." Two officers and 12 privates were 
detailed for the service. The " Black Snake" had come 
back from Canada the previous night and gone up the 
lake. Each man of her crew had a gun, and spike poles, 
to keep off the revenue boats. They had also provided 
several clubs, a basket of stones, and a large gun called 
a wall-piece, which carried 15 bullets. They lay in seclu- 
sion during the day, and at night went to the mouth of 
Onion River, where they arrived at sunrise. They 
reached Joy's Lauding, three miles from Burlington, 
about noon. They drew their boat on shore some CO 
rods above and there awaited the arrival of the reve- 
nue boat. On the morning of Wednesday the govern- 
ment officers found the smugglers and demanded their 
surrender, which resulted in a skirmish in which several 
were killed. Their names were Ellis Drake of Claren- 
don, Capt. Jonathan Ormsby of Burlington, and Asa 
Marsh of Rutland. Lieut. Daniel Farrington of Bran- 
don was seriously wounded. The crew of the " Black 
Snake" were an-ested and lodged in jail in Burlington, 
and afterwards tried, and one, Deane, hung for murder. 
The greatest excitement prevailed lhrou;;hout the whole 
region. The funeral of the three murdered men was 
held Aug. 4th, in the court-house ; Rev. Samuel Williams, 
LL. D., the historian of Vermont, delivered a discourse. 
The Canadian rebellion in 1837, known as the Papi- 
neau war, was somewhat associated with the border 
towns, the di^^affected French Canadians making the 
latter a recruiting ground for their raids, and a place of 
refuge when defeated or pursued. On Feb. 14, 1838, 
some 300 of the rebel force crossed the line to Caldwell's 
Manor, and encamped for the night about two miles 
from the line. Most of the men deserted during the 



VERMONT. 



night, and in tlie earl}- morning they surrendered to 
Gen. John E. Wool of the United States armj-. This 
ended the rebellion, although bitterness of feeling was 
manifested for several j-ears. 

The rebel raid, although of onlj' a few hours' continu- 
ance, j-et gave St. Albans a notoriet}- greater than an}- 
other event in its histor}-. On the 19th of October, 18G4, 
a band of 22 armed men entered the village in open 
da3-light, robbed the banks, and escaped with their plun- 

' dcr into Canada. Bennett H. Young, the leader, came to 
St. Albans October 10th and took quarters at one of the 
hotels ; two others, on the same da}-, stopped at another 
hotel, and were followed the next day by three others. 

i They evidentlj^ spent their time reconnoitering and 
taking in the situation of affairs. On the 18th six more 

I arrived. On the 19th, 11 more arrived. The}' differed 
in nothing from ordinary travellers, except that they had 
side-satchels, depending from a strap over the riglit 
shoulder. They were mostly 5-oung men, from 20 to 30 
years of age. As the town-clock struck 3 p. m. the banks 
were entered simultaneously by men with revolvers con- 
cealed upon their persons. Five entered the Bank of 
St. Albans. C. N. Bishop, the teller, was sitting b}- a 
front w-indow, counting and assorting bank-notes when 
the men entered, and on going to the counter, two of 
them pointed pistols at his head, upon which he sprang 
into the directors' room, in which was Martin Z. Sey- 
mour, another clerk, engaged with the books. They 
endeavored to close the door, but it was forced open 

I with violence ; the robbers seized them by the throat, 

] pointing pistols at their heads, and saying in a loud 
whisper, " Not a word ; we are Confederate soldiers ; 
have come to take j-our town ; have a large force ; shall 

i take your monej-, and if you resist shall blow your brains 

! out. We are going to do bj- j-ou as Sheridan has been 
doing by us in the Shenandoah Vallej-." They were 
told no resistance would be made. They relaxed their 
hold, but kept guard over their prisoners with their 
pistols while the others proceeded to stow awaj- in their 
pockets and satchels bank-notes, and $400 in silver, 
saj-ing that was "too heavy." A drawer under the 

I counter, containing $9,000, thej- failed to discover. An 
oath was administered to Mr. Seymour not to do an}- 
act against the Confederate government ; and he was 

! interrogated about the government bonds, but he made 
no explanation, and his coolness and firmness saved 

i $oO,000 of bonds belonging to private parties. Signed 

I but uncut bills amounting to $50,000 w-ere also overlooked 
by them. The entire time spent in the bank was about 
1 2 minutes. The Franklin County Bank and the First 
National Bank were also robbed. Four pei-sons were 



engaged in the robbery of the latter. The only persons 
in the bank were Albert Sowles, the cashier, and Gen. 
John Nason, then nearly 90 years of age, and very deaf. 
The rebels said to the cashier, " You are my prisoner." 
One went behind the counter to the safe, from which he 
took bank-bills, treasury notes and United States bonds, 
cramming them into his jjockets and tossing other pack- 
ages to his companions ; and having disposed of their 
funds, in pockets and satchels, they passed out the door. 
Gen. Nason, the old man, sut during the entire transac- 
tion in the back part of the room reading a newspaper. 
After the rebels had gone out, he came forward and 
mildly inquired, " What gentlemen were those?" 

After the robbery, Young, the leader, summoned the 
guards, who had been patrolling the streets, sending 
every citizen who appeared to the common, under pen- 
alty of being shot, — some twenty of whom were thus 
congregated, in utter astonishment at the cause. Horses 
and wagons were seized, and livery-stable horses con- 
fiscated or impressed, until each one of the raiders were 
mounted, when they made their escape to the north, 
through Sheldon, into Canada. Several citizens were 
wounded by the promiscuous firing, during their gather- 
ing together their horses for retreat. Before they left, 
however, the town was alive to the situation, and rushed 
upon the enemy. A half hour later the rebels could 
have never left St. Albans, as the news flew like wild- 
fire from ear to ear, and by telegraph to adjoining 
towns ; and in a few hours the town was well guarded 
with troops. One of the wounded citizens of St. Albans 
died, and it is supposed that one of the raiders died from 
wounds received as he was retreating from the town. 
The entire amount taken was $208,000, most of which 
was recovered through the United States and Canadian 
governmAits. Our space has compelled the omission of 
many interesting incidents and the course of the rebel 
sympathizers in Montreal. The Canadian Government 
made, so far as was claimed, restitution for the acts of 
the strangers upon their soil who had proved marauders 
upon a neigliboring country. 

Franklin County was thrown into excitement again in 
18C6, by the concentration on their territory of the 
Fenians, or " the right w-ing of the army of Ireland," 
for the purpose of an invasion of Canada. The sudden 
and utter collapse of this movement is too well remem- 
bered to require description. 

The education of the children early engaged the atten- 
tion of the settlers, and no county in the State has made 
better and more liberal provision for schools. The early 
schools were generally taught in private houses in the 
winter, and in the summer some barn was occupied for a 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



school-house. The earlier school-houses were built of 
logs, with a huge fireplace in one end and a door in the 
other ; on each side was one window. The desks were 
made by driving pegs into side-logs, and upon these 
placing the desks. The seats were made movable. 
This was a great improvement on private rooms. In 
these houses did the first generation receive their educa- 
tion (the spelling-book and Testament were conned and 
printed on the copj--books) , becoming good readers, cor- 
rect spellers and fair penmen. If, b\- chance, an arith- 
metic and a geography were obtained, the owners were 
prepared to become the leaders of the school, and were 
looked upon as prodigies in their circles. The teachers 
received little more than their board. The school rights, 
about 1800, began to jield something of revenue, and 
the State made provision by taxation, and since that 
period the common school has been steadily' progressing, 
— an important factor in every communitj'. 

In most of the grants of towns made by the govern- 
ment of Vermont, there was a reservation of one right 
of land for the support of a county grammar school or 
academj', in the county in which they were situated. 
The towns of Georgia, St. Albans, Swanton, Ilighgate, 
Sheldon, Fairfield and Fairfax were chartered under the 
Province of New Hampshire, and their charters contain 
no reser\ations for the benefit of a county grammar 
school. In all the remaining towns of the county there 
are lands reserved in the charters for the use and benefit 
of such a school ; and l\y act of the legislature, Nov. 7, 
1815, these lands were appropriated "to the use of the 
Franklin County Grammar School, instituted and estab- 
lished at St. Albans." The annual income from these 
rents is only about $150. The Franklin County Gram- 
mar School was established at St. Albans in 1799. The 
academj' continued in existence until 1861, when it was 
merged into the St. Albans graded or union school, with 
such conditions as to preserve the original rights of the 
old academy trustees. This institution has had manj' 
able preceptors. Bakersfield Academical Institute * was 
established in 1840. J. S. Spaulding, LL. D., the old- 
est and most distinguished teacher in Vermont, was 
elected principal, and remained until 1852, when he re- 
moved to Barre, and the academy became extinct. 
Bakersfield Academy was built in 1844 and was placed 
under the patronage of the Troj- Conference of the 
Methodist Church. II. J. Moore was its former princi- 
pal. It is now extinct. The New Hampton Literary 
Institute and Theological Seminary was removed from 
Hampton, N. H., to Fairfax in 1852, and placed under 

* In the fall of 1S50 there were not less than 325 students in attend- 



thc patronage of the Baptist denomination, and has been 
a successful school to the present time. Franklin Acad- 
emy, at Franklin, was established in 1849. Georgia 
at one time had a very successful academy. The late 
Hiram Bellows of St. Albans left by will $50,000, for a 
free academy-, to be established at Fairfax, and a similar 
sum to establish the Bellows Free Academy- at St. 
Albans. The late Peter B. Brigham of Boston, a native 
of Bakersfield, left a large sum for the establishment of 
the Brigham Institute and Free Academy in that town. 
And as the fathers of Franklin County provided for the 
education of her children, so in these later times her 
wealth}' and loj-al sous follow the example of the pio- 
neers who planted the institutions that enabled them to 
become successful men and liberal benefactors. 

Franklin County has been the home of many men of 
eminent name and service. 

Steiihen Royce, Sr., was born in Cornwall, Conn., 
July 8, 17G4. His father, Maj. Stephen Roj-ce, was an 
officer in the Revolutionary army, and came from Con- j 
necticut to Tinmouth in 1774. He was one of the dele- 
gates from that town to the Convention at Dorset, in 
1774, " which declared Vermont free and independent." 
The son married, Dec. 8, 1785, Minerva, daughter of 
Hon. Ebenezer Marvin, also a Revolutionary oflScer, 
a lady of remarkable strength of mind and energy of 
character. In 1791 they removed from Tinmouth to 
Franklin County. Mr. RojX'C became the pioneer of the 
towns of Franklin and Berkshire. He was one of the 
representative men of his times. He died at Berkshire, 
July 13, 1833, aged G9 years. 

Hon. Stephen Royce, the elder son, was born in Tin- 
mouth, August 12, 1787, and removed with his parents 
to northern Vermont in 1791. He graduated from Middle- 
bmy College in 1807 ; was admitted to the bar in 1809. 
He practised law in Sheldon and St. Albans, but finallj- 
returned to Berkshire, where he ever after resided. In 
1825 he was elected a judge of the Supreme Court. In 
1829 he was again elected to the same position, which 
he held until 1852, a period of 23 years, the last six of 
which he was chief justice. He was governor in 1854 
and 1855, after which he refused all official position. 
He died Nov. 11, 1868. 

Horace Eaton, son of Dr. Eliphaz Eaton, was born in 
Barnard, June 26, 1804 ; graduated at Middlebur}' Col- 
lege in 1805, and from Castleton Medical College in 1831. 
He was lieutenant-governor three je.irs, governor two 
j-ears, and State superintendent of common schools five 
years. He became a professor in Middlebury College in 
1848, and held the position until his death, July 4, 1855. 
He was an enlightened, learned and conscientious man. 



Maj. Gen. Israel B. Richardson, son of Israel Putnam 
Richardson, was born in Fairfax, Dec. 26, 1815. He 
entered West Point Military Academj'^ in 1836. He 
commanded bis companj- and was distinguished in the 
battles of Cerro Gordo, Contreras, and Cherubusco, in 
the Mexican war, in 1847, and was breveted major for 
gallant conduct at Chepultepec. He served with dis- 
tinguished abilitj- in the late civil war, and died at 
Sharpsburg, Md., Nov. 3, 1862, of wounds received at 
the battle of Antietam. He was buried with military 
honors at Pontiac, Mich., Nov. 11, 1862. 

Rev. Benjamin "Wooster, the patriotic minister of Fair- 
field, was born in Waterbury Conn., Oct. 29, 1762. He 
enlisted in the Revolutionary army for four months' ser- 
vice at the age of 14 years, and in his IGth year enlisted 
as a regular soldier for three years. He graduated at 
Yale College in 1788, and studied theology with Rev. 
Jonathan Edwards, D.D. For four years he was a de- 
voted missionarj-, travelling over a wide extent of terri- 
torj', and preaching in seven States. He was subse- 
quently pastor of the Congregational Church in Cornwall, 
Vt., and in 1805 was installed over the church at Fair- 
field, where he remained until his death, Dec. 18, 1840. 
The whole number of sermons preached during his 
ministry is estimated at 6,000. Ilis heroic conduct at 
the battle of Plattsburgh made him famous. The people 
of his town being disinclined to go, he presented himself 
as a volunteer, and called on his people to follow him 
to the rescue of the country. The compan}' was soon 
filled, and he was chosen captain. His church were 
assembled at preparatory lecture. Some expressed 
doubts of the propriety of the minister's going. He 
met his people, commended them to God, and with tears 
bade them farewell. Before sunset the compan}' was on 
its wa}'. They arrived in Plattsburgh in time to share 
whatever of danger and glorj- awaited the troops on the 
land. 

John Godfrey Saxe, the humorous poet, was born in 
llighgate, June 2, 1816. He graduated at Middlebury 
College in 1839. Studying law, he practised his profes- 
sion a few j-ears, and then removed to Burlington. He 
was for many years editor of the " Burlington Sentinel," 
and since retiring from the editorial chair he has devoted 
himself to lecturing and literary labor. He has pub- 
lished several volumes of poems, which have met with 
much popular favor. He resided at Albany, N. Y., for 
several years; from thence he went to Brooklyn, N. Y., 
where he now resides, in feeble health. 

Hon. Bates Turner was born in Canaan, Conn., in 
1760. He entered the Revolutionarj' army at the age of 
16. At the close of the war he entered the Litchfield 



Law School, and on the completion of his studies was 
admitted to the bar, and removed to Vermont. He first 
settled at Fairfield, in 1796, and opened a law school, 
for preparing .young men for the bar. Nearly 175 
students were entered in his school and office at diflferent 
times. In 1815 he removed to St. Albans, where he 
remained until his death, in 1847. 

Hon. John Smith was born in Barre, Mass., Aug. 12, 
1789, and came to St. Albans with his father in 1800. 
He was State's attorney from 1827 to 1833. He prac- 
tised law for many j-ears in St. Albans, and in 1838 was 
elected to Congress as a Democrat (his district being 
strong Whig) , because of his personal popularity. He 
was one of the first and foremost promoters of the Cen- 
tral Vermont and Vermont and Canada railroads, the 
benefactor of St. Albans and Franklin Count}-, and a 
liberal and public-spirited man. He died suddenlj-, Nov. 
20, 1858. 

Worthington Smith, D. D., born in Iladloy, Mass., 
Oct. 11, 1795, and a graduate of Williams College and 
Andover Theological Seminary, was ordained pastor of 
the Congregational Church in St. Albans, June 4, 1823, 
in which relation he remained until 1849, when he be- 
came president of the University of Vermont, at Bur- 
lington. He resigned the presidency in 1855, and died 
at St. Albans, Feb. 4, 1856. 

John Gregory Smith, one of Vermont's most eminent 
and useful citizens, son of Hon. John Smith, was born 
at St. Albans, July 22, 1818. He graduated at the 
Universitj^ of Vermont in 1838, and at the Yale College 
Law School in 1841. He began the practice of law with 
his father and continued therein until 1858, when he suc- 
ceeded his father in the management of the Vermont and 
Canada and Central Vermont railroads, which position 
he now occupies. In this relation he has improved and 
promoted the material interests of Vermont more than 
any other individual who has lived within its borders, and 
has managed manj' important enterprises, in all of which 
he has endeavored to develop the industry of his native 
State. In 1863 and 1804 he was governor of the State, 
and his administration was marked with great executive 
ability, especially in relation to matters pertaining to the 
war. 

.Worthington C. Smith, second son of John Smith, is 
a graduate of the Universitj' of Vermont, has served 
three terms in Congress, and is the only instance in Ver- 
mont of a son having been a successor of his father in 
Congress. Since he left political life he has been a rail- 
way manager and engaged in manufactures. He is an 
ardent promoter of the educational, religious and busi- 
ness institutions of the State. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



Towns. 

The first settlement in the county was at Swanton, 
and it was one of the French seigniories on Lake Cham- 
plain. Before the conquest of Canada by the English, 
the French and Indians had a settlement at Swanton 
Falls of some fiftj- huts. They had cleared some land 
on which thcj- raised vegetables and corn, and had built 
a church, also a saw-mill, — the channel cut through the 
rocks to supplj' the water for which still remains. A 
large number of curious and interesting Ipdian relics 
and French manuscripts were discovered in this section 
some twenty- jears ago, bj- Dr. George M. Hall and Rev. 
John B. Perry. This place was occupied by the Indians 
until the commencement of the Revolution. The first 
permanent settler, John Ililliker, arrived about the year 
1787, and was soon joined bj' others. Swanton is now 
a town only second, perhaps, in importance in the 
count}-. 

The second town settled was St. Albaxs. It is lo- 
cated upon the eastern shore of Lake Champlain. On 
the west, about two miles from the present prosperous 
village, it is indented b}- a bay. At this point Jesse 
Welden settled previous to the Revolution, and returned 
there after the close of the war. Tradition has reported 
that the lauds in this ^-icinit}- were favorite places of 
resort for the Indians. The stone arrow-heads, and 
other Indian implements, found by early settlers, 
give confirmation to the tradition. The town was char- 
tered b}' Gov. Benning Wentworth of New Hampshire, 
Aug. 17, 1703. ■ Jesso Welden returned in 178.5, and 
was without question the first civilized settler of St. 
Albans. He came from Sunderland. He was a leading 
man in the early settlement. He lived for a time at the 
bay, and then removed to what is now the ■\illage of St. 
Albans, built a log cabin, cleared seventj- acres of land, 
and planted an orchard. He was accidently drowned off 
Isle La Motte, in October, 1795. His bod}^ was recov- 
ered the following spring, and brought to St. Albans for 
interment. He was one of the earlj- contributors in 
aid of the Universit}- of Vermont. A street, and 
the elegant hotel, the Welden House, are named for 
him. In 1786 other settlers came. The town was or- 
ganized on July 28, 1788. Provisions were very 
scarce for the first three or four j^ears, and the nearest 
flouring-mill was at Plattsburgh, N. Y. Among those 
who came in 1787, was Levi Allen, a brother of Ethan 
and Ira Allen. St. Albans was made the county seat 
in 1793, when its growth began more rapidly. The 
public green was wisely laid out and cleared, and 
now constitutes the spacious park, one of the chief at- 
tractions of the town. The first framed house was erect- 



ed in 1794 by Silas Hathaway, and is now occupied by 
Hon. R. H. Hoyt. It was a tavern, and in the hall, the 
early courts and religious services were held. The first 
store was that of Capt. Whitnej- in 1792. Christopher 
Dutcher built a tanner}' at the baj- in 1790. William 
Nasou, wife, one son and four daughters, came in 1796, 
from New Hampshire, bringing their eflTects in four 
sleighs and one ox-team. He settled a mile south of the 
village and kept a tavern until his death in December, 
1810. Daniel Rj-an came in 1797, opened a store, and 
established an asher}-. An Industrious, prudent and 
thrifty man, ho proved at the time of his death, Feb. 8, 
1810, the richest man in Franklin Count}'. Most of the 
houses in the village at this date were of logs, covered 
with bark, the windows of paper, and the chimney of 
split sticks, plastered with clay. The mails were brought 
from Burlington once a week, and Seth Pomeroy was 
postmaster. The first jail was raised in 1796. St. 
Albans is now one of the handsomest, most thriving and 
best appointed villages in New England. 

Fairfax was granted Aug. 18,1 763. The first' settler, 
Capt. Broadstreet Spafford, came from Piermont, N. H., 
in 1783. Two sons, Nathan and Asa, accompanied him, 
bearing upon their backs provisions, axes and trusty 
rifles, upon which they mainly depended for supplies of 
food. They blazed the trees along down the north bank 
of the Lamoille, to mark their road, and made a selec- 
tion of land near this beautiful river. In 1778, Levi 
Farnsworth made a settlement on Fairfax Plain. The 
first settlement made in North Fairfax was by Joseph 
Beeman and his son Joseph, Jr. They came from Ben- 
nington in 1786, on foot. The locality known as Buck 
Hollow was first settled by Gould Buck and Abigail 
Ilawley, of Arlington. 

The first improvement made where the village of Fair- 
fax now stands was by Joseph Belcher in 1787. He was 
a hunter, whose possessions were several dogs, a gun 
and an axe. Several others came in 1789. In 1788, 
Stephen England opened the first hotel. 

In 1791 the first mill was built by Amos Fassett of 
Cambridge. Pi'cvious to this the people went to Burling- 
ton and Vergennes to mill. The first school taught was 
by Jedediah Safford, " in the stoop of his father's log- 
house." School districts were established in 1790. In 
1792, the legislature granted a lottery for the purjiose of 
raising S.'jOO to build a bridge over the Lamoille River in 
Fairfax, which was drawn, and the bridge built. 

The first mail-route was through from Dan-\-ille to 
St. Albans. The mail was carried by Solon Trescott. 
It was transported on horseback, the carrier ha^ang a 
tin horn, which he blew on his approach to the settle- 



ments. The mail was delivered to the inhabitants 
as he passed along. The only paper he carried was 
"The North Star," published at DanviUe. The first 
frame house was built by Joel Leonard in 1792. 
The first single wagon brought to town was by Josiah 
Brush iu 1808. The first company of cavalry formed in 
Franklin County was at Fairfax in 1791. Seth Pomeroj' 
was captain. The first town hall was built in 1807, and 
was occupied many years for preaching. The first mar- 

j riage was between Benjamin Pettengill and Nabbj' Ford. 

Georgia was chartered Aug. 13, 1763. The town was 

organized March 31, 1788. There had been several 

' parties in the town in 1784, but in 1785 William Farrand 
of Bennington, and family, made the first permanent set- 
tlement. James Evarts came from Sunderland in 1796, 
and was the first representative in the legislature. He 

I was the father of the distinguished Jeremiah Evarts, and 
the grandfather of Hon. William M. Evarts, the present 

' Secretary of State. Of the early settlers of Georgia, 
several had been engaged in the war of the Revolution. 
Gen. George I. Stannard, one of the bravest generals of 
the war, was a native of Georgia. 

The usual incidents and privations fell to the lot of the 
earl}^ settlers of Georgia. At first Whitehall or Vergennes 
were most accessible (bj^ waj' of canoes) for getting grain 
milled, and Plattsburgh in winter. In 1788 there was 
almost a famine because of a partial failure of crops. 
One citizen went on foot to Gov. Chittenden's mill, in 
Williston, exchanging his wife's gold beads for a quan- 
tity of flour, the journey occupying three daj-s' time. 
The institutions of religion and education were early 
established in this communt}-. 

HiGHGATE was chartered Aug. 17, 1763. In 1785-6, 
Joseph Reycard, John Hilliker, Jeremiah Brewster and 
others, made the first settlements in the town. The first 
mill was built by John Saxe in 1787. Catherine, the 
wife of John Saxe, was the first who died in the town 
(1791). She was the grandmother of John G. Saxe, the 
well-known poet. 

The first settlers were principall}- Dutch refugees, who 
supposed they had settled in Canada, until after the es- 
tablishment of the^ine between Canada and the States, 
and at that time there were no settlers found between 
Ilighgate and Burlington. John Saxe visited Burlington 
in 1786 with no guide but his pocket-compass. There 
was not a house along the whole route. Indians fre- 
quented the settlement, and sometimes pitched their 
wigwams near the settler's cabin. The children of the 
two races often played and frolicked together. En- 



• The longevity of the people of this town is something remarlsalile. one at J 
Four died at 100 years and over ; five at 95 ; three at 94 ; two at 93 ; at 85 ; two i 



counters with wild animals were frequent in those daj's. 
Schools were introduced among the settlers at an earlier 
date than usual. Manj^ of the pioneers were well edu- 
cated for that early period. 

Aug. IS, 1763, New Hampshire chartered three town- 
ships, by the names of Fairfield, Smithfield and Hun- 
gerford. Smithfield, in 1792, was annexed to Fair- 
field, and the latter became the largest town in Frank- 
lin County, with an area of about 60 square miles. The 
first permanent settler, Joseph Wheeler, came in 1787. 
John Sunderland and John Mitchel appeared in 1788. 
Among tlie names of the early settlers are Andrew 
Bradley, Hubbard, Dimon, Bradley, Samuel and Eben- 
ezer Barlow. The Barlow famil}- since that period have 
been prominent in the town, both in influence and 
wealth. Hon. Bradley Barlow, now a member of Con- 
gress, is a descendant of this family and a native of the 
town. Smithfield Braden was the first child born in the 
part called Smithfield. The proprietors made him a 
present of 100 acres of land. The town in its earlier 
history was more prosperous than latterly. 

Fletcher is a triangular township in the south-east 
corner of the county. Gov. Thomas Chittenden issued 
its charter, Aug. 20, 1781. Rufus Montague was the | 
only grantee who ever resided in the town. John Full- 
ington and family, of Deerfield, N H., were probably 
the first white inhabitants of the township, and came in I 
the spring of 1788. Thej' had one horse to ride, and 
one cow to drive, and were guided by marked trees. 
Arriving at Johnson, they encamped for the night, 
where Mr. Fullington was taken suddenlj' ill, and having 
no medical assistance, he died in a few hours. He was 
buried the next day by two men who accompanied him, 
near the bank of the river, a hollow log ser\'ing for a 
coffin. The wife, with her four children, proceeded [ 
down the river, and found the home provided for them 
in the wilderness. Here she became the mother of the 
first child born in Fletcher, and being a daughter, she 
named it Lamoille, the name of the river upon the bank 
of which it was born. Mrs. Fullington subsequently 
married Elisha Woodworth, and lived to the age of 95 
years.* Lemuel Scott came from Bennington in 1789, 
bringing his wife and one child. His son Lemuel was 
the first male child born in the town. Among the earl}- 
settlers were Dea. Peter Thurston, and Daniel Bailey, of 
Weare, N. H. Manj* others coming in soon after, the 
town was organized, March 16, 1790. 

The first school was taught in Lemuel Scott's house 
by James Robinson, probably in 1790. 



re at 90; one 
; 84 ; three at 8 



.t 89 ; two at 83 ; i 
1 ; five at 82 ; one ! 



:x at 87 ; three ; 
; 81 ; and six at 



HISTORY OF NE^n' ENGLAND. 



Fraxkus, in the northern part of the eonnty, on the 
line of the Province of Quebec, is somewhat irregular in 
form, as the surrounding towns were surveyed firet. 
lea^•ing the tract of land different in measure and out- 
line. The original inhabitants of this township were 
the tribe of St. Francis Indians, who made it a hunting- 
ground, running down the moose and deer into the 
ponds and marshes, where they killed and prepared 
them with other animals for transportation, by drying 
the flesh upon racks in the sun. Franklin was chartered 
by Gov. Thomas Chittenden, March 19, 1789, by the 
name of Huntsburgh. The first settler was Samuel 
Hubbard, who came from Norlhfield, Mass., in 1789. 
lie cleared the land, sowed 10 acres to wheat, and re- 
turned to bring with him the following spring his young 
wife. John Webster and wife came with him. He built 
the fii-st log-house, frame bam, grist and saw mills, and 
took active part in matters of public and private impor- 
tance. In 1792, the town was fully oi^anized. 

In the war of 1812. Franklin, being a border town, 
was the favorite resort for smuggling, and many inter- 
esting and amusing anecdotes are told of adventures 
and hair-breadth escapes. 

Among the men of Franklin in the ancient days were 
many of the pillars of the State, and prominent in polit- 
ical, professional and social life. 

•The original charter of Bakersfteld was granted to 
Luke Knowlton by Vermont, March 30, 179.5. 

Joseph Baker was the first settler, who came upon his 
possessions purchased of Luke Knowlton in 1789. Ste- 
phen Mavnard and Jonas Brigham moved in a year later. 
No others came tiU 1794, when Jeremiah Pratt, Luke 
Potter and Jonathan Famsworth located in town. The 
first town meeting was held on the date of its charter. 
Among the first subjects engaging the attention of the 
town was the settlement of a minister. In June, 1804, it 
was voted to hire Eev. Samuel Sumner, at $100 per year, 
and the ministerial lot. He was installed in June, 1804. 

The privations of the early inhabitants were nearly the 
same as the adjoining townships, it t.iking a week to go 
to mill, &c. Local dissensions existed for many years, 
resulting in various divisions on religious and educa- 
tional affairs. Two academies were in full vogue at one 
time because of the strong feeling of animosity among 
the people. In later years, matters have been more har- 
monioas. 



• .\fter the crops vrero harvested, the negroes went to Burlington to 
pass the winter; George Sheldon went to his home in Connecticut, 
leaving MacNamara, the Scotchman, and his wife, to care for things in 
the settlement. Early in the spring Sheldon returned, to find that his 
forenan had suffered and sorrowed alone in the wilderness : but this 



The town of .Sheldos was originally granted Ang. 18, 
1763, by New Hampshire, to Samuel Hungerford and 64 
associates, under the name of Hungerford, which was 
changed Nov. 8, 1792, to Sheldon. Among the grantees 
was Uriah Fields, an old Quaker, who by purchase sub- 
sequently acquired the greater part of the town. A 
family of Sheldons purchased of Mr. Fields, and 
Timothy Kogers of Ferrisburgh bought the titles and 
gave the town their name. In 1790 Geoi^e Sheldon, 
accompanied by a sturdy old Scotchman and his wife, 
! with several colored senants, arrived on an ox-sled, as 
first settlers. They erected the first log house and put 
in the first crops.* Soon after, CoL Elisha Sheldon, 
Elisha Sheldon. Jr., ilaj. Samuel B. Sheldon. Elnathan 
Keyes, with their families, James Herrick and James 
Hawley, arrived. Others joined them during the spring, 
and the colonists set earnestly at work in clearing the 
lands and cultivation of crops. The St. Francis Indians 
I gave them some trouble, as the Missisque and its 
' branches, filled with their favorite fish, and the hills 
', abounding with game, had been their hunting-ground, 
I to which they persistently held claim ; and they made 
threats against the Sheldons, toward whom they held 
special hatred, and on one occasion burned their bams. 
"Wild animals also gave them trouble : wolves, especially, 
annoyed them in the destraction of their sheep. 

A saw-mill was built in 1792, and a grist-mill in 1797. 
In 1 779 Israel Keith built a forge and furnace. The town 
was unsettled previous to the Revolution, but among its 
settlers it had several soldiers of that war : Col. Elisha 
Sheldon, Capt. Elisha Smith, Capt. Elisha Sheldon. Jr., 
Capt. Francis Dudas, Capt. Robert Wood and David 
Sloan. 

EsosBCBGH was chartered May 12, 1780, by Gov. 
Thomas Chittenden, to Gen. Roger Enos "our worthy 
friend." The organization of the town oc-curred March 
19, 1798. The first act of the board of selectmen was 
to license Mr. Lewis Sweatland for entertaining and re- 
tailing liquors by small quantity as an innkeeper, for one 
year from date. A family by the name of Balch are 
supposed to have been the first that settled, at least 
spent the winter of 1797 in town, and a son, Enos Balch, 
was the first child bora. Among the early settlers were 
Stephen House, Henry Hopkins, and Martin D. FoUet, 
Dea. Thomas Fuller was the first merchant : his goods 
were drawn from Boston by ox-teams — a hc^shead of 



sterling son of Caledonia had met his trials and privations with resolu- 
tion. MacXamara's wife died, and he had coTcred the body in a snow- 
bank near the house. Her body was mnoved and buried upon a 
"bald, bold bluff,"— the first white person thai died in the town,— 
and no mark now points out the grave. 




l«sz oi>e cf lie ccrirD^irr^^ Ther* ttetc two IdOO. BeiisUte has Icept; an ereit pace »id» ma^ixse- 
rs in Toim sx szi esrlj iir. «r^i tie nanisL&r -w^as i^ tonms ra fapabakm ami inpivTcaKats. 

is ssji. -0 cs:c-".sT-ig-r- tie rrsia he neciHTed j Mostigoxest was dmteaed. Oct. ?, 1789. Capt. 
*»• preaehing :"Dr V^'^Vcj. -h-"-' -;-. he iii-^-i to treat tbose Joshoa Qapp, a BeinlatMiHunr officer, wbo leoMn^il his 
«te cafied on kirn Sandar noons. A fara vas oace J CbobIj fiom Worester Comity. Has., in Ae ^vinar of 
bo^ht in flns tovn and paU for in vM^eit. Amn^ 1 1793, «as ak fxst settler. ^ 
far ten^Kiance in Tennant wne I afiersaids gne place to 
of Eao^Mo^; §anmi 
tbem aflnns Ae late hoaoped £x-Gor. Hocaoe Eaten, is sSB. sb^b^. Tte tosn vas oiganiicd, Ai^. U. 
. In October, 19M, Ber. JobSnifi, D. D., <f Bennn^ton, 
perf H wM d ^fe&iuMij vcmIl in TnosNn^h, vUdkemii- 
BsUr lesoiiBd in toie o»;jinifalin n of a Coi^Rsaiicaal 

on Sabbajtlu Oct. 20, vben ke cnwphjwpd of iDness, J BKSFon* was cbazfeesed, A^. 31, 1780. la Manji, 
; stopped fte serriees, and vns taken to the r^deace of 1 1795, Hi^ IGDer, h^ wife, and e^fat dnUien caate br 
I Stephen Ho«Be,«feae he dKd. I^.SniftwKaneof aejaviUmKsniato fron Bndfod, Tt^ tonofce the £m 
of Venonf, tl agjin a m . | pananent setUeneodL The Tndians often yiated them 
t ilfaam G omliirii , W a ralla | ia the winter on their l a mUi^ yicnrann s aloi^ the Hts- 
C1niieslMbiae,aidaeir^30(iates,lbicfcl3, ssqine Kver. lOOer had Once eoB&inJaT vim came 
17^, and was duntered by the naae <tf' Bedssfaire, nitfa braa, — Theopld^ Uarfing^ Robert; Kesnaedr, and 
June 3ft. 17^1^ The fitstpeii H UWB i t readEntinBett^ire j C^t. Benjamin Bamet. Al^ three sons, — James. 
was Job L. Bazber in 1793. The nest senson Daniel | Jacob and Danid. Sermonr. son <^ Tfaeopfailis Has- 
Boycemade ia^ n w^ MEMts. Thetwoitii^ was the list; duld bora in town.* Joseph Stan- 
sin the ^prii^ of 17»3. Gipf.I%in- , hope came fion GniUatd,Tt., in 1796. OiLTlnudiy 



190i. Rev. JbdClapp,D.D., was the fiist white per- 
son bora in the place (Sept. U, 179S). He aftowaid 
pttJ Lh ed the iist, &st-day and the list tlia^sgrrii^ ser- 



casHeafit and Capt. SvridXirtting, BewhitiaBnj offi- j Seymour, of Haztfbcd, Conn.,* 



and eieeiEd a saw 



auiivd in 1793. 

two entapnai^ 

besan now to iuLuuke iapidh~, 90 that vilhin tsn years 

the town was dotted with new ckazi^s and kg hoiBes. 

The town was aiganized in 1795. Stephen Bqyise was 

the fiist town repnesenlatire, and fiirsevenlycais after: 

and flie majocity <^ the jeazs anee the town has been 



time, and baUt the Srst fiame hoose. 
The town was wrgmm-H- , March 30, 1799. Aftia- the 
war of 1813 these was mocfa tzxnbfe with sna^^os. and 
the boanduy line was msettled. Got. Tan Xcss and 
odis bwyess came with some fiom Canada, to settle it. 
and they were nnaUe to ^ree. Finalh- it was d^er- 
mined to aiiMtrate the oonfrorosv bv a wrestle, each 



represented by some of his desoendaads. Hb Cnmly in side to {ick their man. A Hr. TTanen fiom Canada, 
its Taded chaises has been one ofl if not the meet pn»- j and Jonathan Smith of Bichlbid, were the chosen men. 
inent in Tamont. One of his sons was diief josiiee of ii Afto- two or three boars' wiesffii^. Smith tiiiew his 
the SapRme Court and gmeznor of tiie State, and a man. It was satisfactory to all panties, and the Bne was 
grandson, Hon. Homer E. Boyce, six: years a member <Hr determined in accradanoe with the Tieimant daim. The 
Coisress, and now a jn^e of tlie S^reme Coort, fiiDy town has met with many lereises by fire and flood, bot 
sieasarK vp to tihe anoent lepidation of the fnnily in on the introdnetion of raSways it began to impnne. and 
jn&aal abiEty and leamii^. The fiist wgjden t. m in is ta-. is now one of the e u tMpt isiig bi^nes towns in Xortb- 
Ber. John Bamrt, of Ae Fte^nterian Chorefa, came in • c 



maA^ait M m uMi Gfoi. She laid bd friril^e of i 



.■actsofdaawik. Siemsa^ 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



GEAND ISLE COUNTY. 



BY WILLIAM E. GRAVES. 



Grand Isle, or "Great Island" County, is 28 miles 
long from north to south, and about five miles ■wide. Its 
area of 82 square miles embraces more than 45,000 acres, 
and includes the towns of Alburg, Grand Isle, Isle la 
Motte, North Hero and South Hero. Although the small- 
est of the fourteen counties in Vermont, the material re- 
sources of Grand Isle and its situation on Lake Cham- 
plain,* entitle it to rank as not the least respectable and 
prosperous. Gcographicalh-, this north-west county of 
Vermont forms the extreme north-western corner of New 
England ; and the United States line which separates 
this county from Canada, forms the northern boundary 
of Alburg, which is in realitj- a peninsula ten miles long, 
averaging three or four mUes wide, extending south into 
the lake by which it is nearly surrounded. The rest of 
the county consists of islands embosomed in the waters 
of Lake Champlain. 

No one knows how many generations ago, — before 
the red man trod the soil, — its waves now washing the 
western border of Vermont, buried the entire county of 
Grand Isle in the Champlain valley beneath its silent 
depths. t One of the most interesting of American lakes, 
it abounds in historical associations. Beyond a doubt, 
the iirst known European whose e3'e ever rested on its 
waters, was the French nobleman, who, after founding 
Quebec, discovered this lovclj- inland sea, and, charmed 
with the beauty of its sccnei^-, gave the lake his own 
name. The localitj- bad been long before described by 
Jacques Cartier, the French navigator who, following the 
example of the great discoverer of the American conti- 
neut, after a lapse of 43 years, had descried from Mt. 
Royal, — now Montreal, — the green hills of Vermont. 
Jlanj- years after, the titled Frenchman, Le Sieur de 
Champlain, accompanied b}' some friendly Ilurons, pro- 
ceeded to the lauds described liy Cartier, and Jul}' 4, 
1G09, entered the lake whose waters nearl}' surround the 
county of Grand Isle. For more than a century. Lake 
Champlain was claimed bj- the French ; and to its rivers 



• The Indian name 
country." 

t Shells of mollusks 



of this lake signifies "the open door of the 
— several hundred feet above the surface of the 



and islands were given French names which the}- still 
retain. 

When discovered, a trackless forest surrounded the 
lake, while a dense growth of trees covered the islands 
now comprising the larger portion of Grand Isle County, 
— tenantless, save by roving bands of the Abenaquis, 
the Iroquois and the Loups, who used these secluded 
spots as resting-places or temporar}- homes while pre- 
paring for battle with the Algonquins, the Hurons, and 
other Canadian tribes. Probablj' this island count}- was 
never a permanent abode of the Indians, although abo- 
riginal relics are abundant. Of the savages who opposed 
Champlain's entrance into this territory, about fifty fell 
before the fatal fire-arms of his Huron guides, whose 
weapons and mode of warfare the natives had never 
before seen or encountered. 

The confident claim that Isle la Motte was the first point 
within the limits of Vermont where a civilized establish- 
ment was commenced as early as 1GG5, may fiatter local 
pride, but is comparatively a matter of little importance. 
No permanent settlements were made in this county until 
after the close of the Revolutionary war. The first actual 
settlement within its limits was probably made by the 
French, at Alburg, in 1782. Settlements were, however, 
commenced at Windmill Point, in that town, as early as 
1731, and again in 1741 ; but by the ■s-icissitudes of war 
were soon broken up and abandoned. The titles to the 
lands embraced in the town of Alburg, although repeat- 
edly granted to different parties both by the French and 
the English, — by the governor of Canada, by the Duke 
of York, and even by the legislature of Vermont to Ira 
Allen and otliers in 1781, — were for many years a fruit- 
ful source of controversy. All these claims, and all at- 
tempts to take possession of the lands, were invariably 
Icgally resisted by the settlers, who, after years of liti- 
gation, finally triumphed. 

The county being surrounded with water, except on 
the Canada side, the early settlers established their 

water, — abound in the clays and sands of this county and lands in the 
vicinity. The whale, whose bones are now in the Vermont State 
Museum, was found 60 feet above the level of Lake Champlain. 



homes on the borders of the lake, which in those daj-s 
was well stored wilh fish ; and from its waters they 
derived a large share of their subsistence. The woods 
were dense, and to some extent infested with wild 
animals. In the absence of roads, the inhabitants com- 
municated with each other bj- canoes, or " dugouts," in 
summer, and bj- travel on the ice in winter. A long 
time elapsed before roads of any considerable length 
were cut wide enough to admit the passage of a 
pair of oxen. For the first three or four .years, lack of 
provisions compelled the settlers to obtain their principtil 
subsistence b}' hunting and fishing. Most of them had 
acquired their grants of land from the governor and 
legislature of Vermont, in consequence of honorable 
service during the Revolution. But their toils and suf- 
ferings were not j"et ended. 

In the winter of 178-4-85, provisions became so scarce 
that the settlers were in imminent danger of starvation. 
The familj- of Lamberton Allen, an early settler in the 
town of Grand Isle, was for a time reduced to two meals, 
dailj-, — at one of which a small ration of bread was 
sen-ed, and at the other, a meagre allowance of bread 
and milk. General destitution prevailed throughout the 
whole settlement. In the autumn of 1785, one of their 
number was sent to Bennington for a supply of shoes, 
of which the community was entirel}' destitute, — many 
of the settlers tying cloths around their feet, and stand- 
ing upon heated boards while chopping wood. For some 
reason, the messenger failed to return from his mission 
until about the middle of December, and in the mean- 
time, many of the inhabitants had their feet severel}' 
frozen. 

The town of Grand Isle, originall3- constituting a part 
of South Hero, was set off from it in 1798, and called 
Middle Hero, — from its situation midway between North 
and South Hero, or the "Two Heroes," as Gov. Chitten- 
den denominated them at the time of their charter in 
1779 to Gen. Ethan and Col. Ira Allen, — two heroes of 
the Revolution. Settlements were commenced by Alex- 
ander Gordon, and others, in 1783. For many j-ears the 
earlj" settlers suffered from agues and malari.al fevers 
caused by stagnant waters ; but since the lands have 
been cleared and cultivated, the h3-gienic condition of 

• He graduated with honor at Dartmouth, was a man of more than 
ordinary ability, and, in 1816-17, was a member of the United States 
Congress. Atler his election, he decided that he must have a new suit 
of clothes. One of his own sheep furnished the wool, which he sheared 
himself. It was carded, spun, wove, and dyed with butternut-bark, in 
his own family, and a woman who was owing him made the suit, which 
he cut out with the shears used in shearing his sheep. The old Con- 
gressional butternut-suit lasted him his lifetime. Upon one occasion 
during the ministry of Mr. Lyon in Grand Isle County, a man was 



the island has greatly improved. In 1810, the name 
Middle Hero was changed to Grand Isle, — probably 
from the situation of the town on the largest island in 
the count}', or perhaps from the county itself, which was 
incorporated Nov. 9, 1802, although not organized for 
the transaction of business until October, 1805. The 
first town clerk of Grand Isle was James Brown, who 
held the ofHce 34 years. The first representative was 
Asa Lj-on,* a Congregational preacher, who formed a 
church here in 1795. 

The first white person supposed to have been born 
in the town of Grand Isle was Esther, daughter of 
Lamberton Allen, in 1782. The first child of Quaker 
parentage born in this town was Ruth, daughter of 
Daniel Iloag, in 1787. The first white person known to 
have died here was Jesse Tripp, in 1786. His place of 
burial is indicated b^' two large maple trees, supposed to 
have marked the head and foot of his grave, near the 
junction of two roads. The first marriage appearing on 
the records was that of Willard Gordon to Clarissa 
Armstrong, who were united, Oct. 8, 1794, bj- Alexander 
Gordon, J. P. The first marriage occurring in the town 
after its separation from South Hero was that of Timoth}' 
Nightingale to Sally Love, Jan. 3, 1799, — Rev. Asa 
L3'on officiating. From the first settlement down to 
1840, the marriage ceremony was almost universally 
performed by justices of the peace, and clergymen very 
rarel}' received an invitation to enter this field of service. 

Manj- original grants of land in this countj- were sold 
bj- the first owners for verj' small sums, — say for 50 
cents to $2 per acre. One lot of 64 acres, now worth 
$3,000, was sold for three sheep. The town of Alburg,t 
incorporated in 1781, was settled by emigrants from the 
Canadian town of St. Johns, during the following year. 
These settlers supposed themselves in Canada, and were 
principally British refugees. Others came soon after, 
from different localities. The earlier French settlements 
had been destroj-ed bj^ Indian allies during the troubles 
between France and England. The land being heavily 
timbered was slowly cleared, for want of teams, the 
hardy pioneers, in the meantime, dwelling in rude log- 
cabins, without floors, doors or windows, with roofs of 
peeled bark or split basswood. The pressing wants of the 



found in the lake, drowned. His habiliments betokened extreme 
poverty, and it was discovered that there was no shu-t under them. 
Deeming it unnecessary to make much ceremony for the burial of one i 
so poor, it was decided to submit the matter to Mr. Lyon, whose reply 
was laconic and characteristic : "Appoint his funeral at 2 o'clock this 
afternoon, and let it be well attended, with the usual rites, — a man is a 
man, shirt or no shirt I " 

t Named after Maj. Gen. Ira Allen, Allensburg; abbreviated to 
Al-burg. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



settlers found great relief in making salt and potash for 
the northern market, thereby obtaining goods 'and gro- 
ceries in return, with perhaps a little money to meet 
necessities. The smuggling of silks, tea and tobacco 
was carried on here boldly. The first town clerk was 
Thomas Rej-nolds, in 1792. The first constable was 
William Sowles, in 1793, during which year Samuel 
Mott, Jacob Cook, Richard IMott and Joshua IManning 
served as selectmen. In 1796 ferries were established 
across Lake Champlain to New York, and to different 
towns in the countj^ ; and in 1850 railroad facilities were 
introduced, the Vermont and Canada Railroad crossing 
the lake to Rouse's Point by the peninsula. No lawyer, 
it would seem, was wanted until 1805, when Samuel 
Holton appeared as practitioner, followed by Truman A. 
Barber, about the year 1812. Dr. Emerson, the first 
ph3-sician in Alburg, came there iu 1787. Dr. Jacob 
Roebeck,* best known in Grand Isle and South Hero, 
was one of the most skilful surgeons in the county. 

The earlj- inhabitants, though of limited education, 
were generall}' a strong-minded, vigorous and self-reliant 
class of people, and were decidedly social, with their 
planting "bees," hoeing-bees, mowing-bees and never- 
to-be-forgotten husking-bees, followed bj- cider and 
apples, a supper-table extending the whole length of the 
ample kitchen, and a steaming five-pail kettle of pot- 
pie. 

Near the close of the last century Methodism was 
introduced into what has since become Grand Isle 
County, by that eccentric preacher, the far-famed 
Lorenzo Dow. The oddity and originalitj- of this mis- 
sionary's style drew crowds of the early settlers to 
hear his sermons. Some of these, it is said, were four 
hours long ; yet his listeners never grew weary. After 
Dow, William Anson, a J'oung man of fine promise, 
was sent by the Conference to take his place, and a 
great re\nval followed. The Grand Isle circuit was 
established earl3', and to-day the Methodist Episcopal is 
believed to be the predominant rehgious interest in the 
countj-. 

The manufacturing interests of the county, like its 
streams, are small, there being hardlj- a good mill privi- 
lege in the entire territory. In 1804 four families were 
warned by the selectmen to leave the town of Grand 
Isle, on account of their immoral reputation. From 
1804 to 1815 fines were imposed against various persons 
in the different towns for profane swearing, the fines 
ranging from 25 cents to $1 for each offence ; and, in 

• He offleiated as surgeon at the battle of Bennington. While collect- 
ing roots and herbs in the woods, he used to say that Indian liemp was 
good for dropsy ; spignet root for internal bruises ; the bark of red wil- 



the aggregate, must have contributed not a little towards 
paying town expenses. 

From its proximity to the border, the quiet of the 
county was seriously disturbed by the Canadian rebellion 
of 1837-38, attended with the destruction of the steamer 
" Caroline " by a British force under Sir Allen McNab, 
and the invasion of Canada bj' an organized band of 
armed " Patriots." The people in this corner of Ver- 
mont were kept in a state of constant apprehension, the 
light of burning buildings by night, and threats bj- day, 
j-ielding their full crop of alarm. 

North Hero, — the shire town of the count}-, — on the 
island of that name, was granted by Gov. Chittenden in 
1779, to two Revolutionary heroes; hence it received 
the name of Hero. It was called by the French, Isle 
Longue. Its settlement commenced in 1783, and during 
the first town meeting, held at the house of Benjamin 
Butler in 1789, Nathan Ilutchins was chosen town clerk. 
He was afterwards the first town representative. He 
died at the age of 90. Two dollars was paid for half an 
acre of land, in 1790; and this was the first binying- 
ground in the town. School districts were established 
in 1793. A wind-mill, to grind corn, was erected in 
1797. When the remnant of Burgo3-ne's armj' retreated 
to Canada the British held a block-house here at a place 
called Dutchman's Point, which was gamsoned and not 
given up till 1796. In those daj-s, when the heads of 
families were temporarily called away from their homes, 
doors were invariably fastened, to protect the children 
from bears. The first school in town was taught b}' 
Lois Hazen, in a barn owned hy John Knight, the first 
framed school-house being built about 1803. The first 
store was built in 1809, bj' Jedediah P. Ladd, who was 
the first postmaster, and built the only hotel ever erected 
in the town, in 1803. For 22 3-ear3 it was used for 
judicial purposes, and was provided with a court-room 
and jail. Mr. Ladd occupied the building 42 3-ears, 
during which time it had served as court-house, church 
and tavern. It was torn down in 1857. Mr. Ladd, who 
had served as representative, sheriff, register of probate 
and judge of the count}' court, died in 1845, at the age 
of 79. 

Tlie settlement of South Hero commenced about 1784. 
A Congregational church was founded in 1795, and a 
Methodist society in 1802. Chartered in 1779, it was at 
first one town with Grand Isle and North Hero; was 
called the town of Two Heroes, and the proceedings of 
the first town meetings were recorded under that name. 

low a sure remedy for fever and ague ; and burdock root, with black 
cheny and white-ash bark steeped in cider, the very best remedy for 
spring jaundice. The " old German doctor" died in 1809. 



The valuable mineral springs in this town were first dis- 
covered by the earl3' settlers, who followed paths made 
by moose and deer going to drink, the saline quality of 
the water being grateful to those animals after feeding 
on the fresh grasses around the shores of the lake. 
Ebenezer Allen, chosen in 1789, was the first town clerk. 

Isle la Motte, visited by Champlain as early as 1609, 
received its name from a French officer, and was incor- 
porated into a township of the same name, Oct. 27, 1779. 
Ebenezer Hyde and Enoch Hall wore among its earliest 
settlers, in 1785, and when organized, iu 1790, Abraham 
Knapp became the first town clerk. Nathaniel Wales, 
the first town representative serving in 1791-92-93, 
literallj' "paddled his own canoe" to Burlington, a dis- 
tance of over 30 miles, in order to get to the General 
Assembly. Ichabod Fisk taught the first school ; and 
the first person born on the island was Laura Blanchard, 
daughter of William Blanchard, Sept. 17, 1792. The 
first death was that of a child of Abraham Knapp, before 
the year 1800. The coffin consisted of a basswood log hol- 
lowed out, something like a sap-trough used in early times. 

Joseph Williams, who served in the Revolutionary 
war, and was w-ouuded at the battle of Brandj-wine, was 
present when Gen. Washington joined the Jlasonic fra- 
ternity. He afterwards lived and died upon Isle la 
Motte, and was buried with Masonic honors. 

Towns. 
Albueg, a triangular tongue of land, called by the 
French " Point Algonquin," extending from Canada 



about 10 miles south into Lake Champlain, has a popu- 
lation of 1,716. In this far-off forest- wild Joseph S. 
Mott, one of its early inhabitants, invented the planing- 
machine, of world-wide utility. His model was stolen 
from the Patent-Office Department at Washington, and 
he never obtained a patent. Other parties afterwards 
improved and utilized his invention, but the enterprise 
nearly ruined him. The town has no mountains or 
streams of any consequence. The medicinal properties of 
the waters at Alburg Springs have promoted the growth 
of that thriving village. The Vennont Central Railroad 
passes through the northern part of the town. 

Grand Isle, with Lake Champlain on all sides of it, 
except the south, is quite a considerable summer resort. 
Its soil is unsurpassed in fertility by any lands in the 
State. About one-fourth of its population (682) is 
French Canadian. 

Hon. Jedediah Hyde,* a fonner representative of this 
town, fought at the battle of Bunker Hill ; was in the 
battle of Bennington ; in winter-quarters at Valley 
Forge ; and was afterwards under Gen. Lee at the battle 
of Monmouth. He died in 1824, while serving in the 
State legislature. 

North Hero, with a population of 600 ; South Hero, 
586 ; and Isle la Motte, 437, are mainly agricultural 
towns. All of them contain quarries of limestone, valu- 
able for business purposes. As to the Isle la Motte 
marble, it is represented in the Victoria Bridge, in Fort 
Montgomery', in the Catholic cathedral at Montreal, and 
elsewhere. 



LAMOILLE COUNTY. 



BY WILLIAM E. GRAVES. 



In 1835, twelve Vermont towns selected from adjacent 
counties were set off and incor|)orated as the county of 
Lamoille. 

The act of incorporation provided that when some 
town should erect a suitable court-house and jail, the 
count}' should be deemed organized ; and then came the 
struggle. The lower end of the county wanted the shire 
at Johnson, while the upiier end wanted it at Morris- 
town. The selection of a suitable place was finally left 
to a committee, and Joshua Sawyer, an influential mem- 
ber of the bar, secured the county-seat for Hyde Park, 



where a court-house was built by that town, and the 
county courts were held in 1837. 

Of the higher court officials, the first two were Judge 
Bridges and Judge Waterman. O. H. Butler was the 
first State's attorney, and Daniel Dodge the first judge of 
probate. In 1848 the town of Mansfield was annexed to 
Stone, and in 1855, Sterling was divided between Mor- 
ristown, Johnson and Stowe, leaving but 10 towns in the 
count}'. These are, perhaps, the most noteworthy 



•Mr. Hydeisrcpiital) 
I tlie moniins of that i 



■ liiiowii as the person who shaved Maj. Andre, 
librtunate utficer 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



changes that have occurred in its topography- since the 
county was organized. 

Some of the grandest scenerj- of the State maj^ be 
found in this section of its territory, which includes 
Mansfield Mountain, the highest land in Vermont. On 
the north, this lofty elevation still shows traces of two 
remarkable slides which took place — one in 1830, the 
other in 1848 — the latter running from peak to base, a 
distance of nearly three miles. Bear Head Lake, and 
Lake of the Clouds on Mount Mansfield, are two pictur- 
esque sheets of water in this county of ponds, — as it 
might not improperly- be called, — Hj'de Park containing 
12, and the town of Eden more than 20, large and small. 

At the outlet of one of the largest of these, known as 
North Pond, Thomas li. Parker and Jeduthan Stone, 
built the first mills in the county. About 70 jears ago, 
their dam broke awaj-, carrj-ing oflT the saw and grist 
mills, and causing a great destruction of propertj'. An 
immense volume of water, 16 feet high, rolled nearlj- 
perpendicularly- down the bed of the stream. There was 
not a horse so fleet that the inhabitants at Johnson could 
be warned of the coming tide, and the countrj- below was 
completely inundated. The foundations of many houses 
were washed away. Poik barrels and all sorts of cellar 
stores were carried miles below, and left in the meadows 
of Lamoille Eiver. The injured parties sued Parker and 
Stone for damages, and the cases were tried and ap- 
pealed, over and over again, and continued for a number 
of j-ears. At length the judge told the Johnson claim- 
ants that the}- had not sued the right part}-, — it was the 
work of the Supreme Being ! The result was each paid 
his own costs, and the lawsuit ended. 

The Lamoille River, abounding in mlU-privilegcs, en- 
ters the count}- in "Wolcott, and leaves it in Cambridge. 
Indian tomahawks and other relics were found on this 
river by the first settlers, and Mr. Corfin ploughed up 
silver brooches. Fifty years ago a part}- of the St. Fran- 
cis tribe encamped on Indian Hill, in Cambridge, and for 
a time hunted and fished in the neighborhood ; and as 
late as 1840, families of the same tribe returned to their 
old camping-grounds, and subsisted bj- selling baskets 
and bark dishes. Dr. Huntoon of Hyde Park, had, at 
his death, a five-quart pan made by one of the squaws 
during her last visit to this place. 

Soapstone is found in Waterville, Johnson, and near 
Sterling Pond. A large quantity is exported from Water- 
ville yearly. There is an inexhaustible whetstone ledge 
in Wolcott, and a corporation is quarrying the stone. 
Wolcott and Elmore have a large copper-bed which may 
some day pay for mining. In Hyde Park, in Cambridge, 
and near Sterling Pond, is found ochre of the richest 



kind, — used chiefly for paint. Lead is also said to have 
been discovered by the Indians in Belvidere. The pro- 
prietors of wild lands usually make a reserve of minerals 
when thej' sell such lots. Veins of gold and silver have 
been found in various parts of the county since 1851, 
but the yield of ore has hardly paid the cost of working 
the mines. 

The first settlement in Lamoille County commenced in 
Cambridge, where was built the first mill, — for several 
years the onlj- one in this territory. In that town, also, 
occurred the first death in the county, — that of Mr. 
Howe, killed by lightning. The early settlers generally 
manufactured their own wearing-apparel. All through 
this region, less than 60 j-ears ago, the men would be 
seen at the brake and swingle-board, dressing flax ; the ' 
women working at the foot-wheel, and the girls hetchcl- 
ing flax, or carding and spinning the tow. Alas, for the 
days that have gone forever ! 

The early inhabitants of the county entered largely 
into the manufacture of potash, or salts of 13-e, which 
was made in everj' town. The next business, as grain 
became abundant, was the distilling of liquors. Dis- 
tilleries were erected, and the whiske}' trade was carried 
on quite extensiveh'. At one time there were ten dis- 
tilleries in operation in Cambridge. The liquors were 
trafficked oS at Montreal. Then followed the raising of 
hemp, which was dressed for market in a large factor}- 
erected for that purpose at Waterville ; but the business 
soon became worthless, and the factory was turned into 
a woollen-mill. The manufacture of starch from pota- 
toes came next, and 19 factories have been engaged in 
this work. Linseed oil was at one time made in Morris- 
town ; but in a short time the business was abandoned. 
Hop culture flourished for a while, but the low price of 
the product has led many to destroy their hop-yards, and 
butter and cheese making, with the manufacture of maple 
sugar, has since proved more profitable. 

The newspaper business has never proved particularly 
profitable in Lamoille County, its most successful enter- 
prise being that of the "Lamoille Newsdealer," started 
by Mr. S. Howard, at Hyde Park, in 1860. In 1864, it 
became the property of Mr. Charles C. Morse, who sub- 
sequently sold out to Col. E. B. Sawyer.* 

Of the educational institutions in this county, perhaps 
the most noteworthy are the academy at Morrisville ; the ! 
Lamoille Central Academy at Hyde Park ; and the La- 
moille County Grammar School, established in 1832 by 
legislative enactment. In 1866 the institution last named 
became the State Normal School. 

• Col. Sawyer was commander of the First Vennontcavalrj'. Undei- 
I the paper has met with success. 



Lying on the western range of the Green Mountains, 
about 32 miles from Montpelier, is an uneven tract of 
land, a considerable part of which is mountainous and 
unfit for cultivation. The higher peaks and ridges are 
covered with immense quantities of spruce and hemlock ; 
the lower portion with maple, birch and ash. Owing to 
the height of the mountains, their close proximity to the 
valley, and the densitj^ of the forests, snow remains on 
the ground very late in the spring, and the agricultural 
seasons are, consequently, backwai'd. No professional 
lawj-er, doctor or preacher, has ever resided for any 
length of time, in this isolated location. Originally 
granted to a Mr. John Kelley in 1787, and incorporated 
by the name of Belvidcre in 1791, settlements were com- 
menced here about the 3'ear 1800, and, in 1810, the place 
had a population of 217. Not far from that date. Elder 
Morris of IJardwick, delivered in the barn of Timothy 
Caipenter, a discourse which was, probably, the first 
preaching in the town. After the war of 1812-15, a 
church of the Christian denomination was formed. In 
1822, a Methodist clergyman b}' the name of Lyon, suc- 
ceeded in forming a class, and meetings are now held in 
the commodious town-house. John Brown, chosen town 
clerk in 1828, held that oflice 20 years, and represented 
Belvidere in the legislature of 1822. 

On the Lamoille River, at the base of Mount Mans- 
field, lies another uneven township called Cambridge, and 
incorporated in 1781. John Safford from Piermont, N. H., 
who arrived here in 1783, was the first settler. The 
next year Amos Fassett and others, with their families, 
came from Bennington to Cambridge, after cutting their 
way for ten miles through the woods. They brought pro- 
visions with them, and when these were exhausted, they 
were compelled to live on fish and game. All the earl}' 
settlers lived in log houses, — the forest echoing for miles 
around with the axe-man's blow, and the crash of sturdy 
trees. His wife spun flax, while her daughters spun 
tow for the summer clothing, and when these were fin- 
ished, the wool was next spun and woven for the winter's 
wardrobe ; and summer and winter thej' wore their dura- 
ble homespun, and were not dependent upon factories 
and stores. James Gilmore, — afterwards town repre- 
sentative — came in 1795, with his wife and six daugh- 
ters. Mr. Gilmore used to remark that he brought into 
Cambridge 36 feet of girls ! each of his daughters being 
six feet in height. Mr. Gilmore, himself, was six feet 
and four inches in height, and weighed 210 pounds. A 
town government was organized in 1785. John Fassett 
was the first town clerk. Daniel Safford was the first 
representative, and John Saflbrd taught the first school 
in a log house in 1786. He had 24 scholars. The old- 



est inhabitant of Cambridge, the widow Graves, was 
nearly 94 years old at the time of her death. 

In the north part of the county, 30 miles from Mont- 
pelier, a township was granted, in 1780, to Col. Seth 
Warner, and the officers and soldiers of his regiment, 
for service in the Continental army. This territory was 
incorporated the following year as the town of Eden, 
where settlements were commenced in the year 1800: 
and, two years afterward, a town government was or- 
ganized, — Moses Wentwort'a serving as town clerk from 
1802 to 1811. A Congregational and a Methodist 
preacher had each held religious meetings in a barn ; but 
the first settlers were mainly Calvinistic in sentiment, 
and violently opposed to any other kind of preaching, — 
one honest old deacon avowing that he would rather have 
his children hunt and fish on the Sabbath, than attend 
Methodist meetings. When Eev. Wilbur Fisk, a Metho- 
dist preacher, arrived, he soon converted the majority 
over to his belief; and, from that time to the present, 
the Methodist Church has been the leading religious 
organization in this place. 

The town of Elmore, — named from Col. Samuel El- 
more, to whom it was granted in 1780, — was incorpo- 
rated in 1781, but nothing was done towards the settle- 
ment of the town until 1790. Two years afterward, a 
town government was organized. Martin Elmore served 
as town clerk from 1797 to 1838, a period of 41 years. 

In the geographical centre of Lamoille County, is a 
plot of land six miles square, where no change has been 
made, in boundary lines, since the original survc}'. In 
1780, Capt. Jedediah Ilj'de, who had previously explored 
the wilderness of northern Vermont, headed a petition — 
which was numerously signed by his fellow-soldiers from 
Norwich, Conn. — for a charter of this land. The ap- 
plication was favorably received ; and, soon after, a 
grant of this territory was conveyed to the petitioners as 
a partial recompense for military services previously ren- 
dered ; and as a compliment to Capt. Hyde, — the first 
person named in the petition, — the place was called 
Hyde's Park, afterwards Hyde Park, under which name 
it was incorporated in 1781. Its pioneer settler was 
John McDaniell, of Scotch extraction, his name being a 
corruption of McDonald. He was an impetuous l)ut 
generous-hearted man, six feet and two or three inches 
in height, of muscular frame, and amply able to avenge 
all personal slights on the spot. Reaching his destina- 
tion July 4, 1787, he immediately proceeded to erect a 
large, comfortable-looking house, of the best spruce logs 
with the bark peeled off, the roof being covered witii 
huge split sliingles. Here, with his family, he kept a 
house of entertainment for the wa3'-faring man, the hun- 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



ter, the speculator, or whoever might choose to desire a 
night's lodging and refreshment. Squire McDaniell,* — 
as he was called — was a general favorite with the set- 
tlers, aud acquired a large propertj-. Whop the town 
was organized in 1791, he was chosen moderator of the 
meeting ; and was afterwards justice of the peace, and 
chairman of the board of selectmen. The first preach- 
ing in the town was by the celebrated Lorenzo Dow, 
about 1793. A Methodist class was formed soon after, 
and Elizabeth H^de, daughter of Capt. Jedediah Hyde, 
the founder of the town, was the first to join it. Since 
that day, the Methodists have been the strongest religious 
denomination in town, and for about 60 years have had 
regular stated preaching. 

Among the brave soldiers in early New England times 
was Samuel Eaton, who, before the reduction of Canada 
by the British, often passed as a scout down the Lamoille 
River to Lake Champlain. Several times during these 
enterprises he encamped, on a chosen spot, which he af- 
terwards occupied as a farm in the town of Johnson, — 
he being the first settler of that place, in 1784. Packing 
liis personal effects upon the well-tried back of an old 
horse, he set out with a numerous family in search of that 
favorite spot which he had selected in more youthful da3"s. 
For more than 30 miles of the distance, he followed the 
marked trees which he and his companions had previously 
blazed while on scouting-parties in the French war. The 
town was granted in 1782 to William S. Johnson, and 
others, — receiving its name from the principal grantee. 
It was not incorporated until 1792, and its first town- 
meeting was held March 4, 1789. A full compan}' of 
volunteers from tliis town served upon the frontier lines 
during the war of 1812 ; at Champlain, in 1813 ; and at 
the battle of Plattsburg, in 1814. 

About 20 miles from Montpelier lies a considerable 
body of water bearing the unromantie name of " Joe's 
Pond," — in commemoration of an old Indian hunter who, 
for many years, dwelt on its borders. This lake is 
situated in the south-east part of Morristown, an impor- 
tant township, noted for the scenic beaut3- of its sur- 
roundings, and as a delightful Vermont home. This 
town was incorporated in 1781. The settlement was 
commenced in 1 790 bj- Jacob Walker, from Bennington ; 
and, at the end of the next year, there were but ten in- 
habitants in the place. The nearest neighbor was at 
AVaterburj-, 14 miles distant ; and the nearest grist-mill 
at Cambridge, 20 miles away. In 1798, Capt. Safford, 



from Windsor, Mass , buOt a saw-mill at the Great 
Falls on Lamoille River. When a town government was 
formed in 1796, Comfort Oldsf was chosen town clerk, 
which office he held for six years. The first road was 
laid out in the year 1800, and a town-house was built in 
1814. Elisha Boardman, who was first representative 
in 1804, served till 1808. He commanded the first mili- 
tary companj' in the town, was an able justice of the 
peace, and died in 1826, aged 53 jears. 

Some of the finest farms in Lamoille County ma^- be 
found in the town of Stowe, incorporated in 1763, and 
first settled by Oliver Luce, a native of Martha's Vine- 
yard, about the year 1793. He was the first person in 
the place who opened his house for the entertainment of 
travellers. For a sign he raised a flag-staff, surmounted 
bj- a large white ball. The first town-meeting was held 
in 1797. The first cooking-stove brought into town was 
the property of Maj. Nehemiah Perkins, who gave a yoke 
of oxen in exchange for it. This occurred about the 
3-ears 1819-20. 

Extensive quarries of soapstone are found in the north- 
eastern part of the count}-, — in the town of Waterville 
granted to William Colt and others in 1788, when it bore 
the name of " Colt's Gore." A part of this tract of 
10,000 acres was annexed to Bakersfield in the following 
3"ear, — the remainder, with parts of Bakersfield and Bel- 
videre, being incorporated under its present name in 
1824. Settlements commenced here about 1789, and the 
first mills were erected in 1796-97. The town records 
are somewhat imperfect, but Luther Poland was the first 
representative, probably about the year 1829. 

It is not often that anj' town, at its annual meeting, 
elects to office all of its best men. But this really hap- 
pened in 1791, and also in 1794, when there were but 
four voters in the town of Wolcott, and Thomas Taylor, 
— at whose house the meeting was held, — was elected 
town-clerk, first selectman, and constable ; and for 30 
years held two or more offices, besides representing the 
town for nearly 20 jears. The remaining offices were, 
from year to 3"ear, filled b}' Hezekiah Whitney, moder- 
ator ; Robert W. Taylor, town-clerk ; and Seth Hubbell, 
selectman. These were the first settlers of the town 
in 1789. Wolcott was incorporated in 1781, while the 
State was in an abnonual condition, — its territor3- being 
claimed b3- New York, New Hampshire and Massachu- 
setts. Remote from other settlements, ver3- few inhabi- 
tants came into the town prior to the 3-ear 1800. At a 



• He lived to see his grandchild's grandchild, of the fifth generation, ! miles, and he was about four weeks on the way. There was no road 
and died in the summer of 1834, at the age of 85. I through Morristown, or Stowe, — nothing but marked trees to point the 

t Witli his wife and two small children, he moved from Brookfield to way. Joining the Methodist denomination in the year 1800, he was a 
Morristown with an ox-team. The distance was a little short of 200 class-leader for more than 30 years. Ho died in 1839, aged 79 years. 



quilting-party, — so late as 1806, — Seth Hubbell's wife 
invited all the families in town, consisting of 14, — the 
mothers and children coming in the afternoon, and the 
husbands and fathers in the evening. So poor were 
the Hubbell familj-, — consisting of father, mother, and 
five children, — that, soon after thek first arrival in town, 
destitute of money and provisions, thej' subsisted for 
three weeks on the flesh of a moose purchased of an 
Indian, who sold it for a common cotton under-gannent, 
of which Mr. Hubbell * divested himself at the time of 
the purchase. While clearing up his meadow, when faint 
for the want of food, he was accustomed to take a trout 
from the river, where there was then an abundance, broil 
and eat it without salt or bread. When winter came he 
would penetrate the dense forest, where his unerring aim 
was sure to laj' low an antlered moose, which must be 
borne to his family on his back. Now and then he 
caught a sable, whose skin he carried 50 miles and sold 
for a half-bushel of wheat, with which he retm-ned to his 
family. And thus he lived, until able to supply his family 
with the necessaries of life, from the soil. 

Towns. 

Stowe, quietly nestled among the green hills of Ver- 
mont, in a lovely valley between the Mansfield Mountains 
on the west, and a range called the " Hog-back" on the 
east, is unrivalled in the picturesque beauty and luxuriant 
magnificence of its mountain scenery. Around the town 
are heav'ily wooded hills clothed with perpetual verdure, 
and near its central village are seen soft, velvety slopes 
of land, suiTounding weU-tilled fields and cheerful cot- 
tage homes. The finest and most fertile farms in the 
State are found here, — the mansions of their owners 
made conspicuous by tall, stately trees, the adjoining 
meadows being dotted with graceful ehns. The popula- 
tion of the town is about 2,050. Where the highways 
from the various quarters of the town centre, has been 
appropriately named the "Centre Village," which, with 
its numerous city visitors and boarders during the sum- 
mer months, wears quite the appearance of a livelj' and 
considerable " watering-place." The slight traces of 
gold found in many localities, — especially on the small 
streams, — would perhaps hardly paj- for mining ; al- 
though Capt. Sla3-ton, an old Californian, took from his 
farm, in Maj-, 1857, sullicient to make a handsome 
watch-chain, worth about $100. 

MoRRiSTOWN lost an opportunit}- of becoming one of 
the first towns in the State, when the owners of that fine 

* His early days were spent in the ser^'ice of his country. He was at 
Valley Forge with Washin^'ton during that winter of darkness and 
suffering ; and was present, under the same great commander, at York- 



water-power in the vOlage of Morrisville demanded of 
the Fau'banks Scale Company (which finaUj' went to St. 
Johnsbury) an unreasonable price for their mill-privilege. 
This village lies in the heart of a romantic region ; and, 
in business activitj', far surpasses the other two villages 
in this town. So far as water-power is concerned, its 
facilities for manufacturing are almost unsurpassed. The j 
town contains 1,896 inhabitants; and, with its three j 
post-offlces, town-house, fair-grounds, academy, carriage 
and starch factories, tannery, and numerous saw and 
grist mills, is a very fair specimen of a thriving Vermont | 
village. 

Hyde Park, — the seat of justice for Lamoille County, ' 
— contains the court-house, jail and jailer's house, built i 
by the inhabitants in 1836, at Hyde Park village. The 
Supreme Court sits here in August, and the County 
Court in May and December. The population of the 
town is 1,626. A peculiarity of three of its 12 ponds is, 
that each contains only one species of fish, — perch, 
pickerel and trout. Hence their names. Perch, Pickerel 
and Trout ponds. Some of these large sheets of water 
are entirelj- surrounded bj* primeval forests ; and, floating 
in a birch canoe, one may easily imagine himself trans- 
ferred to the aboriginal days, when the yell of the cop- 
per-face was the only human sound to be heard. Wild 
ducks frequent these ponds, and, occasionally a blue 
lieron is shot in the vicinity. The manufacture of boots 
and shoes is a leading industrj', and large quantities of 
starch are made in the various factories. The town con- 
tains a bed of terra de sienna, a copper-mine, a few sul- 
phur and iron springs, and a mineral spring of great 
strength. The prospect from the hills of Hyde Park is 
not often surpassed, — even in Vermont. 

Cambridge, a well-watered and well-timbered farming- 
town, has 320 sugar-orchards, numbering from 100 to 
3,000 trees, each, — the average yield to a tree being 
about three pounds of maple-sugar. A verj^ large amount 
of this product is annually sent into the West. The 
present number of inhabitants is 1,651. Cambridge was 
formerly a favorite sporting-ground, and a great resort 
for deer, who came to feed in summer and herd in winter 
in the thicl? shrubber}' growing on the water-shed in this 
town, between the Lamoille and IMlssisquoi rivers. Old | 
Gov. Tichenor came here, with his friends, on several 
occasions, and had a regular week's hunt. The town has , 
a woollen factory, tannery, and several mills and mechanic , 
shops. 

Johnson, the seat of the State Normal School, has a | 

town, — serving until the close of the Revolutionary war. He died in 1 
1832, at the age of 73, leaving his old homestead and the farm to his 
son, who, with his son, still cultivates and owns it. j 



HISTORY OF NP:W ENGLAND. 



population of l,/)o8. "Within the township is a natural 
stone bridge on the Lamoille River, 100 rods belov.' 
McConnell's Falls (so named from one of the earlj- set- 
tlers). On one street in this town are three beautiful 
churches, fronting one waj', and very similarlj- constructed 
inside.* 

Other towns in this county, quite as important in many 
respects, but less numerous in population, are Walcott, 
whose inhabitants now number 1,132, and whose energies 
seem to be enlisted in an effort to more fully develop 
the resources- of their town, named from Maj. Gen. 
Oliver Walcott, one of the original proprietors : Eden 
(959), with its somewhat mountainous surface, good 
grazing lands and considerable mill-streams: Elmore 



(636), containing Mead's Pond of 300 acres, abundant 
iron-ore, and territoiy, a large part of which is an un- 
broken wilderness : Waterville (573) , broken and 
mountainous, with some very good land along the La- 
moille River, by which the town is watered : and Belvi- 
dere (369), with its 3 villages, its neat little church 
at the Junction, and its 6 saw-mills actively employed 
all the year round in sawing shingles and laths, which 
are mostl}" exported. 

Every town in this county bears witness to the persever- 
ance and industr3- of those stout-hearted pioneers, whose 
heroic struggles with poverty and privation have succeed- 
ed in subduing the wilderness, and in converting uncleared 
forests into pleasant villages and productive farms. 



ORAKGE COUNTY. t 



BY J. T. CHILD, D.D.S. 



By an act of the legislature of Vermont in 1781, Cum- 
berland County was divided into three counties, namely, 
Windham, Windsor and Orange. The first two were of 
about the same dimensions as they are at present, but 
Orange County embraced the whole north-eastern quarter 
of the State, extending from Windsor County to the 
Canada line, — the same tract of countrj- that was origi- 
nally called Gloucester Count3". March 2, 1792, the 
counties of Caledonia and Essex, and the eastern portion 
of Orleans Count}-, were formed from the northern por- 
tion of this county. 

Dec. 1, 1810, the towns of BaiTe, Berlin, Northfield 
and Roxbury were taken from Orange County, and in- 
corporated as a part of Jefferson County-, afterwards 
known as Washington Count}-, reducing the formerlj' 
large county of Orange to its present comparativel}' 
narrow limits. 

This county lies on the east side of the Green Moun- 
tains, about equidistant from the northern and southern 

'■ Rev. James Doughertj-, D.D., was bom in Park, county of London- 
derry, Ireland, April 9, 1706. In 1S19 be came to South Hero, Yt., 
and graduated at the University of Ycrmont in 1830, studied theology, 
and was ordained in 1S32. He was installed at Milton in 1836, dis- 
missed in 1848; was installed at Johnson in 1851, and dismissed at his 
own request, on account of failing health, in 1S67. Dr. Dnuj'.ierty was 
horn and bred a Roman Catholic. Converted to I'mti -taiiti.-ia afii r 
coming to this country, he entered upon his new Christian lifo w itli all 
the ardor of his Iri^h ii;\turc. Ik- was a preacher cf rare cUxiuenie, of 



boundaries of the State, extending 34 miles from east to 
west, and 28 from north to south, and containing about 
650 square miles. It is bounded on the north by Wash- 
ington and Caledonia counties, east b}- the Connecticut 
River, which separates it from Grafton County, N. 11., 
south by Windsor County, and west by Washington and 
Addison counties. It was incorporated in February, 
1781. 

The general surface of Orange County is broken and 
hilly, averaging above 800 feet in elevation, but there 
are no high mountains or large streams. The eastern 
range of the Green Mountains extends through the cen- 
tral part of the count}- from north to south, thus forming 
the water-shed, the 'streams on the eastern slope empty- 
ing into the Connecticut, and those on the western, into 
Winooski River and Lake Champlain. Wells River, 
which has its source principally in Caledonia County, 
runs across the north-east corner, and empties into the 
Connecticut. Wait's River, which has its source in Or- 

great Intellectual strength, breadth, and originality ; of generous sym- 
pathies, singular spiritual insight, and catholicity of sentiment. He 
died June 10, 1868. 

t Orange County at present contains 17 tovms, namely: Bradford, 
population in 1870, 1,492; Braintrce, 1,066; Brookfield, 1,270; Chelsea, 
1 ,520 ; Corinth, 1 ,470 ; Fairlee, 424 ; West Fairlee, 833 ; Ncwbm-y , 2,24 1 ; 
Orange, 733; Randolph, 2,830; Strafford, 1,289; Thetford, 1,611; Tops- 
ham, 1,418; Tunbridge, 1,405; Vershire, 1,140; Washington, 1,113; and 
,1,236. 



ange, Topsliam and Washington, takes its course througli 
the north-eastern corner of Corinth, and empties into 
the Connecticut at Bradford. The Ompompanoosuc, 
which has its source in Vershire, Strafford and AVest 
Fairlee, passes through Thetford, where it is a stream of 
considerable size, and empties into the Connecticut at 
Norwich. The whole eastern and south-eastern portion 
of the county is watered by these rivers. The south- 
western portion is watered bj- the first, second and third 
branches of the White River, and the north-western por- 
tion b}- Steven's branch of the Winooski River. 

The rocks throughout the north-western part are al- 
most exclusivelv granite, and (particularly Knox Moun- 
tain) afford stone of excellent quality for building pur- 
poses. Through the western part, a range of argilla- 
ceous slate extends through the towns of Williamstown, 
Brookfleld and Braintree, and Wright's Mountain, at 
Bradford, which rises to the height of 1,700 feet above 
the Connecticut River, consists principally of this ma- 
terial. 

The mineral wealth of this count}- is superior to some 
others in the State. Lead-ore has been found in Straf- 
ford, but of more recent date the sulphuret of iron has 
been found in large deposit^, from which copperas has 
been manufactured for manj' years. This ore has also 
been found in Thetford. Valuable mines of the sulphu- 
ret of copper have been opened in Vershire and Corinth. 
In the earl}' history of these two mines, the ore was 
sent away to be refined, but for the past 10 years the 
'• Vermont Copper Mining Company," who are the pro- 
prietors of the Vershire mines, have done their own 
smelting and refining. 

Manufacturing, the trades, and mercantile business 
are carried on through the several towns to a considera- 
ble extent, but the principal business, apart from min- 
ing, is agriculture. The soil is generally productive, the 
towns of Randolph, Braintree, Tunbridge, and those on 
the Connecticut River, being ranked especially high in 
the quality of their farms. 

The population of this county in 1840, according to 
the U. S. census, was 27,873. In 1870, it was 23,090, 
showing a decrease in 30 years of 4,783. 

Randolph has the most valuable farms, and produces 
tlie most value, in farm products, of any town in the 
county. The number of farms in the county is 3,35.5. 
There are 1,2G9 of over 100 acres each, and five of over 
500 acres each. 

The county buildings are located in Chelsea, which 
has been the shire town since 179G. Educational mat- 
ters have ever received due attention, and every village 
gives its children the benefit of good schools. Good 



academies have also been established in several of the 
towns. Those in Bradford, Randolph, Thetford and 
Chelsea bear an excellent reputation. Convenient places 
for public worship are provided in almost every village, 
which are generally supplied by settled pastors ; but it 
is a lamentable fact that many of the churches are , 
allowed to remain in solitude, unopened for months. 

The roads through the county are generally good, and 
the facilities for travel and commerce are greatly in- ] 
creased by the Connecticut and Passumpsic Rivers Rail- | 
road, which passes through Thetford, Fairlee, Bradford 
and Newbury ; and the Vermont Central Railroad, which 
passes through Randolph and Braintree. ^ 

1 
Towns. ] 

Bradford lies in the eastern part of Orange County, | 
on the west side of the Connecticut River. The first ' 
settlers of Waitstown, as Bradford was originally called, ' 
took up the land by what was called " pitches," without 
authority from any source whatever. This continued 
from 1765 until 1770, when 30 of the landholders com- ' 
missioned Samuel Sleeper, one of their number, to ob- 1 
tain a royal charter. This mission was successful, and 
a cliarter was granted to " Moore-Town," subsequently 
Bradford, by George III., May 3, 1770. The name of i 
the town was changed to Bradford, Oct. 23, 1788. The 
first settlement was made by John Hosmer, or Osmer, in I 
17G5, near the mouth of Wait's River. He was joined, j 
the next year, by Samuel Sleeper and Benoni Wright. 

The first grist-mill was built by John Peters, in 1772, 
at the lower falls, near the mouth of Wait's River, and 
the first saw-mill by Benjamin Baldwin, on the same 
stream, in 1774. 

The first town meeting of which record has been pre- 
served was held May 4, 1773, at the house of Samuel 
McDuffee. 

The town has a fund of $9,020.20, with an annual 
income of $577.21, which is applied for school purposes. 
The Bradford Academy was incorporated in 1820, and 
is a prosperous institution. There are at present (1879) 
12 school-districts in town. 

The "Bradford Scientific Association" was incorpo- 
rated Nov. 4, 1857. 

The first newspaper published in this town was called 
the " American Protector," which commenced in 1843, 
with A. B. F. Hildreth proprietor and editor. Its name 
was afterwards changed to the " Vermont Family Ga- 
zette." In 1851 the "Northern Enquirer" was com- 
menced, and its name was changed to the "Bradford 
Inquirer" Nov. 25, 1854. The name of this paper was 
changed at several times. The "National Telegraph" 



758 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



was published from 1856 to 1858. In June, 1866, the 
first number of the " National Opinion " was issued by 
A. A. Earle, who, in about six months sold out to D. 
W. Cobb. About the j-ear 1874, the paper was bought 
by the Orange Countj- Publishing Company, and was 
edited by Benjamin F. Stanton, under the name of the 
" Bradford Opinion," which name it retains at this time. 
The town hall, a large two-story building, was erected 
in 1857, at a cost of $2,681, on land presented for this 
purpose bj' C. C. P. Baldwin, ex-high-sheiiff of the 
count3% 

The first meeting-house was built in 1791, by the 
Baptists, under Elder Rice. The second one was erected 
In- the Congi-cgationalists, in 1793, and the Rev. Gard- 
ner Kellogg was ordained as pastor Sept. 2, 1795. The 
present Congregational church was organized June 24, 
1810. Rev. Silas McKeen was ordained pastor Oct. 28, 
1815. On application he was dismissed in 1827, but by 
a warm-hearted invitation he again became settled over 
this church in 1828. His active ministerial life among 

! this people was 42 years and 8 months. There are at 
present four houses for public worship in Bradford. 

The surface of the town is somewhat broken, but is, in 
general, under a good state of cultivation, there being 
not more than 40 acres of waste land, which is situated 
npon Wright's Mountain. This mountain rises to an 
altitude of 1,700 feet above the Connecticut River, and 
2,100 feet above tide-water. Its southern and western 
sides arc composed of ledges of argillaceous slate, which 
is used for building purposes. In this mountain are 
several caverns, the largest of which is called " Devil's 
Den," but bj- some it is called " Wright's Cave," from a 

I religious fanatic who is said to have lived there. In the 

i east part of the town is a considerable precipice, called 
" Rowell's Ledge." The eastern border of Bradfoi'd is 

I watered bj- the Connecticut. Wait's River flows from 
west to east in two branches, which soon after entering 
Bradford unite and form a considerable stream, affording 
several fine mill-privileges. 

The principal village is located near the Falls, about 

i half a mile from where Wait's River flows into the Con- 
necticut. It is furnished with a good grist-mill, saw- 
mill, furnace for casting iron-work, stone factorv, two 

I machine-shops and a paper-mill. The Bradford Savings 
Bank and Trust Company is located in this village. 

I Braintkee, situated in the south-west corner of Orange 
County, was chartered Aug. 1, 1781, by Gov. Chitten- 
den. The first settlements were made in February, 1785, 
in the east part of the town, by Silas Flint, Samuel 
Bass, Jacob and Samuel Spear and others, being mostly 
emigrants from Braintree and Sutton, Mass. ; and thus 



the town received its name. The first woman who came 
into town was Mrs. S. Flint, and she received, in conse- 
quence, a free gift of 100 acres of land from the proprie- 
tors. 

The first town meeting was held at the house of Henry 
Brackett, April 7, 1788. Hiram, son of Samuel Bass, 
was the first child born in town, June 2, 1785. He 
received from the proprietors 100 acres of land, upon 
which he lived until his death, Sept. 6, 1868. The first 
frame house was built prior to 1788, bj- Henry Brackett, 
and is now standing. The fii-st mill was built by James 
Brackett, on the Branch, in 1784. The first store was 
opened by Col. John French, in 1795. In 1814 mills were 
built by Jeremiah Snow, on Aj-er's Brook. The first 
school in town was taught bj' Samson Nichols, in a log 
house buUt bj' John King, on what is now known as the 
" Kidder" lot. The first school-house was built in 1793 
or 1794, near where the Congregational church now 
stands. 

Rev. Elijah Brainard of Randolph preached the first 
sei-mon (Cong.) in town, at the house of Samson Nich- 
ols, in the 3-ear 1788. There was no regular church 
organization until Dec. 25, 1794, when the Congrega- 
tionalists united together, and in 1803 commenced to 
build a meeting-house, which was not finished until Sept. 
23, 1807. This house becoming dilapidated, was, in 
1846, replaced by a new building, which, owing to its 
elevated position, is visible from many towns. Rev. 
Aaron Cleveland was ordained pastor in March, 1801. 
There are at present three churches in town. 

The surface is generall3- uneven, there being several 
eminences ; viz.. Belcher Hill, Nevins Hill, Oak Hill 
and Quaker Hill. Through the western part runs the 
Rochester and Granville range of the Green Mountains. 

Bkookfield, l.ying on the height of land between the 
White and Winooski rivers, is an irregular shaped town 
in the western part of Orange County, occupying a pur- 
tion of that undulating surface which stretches from the 
Green Mountains on the west, to the Connecticut River 
on the east. 

The first settlement was made in the valley of the 
Branch, in 1779, by Capt. Shubael Cross and family. 
Mrs. Cross was the first woman who settled in this town, 
and was the recipient of 100 acres of land from the 
original proprietors. Mr. Howard's family located here 
in the following spring, and Caleb Martin, John Lyman, 
Jonathan Pierce, John and Noah Payne and several 
others came in soon after. These settlers were princi- 
pally from Connecticut. The first mills in Brookfield were 
built and owned by Capt. Cross. The first town meeting 
was held March 18, 1785, at the house of Capt. Cross. 



The cause of education has received marked attention 
in this town, and many of its citizens have been liberally 
educated. In 1832 and 1833 the subject of a female 
seminary was agitated, and a commodious brick building 
was erected and furnished, and a school opened, with 
Miss Eachel Denison of Eoyalton as principal. This 
seminary soon became noted as one of the best institu- 
tions of the kind in the State. It was, however, des- 
tined to a brief but brilliant existence, and the building 
was aftei-wards used for a district school. 

The first public action in religious matters was taken 
in March, 1786, when it was voted by the town, "to hire 
some preaching for the pi-oduce of the earth." Timothj' 
Cowles, Caleb Martin and Abel L3'man were chosen as 
a committee " to look up a minister for the above pur- 
pose," and it was decided that £20 should be raised for 
the support of preaching, to be paid for in wheat at 
market prices. The first church (Cong.) was organized, 
Jul}' 11, 1787, and Rev. Elijah Lj'man, a native of Tol- 
land, Conn., was ordained over it, April 8, 1789. He 
officiated as pastor until his death, in April, 1828. The 
first meeting-house was built by this society', in 1791. 
Twentj'-one ministers have originated in this town. 
The town has a library of 800 volumes. 

Chelsea, since December, 1796, the shire town, occu- 
pies nearlj- the centre of the count}'. The township was 
granted about the year 1770, bj' the Province of New 
York, under tlie name of Gageborough, but it was after- 
wards granted to Bela Turner and his associates, Nov. 2, 
1780, b}' the legislatiu-e of Vermont, and was chartered, 
Aug. 4, 1781, b}' the name of Turnersburgh. The 
name was changed, Oct. 13, 1788, to that of Chelsea. 

The first settlement was made in 1784, b}' Samuel and 
Thomas Moore, and Thomas Bond, who in 1785 brought 
their families from Winchester, N. II. Thej' were soon 
followed bj- Dea. Enos Smith, and many others, whose 
descendants still reside in town. The first house was 
erected within the limits of the present "old burj'ing- 
ground," by Thomas Moore. This house, with all of its 
contents, was burned to the ground in September, 1785, 
five months after the family moved into it. The first 
child born in town was Thomas Porter, son of Thomas 
Moore, who spent his whole life in town, and died in 
May, 1867. The first town meeting was held, March 31, 
1788. 

The first court-house was erected on the main street, 
in 1796, and sen'ed the purpose until a more commo- 
dious house was built at the east end of the south com- 
mon. This was occupied until 1847, when it was taken 
down, and tlie present neat and commodious building 
was erected upon nearly the same site. 



In 1851 the Chelsea Academy was chartered, which, 
up to the time of the late civil war, was one of the most 
flourishing institutions of the kind in the State. In 
1852 an academy building was erected, which was very 
pleasantly located, and offered accommodations for a 
large and flourishing school. 

A Congregational church was organized soon after the 
settlement of the town, and Rev. Lathrop Thompson 
was installed as pastor in November, 1799. For many 
3'ears the societj' held their meetings in the court-house, 
but in 1811 they erected a large church building at the 
head of the North Common. "Chelsea Green," the 
only village, is located in the centre of the town. 

Corinth, situated near the centre of Orange County, 
was chartered by New Hampshire, Feb. 4, 1764, to Col. 
John Taplin, Maj. Henry Moore, Mr. Ward and others, 
and organized in 1 780. 

In 1777, Ezekiel Colb}' moved his family into town, 
and they were the first settlers. The next year Mrs. 
Colb}' gave birth to a son (Henrj') , the first child born 
in town, and he received in consequence 100 acres of 
land from the proprietors. In 1781, Joseph Fellows, a 
j'oung man 19 j'ears of age, from Salisbury, Mass., made 
the first settlement in the south-west part of the town. 
He set out the first apple-trees which were planted in 
that vicinity, and some of them are yet standing. He 
built a saw-mill on a neighboring stream, and there has 
been a saw-mill in this locality for upwards of 90 years. 

The first meeting-house in town was built by the Con- 
gregationalists in 1801. It was a large two-story build- 
ing, and up to the year 1846 was also used as a town- 
house. It was not until Oct. 10, 1820, mainly through 
the labors of the Rev. Charles Y. Chase, that a Congre- 
gational church was organized. Mr. Chase was ordained 
pastor of the society, Jan. 25, 1821, and held that posi- 
tion until his death, in 1831. There are Methodist and 
Baptist societies in town. 

Mrs. Jane Brown, a native of Ireland, and relict of 
Mr. S. Brown, died here, March 26, 1824, aged 101 
3'ears and 7 months. 

Faielee was chartered, Sept. 9, 1761, to Josiah 
Chauncev, Joseph Hubbard, and 62 other original grant- 
ees, b}' George III. Under this charter the town was a 
part of the Province of New Hampshire, — sometimes 
called the " New Hampshire Grants," and several of the 
first meetings were held in Orford, N. II. 

The first settlement was made in 1766, by John Bald- 
win, who came from Hebron, Conn. He located about 
half a mile south of where the meeting-house now stands, 
uearl}' on the spot where William II. Kibbj' resides. 

In 1768, Samuel Miller, Samuel Bentley, William and 



HISTOKY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



David Thompson, Noah Dewe^- and Joel White were 
settled here. 

Feb. 25, 1797, the western half of this township was 
set off and constituted a separate town, by the name of 
West Fairlee. 

In 1782, Gen. Israel Morej' moved from Orford to 
Fairlee, and built a saw and grist .mill. At an earlj- 
d:ite he chartered a feiTj- across the Connecticut Eiver, 
which was the onl}' mode of communication between Fair- 
lee and Orford until 1802, when the first bridge was built. 

The first post-office was established, July 27, 1808. 

Appropriations were made for the support of the gos- 
pel as earl^- as 1782, but no meeting-house was built 
until 1802. The building then erected was thoroughly 
repaired in 1850 b}- the united efforts of the Congrega- 
tional and Methodist societies. 

Hon. Nathaniel Niles, born in South Kingston, E. I., 
April 3, 1741, graduated at a New Jersey college in 
1766. He resided in Norwich, Conn., but at the close of 
the Revolutionary war purchased land in Orange County-, 
Vt., and settled in Fairlee (now West Fairlee). He 
was a man of great intellectual attainments, and filled 
manj- prominent positions in the town, county and State. 

West Fairlee. — The first settlements in town were 
made by Hon. Nathaniel Niles, from Norwich, Conn., and 
Hon. Elisha Thaj'er, from Massachusetts, on Middle 
Brook, near the Centre, about the j'ear 1779. The first 
settlement in the east part of the town was made bj- 
Elijah Blood, who came from Connecticut, and located 
on Blood Brook in 1778, which brook was named for him. 
Nathan Avery was the first male child born in town. 

The first town meeting was held at the dwelling-house 
of George Bixby, March 31, 1797. Elisha Thayer, the 
second town clerk, held that office for 47 ^-ears, since 
which time the present incumbent, Hon. Ahah Bean, has 
held the office 31 years, making three clerks onl}' that 
the town has had since its organization. 

The second town meeting was held May 22, 1797, for 
the puipose of electing a representative to Congress. 
Tliere were present at this meeting onl^' 15 voters, and 
Hon. Nathaniel Niles received the entire vote. 

A Congregational church was organized, Dec. 19, 
1809, by Rev. Joseph Fuller, of Vershire, and the first 
meeting-house was built in 1811, at the Centre. Rev. 
Joseph Tracj', the first settled minister, was ordained, 
June 26, 1821. He preached here seven j"ears, and was 
then dismissed at his own request, and became editor of 
the "Vermont Chronicle." The principal A-illage is in 
the west part of the town. 

Newburt is located in the north-east corner of Orange 
County. It was chartered to Jacob Bayley, John Hazen, 



Ephraim Bayley, and CO other grantees, March 18, 
1763. Haverhill, N. H., was also chartered on the same 
day, the two proprietors ha^dng given their respective 
townships the names of their old home towns, Newbury 
and Haverhill, Mass. 

The first settlement was made in 1762, by Samuel 
Sleeper. He was followed, the same j'ear, bj' the fami- 
lies of Thomas and Richard Chamberlain and John 
Ilazleton. ThQ Chamberlains settled on Musquash 
Meadow. The nearest mill was at Charlestown, 60 
miles distant, to which the settlers carried their grain. 

In the spring of 1762, John Hazen settled here, 
bringing with him men and material to erect a saw and 
grist mill. The first town meeting was held June 13, 
1763, at Plaistow, N. H., distant not less than 100 miles 
from Newbur}'. The town was organized immediateh' 
after the commencement of the first settlement. The 
whole eastern boundary' of the town is watered b^- the 
Connecticut River, and along this stream are some of the 
most productive and beautiful tracts of interval in the 
State. Mineral springs are numerous in the town, but 
the most important is located by the side of Harriman's 
Brook. 

This town has two villages, — Newbury Village, which 
is situated near the Great Oxbow, and Wells Eiver Vil- 
lage, which is situated at the mouth of Wells River. 

Educational matters have received more than average 
attention in this town. There are, in addition to the 
common schools, two literary institutions located here, — 
the Newbury Seminar}-, S. L. Eastman, principal ; and 
the Montebello Ladies' Institute, Miss Mary E. Tenncy, 
principal. Newbur}- Seminary was opened for a school 
in the fall of 1834, under the dh'ection of Rev. C. Adams 
and Rev. O. C. Baker. This school was organized and 
has always remained under the patronage and direction 
of the Methodist Church and Conference. For a period 
of 33 j-ears it had unequalled prosperity, but it declined 
in importance, and in 1868 was by the Conference re- 
moved to Montpeher, and A. J. Willard, of St. Johns- 
bury, Vt., obtained title to the gi-ounds and building, by 
a foreclosure on a mortgage given him by the trustees. 
But the Supreme Court decided that the trustees could 
not dispose of the same except for school purposes. 
Rev. S. L. Eastman bought the seminar}- of Mr. Willard, 
and runs the same on his own responsibility. 

The first Congregational church was organized in 
Hollis, Mass., in September, 1764, and the Rev. V. 
Powers was installed over the society, Feb. 27, 1705. 

Orange, located in the north-west comer of Orange 
County, was granted, Nov. 6, 1780, and was chartered 
by Gov. Thomas Chittenden, Aug. 11, 1781, to Capt. 



Ebenezer Green and others. The first settlement was 
made on the south line of the town in September, 1793, 
bj' Ensign Joseph Williams. 

The town was organized, March 9, 1796, and the first 
town meeting was held at the house of Joseph "Williams. 

The town is divided nearly through its centre, from 
north to south, by the height of land between Connecti- 
cut River and Lake Champlain. Large flocks of sheep 
are kept, and considerable attention is paid to dairying. 
Knox Mountain, in the north-easterly part of the town, 
is a considerable elevation, and furnishes good granite 
for building purposes. 

A Congregational church was organized at an early 
date, and the Rev. P'nos Bliss was settled over it as pas- 
tor in 1799. At present there are three religious soci- 
eties in town. 

Randolph, the best farming town in the count}', was 
granted Nov. 2, 1780, and chartered to Aaron Stoors 
j and others June 29, 1781, by Vermont, under the name 
of Randolph. 

As near as can be ascertained, the first settlement was 
commenced some three or four j-ears before the town 
was chartered. William Evans and family, Edward 
[ Evans, John Parks and Experience Davis were the first 
persons that wintered in the township. 

Experience Davis, from Dresden, N. H. (now Han- 
over), hearing from the St. Regis Indians that there 
was a very desirable tract of land in this section, \'isited 
it in 1775, and in the next summer laid out 1,533 acres, 
but did not make a permanent settlement until the next 
3-ear (1776) when having offered one of his neighbors 
(William Evans in Hanover) a farm off of his tract if he 
would immediately settle there, both came and had pro- 
gressed somewhat with the clearing of their farms at the 
time of the bm-ning of Roj-alton. This settlement was 
in the south-east corner of Randolph. The town was 
organized March 31, 1783. 

There are three ver}- pleasant and attractive villages 
in this town ; one at the centre, one in tlie eastern 
and one in the western part. West Randolph is now 
the principal centre for trade and business. 

Nov. 8, 1806, the Randolph Academy, or Orange 
County Grammar School, was established, and the build- 
ing was erected at Randolph Centre, on land owned by 
Dudley Chase and others, in 1807. This academy has 
always been ver^- poi)ular. 

May 30, 1786, the first Congregational church was 
organized Itj' the Rev. Lyman Potter of Norwich, at the 
house of Parker Smith. Sept. 6, of the same year. Rev. 
Elijah Brainard was ordained pastor. No less than seven 
religious denominations are now represented in the town. 



The Randolph Farmers' Club, organized Feb. 10, 
1862, has been very prosperous, and in 1869 it numbered 
100 members. 

The West Randolph Ladies' Library Association was 
organized Dec. 14, 1863, and new books have been added 
yearly, so that at present, they have quite a flourishing 
library. 

Hon. Dudley Chase, born in Cornish, N. H., Dec. 30, 
1771, and a graduate of Dartmouth College, was long a 
resident of Randolph. He was U. S. senator from 1813 
to 1819, and died Feb. 23, 1846. 

Strafford, situated in the south-east corner of Orange 
Countj', was chartered Aug. 12, 1761, to Solomon Phelps 
and 03 other grantees. The first settlement was made 
by James Pennock, his wife Thankful, and six sons, 
who came from Goshen, Conn., in June, 1768, and set- 
tled on land now owned by Benjamin V. N. Gove. 
Ezekiel Parish, Frederick Smith, William Brisco, John 
West, his sun Daniel West, and Peter Thomas, all 
settled in town in the same year. During the next 
few j-ears, and before the war of the Revolution, man}' 
other settlements were made in different sections of the . 
town. The first town meeting on record was held March ; 
18, 1778. I 

In 1777 several men in town left their homes, and it j 
is supposed that they joined the British forces ; and in 1 
March, 1779, it was voted by the authorities of the place 
" that those Tories and their families, that this town 
had leave to send away, should not return and inhabit 
in this town again." 

The first school-house was built in the " old city" dis- 
trict, a few rods from the Falls bridge. 

There was no regular preaching before the year 1791, 
at which time a Baptist church was established ; and about 
1794 this society built the first meeting-house in town. 
In 1801 Elder Aaron Buzzell moved to Strafford and 
took charge of this church. 

There are three villages in town ; viz., Strafford, 
South Strafford and Copperas Hill. 

In the latter village are the works of the Vermont 
Copperas Company. This company was chartered in 
1809, by the name of the " Vermont Mineral Factory 
Company." The mine was discovered in 1793, by two 
n)en who were tapping trees. The works were first com- 
menced by Mr. Eastman, but were not successfully pros- 
ecuted until about the year 1810, when the stock was 
taken up by the Messrs. Reynolds of Boston. In 1827 
the company employed about 40 hands. For many 
years past William B. Rej-nolds & Co. of Boston have 
sold annually over 1,000,000 pounds of Vermont cop- 
peras, which has all come from these mines, and is con- 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



sidered to be far superior to the best imported English 
or French copperas. 

Hon. Justin .S. Morrill, U. S. senator, is a native of 
Strafford. 

Thetford, situated in the south-east corner of Orange 
Count}-, was first settled in ]\[aj', 1764, by John Cbain- 
berlin, who came from Hebron, Conn. In the follow- 
ing spring he was followed by Abner Howard, Benja- 
min Baldwin, Joseph Hosford and Joseph Downer from 
the same place. These settlements were all made upon 
the Connecticut River. Up to 1783 there were but two 
families living west of the Ompompanoosuc River. 
Most of the early settlers emigrated from New Hamp- 
shire and Connecticut. After the close of the Revolution- 
! ary war emigrants came in rapidly and commenced the 
I settlement of the west part of the town. The town was 
! not organized until 1 76S, and the first town meeting was 
held at the house of Abner Chamberlin, May 10, 1768. 
The first saw-mill and grist-mill in the place were built 
bj- John Strong, in November, 1769, on Gun Brook. 

The first session of Orange County court was held in 
Thetford in June, 1781, at the tavern of Capt. William 
Heaton. 
I In 1818 Dr. Burton, Hon, Joseph Reed and others, 
with the liberal contributions of the citizens of the town, 
built the academy, and an act of incorporation was 
granted to "Thetford Academy" Oct. 29, 1819 The 
school commenced Februarj' 8ih of this year with Rev. 
John Fitch as principal, and soon took a high stand as a 
litenirj' institution. Under the charge of Hiram Orcutt, 
A. JI., in 1850-53, the school numbered 250 students. 
The institution has a fund from bequests and contribu- 
tions. 

There are but two religious denominations in town, — 
Congregationalist and IMethodist. The first Congrega- 
tional church was organized in 1773, and the Rev. Mr. 
Sumner was installed as pastor. The first meeting- 
house was built of logs, in 1781, about three-fourths of 
a mile from where the present house now stands. 

About half of Fairlee Lake lies in the north part of 
the town, and in addition there are several ponds, one of 
which, " Child's Pond," covering about nine acres, is 
situated 198 feet from the bank of the Connecticut 
River, and is 1 43 feet above the level of the river. This 
pond has no outlet or inlet, and is about 60 feet deep. 

There are six villages in the town, and as many post- 
oflBces. 

From a fund ($5,500) donated by Mr. George Peabody, 
a neat and commodious library building was erected, 
and 1,100 books were bought in London, Eag., by Mr. 
Peabodj' and sent here. Since then the association have 



added about 100 books per 3"ear, and thej- have at pres- 
ent (1878) 2,300 volumes, with a fund of $2,300. 

Rev. Asa Burton, D. D., was bom in Stonington, 
Conn., Aug. 25, 1752. He. with a few other joung I 
men, struck the first blows — cutting down the trees, 
and clearing up the land where Dartmouth College now 
stands. He graduated from this college in 1777. He 
accepted a call to settle in Thetford, Nov. 18, 1778, and 
was ordained Jan. 19, 1779. He continued as pastor of 
this societ}' until his death. May 1, 1836. The degree 
of Doctor of Divinity was conferred on him in 1804 b}' 
Middlebury College. During his whole life he was ac- 
tively engaged in the cause of education, and prepared 
more than 100 young men for the ministry. 

TopsHAM. — The first settlement was made b}' Thomas 
Chamberlin, in 1781, in the east part of the town. 
Thomas IMcKeith and Samuel Farnham also moved here 
in the same j-ear. 

The first settlers were principally from New Hamp- 
shire. The first saw-mill was built by Lemuel Tabor in 
1784, and the first gist-mill by the same person in 1787. 
Both mills were located in what is now the village of 
East Topsham. Tabor received from the proprietors 
of the town a tract of 200 acres for building the mills 
and keeping them in repair for 14 j-ears. 

The town was organized Blarch 15, 1790. 

The west part of the town was settled about the j'ear 
1798, by Nathaniel Mills, Dea. David Bagley, Dea. 
Jonathan Sanborn, and others. Nathaniel Mills built 
the first saw-mill in this part of the town in 1799, and 
Jonathan Jenness built the first grist-mill in 1807. 

The first store in town was opened by David Barnett, 
near Newbury line, about 1796. | 

The prevailing religious denominations in the early 
history' of the town were Presbj'terians and Baptists, and 
preaching was held at private dwellings until 1806, when 
the first meeting-house was erected. This house was at 
first occupied by dilTerent denominations, but it has since 
been taken up exclusively b}- the I'resbj-terians. 

The village of East Topsham is the business centre of 
the town, and the town-house is located there. I 

TuNBRiDGE was chartered Feb. 3, 1761. The first 
settlements were made in 1776 by James Lj-on, Moses 
Ordway and others from New Hampshire, who located 
on the east side of the river. They were followed about 
the same year by Obadiah Smith, who settled a little to 
the south of them. Mrs. Smith became the mother of 20 
children, 18 of whom lived to be married. 

The town was attacked Oct. 16, 1780, bj' a body of 
300 Indians. Several of the settlers were taken prison- 
ers, and most of their property was destroj'ed. From 



VERMONT. 



here the Indians proceeded to Royalton and laid that 
town in ashes. In less than five j-ears inan_v of the for- 
mer settlers had returned, and new settlements had 
sprung up in all sections of the town. 

The town was organized in March, 1786. 

The first "Congregational Church was organized Feb. 
5, 1792, and Rev. David II. Williston (who preached 
the first gospel-sermon in town) was ordained over the 
church June 26, 1793. 

Tlie township is nearly square, and the surface uneven, 
the highest portions being at the four corners. Seven 
persons in this town have lived to be over 95 yeixra of age. 

Vkrshire, one of the central t )wns in Orange County, 
was first settled bj' Irenns Knight, who was followed in 
1779 by Lenox Titus. The first town meeting was held 
Aug. 27, 1783. The first grist-mill in the town was 
built by William Maltbie on land now owned b3' llial 
Colton. 

There have been five religious denominations repre- 
sented in town, but previous to 1870 the Congregation- 
alists and Baptists were the most numerous. The first 
Congregational church was organized July 14, 1787. 
Rev. Stephen Fullei' was ordained and installed Sept. 3, 
1788, and served as pastor until his death, April 12, 
1816. The present house of worship was built in 1836. 

Two ranges of hills extend from east to west through 
the town. The most marked precipice is called Eagle's 
Ledge, one sida of it being more than 200 feet in height. 
The Vermont Copper Mines, which are located in this 
town, are in the south range. This range extends 
through several towns, and the vein of ore worked by 
tills company, is supposed to be a continuation of that 
opened in Strafford and Corinth. In 1867 a smelting- 
furnace was erected, which in 1876 was enlarged to 450 
feet in length. This mine has done an immense business 
for the past 15 years, emploj'ing at one time as manj' as 
450 men. 

The mine at this date has been carried to a depth of 
over 1,500 feet. 

There are three villages in town, Ely, Vershire Brook 
Road, and Vershire Centre, the former being the largest 
and most important. Besides the buildings, shops 
and furnaces, belonging to the company, it has two 
churches, and one of tlie largest stores in the county. 

• When the county of Gloucester was erected in 17G9, the territory 
einbraeeil in this township was granted by New York, under the name 
of Kingland, and it was constituted the shire town of Gloucester 
County. At this time there was no settlement in town, and no houses 



Washington,* in the north-western part of Orange 
County, was granted, Aug. 8, 1781, to Elisha Burton 
and others, and was chartered Oct. 25, 1781, to the 
original proprietors. 

The town was surveyed in 1784, and in 1785 the first 
settlement was commenced by Daniel Morse. He was 
soon followed b3' his brother, John Morse. The town 
was organized, March 7, 1793. 

The only village is located on Jail Branch of the 
Winooski River. 

AViLLiAMSTOwN, in the north part of Orange County, 
was granted, Nov. 6, 1780, to Samuel Clark, Absalom 
Baker, and 73 others, and was chartered, Aug. 9, 1781. 

The first settlements were made in June, 1784, by 
Elijah and John Paine, Josiah Lyman, and Joseph and 
John Smith. Penuel Deming moved his family here in 
February following, and this was the first familj^ that 
moved into town. Lucj-, daughter of Penuel Deming, 
was the first child born in town, Ma^' 10, 1785. Ths 
first town meeting was held at the house of Josiah 
Lyman, Sept. 4, 1787. The first grist-mill was built 
between the j-ears 1785-87, by Elijah Paine, who, by 
vote of the proprietors, received 100 acres of land for 
that purpose. The first frame house was built by Josiah 
Lj-man, in 1792. 

In the original grant of the township, one lot was 
reserved for the use of a seminary or college, one for a 
county grammar school, and one for the support of 
English schools in town. 

A Congregational church was organiiied Aug. 13, 1795. 

The first meeting-house was finished in 1812, and was 
repaired in 1851. Rev. Elijah Brainard, of Randolph, 
preached the first sermon in town. The first religious 
society was the Baptist, formed Oct. 2, 1794. They 
built a meeting-house in the east part of the town in 1816. 

Elijah Paine, LL. D., one of the early settlers, was 
born in Brooklyn, N. Y., Jan. 21, 1757. He graduated 
at the university of Cambridge in 1781. He then ap- 
plied himself to the stud}' of law, and in 1784 removed 
to Vermont. His whole life and energy was directed to 
whatever would advance the general interests of the 
communitj'. He occupied man}' prominent positions in 
the town, State, county and nation. He died April 28, 
LSI 2. 



except a log-house, which had been built for a jail. County courts were 
held in this town until August, 1772, and at Newbury and Kingland 
alternately, until February, 177-t, which was the last term of court held 
for Gloucester County. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



ORLEAl^S COUNTY 



BY WILLIAM E. GRAVES. 



Orleans County, containing 19 towns, lies in the cen- 
tral part of northern Vermont, tlic U. S. line separating it 
from Canada. Essex Count3' forms its southern boun- 
flary, Caledonia is on its eastern border, and Franklin 
and Lamoille counties are on the west. 

It was an unbroken wilderness until after the Revolu- 
tionary war, and inhabited onlj' bj' Indians. Hunters 
had \-isited it, and soldiers had passed through some 
portions of it in the course of their martial expeditions. 
Man}' 3-ears later a military road was made through the 
south-western portion of this countj' to Hazen's Notch 
in the present town of Westfield. Traces of that road, 
though made during the early part of the Revolution, 
are still distinct in Greensborough, Craftsbury, Albany 
and Lowell. 

The physical geography and geology of Orleans 
County are diverse from any other portion of the State. 
The eastern part of the countj' is almost wholly granite. 
The minerals of most interest and value occur in the 
Missisque vallej'. The most striking features of this 
vallej" are the immense ranges of serpentine and soap- 
stone, especially in Lowell and Westfield. The eastern 
range contains the veins of magnetic iron-ore which sup- 
plied the furnace at Troy. The quantity' is inexhausti- 
ble, but the ore is hard to smelt. The iron, when manu- 
factured, is of the best qualit}', having great strength and 
hardness ; and is well adapted to the manufacture of 
wire and screws. According to Dr. Hitchcock, the 
geologist, it would make the best kind of rails for rail- 
roads ; and from it are now manufactured the most valu- 
able hollow-ware and stoves. 

The streams in the county mostly flow northerly and 
westerlj', toward Lake Memphremagog. The Missisque 
River flows northerlj- till it enters Canada, and then turn- 
ing westward re-enters Vermont and pours into Lake 
Champlain. The county is more abundantlj' supplied 
with lakes, ponds and streams than any other portion, 
of equal area, in Vermont or New England. Black, 
Baiton and Cli'de rivers are almost entirely limited to 
the countj'. Several streams, which flow north into 
Canada, rise in ponds within the county. A consider- 
able portion of lakes Memphremagog, Caspian, Wil- 



loughby and Morgan, also Bellwater Pond, or Lake 
Beautiful, are, with a very large number of ponds, within 
the county. These ponds furnished an abundance of the 
finest fish to the Indians, hunters and early settlers. 
They were also the home of numerous beaver and otter ; 
while the meadows supplied rich pasture to moose and 
deer, thousands of which were killed, principally for 
their skins. 

The face of the country differs considerably from other 
parts of the State. Although its general slope is north- 
ward, the summits or ridges are easily cultivated. Pre- 
cipitous cliffs and ledges are uncommon, except on the 
western boundarj'. The summit of Jaj' Peak, in the 
north-west corner of Westfield, is 4,018 feet above tide- 
water. The summit of Westmore Mountain, in the 
extreme eastern part, is nearly 3,000 feet above sea- 
level. Cultivated lands in Holland, Greensborough, 
Craftsbury, Westmore and a portion of Glover, varj' from 
1,100 to 1,500 feet above the ocean. Most of the lands 
lying on the rivers are from 700 to 900 feet above the 
sea. Much of the table-land Ij'ing between the streams 
is of the best qualitj' for cultivation and grazing. The 
meadows and intervals are unsurpassed by any in the 
State. 

The immense water-power of the county nas been but 
partially improved. This maj' seem less surprising, 
when we recall to mind that but little more than half a 
centurj' has elapsed since Indian wigwams occupied the 
sites of what arc now smiling villages. 

The white cedar is more abundant, and of larger size, 
than in any other portion of the Northern States, but 
the sugar-maple is the glory of the fanner. The average 
j-ield of sugar, per farm, is nearly- 500 pounds. Of the 
noble pines,* towering in height and gigantic in bulk, 
only a scattered few remain. A trace of the magnifi- 
cence of the early forests may be found in the valleys, 
dotted here and there with elms — some of an immense 
size. 

The first settlements in this county were made simul- 
taneousl3' at Greensborough and at Craftsbury, in 1789. 

* A pine recently felled in tlie town of Coventry, in this county, 
yielded 4,131 feet of inch Ijoiirds ! 



VERMONT. 



Host of the other towns were settled prior to the com- 
mencement of the present century. Within the county 
are several agricultural and temperance societies. There 
is also a County Bible Society ; the Orleans County 
Medical Society ; and the Society of Natural Sciences, 
organized in 1869, to supersede the Orleans County 
Natural and Civil Historical Societj-, formed in 1853, of 
which Gov. Crafts was the first president. A County 
Agricultural Societj', foi-med in 1867, has also met with 
much success. 

There is not enough wheat raised to supplj' the home 
demand. Oats — sown an}' time after snow leaves the 
ground until June 15 — are raised on everj' varietj' of 
soil, and with but little care. The coarser grains — bar- 
ley, rye, corn and buckwheat — are raised only in small 
quantities. Potatoes average only about one acre to the 
farm ; 3'et, in towns where there are starch-factories, 
potatoes are planted in fields of from 5 to 20 acres, and 
yield, in some cases, more than 400 bushels per acre, — 
and, generally, 200 per acre. In the factory at Cov- 
entrj' there was received, in each of three years, from 
30,000 to 36,000 bushels of potatoes. No product has 
been so variable as hops. The crop in the field yields 
from 100 pounds to a ton per acre. 

The cattle in Orleans County are mostlj' natives, bred 
in a somewhat careless manner. There is some Devon 
stock, but it is not all of pure blood. Half-bloods, with 
good care, seem to grow to a large size and to mature 
3'oung. A few farmers are commencing herds of Dur- 
hams, and there are some Jersey cattle, and occasional 
specimens of the Hereford, Ayrshire and Galloways, 
but no herd of any of these breeds. The tendencj' for 
several years has been, among large farmers, to devote 
their chief attention to dairying. The income of a good 
dair^- has often been from $75 to $100 per cow.* The 
sheep kept, probably number 20,000. Most of the large 
flocks are high-grade merino. 

There are some good sheep in every town ; but there 
seems to have been the most attention paid to them in 
Coventry, where there are several laige and choice 
flocks. The town of Coventr}' was incorporated in 1780. 
Samuel Cobb and his son, Tisdale, with their families, 
were the pioneer settlers, in the 3-ear 1800. They came 
from Westmoreland, N. H., travelling on horseback as 
far as Barrington, which being the end of the road, they 
made their way on foot through the dense woods, mark- 
ing the trees as thej- went, till they came to the eastern 
part of Coventr}'. Their rude houses were built of 
spruce logs, hewn only on the inside, pointed with mud 

• More than 200 pounds, per cow, lias been sold frequently, beside 
supplying the wants of the family. 



and moss, and roofed with bark. Tiie single room thus 
enclosed had a door and one or two openings for win- 
dows, and was used for dining-room, kitchen, bed-room 
and parlor. Boards were not to be procured nearer than 
Barton, where Gen. William Barton, the founder of that 
town, had, in 1796, built a saw-mill. From that mill, 
boards sufficient to floor the cabins were drawn a dis- 
tance of 10 miles through the pathless woods. The 
town of Barton, incorporated in 1789, was first settled 
by Asa Kimball, in the spring of 1795. Living in a 
cabin constructed of poles and bark, the first grain he 
planted was harrowed in with a cow and steer. Th(^ 
first saw-mill was built by William Barton, near where 
the railroad crosses the river at the Mansfield farm ; and 
the first grist-mill, bj- Asa Kimball, on the spot where 
the chair-factory now stands. A town government was 
formed in 1798, when Asa Kimball served as moderator, 
and Abner Allyn, Jr., as town clerk. The first settlers 
travelled to Lyndon and St. Johnsbury, from 20 to 30 
miles, for all their "milling" and groceries, carrj-ing 
them mostl}' on their back. 

The pond in Glover, which broke its bounds and ran 
entirely out, June 6, 1810, passed down Barton River, 
making very disastrous ravages, traces of which are still 
to be seen. 

The first religious meeting in town was appointed bj- 
Phineas Peck, a Methodist preacher, and held at Asa 
Kimball's house, about the j^ear 1805 ; and the first 
coach that came into town, bringing Hon. Daniel Owen 
and his wife, on a visit to their children, in 1810, excited 
less comment than an event which occurred in August, 
1814. One John Ware, or Weare, a Canadian smuggler 
and cattle-stealer, while evading the customs officers, in 
the darkness of night, was accidentallv shot in the leg. 
He was taken on horseback to the first house in Brown- 
ington, where his limb was removed by Dr. Frederic W. 
Adams, it being his first amputation. In the absence of 
professional instruments, he used a beech withe for his 
tourniquet, completing the operation with the aid of a 
razor and sash-saw. The rest of the band made their 
escape to Can.ada. 

The townshii) of Brownington was incorporated in 
1790, taking its name from Timotliy and David Brown, 
the leading proprietors. The settlement of the town 
was commenced by Dea. Peter Clark, about 1796. It 
received a town organization in 1799. Probably there 
were onlj- 8 voters in the town at the close of the last 
centur}'. The establishment of a count}' grammar- 
school in 1824, was an event of great importance to the 
town. Until the selection of Irasburgh as the seat of 
justice, this town and Craftsbury were half-shire towns. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



In Brownington, the courts were held in the old school, 
or town-house, built in 1801 ; and the cellar of a house 
lately occupied by Mr. Burroughs was used for a jail. 
The greatest "fish storj'" in the annals of the place is 
that of four of its townsmen, who visited a pond near 
Bald Mountain, oarlj' in the present century. The result 
of the da3-'s fishing was a "catch" of more than 500 
pounds of dressed trout; so large, in fact, — the quan- 
tit}-, not the story, — that thej' wore obliged to send for 
oxen to draw home the fmits of their daj-'s labor. 

The old buryiiig-ground, near the parade-ground on 
North Hill, was laid out in 1804. 

During the war of 1812, the inhabitants became so 
alarmed on account of the Indians, and from rumors 
that "the British were coming," that guards were sta- 
tioned on the hills at night, to give the people warning. 
Manj- pei-sons buried their valuables in the ground ; 
quite a number packed their goods, and removed from 
the town ; and some never returned. 

Mrs. Twombly, a venerable resident, who died Jan. 

24, 18G8, aged 97 j'ears, was in Portsmouth, N. H., 

when Gen. 'V\''ashington passed through that place, and 

distinctl3- remembered seeing him smile at the unique 

display' made by a countryman who, in his great anxiety 

to see the " deliverer of his countr}'," drove a poor old 

horse, with a harness made entirely of ropes and wood, 

without anj- leather. 

j The first white native of Orleans County' was William 

j Scott Shepard, born March 25, 1790, in Greensborough, 

j — whose winters are usually two weeks longer than 

! those of its neighbors, on account of its altitude. This 

town was incorporated in 1781, and was second in the 

county in organizing a town government. It was first 

j named Coltshill, from Mr. Colt, one of the original 

grantees, but the present name was afterwards adopted 

in honor of Mr. Green, another proprietor, as being 

[ more euphonic. Ashbel and Aaron Shepard, with their 

families, made the first permanent settlement, in 1789. 

During that long and dreary winter, Mr. Shepard 

j brought all his grain from Newburj-, more than 50 miles, 

drawing it upon a hand-sled, when the snow was four or 

five feet deep. The hay for his cow was obtained from 

a beaver meadow of wild grass, three miles distant. 

As, in these excursions, he usuall}- had his musket with 

* lU' coiiiiiianilcd a company of 100 men, under Gen. Lincoln, at the 
time (if Mia\.-' l;ilnlliun. He represented Craftsbury in tlie legisla- 
ture; r.i I iM d t!i.' liiiii.irary degree of A. M. from Harvard College in 
! 1780, and dird at the age of 70, in 1810. 

t Samuel Chandler Crafts, only son of Col. Ebenezer Crafts, grad- 
u.-ited at Harvard in 1790, a classmate with the elder Josiah Quincy, of 
Boston. His record, in part, is as follows ; Town clerk of Craftsbury, 
Vt., 1792-1829; Constitutional Convention, 1793; Legislature, 1796; 



him, he occasionally shot some game ; and once, instead 
of ha^-, he drew home a fine, fat moose. A town gov- 
ernment was organised about 1792. 

The first Sundaj' school in Vermont was organized in 
Greensborough, in June, 1814, by Col. Asahel Washburn. 
In 1858-59, there were nine Sunday schools in the town, j 
all well sustained, and furnished with good libraries. 

The first marriage in Orleans County, in 1793, was 
that of Joseph Stanley' of Greensborough, and Mary 
Gerould of Craftsbur}-, the first town organized in the 
county. It was incorporated in 1781, and named in 
honor of Col. Ebenezer Crafts,* its first settler and 
founder. Upon the organization of the town, in 1792, 
his son, Samuel C. Crafts,! was chosen town clerk, and 
was annuall}' elected to that office until 1829. From the 
year 1800 to 1825 or '30, Craftsbur}- was the centre of 
trade for all the towns around it. As late as 1818 or 
'20, there was no store in Lowell, Westfield, Troy, Jaj-, 
Eden, Woleott, Greensborough, Glover or Albany. 

In 1799, the legislature established courts in Orleans 
Count}', which then began its independent existence. 
Brownington and Craftsbury were made half-shire towns. 
John Ellsworth was the first chief judge, and Timoth}- 
Ilinman and Elijah Strong (both educated men, and 
graduates of Harvard College) , were the assistant judges ; 
but the}- were not educated to the law, neither was the 
chief judge, and it is not improbable that cases were de- 
cided in accordance with justice and common sense, 
rather than with regard to the technicalities of law. 

In 1812, Irasburg was established as the shire town, 
and became the seat of justice in 1816, on the comple- 
tion of a court-house and jail acceptable to the judges of 
the Supreme Court. The town was named from Ira 
Allen, the principal original grantee. Incorporated in 
1781, its settlement commenced sometime previous to 
the 3-ear 1800, and it was organized in 1803. Efforts 
have been made at various times to remove the county 
seat to Barton and Newport, the latter town situated on 
the shores of Memphremagog, a beautiful lake, 30 miles 
long, two-thirds of which lies in Canada, affording the 
Indians in olden time a mode of easj' communication 
between that countr}- and the colonies, during the French 
and Indian wars.| 

Although Newport was not incorporated till 1803, 

Clerk Gen. Assembly, 1797-98; Legislature, 1800, '01, "03, '05; Ass't 
Judge Co. Court, 1800-1810; Chief Judge, ISl 1-1816; Councillor, 1807- 
1813; Kcp. Congress, 1816-1824; Gov. of Vermont, 1829-1831; Prcs. 
Constitutional Convention, 1829; U. S. senator, 1842. He died, Nov. 9, 
1853, aged 85 years and 44 days. " He was not elected to office because 
he could be, but because he should be." 

X During the old French war, a party that came over this lake made 
prisoner of Stark, who led our forces at the battle of Bennington. 



Dea. Martin Adams had established his residence there 
by erecting a house in 1793. Seven years later, there 
were 60 acres of cleared land in the place, and 6 yoke 
of oxen, but no horse. The woods and the streams 
supplied food in abundance, and venison and trout were 
plentiful, almost without price. While the men were 
engaged in clearing land, or working upon the farm, the 
women spun and wove wool and flax for clothing. "Why 
the town was called Newport, we are not informed. Its 
original name was Duncansborough, changed to the name 
it now bears in 1S16. 

Another town whose lands are partly covered by the 
waters of Lake Memphremagog, is Salem, originallj- 
granted in 1780 ; but the necessary purchase-money 
remaining unpaid after the specified time, Gov. Chitten- 
den ordered the town to be re-sold to any who would pay 
the granting-fees, — about $27,000. Col. Jacob Davis 
of Montpelier, and others, became the purchasers, and 
the town was incorporated in 1781. Of the earl3- 
settlers, Ephraim Blake came here in 1798, Amasa 
Spencer in 1801, and David Hopkins, Jr., in 1802. A 
town government was organized in 1822. 

Troj' was granted in two separate gores, the southern 
half being chartered to John KeUey of New York city, 
and tlie northern half to Samuel Averj' (the silver mines 
in Kellej-'s grant being reserved to the State), and was 
first settled by emigrants from different towns on the 
Connecticut River. The two grants were incorporated 
into a town bearing the name of Missisque, in 1801, 
and organized under that name, which was changed to 
Troy in 1803. A little while before, several families 
had moved into the place, and the colonists were joined 
bj^ a small party of Indians* under a leader named 
Susap. In 1832 two missionaries of Monnonism wrought 
a miraculous (?) cure in the village, and organized a 
IMormon church from their converts. The patient soon 
relapsed, when a few of the more zealous removed to 
Nauvoo, then the lieadquarters of the faith, — scarcely 
a remnant of which is now left in the place. 

Westfield was incorporated in 1780, Jesse Olds, Wil- 
liam Hobbs and others, with their families, having settled 
here the previous j-ear. A town government was organ- 
ized in 1802. About the j'ear 18.')0 a mail-route and a 
post-office were established, the people having previously 
enjoyed no local mail facilities. 

Westmore was incorporated as AVestford in 1781. 



* One of these Indians, Molly Orcutt, whose husband had been killed 
in one of Lovewell's fights, about the year 1725, claimed to be an Indian 
doctress, and actually accomplished some very remarkable cures. A 
neighbor, whose hands were so injured that the cords were exposed, 
was entirely cured in a week's time, with a remedy applied by Molly. 



This name was afterwards changed to the one it now 
bears. Mills were built and in running order in 1804. 
Population increased, and a town government was estab- 
lished in the following year. During the war of 1812, 
between the United States and England, the town was 
for a time entirely abandoned. In 1830 the place again 
began to be settled, and in 1833 a new town government 
was organized. Roads were built, a hotel and numerous 
factories were started, and the town has since prospered. 

John Jay, an eminent lawyer and statesman of New 
York, appointed b^- Washington chief justice of the U. S. 
Supreme Court, was the distinguished personage whom the 
town of Jay honored in adopting his name, at the time of 
its incorporation in 1 792. Previouslj- chartered in 1 780 as 
the township of Carthage, no settlement took place under 
that grant. The first person to settle pennanently was a 
Mr. Baxter, who came into town in 1809. On the declara- 
tion of war in 1812, the few famihes who followed him 
abandoned the settlement and left him alone. He main- 
tained his post like a veteran, and, on the highlands of 
Jay, reared a family of 20 children. The town was not 
organized till the year 1828 ; but the old gentleman sur- 
vived to the age of nearly 90. 

The first person who settled permanently in Lowell, 
was Maj. William Caldwell of Barre, who came in 1803, 
and removed his family here in 1806, the territorj' hav- 
ing been incorporated in 1791, as Kelley Vale, in com- 
pliment to John Kellej- of New York. The town was 
organized in 1812, and its charter-name was changed to 
Lowell in 1832. At this time, the nearest store was at 
Craftsbury, 12 miles distant. 

Morgan, incorporated in 1780, was first settled about 
the year 1800, by Nathan Wilcox. After tlie organiza- 
tion of the town, in 1807, at the first March meeting, it 
was " voted that the hemlock-tree at the crotch of the 
roads to Brownington and Navy, shall be the place to 
set up warnings for town meetings." In the early dajs 
there was no grist-mill nearer than 15 miles. Mr. Bart- 
lett owned a horse, but no pasturing for it nearer than 
Derby Centre, 10 miles off. Thus, it required four days 
whenever one of the family went to mill : one day to go 
after the horse ; the next day start for the mill, vviih 
about two bushels of grain, and stop over night for the 
grist ; on the third day, return home ; on the fourth, 
turn out the horse. 

In the north-east comer of Orleans County is the 

It was subsequently ascertained that the external treatment employed 
by her was a liniment made of strong milk-punch ! Her specific for the 
dysentery was a decoction of the inner bark of the spruce, which in 
numerous cases seems to have proved clfectual for the cure of the 
disease. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



townsliip of Holland, incoiporatccl in 1789, and first 
settled by Edmund Elliott from New Hampshire, and 
Joseph Cowell from Connecticut. They came in the j-ear 
1800. Several families followed in succeeding j-ears, 
and in 1805 a town government was organized. Eber 
Robinson was the first town representative. Julj' 2, 
1833, the town was visited by a violent tornado, pros- 
trating nearly all trees, fences and buildings within a 
space of from one-half to three-quarters of a mile wide, 
and passing into Canada. Its course could be traced 
through forests nearly to the Connecticut River. 

Brig. Gen. John Glover, who served under Washing- 
ton, and who had the honor of conducting Burgoyne's 
army (after the defeat of that general) through the 
States, and to Boston and Charlestown, was the distin- 
guished man to whom Congress granted the land now 
embraced in the township of Glover, in 1781. It was 
incorporated in 1783. Settlements were commenced in 
1797 by R.aiph Parker, Samuel Conant and others. It 
grew slowly, and about the year 1800 there were only 38 
persons in the town. In 1807 the population had in- 
creased to 250. The wolves and bears that infested the 
place occasioned much fear in the families of the earlj' 
settlers. The "Orleans Liberal Institute," a thi-ivmg 
acadeni}- in this place, was incorporated in 1852. 

Another flourishing seminary in this countj^ is the 
" Derby Literary Institute," opened in 1840, under the 
auspices of a Baptist association, and afterwards trans- 
ferred to the town of Derby. The place was an un- 
cleared forest in 1791. Alexander Magoon and other 
pioneers, including Timoth}- Ilinman * from Connecticut 
(one of the most active founders of the town), came to 
this frontier wilderness in 1795. Though not a pro- 
fessor of religion, for several years, and until a church 
was formed, Mr. Hinman, who kept the onl}' house of 
entertainment in the place, held a meeting in his bai"- 
room, where he read a sennon in the forenoon, and 
sometimes another in the afternoon, each Sunday. In 
the summer, when the congi-egation was too large for the 
house, services were held in his barn on the opposite side 
of the road. The town was incorporated in 1789, and 
organized in 1 798. Regular preaching was supplied in 
1810. The first meeting-house was built in IS-IO, and 
shared in the great revivals of 1841 and 1858. 

Fiftj' miles from Jlontpelior lies the town of Charles- 
ton, granted by Gov. Chittenden to " Hon. Abraham 
Whipple and 63 of his shipmates." Com. Whipple was 
a distinguished naval officer in the Revolutionary war, 
and he called the town Navy, in honor of the American 

* He was for many years a representative of the tovra of Derby ; 
also assistant judge of tlic County Court. 



navy. It was incorporated in 1780. The name, how- 
ever, was changed to Charleston, in 1825. None of the 
original grantees ever resided in the town, and but three 
were ever known to visit it. A few of their descendants 
came here about 1831 and settled on their grandfathers' 
"rights." But the pioneers, those lone settlers in the 
wilderness, bore the brunt of the battle ; and great must 
have been their courage ! Think of the mother, after a 
hard day's work, retiring with her little one in a lonely 
log house, leaving the father's supper to keep warm by 
the fire till his return from the woods. In the darkness 
a huge bear enters, devours the supper and walks oflf. 
God saved the mother and little one in that time of peril. 
Think of another brave woman, who said, " the bear 
shall not have my hog, unless he has me too ; " and 
mounting the top of the pen, with a huge stick she kept 
the unwelcome visitor in abeyance all through the long 
night, till morning dawned, when the bear retreated to 
the forest ! Think of a heavy rain, which beat into a 
log house, on a cold night, and put out all the fire. The 
flint was then the only waj- to strike fire, but unfortu- 
nately' the gun was lent. Leaving his familj' in bed, the 
hardy pioneer travels in the driving storm through a ten- 
mile piece of woods to borrow a gun of his nearest 
neighbor ! And all this forms a part of the annals of 
Charleston, where the storj' is told of old " Gov." Page, 
a hardj' pioneer, who cut his way through 50 miles of 
woods to settle here, with his 12 daughters. He had the 
forethought to hire 12 active, smart, j'oung men to fell 
the trees and do the work of making a new settlement. 
Whether the old gentleman took this job into his own 
hands in the patriarchal style of adding sons to his 
family, or whether the daughters were privj- to the selec- 
tion, tradition does not tell ; but it express!}' says the 12 
daughters married the 12 young men and settled all round 
the father. 

Near the close of the last century, commenced the 
settlement of Albany, incorporated in 17S2 as the town 
of Lutterloh, — so named from Col. Hemy E. Lutterloh, 
then its largest proprietor. The first town meeting was 
held in 1806, Benjamin Neal, " town clark." Fort}- dol- 
lars were appropriated for highways, and a "hog-consta- 
ble " was chosen, but nothing was voted for schools. In 
1815 the legislature changed the name of the town to 
Albany. The cold season of 1816 caused the settlers 
much suffering ; j-et in that j'ear occurred the first wed- 
ding in Albany. In 1817 there were large additions to 
the list of voters ; and in 1818 Capt. William Ilaydcn 
commanded the first military organization in the town. 
The company comprised 11 officers, 2 musicians and 34 
privates. This formidable arr.ay of martial men and 



officers carried but 19 guns. From 1830 there was a 
noted increase of [copulation, and a steadj* appearance of 
prosperity. From this time to 1870 all the various re- 
ligious societies had erected houses of worship. At 
present, there are three or four prominent centres of 
business, and all parts of the town exhibit evidence of 
thrift and wealth. 

Towns. 

Newpokt, whose sandv site was originally covered 
with a beautiful growth of large pine-trees, has but one 
village, and a population of 2,0.50. The town extends 
seven miles along the shore of Lake Memphremagog. 
Pickei'el have driven the salmon-trout from the lake, — 
an old-time Indian fishing-ground. Limestone rock and 
slate ledges are common ; veins of copper are abundant, 
and some of the quartz is gold-bearing. Mechanics' shops 
are numerous, and coopering is the principal trade. 

Derby has manj^ fine farm buildings, and some atten- 
tion has been given to the raismg of stock, particularl}' 
Morgan and Black Hawk horses. Numerous mill-sites 
are on Clj'de River, flowing through the southern 
part of the town, whose population is 2,039. For 
many years the place was visited by hunting parties of 
St. Francis Indians, who formerlj' claimed all the north- 
ern part of the State. 

Hon. Portus Baxter, the Vermont soldiers' friend, a 
man of magnetic and winning presence ; a resident of 
Derbj', and member of Congress from 1861 to 18G7, died 
in Washington March 4, 18G8. From 1840 to 1860 he 
exerted a greater influence upon the polities of his State 
than any other man in Vermont. 

Barton, which makes more maple sugar than any 
other town in the county, except Glover, has a popula- 
tion of 1,913. But little of its abundant water-power is 
yet utilized, although there are two grist-mills and four 
saw-mills in its two villages. The hills of Barton make 
the best of pastures. 

Trot, famous for its iron-works and inexhaustible 
mines, lies in the upper valle3' of the Missisque River, 
near the falls of that name. It has no natural ponds, 
nor manj' brooks or streams. Its largest bed of iron- 
ore was discovered in 1833. Population, 1,355. 

Craftsbury, quite a good farming town, although 
somewhat broken by hills, valleys, streams and ponds, 
contains 1,320 inhabitants. Its central village, known 
as Craftsbury Common, is a thriving business-like place. 
When Gov. Crafts became a resident of Orleans County 
there were not 25 persons within its boundaries. 

Charleston is famous for its "Great P'alls" on the 
Clyde, its largest stream, where the descent is more than 



100 feet in 40 rods ; also for the succession of echoes 
reverberated from "Echo Pond." It contains 1,278 
inhabitants, seven saw-mills, two starch-factories, a 
tannerj-, an East and a West village, — six miles apart, 
— and a bog of 500 acres. 

Glover has three villages, three church edifices, 
1,179 inhabitants, a flouring-mill corporation, a success- 
ful academy, a surface of hills and valleys causing great 
variety of scenery, some iron-ore, and several beds of 
marl, which makes excellent lime. 

Alb^vnt, with its apple and sugar orchards, its forests 
of cedar, its neatly arranged farm-dweUings and out- 
buildings, is a thrifty and industrious stock-raising town, 
whose 1,151 inhabitants are mostly interested in agricul- 
tural pursuits. 

Irasburg, its seat of justice, is situated near the 
centre of the county, and contains the court-house and 
jail ; the Orleans County Bank, with a capital of $50,- 
000 ; and a population of 1,085. The annual session of 
the Supreme Court is held here in August, and terms of 
the County Count occur in June and December. 

The remaining towns in the county are : — Greens- 
borough, with a population of 1,025, occupying the 
highest land in the State, and containing many valuable 
mill-privileges on the Lamoille River: Lowell, 942, 
where asbestos is found in considerable quantities, a town 
nearly encompassed by mountains, but ha\ang a strong, 
productive soil: Coventry, 914, with its business-hke 
village, containing a starch-factory, tannery and three 
wheelwright shops, in addition to one or two harness- 
making and sasli-and-blind establishments : Browning- 
ton, 902, another stock-raising town, sending to market 
some of the best horses in New England : Holland, 
881, the best grain-growing town in Orleans Count}' : 
Westfield, 721, whose busy factories tr^- hard to furnish 
tubs for all the butter in Vermont: Salem, 693, a 
patriotic little town, always in advance of its quota 
during the war of the Rebellion : Morgan, 615, with its 
beautiful Lake Seymour, covering 16,000 acres: West- 
more, 412, a good town for new settlers, the township 
being mostly wild laud : and Jay, 533, containing tiie 
sharpest and bleakest (if not the highest) of the high 
peaks of the Green Mountain range, from whose majes- 
tic summit may be seen Mount Mansfield, Camel's 
Hump, the White Mountains, the mountains about the 
head-waters of the Coimecticut, the Chaudiere and the 
Androscoggin, Owl's Head, Victoria Blountain, the great 
plateau of the St. Lawrence and Montreal, Lake Cham- 
plain, and the bold outlines of the Adirondacks, — a field 
of observation broad enough for frequent study, and 
perhaps unsurpassed for its scenic beauty and sublimity. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



EUTLAND COUNTY, 



BY HON. HENRY CLARK. 



The count}- of Rutland has a famed history in the 
early settlement of Vermont. Its territory was in con- 
troversy for a long time between New Hampshire and 
New York. Lieut. Gov. Cadwallader C'olden of the 
latter province issued a proclamation April 10, 1765, 
{innouncing that the king had made claim to the territory 
embracing Southern Vermont, to the Connecticut River 
as the eastern boundary of the province of New York. 
More than two-thirds of what is now Rutland Counts- 
had been granted bj- New Hampshire in 16 different 
townships. 

The territory was first claimed as belonging to the 
county of Albanj', but in 1772 it was organized under 
the name of Charlotte, and extended from the geograph- 
ical centre of Bennington Count}- to the Canada line, 
and from the Green Mountains west, including Lake 
George and Lake Champlain. At the organization of 
Vermont as a State in 1778, Rutland County, as it now 
stands, was embraced in Bennington County, but with 
the territor}- between Lake Champlain and the moun- 
tains north from its southern boundary to Canada. In 
1781, it was formed into the new countj^ of Rutland. 
Since then it has been divided into its present limits. 

After Gov. Colden's proclamation referred to, he 
granted militar}- patents in his new territory, principallj- 
in the towns of Fairhavcn, Pawlet and Benson. He 
subsequently issued patents in Benson, Castleton, Fair- 
haven, Pawlet, Poultney and "Wells, covering in all about 
222,500 acres. These grants were generally for the use 
of speculators. For every 1,000 acres, a fee of $31.23 
was charged, and among other ofHcials a further sum of 
$59 was divided. Several serious collisions occurred 
between the settlers under the New Y'ork and New 
Hampshire patents, both parties having partial occu- 
pancy of the territory. The charters of most of the 
towns were made by Benning "W'entworth, governor of 
New Hampshire, in 1761, and the remaining towns after 
the organization of the government of Vermont. The 
settlement and organizations were generally made ten 
j-ears later, from 1770 to 1777. 

A large number of the early settlers of the county 
were Revolutionary soldiers. Many of the early pioneers 



had been active in military, civil and political life in Con- 
necticut and Massachusetts, from whence a majority of 
them emigrated. They were men remarkable for native 
energ}-, force of character, sound common-sense and 
good judgment, rendering them useful and respected cit- 
izens. The early history of the county was an honored 
one, in its social, educational and religious character. 
It was made bj- earnest and self-denying men and 
women, the fathers and mothers who planted in hope, 
and bore faithfuUj- the struggles and trials of life. To 
their industrj-, energy and enteiprise ; to their lives of 
toil, and sacrifice and self-denial the county is indebted 
for the advanced culture and privileges of the present, 
and for the prosperity that has attended the inhabitants 
these hundred j-ears. 

The settlement of the towns in south-western Ver- 
mont progressed northward from town to town with 
considerable regularity in order of time. A similar 
order is observable in the issuing of charters. Applica- 
tions for charters were made, after 1660, in rapid suc- 
cession to Gov. Wentworth, who was of good mind to 
grant them, on the most lilieral terms ; so that the towns 
in Bennington, Rutland and Addison counties were 
granted in 1761. An ear of Indian corn was to be paid 
annually until December, 1772, after which one shilUng, 
proclamation monej-, was to be paid annuall}- for each 
100 acres. In ten towns of Rutland County whose 
charters were granted between the 26th of August and 
the 20th of October, 1761, settlements were begun at 
the following periods: Pawlet, 1761; Danbj-, 1765; 
Clarendon and Rutland, 1768 ; Castleton and Pittsford 
in 1769; Tinmouth in 1770; Poultney and AVells in 
1771 ; and Brandon in 1772. Many who came before 
the Revolutionary war left immediately after its com- 
mencement, and did not return until it was over. 

"Pitching" before purchase was the custom for sev- 
eral j-ears. To one who had made up his mind to seek 
a settlement in the wilderness, the purchase money or 
consideration was of small account. The proprietors, 
however, encouraged settlements on the most liberal 
terms. Although many pitches were made before titles 
could be secured for any particular location, the settlers 



had no fears of being disturbed in their possessions, as 
tlie townships were open to emigrants except where 
actual settlements had been made. The earW settlers 
seemed to have care for the worship of God while in the 
wilderness, and established religious services, which 
were generally held in private dwellings, and they were 
mostlj^ log-houses. 

The geological formation of the count}' is hilly and 
mountainous. The rocks are argillaceous, occasionally- 
traversed by veins of quartz. Small quantities of sec- 
ondar}' limestone are found in a few localities. Man- 
ganese is also somewhat abundant ; but for the most part 
the rocks are covered with fertile, arable soil. There 
are extensive ranges of slate rock in the western part 
of the county. The quarrying of this rock for roofing 
and marbleized slate is an important industry. In the 
eastern and central portions are extensive marble de- 
posits, which are quarried to a greater extent than in 
any other section of the known world, and afford the 
largest material industry in Vermont. The large streams 
are bordered b}' rich, alluvial intervals. All kinds of 
grains and grasses are successfull}' cultivated. There 
are several mineral springs of note in the county. 
Those at Clarendon and Middletown have attained a 
national celebrity. The eastern part of the county lies 
upon the Green Mountains, upon which are some of the 
highest elevations in the State. Foremost of all is Kil- 
lington, a monarch of the mountains, upon whose top 
the government has established a signal-service station. 
A road has been constructed to the highest point, and a 
hotel built, which has entertained thousands during the 
past season. One of the finest and most picturesque 
landscape views is here obtained. Pico and Shrewsbur}' 
peaks are also notable eminences. Kickwacket Moun- 
tain, although not so high as those mentioned, reallj* 
affords the finest panoramic view of any to be obtained 
in Vermont. The White Rocks in "Wallingford is an- 
i other interesting natural phenomenon which characterizes 
' this section. Also Bird Mountain in Castleton attracts 
large attention. The frozen well at Brandon is a noted 
curiosity. The caves in Clarendon and Cheltenham are 
objects of great interest, the latter extending through a 
whole mountain, and may be called the mammoth cave 
of New England. The wiiole landscape of the section 
is diversified by hill and valley, forest, meadow and field. 
Among the leading industries of the western part of 
the county is the quarrying and manufacture of roofing 
slates. This material is also wrought into tile for flag- 
ging, and is marbleized to imitate and take the place of 
the black Italian marble for ornamentation of dwellings, 
and also for useful purposes. This is a leading business 



in the towns of Fair Haven, Castleton, Poultncy and 
Pawlct. The markets of this country are largely sup- 
plied from these quarries, and their products have re- 
centl}' become an export to Europe. Gold is also found 
in small quantities in Shrewsbury, Sherburne and Pitts- 
field ; silver in Hubbardton ; and iron in Brandon, Pitts- 
ford, Hubbardton, Danb\-, Wallingford and Tinmouth. 
The iron interest formed at one time a prominent indus- 
try. Iron is now manufactured at Pittsford, and small 
quantities are gathered from the rock-beds at Tinmouth, 
and transported to Troy to be amalgamated with iron 
from ore found at other points. This is the richest de- 
posit in Vermont. There are also large and valuable 
beds of peat in various sections of the countj-, which 
will eventually bo brought into use for fuel and manufac- 
turing purposes. 

The marble industry, the most important of any in the 
State, deserves special mention in this introductory 
notice of Rutland County. The first real development 
of the marble in the county was made at Tinmouth bj- 
Gen. Jonas Clark of Middletown, and IMarcus Stoddard, 
in 1815, and was carried on more or less until 1840. 
The marble was of a coarse grain, but was used exten- 
sively' for tombstones and ornamentation of buildings. 
It was mainly shipped to central New York, and there 
exchanged for products and property of various kinds, 
it having at that time little cash value. Those quarries 
have long since been abandoned. The main section of 
valuable marble runs from Manchester to New Haven, 
traversing the entire central portion of Rutland and Ad- 
dison counties. The first extensive opening was made 
by William F. Barnes at West Rutland, about 1840. 
From that date it has rapidly- increased until the Rutland 
quarries are the largest in the world, promoting the 
growth and prosperitj- of the town. The marble indus- 
tr}' has brought in its train capital, labor, and produc- 
tiveness, increasing resources and wealth to the com- 
munity, until Rutland has some time been called the 
"Marl)lo City," although the quarries are some four 
miles awa}' from the centre of business. The annual 
production in the countj' exceeds $2,000,000. 

Rutland County has a history of wbich its citizens 
may well be proud. In Revolutionarj' times it was the 
centre of militarj' operations, and on the route traversed 
from Charleston, No. 4, in the New Hampshire Grants, 
to Fort Ticondcroga. .Forts w^re scattered all along its 
path for protection against the Indians and the British 
marauders. The prominent and leading pioneers of the 
State had a home within its boundaries, the early states- 
men made it their location, and the early councils and 
legislatures of the State made Rutland the capital ; and 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



in that town the old State House of a hundred years 
ago is still standing in a good state of presen-ation. It 
could be made an object of much interest if transformed 
into its original situation, with its large fire-place, ros- 
trum, etc. The council chamber is still preserved in 
nearl}' its original condition. The county furnished a 
large number of the men who followed Ethan Allen and 
Seth Warner in their expeditions. It has within its 
boundaries one of the earliest battle-fields of the Revo- 
lution, and the only one lying within the present limits 
of Vermont. It is near the centre of the town of Hub- 
bardton, and although our forces were unsuccessful, it is 
held sacred in the hearts ■ of a patriotic people, and a 
battle-monument has been erected. 

The later sons of a patriotic ancestry have manifested 
their loyalty to their country- whenever occasion de- 
manded, as is attested by the thousands of the citizens 
and sons of Rutland County who rallied around the 
standard in the late Rebellion. As the people honored 
the fathers who planted the foundations of the govern- 
ment, so too they hold in reverence and honor the loval 
and brave men who went forth from her soil to fight and 
die "that the nation might live." Such is the character 
of the citizens of the county of Rutland, so famed in 
the annals of the history of the Commonwealth. 

Rutland Count}' has not onlj- stood foremost in the 
development of the material resources so bounteously pro- 
vided for her prosperity, but she has been the "mother 
of men," strong, stalwart, giant men, who have been 
eminent in the ranks of statesmanship, the literary, the 
legal and military' world. Nathaniel Chipman, Stephen 
Royce, Theophilus Hamngton, Israel Smith, Rollin C. 
Mallor}', Stephen A. Douglas, Rufus Wilmot Griswold, 
Reuben Woods, Solomon Foot, and a host of others, 
have been honored bj- their feUow-men. 

Towns. 
Rutland,* lying under the shadows of the Green 
Mountains, famed for its beautiful scenery, the quiet 

* The centennial celebration of the settlement of Rutland was ob- 
served Oct. 2, a, 4 and 5, 1870, the venerable Rev. John Todd, D. D., 
of Pittsfield, Mass., delivering an eloquent discourse in the Congrega- 
tional church, Sunday evening, Oct. 3, followed by addresses at the 
Ojicra House by Henry Hall, Esq., on Monday evening, and by Rev. 
James Davie Butler, LL. D., of Madison, AVis., a native of Rutland, on 
Wednesday evening of the fourth and last day. 

t 1770 ! In that year, George III., who, according to English ivits, 
reigned as long as he could, iind who, even when crazy and clapped 
into a strait-jacket, refused to believe himself a limited monarch, chose 
Lord North for his prime minister, who, for a threepenny tax on tea, 
bartered away the brightest jewel of the crown, and, on the next morn- 
ing after the time hallowed as the birthday of Rutland, the British 
monarch, seeing a cannon fired twenty times in a minute, pronounced it 
an argument no Bostonian could resist. A hundred years ago all Eng- 



home of intelligence, refinement and all that makes life 
pleasant, was first settled in the year 1770,1 just six ; 
j-ears before the old Continental Congress voted unani- | 
mousl}- in favor of national independence, John Adams 
attributing to this vote the importance which the world 
has since appropriated to the renowned Declaration of 
Independence. The town rejoices in a name illustrious 
with the ducal coronet, the highest rank of a subject, — 
a name that has for ages flashed along the page of his- 
tory, in the drama, on the battle-field, and in the coun- 
cils of a great nation, — a name that was time-honored 
before William the Conqueror crossed the English Chan- 
nel. Different governments, at different times, claimed 
the right to rule over the hills and valleys of Rutland. 
Once, the lilies of France floated supreme on Lake i 
Champlain, asserting and exercising sovereignty over j 
the soil watered by the tributaries of that lake. For 
several 3'ears the early settlers of Rutland looked fondly 
to the Lion and the Unicorn as the banner of their 
pride ; for several years these early settlers shared with 
England the honor of calling Shakespeare and Milton 
fellow-countrymen. For thirteen years Rutland owned 
and rendered fealtj- and allegiance only to the bannered 
pine of Vermont. And when the Stars and Stripes 
properly became a part of our inheritance, Rutland was 
21 j'ears old, and her population 1.450. During the old 
colonial wars, no white man dwelt within her borders. 
Dm-ing our four great national wars, Rutland bore the 
banner of freedom full high uplifted against foreign foe 
and domestic traitor, on many a fierce field, from the 
walls of Quebec to the halls of the Montezuma. j 

Once Rutland was famous for its pipe-clay and linseed 
oil ; to-da}' Rutland sends her marble westward and , 
southward beyond the grave of De Soto, and eastward 
to the land of Columbus and Galileo, of Raphael and 
Michael Angelo. Rutland seems a young town ; 3'et she 
has a newspaper that rivals the *• ' London Times " in 
age, } and is the grave of the grandfather of one of the 
nation's greatest thinkers, — Ralph Waldo Emerson. 

land hugged the delusion that 5,000 of her soldiers could subjugate 
America. . . . Capt. Cools was circumnavigating the globe, though as 
yet only a lieutenant ; the first Napoleon and Wellington — both chil- 
dren of the same year — were still unweaned in their cradles. The two 
first settlers in one Vermont township had been in it almost a year be- 
fore either knew that the other was there. Their non-intercourse was 
of a piece with thiit in the great world, where now no king can turn 
over in his bed without disturbing the slumbers of a dozen potentates. 
The death of Whitefield befcl on the fifth day before that which wc 
keep as the birthday of Rutland, and the death of Benning 'Wentworth, 
the New Hampshire governor who chartered it, was on the sixteenth 
day after. — From Rev. Dr. Butler's Centennial Address. 

I The " Rutland Herald," the oldest paper in Vermont, established 
in 1794, was a continuation of the " Farmer's Library," commenced in 
1773. 



Nearly a century and a half ago, Rutland was the focus 
of Indian travel. Otter Creek to the north, Otter Creek 
to the south, Castleton River to the west, Cold River to 
the east, indicate the most convenient routes for travel 
or freight from Lake Champlain to Fort Dummer. Mas- 
sachusetts sold her goods at Fort Dummer cheaper than 
the French sold in Canada ; hence a brisk trade arose 
across the State. The French and Indian wars swept 
the Indian trade of Massachusetts out of existence. 
And now, instead of canoes laden with furs, tallow and 
goods, the war-paint, tomahawks, scalping-knives, mus- 
kets, swords, British and French uniforms gleam through 
the foliage, all along the borders of Vermont, from the 
roaring Winooski to the swift-rushing, arrowy Wantasti- 
quet. Indian raid and English scout pass and repass 
the mountain gorges. In the 
j-ear 1759, Rutland saw brave 
sights, — 800 New Hampshire 
troops, with axe, shovel and 
hoe, cutting down trees and 
levelling hummocks, making a 
road from Charlestown, N. H., 
along Black River and Otter 
Creek to Crown Point, N. Y., 
crossing Otter Creek at Rut- ^ ^"^ 
kind Centre. Soon after, 400 ^ 
fat cattle, iu five droves, pass 
over this new road to diminish 
the scurvj' at Crown Point. 
Toward the last of November 

came Major Rogers and his oiucuit-Tu 

surviving heroes, nearlj* 100 

in number, having destroyed that great pest to New 
England, the Indian village of St. Francis on the St. 
Lawrence, near Three Rivers. 

The charter of Rutland was dated Sept. 7, 1761, 



* Our centennial celebration occurs in 1870. 1887 years ago, and 
perhaps on this self-same day, imperial Rome was celebrating one of 
her centennials. The cry of the heralds was convetiite ad ludos spcctandos 
quos nee spectavit quisquam nee spectaturns est. " Assemble yourselves 
and behold a spectacle which no one has ever beheld, or will behold 
again." The festival lasted three days. Every night was enlivened by 
dances, every night and every day was solemnized by sacrifices. The 
choral ode had been composed by the poet Horace, then at the height of 
his fame. Its intricacies made Byron, and still makes classical tyros 
hate its author, but its patriotic and exultant strains were equally per- 
spicuous and welcome to thrice nine youths and as many maidens, no 
one of them bereaved of either father or mother, who formed the choir 
which rung them out in the Circus Ma.\imus. It was a happy era. 
Legends regarding the Trojan origin of Rome had just been crystallized, 
as in a niararaoth Kohinoor, in the ^neid of Virgil. The city which 
Augustus had found brick he was fast transforming to marble. The 
temple of the war-god, Janus, was shut, for there remained no foes to 
conquer worthy of Roman steel. Rome was the only universal empire 



and is now extant, in fifteen pieces, having cost origi- 
nally about $100. It was procured by Col. Josiah Wil- 
lard, of Winchester, N. II, The first-named grantee 
is John Murray, an Irishman, the principal citizen of 
Rutland, Mass., and the man, probably, that named the 
town. The grantees were mostly New Hampshire peo- 
ple, none of whom ever lived in Rutland, and among 
them were the captives, Mrs. Johnson and Mrs. Howe. 
Rutland was also granted, in 17G1, by the name of 
Fairfield, to Col. John Henry Lydius of Albany, he 
claiming by deed of the Mohawk chiefs and confirma- 
tion by Gov. Shirley of Massachusetts as royal agent. 
Between the charter and the settlement of Rutland ! 
eight and one-half years intervene. George II. had J 
taken Vermont from Massachusetts, and given it to New 
Hampshire ; George III. takes 
sl=Eis=_ Vermont from New Hampshire 

and gives it to New York, but 
forbids New York granting the 
lands. Meanwhile John Mur- 
ra} sells his right in Rutland, 
about 350 acres, for two shil- 
lings, or over ten acres for 
one cent ! James Mead, hav- 
mg purchased twenty rights of 
land in September, 1769, tea 
of which he sold, there being 
se\enty iu the whole town, 
was the first white man that 
e^er settled in Rutland, in 
March, 1770,* Mead being at 
that time about 40 years old, 
and having a wife and ten children. At this time the best 
laud sold for a few cents an acre. There being neither 
wagon nor bridge in the town. Mead kept a boat each 
side of Otter Creek at Rutland Centre. Trout and ven- 



thc sun ever shone upon, and hence was greater than all which had gone 
before, or that were to come after her. She only wore without co-rival 
all its dignities. Such was a centennial in the most high and palmy 
state of the Cassars. What is ours to-day ? We celebrate the arrival of 
a dozen people, a century ago, who brought with them nothing save what 
they could can-y on their own backs, or on pack-horses ; with not much 
of eduaition or property ; with houses of logs, narrow and destitute of 
furnitm-c; the satirist might say, this pompous ceremonial in honor 
of the birth of a town so insignificant long after its cradle years, was 
like the sacviliee of an ox on an altar dedicated to a fly. Imperial Rome 
and infantile Rutland ! That was to this, Hyperion to a Satyr. But the 
Rutlandcrs brought with them the township system in which they had 
licen nurtured; and the word " town," which Te.xans to this day define 
" a place where whiskey is sold," to a Rutlander meant protection, edu- 
cation, sociability, religion. The event then which wo have gathered to 
hold in remembrance is truly most memorable as a representative speci- 
men of colonization, — colonizing in order to cultivation and culture — 
From Rev. Dr. Butler's Centennial Address. 




HISTORY OF NEAV EXGLAXD. 



ison were plentj-, grain scarce ; no grist-mill nearer than 
Skenesborough (now Whitehall) and Bennington. Mead 
liad an iron hand-mill that ground corn coarse. Wild 
ducks, butternuts, wild berries, shad plums, maple sugar 
and fowl abounded. In 1773 Rutland had 35 families, a 
clergyman comes, a log meeting-house is built, a church 
is formed, with 14 members, four out of town, two from 
the west side of the town, and eight from the east. In 
1775 Rutland sent soldiers to capture Ticonderoga, and 
to the siege of Quebec. In 1786 an anti-court mob — a 
miniature Shaj-s' rebellion — reeled through the streets 
of Rutland, and the courts were paral3-zed. In October, 
1804, the seventh and last legislature met in Rutland, in 
the midst of a violent snow-storm. 

Rutland has been the birthplace and the home of manj' 
eminent men. The late Rev. John Todd, D. D., who died 
at Pittsfield, Mass., Sundaj- morning, Aug. 23, 1873, in 
the seventj'-third year of his age, was a native of Rut- 
land. Few Congregational ministers were more widely 
known ; and, next to Mrs. Stowe, it is claimed that his 
books have had the largest circulation of any American 
author. His " Student's Manual," published in 1835, 
had a sale of 150,000 copies in England alone. In 
America 33 editions of the work were published. His 
"Index Rerum"has always commanded a steady sale. 
As a Sabbath-school writer he stood in the foremost rank. 
He received the honorary- degree of D. D. from Williams 
College in 1845. 

, Among others may be mentioned Nathaniel Chipman, 
one of the ablest law3crs and statesmen of Kew England ; 
his brother, Daniel, eminent as a lawj'er, pre-eminent for 
conversational power ; John A. Graham, the first lawyer 
located in Rutland, with talent enough to obtain notoriety 
in England and eminence in New York ; Jesse Buel, 
founder of the "Albany Cultivator;" Thomas Green 
Fessenden, the bearer to England of Rutland's great phil- 
osophical blunder. From a London prison he sent fortii 
his Hudibrastic poem; he founded the " New England 
Farmer," and was the friend of Hawthorne. John Mat- 
tocks, the unlearned, but capable and eccentric judge ; 
Samuel Williams, the studious philosopher and dignified 
historian ; Gov. Israel Smith, so successful in life, so sad 
near death ; Charles K. Williams, so able, so learned, so 
uncorruptible, so charming in conversation, so kind and 
wise a friend in council ; James Davie Butler, the 
mechanic, the merchant, the scholar, the wit ; the great 
landholder, the energetic, the enterprising Moses Strong, 

• From Hall's Centennial AddresB. 

t In May, 1873, the firm of Sheldons & Slason shipped 110 cars of 
Rutland marlJe. This firm employ 225 men, in connection with their 
mills, quarries, work-shops and marble-yards. Several of the men have 



who, it is claimed, married a descendant of Cotton 
Mather ; the shrewd and capable Robert Pierpoint, de- 
scended from a favorite officer of William the Conqueror ; 
the very able Robert Temple, of the same family as Lord 
Palmerston, — like Gen. McClellan, a descendant of Gov. 
Bradford of the " Mayflower," — also a descendant of the 
good Godiva, wife of the Mercian Earl Leofric, the 
Saxon king-maker, one thousand 3-ears ago ; George T. 
Hodges, the cautious, successful merchant, polished in 
his manners and prudent in his habits ; WilUam Page, 
the diligent attorney, the safe and upright cashier ; Wal- 
ter Colton, the popular author, the herald to Chris- 
tendom of the discovery of California gold; James 
Meacham, the lovable man, the eloquent preacher ; Ed- 
gar L. Ormsbee, brilliant with thought, the pioneer of 
marble and railroad enterprise ; Solomon Foot, the 
prosperous politician, the president of conventions and 
senates ; James Porter, the good phj-sician ; Jesse Gove, 
the gentlemanlj' and genial clerk ; Rodney C. Royce, the 
popular young lawyer ; Gershom Cheney, John Ruggles, 
Edward Dj-cr, Avery Billings, Samuel Griggs, Benjamin 
Blanchard, the Meads, Chattertons, Reynoldses, Purdys, 
Sheldons, Smiths, Reeds, McConnells, Barneses, Greens, 
Kelleys, Thralls, AVilliam Fay, Charles Burt, Benjamin 
Lord, Nicholas Goddard, Nathan Osgood, the Osgoods, 
Greenes, Palmers, and liosts of other notable citizens.* 

For several j-ears prior to 1848 the town remained 
nearlj- or quite statiouarj-, — soon after that period as- 
suming a rapid growth. The population at that time 
about 3,900, now numbers about 10,000, including many 
eminent professional and substantial business men. 
The appraised value of her taxable property, — about 
§1,120,000, in 1848, — now exceeds 85,000,000. Then, 
her business centre consisted of some half dozen old 
wooden one-storj' stores and shops scattered around 
Court House Square ; now there is Merchants' Row and 
Centre Street, lined for long distances on both sides 
with massive blocks of three and four stories, having 
handsome stores, affording a business centre unequalled 
in that part of the countiy. From a single newspaper, 
"The Herald," worked upon a hand-press, there are 
now three weekl3" papers and one clan3-, — all four power- 
presses. The marble interests, then just beginning to 
be developed, have since produced suppUes for the 
whole eountr3-.t More than 50 raLh-oad trains now 
enter, or leave Rutland ever3- 24 hours, and some one 
of them is passing over its line during every minute of 

worked for the establishment from 20 to 30 years. The products of 
this company vary from 300,000 to 400,000 feet per annum, superficial 
measure, two inches in thickness. At a store connected with the works, 
the annual sales amount to about §100,000. 



every secular daj'. What with the delightfal laj- of the 
place, Its model hotels, the handsome churches which 
adorn the town, its cross-walks and road-waj-s paved 
with aristocratic marble, and the genial air of elegance 
and thrift impressed on all its surroundings, there are 
few towns in New England more beautiful tlian Rutland. 

Brandon, a fine large agricultural town, with a popu- 
lation of about 3, GOO, lies on the hue of the Rutland 
Railroad, and was chartered in 1761 under the name of 
" Neshobe," which, in 1784, when a town government 
was formed, was changed to Brandon, its present name. 
Josiah and Benjamin Powers wore the only original pro- 
prietors who came here to reside ; and Amos Cutler — a 
single man from Hampton, Conn., who felled the first 
tree to make an opening for the cabin which he built, 
and which he occupied alone during the following winter, 
being the first white man that ever passed a winter in the 
place — was the first settler of the township, in 1772. 
John Ambler, and David June, his son-in-law, came the 
next 3"ear, and settled south of and adjoining Mr. Cutler. 
The next class of settlers came just previous to, or dur- 
ing, the Revolutionary war. John Conant, an enter- 
prising business man, who in 1819 invented the " Conant 
cook-stove," famous and monej'-making in its da}-, till 
superseded by the more convenient " rotary," came in 
1796, and to his manufacturing establishment was the 
village chieflj' indebted for the impetus then given, and 
for its continuous growth and prosperit}'. The removal 
to Rutland of the Howe Scale Company, for 20 years 
located in Brandon, was a sad blow to the business of 
the town. The "frozen well," about 30 feet deep, a 
great natural curiosity-, is on the outskirts of Brandon, 
and the limestone caverns are largely visited bj- stran- 
gers. Every kind of timber common to the country 
grows in the neighborhood, where pine, oak, cheny, 
sugar and red maple are found in abundance. An inex- 
haustible bed of valuable bog iron-ore was discovered 
in this town in 1810. 

Stephen A. Douglas, the late distinguished senator 
from Illinois, was born in Brandon, April 23, 1813. 
The house, kept as an historic relic, is now standing 
near the Baptist church. It was the home of his child- 
hood and his youth ; the residence of his father and 
grandfather, who have found in Brandon a final resting- 
place. Working on a farm till the age of 15 years, 
j-oung Stephen afterwards learned the trade of a cabinet- 
maker. Later in life, it is well known, he attained 
world-wide fame as a statesman. 

* The eminence known as Bird Mountain received its name from 
Col. Bird. He died Sept. IG, 1772, Iwing at tliat time only 29 years 
of age. 



Castleton, near the centre of Rutland Count}', was so 
called from a Mr. Castle, of whom Col. Bird purchased 
95 shares in this township, showing that Mr. Castle was 
really a laige proprietor, and probably gave his name to 
the town. Undoubtedly Mr. Bird* held a controlling 
interest as proprietor. The town was chartered in 1761, 
the first log-cabin being built in 1767, near a bluff on 
what was afterwards knoun as the Clark farm. The 
first child born was Israel Bucl, son of Ephraiin Buel, in 
1771. Abigail Eaton, daughter of John Eaton, born | 
the same j'ear, was the first female. Zadock Remington ' 
built the first frame house, and kept the first tavern. 
The Hydes were early residents. The present town has 
a population of 3,243, and no finer avenue than Main 
Street can be found in New England. The Castleton 
National Bank has a capital stock of $100,000. A mile 
south of Hydeville — one of the prosperous villages of 
Castleton, and an important business centre — is a flour- 
ishing Welsh society of Whitefield Methodists, having a 
house of worship built in 18C9. Castleton Seminary has 
a building connected with it for a normal school, the 
Rutland County Grammar School dating back to 1787, 
Hon. Solomon Foot, late senator in Congress, having 
been chosen preceptor in 1828, thinking at that time to 
devote his life to teaching. The failure of the Medical 
College was a loss to Castleton, but its water-power and 
varied industries, its marble and pencil works, and its 
slate quarries, are an inexhaustible source of wealth. 

Poultney was first settled in 1771, by Ebenezer Allen 
and Thomas Ashley. Allen had a son born the same 
year, — the first white child born in that place. Allen 
remained a year, sold out, and removed to Grand Isle. 
Ashley continued in town till his death, which occurred 
in 1810. Nehemiah Howe built the first grist-mill, on 
the falls in East Poultney, in 1776, and died the follow- 
ing year. Zebulon Richards was moderator of the first 
town-meeting, in 1775, and Zebediah Dewey was the 
first captain of jnilitia in the village. The Bank of 
Poultney was established in 1841, and re-chartered in 
1849. The first physician in town was Dr. Jonas Saf- 
ford. Its present population is 2,836. The slate busi- 
ness is here a very important one. The "Northern 
Spectator," where Horace Greeley took his first lesson 
in type-setting, was first issued in Poultney, in January, 
1825 ; and the " New York Times," in connection with j 
Henry J. Raymond, was established by Hon. Francis H. , 
Rugglesf and George Jones, Esq., both natives of 
Poultney. 

t He was afterwards consul of the United States at Jamaica, and 
died in New York city in May, 1865, aged 49 years. His funeral was 
at Poultney. 



HISTORY OF KEW ENGLAND. 



Fair Haven, from what cause called bj- tliat name we 
are unable to say, numbers 2,208 inhabitants. Its char- 
ter was granted in 1779, its territorj- during the Revolu- 
tionarj' war remaining a wilderness, a body of Hessians 
having cut a road through it, and a detachment of Bur- 
goyne's armj'. having passed through the place after the 
battle of Hubbardton, in July, 1777. A grist-mill and 
a saw-mill were built about 1783, when the town was 
organized, and Beriah Rogers commenced a tannery- in 
1802. The tillage of Fair Haven was laid out in 1820, 
and a building for a town-hall and school-house was ded- 
icated in 1861. Marble-sawing, as a business, began in 
1845, and a national l)ank, with a capital of §100,000, 
was established in 1864. The Rev. Lorenzo Dow 
preached here in 1796 or '97, and in 1827 Fair Haven 
formed part of a circuit with Castleton. 

PiTTSFOKD, first explored by white men in 1730, and 
again in 1748, was not generally' known till the com- 
mencement of the French war, when Gen. Amherst's 
military road (commenced in 1759 and completed the 
following 3'ear), passed through this township, — first 
granted in 1751, and now containing 2,127 inhabitants. 
In the war of 1812 Pittsford was patriotic. Congrega- 
tional and Baptist churches were organized in 1784. 
The first Methodist sermon in Pittsford was delivered bj' 
Rev. Mr. Mitchell about the j^ear 1792 ; and the Roman 
Catholics erected a neat edifice in 1858. 

"Wallingfokd, deriving its name from a place in 
Connecticut from whence came man}' of the earh" set- 
tlers, has a population of 2,023. Quarries of marketable 
marble enrich its two villages, and it has settlements at 
East Wallingford, in the little hamlet of Centreville, 
and at Ilartsborough, — a romantic spot between Green 
IliU and the White Rocks. The town was chartered in 
1761, and first settled in 1773. It is a true Vermont 
town, and has always been on the side of libert}'. 

Mount Holly, with a population of 1,582, is emphat- 
icall}' a grazing-town, — few townships in the State 
I'aisiug more cattle, sheep, beef, pork, butter and cheese, 
and having a larger number of wealthy farmers. The 
remaining towns in the countj- are: Pawlet (1,505), 
taking its name from its principal river, and raising 
grain and cattle for market: Danby (1,319), with 
brooks and springs in every valley of its manj- hills : 
Benson (1,244), named in honor of Judge Benson, 



of New York, an eminent law3er, one of the most 
prominent in that State during the Revolutionary era, 
and one of the commissioners to establish the boundarj-- 
line between the States of New York and Vermont, in 
1789: ClXrendon (1,173), an agricultural region with- 
out villages, the inhabitants being devoted almost ex- 
clusively to farming: Chittenden (802), a mountain 
town of moderate pretensions : Middletown (777), rap- 
idly settled, the ten'itory of which it is composed being 
taken from the towns of Poultney, Ira, Tinmouth and 
Wells : Wells (713), a good grazing and an agricultural 
town, with rich farms l^'ing in the valleys between the 
mountains, in old times one of the favorite hunting- 
grounds of the Green Mountain Boys, with Ethan Allen 
one of the party: Hubbardton (G93), a township of 
sheep-pastures, where Rufus W^ilmot Griswold, the well- 
known compiler of American literature, spent the greater 
part of his boj-hood, — one of his maternal ancestors 
being Thomas Maj-hew, the first governor of Martha's 
Vineyard: Mexdon (633), heavily timbered, its princi- 
pal business being lumbering: Sudbury (608), with its 
celebrated hotel, attractive alike to pleasure parties and 
city boarders : Tinmouth (589) , rich and diversified with 
timber, matchless springs of cold pure water, alluvial 
soil and mineral wealth, the former home of three 
Supreme Court judges, Ebenezer Marvin, Thomas Porter 
and Nathaniel Chipman : Pittsfield (518), a triangular 
gore of mountains and broken land lying between Stock- 
bridge on the east, Rochester on the north and Chitten- 
den on the west, with good farms on the streams : West 
Haven (483), formerly a part of Fair Haven: Sher- 
burne (462), a township verj- mountainous and broken, 
except a narrow strip along Quechee River, where there 
is some good interval: Ira (413), another mountainous 
township, triangular in form, and patriotic during the 
war of the Rebellion: and Mt. Tabor (301), Ij'ing 
principally on the Green Mountains, the lai-ger part of 
the township in its primeval state, with the exception 
of some entries for lumbering purposes, — but patriotic. 
In the war of '61 Mt. Tabor paid bounties to five soldiers, 
$300 each, and seven dollars a month while in the 
service. The town had six in the armj' over and above 
its quota when it paid those bounties. Not another town 
in Rutland County furnished as many men for the war, 
according to its population, as Mt. Tabor. 



WASHIE^GTON C0U:N^TY. 



BY REV. J. H. HINCKS. 



Washingtox Cottntt is situated nearlj- in the centre 
of the State, having on the north of it Lamoille and 
Caledonia counties, on the east Caledonia, south-east 
Orange, south-west Addison, and on the west Chittenden 
County. It has an area of about 616 square miles. Its 
population in 1870 was 26,520. Lying, as the county 
principally does, between the east and west ranges of tlie 
Green Mountains, its surface is much broken, and in 
places mountainous. It is drained hy the Winooski River 
and its several branches, of which the principal are the 
"\Vaterbur3-, Mad River, Dog River, the North Branch 
and Stevens Branch. In the eastern part of the count}- 
granite of an excellent quality is abundant. In the 
western part, the rocks are principally argillaceous slate, 
quartz, chlorite-slate and mica-slate. The count}- was 
incorporated in 1810 under the name of Jefferson County, 
and was organized Dec. 1, 1811, but in November, 1814, 
the name was changed to Washington. This change 
was due to the violence of party feeling, the Federalists 
having gained the ascendancy in the legislature, and 
being unwilling that the name of Jefferson, whose princi- 
ples were very unpopular with them, should be associated 
with an important geographical division of the State. 
The county, as at first constituted, consisted of fifteen 
towns set off from the adjoining counties of Orange, 
Caledonia and Chittenden. At present it contains nine- 
teen towns. 

When first formed it contained a population of about 
10,000. Nearly one-half of these had come into the 
county between the years 1800 and 1810. In 1791 the 
towns which originally composed Washington County, 
contained altogether only 630 persons. 

The first settlers were principally from lower parts of 
the State, or from Massachusetts, Connecticut aud New 
Hampshire. Those who afterwards followed them in 
greater numbers were mainly from the same quarters. 
More recently, however, the French have come in from 
Canada in considerable numbers, and this clement, to- 
gether with other foreign immigration, causes the census 

• The author desires to make a Reneial acknowledgment of his larjje 
indebtedness, for phraseology as well as fact, to authorities he has fol- 
lowed in matters outside of lus personal knowledge. 



of 1870 to show that out of a total population of 26,520 
there are 2,355 persons of foreign birth. 

The shire town of the county is Montpelier. The 
annual term of the Supreme Court is here opened on 
the second Tuesday in August, and the terms of the 
county courts on the second Tuesdays of March and 
September. 

By the census of 1870, the cash value of the farms 
was estimated at $11,305,586, and the total value of all 
farm productions for the year $3,666,376. The number 
of manufacturing establishments was 215, having an ag- 
gregate capital of $1,082,510, producing to the amount 
of $1,876,585, and employing 1,122 hands. The largest 
manufacturing interests are woollen goods, lumber, 
machinery, and flouring-mill products. 

TinvNS. 

Montpelier was settled in May, 1787, by Col. Jacob 
Davis and his nephew Parley Davis from Charlton, 
Mass. They were followed in 1789, '90, '91 by over 20 
families. In 1791, the town contained 113 persons. 

The first settlers were mostly young men of the enter- 
prising character and hardy frame common to pioneers. 
Among them were Jonathan Snow, James Taggard, 
John Templeton, Solomon Dodge, James Hawkins, 
David Wing, Jr. (afterwards secretary of State) , Ziba 
AVoodworth, Nathaniel Davis, Nathaniel Peck, Cabel 
Bennett, Clark Stevens, B. I. and J. B. Wheeler. The 
town was organized March 29, 1791. It continued to 
grow rapidly, so that in 1800 its population had in- 
creased to 890. 

Montpelier was made the capital of the State in 1805, 
and in consequence its population increased rapidly 
during the next few years. The population in 1870 was 
3,023. The village of Montpelier was incorporated in 
1818, the limits embracing a tract one mile square. 

The early settlers felt the importance of education, 
and during the first years of the settlement a school was 
opened near the Middlesex line by Jacob Davis, Jr., 
who taught the children of several families in Montpelier, 
Middlesex and Beriin. In the winter of 1791-2 Daniel 
Wing, Jr., taught in the house of Col. Davis. Shortly 



HISTORY OF I\'EW ENGLAND. 



after a school-house was built near the site of the okl 
burnng-grouud on Elm Street. Here Abel Knapp, after- 
ward Judge Knapp of Berlin, taught, and after him a 
college student. After a few years this house was burned 
and a new one built near where the Methodist Church 
now stands. In 1800 the trustees of Montpelier Acad- 
emy were incorporated. Within a jear or two a build- 

I ing 44 by 36 feet, and two stories high, was erected 
by money raised l\v subscrii)tion among the citizens of 
the town. Among the preceptors ia this academy have 
been James Dean and N. G. Clark, who were both after- 
wards professors In the Vermont Universit3', and Calvin 
Pease, who became president of the same institution. 
Dr. Clark is now the well-known secretar}' of the Amer- 
ican Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions. In 
1813 the corporation Was changed bj- act of legislature 
to a county institution, under the name of " The 
Trustees of Washington County Grammar School," and 
the rents of grammar-school lands in the county were 
appropriated to its exclusive use. 

The old academy building having been burned in 1822, 
a new one was erected in 1823. In 1858-9 the present 
brick building for the Academy and Union School was 
put up at a cost of $19,000, and at the time of its erection 
had no superior in the State. 

A library association was formed in 1 794. Among its 
rules was one excluding all works of fiction and of re- 

I ligion. This last provision had doubtless in view the 

I preventing of sectarian discord in the young settlement. 

j For a number of years it did much to foster the general 
intelligence for which Montpelier was earl)' distinguished. 
A village librarj' of several hundred volumes was also 

I established in 1814, and a Lj-ceum with a still better 
librarj' in 1S27. This was afterwards given to the Acad- 
em}'. It is to be regretted that for some cause the inter- 
est in a public library decreased, and that of late years 
the town has been without one. 

In the first years of the settlement of the town there 

• The "Vcnnont Precursor" was established in 1S07, by Ucv. Clark 
Buiin, .ind was soon after merged into the " Vermont Watchman." 
In ISIG it came into the solo possession of Gen. E. P. Walton. It was 
published Ijy him and his sons till 1853,-^ after 1830 under the name of 
the " Watchman and State Journal." In 18.33 it became the propcily 
of Hon. Eliakim Persons Walton, who published it till 1868, when it 
passed into the hands of J. & J. M. Poland. 

Besides the " Watchman," tlie Waltons, father and son, have pub- 
lished from 1817 to the present time, " Walton's Vermont Register and 
Farmers' Almanac," a valuable statistical serial and calendar of large 
circulation. 

The "Vermont Patriot" was established in 182fi, and in 1863 was 
merged with the "Argus," which in that year was moved to this place 
from Bellows Falls. 

The " Green Mountain Freeman " was established by Hon. Jos. 
Poland in 1843, and published by him as an organ of the Liberty and 



were no public religious institutions, ^re^^ou8 to 1800 
there had rarely' been any preaching in the town except 
by the Methodists, though Rev. Mr. Ilobart of Berlin 
sometimes officiated here, more especially at funerals. 

At a town meeting Jan. 16, 1800, a committee was ap- 
pointed to procure a teacher of religion. This commit 
tee secured the occasional services of such ministers as 
the}' were able to procure, and in 1805 arranged with 
Rev. Clark Bunu of Brimfield, Mass., to preach for a 
stipulated sum in the village for a year. 

April 12, 1808, eightj'-three of the leading men in the 
village organized themselves into a religious society by 
the name of the " First Congregational Societj' in Mont- 
pelier." May 5, 1809, the church extended a call to 
Rev. Chester Wright to settle as its pastor. He was 
ordained August 16. The church held its meetings in 
the old Academy until the first State House was com- 
pleted. From that time till 1820, the Sunday services 
were held in the State House. In 1820 the brick church 
was completed, and was occupied until it was pulled 
down in 1866, to make way for the present edifice. 

During most of the years of Mr. Wright's ministry, 
he was the only pastor in the village, and the religious 
life of the place formed itself under his influence. The 
most distinguished of his successors have been Rev. 
Samuel Hopkins (1831-35) the author of an able work 
on the Puritans and Queen Elizabeth, and Rev. WilUam 
H. Lord, D. D. (1847-77), one of the most distinguished 
preachers of his denomination, and a writer of singular 
elegance and power. Besides the Congregationalist, 
there are flourishing churches in town representing nearly 
all the various denominations, and having commodious 
and elegant church edifices. 

Montpelier from its central position and its political 
importance, has ever been a favorite place for the pub- 
lication of newspapers.* 

What has given Montpelier its chief importance is the 
fact that it has been the seat of the State government. 

Freesoil parties till 1849. Among its succeeding editors have been D. 
P. Thompson, the well-known popular writer, and Hon. C. W. Willard. 

The " Universalist Watchman " was moved to Montpelier in 1836, and 
after some years was ch.inged into the " Christian Repository," and 
under that name was published for a numl)er of years more. 

The "Green Mountain Emporium," a religious monthly, was pub- 
lished here during the year 1838. 

The "Argus and Patriot," since 1863, has been published by Hiram 
Atkins. 

The " Vermont Chronicle," the organ of the Congregational churches 
of Vermont, was moved to Montpelier Jan. 1, 1875, since which time it 
has been published by J. & J. M. Poland. It was edited for about two 
years by Rev. William H. Lord, D. D., and Rev. Charles S. Smith. 
Since that time it has been edited by Rev. A. D. Barber. 

The " Christian Messenger," the organ of the Methodist churches in 
in Vermont, has been published in this place since 1839. 



VERMONT. 



The first State House was built iu 1808 at a cost of about 
S6,000. It was a woofleri building, 50 feet by 70 on the 
ground, and 36 above the basement to the roof, septan- 
gular shaped in front, but square on 
the sides and rear, and stood near the - 

site of the present State House. 1 he 
second State House was finished m 
1836, at a cost of $132,000. Tins 
building, which was one of the btst 
of its kind in the countr3', was de- | 

stroyed by fire in the year 1857. i ' 

The present State House was built 
in 1859 at a cost of $148,000, $42,0(iO 
of which was paid by the citizens ^ < 
Montpelier. The new building is c( ii 
structcd on substantially the same 
plan as the one whose place it took. 
The entire length of the front is 176 
feet, the main portico measuring 72 feet, and each of the 
wings 52 feet. The dome rises about 60 feet, making 
the entire height from the ground to the top of the dome 
124: feet. This is surmountt 1 
by a statue of Ceres. TIil ^ 
State House contains, besidi s 
all the necessary accommoda- 
tions for the State officers, the 
State Librarj-, consisting of 
18,000 volumes, principally 
law works and public docu- 
ments ; and the valuable col- ^ 
lection of books (5,000) and 
curiosities of the Vermont " " ' 




PTKST STATF lIOtSE, MONfPFLIFU 



information in the matter is difficult to obtain owing to a 
deficiency of records. 

One interesting incident is recorded of the war, which 
showed that the spirit of the " Green 
Mountain Boys " was still alive-among 
then successors. When news came 
ol the threatened attack upon Platts- 
'*' buiir, N. Y., in September, . 1814, 

C i|)t Timothy Hubbard, a leading 
' • ', lidciahst, accompanied by a drum- 

imr and fifer, marched the streets, 
beatnig up volunteers to proceed to 
its di fence. Before night about two- 
ihiids of the male population had en- 
listtd, and the following morning 
h(3 marched to Plattsburg and took 
tlicu places among its defenders. 
Other towns in the county responded 
to the call for assistance with similar alacrity, and fur- 
nished a large number of men for the defence of the State. 
In the civil war of 1861-1865 Montpelier furnished 
2 >6 men to the United States 
service, 47 bej-ond her quota. 
Montpelier is emphatically 
1 business place, and its in- 
, h ibitants are characterized 
1 3 the energy usual to a suc- 
n ssful mercantile community. 
Among its important busi- 
ness interests are the Ver- 
mont Mutual Fire Insurance 




' -111 Company (incorporated in 

Historical Society (incorporated 183S), besides Rcvolu- I 1S27), 1 iimeis'Mutud I iie Insurance Company (incor- 
tionary relics and a cabinet ot \ vtui d Hist i\ < poi lU 1 ii 1^1)) t ic A ition 1 Life Insurance Company 

1 I I '-I I'll 11), the Line Manufacturing Com- 



tionary 

Immediately preceding and dm 
party politics ran extremely high 
in Montpelier, the Federilists 
sharing the sentunent of the ir I 
party that the war was an un | 
necessary and unjustifiable one 
At a meeting called in Febru ii j , 
1812, the Eev. Chester AVii^ht 
refused to appear and offei up 
pra3'er, and Ziba Woodworth, an 
old Revolutionary soldier, w is 
called to act as chaplain, which 
he did in a manner worth}' of a .:z—j^'^^<^^ 
member of the church militant. \, 

Resolutions were passed sustain- 
ing the administration. A number of mm fiom 




ilile degree 



pan \ ( iaw-mill machineiy , iron 
I ml luicks), Montpelier Manu- 
1 tilling Company (children's 
(.Hinges, &c.), and the flour- 
iiu mill of E. AV. Bailey. 

1 he village being compact, 
' stieets are lighted and walks 
\ d in a manner not common- 
\ I und outside of great cities. 
The Winooski River and its 
noith branch passing through 
the heart of the village, afford 
it a n itural drainage which ren- 
ders th B place healthful to a re- 
The buildings of the village are much 



place entered the United States service, but specific s.ip^i. or to the average in places of its size, and they 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



add much to the attractiveness of its site. The business 
portions especiallj' have been much improved in conse- 
quence of two fires in the earlj' part of 187.5, which 
destroyed upwards of $100,000 worth of property. 

Some of the public buildings are of a very superior 
order. Among these are the building of the Vermont 
Mutual Fire Insurance Company ; the Pavilion Hotel, 
built by Theron O. Bailey in 1876 at a cost of $100,000 ; 
Bethany Church, a noble structure of Burlington stone, 
erected in 1868 at an expense of $60,000 ; Christ Church, 
built the same j'ear of Barre granite at an expense of 
$30,000 ; and the building of Vermont Conference Semi- 
nary and Female College, a Methodist institution of high 
character. 

Green Mountain Cemetery, which lies about one mile 
below the centre of the village, is a 
singularly beautiful resting-place for 
the dead. This cemetery owes its 
origin to the bequest of Calvin J. 
Keith, who died in 1853, leaving 
$1,000 for this puipose, besides other 
public bequests. The town appro- 
priated $5,000 in 1855 to carry out 
the design, and on the 15th of Sep- 
tember of the same j'ear, the ceme- 
ter}' was dedicated with impressive 
and appropriate ceremonies. 

Montpelier has been fortunate in _=^^^ 
having had among its citizens a num 
ber of men of distinguished ability ^^ 
and high character. '"'"^ 

Hon. David Wing, Jr., who re- ^^.^^^ ""^ 

moved here in 1790, and was secre- bethaky chukch 

tary of State from 1802 to 1806, was one of the most 
useful public men of his da^-. 

Gen. Ezekiel V. Walton, who came here in 1807 at the 
age of 18, from 1810 till his death in 1855 wielded a 
wide influence through the " Vermont Watchman," to 
which, in connection with its related business, he gave 
the strength of his life. 

Col. Jonathan P. Miller, who was born in Randolph, Vt., 
and who served with much distinction among the Phil- 
hellenists in Greece from 1824-1827, removed to Mont- 
pelier in 1827, and lived here till his death in 1847. He 
distinguished himself by introducing an anti-slavery reso- 
lution into the legislature in 1833, and was one of the two 
delegates of Vermont to the world's anti-slavery conven- 
tion in London in 1840. 

Hon. William Upham, who removed to this place in 
1792 at the age of ten, was, during his long professional 
life, an advocate of almost unrivalled power 




jury. He served in the United States Senate from 1841 
to his death in 1853. 

Hon. Samuel Prentiss, who came to Montpelier in 
1803 at the age of 21, acquired a reputation as a jurist 
and a statesman which was national in its extent. He 
became chief justice of Vermont in 1829, was elected to 
the United States Senate in 1830, and again in 1836, 
and in 1842 was appointed United States district judge 
in this State, and held that office till his death in 1857. 
Chancellor Kent ranked him as a jurist even above Judge 
Story. 

Hon. Isaac F. Redfleld, a judge of the Supreme Court 

of the State from 1835 to 1852, and from 1852 to 1860 

chief justice, the author of a standard work on Railway 

Law, and his brother Hon. Timothy- P. Redfield, since 

1870 a judge of the Supreme Court, 

have pi'eserved for Montpelier the 

legal honors first won for it bj- 

the distinguished Judge Prentiss. 

D. P. Thompson, who died in 1868, 

attained considerable celebritj- as a 

novelist, his most popular works 

^^ being " The Green Mountain Boys " 

and "Locke Amsden." 

Rev. William H. Lord, D. D., pas- 
tor of Bethany Church (Cong.) from 
1847 to his death in 1877, was widely 
known as a man of letters as well as 
a preacher of rare power. A selec- 
tion from his sermons, of which he 
left 1,500, would be a valuable ad- 
dition to English religious literature. 
Hon. EUakim Persons Walton, 
president of the Vermont Historical Society, was from 
his boyhood up to 1868 actively engaged in journalism, 
wielding a wide influence through the " Watchman and 
State Journal," of which he was sole proprietor from 
1853 to 1868. He served his State with great credit in 
the United States House of Representatives during the 
critical period from 1857 to 1863. 

Hon. John A. Page, who has been State treasurer 
continuously from 1866 to the present time, has ad- 
ministered the finances of the State with distinguished 
ability. 

Hon. C. W. Willard, who has passed his mature life 
here as a student and practitioner of law, and for a num- 
ber of j-ears also was editor of the " Green Mountain 
Freeman," was a prominent member of the United States 
House of Representatives from 1869 to 1875. 

NoRTHFiELD was chartered to Major Joel Matthews 
and 64 others Aug. 10, 1781. It was first settled in 



VERMONT. 



Maj-, 1785, b}' Amos and Ezekiel Robinson and Staun- 
ton Richardson, from Westminster. B}- 1791 the popula- 
tion had increased to 40. The town was organized March 
25, 1794. In 1822, and in 1826, tracts were set off to 
it from Waitsfield. The population in 1870 was 3,410. 

Dog River, which flows into the Winoosld at Mont- 
pelier, runs through the town and affords valuable mill- 
privileges. A vein of argillaceous slate, passing through 
the town from north to south, permits unlimited quarr3-- 
ing. One of the quarries emploj's from 30 to 40 men. 
The town has four small villages, the Deoot Village being 
the most important. 

The earl}^ settlers were principally Universalists. Rev. 
Timothj' Bigelow, a minister of this denomination, com- 
menced preaching statedly in the town about 1809. In 
1820 a union meeting-house was built in the Centre Vil- 
lage in which the Universalists had the largest right. 
After other churches were built this edifice was sold to 
the Catholics, and was struck by lightning and burned 
in 1876. Besides the Uuiversalist there are at present 
four societies in this town. 

Northfield is more than ordinarily favored with educa- 
tional privileges. Its public schools culminate in the 
Xorthfield Graded and High School, which succeeds the 
old Northfield Academy built in 1801. In 1870, by ar- 
rangement with the trustees of the Academy (whose 
name had been changed to Northfield Institution in 1854) , 
the Academy' building was opened as a graded and high 
school, free to all pupils of the village. This building 
was destroyed by fire in 187G, and in the same j-ear the 
present building was erected upon the same site at a cost 
<jf S11,000. The school was chartered in 1872. 

Norwich University, a military school under Episcopal 
management, was removed to Northfield in 1866, and 
occupies a fine building upon a commanding site. Be- 
sides the president, Capt. Charles A. Curtis, U. S. A., 
the facultj' consists of five professors and one lecturer. 

The most startling event in the history of Northfield 
is the Harlow Bridge Tragedy, which occurred Dec. 11, 
1867. Through the forgetfulness of an engineer, a car 
filled with workmen was backed off an open bridge into 
a deep ravine. Fifteen men were killed and 38 wounded. 

The most prominent man connected with the early his- 
tory of Northfield was Hon. Elijah Paine. He settled in 
Williamstown, close by Northfield, in 1784, and was the 
first to clear land in the latter town. Soon after his set- 
tlement in Williamstown be built a saw-mill and a grist- 
mill within the limits of Northfield. He afterwards built 
a factory in the town, at a cost of $40,000, to manufac- 
ture broadcloth. 

Judge Paine graduated from Harvard College in 1781. 



He was secretary of the Convention to revise the Con- 
stitution in 1786, judge of the Supremo Court from 1791 
to 1795, U. S. senator from 1795 to 1801, and was ap- 
pointed U. S. judge in 1801. In 1789 he was one of the 
commissioners to settle the controversy between New 
York and Vennont. In the same year he was elected 
president of the Phi Beta Kappa Society of Harvard 
College, to which he had given the first address in 1782. 
His son. Gov. Charles Paine, born in 1799, also gradu- 
ated at Harvard College, and became one of the fore- 
most men in the State. To him Northfield owes much 
of its prosperit}-. It was through his exertions that the 
Vermont Central Railroad, of which he became the first 
president, was chartered and built. He was elected gov- 
ernor of the State in 1841. He was noted for his public 
spirit and for his lai^e charities. 

Hon. George Nichols was appointed secretary of State 
in 1865, and has held that office continuously up to the 
present time (1879). In 1870 he was president of the 
Constitutional Convention. 

Waterbury was chartered by Gov. Wentworth of New 
Hampshire, June 7, 1763, to John Stiles and 65 others — 
residents of Connecticut and New Jersey. It probably 
took its name from AVaterburc, Conn. In 1784, James 
Marsh, a native of Canaan, Conn., moved here with his 
family from Bath, N. H., and for two years lived alone. 
In 1786 Ezra Butler moved his family from Weathers- 
field, Vt., and in 1788, Caleb Munson also settled here, 
and was soon followed by others. The town was organ- 
ized March 31, 1790. The population in 1870, was 
2,633. 

In 1800 a revival of religion began in connection with 
the labors of Rev. Jedediah Bushnell, a missionary from 
Connecticut, afterwards for many years pastor of the 
Congregational Church in Cornwall, Vt. About this 
time a Congregational, a Baptist and a Methodist church 
were formed. Ezra Butler, afterwards Gov. Butler, was 
ordained elder of the Baptist church, and remained over 
it till within a few years of his death in 1838. A house 
of worship was built in 1832, and a new one about 
1860. 

The Congregational church was organized bj^ Mr. 
Bushnell in 1801. The Methodists have two churches in 
this town. 

Waterbury River and Thacher's Branch nin through 
the town from north to south into the Winooski River, 
and furnish excellent mill-privileges. The soil in the 
intervals is remarkably fertile. 

Waterbury's most distinguished citizen was the Hon. 
Ezra Butler. In addition to 30 years' service as pastor 
of the Baptist church, and his service in town offices. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



bis aggregate term of public service, incbiding pbiraU- 
ties, was 57 jears. He ivas town representative for IG 
j'cars, a member of the Council for 16 j-ears, a eountj- 
judge for 20 j-ears, a member of Congress for two jears, 
and governor for two j-ears. In liis jouth, he ser\-ed 
six months in the Revolutionary- army. He was the first 
person converted . in "Waterbur}- in the revival of 1800, 
and having been ordained pastor of the Baptist church, 
served it until within a few 3-ears of his death without 
remuneration. This remarkable nuin had had but six 
months' schooling in his bo}-hood. 

Hon. H. F. Janes served in Congress from 1834 to 
1837, and Hon. Paul Dillingham from 1843 to 1847. 
Sir. Dillingham was lieutenant-governor from 1862 to 
18G5, and governor of the State from 1865 to 1867. 

B.VEEE* was granted Nov. 6, 1780, by the State of 
A'ermont to "WiUiam Williams and 64 others, and char- 
tered by the name of Wildersburgh. In 1788, Samuel 
Rogers from Bradford, and John Goldsbury from Hart- 
land, Yt., moved into town ^ith their families, and were 
followed rapidlj- by settlers from AVorcester County, 
Mass., and from New Hampshire and Connecticut. The 
town was organized March 11, 1793, and Joseph D wight 
was chosen first town clerk. 

Id 1794, Dr. Faddock removed here from Connecticut, 
and was the first, as he was for manj- years the principal 
physician of the place. In 1796, the town was repre- 
sented for the first time in the General Assembly b}- 
Asaph Sherman. A Congregational societj- was organ- 
ized iu'l799, and in February, 1807, Rev. Aaron Palmer 
was ordained as pastor, and i-cmained in charge of the 
church till his dcath'in 1821. There are at present three 
flourishing religious societies in town. 

In 1795, the place was visited by a destructive epi- 
demic of canker-rash, which proved fatal to manj- chil- 
dren. In Februarj-, 1811, the spotted fever raged in the 
place with severit3'. In the winter of 1812-13, t^-j^hoid 
pneumonia scourged the place, the number of deaths in 
1813 being 70. 

The population in 1870 was 1,882. 

There are three -villages in the town of Barre ; viz., 
Barrc, South BaiTC and Twingsville. Stevens's Branch 
and Jail Branch of the Winooski River flow through the 

* According to Thompson's " Vermont," tbc name AVildcrsbnrgh 
proving unpopular, a town meeting was called in 1793 to agree upon 
Eomo other name to be presented to the legislature for its approval. 
Capt. Joseph Thompson, who had moved from Holden, and Jonathan 
Sherman, who had moved from Barrc, Slass., each strenuously advo- 
cated the n.imc of the town from which he came. It was decided that 
the privilege of naming the town should be determined by an encounter 
at fisticuffs between the two. Sherman being successful, after a desperate 
fight, declared for Barre, and a petition having been sent to the legislature 
in accoi-dance with the agreement, the name of the town was changed the 



place, and afibrd excellent mill-facilities. There is in [ 
the place a large foundry for casting water-wlieels, &c. 
Granite of a very superior qualit}' is found in great j 
quantities, and the quarries are a source of large profit | 
to the town. Of late the business of the town has re- ' 
ceived a new impetus through the completion of a rail- 
road connection with the main line of the Vermont 
Central. 

The Barre Academj-, a long-established educational 
institution, under the management of Dr. J. S. Spaul- 
ding, is a school of high order. | 

Goddard Seminary, a large and flourishing academj- 
under the patronage of the Universalists, possesses alto- 
gether the finest building in the town. 

The most eminent citizen that Barre has had was the 
Hon. James Fisk (1762-1844), alawyer and Democratic 
politician. He served in Congress from 1805 to 1809, j 
and again from 1811 to 1815. He was elected to the ' 
U. S. Senate in 1817, but resigned in 1818 to accept the '. 
collectorship of Vermont, an office which he held for 
eight j-ears. He declined the office of postmaster-gen- 
eral under Jeff'erson. lie is said to liave borne a strong 
resemblance to Aaron Burr. 

Berlin was chartered June 8, 1763. The first perma- 
nent settler was Jacob Fowler, who moved from Corinth 
in 1786. Among other early settlers wore Capt. James 
Ilobart, Hezekiah Silloway antl William Flagg. By 
1790 there were 21 families in tlie i)hu":'. The town was 
organized March 31, 1791. 

The population in 1870 was 1,474. 

The first Congregational chm-ch was estal)lished in 
1798, and Rev. James Ilobart was settled over it from 
that year till 1829. 

The village of the town goes by the name of Berlin 
Corners. There is, in addition, a village on the AVi- 
nooski, opposite Jlontpelier, and connected with it by 
bridges, which, for all practical purposes except tax- 
ation, forms a part of the village of Montpelier. The 
most remarkable natural feature of the town is a pond, ' 
two miles long and half a mile wide, picturesquely' situ- 
ated, and well stocked with fish. The outlet of this 
pond forms a cascade of rare beauty, known as Benja- 
min's Falls. t 

same year. It is said, however, that the town records show that the 
privilege of naming the town was put up at auction, the sura realized to 
be given for tbc erection of a meeting-house, and that EzeUiel D. 
Wheeler secured the right by a bid of £62. 

t The discovery, many years ago, of the lx>dy of a " murdered trav- 
eller," — a peddler, — in the woods on the borders of this pond, has 
invested the locality with a tragic interest, supplied an only too literal 
veriucation of Bryant's matchless poem on that subject, and afforded 
material for one of D P. Thompson's most graphic and blood-curdling 
narratives. 



Cai,ais was chartered in 1781 to Jacob Davis, Stephen 
Fay and associates, and was settled in 1787 by Francis 
West, of Pl3mouth County, Mass., who was followed, 
the same j-ear, bj^ Abijah, Asa and Peter Wheelock, of 
C'liarlestown, MaSs., and in the following j-ear by Moses 
Stone. 

The town was organized March 23, 1795. 

The population in 1870 was 1,309. The town con- 
tains several beautiful ponds. Rev. C. S. Goodell,D.D., 
a popular and exceptionally eloquent Congregational 
cleigj-man, is a native of Calais. 

Cabot was chartered Aug. 17, 1871. In April, 1785, 
James Bruce, Edmund Chapman, Jonathan Heath and 
Benjamin Webster, with their families, settled on what 
is now known as Cabot Plain. The town was organized 
March 29, 1788. Its population in 1870 was 1,279. 

Zerah Colburn, the mathematical prodig}-, was born 
here in 1804. After attracting some attention abroad, 
and being successively teacher and Methodist preacher, 
he was made professor of Norwich (Vt.) University in 
1835, and died in 1840. His faculty of computation 
left him when he reached manhood. 

MoRETOwN was chartered June 7, 1763. It was settled 
about 1790 by Paul Knap, Beuben, Eliakim and Ira 
Hawks, all from Massachusetts. Among other early set- 
tlers were Joseph and Ebenczer Haseltine, Seth Munson 
and Daniel Parker. The town was organized March 22, 
1792. In 1870 the population was 1,263. 

Middlesex was chartered June 8, 1763. Thomas 
Mead, who came here in 1781 or 1782, was the first 
settler in the county. Other early settlers were Jonah 
Harrington, Seth, Levi and Jacob Putnam. 

The town was organized about 1788. In 1870 the 
population was 1,171. 

East Montpeliee having been set off from Montpelier 
Nov. 9, 1848, was organized Jan. 1, 1849. It has two 
villages. North and East Montpelier. In 1870 the popu- 
lation was 1,130 — 200 less than it was 20 years before. 
It has good mill-facilities, which are improved for manu- 
facturing purposes, there being a woollen-mill of consid- 
erable size at North MontpeUer. 

* Gen. Benjamin "Wait, the patriarch of the town, was bom in Sudbury, 
Mass., in 1737 ; served under Gen. Amherst, when but 18 years old ; 
ivas captured by the French in 175G, taken first to Quebec, and after- 
wards to France. He was rctalien off the coast of France by the Eng- 
lish, and in 1757 returned to America, and in 1758 assisted at the capture 
of Louisburg. He served with distinpuished gallantry and ability in 
Canada during the remainder or the war. In 1767 he settled in Windsor 



Makshfield was granted Oct. 16, 1782, and chartered 
to the Stockbridge Indians June 22, 1790. It was pur- 
chased of them b}' Isaac Marsh of Stockbridge, Mass., 
from whom it takes its name, for £140. The first settlers 
were Martin and Calvin Pitkin from East Hartford, 
Conn., Gideon Spencer, Aaron Elmore, and Ebenezor 
Dodge. The town was organized March 10, 1800. The 
population in 1870 was 1,072. 

In this place are the Great Falls of the Winooski, 
which is here said to descend 500 feet in the distance of 
30 rods. 

Warken was chartered Oct. 20, 1789. The town was 
settled in 1797 by Samuel Lord and Seth Leavitt, and 
organized Sept. 20, 1798. There are two villages. East 
and West Warren, having a population of about 1,000. 

Waitsfield was chartered in 1782, and was first set- 
tled bj' Gen. Benjamin Wait * in 1789, after whom it 
took its name. 

The town was organized March 25, 1794. Population 
in 1870, 948. 

Plainfield was chartered Oct. 27, 1788, by the name 
of St. Andrew's Gore. About 1794, Tlieodore Perkins, 
Joseph Batchelder and Seth Freeman settled the town, 
and were followed within a jear by Jonathan and Brad- 
ford Kinney, Moulton Batchelder, John Moore and 
others. 

The town was jorganized under its charter name, April 
4, 1796, and clianged its name to Plainfield Nov. 6, 
1797. Population in 1870, 726. 

The remaining towns of Washington County are Rox- 
BURT, organized in 1796, population 916, containing a 
fine vein of marble : Woodbury, formerly called Monroe, 
having 902 inhabitants, and noted for the abundance of 
its ponds : Duxbcrt, organized in 1792, population 893, 
having on its west line Camel's Hump Mountain, 4,083 
feet high, and being connected with Watcrbury by a 
natural bridge over the Winooski : Worcester, organ- 
ized in 1803, population 775 : Plainfield, chartered as 
St. Andrew's Gore in 1778, organized a town with its 
present name in 1797, popidation 726: and Fatstown, 
organized in 1805, population 694. 

and became conspicuous in the controversy of the Green Mountain Boys 
with New York with reference to the territory of Vermont. In 1776 
he entered the Continental army as captain, and served under Gen. 
Washington till the close of the Revolutionary war, coming out with 
the rank of colonel. He was afterwards made brigadier-general of 
militia. Removing to Waitsfield iu 1789, he made it his home till his 
death in 1822. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



wi:n"dham county. 



BY JOSEPH J. GREEN. 



Windham Countt lies on the eastern slope of the 
Green Mountains, in the north-eastern corner of Ver- 
mont. It is watered bj- the Deerfield, West and Saxton's 
rivers. The sources of the former are in Somerset, 
Stratton and Dover. It flows through a forest region of 
spruce, hemlock and hardwood. West River pursues a 
diagonal course through the countj' from the north-west 
to the Connecticut at Brattleborough. The interval 
lands of this vallej- are excellent for grain, and the hill- 
sides have a strong and productive soil. Saxton's River 
has its sources in Windham and Grafton, and flowing 
east, empties into the Connecticut just south of Bellows 
Falls. The bottom lands in the valle}- of the latter 
river are unsurpassed in fertility by any in the State. 

The historj- of Windham Count}' and of Vermont 
begins with the sale, April 24 and 25, 1716, at Hartford, 
Conn., of the equivalent lands, so called from this fact : 
On the establishment of the line between Massachusetts 
and Connecticut, it was found that Massachusetts had 
chartered 107,793 acres in Connecticut, as an equivalent 
for which she gave the latter an equal amount of land in 
her unchartered territorj'. These lands were located in 
four sections ; one on the west side of the Connecticut 
River of 43,943 acres was deeded bj- Gov. Saltonstall to 
William Dummer, William Brattle, Anthon}- Stoddard 
and John White, and comprised the land in the present 
town of Dummerston and a part of Putney and Brattle- 
borough. 

In 1724, b}' order of the General Court of Massachu- 
setts, Lieut. D wight erected a fort on what is now known 
as the Brooks Farm, about two miles below the village 
of Brattleborough. This fort, built of pine-logs, was 
180 feet square, with houses inside whose single roofs 
ran up against its walls, — each house facing the court- 
yard in the centre. Soon after its completion, a bod}- 
of Indians attacked the fort, killing and wounding sev- 
eral of the garrison. In the following year two scouts 
were killed and three captured bj- the Indians, in the 
vicinity of the fort. In 1728 the fort became a trading- 
post, and the Indians came in great numbers from Lake 
Champlain and Canada. The trade proving unprofit- 
able to the State was soon abandoned. 



At a date now uncertain, a block-house was erected 
on the great meadows in the present town of Putncj'. 
During King George's war, several of the settlers were 
killed or captured bj- roving bands of savages. In the 
fall of 1747, Bridgman's Fort in Vernon was attacked 
and burned, witli heav}' loss to the settlers. Two j-ears 
later, a scouting part}' under command of Capt. Melvin 
were surprised and defeated in the present town of 
Jamaica. Not long after a well-equipped force of 40 
men, commanded by Capt. Hobbs, after a few hours' 
contest, defeated a superior force of French and Indians 
led b}' Sackct, a well-known half-breed. Other minor 
contests occurred, and in June, 1755, Bridgman's Fort, 
which had been rebuilt, was again the scene of a terrible 
Indian assault, it being laid in ashes, and its occupants 
carried into captivit}'. 

At midnight, March 6, 1758, a band of Indians burst 
into Fairbank Moore's house, in Brattleborough, on the 
farm known as the Newman Allen place, now owned by 
the Vermont Asylum, killing and scalping Moore and 
his son, taking the son's wife and four children prison- 
ers, and burning the house. The Moore skeletons were 
found a few years since in the barnjard, about a foot 
beneath the surface of the ground ; and in the skull of 
one was an ounce ball. Mrs. Moore and her children 
were redeemed in 1762. 

Prior to 1764 Gov. Wentworth of New Hampshire 
chartered 14 towns within the present limits of the 
county. In July of that year the king decreed the west- 
ern bank of the Connecticut River to be the boundary 
line between New Hampshire and New York. The 
settlers on the " Grants," as these lands were then called, 
were in no wise alarmed b}' this decision. Having pur- 
chased their lands of a royal governor, under the seal of 
the Crown, they held that a provincial change could in 
no wa}' affect the validity of their titles. The authori- 
ties of New Y'ork held that all grants of land issued bj' 
Gov. Wentworth were void ; and raising the charter-fees 
to $2,000 or more, and doubling the annual rental to the 
Crown, they required the settlers to take out new 
charters. In most instances, they were unwilling and 
unable to comply with the terms, while a refusal sub- 



jected them to a loss of their possessions, as the New 
York authorities readily regranted these towns to those 
who paid the required fees, and the courts at Albanj' sus- 
tained all claimants under their charters, in writs of 
ejectment. The more fully to establish their power 
over the territory, and enforce their laws, the New York 
Assembly incorporated the count}- of Cumberland Jul}- 
3, 1 7GG, with a county seat at Chester, which was changed 
to "Westminister in May, 1772. Crean Brush, an assis- 
tant secretary of New York, was appointed clerk of the 
court. The following winter, he and Samuel Wells of 
Brattleborough took their scat in the New York Assem- 
bl}' as representatives of Cumberland Count}', thus com- 
pleting the legal machinery necessary to unite the county 
to that province. A system of legalized tyranny now 
commenced, which developed an open revolt March 13, 
1775, and terminated in the Westminster massacre, and 
the final independence of Vermont. 

Windham County, infested as it was, with a great 
number of ardent adherents to the authority of New 
York, called Yorkers, became naturally tlie scene of 
much of that unhappy civil turmoil and strife resulting 
from that long and implacably bitter straggle for civil 
supremacy on the territory of the New Hampshire grants 
which earl}' in the Eevolutionary epoch prevailed between 
the authorities of New York and those of Vermont. 
The latter, convinced of the justice of their cause, did 
not hesitate, in the maintenance of their supposed rights, 
resolutely and boldly to put the edicts and authority 
both of New York and of the Continental Congress at 
defiance. With the great war of the Revolution on its 
hands. Congress was piactically powerless, so far as this 
controversy with Vermont was concerned, to enforce its 
own demands ; and accordingly that infant State was 
left to administer her own internal alTairs pretty much in 
accordance with her own will. It may be admitted that 
in the enforcement of her authority Vermont sometimes 
resorted to measures of extreme severty, if not to an 
unwarrantable stretch of judicial power ; that so far 
from being always careful to be both humane and just, 
she was, at times, perhaps, needlessly stern, ruthless 
and severe. Her prisoners, it is affirmed, were often 
subjected to unnecessary privations and cruelties — de- 
prived of suitable food, and confined for a long time in 
comfortless and unwholesome, not to say, loathesome 
prisons. Prominent among those who thus suffered were 
Timothy Church of Brattlcborough, Jlaj. Evans of Guil- 
ford, Maj. William Shattuck and Thomas Baker of 
Halifax, Charles and Timothy Phelps of Guilford, the 
latter high-sheriff, under New York, of Cumberland 
County. The trials of these men, and of others, were 



manifold and severe. Mulcted in heavy fines, confined 
for long periods in comfortless prisons, deprived of their 
estates by acts of confiscation, banished from the Stite 
with the threatened penalty of death for their treason if 
caught within the State limits, it must be admitted that 
they paid dearly for their loyalty to New York. Repeat- [ 
edly repairing to the New York Assembly, and to Phila- ! 
delphia, and addressing to both State and national legis- [ 
latures many and better, but practically fruitless appeals | 
for protection and redress of grievances, these and other j 
long-suflering Yorkers, concluding at length to make a j 
virtue of necessit}-, finally gave over the struggle, and 1 
yielded unqualified submission to the authority of the j 
State of Vermont. j 

Feb. 16, 1781, Windliam County was incorporated, ! 
and on the 21st the county was divided into the half- i 
shires of Westminster and Marlborough. The count}' I 
officers subsequently elected were Noah Sabin, Jr., judge 
of probate, John Bridgman, Luke Knowlton and Benja- 
min Burt, judges ofl the County Court, and Jonathan 
Hunt, high-sheriff. These men, all of acknowledged 
ability, though at first esteemed more or less earn- 
est partisans of New York, faithfully administered tlie 
laws of the State against the usurping and treasonable 
Yorkers. 

Newfane became the shire town of the county Oct. 19, 
1787. The village of Newfane was originally located 
near the centre, and on the highest hill in town, where 
the county buildings were erected in 1788. So steep 
and inaccessible was the hill, that in 1825 the location 
was changed to Park's Flat, in the valley of Smith 
Brook, two miles east, Mr. Park giving a donation of 
land for a public common. Here a court-house and jail 
were erected in the summer of 1825, at a cost of $10,- 
000 ; and in 1853 they were thorouglily repaired and 
modernized. 

The village on the hill followed the public buildings, 
and where it once stood, nothing now remains but the 
cellars and foundations of the houses. It is doubt- 
less the only instance in the State of the removal of an 
entire village from its original location. The new village 
recci\cd the name of Faycttevillc, in honor of La Fayette. 

Previous to the completion of the Vermont and Slassa- 
chusetts Railroad in 1849, the Connecticut River was the 
great artery of commercial and business life for this en- 
tire section, whose interests are agricultural rather than 
manufacturing or mining. The natural resources of the 
county consist of lumber and large beds of building-stone 
of various kinds. In Newfane, Grafton and Athens 
are found large deposits of freestone ; in Townshend, 
Wardsborough and Jamaica, lime ; and Dummerston 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



possesses one of the largest and purest bodies of gran- 
ite in New England. These and the other business 
and political interests of the county have long invited 
the building of a railroad up the West River vallej-, and 
the Brattleborough and Whitehall Railroad Company 
have contracted for the construction of the first 35 miles 
of this line from Brattleborough to South Londonderr}-, 
to be completed during 1879. 

Among the distinguished persons connected with the 
historj- of Windham Count}- may be mentioned Crean 
Brush,* born in Dublin, Ireland, about the year 1725, 
who, as representative of Cumberland County in the New 
Yoik Assembly, exercised his great powers of oratory in 
the interest of that province and in favor of the crown ; 
Stephen R. Bradlej-, a staff-offlccr in the Revolutionary 
army, prominent in the contest for State independence, 
one of the first United States senators from Vermont, being 
elected in 1791 and again in 1801, born in Wallingford, 
Conn., in 1754 and a graduate of Yale, dying in Wal- 
pole, N. H., in 1830 ; Samuel Gal^, an English gentle- 
man, bom about the year 1747, a thorough loyalist, 
eventually removing to Quebec, where he received the 
appointment of provincial secretarj-, d3-ing in 182G ; 
Hon. Lot Hall, a native of Y'armouth, Mass., where ho 
was born in 1757, removing after various vicissitudes to 
Westminster, serving as judge of the Supreme Court 
from 1794 to 1801, dying in 1809 ; Hon. Luke Knowl- 
ton, born in Shrewsbury, Mass., in 1738, serving in the 
French and Indian war, afterwards one of the proprietors 
of Newfane, to which place he removed in 1773, daring 
the Revolution, suffering much annoyance and incon- 
venience in consequence of his loyalty to the crown, but 
in the latter part of his life holding many important pub- 
lic trusts ; Samuel Knight, the first lawyer settled in 
Brattleborough, from 1789 to 1793 chief justice of the 
State ; Hon. Noah Sabin, born at Rehoboth, Mass., in 
1714, removing to Putney in 1768, imprisoned f after 
the Westminster massacre, on account of his lo3-alt3' to 
the king, subsequently filling manj' positions of honor, 
dying in 1811 at the advanced age of 9G ; Hon Hoyt H. 
Wheeler, born in Chesterfield, N.H., in 1833, judge of 
the Supreme Court from 1869 to 1877, during the latter 
year being appointed district judge of ^'ermont by Pres. 
Hayes ; and Hon. James M. Tyler, born in Wilmington, 

* When the British were in possession of Boston, he was placed by 
Gen. Gage in charge of private property taken under military orders, 
and upon the evacuation of the city sailed for Nova Scotia. While on 
the way thither, Brush was captured, and being sent to Boston was 
placed in jail, heavily ironed. Being visited by his wife, a change of 
garments was effected, Brush escaping to New York. Here he was 
treated witli neglect by the British officials. At last, goaded to despair 
by the rebuff of the commanding general, he committed suicide. His 



Vt., in 1835, an able lawyer in Brattleborough, recently 
elected a member of Congress. 

TOWTS'S. 

Brattleborough was chartered by Gov. Wentworth 
to William Brattle and 49 others, Dec. 26, 1753. The 
first settlers were the builders and intnates of Fort Dum- 
mer. Prominent among these are the names of Sargeant, 
Willard and Alexander. John Sargeant is said to be 
the first white child born in Vermont. Fairbank Moore 
and son, John Arms, and Samuel Wells, were among 
the first to take up land and settle at a distance from the 
fort. Bj- slow degrees the settlement increased until in 
March, 17G8, there seems to have been a sufficient num- 
ber to hold a legal town meeting. During the year it 
appears that eflbrts were made to establish a church, and 
with so much success that in April, 1869, we find an 
organized bod}' staling themselves Covenanters voting 
to unite with Guilford to sustain preaching, and raising 
£16, Y'ork money, for the purpose. In 1770, this body 
of Christian worshippeis, numbering 79 members, 
voted to unite with Guilford in settling the Rev. Abner 
Reeve for three j'ears. The testimonj^ seems to in- 
dicate the erection of a log meeting-house during 
the year. The house stood about ten rods west of 
the old cemetery, half a mile north of what is now 
called Harris. Hill. In 1781 the town A'oted to build a 
new meeting-house, on or near the Marlborough road, in 
the present village of West Brattleborough, and employed 
a company of 150 men to raise the frame. In June, 1786, 
it was voted to raise a tax of a pennj' a pound to paj- for 
the rum and sugar used in raising the meeting-house. 

Oct. 17, 1775, three of the ministerial bretkren met at 
the house of Mr. Reeve, and with him organized the first 
Ministerial Association in Vermont. The preamble at:d 
articles of this organization are still preserved, and show 
the strong moral and religious zeal of the founders. The 
venerable Mr. Reeve continued with this soeietj' until 
1793, when, by reason of age and infirmit}-, he resigned. 
He died May 6, 1798, aged 90. The church is now in a 
flourishing condition. I 

In 1816 a new Congregational Society was organized | 
at the east village, and the Rev. Jonathan McGee settled 
Jan. 13, 1819. This society has continued to grow in 

daughter, a dashing young widow, subsequently contracted a romantic 
mai'riage with Gen. Ethan Allen. 

+ He was a second time placed in prison, but soon after released and 
ordered by the committee of safety not to leave his farm under penalty 
of death, the committee giving orders that any one might shoot hira if 
seen off his estate ; one, in after years, confessing to having spent hours 
near Mr. Sabin's house, firelock in hand, to see him step over the dead- 
line. In 1778, the church excluded him from the communion-table. 



numbers, wealth and prospeiit}-, until it now outstrips 
the other and older. The Unitarians, Episcopalians, 
\ i\Iethodists, Baptists, Catholics and Universalists have 
nourishing societies. 

Prominent among those who earl3' gave character and 
direction to the business interests of the town was Stephen 
Grconleaf of Boston, who purchased what was called the 
governor's farm, and opened probably the first store in 
V'ermont in 1771, tlius laying the corner-stone in the 
business interests of the East Village of to-day. 

To-day a few venerable men are still in business here 
I whose memory carries them back to the daj-s of the 
founders. Among these we may mention the Hon. 
Asa Ke3'es, the oldest lawj'er in Vermont, who has re- 
I cently resigned the office of register of probate, at the 
I advanced age of 91 ; the venerable Joseph Steen, the 
I oldest merchant in the county, who, at the age of 85, is 
\ daily waiting upon his customers ; N. B. Williston, 
president of the First National Bank ; and Charles Frost, 
the learned shoemaker, whose botanical and linguistic at- 
, tainnients have given him a name and position among the 

scholars of the daj'. 
j A great event in the business interests of the town was 
the completion of the Vermont and Massachusetts Rail- 
road. Thfe arrival of the first train, Feb. 19, 1849, was 
celebrated by an immense gathering of people from all 
the surrounding towns. Since then the population and 
wealth have more than doubled, and the town has become 
the business centre of Windham County. The moneyed 
and mercantile interests arc represented by three banks of 
discount, the oldest of which was organized in 1821, and 
the Vermont Savings Bank chartered in 1846. 

In 1827 Alexander C. Putnam began the publication 
j of the " Messenger." In 1833 William E. Ryther and 
George Nichols founded the "Vermont Phoenix," now 
one of the oldest and most influential journals in Ver- 
mont. In 1836 Joseph Steen started the " AVindham 
County Democrat," afterward published bj- George Nich- 
ols. In 1847 the " Weekly Eagle," by B. D. Harris and 
William Hall, began its flight. The " Record and Far- 
mer" was established in Brattleborough by D. L. Milliken 
in 1864, and four years later he and George E. Crowell 
began the monthly publication of the " Household." The 
" Windham County Reformer" was begun as a campaign 
sheet in the presidential canvass of 1876 by Charles II. 
Davenport. 

The Vermont Asylum, now one of the largest and best 
I appointed institutions of its kind in New England, was 
founded in 1834 by a bequest of $10,000 from Jlrs. Anna 
M. Marsli of Hinsdale, N. H. 

The world-renowned Esty Organ Works wore founded 



in 1846. They occupj' eight extensive shops, and emplo}' 
500 men, who turn out from 7,000 to 9,000 instruments a i 
3'ear, making a business of over $1,000,000 i)er annum. 
The population of Brattleborough is about 5,000. 

Grafton, chartered to Jonathan Whitney and others, 
April 8, 1754, as Tomlinson, was the last town granted 
by Gov. Wentworth prior to the French and Indian war. 
Its present name was adopted Oct. 31, 1791. In 1768 
a Mr. Hinkley and others began the settlement of the 
town on the brook that has taken his name, but soon 
abandoned their improvements. In the spring of 1780, 
Amos Fisher, Samuel Spring, Benjamin Leatherbee and 
Edward Putnam, from Winchester, Mass., made a per- 
manent settlement. A Congregational church was or- 
ganized June 28, 1785, and the Rev. William Hall set- 
tled Nov. 7, 1788. The meeting-house was built in 
1792. 

There is a large quarrj' of soapstone in the south- 
eastern part of the town, extending into Athens. These 
quarries were opened about 1822, and have been worked 
with little or lio interruption lo the present. The village 
is well located, and built in a neat 3et substantial man- 
ner, and for many years was the seat of a successful 
woollen manufactory, now idle. 

The population is 1,008. 

Guilford was chartered bj- Gov. Wentworth April 2, 
1754. Jonathan and Elisha Hunt made the first clearing 
in 1758. Micah Rice's family arrived in town in Septem- 
ber, 1761, and were soon followed b}' John Barney and 
others. From the beginning the town was a little inde- 
pendent republic, governing itself bj' an annual election 
of officers under the rules of the proprietors until 1772, 
when at a meeting held Maj' 19, the friends and parti- 
sans of New York, having a majority, declared the town 
to be in Cumberland Count}-, N. Y., and organized it 
agreeable to the laws of that Province. In 1776, the 
Whigs and New State men combined, and outvoted the 
Yorkers and Tories, and resolved that no man should 
vote who was not qualified according to the directions of 
the Continental Congress, and thus excluded all Tories 
from the polls. They also voted to raise nine soldiers 
for the Continental army and give them a bounty of £4 
Bay money. In 1777, they voted that no person should 
vote who was not possessed of £40 real or personal 
estate. 

In 1778, the power of the parties changed, and the 
next year a committee was appointed to defend the town 
against tlie pretended State of Vermont, and another to 
hold the town powder, lead and other public stores. Hav- 
ing obtained the power, the Yorkers excluded the New 
State men from the polls by force. Whereupon the Ver- 



HISTORY OF XEW E^"GLA^■D. 



monters organized a government of their own and elected 
the necessarj- town ofDccrs, who, backed by the laws and 
powers of the new State, proceeded to collect the taxes 
and enforce the laws of Vermont, and, as has alread}" 
appeared in the histor}- of the county, manj- and bitter 
were the conflicts during the six years reign of anarchy 
that followed. Tradition says that both parties held reg- 
ular meetings in secret throughout this stoi-my period, 
and that the Yorkers, although in possession of the town 

I books, dared not enter any records therein, lest they 

j might be stolen, as in fact the records of both parties 
finall}' were, and buried together in the pound, where 
they were totally ruined. Chief among the New State 
men was Benj. Carpenter, who was a delegate to the first 
State Convention at Dorset in 177G, and man}- times did 
he march alone through the woods to attend the legisla- 
ture at Bennington. Carpenter's efforts for the freedom 
of Vermont were fullj' seconded by the Hon. John Shep- 
ardson, who was appointed chief judge of Cumberland 
Count}' by the New State authorities in 1778. 

Since 1790, the history of Guilford has been of that 

quiet, uneventful character common to all rural towns. 

The Rev. "Wilbur Fisk, president for a time of the 

Wesle^yan Universit}' at Middletown, Conn., was a native 

of this town. 

Population, 1,277. 

i IlALiFiVX was chartered b}- Gov. Wentworth Maj- 11, 
1750. It was the first town covered by a royal grant 

I within the present limits of Windham Count}-. The first 
settler was Abner Rice, from Worcester County, INIass., 

i who commenced his clearing in 17G1, and in 17G.3 he was 
joined by others from Pclham and Colrain. It is sup- 
posed that the town was organized al)out 1 770. The Con- 
gregational church was organized in 1778, and the Rev. 
David Goodall was settled in 1781. The next j-ear tlic 
meeting-house was built. The church now hves onl}- in 
momoi'V. Halifax is chicflj- an agricultural town, and 
well adapted to grazing. Population, 1,020. 

Jamaica. — The first attempt at claiming the land ii 
this town was on the 17th of June, 1775, on the river in 
the casterl}- part of the town by Caleb and Silas Ila}-- 
ward, sons of AVilliam Hayward of Townshend. The}- 
settled there near each other within a few 3-ears after, 
probably about 1777. 

Benjamin Ilaj-ward, a distant relative, came from Men- 
don, Mass., with several sons, a 3-ear or two later, and 
settled in the same neighborhood. 

The town was chartered Nov. 7, 1780, and was organ- 
ized Sept. 3, 1781. A saw-mill and a grist-mill were 
erected on the Wardsborough branch of West River, 
near its mouth, by Peter Ilazelton in 1782 or 178.3. Tlie 



Congregationalist church was organized in 1791. A 
Baptist church was organized in IGOG, and Elder Simeon 
Coombs was the first settled minister. 

The town has two banlis, and a population of 1,223. 

LoxDONDEKKY was granted b}" Now Y'ork as the town 
of Kent, Feb. 20, 1770. In 1774, James Rogers, S. : 
Thompson and James Patterson, of Londonderry, N. H., 
commenced the settlement. Rogers was a firm partisan ' 
of New York, and upon the organization of the State of 
Vermont left the territory. The town, of which he was 
the principal proprietor, was confiscated in 1778. April 
20, 1780, it was rcchartercd to Edward Aiken. In 1795 
and 1797 James Rogers, Jr., petitioned the legislature to 
return to him the original title to the unsold land in town. 
His praj-er was favorablj- considered and the title con- 
firmed. A Congi-cgational societ}- was organized at what 
is now called North Derry, and a meeting-house erected 
in 1813. 

The population of the town is 1,252. 

Newfaxe. — The original charter of the town was 
issued under the name of Fane by Gov. Wentworth, 
June 19, 1753. The name is derived from an honored 
English famil}- of the sixteenth centuiy. The township 
linall}- became the property of Luke Knowlton and John 
Taylor of Worcester County, IMass., and from them all 
titles are derived. The settlement of the town was com- 
menced in May, 17GG, b}- Jonathan Park and NathaniL'l 
Stedman, who were followed in the summer by a Jlr. 
D3"er. Stedman and Park made their first clearing on 
the hill near the centre of the town. In the spring of 
17GS, Park established himself on the present site of 
Faj'ctteville, and erected the first framed house in town. 
In JIaj-, 1774, the town was organized. Juno 30th the 
church was organized and the Rev. Hezekiah Taylor set- 
tled as pastor. He remained until ISll. In 1792 the 
town voted to build a meeting-house, which was finished 
in 1800. 

The "Windham County Grammar School, incorporated 
in 1801, enjoyed a high reputation for 15 j'ears, but it 
w-as allowed to pass awa}-. Faj-ettevillc and Williams- 
ville have grown up since 1825. The latter has a good 
water-power and several mills. Faj'ettevillo is one of 
the most beautiful and attractive villages in the State, 
and is quite a favorite summer resort. 

The population of Newfane is 1,113. 

Putney. — The settlement of this town was begun 
about 1744, by AVilliam Phipps, David Rugg, Robert 
Baker, N. Howe, and several others, who built Fort Hill 
near the centre of the great meadow. During the Capo 
Breton war they were compelled to abandon their im- 
provements, and all is then a blank until 1754, when 



John Perrj', Philip Alexander and Michael Gilsou ai- 
I rived and established themselves upon the site of their 
predecessors. The following year others came, and they 
erected a large fort of hewn pine logs in the south-cast 
part of the meadow. The first religious services held in 
town were conducted within the walls of this fort, bj' the 
j Rev. Andrew Gardner, a former chaplain of Fort 
I Dummer. The settlement of what is now called Putnej- 
Street was begun in the spring of 17G4, by Joshua Par- 
ker, who drove the first wheeled vehicle and moved his 
family' into town in 17G5. Before the close of the year 
there were 19 families in town. For several j-cars reli- 
gious services were conducted b}' Mr. Parker at his 
house, or the barn of James Cummings. The Hon. 
Noah Sabin arrived in the spring of 17G8, and erected the 
first framed house, and soon after, Moses Johnson built 
tlie first two-storv house, which is still in use. The 
town was organized May 8, 1770. 

Rev. Josiah Goodhue was installed pastor of the first 

church Oct. 17, 1776, and remained until his death in 

1797. 

I In 1770 Peter "Wilson opened a store, around which 

1 as a centre a thriving village has grown up, containing 

one of the finest town halls in the county. 
J The population of the town is 1,1G7. 

Rockingham. — In the early days this territor3- was 
known as Goldenstown. It was* chartered by Gov. 
AVcnlwortli under its present title Dec. 28, 17u2. The 
I settlement was commenced in 1753, by Moses "Wright, 
Joel Bigelow and Simeon Knight. It was organized as 
j a town about 17C0. The early settlers devoted them- 
selves principallj' to fishing, taking immense quantities 
I of salmon and shad at the foot of the "Great Falls." 
I About 1770 the Congregational church was organized, 
j and the Rev. Samuel "Whiting settled Oct. 27, 1773, who 
I remained 36 years. The Congregational church was or- 
I ganizcd at Bellows Falls in 1850, and the Episcopalians 
j and Methodists have flourislaing societies in this village. 
j In the interests of education, Charles Jones, of Cam- 
liridge, Mass., a native of the town, proposed some 
1 time since to furnish $10,000 toward the substantial en- 
dowment of a good academy at Saxton's River, a flour- 
ishing village within the limits of Rockingham. This, 
I through the wisdom and munificence of J. A. Farns- 
j worth, aided by the earnest labors of the Rev. "W. N. 
Wilbur, has led to the founding of the Vermont Acad- 
emy at Saxton's River, with a pennanent endowment 
fund of $100,000, the subscriptions to which were com- 
pleted in 1873. The village derives its name from a Mr. 
Saxton, who, tradition saj-s, settled here about 1790, 
and was drowned in the river. The water power here 



was early improved bj- the building of a mill, and about 
1820 a Mr. Bucklin started a woollen factory and estab- 
lished a business that has contiiiucd to tlie present. 

In the early records, the celebrated falls on the Con- 
necticut River in this town are called the " Great Falls." 
But a later civilization has vcr}' appropriately named 
them in honor of Col. Bellows, one of the leading pio- 
neers in settling the country around them. The fall is 
made up of several descents and rapids, dropping 42 
feet in the space of half a mile. "Various facts that we 
have gathered point to 1790 as near the time wlien busi- 
ness began to take shape and form at this place. The 
first bridge was built across the river at this point b}- 
Enoch Ilale, in 1785, its length being 365 feet. In 
1791, the Bellows Falls Canal Companj- was chartered, 
for the purpose of opening a canal around the falls, for 
the transportation of merchandise on the river. This 
company emploj'ed a Mr. Sanderson to build a dam 
across the river, and opened their canal for the passage 
of the first boat in April, 1779. 

About 1810, William Blake established the first paper- 
mill, and in 1816 Thomas G. Fessenden founded the first 
newspaper, the ' ' Bellows Falls Intelligencer." The ' ' Ver- 
mont Chronicle " was started here in April, 1826, by E. 
C. Tracy, and the "Vermont Intelligencer" bj' B. G. 
Cook, in January, 1835. The " Bellows Falls Gazette " 
was begun by John W. Moore, in 1837. W^ilHam Mack 
established the "Republican Standard," which was 
changed to the "Bellows Fa;lls Argus "bj' Iliram At- 
kins, about 1854. The "Bellows Falls Times" was 
founded bj- its present editor, A. N. Swain, in 1856. 

The Vermont Valle}' Railroad was completed in 1851, 
and thus ended the value of the Canal Company's prop- 
erty until 18G9, when William Russell obtained a con- 
trolling intei-est, and began the erection of pulp mills. 
The place has since become one of the largest pulp and 
paper manufacturing points in New England. 

Population of the town, 2,854. 

TowNSHEND was chartered bj' Gov. Wentworth, June 
20, 1753, and the settlement commenced in 1761, by 
Joseph Tyler and John Hazeltine. The original town 
was organized in the spring of 1771. A Congrega- 
tional chui-ch was organized, and the Rev. Nicholas 
Dudley ordained, June 26, 1777. In 1790, a new meet- 
ing-house was built, around which the village of East 
Townshend has grown up. In 1850, a Congregational 
society was organized at West Townshend. The Bap- 
tists also have a society in town. In 1835, a seminary 
was established here, and the school has ever remained 
a firm and enduring institution of learning. 

The inhabitants of this town, under the lead of Col. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



j Ilazeltine and Samuel Fletcher, took an earnest and 
I active part in the Revolutionar^v war, and the New State 
movement. The news from Lexington brought six mus- 
kets to the shoulders of six good men, who, with young 
Fletcher, marched to the front, and fought at Bunker 
Hill, and served luider Gen. Washington at Roxburv. 
Fletcher was -subsequentl3- captain of. a companj- of 
minute-men, and served with credit in an expedition to 
Ticonderoga in 1777. During the late war, the town 
furnished 120 soldiers for the national army- 
Population, 1,171. 

AVestmixster was originally granted by the General 
Court of Massachusetts, Nov. 19, 173G, to Joseph Tis- 
dale of Taunton and his associates. The second char- 
ter was issued by Gov. Wentworth to Josiah Willard. 
Nov. 9, 1752, under the name of Westminster, and fail- 
ing to comply with its terms, the proprietors obtained a 
third charter, June 11, 17G0. 

A determined effort was made to settle this town as 
early as 1738, by one Richard Ellis and son, and some 
actual progress was made. A later attempt was made 
by John Barnej', in 1749. On account of various diffi- 
culties and discouragements, however, these enteritises 
were successively abandoned. It was not until Feb. 4, 
17G1, that a proprietors' meeting was held in Westmin- 
ster, and steps taken to apportion the land among the 
proprietors. At a meeting held Jlay 6, several lots were 
awarded to Col. Josiah Willard, upon the condition of 
his building a saw and grist mill. Such were the deter- 
mined and earnest efforts of the proprietors in this in- 
stance to maintain their charter rights, that b}' the close 
of 176G fifty families were settle'd in town. In 17G7, a 
Congregational church was organized. Three j-ears 
after, a meeting-house was built. 

In JanuaiT, 1771, this was the most populous town 
in Cumberland Count}-, and in May, 1772, it became the 
shire town. Soon after, a building of hewn logs for a 
court-house and jail was erected. Earlj- in the summer 
of 1778, Judah P. Spooner and Timothj' Green estab- 
lished here the first printing-office in Vermont, and in 
October were appointed State printers. In Februar}-, 
1781, they issued the " Green Mountain Post-Boj-," the 
first newspaper published in Vermont. Upon the estab- 
lishment of Vermont authority, and the removal of the 
public buildings to Newfane, the town lost its political 
importance, and has since become one of our most flour- 
ishing and wealihj^ agricultural communities. 
Population, 1,238. 

WiiiTixcnAM. — It is supposed that the settlement of 
this town was commenced about 1770, bj- a Mr. Bratlin, 
in the north-west part of the town on the Dcerfield River. 



Tradition says that Mr. Singleton Williams arrived in 
the south-east part of the town .about the same time. 
The smoke of the latter's cabin was discovered liy Brat- 
lin while journeying to Colrain to mill, and proceeding 
in the line of this sign of humanity he soon found a 
neighbor. 

Mr. Bratlin found Sawetaga, a lone Indian, li\-ing 
upon the sliores of the lalce that now bears his name , 
but as the whites crowded upon his hunting-ground, he 
took to his canoe and floated down the Dcerfield River, 
never to return. Manj' Indian relics, such as arrow- 
heads, hatchets, &c., have been found in the vicinity of 
the lake. Tliis sheet of water is estimated to cover 500 
acres, and has upon its surface a bod}- of floating land 
containing about 100 acres, that rises and falls with the 
water. The descent at the outlet of the lake and vol- 
ume of water give one of the best water-powers in the 
count}-. It is said that the town was organized Jlarch 
23, 1780. The first meeting-house was comi^leted in the 
centre of the town in 1798, and is now used as a town 
house. There are three societies that sustain preaching. 
The business has deserted the old town on the hill and 
centered at the thriving village of Jacksonsville, in 
the east, and Sawetaga at the west part of the town. 
Upon the hill just south of this village are still to be seen 
the well, apple-trees and foundations of the house of 
John Young, the father of the renowned Brigham, who 
removed to western New York when the prophet was 
two years old. Ex-Ma}-or Jilson of Worcester is one of 
the honored sons of the town, and a gi-andson of the 
original pioneer, Singleton Williams. Population, 1,2G3. 

Wilmington was chartered by Gov. Wentworth to 
Phineas Lyman and others April 29, 1751. The diffi- 
culties and dangers of the French and Indian war, as 
in other towns in the county, prevented a full compliance 
with the terms of the charter. June 17, 17G3, Went- 
worth issued a new charter under the title of Draper, to 
other parties. A serious contest arose between the old 
and new proprietors for the possession of tlie town. 
Record and tradition clearly indicate that the former, 
and those holding under them, were the first actual 
settlers; and their charter seems to have been finally 
confirmed by the legislature of Vermont. First among 
these we find the name of Marks, who built his cabin in 
the valley of the Dcerfield River, in the south part of the 
town, and was soon followed by others. The first town 
meeting was held March 2, 1775. 

In 1 780 the Congregational church was organized. A 
Mr. Chapin had ijreviously preached to the society. 

In 1777 there were about 30 families in town, and 
when the flying horseman heralded the approach of Col. 



Baum toward Bennington, Col. William Williams and 
his men shouldered their muskets and marched to the 
front in season to join in that memorable battle. As 
early as 1781 Adnah Bangs kept an inn, and Roger 
Birchard, grandfather of President Haj-es, is said to 
have opened the first store. 

It is about 40 j-ears since public attention was turned 
toward laying the foundations of the present thriving 
village, now the third or fourth in size in the county. It 
has a good water-power and lumber trade, and a savings 
bank. 

The town is one of the finest grazing ti:acts in the 
county, and its agricultural fairs have become justly cele- 
brated for their exhibitions of stock. Population, 1,24G. 

DuMJiERSTON, named in honor of the senior proprietor. 
Gov. Dummer of Massachusetts, was settled about the 
year 1754. The first town meeting was held March 4, 
1771. In the old church-yard in this place we find the 
name of Capt. John Wyman, an officer of the Revolu- 
tion, and one of the party who destroyed the tea in 
Boston Harbor in 1773. The population of Dummers- 
ton is 916. 

Veknon, originallj' called Hinsdale, was probablj- 
settled about the time of the erection of Fort Dummer 
bj' parties from Northampton and Northfield, Mass., 
who erected forts Bridgman and Sartwell, the latter 



standing as late as 1840. The town was organized 
before the Revolution. Population, 764. 

Wardsborough was settled in 1780, and organized as 
a town March 14, 1786. The present town, comprising 
the northern part of old Wardsborough, was organized 
in 1810. Lumbering and agriculture are the principal 
interests. Population, 866. 

Marlborough, settled in 1763 b}- Abel Stockwell 
from West Springfield, Mass., and Capt. Francis Whita- 
more * from Middletown, Conn., held its first town meet- 
ing May 8, 1776. Present population, G65. 

Dover was a part of Wardsborough until 1810. 
Population, 635. 

Windham was incorporated Oct. 22, 1795, and was 
organized soon after. Population, 544. 

Athens, settled in 1780, and organized March 4, 1781, 
was in early days the scene of several Indian alarms. 
Population, 295. 

Stratton, organized March 31, 1788, is a mountain 
town with a population of 294. During the presi- 
dential canvass of 1840 the "Log Cabin Convention" 
was held here and addressed b}' Daniel Webster. 

Brookline was set off from Putiiej' and Athens in 
1794 and organized in March, 1795. Population, 203. 

Somerset, the smallest town in the county, was organ- 
ized Nov. 19, 1792. Population, 80. 



■WIIS^DSOE COUE^TY. 



BY WILLIAM E. GRAVES, ESQ. 



Long years had passed since the titled Frenchman 
who gave his name to Lake Champlain first saw, in 1609, 
the land which he never visited, and of which Windsor 
Countj' forms a part, — a land of luxuriant forests unsur- 
passed in densitj-, where the white-pine and the sugar- 
maple find their most congenial soil, in the native home 
of the evergreen spruce and fir, which first suggested the 
name of Verd Mont. 

Of the 14 counties in this Green Mountain State, 
Windsor and Windham, in the south-eastern part, occupy 

• The wife of Capt. Whitamore, a woman of remarkable fortitude and 
of vigorous constitution, was nurse, physician and midwife of all the 
, country round. She assisted at two thousand births without losing a 
' patient. 
I t The records show that the inhabitants of the " Grants " were not 



to-day nearl3' the same teri-itorj' that under the govern- 
ment of New York was known, — previous to the Amer- 
ican Revolution, and during a part of the last centurj', — 
hy the name of Cumberland Count3-. This countj" was 
the first established in Vermont, then called the " New 
Hampshire G rants, "f and probably received its name 
from Prince William, the Duke of Cumberland, who, in 
1746, met with distinguished success in opposing the 
rebels in Scotland. 

But not now, as then, are Vermont's river-towns bor- 

very obedient subjects to those New Yorkers who volunteered to rule 
over them. Soon after the Declaration of Independence at Philadelphia, 
July 4, 1776, the Green Mountain Boys concluded not to remain longer 
under the rule of any earthly government or nation, except their own, 
and, in 1791, Vermont became a sovereign State. — Demtng. 



HISTOEY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



dered with dense forests of noble pines, destined for 
His Majesty's nav\- ! Nor do Capt. John Burk's, or 
Maj. Eogers's rangers, — fit bodies of troops to rival the 
resobite Indian, — roam now as then, scouring the woods 
for scalps ; watching on mountain-tops for the smoke of 
Indian camp-fires ; fighting the savage with a S3'stem 
of finesse not inferior to his own cunning Indian artifice ; 
unsurpassed as marksmen ; and, as warriors, a foe whom 
the enemy might hate, but could not despise. 

Loaded with provisions for a month's march ; canying 
an excessivcl}- heavy musket, with correspondent ammu- 
nition ; and bearing the burden of a porter to do the 
duty of a soldier, these rangers sought the Indian trail 
over jagged hills and steep mountains, across foaming 
rivers and gi-avellj^-bedded brooks. Alert to prevent 
surprise at night, in summer the ground sufficed for a bed, 
and the clear skj^ or the- outspreading branches of some 
giant oak for a canopj- ; in winter, at the close of a 
wearj- march performed on snow-shoes, a few gathered 
twigs pointed the couch ■ made hard by necessity, and 
a rude hut served as a miserable shelter for the in- 
clemencj- of the weather. Were the night verj' dark and 
cold, and no fear of discoverj^ entertained, gathered 
around the blazing brush-heap thej- enjoyed a kind of 
satisfaction in watching the towering of its bright, forked 
flame, reheved bj- the dark background of the black 
forest ; or, encircling it in slumber, dreamed that their 
heads were in Greenland, and their feet in Vesuvius ! 

In sickness the canteen, or what herbs the forest 
afforded, furnished all medicine needed till the attain- 
ment of theii- object, — a string of scalps or a retinue of 
captives. Some of them had borne for manj- years the 
barbarities of the Indian, and were detennined to hunt 
him like a beast in his own native woods. Not a few 
j had seen father and mother tomahawked and scalped 
before their very ej'es ; and some, after spending their 
youth as captives in the wigwam, had returned, bringing 
[ with them a knowledge of the Indian modes of warfare, 
j and a buniing desire to exert that knowledge for the 
destruction of their teachers. Great were the dangers 
they encountered, arduous the labor they performed, 

• Hall's Hist, of Eastern Vermont, pp. 1-73. Reminiscences of the 
French Waa-, Concord, 1831 ; pp. 4, 5. "Rules for Ranging Service," 
in the Jounials of Maj. Robert Rogers, London, 1765; pp. 60-70. 
Hoyt's Indian Wai-s, pp. 266-268. 

t In the " Memoir of Gen. Stark," Concord, 1831, p. 180, it is said that 
in the spring of the year 1759, Capt. John Stark " was employed with 
two hundred rangers in cutting a road from Ticonderoga to Charles- 
town, N.H." 

t In 1765, the father of a family, — a mechanic by trade, — was absent 
the whole \nnt€r in the older settlements, earning something for the sup- 
port of his household. During the short, unpleasant days, and long, 
cheerless nights of this dieary season, the wife left at home saw no human 



eminent the service they rendered, and yet the ranger 
has seldom been mentioned but with stigma, and his 
occupation rarely named but with scorn and abuse.* 

Although the ranging service brought not the honor 
acquired in a regular or provincial corps, it was in this 
serv-ice, — so instructive in the details and minutia of 
Indian warfare, — that the mind of John Stark reccivcil 
its lessons of brave soldierj- and heroic daring, and his 
arm gained that strength which, during the Revolution, 
was so manfully exerted in defence of the liberties of his 
country on the field of Bennington, f [ 

But all this has passed away, and with it, many heart- 
rending exi^eriences of the sufferings of these frontier ! 
settlers, I who, defj-ing the perils of border-life, not only 
encountered hardships, but met them manfully. Seeking 
a home in the silent wilderness, where thej' were soon to 
found a State ; accustomed to hard labor and spare 
meals, the}- toiled nobl}- on, through hunger and thirst 
and famine, and the desolations of disease, quietly pur- 
suing their way with untiring industry ; with a zeal not ' 
to be quenched ; and with motives only less lofty than 
those which animated the handful of adventurers who 
braved the winter's storm on the ice-clad rock of Plym- 
outh. Who can teU how many a brave spirit, — of 
courageous man or heroic woman, — toiling on through 
want and sickness, neglected and forgotten, maj- have 
suffered and died alone, wasting away hke a name in the 
sand ! 

Working early and late to win a field from the forest 
b}' long -continued toil, a strange settler is seen from a 
distant hill-top piu'suing his toilsome task, — miles from 
anj- human habitation. All at once he is missing ! A 
few daj-s later he is found dead from disease, in his 
lowly cabin. Such cases are recorded in the history 
of Windsor County. How many maj- hate lingered and 
died alone, amid the rude snows of winter, in the gloom 
and savage wildness of the forest, "unknelled" save bj- 
the snarling wolf, — their only requiem the swaying of the 
forest-boughs moved bj- the moaning wind. 

Even thus — it is said — men and women die daily in 
crowded cities, where their names passing awaj- from 

being but her little daughter. Her hands were not employed in per- 
forming simply the lighter duties of the household, but, to supply her fire ! 
with fuel, she felled the trees of the forest, and on the twigs -n-hich the j 
branches afforded she supported her lirilc stock of cattle. She procured | 
water for them, and for herself and daughter, by melting snow, —it be- j 
ing easier than to seek for springs through the deep drifts. In this way | 
she spent the winter, and although licr sufferings were occasionally 
severe, yet constant employment left her little time for unavailing com- 
plaint. She was an excellent nurse and midwife, — on one occasion trav- 
elling in the night six miles through the woods, upon snow-shoes, keep- 
ing the path by the assistance of blazed trees. She died at the advanced 
age of 87 years. 



record and recollection, are never known ! But, alas, 
for death in the desert — be3-ond the sound of human 
voice, save its own echoes, that make the solitude more 
lonelj' ; and where, beside the rush of waters and the 
sighing wind, no sound startles the ear but the rustling 
of the squirrel, the flitting of a bird, or the deer's quick, 
crackling tread ! No more planting, sowing and reap- 
ing his scanty harvest ! No more struggling with the 
barren luxuriance of nature ! No more rising in the 
cold, dark, snowy winter mornings to his hopeless task 
of taming the forest, where he laid him down to rest in 
that dreamless sleep that knows no waking ! 

The romantic story of Pocahontas may enliven the 
early history of Virginia, but the lonel}- death of the 
northern frontier settler forms a sad recital in the annals 
of the earlj' chronicles of New England. 

Although earlj' visited and explored, a long time 
elapsed before Windsor County was settled to any. con- 
siderable extent. Nearly 50 miles long and 30 wide, 
this magnificent domain, with its peculiarly rich soil and 
agreeably uneven surface, covers 900 square miles of fer- 
tile land, having a range of slate passing through the 
western portion, where several quarries of excellent soap- 
stone have been opened, more especiallj- in Plj'mouth, 
Bridgewater, and Bethel. In the south is an abundance 
of excellent granite ; and in Plj'mouth, primitive lime- 
stone, which is extensively manufactured into lime. 
Garnets are found in many parts of the count3-, which 
was incorporated in Februarj', 1781. 

Lying southerl3' to the sun, on the eastern slope of the 
Green Mountains — between them and the Connecticut — 
whose stream winds its way through long reaches of rich 
meadow and distant mountain scenerj', — charming the ej-e 
alike with placid and with rapid waters, and separating 
Windsor from the counties of Grafton and Cheshire, in 
New Hampshire, — Orange Count}' bounds it on the north, 
Windham Count}' on the south, and Rutland County on 
the west. The White River runs across its northern part, 
Quechee River through its centre, and the Black River 
through the south, where some head branches of West 
and Williams rivers take their rise. Of the many pleas- 

• This town also has its Bloody Brook, foiling into the Connecticut, 
just below the bridge leading from Darlmouth College. The stream de- 
rives its name from a bloody battle fought here during the French war. 
Stone pots, arrows and human bones are frequently found in the Indian 
burying-ground in this place. 

Capt. Partridge's "American Literary, Scientific and Military Acad- 
emy," was established here in 1820, with pupils or cadets from nearly 
all the States in the Union. Subsequently, the principal part of the 
school was removed to Middletown, Conn., but was at length restored 
to Norwich (a small school having meantime kept possession of the 
building) , under the name of Norwich Uiyversity , by the act of Nov. 
6, 1834, with the insignia>of a regular college, although no definite term 



ant villages in this county, perhaps the most important 
are Royalton, Norwich, Windsor and Woodstock, — the 
latter near its centre, and the seat of justice. 

But few vestiges of the Indians now remain ; yet, as 
late as 1840, in several of the towns bordering on the 
banks of the Connecticut, stone mortars and pestles, 
white flint stones, heads of arrows, tomahawks, and 
bones buried in the sitting posture peculiar to the Indians, 
were occasionally found. Many }ears ago, large tracts 
of burned ground and ashes, — marks of long residence 
in old and extensive settlements — were discovered. The 
Iroquois, whose hunting-grounds were west of the Green 
Mountains, seldom wandered to this part of the State ; 
but there are many indications that the aborigines had a 
home here for centuries, — before America had been lifted 
above the mystery of the great Western Ocean. 

The first town granted by New Hampshire east of the 
Green Mountains, after the close of the French war, was 
Hartford, incorfDorated July 4, 17G1. In the summer of 
17G4, Elijah, Solomon and Beuiijah Strong emigrated 
with their families from Lebanon, Conn., and made the 
first permanent settlement. They were followed during 
the next year by 12 other families, and in 17G8 a town 
government was regularly organized. The first child 
born in town was Roger, son of Ebenezer Gillett, in 
1767. On the same day and date, July 4, 17G1, was 
incorporated Norwich,* by the name of "Norwhich."t 
During the two following years, Jacob Fenton, Ebenezer 
Smith and John Slafter, from Mansfield, Conn., built a 
camp and began improvements. There were at this 
time, two men in Hanover, and a small settlement in 
Lebanon, both towns lying opposite in New Hampshire. 
Smith and Slafter left Fenton at the camp, while they 
went to Lebanon to help hoe corn. Upon returning on 
Saturday evening they found Fenton dead. A monu- 
ment was erected over his grave. In 17GG, a saw-mill 
was built by the Burtons, a little west of Norwich Plain. 
The first town meeting was held in 17G8. 

Near the centre of the western side of Windsor 
County lies Plymouth,} chartered in 17G1, by the name 
of " Saltash," changed to Pl}'mouth in 1707. The town- 
was prescribed in which to complete a course of study, students being 
admitted to honors upon passing a satisfactory examination. This went 
into oper.ation in May, 1835. It has never been practically regarded as 
among colleges of the first r.ank. Its first president was Capt. Aldcn 
Piirtridgc. His successors have been Gen. T. B. Ransom, who died on 
the battle-field of Chepultapec; Gen. Henry S. Wheaton, and Kev. 
Edward Bourns, D. D. 

t Everybody pronounced it Norwich, and the superfluous "h" was 
eventually dropped without an act of the legislature. 

J The largest of the Plymouth caverns, situated near the foot of 
Mount Tom, in this town, was thoroughly explored by the late Prof. 
Zadock Thompson, the historian, in July, 1818. It contained seven 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



ship was re-granted bj' New York in 1772, but no settle- 
ments commenced till 1777, and the town was not or- 
ganized till ten j-ears later. A part of this township 
was set off to Shrewsbury in 1823. 

One of the richest farming-towns in the county is 
Ilartland,* originally granted in 1761, by the name of 
Hertford, f Manj' fine cattle roam over its hills and 
valleys on the west bank of the Connecticut, and 10,000 
sheep have been often seen grazing in its pastures. The 
rightful father of the town was Timothy Lull, who took 
his family from Dummerston, — where he had previously 
been living, — 50 miles up the Connecticut River in a log 
canoe, in 1763. He landed at the mouth of a beautiful 
stream which he called Lull's Brook, — the name by 
which it has ever since been known. His nearest neigh- 
bors were more than 20 miles distant. Proceeding up 
the brook he came to a deserted log-hut, situated near 
the place now called Sumner's Village. Here he com- 
menced a settlement, and after acquiring a handsome 
propertj-, died at the age of 81. Timothy Lull, Jr., was 
the first child bom in the town. J The settlers who fol- 
lowed Mr. Lull were mostl}' from Massachusetts and 
Connecticut. In 1765, the number of inhabitants in the 



rooms, varying from 10 to 30 feet in length, the roofs of which, when 
discovered, were festooned with stalactites, and the floor with stalag- 
mites, which have been broken off and carried away. The rocks of the 
cavern are limestone, and it was probably formed by the removal of 
earth from among the rocks by water. This cave is visited by large 
numbers of persons during the summer season. Soapstone is found 
here ; also considerable quantities of iron-ore of a superior quality, 
which is smelted and cast into stoves, at the village called Tyson Fur- 
nace. 

* The follomng singular incident, — in all his personal experience the 
most peculiar, and of little interest, perhaps, to the general reader, — 
made a strong impression on the writer at the time of his first visit to 
Vermont, nearly 20 years ago : On a mission for the soldiers, during the 
war of the Rebellion, in the latter part of June, 1862, he first set foot in 
AV'indsor County, having left the county of Sullivan in a neighboring 
State early in the morning. The last call he made in New Ilampshu-e, 
before crossing the Connecticut, was one of inquiry at a scminaiy for 
young ladies, where he listened to a reading-exercise of the senior 
class, — a member of which had recited in the text-book a selection from 
Isaiah on the "Triumph of the Gospel," — the last paragi'aph com- 
mencing, " Thy sun shall no more go down," &c. The " perfect " June 
day gradually wore away, and closed with a gorgeous sunset, blazing 
through the trees and reddening the entire west ; while, as the shadows 
lengthened, the prophecy, " Thy sun shall no more go down," was con- 
tinually recalled to mind, and often repeated mentally, with the addi- 
tional query, " when " ? The answer came, — half an hour later, — when, 
on reaching Hartland, enveloped in fogs from the river, in the gloom of 
the evening, an eccentric stranger (possibly insane), in the garb of a 
professional man, of some sort, being asked, " What town is this, 
please ? " pausing for a moment as if to collect his scattered thoughts, at 
first glared wildly at the speaker, and then with a vacant far-off gaze,— 
such as the Seer might have assumed in addressing Lochicl, — responded 
somewhat loftily, but with great apparent solemnity, — " We shall com- 
prehend it when we know how the morning stars sang together ! " 
Bidding the man " good-night," with thanks but leaving him in "pos- 



town was 30. The first town-meeting was held in 1767. 
The first town clerk was William Sims, and the first 
representative was William Gallup, in 1778. 

In the centre of the uneven antl mountainous town- 
ship of Reading § is a church edifice, || built in 1816, 
owned bj' all denominations. Chartered by New Hamp- 
shire in 1761, and granted bj' New York in 1772, the 
town could boast of no inhabitants until the latter j'ear, 
when Andrew Spear with his family came here from 
Walpole, N. H., and were for five or six years the only 
residents. In 1778, John Weld came from Pomfret, 
Conn. A saw-mill was built in 1780, when the first 
town meeting was held, and Reading became a thriving 
settlement. Portions of the town of Hancock were 
annexed to Reading in 1831 and in 1837. 

The town of Pomfret — one of whose proprietors was 
Gen. Israel Putnam, of Pomfret, Conn. — was incorpo- 
rated in 1761. The first settlers, Bartholomew Durkee, 
with his wife and five children on foot, upon a snow-shoe 
path, drawing their furniture on a hand-sled, came here 
in 1770. The first minister of the town. Rev. Elisha 
Hutchinson, according to one historian, " had some sin- 
gularities about him." 1 The town organization of Pom- 



session of the road, the traveller pushed on to the first pnblic-honsc, 
where a cordial welcome caused him to forget the rebuff he had just 
encountered, and where the incident of the evening was afterwards satis- 
factorily explained, as one of the by no means uncommon hallucinations 
of a gifled college-bred man (then residing in the neighlxjrhood), and 
whose unfortunate propensity for brain-stimulants had already cost him 
the loss of a prominent goveniraent position abroad. At that time the 
humble visitor to Vermont little dreamed that he would ever be called 
upon to describe any part of the Green Mountain State ; although during 
the season he visited many of the towns in the leading counties, making 
his home in Windsor till late in the following spring. And now the ' 
philosophy that draws a moral from the smallest incidents in our lives, 
at once suggests how little we know of the future, — which is not for \ 
mortal eyes, — or, what we may do, or where we may be at the end of j 
the year, or twenty years hence I and the thought of this will sometimes 
recall the hour and the man, with his sti-ange answer, " We shall com- ) 
prchcnd it when we know how the morning stars sang together." I 

t Its similarity to Hartford, the adjoining town, caused the legislature 
to alter the name to Hartland, in 1782. 

X His birth took place in December, 1764, and on this occasion, " the 
midwife was drawn by the father from Charlestoivn, upon the ice, a dis- 
tance of 23 miles, upon a hand-sled." — Thompson's Vermont, Part III., 
p. S8. 

§ It is said that Captive Johnson (described under Cavendish) was bom 
in Ueading, Aug. 30, 1754, and the monument mentioned is in Reading. 

II No longer occupied as a house of worship, it is kept in repair by the 
town, and used for its meetings. 

H lie was preaching a sermon in Hartland, at a private house, and 
stood in the door-way delivering his discourse to an audience occupying 
the entry and the two adjoining rooms. While thus engaged, Lieut. | 
Gov. Spooncr entered. Pausing for a moment, the minister infoi-mcd , 
his hearers that he had " got about half through " his sermon, but as j 
Gov. Spooncr h.ad come to hear it, he would begin it again, and looking i 
at a woman near him, remarked, " Good woman, get out of that chair, . 
and let Gov. Spooncr have a seat, if you please." 



fi-ct commenced in 1733. John W. Dana, who came to 
I'orafrct about the year 1772, built the first grist-mill 

I upon a small stream falling into White River, and was 
the first town representative. 

Woodstock, the shire town of Windsor County, first 
chartered by New Hampshire in 17C1, was also granted 
ten 3"ears later b}' Kcw York, and a charter to that effect 
was issued in 1772, when the place had only 42 inhab- 
itants * ; but a town government was organized early 

I in the following j'ear, and in 1774, there were 14 fam- 
ilies in the township. James Sanderson, however, had 
previously settled herewith his family in 1768 Major 
James Hoisington was the first person who pitched his 
camp in that part of the town whore the village now is, 
which was in earlv times called the " Green." In 1770 
he built a grist-mill, and soon after a saw-mill, on the 

j south branch of the Quechee, near the spot where the 
count}' jail now stands. Previous to the erection of 
these, the inhabitants found the nearest grist-mill at 
Windsor, and sometimes had to go to Cornish, N. H. 
Dr. Stejihen Powers (grandfather of the famous sculp- 
tor), the first resident phj-sician, removed here from 
Middleborough, Mass., in 1774, and erected the second 
log-house in the village. During the Revolutionary war 
the progress of llie settlement was slow. There were 
scarcely' anj' inhabitants in the State to the north of this 
place, and the frequent alarms by reports of Indian 
invasions repeatedly caused the settlers to conceal their 
valuables in the woods. The ravages of wild beasts 
also compelled the people to guard their cattle and 
sheep by night. The settlement of this town came too 
late to give it a brilliant Revolutionar}- histor}-, or a 
prominent part in those conflicts occurring between the 
people of this and the neighboring province of New 
York. The legislature held a session here in 1807, — 
the first and only one ever held in Woodstock, that 
bod}-, since 1808, having been regularlj' convened at 

I Montpelier, the established capital of the State. In 
1811-12, the prevailing epidemic was quite fatal hero. 
On the west side of the Connecticut River, which scp- 

* In December, 177G, Lord Townshcnd and his associates petitioned 
Gov. Moore of New Yorlc for a grant of the township of Woodstock l)y 
the name of " Raynham Hall," promising to settle and cultivate it. The 
request appears to have been dismissed. — .V. F. Colonial MS S., Land 
Papers, Dec, 1766, vol. xxii. 

t Old MSS. in possession of Hon. William M. Tingry. 

X Tlicso falls, having a descent of 110 feet in an eighth of a mile, — 
50 of which are nearly perpendicular, — are regarded as one of the 
greatest curiosities of the State. The scenery around the village is also 
highly romantic and interesting. In some places, the channel tlirough 
which the river passes docs not exceed three yards in width, some of the 
way through a deep ravine, walled in by perpendicnlar ledges of miea- 
slato from 60 to 86 feet high. 



arates it from Charlestown, N. II., is Springfield, one of 
the best agricultural towns in the State, first chartered 
b}' Gov. Wentworth of New Hampshire iu 17C1. Among 
its first settlers were Simon (or Simeon) Stevens and 
Hon. Lewis R. Morris. Little is definitely known of 
the earliest town governments, but from conflicting 
statements it may be reasonably concluded that Spring- 
field was organized before 17C4.f Its principal village 
is situated at the falls \ on Black River. John Barrett 
was the first representative of tlio town in 1778. 

The lands now comprised in the township of Chester 
were granted in 1754 by the name of Flamstead. No 
settlements being made, this first New Hampshire grant 
was forfeited. A second charter hy the same province, 
issued in 1701, gave to the town the name of New 
Flamstead. Thomas Chandler, a selectman of Walpole, 
N. II., became interested in the settlement of New 
Flamstead in 1703, finallj' removed to that town, and in 
1760 became proprietor, by a third charter issued bj- 
New York, and the name of the town was changed to 
Chester. Under this patent the town was organized in 
1707, and by authority derived from it lands in Chester 
arc now held. The first birth in town was that of 
Thomas Chester Chandler, in 1073. Daniel, Amos and 
Prescott Ileald — father, son and grandson — held the 
office of town clerk during a period of 80 years, from 
1779. 

During the troubles of 1814, many of the young men of 
Andover enlisted in the army and served throughout the 
campaign. Chartered in 1701, the first permanent settle- 
ment in that town was made bj- Thomas Adams, § and 
eight or ten others in 1770, and the town was organized 
in 1780. The western half of Andover was, in 1779, 
incorporated, and in the following year organized as the 
town of Weston. 

The small triangular town of Baltimore was formerly 
a part of Cavendish, || set ott' in 1793, and organized in 
1794, — Cavendish having been granted bj- New Hamp- 
shire in 1761, re-granted by New York in 1772, and 
probably organized about 1781. Capt. John Coffein, at 



} Probably .incestor of the late Alviu Adams. 

II On one of their predatory excursions, during the French and Indian 
wars, the savages, having taken several prisoners in Charlestown, N.H., 
fled with them to Canada, and encamped, Aug. 30, 1754, within the 
limits of this town, where one of the captive women, — a Mrs. Johnson, 
— gave birth to a daughter. The Indians compelled her to take up her 
line of march over the Green Mountains, a distance of 200 miles, to 
Canada. The daughter was named " Captive," in commemoration of 
the circumstances of her birth. Captive Johnson was afterwards the 
wife of Col. George Kimball of Cavendish. Upon the north bank of 
Knapp's Brook in the town of Reading, beside the road running from 
Springfield to Woodstock, stands a monument commemorative of the 
events above recorded. 



HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



whose hospitable dwelling the Eevolutionarj' soldiers re- 
ceived refreshments while passing from Charlestown, 
N. H., to Lake Champlain, was the first settler in this 
wilderness. Hawks' Mountain* separates the town from 
Baltimore. 

Situated near the highest elevation of the Green 
Mountain range, — about 1 ,000 feet above the level of 
the sea, — is Ludlow, which, after receiving its charter in 
1761, remained unsettled for more than 20 j'ears, when 
James Whitney moved here from Massachusetts, and 
settled on what is called North Hill. In 1835 a Univer- 
salist Society was formed, — -greatly' prospering under 
the charge of Rev. J. Hemphill, through whose influence 
repentance and baptism were made pre-requisites of 
membership in that church. 

The town of Bethel was at first granted by the govern- 
ment of New York to a company of men, most of whom 
were Tories, and who, at the commencement of the 
Revolution, sought safety bj' flight. Its charter of 1779 
was the first issued by the government of Vermont, — 
the town being settled in the fall of that j'ear, and or- 
ganized in 1782 and again in 1790. Joel Marsh was the 
first representative, and the first town clerk was Barnabas 
Strong. 

The first permanent settlement commenced in Windsor 
was bj- Capt. Steele Smith, who moved here, with 
his famil}-, from Farmington, Conn., in 17G4. Solomon 
Emmons and his wife f are, however, entitled to the 
honor of being the first persons in the place, Capt. Smith 
finding them here on his arrival. Chartered bj- New 
Hampshire in 1761, Windsor was afterwards granted by 
New York in 17G6, and re-granted bj' the same province 
in 1772. The place was rapidlj- settled, soon organized, 
and at an early period became one of the most flourishing 
and popular villages on the " Grants." In 1777, the 
State Constitution was adopted and ratified in this town. 
In 1848, Windsor was, for the second time, di\ided into 
two townships, the west part being incorporated, and in 
1849 organized as the town of West Windsor. 

In the year 1780 there were about 300 persons in 
Ro}-alton, and the* place was very thriving. But the}- 
had hardly secured their harvest when they received 

• It derives Us name from Col. Hawks, who, during the French and 
Indian wars, encamped thereon, for a night, with a small regular force, 
among whom was General (then Captain) John Starli. Traces of their 
route arc still to be seen. 

t Mrs. Emmons was the first, and for sometime the only white woman 
who resided in the town. Slie was an excellent midwife, — the only one 
for many miles around. During the latter part of her life she was sup- 
ported by the town. Her death occuri-ed in the year 1S33. 

t In a house first approached by the Indians two women, suddenly 
awalsened by the Indians, rushed out of the doors, deshabille, and stood 
motionless till the Indians brought them their clothes. This act of 



a hostile visit from the Indians, and the settlement was 
laid in ashcs.| New York gave the place a charter in 
1771, and Vermont in 1781. The town was probably 
organized about 1774 or '75. Benjamin Parkhurst, one 
of the first settlers, died in 1842 at the advanced age of 
97 years. His family were noted for longevity. 

The township of Weathersfield granted to Gideon 
Lyman and others, mostly from New Haven, Conn., in 
1 761, was re-granted to the same parties bj- the governor 
of New York, in 1772, and a town government was formed 
in 1778 ; and Rochester, incorporated in 1781, was organ- 
ized in 1788: Stockbridge, chartered in 1761, was first 
settled in 1784-5, its first organized town meeting being 
held in 1792. Hon. Elias Kej-es built the first grist-mill 
in 1786. 

So elevated is the town of Barnard that the sound 
of the cannon fired at Bunker Hill, June 17, 1775, was 
distinctlj- heard in that place, although over 100 miles 
distant. Gov. Wentworth gave the town its charter in 
1761. It was organized in 1778. The township of 
Bridgewater was also chartered in 1761. Its settlement 
commenced in 1780, and the town § was organized in 
1785. 

Possibly it maj- be worth mentioning that "Joe 
Smith," — the founder of the Mormons, — was born and 
spent his youthful days in Sharon, one of the northerly 
towns of Windsor County, chartered like most of them in 
1761. This town suffered with Ro3-alton from the Indian 
attack of 1780, — the savages when leaving town firing 
every building within sight, destroying cattle and laj'ing 
waste the crops. 

ToWTv'S. 

Woodstock, the seat of justice for AVindsor County, 
situated on the Quechee River and its branches, con- 
tains a population of about 3,000, and prides itself on 
its beautiful village of "Woodstock Green," the busi- 
ness centre of a large tract of country, and containing 
many handsome public and private buildings. Its county 
com't-house, built imder the supervision of Ammi B. 
Young, a native architect, is one of the most tasteful 
structures in New England. The annual term of the 

negative kindness restored their senses. They dressed themselves, col- 
lected the children and fled to the woods, while the savages plundered 
the house. At another place when one of the women had the boldness 
to reproach the Indians for destroying helpless women and children, — 
telling them tliat if they had the courage of wan-iors they would cross 
the river and go and fight men at the fort, — one of the Indians bore 
her remarks patiently, and only replied, "Squaw sliouldn't say too 
much ! " This quiet rebuke of the savage answered its purpose, and 
the woman remained silent. 

} In 1822, a living frog was taken from the earth, 26 feet below its 
surface, at a place about 30 rods from the river. 



Superior Court sits here iu February, and terms of tlic 
County Court occur in Ma}- and December. In the sum- 
mer months, with its wide-spreading elms and the goodl}' 
maples of its beautiful "park" iu full foliage, few vil- 
lages make a more agreeable impression. Five miles 
from the "Green" is South Woodstock, a neat and 
pleasant village containing the Green Mountain Liberal 
j Institute. Taftsville is also a busy place. Two news- 
papers, the " Vermont Standard" and " The Age," are 
published in Woodstock, which has a bank with a capital 
J of $60,000, one savings institution, a manufactory for 
scythes and axes, one for making carding-machines, 
straw-cutters and other articles of like description : a 
machine-shop, gunsmith's shop, establishments for mak- 
ing furniture, carriages, harnesses, trunks and leather ; 
a woollen-factory making dail}' about 500 yards of doc- 
skins, and grain and flour mills. 

Woodstock has been the residence or the native place 
1 of its full share of distinguished men. Here was 
I cradled and reared Hiram Powers, a man whose name 
j has become a household word among lovers of art, — 
I whose fame is his country's boast. His father was Ste- 
phen Powers, Jr., and his grandfather, Dr. Powers, one 
of the first settlers. He was born July 6, 1805. 

Hon. Titus Hutchinson, judge of the Supreme Court 
from 1825 to 1834, the last five of which he served as 
chief justice. He died Aug. 24, 1857. 

Hon. Charles Marsh, in his day the head of the Wind- 
sor County bar, and M. C, 1815-17. He died in 1849. 
Hon. George P. Marsh, formerlj- M. C, and minister 
I resident at Constantinople, was son of Hon. Charles 
: Marsh, and a native of this town. 

Hon. Jacob Collamer, a distinguished lawyer, was 

in 1833 a judge of the Supreme Court, continuing till 

1842, when he declined the office, serving as M. C. from 

1843 till 1849, when he was appointed postmaster-general 

of the U. S. by President Taylor. On the death of Gen. 

I Taylor in 1850, Judge Collamer resigned with the other 

members of the Cabinet ; and in 1854 was elected U. S. 

I senator. He received the degree of " Doctor of Laws" 

I from Dartmouth College and from the University of 

Vermont. 

Springi'ield, a flourishing town containing many fine 
farms, numbers -also about 3,000 inhabitants, and be- 
sides its rich lands and deep soil, has several mills and 
manufactories of various kinds at its central village. 
Some of the best Vermont horses have been reared in 
this town ; and, at one time, the production of sillv re- 
ceived considerable attention, more than 1,000 pounds of 
I cocoons having been produced in a year. The Rutland 
and Burlington Railroad touches the south-west corner of 



the town, which has six church edifices, 20 school dis- 
tricts, and a prosperous academj- called the Springfield 
Wesleyan Seminar}'. 

Hartford is watered by the White and Quechee 
rivers, affording the town many valuable mill-privileges, 
particularly at White River village and at the village of 
Quechee. The former is pleasantly situated about a 
mile from the mouth of the river, which is here crossed 
by a substantial bridge. Quechee village is situated 
around a considerable fall in Otta Quechee River, aliout 
five miles from its mouth. There are also two other vil- 
lages, called White River Junction and West Hartford. 
The population of the town is about 2,500, and its several 
villages contain numerous mills and manufacturing estab- 
lislimcnts of various kinds. The Vermont Central Rail- 
road passes through the town. 

Joseph ]\Iarsh, very prominent in the early history of 
the State, came here in 1772. He was a member of the 
convention of 1777, which drafted the first State Consti- 
tution ; was the first lieutenant-governor, holding the 
office several successive j-ears ; and was for a long time 
chief justice of the court for Windsor Count}'. 

Chester, a very pleasant town, with two handsome 
villages, and a population of more than 2,000, has good 
water-power and manufactories of various kinds, and is 
a great thoroughfare for travellers from the eastern part 
of New England to the Hudson River, near Troy, N. Y. 
The passage over the Green Mountains from Chester to 
Manchester is considered the best in this part of the 
State. 

Rev. Aaron Leland, prominent in polities and religion, 
from town clerk became representative, judge of the 
County Court, speaker of the House of Representatives, 
and lastly lieutenant-governor of the State. 

Daniel Hoald, who settled here in 177G, served in the 
Revolutionary army ; was in the battle at Concord 
bridge, and at Ticonderoga, and died here in 1833, in 
the ninety-fifth year of his age. 

Windsor, by the enterprise and wealth of its inhabit- 
ants, has become one of tiie most flourishing towns on the 
Connecticut River. It has a population of about 1,700, 
a court-house. State j)rison,* and an educational semi- 
nary ; two newspapers, — the " Vermont Chronicle" and 
the " Vermont Journal ; " a national bank, with a capital 
of $50,000 ; the Union Arms Company, manufacturing 
guns and machinery ; and other mills and factories 

Hon. Horace Everett and Hon. Jonathan H. Hubbard, 
— former members of Congress, — and the Hon. Carlos 



* The original prison, of stone, was built in 
building, 112 feet long, 40 feet wide, and four st 
confinement, was erected in 1830-32. 



9. An additional 
high, for solitary 



HISTOEY OF NEW ENGLAND. 



Coolidge, governor of the State in 1849 and 1850, are 
among the distinguished men of Windsor. The farm 
and country residence of the Hon. William M. Evarts, 
secretary of State of the United States, is also in 
Windsor. 

Ludlow is a mountainous town of 1,827 inhabitants, 
with excellent land for sheep and cattle. The village is 
verj' i^leasant, and the centre of considerable trade. Black 
River Academy in this town ranks with the first acad- 
emical institutions of the State. The remaining towns 
in the county are : Cavendish, containing a population of 
1,823, with the two flourishing villages of Proctorsville 
and Duttonsville, four large wooUen factories, iron- 
works, and other manufacturing establishments, — also 
the birthplace of Ryland Fletcher, late governor of Ver- 
mont, and of the late lion. Richard Fletcher, formerly 
member of Congress, and justice of the Supreme Court 
of Massachusetts: Bethel (1,818), a place of consider- 
able business, especially at the larger village of West 
Bethel, and having a bank with a capital of §50,000 : 
Hartland (1,711), with its valuable water-power and its 
fertile farms: Royalton (1,678), somewhat rough and 
mountainous, but an excellent grazing-town, whose agi-i- 
cultural products are considerable, and hav-ing a pleasant 
village and an academy: Norwich (1,640), rejoicing in 
some of the finest orchards in the State : Weathersfield 
(1,577), noted for wool-growing, whose meadows on 
Black River are rich and fertile, and whose fai-ms on the 
banks of the Connecticut are among the best in A'ermont : 



Rochester (1,445), with its tracts of excellent meadow, 
its pleasant village and busy trade : Plvmouth (1,285), 
well-known for the quantity and quality of its farm prod- 
ucts : Stockbridge (1,269), whose soil is better for 
pasturage than for tillage, and having a famous mill- 
privilege at the " Great Narrows :" Pomfret (1,251), a 
hilly grazing-town, 20 miles from Windsor, watered by 
the White and Quechee rivers: Barnard (1,209), ex- 
celled b}- few towns of its size in the yearlj- products of 
butter, cheese, cattle, sheep and wool : Bridgewater 
(1,141), abounding in excellent soapstone, and having 
manj' good mill-sites and fine inten'als on the river, 
its highlands also producing valuable crops : Sharon 
(1,013), traversed by the Vermont Central Railroad, 
and containing a handsome and flourishing AoUage, with 
mills f(jr the manufacture of woollen goods, paper, and 
other articles: Reading (1,012), with its several small 
streams tributarj' to the Quechee and Black rivers, its 
woollen- factor}' and excellent pasturage : Weston (931), 
whose inhabitants are principally engaged in farming : 
West Windsor (709), the business of whose people is 
wholly agricultural, — special attention being given to 
wool-growing: Baltimore (83), with twice that number 
of inhabitants 20 or even 60 years ago : and Andover 
(588), where was bom, June 16, 1894, the late Alvin 
Adams, leading partner in the wo rid- renowned firm of 
Adams & Co., whose lines of travel reach to the ends 
of the earth, and whose banking-houses and express- 
otflces are in all the great cities of America. 




INDEX 



Abbott Family, 495. 

Abington, 239. 

Abington, South, 240. 

Acton, 208. 

Acushnet, 124. 

Adams, Samuel, 50. 

Adams, John Quincy, 222. 

Adams, John, 58, 222. 

Adams, Town of, 103. 

Adams, Noi-th, 103. 

Addison County, 693. 

Addison County, grouped towns of, 701. 

Agawam, 175. 

Albany, Vt., 769. 

Alfred, 592. 

Allen, Ethan, 683, 702, 703, 707, 726. 

Allen, Ira, 685, 711, 722, 728. 

Alna, 532. 

Alton, 603. 

Amherst, N. H., 639. 

Amherst, Mass., 180. 

Amcsbury, 141. 

Ames, Fisher, 220. 

Andros, Sir Edmund, 42, 247, 313, 456, 501, 

551. 
Andrew, John A., 66. 
Androscoggin County, 464. 
Andover, Mass., 141. 
Andover, North, Mass., 146. 
Andover, Me., 542. 
Andover, N. H., 648. 
Andover, Ct., 387. 
Antrim, 641. 

Anti-slavery agitation, 64. 
Aroostook County, 470. 
Aroostook County, grouped 
Aroostook Wars, 471. 
Argall, 16. 

Arlington, Mass., 204. 
Arlington, Vt., 710. 
Ashfield, 159. 
Ashland, 206. 
Ashburnham, 281. 
Ashford, 396. 
Athol, 281. 
Attlcborough, 122. 
Augusta, 514. 
Avon, 497. 
Ayer, 208. 

B. 

Banks, Gen. N. P., 198. 
Bangor, 546. 
Bakcrsfleld, 746. 



i of, 473. 



Bartlett, Gen. ■William P., 66, 99. 

Barnstable, County of, 72. 

Barnstable, Town cf, 74, 81. 

Bamstead, 603. 

Barnet, 719. 

Barton, 769. 

Barrc, Mass., 281. 

Barre, Vt., 782. 

Barnum, P. T., 307. 

Barrington, K. I., 409. 

Barrington, N. H., 670. 

Bath, 560. 

Bedford, N. H., 640. 

Bclchcrtown, 183. 

Belknap County, 601. 

Bellingham, 230. 

Belfast, 570. 

Belmont, Mass., 208. 

Belmont, N. H., 604. 

Bellows Falls, Village of, 789. 

Bennington, County of, 702. 

Bennington, Battle of, 684, 705. 

Bennington, Town of, 707. 

Bennington, grouped to\vns of County, 711. 

Berkshire County, 87. 

Berkshire County, tabulated towns of, 107. 

Berkshire, Vt., 747. 

Berkley, 122. 

Berkeley, Dean, 428, 430. 

Bemardston, 159. 

Berlin, Vt., 782. 

Beriin, Ct., 328. 

Berwick, 592. 

Bethel, Me., 538. 

Beverly, 142. 

Billerica, 207. 

Biddcford, 586. 

Bjame, 9. 

" Black Snake " affair, 740. 

Blackstone, William, 241. 

Blaine, Hon. James G., 516. 

Blue Laws, 356. 

Blue Hill, Me., 508. 

Block Island, 431. 

Bowditch, Nathaniel, 137. 

Boxford, 147. 

Boutwell, Hon. George S., 204, 225. 

Boston, 242. 

Boston, South, 270. 

Boston, East, 271. 

Boston Massacre, 56, 252. 

Boston Tea Party, 253. 

Boston Port Bill, 253. 

Boston Elm, 258. 

Bolton, 386. 



Bowdoinham, 561. 

Boscawen, 647. 

Bozrah, 376. 

Braintree, Mass., 226. 

Braintree, Vt., 758. 

Brainerd, David, 346. 

Bradford, Vt., 757. 

Bradford, M.ass., 146. 

Bradford, William, 22. 

Bradstreet, Simon, 31. 

Brandon, 775. 

Brattleborough, 786. 

Brewer, 549. 

Bremen, 533. 

Brewster, 86. 

Briggs, Gov. George N., 103. 

Brighton, Mass., 269. 

Brighton, Vt., 738. 

Bridgeport, 306. 

Bridgewater, 238. 

Bridgewater. East, 239. 

Bridgewater, West, 240. 

Bridgton, 479. 

Bristol Coimty, Mass., 108. 

Bristol County, R. I., 403. 

Bristol, Ct., Town of, 325. 

Bristol, R. I., Town of, 414. 

Bristol, Me., Town of, 532. 

Bristol, Vt., Town of, 700. 

Brookfield, Mass., 281. 

Brookflcld, West, Mass., 287. 

Brookfield, Vt., 758. 

Brooklinc, 224. 

Brooklyn, Ct., 390, 394, 395. 

Brockton, 236. 

Brownell, Thomas C, 322. 

Brown, John, Col., 93, 95, 704. 

Brunswick, 481. 

Bryant, William Cullen, 185. 

Bucksport, 506. 

Buckland, 159. 

Buckfield, 539. 

Buckingham, William A., 294, 374. 

Bunker Hill, Battle of, 190. 

Bunker Hill Monument, 264. 

Uurke, 720. 

Burlington, 724. 

Burritt, Elihu, 324. 

BushncU, Rev. Horace, 322. 

Butler, Gen. Benjamin F., 194. 

Buxton, 591. 



Cabots, 11. 
Cabot, Vt., 783. 
Calais, Me., 580. 





800 


IXDEX. 




Calais, Tt., 783. 


Colrain, 159. 


Dresden, 532. 


Caledonia County, 711. 


Colt, Samuel, 322. 


Dudley, Thomas, 31. 


Caledonia County, grouped towns of, 721. 


Colchester, Conn., 372. 


Dudley, Joseph, 42, 220, 245. 


Camden, 527. 


Colchester, Yt., 728. 


Dukes County, 124. 


Cambridge, Yt., 75.5. 


Columbia, 384. 


Duramerston, 791. 


Cambridge, Mass. 


CoUamer, Hon. Jacob, 797. 


Dunbarton, 649. 


Canton, Mass., 227. 


Commonwealth Period, 58. 


Durham, Me., 469. 


1 Canton, Conn., 328. 


Connecticut, State of, 291. 


Durham, K. H., 670. 


Canonicus, 399. 


Connecticut Charter Troubles, 292, 312. 


Durham, Conn., 3.54. 


Canterbury, 391. 


Coos County, 616. 


Dustin, Mrs. Hannah, 642. 


Canaan, Me., 567. 


Coos County, grouped towns of, 616. 


Duxbury, 239. 


Candia, 654. 


Copley, John Singleton, 273. 


Dwight," Timothy, 180. 


Cape Cod, 72. 


Cohassct, 228. 




Cape Elizabeth, 481. 


Cortereal, 12. 




Cartier, 13, 739, 748. 


Cornish, N. H., 676. 


E. 


Carver, John, 22, 72. 


Cornwall, Conn., 699. 




Carroll County, 604. 


Corinth, Yt., 759. 




Carroll Countv, grouped towns of, 607. 


Coffin, Sir Isaac, 214. 


Eastham, 86. 


Castleton, 775. 


Covcntrj', R. I., 421. 


Easton, 122. 


Castin, Baron De, 4.56, 500. 


Coventry, Conn., 379, 3S0. 


Easthampton, 182. 


Castine, to«-n of, 507. 


Crandnli's School, Miss Prudence, 392. 


Eastford, 397. 


Centre Harbor, 604. 


Cromwell, 354. 


Eastport,581. 


Chatham, Mass., 84. 


Craftsbnry, 769. 


Easton, Theophilus, 291, 3.55, 358. 


Chatham, Conn., 351. 


Cumberland County, Mc., 473. 


Edwards, Rev. Jonathan, 91, 179, 329. 


Charlemont, 1-39. 


Cumberland County, grouped towns of. 


Edgecomb, 533. 


Channing, Kev. W. E.. 249. 


489. 


Edgartown, 127. 


Charlestown, Mass., 261. 


Cummington, 183. 


Effingham, 607. 


Charlcstown, R. 1., 446, 453. 




Eliot, Rev. John, 33, 35, 267, 268. 


Charlestown, N. H., 675. 




Ellsworth Family, 327. 


Charleston, Tt., 7C9. 


D. 


Ellington, 387. 


Chandler, Hon. Z., 640. 


Dalton, 106. 


Emigration to Connecticut, Hooker's, 34. 


Champlain, Samuel, 14, 72, 499, 648, 693, 


Damariscotta, 533. 


Emmons, Rev. Nathaniel, 221. | 


739. 


Danville, 719. 


Endicott, John, 28. 


Cheshire, Mass., 107. 


Danvers, 139. 


Enfield, Mass., 186. 


Cheshire County-, N. H., 60S. 


Danielsonville, 398. 


Enfield, Conn., 324. 


1 Cheshire County, grouped towns of, 615. 


Dartmouth, HI, 122. 


Enfield, N. H., 629. 


' Chesterfield, 615. 


Dark Day, 339, 451. 


.Enosburgh,746. 


Chester, K. H., 6-56. 


Davenport, Rev. John, 291, 3.55, 357, 358. 


Epping, 6-5.3. 


Chester, Yt., 797. 


Davenport, Abram, 309. 


Essex County, Mass., 131. 


Chehnsford, 206. 


Dawes, Hemy- L., 103, 185. 


Essex, Town of, 142. 


Chelsea, Mass., 297. 


Dedham, Mass., 224. 


Essex County, Yt., 729. 


Chelsea, Yt., 759. 


Deering, 482. 


Essex County, Yt., grouped towns of, 739. 


Cheever, Master, 263. 


Deerfield, N. H., 6.53. 


Everett, Edward, 65, 273. 


Cherryfield, 582. 


Deerfield, Mass., 153, 157. 


Everett, Town of, 206. 


China, 519. 


Deerfield, attack on, 149. 


Exeter, R. I., 447, 454. 


Chittenden County, 722. 


DeMonts, 14, 72, 499, 528, 576. 


Exeter,*N. H., 652. 


Chittenden County, grouped towns of, 729. 


Dennis, 83. 




t Chittenden, Gov. Thomas, 728. 


Derbv, Conn., 363. 




1 Chilmark. 129. 


Derby, Yt., 769. 


F. 


1 Chicopee, 172. 


Deny, 653. 


Fair Haven, Yt., 776. 


Church, Col. Benjamin, 123, 431. 


Dewev, Rev. Orville, 107. 


Fairhaven, 123. 


! Clinton, 282. 


Dewey, Chester, 107. 


Fairfield County, 299. 


Claremont, 675. 


Dexter, 550. 


Fairfield County, grouped towns of, 309. 


Connecticut, State of, 291. 


Difficulties with England, 41. 


Fairfield, Fort, 472. 


Conant, Roger, 28, 132. 


Difficnities with France, 46. 


Fairfield, Yt., Town of, 745. 


Confederacy, N. E., 38. 


Dighton, 122. 


Fairlec, 759. 


Congress, Continental, 56, 57. 


Dighton Rock, 122. 


Fairlec, West, 760. 


Congress, Provincial, 50. 


Dix, Gen. John A., 647. 


Fairfax, 744. 


Conway, Mass., 152, 159. 


Dorr's RebeUion, 402. 


Fahnonth, 83. 


1 Conwav, N. H., 606. 


Dorchester, 264. 


Falmouth, Me., 483. 


Concord, Mass., 204. 


Dorchester Adventurers, 27. 


Fall River, 113. 


Concord, N. H., 644. 


Dorset, 709. 


Faneuil Hall, 2-50, 251. 


Concord, Yt., 738. 


Douglas, Stephen A., 775. 


Farmington, Conn., 328. 


Court of Assistants, 30. 


Dover, Mass., 230. 


Farroington, Me., 496. | 


Coddington. -W-illiam, 31, 399, 400, 422. 


Dover, Mc., 5-53. 


Farmington, X.H., 670. 


Cobb, Gen. David, 121, 509. 


Dover, N. H., 660, 668. 


Fcssenden, Hon. Wm. Pitt, 647. 


Cotton, Rev. John, 33, 242, 245. 


Dracnt, 207. 


Fires in Boston, 242, 247, 248, 251, 254. 



Fitchbmg, 289. 

Fletcher, 745. 

Fort Griswold, Capture ol", 295. 

Forest Hills, 268. 

Foxborotigh, 229. 

Foxcroft. 554. 

Franklin County, JIiiss., 147. 

Franklin County, grouped towns ol', 160. 

Franklin County, Me., 490. 

Franklin County, Me., grouped towns of, 

498. 
Franklin County, Vt., 739. 
Franklin, Mass., Town of, 228. 
Franklin, Ct., Town of, 375. 
Franklin, N. H., To\™ of, 646. 
Franklin, Vt., Town of, 746. 
Frankfort, 575. 
Franccstown, 641. 
Franiingliani, 201. 
Freetown, 113, 123. 
Frceport, 484. 
Fr.vebnrg, 537. 

G. 

Gallaudet, Thos. H., 322. 

Gariliner, 516. 

Garrison, AVni. Lloyd, 64. 

Gaspee, Burning of the, 419. 

Gay Head, 129. 

Georgia, 745. 

Georgetown, Me., 561. 

Georgetown, Mass., 146. 

Gilmanton, 602. 

Gilford, N. II., 604. 

Glastonbury, 325. 

Glover, 769. 

Gloucester, 137. 

GolTstown, 638. 

Gomez, 12. 

Gorton, Samuel, 417. 

Gorham, 484. 

Gorges, Ferdinando, 583, 584, 593. 

Gosnold, Bartholomew, 13, 124. 

Gosnold, Town of, 130. 

Gouldsborough, 508. 

Grafton, Mass., 282. 

Grafton County, 624. 

Grafton County, grouped towns of, 630, 631. 

Grafton, Vt., 787. 

Grand Isle County, 748. 

Grand Isle County, Towns of, 751. 

Great Barrington, 103. 

Greenfield, 150, 167. 

Greene, Gen. Nathaniel, 419. 

Greenwich, K. I., East, 420. 

Greenwich, R. I., West, 422. 

Greenville, 641. 

Greene, 469. 

Green Mountain Boys, 683, 704. 

Greeley, Horace, 634, 775. 

Gridley, Gen. Richard, 220. 

Griswold, 372. 

Groton, Mass., 203. 

Grovcland, 143. 

Groton. Ct., 371. 

Guildhall, 737. 



Guilford, Vt. 
Guilford, Ct., 



362. 



H. 

Hadlcy, 183. 

Hadley, South, 181. 

Haddam, 352. 

Haddam, East, 352. 

Hale, Nathan, 294, 380. 

Hallowcll, 517. 

Halifax, Vt., 788. 

Hamilton, 147. 

Hampden County, 160^. 

Hampden County, grouped towns of, 175. 

Hampden, Me., 547. 

Hampshire County, 175. 

Hampshire County, grouped towns of, 175. 

Hamlin, Hannibal, 547. 

Hampton, 655. 

Hancock, John, 56, 68, 222. 

Hancock County, Me., 499. 

Hancock County, grouped towns of, 510. 

Hancock, N.H., 041. 

Hanover, N. H., 630. 

Harvard, Rev. John, 34, 262. 

Harvard College, 34. 

Hartford Convention, 61, 316. 

Hartford County, 311. 

Hartford Countj-, grouped towns of, 329. 

Hartford, City of, 318. 

Hartford, East, 326. 

Hartford, West, 329. 

Hartford, Vt., 797. 

Harpswell, 485. 

Haidwick, Vt., 720. 

Harwich, 84. 

Hatfield, 184. 

Haverhill, Mass., 137. 

Haverhill, N. H., 629. 

Hawley, Gen. Joseph R., 297, 317, 3J3. 

Hawes, Dr. Joel, 323. 

Hayes, Rutherford B., 127 

Heath, Gen. Wm., 220. 

Hebron, Ct., 380. 

Hebron, Me., 541. 

Henniker, 648. 

Higginson, Francis, 29. 

Highgate, 745. 

Hillsborough County, 631. 

Hillsborough County, grouped towns ul', 

641. 
Hillsborough, Town of, 638. 
Hinsdale, N. H., 615. 
Hinsdale, Mass., 107. 
Hinckley, Gov. Thomas, 42, 76. 
Hinghani, 237. • 
Hiram, 541. 
HoUiston, 204. 
Hollis, 640. 
Holbrook, 229. 
Houlton, 472. 
Holidays, Pastimes and Customs, 44, 441, 

448, 475, 487. 
Holyoke, 171. 
Hoosac Tunnel, 97. 

Hooker, Rev. Thomas, 33, 34, 291, 312, 321. 
Hooksett, 648. 



Hopkinton, Mass., 202. 
Hopkinton, R. I., 447, 453. 
Hopkinton, N. H., 647. 
Hopkins, Samuel, 92, 362. 
Hopkins, Dr. Mark, 106 
Howard, Gen. O. O., 46S. 
Hudson, Henry, 14, 72. 
Hudson, Mass., 204. 
Hudson, N. II., 640. 
Huntington, 184. 
Hutchinson, Anne, 36. 
Hutchinson, Thomas, 273. 
Hyde Park, Mass., 220. 
Hyde Park, Vt., 755. 

T 

Indians ; 

Abenaquis, 722. 

Anasagunticooks, 537. 

Iroquois, 693, 748. 

Kennebec, 519, 531, 562. 

Mashpee, 75. 

Massachusetts, 108. 

Mohcgans, 87, 89, 388. 

Narragansetts, 108, 243, 442. 

Norridgewocks, 491, 662, 563. 

Nipmucks, 275, 387, 616. 

Praying, 35. 

Pequots, 299, 243, 301. 

Pequakett, 536. 

Penobscot, 458. 

Pennaeook, 642. 

Passamaquoddy, 677. 

St. Francis, 698, 616, 617, 711, 734. 

Tarratincs, 458, 524, 543, 546, 548. 

Walibaquasselts, 388. 

Wampanoags, 22, 108, 404. 
Indian Stoekbridge Mission, 89. 
Ipswich, 144. 
Irasburg, 769. 
Isles of Shoals, 5S9. 
Islesborough, 576. 



Jamestown, R. I., 431 
Jamaica, 788. 
Jefferson, .^33. 
Johnson, Isaac, 531. 
Johnson, Vt., 755. 



Keene, 610, 614. 
Kcnnebunk, 590. 
Kenncbunkport, 591. 
Kennebec Comity, 511. 
Kennebec County, groui>cd towns 
Kent County, 417. 
Kent's Hill, 520. 
Killingly, 395. 

King Philip, 39, 73, 123, 406, 446. 
Kingston, Mass., 240. 
Kingston, N. H., G56. 
Kingstown, 44.). 
Kingstown, North, 462, 4,54. 
Kingstown, Soutli, 4.t3. 
Kittery, 688. 



802 


INDEX. 






Knox, Gen. Henry, 273, 526. 


Mansfield, Ct., 377. 


Montville, Me., 574. 




Knox County, 521. 


Manchester, Ct., 325. 


Montgomery, 747. 




Knox County, grouped towns of, 52S. 


Manchester, Mass., 144. 


Montpelier, 777. 






Manchester, N. IL, 635. 


Montpclier, East, 783. 




L. 


Manchester, Vt., 708. 


Morse, Samuel F. B., 273. 




Laconia, 604. 


Mann, Horace, 64, 05, 221. 


Morton, Gov. M.ircus, 131. 




Laneaster, N. 11., CIS, 622. 


Marshfield, Vt., 783. 


Morristown, 755. 




Lancaster, Mass., 283. 


Marshficld, Mass., 240. 


Moretown, 782. 




Langdon, John, COO, C52. 


Marblehead, 138. 


Moultouborough, COO. 




Lamoille County, 751. 


Marll)orough, 198. 




i 


Lamoille County, grouped towns of, 7CG. 


Martha's Vineyard, 124. 


N. 


! 


La Tour, 57G. 


Massachusetts, State of, IS. 


Kihant, 145. 




Lawrence, 1.34. 


Massachusetts Bay .Colony, 26. 


Nantucket County, 209. 




Lawrence Family, 203. 


Massachusetts, first seltlcment of, 27. 


Nantucket, Town of, 209. 




Lee, 104. 


Massachusetts, General Court of, 22. 


Nashua, C36. 




Lee, N. H., C70. 


Massachusetts, Constitution of, 58. 


Natick, 109. 




Lee, Rev. Jesse, 250. 


Massasoit, 22, 108, 404, 405. 


National Constitution, adoption of, 59. 




Ledyard, John, 371. 


Massacre, " Bloodv BrooU," 132, 1 !8. 


Nccdham, 226. 




Ledyard, Col. William, 371. 


Mashpee, 86. 


New England, council for, 27. 


j 


Lcdyard,375. 


Mason, 641. 


Newport, Vt., 769. 




Leeds, 468. 


Mason, John, 455, 503, 504. 


Newport, N. 11., 675. 


i 


Lebanon, X. II., C20. 


Mason, Capt. John, 291, 312, 343, 365, 370. 


Newport County, R. I., 422. 




Lebanon, West, G29. 


Mather, Rev. Richard, 265. 


Newport " Old Stone .Mill," 11, 428. 




Lebanon, Ct., 373. 


Mather, Rev. Increase, 33. 


Newport, City of, 422. 




Lenox, 105. 


Mather, Rev. Cotton, 33. 


New Hartford, 340. ' 


j 


Leominster, 283. 


" Mayflower," 17, 19, 72. 


New Haven Coimty, 354. 




Lcwiston, 465. 


Maynard, 208. 


New Haven County, grouped town. 


of. 


Lexington, 206. 


Maysville, 473. 


365. 




Lexington, Battle of, ISO. 


Mayhew, Rev. Jonathan, D2. 


New Haven Colony, 355. 




Litcbfield County, 330. 


Maverick, Samuel, 271. 


New Haven, Ct., 361. 




Litchfield County, grouped towns of, 341. 


Medford, 200. 


New Haven, Vt., 699. 




Litchfield Law School, 333. 


Medw.iy, 227. 


New London County, 365. 




Litchfield, 340. 


McdUeld,-229. 


New London, Town of, 366. 




Lisbon, Ct., 376. 


Melrose, 204. 


New Hampshire, 593. 




Lisbon, Me., 465. 


Meredith, C03. 


New Hampton, 603. 




Lisbon, N. H., 629. 


Merrimack, N. H., 040. 


New Bedford, 115. 




Lincoln Coimty, 528. 


Merrimack County, C42. 


New Britain, 323. 




Lincolnvillc, 573. 


Merrimack County, grouped towns of, 040. 


New Milford, 338. 




Little Compton, 431. 


Mcrrimac, Mass., 146. 


New Gloucester, 486. 




Littleton, N. U., C29. 


Methucn, 145. 


New Sharon, 498. 




Livermore, 467. 


Miantonomo, 244, 399. 


New Ipswich, 639. 




Livermore, East, 460. 


Middlesex County, Mass., 187. 


New Boston, 640. 




London Company, 14. 


Middlesex County, grouped towns of, 208. 


New Durham, 671. 




London Merchants' C.iupanv, 24- 


Middlesex County, Ct., 312. 


New Market, 653. 




Londondcrn-, N. U., C55. 


Middlesex County, grouped towns of, 351. 


New Sweden, 472. 




Londondeny, Vt., 7SS. 


Middlesex, Vt., Town of, 7S3. 


Newbury, Vt., 760. 




Loudon, 648. 


Middlebury, G98. 


Newbury, Mass., 145. 




Lowell, Mass., 191. 


Middlefield, 354. 


Newbur}-, AVcst, 146. 




Lunenbnrgh, Vt., 738. 


Middleborough, Mass., 236. 


Ncwbuiyport, 138- 




Ludlow. Vt., 708. 


Middlcton, Mass., 147. 


Newfane, 788. 




Lubcc, 582. 


Middlcton, N. H., 671. 


Newton, 197. 




Lynn, 135. 


Middlctown, Ct., 349. 


Newcastle, 532. 


1 


Lrndcl>orough, 641. 


Middletown, R. I., 430. 


Newman, Rev. Samuel, 111. 




Lynnficld, 146. 


Milford, Mass., 283. 


Nobleborough, 533. 




Lyndon, 718. 


Milford, Ct., 363. 


North Haven, 363. 




Lyme, 374. 


Milford, N. II., G37. 


Northport, 575. 




Lyme, East, 374. 


Milton, Mass., 228. 


Northwood, 655. 




Lyme, Old, 375. 


Milton, N. IL, 670. 


Northfleld, Vt., 780. 




M. 


Mills Family, 339. 


Northfield, Mass., 158. 




Mill River Disaster, 177. 


Northampton, 178. 




Machias, 578. 


Milo, 554. 


Norfolk County, 210. 




Machias, East, 588. 


Minot, 465. 


Norfolk, Town of, 230. 




Madlmry, 671. 


Monson, 173.. 


Nonvood, 230. 




Madrid, 498. 


Monroe, 154. 


Norwalk, 307. 




Maine, State of, 4-55. 


Montague, 154, 158. 


Norton, 123. 




Maiden, 198. 


Monhegan, 529, 530. 


Norse Discoveries, 9. 




Mansfield, Mass., 123. 


Montville, Ct., 372. 


Nonvich, 368. 





Norway, 638. 
Norombega, 549. 
Norridgewock, 365, 367. 
Nott, Rev. Samuel, 376. 
Nottingham, 656. 



Oak Bluffs, 128. 

Occam, Kev. Saiiipsoii, 373, 385. 

Old South, 249, 257. 

Old Saj'brook, 353. 

Old Town, Me., 548. 

Orange Countj-, Vt., 756. 

Orange, Town nf, 760. 

Orange, Mass., Town of, 158. 

Orland, 509. 

Orleans, Mass., 86. 

Orleans County, Vt., 764. 

Orleans County, grouped towns of, 769. 

Orono,548. 

Orrington, 549. 

Orwell, 699. 

Ossipee, 605. 

Otis, James, 50, 52, 77, 79, 81. 

Otis, Harrison Gray, 273. 

Oxford, Mass. , 283. 

Oxford County, Me., 536. 

Oxford County, grouped towns of, 542. 



Paine, Robert Treat, 121. 

Palmer, 174. 

Parker, Theodore, 64, 268. 

Parkraan, 555. 

Paris, 539. 

Peabody, Town of, 143. 

Peabody, George, 143. 

Peacham, 720. 

Pelham, N. H., 641. 

Pembroke, N.H., 647. 

Pembroke, Me., 581. 

Pemaquid, 529, 530, 531, 532, 557. 

Penobscot County, 543. 

Penobscot County, grouped towns of, 5)0. 

Penobscot, Town of, 509. 

Penalties, Colonial, 35, 75. 

Pepperell, 207. 

Pepperell, Sir William, 589. 

Peterborough, 637. 

Persecutions, religious, 36. 

Pcquot war, 39, 244, 291, 312, 343, 3G5. 

Phip^l.urg, 5G0. 

Phips, Sir AVilliam, 43, 532. 

Phillips, 498. 

Phillips, Wendell, 64. 

Pilgrims, landing of, 20. 

Pilgrims' Compact, 24, 72. 

Piscataquis County, 551. 

Piscataquis County, grouped towns of, 555. 

Pittsfield, N. H., 648. 

Pittsfield, Mass., 100. 

Pittsford, 776. 

Pittston, 518. 

Plainfield, Ct., 390. 

PlaiiiHcld, Vt., 783. 

Plainfield, N. H., 676. 



Plymouth County, 231. 

Plymouth County, smaller towns of, 241.- 

Plymouth, Town of, 237. 

Plymouth, N. H., 630. 

Plymouth Company, 14. 

Plymouth, Council of, 17. 

Plymouth Colony, 18. 

PlymoulU Rock, 20. 

Poland, 468. 

Pomfret, 393. 

Pool, Elizabeth, 108. 

Popham, Lord John, 15. 

Popham, George, 15. 

Popham, or Sagadahoc settlement, 15, 529, 

556. , 

Portsmouth, N. H., 650. 
Portsmouth, R. I., 430. 
Portland, Me., 474. 
Portland, Ct., 351. 
Poultney, 775. 
Powers, Hiram, 797. 
Pownal, Vt., 710. 
Preston, 374. 
Presque Isle, 472. 
Pring, Martin, 13, 15, 72. 
Princeton, 283. 
Prospect, 571. 
Providence County, 433. 
Providence County, Towns of, 444, 445. 
Province Charter, 42. 
Provincial Religion, 49. 
Provincial Governors, 44. 
Provincial Period, 43. 
Provincial Politics, 50. 
Provincial Congress, 56. 
Provincial Contests with the Crown, 50. 
Provineetown, 84. 
Progress in Massachusetts, 68. 
Puritans, 26. 
Putney, 788. 
Putnam, Town of, 397. 
Putnann Gen. Israel, 294, 302, 394. 

Q- 

Quaker Troubles, 37, 75, 245. 
Qiiincy Family, The, 223. 
Quincy, Town of, 225. 

R. 

Randolph, Mass., 227. 
Randolph, Vt., 761. 
Rangeley, 498. 

Raslc, Sebastian, 457, 558, 563. 
Raymond, 656. 
Raynham, 123. 
Reading, 205. 
Readficld, 520. 
Regicides, 177, 292, 359. 
Revolution, Rise of the, 53, 579. 
Revolution, the War of, 56. 
Revere, 272. 
Rehoboth, 110, 123. 
Rhode Island, State of, 399. 
Rhode Island, Battle of, 425. 
Richmond, Me., 561, 617. 



Richmond, R. I., 447, 454. 
Richardson, Gen. I. B., 743. 
Richford, 747. 

Robinson, Rev. John, 19, 73. 
Rockport, 145. 
Rockland, Mass., 239. 
Rockland, Me., 526. 
Rockingham County, G50. 
Rockingham County, gronpi 

657. 
Rockingham, Vt., Town of, 71 
Rochester, N. 11., 069. 
Rochester, Mass., 241. 
Rogers' Rangers, 598, 792. 
Rollinsfurd, 670. 
Rowley, 145. 



Rox 



,267. 



Roxhury, West, 268. 
Royalston, 288. 
Roycc, Stephen, 742. 
Rumford, Count, 199, 646. 
Rumford, 540. 
Rupert, 710. 
Rutland County, 770. 
Rutland County, grouped ( 
Rutland, Vt., 772. 
Rutland, Mass., 284. 
Rye, 657. 



Sagadahoc County, 555. 

Sagadahoc County, gi-ouped towns of, 562. 

Salem, N. H., 654. 

Salem, Mass., 136. 

Salem, Ct., 376. 

Salem Witchcraft, 132. 

Salisbury, Mass., 143. 

Salisbury, N. H., 648. 

Salisbury, Ct., 340. 

Saltonstall, Sir Richard, 31. 

Samosct, 404. 

Sandwich, Mass., 74, 82. 

Sandwich, N. H., 605. 

Sangervillc, 554. 

Sanbornton, 603. 

Sargent, Lucius M., 273. 

Sassacus, 244. 

Saugus, 144. 

Saxe, John G., 743, 745. 

Schools, Common, 34. 

Scituate, 240. 

Seabrook, 654. 

Searsmont, 574. 

Sebec, 554. 

Sedgwick, John, 341. 

Sedgwick, Theodore, 93. 

Seekonk, 124. 

Separatists, 378, 391. 

Scwall, Samuel, 273. 

Shaw, Robert G., 66. 

Shays' Rebellion, 58, 97, 164, 191, 276. 

Sharon, Mass., 230. 

Sharon, Ct., 340. 

Shaftsbury, 709. 

Shcpard, Rev. Thomas, 263. 

Shepard, Rev. Thomas, Jr., 263. 



Sherman, Roger M., 310, 339. 
' Sherborn, 208. 
Sheffield, 107. 
I Shelbume, Mass., 159. 
I Shelburne, Vt., 727. 
Sheldon, Vt., 746. 
Shirley, 207. 
Shoreham, Vt., 700. 
Shoreham, New, R. I., 431. 
Shrewsbury, 284. 
Simsbniy, 329. 
Sigoumey, Mrs. L. II., 322. 
Skowhegan, 565, 566. 
Slavery in Massachusetts, 62. 
Slavery, 448, 586. 
Slave Trade, 426. 
Smith, Capt. John, 16, 72. 
Smith, Hon. John G., 743. 
Somerset County, 562. 
Somerset County, gi-ouped towns of, rvjT. 
Somerset County, Mass., 123. 
Somerville, Mass., 196. 
Somerville, Me., 533. 
Somers, 381. 
Somcrsworth, 668. 
, Southampton, 184. 
■ Southbridge, 284. 

Southborongh, 287. 
j Southington, 324. 
I Southport, Me., 533. 
I Spencer, 284. 
! Springfield, Mass., 170. 
Springfield, West, Mass., 173. 
Springfield, Vt., 797. 
Sprag-.ie, 372. 
I Stamp Act, 52. 
, Stamp Act Riots, 251. 
.■^tandish, Miles, 22, 72. 
Stark, Gen. John, 96, 684, 7a5. 
Starks, Town of, 567. 
Stamford, 308. 
Stafford, 379. 
St. Albans, 744. 
St. Albans Raid, 741. 
Sterling, 288. 
Stiles, Rev. Ezra, 363. 
St. George, Me., 527. 
St. Johnsbury, 717. 
Stockbridge, 105. 
Stoddard, Col. John, 179. 
Stowe, Vt., 755. 
I Stowe, Mass., 207. 
Stoneham, 202. 
Stoughton, 227. 
Stoughton, Gov., 265. 
Stone, Rev. Samuel, 33, 34, 312. 
Stonington, 370. 
Stonington, North, 375. 
Stockton, 573. 
j Strafford County, 657. 
; Strafford, N. H., Town of, G71. 
I Strafford, Vt., 761. 
j Strong, Gov. Caleb, 179. 
Sturbridge, 285. 
Stuart, Gilbert, 428. 
Sudbury, 206. 
Suffield, 326. 



Suffolk County, 241. 

Sullivan County, 671. 

Sullivan County, grouped towns of, 676. 

Sumner, Charles, 66, 273. 

Sunderland, 711. 

Surrey, 509. 

Sutton, 285. 

Swanzey, N. II., 615. 

Swansea, Mass., 112, 124, 408. 

Swampscott, 145. 

Swanton, 744. 



Tamworth, 606. 

Taunton, 118. < 

Temple, 497. 

Templeton, 287. 

Tewksbury, 207. 

Thanksgiving, 22. 

Thetford, 762. 

Thompson, 395. 

Thomaston, 527. 

Thomaston, South, 527. 

Thorstein, 10. 

Thorfiun, 10, 11. 

Thorwald, 10. 

Tilton, 604. 

Tisbury, 128. 

Tiverton, 431. 

Todd, Rev. John, 103, 774. 

Tolland County, 376. 

Tolland, Town of, 382. 

Topsham, Me.,561. 

Topsham, Vt., 762. 

Topsficld, 145. 

Torrington, 339. 

Townshend, 207. 

Townscnd, 789. 

Travelling, Old-tune, 67. 

Troy, Vt., 769. 

Truro, 85. 

Trumbull, Jonathan, 294, 373, 374. 

Trumbull, Jonathan, Jr., 374. 

Trumbull, John, 321. 

Trumbull, J. Hammond, 322. 

Tuftonborough, 607. 

Turner, 468. 

Tunbridge, 762. 

u. 

Uncas, 312, 313, 343, 373. 
Union, Ct., 385. 
Union, Me., 527. 
Upton, 285. 
Uxbridge, 285. 

V. 

Vane, Sir Henry, 33, 243. 

Van Ness, Gov. Comelius P., 726. 

Vassalborough, 520. 

Verrazani, 12. 

Vernon, 379. 

Vermont, State of, 677. 

679. ' 
Vermont in the Revolution, 683. 



Vermont, civil polity of, 686. 
Vermont, admission into the Union, 68 
Vergennes, 700. 
Vershire, 763. 
Vinland, 9. 
Voluntown, 396. 

w. 

Wallingford, Vt., 776. 

Waitsfield, 783. 

Wakefield, N. H., 607. 

Wakefield, Mass., 204. 

Wallingford, 364. 

Wales, Me., 470. 

Waltham, 197. 

Waldo County, 568. 

Waldo County, grouped towns of, 576. 

Waldo, Gen. Samuel, 501, 523, 569. 

Waldron, Maj., 595, 596, 661. 

Walpole, N. H., 615. 

Walpole, Mass., 230. 

Walden, 721. 

AValcott Family, 293. 

Warner, 648. 

Wan-en, Vt., 783. 



Wa 



Ma 



Warren, R. I., 411. 

Warren, Me., 527. 

Warren, Gen. Joseph, 191, 380. 

Warwick, 417. 

Ward, Rev. Nathaniel, 33. 

War, King Philip's, 39, 75. 110, 112, 188, 

232, 246, 586. 
War, French and Indian, 47. 
War of 1812, 60, 459, 505, 534, 548, 551, 5.59. 
War for the Union, 66. 
War, Revolutionary, .56, 683. 
Ware, 181. 
Wareham, 240. 

Washington County, R. I., 445. 
Washington County, Me., 576. 
Washington County, Me., grouped towns 

of, 583. 
Washington County, Vt., 777. 
Washington County, Vt., grouped towns 

of, 783. 
Washington, Vt., Town of, 763. 
Washburnc Family, 467. 
Watcrbury, Ct., 362. 
Watcrbury, Vt., 781. 
Watertown, 202. 
Waterford, Ct., 376. 
Waterford, Me., 541. 
Waterville, 517. 
Wayland, 208. 
Weare, 638. 

Webster, Daniel, 65, 646, 652. 
Webster, Mass., Town of, 286. 
Webster, Me., To«ti of, 470. 
Wellflcet, 85. 
Wells, 591. 
Weld, 497. 

Wentworth, Benning, 597, 679. 
Wentworth, John, 597, 598, 608. 
Wenham, 147. 
Westminster, Vt., 790. 
Westminster, Mass., 287. 



Westfleld, 173. 


Wilton, Me., 497. 


Winchester, N. H., 615. 


Westport, Mass., 124. 


Wilton, Vt., 638. 


Winchester, Mass., 207. 


Westpoit, Me., 533. 


Willington, 383. 


Winchendon, 286. 


Westford, 207. 


Willimantic, 398. 


Wiscasset, 532, 534. 


Weston, 208. 


Williston, 728. 


Witchcraft in Boston, 245. 


Wcstbrook, 488. 


Wilmington, Vt., 790. 


Woburn, 198. 


Westborough, 286. 


Wilbraliam, 174. 


Wolf borough, 604. 


Westerly, 447, 452. 


Winslow, Edward, 108. 


Woodstock, Me., 541. 


West Boylston, 287. 


Winslow, Me., Town of, 518. 


Woodstock, Ct., 392. 


West, Dr. Samuel, 82, 117. 


Windsor County, 791. 


Woodstock, Vt., 795, 796. 


Wethersfield, Ct., 327. 


Windsor County, grouped towns of, 791. 


Woodbury, 341. 


Woyiunutli, Capt. George, It, 520. 


Windsor, Vt., Town of, 797. 


Woolwich, 561. 


Weymouth, Town of, 225. 


Windsor, Ct., Town of, 32G. 


Wooster, Gen. David, 294, 310. 


Wlialc Fishery, 210. 


Windsor Loeks, Town of, 329. 


Worcester County, 274. 


M^heehvright,"Rcv. John, 593. 


Winthrop, John, 30, 31, 241, 245. 


Worcester Countv, grouped towns of, 288. 


Whitefield, Rev. George, 250. 


Winthrop, John, Jr., 291, 292, 307. 


Worcester, City of, 278. 


White, Rev. John, 27, 28. 


Winthrop, Mass., Town of, 272. 


Worthington, 186. 


Whitingham, 790. 


Winthrop, Me., Town of, 518. 


Wrentbam, 230. 


Whittier, John G., 64, 65, 140. 


Windham County, Ct., 387. 


Writs of Assistance, 51, .52. 


Wickford, 445. 


Windham County, Ct., grouped towns of, 




Wilson, Rev. John, 32, 241, 242, 24G. 


398. 




Wilson, Hon. Henry, 66, 200, 667. 


Windham, Ct., To^vn of, 389. 


Y. 


Williams, Roger, 33, 36, 242, 243, 399, 400, 


Windham, Me., 488. 




423, 433, 434, 435. 


Windham County, Vt., 784. 


Yarmouth, Mass., 74, 82. 


Williams, Ephraim, 92, 98. 


Windham County, Vt., towns of small 


Yarmouth, Me., 489. 


Williarastown, Mass., 106. 


population, 791. 


York County, Me., 583. 


Williamstown, Vt., 763. 


Winsted, 337. 


York County, Me., grouped towns of, 592. 


Williamsburg, 183. 


Winterport, 573. 


York, Town of, 592. 



EnnATi M. — rage 310. Vi 



LRBJe'28 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



014 042 463 8 



